Old Cap. Collier Library No. 379: The Lawyer Detective — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

THE ro en = ‘«‘ But it cannot be proved in any event.” ‘‘T think it can.” ‘‘How? You bid me hope. Oh, Heaven! if I only knew that my bullet was not guilty of slaying poor Olive I should feel like anew man.” ‘‘The proof can be found,” said Rena. ‘1 saw the tragedy, and when you two men fired, Olive Chester stood between you, with her face turned toward Evard Demming.” ‘Yes, yes, that is true.” ‘‘ Well, then, the location of the bullet tells who shot Olive Chester.” ‘‘My soul, this is true. exhumed. Oh, Rena, if it should prove that I am guiltless, I shall feel like one let out of Hades!” At this a strange thrill shot over the listen- ing Ragsdale. ‘¢ Open the door,” he said to the jailer. ‘‘ Be quick about it, too, John.” The key grated in the lock, and the next minute the lawyer-detective entered the cell, confronting Rivers. ‘‘T have heard all,” said Ragsdale. ‘‘Then you know 1 meant no harm to your poor cousin when I fired in defense of my life?” The next number of the OLp Cap. CoLLigR Lrpraky will contain, co The body must be| JY ‘Tl know that, and more.” ‘© More ?” Rivers trembled as he gazed eagerly into the face of the speaker. ‘‘The bullet that found Olive Chester’s life was buried in her forehead.” ‘¢ Just Heaven! I thank thee.” The prisoner sunk weak an! trembling to the floor. wt ® * x * » A few weeks later, and four men were sent to a western penitentiary for a term of ears. ‘‘T am glad that Worthiand Rivers is free,” said Demming, as he stood ready to leave on the train for his prison-home. His words were addressed to Ragsdale. ‘‘ No murder was done that night when your cousin was killed. I fired at Rivers, but hit the girl. I knew this all the time. His bullet cut off my little fin- ger. WhenI come out of prison I promise you I shall run off no more cattle and horses. "Twas the colonel got me into it.” Ragsdale learned that it was the masked league of cattle-stealers who had made so many attempts on his life, since they feared he would learn their secret if he remained in the Big Horn basin. (THE END.] LAWYER DETECTIVE. a So Co OL With the thieves the murder mystery cut but a secondary figure. Of course the meb scene at the hunter’s shanty was all a farce, engineered by Tribune Tripp and the colonel. ith the mystery of Olive’s dvath cleared up, our story is at an end. Mrs. Tripp was easily freed from her criminal husband, and went to live in Denver, where she hasa happy home. From her Ragsdale learned that Rena was not Tripp’s daughter, but a step-child. ‘Her real name is Rivers.” said Mrs. Tripp. ‘‘ Rivers!” exclaimed Ragsdale. ‘“Yes. She and Worthland are own brother and sister,” ‘The thunder! you say.” It was a glad revelation to the young law- yer, however. He sought out Rena, and payed devoted court, winning her after a six months’ siege. Worthland Rivers is doing business in Denver, and seems to enjoy himself, since a black cloud has been lifted from his life. Mrs. Chester—she goes by that name now— has altered her will in that a portion of her money she intends to have go to Rena’s brother. Ragsdale’s detective experience in Wyo- ming was his last. mplete, a splendid detective story by that Prince of detective writers, GILBERT JEROME, It is entitled ‘* THE PARISIAN DETECTIVE IN NEW YORK; or, Solving the Mystery ofa Stolen Corpse.’’ Itisa rattler and will be published as No. 380 of the OLD Cap. COLLIER LIBRARY. EO NOOKS > @ ( (CO) >