The Coolidge examiner., 1932-12-09
CHAPTER l-Continued

TOm-had never seen him. that Is
It's too bad. of course. but really
poor Uncle Tom wasn't very low
able character. I'm afraid"
He was turkey buZZard,"
Crooked Bill declared with tinality.
"Roberta's paternal uncle" he went
on TO explain for the benefit of
Hackett. "He took 10 assOciating
with sheep. reckon the old ban
dit must have been worth consd-
erable. and so far as | know. Ro-
berta. you're his next OF kin. So IL
looks as II you're In the sheep busi-
ness In Texas"
Roberta read the letter again.
Judging by the name of the send
er of thib telegram, Jaime Miguel
Higuenes, Il would appear that Tex
as boastA al least one very intelli-
gent very thoughtful. very frank
and very humorous Mexican. He
expresses himself like an educated
American Uncle Bill. you spent a
great many years down there. Do
you happen TO know the Higuenes
familyf"
Crooked Bits face had worn his
most crafty smile while Roberta
was speaking. but now II was blank
and eXpressionless. "lt's been
twenty-five years since | operated
in Texas Roberta. Higuenesl Hig-
uenes can't seem 10 remember
anybody by that name"
1T would appear" Roberta decid-
ed presently. that have need 10
engage lawyer TO investigate
Uncle Toms estate" She glanced
with frank interest and APPROVAL at
Hackett.
Certainly. OF course" Crooked
Bill agreed, and thought more kind
iy of Uncle Tom for having prOyid-
ed an opportunity for these two to
forget their recent differences and
be friendly again In the name of
business "Hacketi is the very man."
"Hackeii isn't" that harassed
person declared with fnaIity.
Jaime Miguel Higuenes is. That
man is honest and fearless. can
tell that much from his telegram.
Also he gives bank references. II
YOU desire. Roberta. | shall tele-
graph the hank he mentions II the
banks reply would seem to indicate
the advisability of requesting Hig-
uenes Ia take charge of your Uncle
Toms estate for the present. may
send him a telegram. signing your
name. and requesting him TO do so?"
Roberta was rereading the tele-
gram. Il think" she declared. THAT
Jaime Miguel Higuenes must be a
perfectly fascinating person. In
twenfy-three words he gives one the
whole dramatic story of a bloody
shooting scrape out on the range
and gives one the impression-in
fact. the convictiOn-that the result
was no surprise TO him and that he
Is not sorry the tragedy occurred
He Is resou-ceful. not squeamish
and has Initiative. because in the
pursuit NJ Information be dared to
pick a dead sans pocket He is
kiad and friendly and thoughtful
and wants to help a person he has
never seen. and he is man of sub
stance and takes a justifable pride
IN his personal and financial stand
ing"
"0h. those Spanish dOns are as
proud as Lucifer." Crooked Bill as
sured her.
'l1e is also good-natured and
easy-going, otherwise he would not
bother himself with the probably
thankless task of protecting the in
terests of q stranger-and an Ameri-
can at that. Probably he acted thus
because am woman, which
proves he is gallant and chivalrous."
"A sort of knight Crooked
Bill murmured maliciously. and
Hackett shot him look of displeas-
ure. We'll. Mexicans. of whatever
class. are very polite to a lady. They
always make a great-to-do about
women. The chances are this Hig-
uenes Is an educated half-breed Az
tee Indian. | wish he had informed
us who killed Cock Robin. He mere
ly says II was cowman."
Il wonder If he got hurt?" Ro-
berta murmured.
Does IL matter particularly
For a reason he had not even tried
TO analyZe, but which had been born
of a subconscious resentment of the
man who had made II possible to
interject Jaime Miguel Hlguenes
into Roberta Antrim's thoughts.
Glenn Hackett spoke.
Ten thousand cunning imps
peeped for an instant from Crooked
Bills old eyes. mo. he didn't get
hurt-at least. not very badly"
How do you know? Hackett de-
manded, and Roberta looked at her
uncle inquiringly. 81 believe you
know Jaime Higuenes."
81 couldn't make an affidavit to
that. Roberta. | cannot recall hav-
Ing met him or even heard of him.
rp holn mo