The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1920-01-30
CHAPTER V.-continued.

Bout week. maybe morn da
ago. De Warrior brought de bod
down. sah."
1.-THE Warrior7 Did anyone g
ashore with itf"
Pears like thar wus two me-
stepped off at de Landin'. I disre
member de names, but one OBJ 'em WI
an OIL friend OBJ de jedge's."
turned my head away silently. blu
only for moment. The two men wer,
In all probability Kirby and his satel
Hte. Carver. Doubtless the Beaucair'
property was already legally in Kir
oy's possession, and any possible
chance l might have once had to fol
him In his nefarious purpose had now
completely vanished.
To be sure I had reasoned out nc
definite means whereby 1 could cir
cumvent his theft, except to take legal
advice, confer with Governor Clark,
and warn those threatened girls of
their danger. But now it was too late
even TO do this. And yet 1t might not
be. If Kirby and his confederate be-
iieved that 1 was dead, were con-
WINGED that I had persisted beneath
the waters of the river, they might
feel safe in taking time to strengthen
their position; might delay final ac-
ton, hoping thus to make their case
seem more plausible. If Kirby was
really serious in his intention of mar
rying Beaucaire's daughter he would
naturally hesitate Immediately to ac-
knowledge winning the property a.
cards, and thus indirectly being the
cause of her fathers death. He would
he quite likely to keep this hidden
from the girl for a while, until he
tried his luck at love.-If love failed,
then the disclosure might be made to
drive the young woman TO him-a
siireat to render her complaisant.
do you know lawyer named
Aaines?"
.Iivin' down at de Landin'? Yas.
sab"
lifted myself up in bed, too deeply
Interested to lie still any longer.
Now listen, Pete" l explained ear
nestly. "I've got sufficient money to
pay you well for all you do, and just
MS soon as you get me something to
eat / want you to go down to the |
Landing and bring Lawyer Haines |
hack here with you. Just tell him a |
sick white man wants to see him at
once, and not word to anyone else"
''.Yas, sah," the whites of his eyes
rolling. 'IHe done know OF Pete, an
III sure bring him back yere."
1t was dark when they came the
ire alone lighting up the interior of
he dingy cabin with q fitful glow of
,eti fame / had managed to get out
n t,ed and partially dress myself, feel
MS stronger and in less pain as / ex-
'rtised my muscles. Haines was a
isoall, sandy-complexioned man, with
. struggling beard and light blue
yes. He appeared competent enough,
bundle of nervous energy, and yet
here was something about the fellow
Which instantly impressed me unfavor
his short, jerky man.
-er of speech and his inability to look
traight at you.
'"Pete has been telling me who you
re, lieutenant" he said, as we shook
ands, "and putting some other things
sgether / can guess the rest. You
anne south on the WarriorY
'From Fort Armstrong-yes who
old you this?"
Captain Throckmorton. / saw him
, st. Louis, and he seemed deeply i
rieved by your sudden disappearance. ;
10 one on board was able to explain )
HAT had occurred
-'Yet there were two men on the n
sat who could have explained If they 8
I'D cared to do So" l answered dryly. v
mean Kirby and Carver; they were g
ne ones who threw me overheard" Il
He dropped into chair, his keen S,
,rret ey IS on my face. II
Kirby and Carver? They went t,
shore with the judges body at the "
anding. So there is a story back Of q
! this" he exclaimed jerkily. On. b
!. thought as much Was Beau n
lire killed." o1
"No-not at least by any violence. q
o doubt the shock Of his loss has Al
ned his death. Surely you must 81
low that he risked all he possessed m
j game Of cards and lost?'
4sThrOckmorton knew something II
out it, and there were other rumOrs a.
ating about the Landing. but / 81
We hecrd no details ri
~ have every reason, Haines, to feel
aviEeed that both Kirby and Carver Ia
ltI-rd Beaucaire up the river with q.
J iatentisS o. p1pcting him Kirby ds