Old Cap. Collier Library No. 379: The Lawyer Detective — page 14: what you’re looking at

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14 at once disarming Ragsdale. ‘‘I never men- tioned my home to you simply because you never inquired,” Explanations followed, and Benay was very rofuse in his congratulations to the young awyer on his lucky escape from the clutches of the outlaws. ‘‘T suppose you will get back to the colo- nel’s soon, Hilton ?” ‘Tam going this day.” ‘Then we will keep one another com. pany.” And so it was arranged, although there was but one horse between them. ‘¢ Wecan ride and tie,” said Flash, showing his milk-white teeth, as the young lawyer took the first mount, “Just as you say,” returned Ragsdale. ‘“‘How far do you call it to Three Oaks Ranch ?” ‘* Thirty miles.” ‘“‘Tt'’s further than I thought.” And then the young man rodeon. He did not know the way to the Big Horn, so it was finally decided not to ‘‘ride and tie.” The journey to Three Oaks was unaccom- panied by any adventures. One of the first to greet the returned law- yer was Rena Tripp, who was at Redhart’s on the evening of the Denver man’s arrival. ‘Tt is a glad surprise to us all,” declared the beautiful girl, as she turned her brill- iant eyes on his face. ‘‘ We all feared some- thing terrible had happened, Your aunt has been well nigh distracted at your prolonged absence. The boy, Sid, was over and told us of your disappearance, and the letter you oe behind telling that you had come to Three a 8.” ‘So they left a letter purporting to come from me ?” ‘* Yes.” Rena then explained. She also informed him that a posse was even oe out scouring the country in search of im. Soon after this Rena returned home, ac- companied by Benay Flash, while Ragsdale entertained the colonel with an account of his adventures. ‘‘ Seems mighty cu’rus,” grunted the Mis- sourian. ‘‘Dod blast ther picters, I don't see what they wanted to tackle you for, Mr. Ragsdale. ‘*T cannot explain it myself, since I medi- tate no harm toany one but the murderer of my unfortunate cousin. “T think I will spend the night at my aunt's,” said the young lawyer, after he had discussed the situation with the colonel for some time. ‘‘Dod blast it, Hilt, you hadn't better go through them woods after dark ag’in alone.” ‘‘Do you imagine the lynchers are still on the lookout ?” ‘TJ dunno. That there Tribune Tripp don’t stay to home much these days. He's a some mischief, yer kin bet yer pile.” ‘‘T am not armed, either,” said Ragsdale. ‘‘Haven't you an extra pistol in the house, colonel ?” “A grist on ’em. Come to my room an’ take yer pick.” The young lawyer accompanied the colonel to a room in the upper part of the old ranch, which seemed a veritable armory, so filled was it with guns. pistols, knives and other weapons of war. “Tm allus perpared for an emergency,” chuckled the Missourian, as he flashed his light over the glittering array on the walls. ‘*T should think as much!” cried Rags- dale. ‘‘ Pick out yer weepon, Hilt, my boy.” Selecting a good-sized revolver, the young man expressed himeelf as satisfied. Cartridges were found for it in a box, and once more the man from Denver felt himself in a condition to proeeed with his investiga- tions, which had been cut off by his late.ad- ventures. Ragsdale was anxious to meet his aunt, and talk with her more at length about her daughter Olive, and about Evard Dem- ming. “ Twill call again in the morning,” said the young lawyer. ‘‘I want to go over the ground near the old shanty where the body was found, and J want you with me, colonel.” ee All right. ” THE LAWYER DETE ———-- Then the two separated. Hilton did not avoid the woods along the creek, although he did not follow the same path that came so near leading to his death on a former occasion. Once through the woods it was an open way to Mrs. Tripp’s home. But the young lawyer had not reached the open ground ere he came to a halt. A murmur of voices fell on his ear. This sound seemed to proceed from a spot some yards to the left. Ragsdale at once left the path and crept toward the sound. Soon he could distinguish words, and then he came to a halt and listened. ‘‘ Benay,” you cannot frighten me by your threats.” The young lawyer started. The speaker was none other than the beau- tiful Rena Tripp. ‘‘Tam not trying to frighten you, my girl, but Iam talking business. If you don’t do as I wish I'll blow the whole thing to the Wyoming winds.” “The scoundrel!’ muttered the concealed listener, through clinched teeth, He was wise enough, however, not to make his presence known. ‘“ Why do you persist in this, Benay? You and I have always been friends, and can be nothing more——” ‘‘See here!’ interrupted he, fiercely. ‘¢ Don’t I know the whole scheme? You and I were more than friends once, till two things happened. Shall I tell you what the two things are, Mies Rena Tripp ?” ‘‘T am not particular.” ‘‘ Your father’s marriage, and the coming of this white-livered fellow from Colorado. If I’d known whata fascinating fellow he was I'd never have sent the colonel’s dispatch.” ‘Sir, I beg——” ‘““Stop. Let me finish what I was to say,” he cried louder than he meant. ‘‘It was a scheme, this marriage of your estimable fa- ther with the widow of Chester. I have rea- son to know that up to the present time the murder of Miss Olive and the marriage of