The Coolidge examiner., 1933-01-20
CHAPTER V-Continued


spoke in that tone of voice, Ro-
berta knew from experience that
obedience was incumbent upon her.
Her eyes filed with tears; in trem-
Ulous voice she begged TO be ex-
cuSed and withdrew.
Crooked Bits wild eyebrows
went up as the girl left the room.
shes as big a crook as | am" he
declared proudly. she isn't at ali
distressed. She's just pulling the
old stuff-nOt on me this time. but
on you, my boy. She expects You
To follow her out and comfort her.
Do not disappoint her. Forward :"
Are you quite certain she
wouldn't prefer to be left alone,
Mr.. Latham? She's all upset"
Listen TO me. son. / know my
onions. The girls play-acting,
YamOse :"
4 Glenn Hackett 'vamosed." With
in five minutes he returned with
Roberta on his arm.
Hum - Crooked Bill reflected.
"And she spent at least minute
making up her face! Four min
utes To put over her loving plot
against me. The little crook =" He
beamed upon her. I'm so sorry
spoke GROSSLY TO my little girl"
he announced with hypocritical
junction..
Bobby kissed him fondly and
gave him a little hug.
Crooked Bill was not one to gum
up his own finely laid plans, and
presently. with a full realization
of the truth of the old adage that
three is n crowd. he withdrew TO
his room. leaving Glenn Hackett to
make what progress he could with
the rebellious Roberta.
But Crooked Bill did not retire.
He smoked until ten o'clock, at
which hour he knew Glenn Hack
EFT. creature of habit, would de-
part for the city. SO Crooked Bill
went down the back stairs. crossed
the lawn and waited for Hackett
at the entrance to Hillcrest. did
il work 2" he demanded
"Overtime." Hackett responded.
WAS she nice 10 you after ]
leftf"
er-ah-Platonic."
"Aggh :" Crooked Bill growled
deep in his throat. like an aged
tiger. go home, you jellyfish.
You'd he q bachelor In the South
Sea islands-and on an island
where they practice polyandry"
Thoroughly disgusted he returned
TO the house. he had a PRESENT.
ment that Fate was. in manner
of speaking. stacking the cards
against him.
Next morning Crooked Bill caught
an early train TO the city. explain
ing thar the sooner he swept up
the fragments of his scattered for
tunes the better for all concerned.
Roberta mOtored in little later
and went at once TO Glenn Hack
ett's Office. where he prepared and
she signed a formal assignment of
all of her right. title and interest
in and TO her Uncle Toms estate
To Hackett, for and in considera-
tion of certain moneys to be ad-
vanced TO her by Hackett.
Now. then. Roberta" Hackett
said when the document was signed.
you understand that this is
business deal from first to last.
Not a speck of sentiment in ii so
far as | am concerned. While you
have given me security for the
funds | am TO advance. IL may be
that will be called upon to ad
vance a sum in excess OF the total
value of your Uncle Toms estate.
Consequently, ii is of the utmost
importance that the estate should
be administered wisely and con-
served. have looked up your law
yer at Los Algodones, Don Pru-
dencio AlyiSo. and he appears to
have an excellent record for probity
but is poor business man. If L"
''He assures me Don Jaime Mi
guel IIiguenes is most reliable and
is doing all that anybody can do
TO conserve the estate" Roberta
FASTENED TO assure Hackett.
II know But the thought occurs
TO me: Why is Don Jaime Miguel
Higuenes taking all this trouble?
What do you mean to him? He is
a cattleman. so why should he
bother with your sheep? My dear
Bobby. ! am highly suspicious of
that fellow. AS | told you before.
ii is impossible for me to go to
Texas to look after your affairs.
Bobby. Your unfortunate uncle
dare not leave New York at this
time either. His creditors might
think he was endeavoring TO flee
the country. Consequently, think
it is of the utmost Importance that
you go tO Los Algodones immedi-
ately and investigate everything
thoroughly