The Jasper news., 1920-05-27
CHAPTER W.-cOntInued.
William Macleod R0ine


Elandrau strolled back to town along
m Molino street and down Main. He
had just crossed the old Spanish plaza
when his absorbed gaze fell on sign
that brought him up short. In front Of
a cigar store stretched across the side
walk a painted picture of a jack of
hearts. The same name was on the
window.
Fifty yards behind him was the Sill
yer Dollar saloon, where Luck Cuilison
had last been seen on his way to the
Del Mar one hundred and fifty yards
In front Of him. Somewhere within
that distance of two hundred yards
the owner of the Circle G had van
ished from the sight of men. The
evidence showed he had not reached
the hotel, for a cattle buyer had been
waiting there to talk with him. His
testimony, as well as that Of the hotel
clerk, was positive.
Could this little store, the Jack of
Hearts. be the central point of the
mysteryf In his search for informa-
tion Curly had already been In 1t, had
bought cigar, and had stopped to
talk with Mrs. Wylie. the proprietor.
She was a washed-out little woman
who had once been pretty. She had
protested with absurd earnestness
that she had seen nothing Of Mr.. Cul-
Eson. A single glance had been enough
to dismiss her from any possible sus-
picion.
Now Curly stepped In a second time.
The frightened gaze of Mrs. Wylie
fastened upon him instantly. He OBJ
served that her hand moved instinc-
lively to her heart. Beyond question
she was in fear. A flash Of light clari-
fed his mind. She was a conspirator,
but an unwilling one. Possibly she
might be the author Of the anonymous
warnings sent Bolt.
The young vaquero subscribed for a
magazine and paid her the money.
Tremblingly she filed out the receipt.
He glanced at the slip and handed 1t
back.
"Just write below the signature of
the Jack of Hearts, so that I'll re-
member where / paid the money If
the magazine doesn't come" he sug-
gested
She did so, and Curly put the re-
ceipt In his pocket carelessly. He
sauntered leisurely to the hotel, but
as soon as he could get into a tele-
phone booth his nstlessness vanished.
Malnpay haA raturrad 70 tour, and ha
telephoned him to get Mackenzie at
once and watch the Jack Of Hearts
In front and rear. Before he left the
booth Curly had compared the writ
ing Of Mrs. Wylie with that on the
sheet that had come by special de-
livery. Beyond question the same
person had written both.
Certainly Mrs. Wylie was not warn.
Ing the sheriff against herself. Then
against whOmf He must know her
antecedents, and at once. Calling up
a local detective agency. he asked the
hour or two all that could be found
out about the woman without alarm.
ing her.
"Wait a moment. / think we have
her on file. Hold the phone The
detective presently returned. "Yes
We can give you the facts. VIII you
come TO the Office for themr'
Fifteen minutes later Curly knew
that Mrs. Wylie was the divorced wife
Of Lutte Blackwell.
Ne ad 20 Nha naI lIa- a
sent his name up to Miss Culllson
With Kate and Bob there was also iI
the room Alec Flandrau.
The girl came forward lightly t.
meet him. "Have you heard some
thingr" she asked quickly.
'Yes. Tell me, when did your IA
ther last meet Lutte Blackwell so fal
as you known
The owner Of the Map of Texas an
sWered the question of his nephew
"He met him the other day. Lett
see. IT was right after the big poke
game. We met him downstairs here
Luck had to straighten out some no
lions he had got"
'HOwf"
Flandrau, Senior, told the story o.
what had occurred in the hotel lobby
"And you say he swore to get evenT
That's what he said. And h'
looked like he meant IT, too"
4sWhat Is it7 What have you fOunC
outT' Kate implOred.
The young man told about the let
ters and Mrs. Wylie.
We've s)t TO get a move on u.s.
ha concluded. eFOr II Lutte Blackwell