The Lamar register., 1920-05-19


me East at once. Shall take the night
train, and inclose sufficient money to
pay for my entertainment.
rs. D."
He stared at the words, deep
crease between his eyes. 1t was
woman's handwriting, and at first
glance there was nothing impossible In
such an action on her pnrt. Yet 1t was
strange, If she had departed 10 sud
denly without leaving any message for
him. His eyes narrowed with aroused
suspicion as he looked up from the slip
of paper and confronted the amused
Timmons across the desk.
"And that was all, was it-just this
note and the cash? There was nothing
addressed to meT
The hotelkeeper shook his head.
"When did you see her last"
"'Bout nine o'clock, l reckon; she
came down inter the dinin room fer
drink o. water"
"How much longer were you upf
"Oh. maybe an hour"
mo message for Miss Donovan up
to that timer
mo"
"You left the door unlockedf"
"Sure: them New York fellers was
both out. l oughter waited till they
come In. maybe, but I was plum tired
out"
"When did they come backf"
"Oh, bout midnight. l reckon. Bill
Lacy an Matt Moore was along with
EN-"
81 seel And these New York people
they are still heref"
"They wus all three down ter break
fast; aln't seen nuthin' Of 'em since"
"What became of Lacyf"
Hes down in his saloon; he sed
IL you showed up, an asked fer him,
ter tell yer that's whar he'd be-"
"He told you that2 He expected me
to show up, them"
II reckon as how he did," and Tim
mons grinned In drunken good humor.
"He's pretty blame smart. Bill Lacy
is; he most allars knows whut's goin'
ter happen" He leaned over the desk
and lowered his voice. "If yer do
hunt him up. Jim," he said confiden.
TALLY. ''you better go heeled."
westcott laughed. The first shock
Of the discovery OF Miss Donovan's
had passed, and he was
think and arrange some plan and.
above all. must retain a clear mind
and proceed coolly.
"All right. old man." he said easily.
''rll try and look out for myself.
haven't eaten yet today. What can
you find me In the larder?"
Although feeling the need OF food.
westcott entered the dlnlng-room Of
the Timmons' house more desirous Of
pose. He realized that he was sud-
denly brought face to face with n most
serious condition. and one which must
be solved unaided. So Bill Lacy ex.
pected hlml Had left word where he
was to be foundf What was the prob
able meaning OF this? Westcott did
not connect this message directly with
the strange disappearance of Miss
Donovan. Moore must have recog.
nized him during their fight. and re-
ported to his master who II was that
had been discovered listening at the
window. Realizing the nature OF that
Lacy naturally antici.
pated being sought the very moment
Westcott came to town. That was
what this meant. All right, he would
hunt Lacy as soon as he was ready
to do so; and, ns Timmons suggested,
would go "heeled."
But the girl? What had really be-
come OF the girl7 westcott drew the
brief note from his pocket, smoothed
out Its creases and read the few
words over again. The writing was
feminine. and he could
recall seeing nothing Miss Donovan
had ever Indited, with which II could
be compared. But would she have de
parted, however hurriedly. without
leaving him some message7 Uncon-
sclously he still held the letter In his
hand when the waitress came In with
his breakfast. She glanced about to
make certain they were alone and
leaned over. her lips close to his ear.
as that the note they say that New
York young lady left?"
ayes, Sadie" In surprise. "Whyf
swell. she never wrote it. Mr.. West
cott." hurriedly placing the dishes be-
fore him. that's all. Now don't yer