her mother hasn't panned out well to the con- spirators. Now, what a snap it would be if you could only secure Mr. Ragsdale. He's wealthy, and so handsome. But hear me. Rena, I swear that you shall not win the man from Denver, that part of your little plot will not succeed. As for the murder of Olive Chester, you and he realize that it was a mis- take.” The man in ambush could scarcely contain himself, He trembled with excess of excitement. He realized that he was about to hear something of the utmost importance. “You know, my girl. that Ragsdale is here to investigate the murder of the girl whose shoes you are now filling. When he finds out the truth, what show will you have to win? Ah! you wince and tremble, as well you may, for I.swear that you cast me off at your peril, Rena Fripp. ‘‘Oh, Benay, be quiet.” ‘“‘TlL not be quiet. There is but one alter- native, my girl, but one.” ‘‘Oh, Mr. Flash!” ‘‘ You shall be mine, else I turn against you, and will show no mercy to the assassin of Olive Chester !” he hissed, in words of horrible meaning. CHAPTER XIII. A NIGHT HORROR. HILTON RAGSDALE stood rooted to the spot like one ina dream, What he heard was of a most startling nature. What did it mean? Was Benay Flash accusing the beautiful Rena of the murder of Olive Chester ? It certainly had that appearance, and the aes lawyer Could scarcely restrain him- self. With an effort he remained calm enough to catch the next words that fell from the lips of one of the twain. ‘‘ Hush, Benay,” she said. ‘‘ You are mad now and know not what you say. I must go at once to the house; mamma will be anxious on my account.” ‘* Mamma!”—with cutting emphasis. ‘‘ How much you think of the woman your father married to further the whole damzable plot. CTIVE., Rena Tripp, f will do as I tell you, and blow the whole scheme. if you smile again on this man from Denver. You belong to me, and I will suffer no man to come between us. My people saved this man’s life. If he dares to come between us let him look to himeelf.” Then the concealed listener heard them walking ‘on, and their further conversation did not reach his ear. Ragsdale was surprised to learn that the young half-breed was madly jealous of him. The idea that he_-Ragsdale_-should care for Rena Tripp was preposterous. At any rate, now that he had learned her true character, it would be impossible for him to even respect her. There was an awful meaning conveyed in the words of Benay Flash. Perhaps they were to prove the entering wedge to evidence that was soon to reveal the secret of an.awful crime. The young lawyer walked on slowly, giv- ing the young coupe in advance ample p me to reach the Tripp ranch ahead of im, Benay and Rena sat in the front room when Ragsdale arrived. The half-breed cast a glance at the Den- verite that pierced like the sting of a ser- ent. Such a look Ragsdale had never seen flash from human eyes before. It warned him to be on his guard. ‘‘Is my aunt still up?” questioned the young lawyer of Rena. ‘“T will see.” At this moment, however, the woman in question entercd the room. She was overjoyed at the return of her nephew, whom she had mourned during the past week as one dead. Explanations followed. ‘‘T owe my life first to a stranger, and last- ly to the Flashes,” said Ragsdale, in conclu- sion. At thesame time he glanced at Benay, who seemed not to notice his words. ‘Tt seems that you have enemies in Wyo: ming as well as I, Hilton,” said Mrs. Tripp. “Tt seems so,” returned Ragsdale. ‘* Of course, it’s barely possible that a mistake was made, as in the case of my attempted lynch- ing.” Again the lawyer glanced at Benay Flash. The half-breed seemed not to notice these remarks, so deeply was he engaged in conver- sation with Miss Rena. The feelings of Ragsdale were more resent- ful toward the colonel’s factotuin than ever. He realized now that thesleek and oily fellow was his enemy, and likely to make him trouble. Presently he turned to his aunt and said: “You spoke just now as though you have enemies in Wyoming. Is this true ?” “Tt is true, Hilton.” ‘‘ Who are they ?” The pallid-faced woman glanced uneasily toward the couple across the room. The black orbs of Rena were fixed on her face, and Mrs. Tripp looked aside and trembled. Ragsdale noted all this, and wondered. ‘““T will not call any names,” at length mur- mured the woman. Ragsdale could see that she was cowed and fearful. Could it be that Rena was the cause ? The young Denverite resolved to learn the facts at the first opportunity. His time did not come that evening, how- ever. Benay Flash persisted in staying late, and as the man from Denver was not feeling well, he told his aunt that he would retire for the night. “J hope you will remain with us dusing your stay, Hilton,” said Mrs. Tripp, as she took up a lamp to show him to his room. ‘‘ By the way,” called Benay Flash sudden- ly, “if you're feeling badly, Mr. Ragsdale, Pll send you a medicine-man if you don’t ob- ject. We’ve a good one in the neighbor- hood.” “IT do object,” returned the lawyer. “I shall feel all right in the morning.” And then the aunt and nephew left the room. She showed him to a cozy apartment up-stairs. ; Before going out of the room, Mrs. Tripp laid a hand on the arm of her nephew, and in tremulous accents said: ‘‘ Whatever you do, my dear boy, beware of Benay Flash.” GOMMGIOO (C SS