Old Cap. Collier Library No. 379: The Lawyer Detective — page 22: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

22 ‘‘ Yes, that’s a fact. Let’s hurry and get there soon’s we can." ‘“‘T am agreed, and we must be careful not to meet any one on the way.” The boy insisted on Ragsdale’s riding the horse, and so, without parley, the lawyer mounted, and his boy friend trotted along at his side. It was not far to the Deadwater ranch. Just before reaching it the lad halted. ‘¢ We mustn't be seen, or you mustn’t, Mr. Ragsdale, so I’d best go on ahead and send Pete Gorman away till we git you fixed up.” ‘‘ Who is Pete Gorman?” ‘*The man I’ve hired to run the ranch while I’m helpin’ y.ou.” The boy rode on in advance, leaving Rags- dale concealed in a clump of trees on the creek bank. In the course of half an hour the lad re- turned, announcing that the coast was clear. The two men hurried to the house. ‘‘We've got two hours to work in,” said Sid. ‘‘ Before that time we kin have you fixed so yer mother wouldn't know ye.” Sid was enthusiastic at the outlook, and his companion soon caught some of his enthusi- asm, The blonde mustache of Ragsdale was sacri- ficed, Sid using a razor to good effect. Next the chestnut hair had to go, close to the head. “ ‘Now, then, bring on your false beard,” said the lawyer. ‘‘T haven't any.” ‘*Good heavens! then you've disfigured me without effecting a disguise,” exclaimed Rags- dale, in trepidation. ‘‘Don’t fly off ther handle too sudden like, Hilton,” returned Sid. ‘‘I’m running this business jest at present. You jest leave it to ‘All right.” From a cupboard in the room the young homesteader produced a mug half filled with a dark paste. A brush stood in this, which Sid began us- ing freely on the face of his friend. ‘*Be careful what you do, boy. You'll ruin my complexion forever.” ‘‘No; but fur a short time only,” and Sid laughed merrily as he stood back and contem- plated his work. ‘There, I reckon you’re changed a little, anyhow.” Then Sid returned the mug of stain, and brought a glass for Ragsdale to contemplate himself in. : The change was remarkable. The blonde face of Ragsdale was now the dark, sallow one of a Mexican or Spaniard. ‘‘Well, Hilton, how d'ye like the change ?” The boy grinned with delight as he con- templated his work. ‘‘ Very good, only——” ‘Wal ?” ‘‘My hair doesn’t correspond with my coun- tenance, nor my hands.” ‘‘T forgot your hands. ute,” Once more the mug was brought into req- uisition, and the fair hands of the lawyer were stained a beautiful brown. Returning the mug to its place, Sid left the room. When he returned, he carried a suit of clothing and a wig of long, straight black hair. ‘‘Sam used these once,” explained the boy, “when he went among the redskins. I reckon they’ll fix you out in good shape.” ‘“So you would make an Indian of me? I'm afraid I cannot fill the bill, Sid. You have made a mistake.” ‘“No, Ihain’t. You ain't no Indian, buta Mexican gentleman or a Spanish, up from the South buyin’ cattle—see ?” ‘Yes, indeed!” The boy’s idea was a gooa one, and the man from Denver was well pleased. He donned the wig and suit of clothes, and then saw at a glance that his disguise was complete. ‘It’s just the thing!” exclaimed Ragsdale. ‘‘T believe you are a magician, boy.” ‘“‘You must have a name.” ‘¢ True.” ‘“What shall it be?” “T can think of none. Sid.” “Wal, how'd Don Ramon do ?” Excellent.” “Very good, Don Ramon ‘tis then, | Tl fix em in a min- I still trust to you, Sid, laughing. Just at this moment the door opened and a man looked in. It proved to be Pete Gorman. ‘‘Senor Ramon, Pete,” said the boy, quick- y: ‘A cursed greaser, eh?’ muttered the squatter, under his breath. Aloud he said: ‘‘Good-morning, senor.” The Spaniard bowed coldly. ‘Now get up dinner quickly, Pete, for me’n Don Ramon have got to be on the move again.” After the meal, and Pete had gone about his duties, Don Ramon asked the boy about the locket once more. ‘“‘ Yes, I forgot about it. Tl git it, senor, and you shall carry it hereafter, if you choose.” Sid went to his room. He was gone a long time, and Ragsdale be- came impatient, since he had resolved to visit Three Oaks at once, and learn how the matter of his disappearance affected Colonel Red- hart and Detective Shade. “You were gone long enough to take a dozen photos, Sid,” said the pseudo Mexican, when the lad returned. A serious look rested on the face of the young homesteader that did not escape the notice of Ragsdale. ‘‘T couldn’t find it, senor.” ‘Couldn't find the locket ?” ‘“‘ That's the truth, sir.” ‘‘That is bad,” muttered the lawyer. ‘‘ You see, now, if you had intrusted it to my keep- ing this would not have happened, boy.” ‘“T’m not so sure of that,” returned the boy. ‘‘ You tell me that you lost a valuable paper last night.” ‘*True, but the penknife I found near the scene of the murder was not touched, and the locket might as well have been left undis- turbed. Have you any idea where