The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1920-03-25

.hen his absorbed gaze fell on sign
thot brought him up short. In front of
cigar store stretched across the side.
r,oIk painted picture Of a jack of
.oarts, The same name was on the
window.
Fifty yards behind him was the Sill
~or Dollar saloon, where Luck CulliSon
bad last been seen on his way to the
Dal Mar one hundred and fifty yards
IN front of him. Somewhere within
that distance of two hundred yards
tho owner of the Circle G had van
shed from the sight of men. The
evidence showed he had not reached
tho hotel, for a cattle buyer had been
waiting there to talk with him. His
testimony, as we'll as that of the hotel
clerk, was positive.
Could this little store, the Jack OF
Hearts. be the central point of the
mystery? In his search for informa-
ton Curly had already been in it, had
bought a cigar, and had stopped to
talk with Mrs. Wylie, the proprietor.
She was washed-out little woman
who had once been pretty. She had
protested with absurd earneStneSs
that she had seen nothing OF Mr.. Cul-
BSon. A single glance had been enough
10 dismiss her from any possible suS.
piciOn.
Now Curly stepped In second time.
The frightened gaze of Mrs. Wylie
fastened upon him instantly. He OBJ
served that her hand moved inStinc
lively to her heart. Beyond question
she was in fear. A fash of light clari-
fed his mind. She was q cOnspirat0r,
but an unwilling one. Possibly she
might be the author of the anonymous
earnings sent Bolt.
The young vaquero subscribed for
magazine and paid her the money.
Tremblingly she filed out the receipt.
He glanced at the slip and handed it
back.
Just write below the signature of
the Jack of Hearts, so that I'll re-
member where / paid the money II
the magazine doesn't come" he sug-
ge>ted
She did so, and Curly put the re-
eept in his pocket carelessly. He
Sauntered leisurely to the hotel, but
as soon as he could get into tele-
phone booth his listlessness vanished.
MaIoney had returned to town and he
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-
nuocfinn tho Same
person had written both.
Certainly Mrs. Wylie was not warn
fng the sheriff against herself. Then
against whom? He must know her
antecedents, and at once. Calling up
A local detective agency, he asked the
manager to let him know within an
hour or two all that could be found
cut about the woman without alarm
ing her.
wait a moment. I think we have
her on file. Hold the phone" The
detective presently returned. eyes.
We can give you the facts. Will you
come to the Office for them?''
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 Cuillson.
With Kate and Bob there was also in
she room Alec FIandrau.
The girl came. forward lightly to
meet him. "Have you heard some
thing?" she asked quickly.
Yves. Tell me, when did your IA
Their last meet Lutte Blackwell so far
as you know?"
The owner Of the Map Of Texas an
sWered the question of his nephew.
He met him the other day. Let's
see. 1t was right after the big poker
game. We met him downstairs here.
Luck had to straighten out some mo-
lions he had got.''
'How?"
Flandrau, Senior, told the story OF
What had occurred in the hotel lobby.
And you say he swore to get evenY
That's what he said. And he
looked like he meant it, too"
What is it? What have you found
eutE Kate impIored.
The young man told about the let
ters and Mrs. Wylie.
w VIC S0I " get AAOFC w @S-71
ne concluded. "For If Lutte Blackwell
eld this thing to your father it's
mighty serious for him"
Kate was white to the lips, but in
no danger of breaking down. Eyes, II
tn's man is in it he would not stop
at less than murder. But l don't be-
ave it. I know father is alive. Cass
Hendrick is the man we want. I'm
sure of it,"
FIRST thing is to search the Jack
u Hearts and see what's there. Are
'ou with me, Uncle Alec?"
a. l sure am, Curly" and he reached
sOr his hat.