The spectator., 1920-04-30

'em sick for talking about him."
 9ils cousin nodded choking down her sObs. 'Of course It-it'll come out all right--as soon as he finds out what they're saying Saddle two horses right away, Bob."
 Sure. We'll soon find where he is. bet you"
 The setting sun found their journey less than half done. Kate was tor tured with anxiety. Deep within her something denied that her father could be g0ne out Of world so good. And if he were alive. Curly Ffandrau would find him-Curly and Dick be tween them. Luck Cullison had plenty of good friends who would not stand by and see him wronged.
 Any theory of his disappearance that accepted his guilt did not occur to her mind for an instant. The two had been very close to each other. Luck had been in the habit of saying smilihgly that she was his major domo, his right bower. Some share of his awlessg Temperament she inherited enough to feel sure that this particu. lar Kind of wrongdoing was impossible for him He was reckless, sometimes passionate. but she did not need to re- asSure herself that he was scrupulous ly honest.
 This brought her back to the only other tenable hypothesis-foul play And from this she shranS with quak. ing heart. For surely if his enemies wished to harm him they would de Stroy him, and this was conclusion
 The plaza clock boomed ten strokes as they rode into Saguache. Macken' zie was waiting for them on the steps of the hotel.
 Have they--has anything been-T
 The owner of the Fiddleback shook his grizzled head. ANot yet. Didn't you meet Curly?"
 "No."
 He rode out to come in with you. but if he didn't meet you by ten he was to come back. You took the north road, I reckon?"
 "Yes"
 He ,put an arm around her shou ders and drew her into the hotel win cheerful talk.
 Come along. Bob. We're going to tuck away a good supper first off. While you're eating. I'll tell you all there is to be told
 kate opened her lips to say that she was npt hungry and could not possibly eat bite. but she thought better of | it. Bos hati tasted nothing since noon. and oa esssntN must be fed.
 CuS 1to the room, and the girl #4t 4t him. He toos her little hand tanned muscular one. and soinehowS from his grip she gath. | cred strength.
 'I'm so glad you've come" she said l simply.
 I'm glad you're glad." he Smiled cheerfuIly.
 He knew she had been crying. that | she was suffering cruelty. but he of fered her courage rather than maudlin | sympathy. Hope seemed to flow | through her veins at the meeting of the eyes. Whatever man could do | for her would be done by Curly.
 They talked the situation over to- | gether.
 As it looks to me, we've got to find !! out two things-first, what has be- come of your father and, second who | did steal that money. I don't see it | vet, but there's some link between the l two things. 1 mean between the rob- bery and his disappearance"
 How do you mean?" Kate asked. 1
 Wen say the robbers were his enc i mies--Some of the Soapy Stone outfit maybe. They have got him out ot the way to satisfy their grudge and to make people think he did it. Unfortu- nately there is evidence that makes 1t look as if he might have done it- what they call corrohorating testi- mony.'
 What does Sheriff Bolt think?"
 Curly waved the sheriff aside. Tt don't matter what he thinks. Miss Kate. He says he thinks Luck was mixed up in the holdup. Maybe that's | what he thinks. but we don't want to forget that Cass Fendrick made him sheriff and your father fought him to eyou-well.'
 .rd like to talk with Bolt the young woman announced.
 "All right" Mackenzie asseAted. Tomorrow mo'ning-
 No, tonight. Uncle Mac"
 The cattleman looked at her In sur prise. Her voice rang with decision. Her slight figure seemed compact with energy and resolution. Was this the girl who had been in helpless tears not ten minutes before?
 "TIl see if he's at his office. Maybe