Old Cap. Collier Library No. 379: The Lawyer Detective — page 6: what you’re looking at

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6 THE LAWYER DETECTIVE. eee ——omomomomOmm=«sxaGSaaaaaaaaaeeaeaeaeeee TT search revealed nothing of Olive, and as Evard Demming was absent, the elopement story was readily believed.” ‘* How long did Demming remain away ?” ‘* About ten days.” *¢ And then ?” ‘‘He returned, accompanied by Colonel Redhart. who purchased the ranch, immedi- ately after which Demming disappeared for ood.” ON Is it known if Mr. Demming was at home on the night Olive went out for a ride?” ‘‘He was seen at home just at dusk on that evening.” ‘‘ And was gone the next morning ?” ‘¢T believe so, sir.” ‘‘The case against him is pretty strong,” mused the Denver lawyer. From the stable the two strolled back to the house. Mr. and Mrs. Tripp were not visible. “‘T suppose you will make our house your home during your stay in Wyoming, Mr. Ragsdale ?” said the girl. ‘*T am not sure about that. I shall employ a detective to hunt down this Demming, and it may be that I shall not prolong my stay on the Big Horn.” ‘Your aunt would be pleased, I am sure,,. to have you remain here.” ‘‘No doubt.” With a polite bow, the young lawyer left her, and turned his face once more toward Three Oaks. He had entered the woods, and was passing near the bluff overlooking the creek, when a faint murmur of voices reached his ear. He paused. The sound seemed to proceed from the creek. Ragsdale at once walked to the brow of the bluff and looked over. He saw two persons standing near the water’s edge some ten feet below his posi- tion. They were Tribune Tripp and his aunt Julia. ‘‘You must obey me, Julia, else Pll make life too hot for your comfort, remember that.” The words of the plainsman sent an indig- nant flash to the eye of the listener above. How dared this man threaten his aunt ? Hilton leaned out a little further, anxious not to miss a word of this interesting con- versation. ‘You have made life a burden to me al- ready,” declared Mrs. Tripp. ‘‘ The property I own shall never go to any one but my own relatives.” ‘‘ What do you suppose I married you for?” growled he, hotly. . ‘‘T know, now, it was for my property. You will not getit. Olive is dead, and John’s relatives are not in need. When I am done with the ranch aad the cattle, my nephew shall have them.” “Your nephew?” ‘‘ Hilton Ragsdale.” “¢ Insufferable!” hissed Tripp. The next moment he seized the woman fiercely by the arm. The listener above could stand no more. He started to move aside, when a limb broke,and he was precipitated downward with the velocity of lightning, striking Tribune Tripp square in the bacx, sending that worthy headlong into the water. CHAPTER IV. THE MURDERER COMES. A SCREAM from Mrs. Tripp rang outas she saw her husband thus summarily dealt with. She reeled, and came near falling, while her nephew fell prostrate, with his limbs dan- gling very close to the water in which Tri- bune Tripp was now floundering. Ragsdale sprung to his feet. He shook himself, and passed a hand over his limbs to see if any bones were broken. He seemed satisfied with the investigation, and turning to his aunt, said coolly: ‘Don’t alarm yourself Aunt Julia, I did not strike you, and as for me, I am not hurt.” ‘‘But Tribune? He will drown.” The person mentioned was struggling des- perately in the water, and really seemed in dancer, Ragsdale held only a feeling of con- cempt in bis bosom for a man wi could threaten a woman, yet he could not forget that this person once saved his life. It was this remembrance that caused the young lawyer to put out a helping hand to the man in the water. With considerable difficulty Ragsdale suc- ceeded in drawing Tripp to the shore. Shak- ing himself, and wringing the water from his garments, Tripp presented a woe-begone sight. ‘‘ How did it happen ?” queried Ragsdale. ‘‘ How’d what happen ?” “Your falling——” ‘* Death and furies, man! what a question to ask, when you jumped, on to me like a catamount.” Ragsdale saw that Tripp was inclined to be ugly, and he at once resolved to clip his wings. ‘‘TIt was an accident so far as I am con- cerned, Mr. Tripp,” assured the young Den- verite. ‘‘I was walking along the path up yonder, when I heard a cry of pain from a woman, Iat once sprung to the edge of the bank and gazed over. What I saw angertd me, I’ll admit that—a big man clutching a woman’s arm and threatening her! I lost my footing and fell. You know the rest.” Ragsdale fixed a keen gaze on the face of the ranchman, ~ The fellow frowned and remained silent. After a moment, however, he turned on the Denver man and said, sternly: “T thought you’n I were friends, Mr. Ragsdale, but I reckon, after what’s taken place to-day, we’re the opposite. I’m chilled Pnrough and must go tothe house. Come on, ule.” He seized her arm and the twain walked away together, leaving the Denverite stand- ing alone on the bank of the creek. The situation was not pleasant. - Hilton Ragsdale had learned enough about the character of his car acquaintance to tell him that he was not a goodman. The fellow had married his aunt Julia, in order that he might secure to himself and his heirs the property which Mrs. Chester owned, and which must be very valuable. Did Rena know of the mercenary motives actuating her father? Ragsdale was not ready to believe so ill of one so gentle and beautiful as Rena Tripp. Leaving the bank of the creek, the Denver- ite soon made his way to the road leading along the bluff. He had not gone far when he met a man riding a mustang. It was Benay Flash. The man on the mustang drew rein. ‘‘T come for you, Mr, Ragsdale.” ‘‘ Indeed.” - ‘*'Yes; you're sent for,” “«Sent for ?” ‘‘My employer wants you.” ‘‘The colonel ?” 