The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-10-09
CHAPTER TX.
Westcott Finds Himself Alone

tHuanSer MISS Donovan. lie was on
the property of La Rosita Mining com
pany upon his own account, and not in
reference to the Cavendish case at all
or, at least. this last was merely in
cidental.
From where he lay he could see
across the bare, rock-Strewn hillside to
the distant hut, outlined by the CLEAN
Of light within, and perceive the black
silhouette of the shafthouse. He could
dimly distinguish figures as they
passed in and out Of the glare Of light,
and was aware that Moore had been
found and carried within the hut, but
! remained ignorant of the fact that the
leaving of knife in the window had
revealed his identity. There was no
att enipt at pursuit. which gave him
confidence that Lacy failed to compre-
bend The Importance of what had been
overheard, yet he cIung to his hiding
place until all the men had re-entered
the office.
II was late the next morning before
WestCott rode into Haskell and.
stabling his horse. which bore all the
marks of hard riding, proceeded to-
ward the Timmons house. He had
utilized, as best he could, the hours
since that cavalcade had departed
from La Rosita to put his own affairs
in order so that he might feel free to
camp on the conSpirators' trail and
risk all n IN effort tC rescue Cayen-
dish. The night had been hard one,
but Westcott was still totally uncon-
scious Of fatigue-his whole thought
conferred ON his purpose. AS he rode
slowly up the street in the bright sun
light his mind reverted to Stella Dono-
van. Eager for the greeting which he
felt assured awaited him. he strobe
through the open door into the office.
The room was vacant, but as he
crossed the floor toward the desk the
proprietor entered the opening leading
into the barroom beyond.
Hello, JIM" he cried at sight of
the other. Thought you'd be back.
but d 1t, yer too late-shes-she's
gone; almighty pretty girl, too. told
the boys II was blame shame fer
her ter run off hathaway"
"Who has run OFF, And Westcott's
hand crushed down on the mans shout
der. what are you talking aboutT
Me! Let up, will yer? Yer was
here hopin ter see that New York girl,
wasn't yer7"
Miss Donovan? Yes"
I'D forgot her name. Well, she
amt yere-she's left"
''Left-gone from town"
"Sure; skipped out sudden in the
uight took the late train East, l reck-
on. Never sed no word to nobody
just naturally packed up her buds an
hiked."
Westcott drew deep breath.
Surely you do not mean she left
without any explanation? She must
have paid her BILL
"Oh, she was square enough-sure.
She left money an note pinned to
her pillow sed she'd just got mes
sage calm her home-want ter see
whit she wrQte?"
"You bet do, Timmons Y
Timmons waddled around behind the
desk and ran his hand into a drawer.
Evidently he considered the matter a
huge Joke, but Westcott snatched the
paper from his fingers impatiently and
eagerly redG the few hastily penciled
lines:
'TIave received message calling
me East at once. Shall take the night
train. and incIose sufficient money to
pay for my entertainment.
rs. d."
He stared at the words. deep
crease between his eyes. 1t was a
woman's handwriting, and at first
glance there was nothing impossible in
such an action on her part. Yet 1t was
strange, IL she had departed SO sud
denly without leaving any message for
him. His eyes narrowed with aroused
suspicion as he looked up from the slip
of paper and confronted the amused
Tjmmons across the desk.
"And that was al, was it-just this
note and the cash? There ~s nothing
addressed to me?"
The hotelkeeper shook his head.
"When did you see her last.
"'Bout nine o'clock, ] reckon; she
came down inter the dinin room fer a
drink o. water"
"uovv much longer were YOU tIp?"
"Oh. maybe an hour"
mo message for Miss Donovan up
to that timer
mo"
lyon left the door uDlockedT
"Sure; them New York eeIIers was
both out. oughter waited till they
come in, maybe, but ! was plum tired
out"
"When did they come backT
"Oh. bout midnight, / reckon. Bill
Lacy an Matt Moore was along with
EN-
81 see, And these New York people
they are still here?'
.They wus III three down ter break
fast: amt seen nuthin' of 'em since"
"What became Of LacyT
Hes down in his saloon; he sed
II You showed up, an asked fer him,
ter. tell yer that's whar he'd be-"
"He told you that? He expected me
to show up, them"
Il reckon rs how he did," and Tim