the locket has gone ?” ‘* No.” ‘‘T am sorry this has happened.” **So am I.” “You might question Pete.” “T will.” Sid went out. When he returned he shook his head. ‘““ It’s no go,” he said. ‘* Well, you may be able to find it soon. I am anxious to get my hands on that stolen paper. I know the thief, and would get it be- fore he thinks to destroy it.” ‘‘The thief’s-the feller ’at the kunnel has taken to his bosom.” ‘You mean Mr. Shade of Cheyenne, of course ?” ** Yes.” ‘‘He’s the man, and I mean to learn more of him.” After a little further discussion Sid fur- nished Don Ramon with a horse, and the lat- ter mounted and rode swiftly toward Three Oaks Ranch. The young lawyer-detective had now en- tered fully into the spirit of the case he had in hand, and began to enjoy the situation. He was so fully disguised, he felt not the slightest fear of detection, and realized that he could work to much better advantage than heretofore. Making a detour, the Denverite reached the vicinity of Three Oaks without being discov- ered. He left his horse in the grove at the rear of the house and walked forward on foot. He discovered Nate Shade in his room, and looking through the window, saw him exam- ining the stolen will. ‘‘The scoundrel!” muttered the watcher, quite overcome at the sight. ‘When Shade essayed to burn the paper, Ragsdale darted forward and came near be- traying himself. He paused just in time. A little later he saw Shade leave the room. Creeping forward, Ragsdale secured the pre- cious document as we have seen. He regained his horse without being dis- covered. Waiting till the troop of vigilantes had de- parted, Ragsdale rode boldly from the timber oul halted not till he was at the door of the ouse, THE LAWYER DETECTIVE, NS eee ee ee I left that at home. | reckon we'll fool the enemy yet,” declared Colonel Redhart was still on the front porch. He had not resumed his pipe, however, and paced up and down with nervous strides. ‘“Dod blast the luck! ef here don’t come aoe stranger —a dumbed greaser at that!” ‘“‘Senor Redhart, I believe,” and the horse- man removed the wide-rimmed hat Sid had furnished him, as he spoke. ‘‘ Colonel Redhart!” retorted the Missou- rian, bluntly. ‘* Beg a thousand pardons!” ‘‘Wal, yer needn’t. What yer lookin’ fur, anyhow? Not ther man on er sorrel mare, with store clo’s, «and er dandy look gin’- rally ?” Ragsdale started. The mention of a sorrel mare called to mind the animal he had Jost. ‘‘T had two men in mind, Senor Colonel,” returned the horseman—“ the one you speak of, aoe American from Denver.” 6é h 99 ‘* A young man—Senor Ragsdale.” ‘* You lookin’ fur this man Ragsdale ?” ‘‘Yes. He promised to aid mea little in buying cattle, I haven’t seen him in many weeks, however. I heard he was stopping with you.” ‘‘ Wal, he was.” ‘‘Tam pleased. Then I can see him.” ‘‘I’m afeared you won’t see him — I’m afeared on’t, pardner.” ‘‘What do you mean, colonel ?”’ ‘* Hilton Ragsdale’s dead.” ‘‘ Mercy! this is sad news.” The Mexican threw up his hands, ‘“*Never mind, though. Come in and make yourself comfortable like. Mebbe I kin help yer in ther cattle buyin’ business. ‘¢Thanks, colonel.” The Mexican dismounted. Colonel Redhart called a boy—one who sometimes took the place of Benay Flash— and ordered him to stable the gentleman's horse. The disguised Jawyer gave his name, and stated that he had come many miles to buy cattle and horses. He was stocking a ranch in northern Mex- ico. and desired a large number of Northern cattle. ‘*You mout a-found ’em nearder home,” suggested Colone] Redhart. ‘“True; but I had a desire to see this coun- try. I knew the Ragsdales. Stopped off a day at Denver, and learned that Hilton Rags- dale was your guest, and so came on here. I am shocked to learn of his death. How did it happen ?” ‘* An accident.” The colonel then explained. At this moment Nate Shade appeared, look- ing pale and troubled. “ ‘What’s up ?” queried the colonel, after he had introduced his companion. ‘‘T’ve been robbed.” ‘* Robbed!” ‘That's it; robbed of a valuable paper while I was here a short time ago. Some one en- tered my room through the window and stole a paper from my coat pocket.” The speaker glanced suspiciously at Don Ramon. ‘*Dod blast the luck!” The colonel made no further comment. Shade beckoned his host aside. ‘‘ Colonel Redhart, who is that fellow yon- der ?” ‘‘Don Ramon, of Mexico.” “Sure ?” ‘*T reckon,” ‘‘Confound him! I believe he is the thief!” CHAPTER XXII. A BAD “‘ BREAK.” THE man who was thus being denounced by the Cheyenne detective sat smoking a cigar, apparently unconscious of the way his name was being bandied by those near at hand. He had keen ears, however, and he had caught the import of the detective’s words. ‘‘ Dod blast it, Nate, this is nonsense,” re- turned the colonel. ‘‘ This man’s a Mexican gentleman.” ‘*T don’t believe it.” ‘‘ Wal, don’t speak so loud, or he’ll hear ye. Dod blamed if I’m going to go back on the mn (C(O) (C DOO cS (SO)