The diamond drill., 1920-03-13
Crooked
Trails /
and
Straight a

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Take 'sm along
Blandrau strolied back to town along
III Aolino street and down Main. He
had tust crossed the old Spanish plaza
when his absorbed case fell on sign
that brought him no short. In front Of
q cigar store stretched across the side
walk q paiRted picture Of Jack Of
hearts. The same name was on the
window.
Fifty yards behind him was the Sill
ver Dollar saloon. where Luck Cullison
had last been seen on his way TO the
Del Mar one hundred and nifty yards
In front OF him. Somewhere within
. that distance OF two hundred yards
the owner of the Circle q had van
tshed from the sight OF men. The
evidence showed he had not reached
the hotel. for q cattle buyer had been
waiting there 20 talk with him. His
testimony As well as that OF the hotel
clerk, was positive $3.50 T
Could this little store. the Jack OF
Hearts. be the central point Of the
mystery1 In his search for informa-
ton Curly had already been, IN H. had
bought Z cigar. and had stopped, TO
talk with Mrs Wylie. the proprietor.
she was washed-out little woman
who had CAGE been pretty. She had
protested with absurd earnestness
that she had seen nothing OF Mr.. Cul-
lison. A single glance had been enough
TO dismiss her from any possible sus'
Now Curly stepped In a second time.
The frightened gaze OF Mrs. Wylle
fastened upon him instantly. He oh
served that her hand moved instinc-
lively 90 her heart. Beyond question
she was In fear. A fash OF light clari-
fed his mind. she was conspirator,
but an unwilling one. Possibly she
might be the author OF the anonymous
warnings sent Bolt.
The young vaquero subscribed for
magazine and paid her the money.
Tremblingly she filed out the receipt.
lie glanced at the slip and handed IL
back.
"Just write below the signature of
the Jack OF Hearts, so that I'll re-
member where I paid the money IL
the magazine doesn't come" he sug-
gested.
She did so, and Curly put the re-
ceipt In his pocket carelessly. He
sauntered Ieisurely TO the hotel, but
as soon as he could get into a tele-
phone booth his ilstlessness vanished.
Maloney had returned TO town and he
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. Wylle 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
manager TO let him know within an
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. Will you
come to the Office for themf1
Fifteen minutes later Curly knew
that Mrs. wyIIe was the divorced wife
OF Lutte Blackwell.
He returned 20 the Del Mar and
sent his name up TO Miss Cullison.
With Kate and Bob there was also In
the room Alec Flandrau.
The girl came forward lightly TO
meet him. "Have you heard some
thIng7' she asked quickly.
"Yes. Tell me. when did your IA
: ther last meet Lutte Blackwell so far
as you knowf"
The owner OF the Map OF Texas an
swered the question OF his nephew.
He met him the other day. Let's
see. II was right after the biz poker
game. We met him downstairs here.
Luck had 10 straighten out some no.
lions he had got"
"How7"
Flandrau. Senior. told the story OF
what had occurred In the hotel lobby.
"And you say he swore to get even1'
'"That's what he said. And he
looked like he meant II. too"
"what Is it1 What have you found
out7" Kate implored.
The young man told about the let
ters and Mrs. wylle.
We've got 20 get move on u.s.
he concluded. "For II Lutte Blackwell
did this thing 10 your father It's
mighty serious for him.
Kate was white 20 the lips. but In
no danger Of breaking down. 'Yes, II
this man Is In II he would not stop
nt less than murder. But don't be-
live IL. know father Is alive. Cass
Fendrick is the man we want. I'm
sure OF IT,
'First thing IL 10 search the Jack
q - a a. A 49,.