The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-09-25
CHAPTER vI-Continued.

Cautiously he circled the black
cabin. every nerve taut for struggle,
every sense alert. He found nothing to
reward his whoever the cow
ard had been. he had disappeared
among the rocks. vanishing completely
n the black night. The fellow had not
even waited to learn the effect of his
shot. II was not until he came back
to the open door that the miner
thought Of his companion. What had
become Of Jose? Could IL be that the
Mexican was hit? He entered. shrink
INK from the task. yet resolute to learn
The truth. A black, shapeless figure.
scarcely discernible as man. lay
hrddled beneath the table. Westcott
bent over It, feeling for the heart and
turning face upward. There was no
slslhle mark of the bullet wound. but
he body was limp the face CHASTITY in
he gr0tesque dance of the flames. The
ASSASSIN had not wasted his shot-JOse
Mlvarl would never see Mexico
agin.
Westcott Strengthened the body out.
rrossing the dead hands, and covered
he face with blanket stripped from
bunk. The brief burst of flame died
down. leaving the room i'm semi-dark-
hesss The miner was conscious only
feeling Of dull rage. desire for
revenge The shot had been clearly
Intended for himself. The killing of
lose had been a mere accident. In all
Mobability the murderer had crept
way believing he had succeeded in his
purpose II he had fingered long
rough TO see anyone emerge from the
aat De would naturally imagine the
@fvlvor to be the Mexican. Good
ms very confidence would tend to
n'ow the fellow Off his guard he
Sould have no fear of lose.
nc reached beneath the blanket and
a'eW forth the dead Mexican's revol-
Nr slipped the weapon into his own
~'' opened the door and went out,
sHS'hg It tightly behind him. Jose
"a'a ne there until morning. While
" darkness lasted he had work 10 do.
JUS purpose settled. there WIS no hes
aaacy In his movements. His was the
WY o. the West; his methods those
Z me desert aud the mountains. the
Ivy anu method Of n fighting man.
a''i' trail. rock strewn, led to the
.''hg where II connected with an ore
Su extending down the valley TO
aasAeil Another trail across the spur
+ the distance to the La Ros-
- snaI'holise. But Westcott chose to
'''o~ none OF these. lest he run into
,AAe am'iuscade. Slowly and silently,
s"ouS 10 dslodge no rolling stone.
.as eeephg well concealed among the
] 80 !, Ne iinaly descended to the level
~ Mutt. feeling confident that his
',se''ee was not discovered.
= 'ad no Clearly defined plan. only
i. 70 learn exactly what was be-
:. "'ae The office beyond the shaft
- Oshted, although the faint aIeam
II. wv allnly revealed along the |
. y lowered curtains copcealinr
interior However. his evidence
r,s - some one was within served to /
ns.. "eNcott's attention and he
aas ''Vuhd, under the shadow of the.
a,s'' ana approached the farther
Z. he could perceive now two
n 8 me hosting platform and hear
sowi Of their voices. but without
nls Any, aole to distinguish speech. Re-
H. h., = hand, he made the round of
m,a ,u'ng TO assure himself that no
49, !. aao been posted there, then
4 ,As - window farthest away from
n. ana endeavored TO look in.
aeasy green curtain extenaed 70
sM y. but was slit in one corner.
u 80, ~ close TO this slight OPEN
k.rh.s ~, ~ . partial glimpse of the
M II. re We're three men In the
ah = u Westcott drew a quick
n A. = surprise as he recognized the
d. "onting him-Bill Lacy at
s,,,e pipe in his mouth, his feet
ataa convenient chair, and
urs.s. n'ng back against the wall
~ = Aalf asleep with his eyes
=. Ane third man was facing
uocealed by the stove; he
3 doing the talking, and
~ his hand resembling :