The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1920-03-11


mystery? In his search for Informal
ton Curly had already been In 1t, had
bought a cigar, and had stopped To-
talk with Mrs. Wylie. the proprietor.
She was q washed-Out little woman
who had once been pretty. She had
protested with absurd earnestness
that she had seen nothing OF Mr.. Cul.
lison. A single glance had been enough
to dismiss her from any possible sus,
plcIon.
Now Curly stepped In n 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 flash of light clari.
tied his mind. She WAS conspirator.
but an unwilling one. Possibly she
might be the author OF the anonymous
warnings sent Bolt.
The young vaquero subscribed for
magazine and paid her the money.
Trcmblingly she filled out the receipt
He glanced at the slip and handed IT
back.
Just write below the signature of
the Jack Of Hearts, so that III re-
member where paid the money II
the magazine doesn't come" he sug.
gested.
She did so, and Curly put the re-
ceipt In his pocket cnreleSsly. He
sauntered leisurely to the hotel, but
as soon as he could get into telr-
phone booth his listlessness vanished.
Maloney had returned to town and he
teIephoned him to get Mackenzie at
once and watch the Jack Of Hearts
I'm 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 whom? He 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.
'Wat moment. think we have
her on file. Hold the phone" The
detective presently returned. "Yes.
We can give you the facts. VIII 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 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
thing?" she asked quickly.
"Ycs. Tell me, when did your IA
ther last meet Lutte Blackwell so far
as you know?"
The owner Of the Map OF Texas an.
swered the question OF his nephew.
"lle met him the other day. Let's
see. 1t was right after the big poker
game. We met him downstairs here.
Luck had to straiShten out some no.
tons he had got"
"How?"
what had occurred in the hotel lobby.
"And you say he swOre to get even?"
That's what he said. And he
looked like he meant 1t, too"
What Is it? What have you found
out?" Kate implOred
The young man told about the let
ters and Mrs. Wyiic
We've got to get n move on u.s."
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 I'm
no danger Of breaking down. "Yes, If
this man Is In 1t he would not stop
at less than murder. But don't be-
live 1T. know father Is alive Cass
Fendrick 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 Alec?"
81 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. | know where
your father got the money to pay his
poker debts. Mr.. Jordan Of the Cat.
tlemen's National made him per
sonal loan. He figured 1t 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 u.s." his uncle nd.
mittetl.
Every little helps" Kate said, and
| her little double nod thanked Curly.
Maloney met them In 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 bowlcggcd."
the old cattleman answered brusuuely.
Curly 1rinned. "Al right Don't
blame me If you get shot up"
Mrs. Wylie's startled eyes told tale,
when she saw the three men, IIe'
face wGs nshen.
I'm here to play trumps. Mrs. Wy
lie What cppr.f bns fhn Jn.L ~