Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-02-01


who had c1ce been pretty. She had
protested with absurd earnestncss
that she had seen nothing of Mr.. Cul.
lison. 4 single glance had been enough
to dismiss her from any possible sus!
picion.
Now Curly stepped in second time.
The frightened gaze Of Mrs. Wylie
fastened upon him Instantly. BE OBJ
served that her hand moved instinc-
lively to her heart. Beyond question
she was in fear. A flash Of light clarl-
fed 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 a
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 l. paid the money II
the magazine doesn't come" he sug-
gested.
She did so, and Curly put the re-
ceipt in his pocket carelessly. He
sauntered leisurely to the hotel, but
as soon as he could get into tele-
phone booth his llstlessness vanished.
Maloney 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-
livery. Beyond question the same
person had written both.
Certainly Mrs. Wylie was not wara'
Ing 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
out about the woman without alarm
ing her.
await a 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 then?"
Fifteen minutes later Curly knew
that Mrs. Wylie was the divorced wife
Of Lutte Blackwell.
He returned 10 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.
"Yes. Tell ME, when did your fa-
ther 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. It was right after the big poker
game. We met him downstairs here.
Luck had to straightcn out some no.
tlons he had got"
"IIow?"
Flandrau, Senior, told the story Of
what had occurred in the hotel lobby.
"And you say lie swore to get even?
That's what he said. And he
looked like he meant it, too"
"What is It? What have you found
cut" Kate lmplored
The young man told about the let
tcrs and Mrs. Wylie. {;
"We'Ye got to get a move on u.s.,
he concluded. "For if Lutte Blackwell
did this thing TO your father It's
mighty serious for linn"
Kate was white to tie lips, but IN
no danger of breaking down. "ies, If
this man Is in it he would not stop
Of less than murder. But don't be-
live It. know father Is alive. Cass
Fendrick Is the man we want. TN
sure, Of it,
"Flrst 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 wiL2 his
warm smile. "By the way. I've 90:
some news I forgot. know where
your father got the money to pay his
poker debts. Mr.. Jordan Of tile Cat
tlemen's National made him a per,
sonal loan. He figured 1t would not
hurt the bank because the three men
Luck paid it to would deposit 1t with
the bank again"
"By George, that's what we did, too
every last one Of us" his uncle ad'
uitteI.
Every little helps" Kate said, and
her little double nod thanked Curly.
Maloney met them In front of the
Jack Of Hearts.
"Dick, you 90 with me inside. Uncle
Alec, will you keep guard outsider
"No, bub, won't. ! knew Luck
before you were walking howlegged,
the old cattleman answered trusqucly
Curly crinncd. "All right. Don't
blame me If you get shot up"
Mrs. Wylle's startled eyes told tales
when she saw the three men. Ne'
face was ashen.
"I'm here IN nlny trl,innS AIRS Wv