The diamond drill., 1920-03-06


OF the initials L. G. 10 tell her whose II
had been. A wave OF despair swept
over her. Again she was on the verge
OF breaking down. but controlled her
self as with tight curb.
"You say the robber had on his hat,
and that somebody shot at him. Who
ever II was must know the man wasn't
father"
Gently Bolt took this last prop from
her hope. "Ie In almost sure the man
was your father"
A spark OF steel came into her dark
eyes. "Who is the MANI
"His name is Fendriek.r
"Cass Fendrickf" She whipped the
word at him, leaning forward In her
chair rigIdly with her hands clenched
on the arms of II. One could have
guessed that the sound OF the name
had unleashed a dormant ferocity In
her
"Yes. ! know he and your father
aren't friends. They have had some
trouble. For that reason he was very
reluctant 10 give your fathers name"
The girl famed. Reluctant Don't
you believe III He hates father like
poison" A flash of inspiration came
10 her. "Cass Fendrick is the man you
want. and he is the man l want. He
robbed the express company. and he
has killed my father or abducted him.
/ know now. Arrest him tonight"
81 have to have evidence" Bolt said
quietly.
IL can give you a motive. Listen.
Father expected to prove up yesterday
on his Del Orc claim. II he had done
so Cass Fendrick's sheep would have
been cut on from the water. Father
had TO be got out OF the way not later
than Wednesday, or that man would
have been put out OF business. He was
very bitter about It. He had made
threats"
at would take more than threats
to get rid OF the best fighting man In
Arizona. right in the middle OF the
day, in the heart OF the town. without
a soul knowing t."
"He was trapped somehow. OF
course" Curly cut In. For he was
sure that in no other way could Luck
Cullison have been overcome.
"If you'll only tell me how. Elan
drau," Bolt returned.
IL don't know how, but Wen find
out"
81 hope So"
Kate felt his doubt, and II was like
a spark TO powder.
"You ought to know father couldn't
have done this There Is such a thing
as character. Luck Cullson simply
couldn't be a thief"
Mackenzle's faith had been strength
ened by the insistent loyalty of the
girl. That's right. Nick. Let me tell
you something else. Fendrick knew
Luck was going to prove up Thursday.
He heard him tell us at the Round
Up club Tuesday morning"
The sheriff summed up. -You've
proved Cass had interests that would
be helped II Mr.. CullIson were rs-
moved. But you haven't shaken the
evidence against Luck"
''We've proved Cass Fendrick had
TO get father out OF the way on the
very day ke disappeared. one day
later would have been too late. We've
shown his enmlty. Any evidence that
rests on his word is no good. Tie
truth isn't IN the man."
Maybe not. but he didn't make this
evidence"
Kate had another inspiratlonal fash.
"He did-some OF II. Somehow he
got hold OF fathers hat. and he manu-
factured a story about shooting IL from
the, robbers head. But 20 make his
story stick he must admit he was on
the ground at the time Of the hold
up. So he must have known the rob-
berry was going TO take place."
Bolts shrewd eyes narrowed 10
smile. "You prove TO me that Cass
had your fathers hat before the hold
up, and I'll take some stock In the
story"
"And In the meantime" suggested
Curly.
"I'll keep right on looking for Luck
Culllson, but I'll keep an eye on Cass
Fendrick. too"
Kate took up the challenge comb
IDENTIFY. "rll prove he had the hat
at least I'll try TO pretty hard. It's
the truth. and II must come out some
how"
After he had left her at the hotel.
Curly walked the streets with a sharp
excitement tingling his blood. He had
lived his life among men. and he
knew little about women and their
ways. But his imagination seized
vividly upon this slim, dark girl with
the fine eyes that could be both ten
der and ferocious. with the look or
combined dellcacy and strength In
every line OF her.
"AInt she the gamest little thor
oughbred everr' he chuckled 20 him
self "gtands the acid every crack.