The Lamar register., 1920-02-25

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. Wylie was not warn
Ing the sheriff against herself. Then
against whomf lie must know her
antecedents. and at once. Calling up
local detective agency, he asked the
manager to let him know within an
hour or two all that conld be found
out about the woman without alarm
ing her.
walt a moment think we have
her on file. Hold the phone" The
detective presently returned. Yes
We can give you the facts. WIN you
come to the office for themf'
Fifteen minutes later Curly knew
that Mrs. Wylie was the divorced wife
OF Lutte Blackwell.
He returned to 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
thingf" she asked quickly.
"Yes. Tell me. when did your ia
ther last meet Lutte Blackwell so far
as you known"
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 big poker
game We met him downstairs here.
Luck had to straighten out some no
tons he had got
'Howf"
Flandrau, Senior. told the story OF
what had occurred in the hotel lobby.
'And you say he swore TO get evenf"
That's what he said. And he
looked like he meant II, too"
what is iti What have you found
outr' Kate lmplored.
The young man told about the let
ters and Mrs. Wylie.
We've got to get move on us"
he concluded. "For If Lutte Blackwell
did this thing TO your father It's
mighty serious for him"
Kate was white to the lips. but in
no danger Of breaking down. Yes, II
this man Is In 1t he would not stop
at less than murder. But | don't he
live II. ! know father Is alive. Cass
Fendrlck Is the man We want I'm
sure OF IT,"
First thing Is to search the Jack
OF Hearts and see what's there Are
you with me. Uncle A'ec7"
Il sure am. Curly" and he reached
for his hat.
Curly turned at the door with his
warm smile. by the way. I've got
some news ! forgot. I know where
your father got the money to pay his
poker debts Mr.. Jordan of the Cat
tlemen's National made him per
sonal lonn. He figured It would not
hurt the bank because the three men
Luck paid 1t to would deposit It with
the bank again"
"By George. that's what we did. too.
every last one of US" his uncle nd-
mitied
Every little helps" Kate said, and
her little double nod thanked Curly.
Maloney met them I'm front Of the
Jack Of Hearts.
Dick. you go with me inside. Uncle
Alec. will you keep guard outsider"
NO. bub. won't. knew Luck
before you were walking howleggel." !.
the old cattleman answered bruSqus'y
Curly grinned. IAN right. Don't
blame me II you get shot up"
Mrs. wylie's startled eyes told tnie'
when she saw the three men. Her
face was nshen.
I'm here to play trumps. Mrs. Wy
lie. What secret has the Jack of
Hearts got hidden from usf" young
Flandrau demanded, his hard eyes
fastened 10 her timorous ones.
I'LL don't know what you mean"
"No use. We're here for business.
Dick, you stay with her. Don't let
her leave or shout warning"
He passed into the back room.
which was kind of combination liv-
ing room. kitchen and bedroom. A
door led from the rear into u back
yard Uttered with empty packing
cases, garbage cans and waste paper.
After taking a look around the yard
he locked the back door nolselessly.
There WIS no other apparent exit from
the kitchen-bedroom except the one
by which he and his uncle had en-