The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-03-24
CHAPTER CONTINUED

nlHlSeII WlIn the prODdDly tnaIkleSS
task of protecting the interests of
Stranger-and an American at that.
Probably he acted thus because | am
woman, which proves he is gallant
and chivalrOuS."
"A sort of knight-errant," Crooked
Bill murmured maliciOusly, and
Hackett shot him a look of displeas.
ure. "Well. Mexicans. of whatever
class, are very polite to lady. They
always make a great-tO-dO about WON
en-. The chances are this Higuenes is
an educated half-breed Aztec Indian.
l wish he had informed us who killed
Cock Robin. He merely says 1t was
q cOwman."
II wonder If he got hurt?" Roberta
murmured.
Does it matter particularly" For
reason he had not even tried to,
analyze, but which had been born of
a subcOnsciOus resentment of the man
who had made it possible to interject
Jaime Miguel Higuenes into Roberta
Antrims thoughts, Glenn Hackett
spoke
Ten thousand cunning imps peeped
for an instant from Crooked Bill's 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. Il believe you
know Jaime Higuenes."
10 no.
Roberta. cannot recall having met
him or even heard of him. so help
me"
Just then the butler entered to an
nounce dinner. Better reconsider
your decision and break bread with
u.s." Crooked Bill urged their guest.
"Yes, DO" Roberta pleaded.
THANK you, | think shall not"
Then to the butler. Harms, will you
be good enough to get my hat and
coat and telephone the garage for my
carr"
When Glenn Hackett's car had
rolled away down the driveway.
Crooked Bill turned to his ward.
Round two for little Bright-eyes. I'm
placing my money on the red"
"Who." the girl demanded firmly, sis
Jaime Miguel Higuenes?"
81 don't know. honey. | can only
suspect. and some day I'll verify my
suspicious and tell you
'Please tell me your suspicious now,
there's a DEAR" and Roberta smiled
her most coaxing smile and put her
arms around Crooked Bills neck.
"Ah." he murmured. "a man can
struggle along under mystery but II
drives a woman crazy. I'll not tell
you what | suspect and you are per-
fectly pOwerless TO drag II ont of me"
For two CENTS" Roberta threat.
ened. I'D go down to Los AIgodones
and investigate Jaime Miguel Higue-
mes personally"
If you do youth get the surprise
of your sweet young life. my dear"
Roberta's brown eyes danced No
body knew better than Crooked Bill
how she cherished surprises.
Il think ! should go down to Uncle
Toms funeral" she suggested. I'm
the last of the Antrims and il would
be rather indecent of me to permit
strangers land not very sympathetic
strangers, | fear-to bury him."
Crooked Bill was always practical,
even if mysterious. 81 wouldn't do
that, honey. I'm afraid Uncle Tom
won't keep until you get there have
never heard of ice or undertakers in
Los Algodones. and as for hermetical-
ly sealed caskets. there just aren't
any. have a friend down there. how.
ever. and I'll wire him to attend the
obsequies and send flowers for you
and a wreath of cactus for me-"
"Why have you always disliked
Uncle Tom 500"
Because you're his niece, not mine,
and he's never showed the slightest
interest in you, except to send you
five dollars at Christmas and on your
birthdays; because staked the I'M
holy wretch in the cow business and
he sold out the cows. refused to pay
the loan, went to Mexico where
couldn't collect and set up In the
sheep business; because he was ornery
from birth and looked it. Your father
was not what | would call a mental
giant. Roberta, but he was kind and
amusing and on the square. whereas
your Uncle Tom was a throwback, a
black sheep"
Every family has Them" the girl
defended.
well, honey, you haven't yours any
morer'
The following evening Glenn Hackett,
having recovered marvelously from
his indisposition of the day before
called for dinner. THE bank gives
the man Higuenes most Gathering
recommendations. Mr.. Latham" he
announced. HE has plenty of cash
and worldly assets and his record is
clean. He is known as a man OF
honor and can be trusted implicitly
Crooked Bill nodded, as 1t this re
port was not a matter of surprise tc
him. Hackett resumed:
al cannot go to Texas to attend t.
this matter of your. Roberta It viii
be necessary to engage lawyer dowr
there to handle your affairs there, anC
suppose Higuenes can direct you tt
a good one. imagine you will have
to proceed to Los Algodones imme
diately."
81 shall start tomorrow" Roberts
decided. and added maliciously: :"
can hardly wait to meet that adorabl,
Jaime Miguel Higuenes y
CHAPTER II