66 Yes. bP) ‘‘T only came from there a short time ago,” said Ragsdale. ‘‘ Colonel Redhart must have conceived a sudden desire for ny company.” ‘¢That’s not it,” said the half-breed, smiling till his even white teeth gleamed like a row of pearls. ‘‘ The colonel was fearful lest ‘you should leave the country without you're see- ing him again.” ‘‘He knows better than that. I promised to be at the inquest. I shall not leave the country until this affair regarding my poor cousin is settled. The man who murdered her must hang.” ‘*1’m with you there, Mr. Ragsdale.” ‘‘T think you so assured me before.” Benay Flash slipped from the saddle and metioned for the young lawyer to mount. “‘T prefer to, walk, Mr. Flash, although I thank you for the offer of your horse.” ‘Say, Mr. Ragsdale.” The dark man bent close to the face of Ragsdale. ‘* Well ?” ‘You don’t want to trust some folks in this region too far.” “<Sir! What do you mean?” ‘*T don’t like to call names.” ‘*Then I may misunderstand you.” ‘Well, of course it seems to be understood that Evard Demming murdered Miss Chester, and I don’t say he did not. On the contrary I think he is one of them.” The half-breed looked mysterious. The lawyer did not like his actions. In fact, Ragsdale’s first dislike tor the fac- totum ef Three Oaks was growing upon him hourly. ‘*I don’t think I even yet comprehend,” said the lawyer. ‘‘ Well, to speak more plainly then, I say that Demming may have been one of the murderers of your cousin.” ‘‘ Was there more than one ?” ey @8..”” ‘“* You seem positive.” 66 : 29 I am positive. Flash glanced keenly about him, a cunning gleam in his black orbs. A vehicle was approaching from the dis- tance, which searia to annoy him. ‘* Not here and now, Mr. Ragsdale,” said the half-breed, at length. ‘‘I have a revelation for your private ear some time, that may aid you in this hunt for the assassins of Olive Chester.” He turned away then. - Hilton Ragsdale made no attempt to detain im. The fellow vaulted into the saddle and con- tinued his ride toward the Chester ranch. Evidently he had not ridden out for the sole purpose of finding and communicating with the Denver lawyer. “«*T don’t like this fellow,” confessed Rags- dale, ina low tone. ‘‘ There’s a treacherous look in his black eyes, and a something in his actions that convinces me that he is not to be trusted.” ‘“‘ Yes, I told Benay that he might tell ye’at I wished ye to return soon,” said the lean pro- priston of Three Oaks, when Ragsdale met im on the porch of his dwelling a short time later. ‘‘I wasafeared you might conclude to stop with the Tripps till mornin’, and I didn’t like to hev their influence exerted on ye till you’d made a complete investigation.” ‘*T don’t think the influence of such a man as Tripp would amount to much,” Ragsdale returned; ‘I don’t like the man.” ‘‘Nuther do I.” The colonel puffed at his pipe, and tilted back in his chair, assuming a position that seemed to him comfortable. ‘‘He could have no influence over me,” avowed the Denverite. ‘* P’raps not.” ‘¢Then why your anxiety ?” ‘“‘See here, young man,” grunted the colonel, removing his pipe, ‘‘hain’t thar mor’n one pusson at ther Chester ranch.”’ “Certainly.” °* ‘‘A pair of bright eyes thar ‘at ud make a raan’s mouth water. I know all about ’em, Ragsdale, all about ’em,” Again the black pipe was conveyed to the stained lips of Colonel Redhart. ‘¢ And do you know any ill of Rena Tripp?” The young lawyer felt ready to resent any reflections on the lady in question. ‘‘ Nothin’ ag’in her, youngster, nothin’.” ‘‘Then what do you mean ?” ‘‘Tt’s jest here, and this wise, Mr. Rags- dale,” returned the colonel, removing his pipe, and laying a hand on the knee of his visitor. ‘‘ Thar’s a strange influence at work tryin’ to make sentiment agin one of the finest young men in ther nation. I refer to Evard Dem- ming. You, as a relative of Miss Chester which was murdered, will nat’rally feel like huntin’ down the villainous critter ’at did the gal to death. I say this is only nat’ral, and I don't blame ye for it. What else did I send fur ye fur? Yer aunt told me whar to send the telegram, though she ‘lowed I hadn’t better send it cozshe argued it couldn’t do no good.” ‘My aunt argued against sending for me?’ ‘‘That’s a fact, youngster.” ‘¢This hardly seems possible.” ‘‘Mebbe you doubt my word ?” An angry gleam shot into the eyes of the colonel, and he clutched the tuft of beard on his chin as though he would tear it out by the roots. ‘‘T must believe you, of course, Colonel Redhart. Yousent for me, but I sa my aunt had desired it. I am surprised that she did not. Olive was the apple of her eye, and——” ‘* Jes’ go, jes’ so,” the colonel interrupted; “¢ but she’s been inflooenced.” ‘¢ Influenced ?” ‘¢ Sartin.” . ‘* By whom ?” ‘‘ By the man she married.”’ ‘‘Exactly. JI understand it now. Thig MICLOOO (©) S