The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1920-08-12

PRODUCTION to Miss La Rue, and the
rest is easy" >
Westcott's purpose In visiting the
La Rosita mine was a rather vague
one. His thought had naturally asso-
GATED Bill Lacy with whatever form
Of deviltry had brought Bcaton TO the
neighbOrhood of Haskell, and he felt
convinced firmly that this special
brand of d%eviltry had some direct con-
nectiOn with the disappearance of
Frederick C~avendish. Just what the
connection between these people might
prove to be was still a matter of
doubt. but as Miss Donovan WIS seek.
ing this information at the hotel, all
that remained for him to do at pres
ent was an investigation of Lacy. The
careful review of all Miss Donovan
had told him only served to increase
his confidence that his old partner
still lived. No other conception seemed
possible, or would account for the
presence of Ned BeatOn in Haskell. or
the hurried call for Miss La Rue. Yet
1t was equally evident this was not
caused by any miscarriage of their
original plans. Apparently every de-
tail of the crime, which meant the win
ming of Frederick Cavendish's fortune.
had been thus far successfully carried
out. The money was already prac-
tically in their possession, and not the
slightest suspicion had been aroused.
1t had been a masterpiece Of criminal
ingenuity, so boldly carried cut as to
avoid danger of discovery.
Every step had been taken exactly
in accord with the original outlines,
except possibly that they had been
hurried by Cavendish's sudden deter
mination TO return West, and his will
disinheriting John. These had com
PEELED earlier action, yet no radical
change I'm plans, as the machinery
was already prepared and in position.
Luck had been with the conspirators
wien Frederick called in Enright to
draw up the will.
EDright! Beyond doubt his were
the brains dominating the affair. The
whole foul thing lay before Westcott's
imagination in its diabolical ingenuity
-Enright's legal mind had left no
loophole. He intended to play the
game absolutely safe, so far, at least,
as he was personally concerned.
The money was to go legally to John
without the shadow of a suspicion
resting upon It; and then-well, he
knew how to do the rest; already he
had a firm grip on a large portion.
Yes. all this was reasonably clear;
what remained obscure was the fate
of Frederick Cavendish.
Westeott came back from his mus
ings to this N important question.
The answer puzzled him. re the man
was dead why should Beaton remain at
Haskell and insist on Miss La Rue's
joining him? And if the man was
alive and concealed somewhere in the
neighbOrhood. what was their present
object? Had they decided they were
risking too much In permitting him to
live? Had something occurred to
make them feel it safer to have him
out of the way permanently What
connection did Bill Lacy have with the
gang?
Westeott rose to his feet and began
following the trail up the canon He
was not serving Cavendish nor Miss
Donovan by sitting there Ere walked
rapidly, but the sun was nearly down
by the time he reached the mouth of
his own drift
While waiting word from the East
which would enable him TO- develop
the claim, Westcott had thought 1t best
to discontinue work. and hide, as best
he could, from others the fact that he
had again discovered the lost lead Of
rich ore. To that end. after taking out
enough for his Immediate. r.euire-
ments In the form of nuggets gath
cred from a single pocket. which he
had laher negotiated quietly at a town
down the railroad, he had blocked up
the new tunnel and discontinued opera
tons. He had fond,y believed his Sc
cret secure, until Lacy's careless words
had aroused suspicion that the latter
mlEktt HdNc Sccu HIS tefcSEdIuS W INV
endish. His only assistant. a Mexican.
who had been with him for some time,
remained on guard at the clubhouse
and, so far as he knew. no serious eff
fort had been made to explore the drift
by any Of Lacy's satellites. Now. as
be came up the darkening guich and
erunched his way across the rock pile
before the eannei entrance, he saw the
cheerful blaze Of . FIRE In the Mexi-
cans quarters and stopped to ques-
ton him.
"Senor-youv
"Yes. Jose." and Westcott dropped
on a bench. Anything wrong? You
seem nervous"
mo, senor. ! expected you not to-
night; there was a man there by the
big tree mt sunset"
Zone of the La Rosita gang likely.
Don't fight them. ycse. Let them poke
arounu inside II they want to: they
won't find anything but rock. Got a
bite there for met"
Isl. senior, ~aplenty."
~Ali right then; I'm hungry and
have a bit Of work ahead. Put II on
the table here and sit down yourself.
JOaow