The Lamar register., 1920-05-05
toopynshi, By Randall PsrT4sh)

La Roslta mine was a rather vague
one. His thought had naturally asso-
cIated Bill Lacy with whatever form
Of devlltry had brought Beaton to the
nelghborhoOd OF Haskell, and he felt
convinced firmly that this special
brand of deviltry had some direct con-
nection with the disappearance Of
Frederick Cavendlsh. Just what the
connection between these people might
prove to be was still a matter of
doubt, but as Miss Donovan was 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
II 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 masterpiece OF criminal
ingenuity. so boldly carried out 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
dislnheriting John. These had COM
PEELED earlier action, yet no radical
change In plans. as the machinery
was already prepared and In position.
Luck had been with the conspirators
when Frederick called In Enright to
draw up the will.
Enrlghtl Beyond doubt his were
the brains dominating the affair. The
whole foul thing lay before westcott's
Imagination In It's dlabollcal ingenuity
-Enright's legal mind had left no
loophole. He Intended to play the
game absolutely safe. SO far. at least,
ms he was personally concerned.
The money was TO go legally to John
without the shadow of suspicion
resting upon II; 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 I;
what remained obscure WAS the fate
Of Frederick Cavendish.
Westcott came back from his mus
ings TO this one important question.
The answer puzzled him. II the man
was dead why should Beaton remain at
Haskell and insist on Miss La Rue's
Joining him? And II the man was
alive and concealed somewhere In the
neighborhood. what was their present
objectf Had they decided they were
rlsking too much In permitting him to
live2 Had something occurred to
make them feel 1t safer to have him
out of the way permanently? What
connection did Bill Lacy have with the
gang7
Westcott rose to his feet and began
following the trail up the canon. He
was not serving Cavendish nor Miss
Donovan by sitting there. He 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
10 discontinue work, and hide. as best
be could. from others the fact that he
bad again discovered the lost lead OF
rich ore. To that end, after taking out
enough for his immediate require
meuts In the form OF nuggets gath
pred from u single pocket, which hs
had later negotiated quietly at a towI
pown the railroad, he had blocked VI
The new tunnel and discontinued opera
lions. He had fondly believed his Sc
kret secure. until Lacy's careless word
bad aroused suspicion that the latte
might have seen his kilograms to Cav
endIsh. His only assistant, Mexican
who had been with him for some time
remained on guard at the bunkhous'
and, so far as he knew, no serious ef
fort had been made to explore the drif
by any of Lacy's satellites. Now, a
he came up the darkening gulch ant
crunched his way across the rock pill
before the tunnel entrance, he saw th'
cheerful blaze of fire In the Mexi
cans quarters and stopped to Ques