The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1933-01-05
CHAPTER Continued

naor Uncle Tom wasn't a very low
pble character, I'm afraid.
.ua was turkey Duzzard,
c.oosed Bill declared with finality.
sRoberta's paternal uncle" he went
IN to explain for the benefit OF
uackett "He took to assoclatlng
with sheep. reckon the old pan
dit must have been worth consid-
arahle and so far as know, Ro-
horta you're his next of kin. SO 1t
looks as If you're in the sheep busi-
ness In Texas"
Roberta read the letter again.
.Judging by the name of the send.
or of this telegram, Jaime Miguel
HIguenes, it would appear that Tex
"a boasts at least one very tnteill-
GENT very thoughtful, very frank
and very humorous Mexican. He
expresses himself like an educated
American. Uncle Bill, you spent
great many years down there. DO
You happen to know the Higuenes
family?
Crooked Bills face had worn his
most crafty smile while Roberta
was speaking, but now it was blank
and expressionless. Its been
twenty-five years since operated
in Texas, Roberta. Higuenes! Hig-
uenesl | can't seem to remember
anybody by that name"
'Tt would appear" Roberta decid-
ed presently, that ] have need to
engage q 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
" of Uncle Tom for having provid-
ed an opportunity for these two to
forget their recent differences and
be friendly again in the name of
business aHackett is the very man.
IHackett isn't" that harassed
\ person declared with finality.
Elaine Miguel Higuenes is. That
man is honest and fearless. l can
tell that much from his telegram.
Also he gives bank references. If
you desire. Roberta, I shall tele-
graph the bank he mentions. If the
banks reply would seem to indicate
the advisability of requesting Hig-
uenes to 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
twenty-three words he gives one the
whole dramatic story of bloody
shooting scrape out on the range
and gives one the impression-in
fact, the c0nviction-that the result
was no surprise to him and that he
IS not sorry the tragedy occurred
he Is resourceful, not squeamish
and has Initiative, because In the
pursuit of information he dared to
plck dead mans pocket. He is
KIND and friendly and thoughtful
ana wants to help a person he has
never seen, and he Is man of SUBJ
stance and takes a justifiable pride
IN his personal and financial stand
Ing"
TN, those Spanish dons are as
proud as Lucifer," Crooked Bill as
sured her.
he Is also good-natured and
easy-going. otherwise he would not
bother himself with the probably
lnankless task of protecting the in.
'erests OF stranger-and an Ameri-
can al that. Probably he acted thus
because am a woman, which
proves ne is gallant and chivalrous. y
-. sort of knight Crooked
Din murmured maliciously and
nacKett shot him a look of displeas-
e We'll, Mexicans, Of whatever
lass, are very polite to a lady. They
a'nays make great-to-do about
women. The chances are this Hfg-
t senes IS an educated half-breed AZ.
nuian. ! wish he had informed
!, " VINO VINO killed Cock Robin. He mere
" says it was a cowman,"
ao.. wonder if he got hurt?" Ro.
oerIa murmured.
ro. Does 1t matter particularly ?n
= reason he had not even tried
:, alyze, but which had been born
man sueeonscious resentment of the
ints., VINO had made it possible to
into eo, Jaime Miguel Higuenes
Gu o Roberta Antrim's thouphts
1l s Hackett spoke. 0s''s'
neae a thousand cunning INNS
Rilrs eu Ior an instant from Crooked
s SllIs old eyes. "No. he didn,t 0s GO,
~ least. not very badly"
man aua DO you know?" Hackett de-
uncls eu Ian, and Roberta looked at her
knom 1nauiringly. 81 believe Won
Nu - jaime Higuenes." ''
that f pa't make an affidavit to
Inc r aooerta. l cannot recall hay,
50 help men nearo OF hin'
us' then the butler entered to