Old Cap. Collier Library No. 379: The Lawyer Detective — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

8 THE LAWYER DBETECIIVE. ne eee esse tt ee. —— S$ $$ ‘‘And do ye believe it?” “Tam not prepared to say at the present moment,” the Denverite returned. “Then you think Evard guilty 7 ‘“Ttell you I can’t give an opinion just now,” Ragsdale persisted. ‘‘I confess, how- ever, that appearances are against Mr. Dem- | ming. Considering the verdict of the coroner's jury. it seems to me that the one accused will ave to stand trial.” ‘‘T am willing to do that,” said Demming. ‘‘T am an innocent man, and consequently have nothing to fear when this affair is sifted in the courts. I fear only the mob, and such fellows as this mani, Tribune Tipp.” ‘‘ Mob-law must not defeat justice in this case,” declared the young lawyer. ‘‘I think I can persuade these men to depart in peacc, but of course we must put you in custody, Mr. Demming.” ‘Tl am willing to agree to that, but I don’t care to be turned over to a gang of lynchers.” Ragsdale turned toward the door, only to be met by a crowd of men more bloodthirsty than ever, their spirits having been fired by the intemperate talk of Tribune Tripp and the passing of a black bottle. ‘‘ Bring out the murderer!” This cry greeted Ragsdale as he stepped to the door, and he at once saw a terrible danger ahead. | CHAPTER VI. UNEXPECTED ENEMIES, ‘‘Sranp back, gentlemen,” commanded the oung Denverite. ‘‘ You must not enter ere.” ‘“Wal, I reckon no white-haired tender- foot’s goin’ to tell us what we shall do, and what we sha’n’t,” growled one of the men, at the same time whipping out a six-shooter. Luckily the young lawyer had provided himself with a similar weapon, and he at once brought it into service. ‘‘Threats won’t frighten me, gentlemen,” Ragsdale declared. ‘‘I amas well prepared to defend the right as you are to commit a crime.” ‘* Hear im.” “ A-callin’ us criminals.” ‘¢Confound his picter!” Not all of the plainsmen were armed, but such as had weapons, displayed them at this moment, and an attempt was certainly made to intimidate the man from Denver. Ragsdale had once faced a mob in his own city, and he knew from experience that such gatherings are usually cowardly. ‘Gentlemen, it is of no use,” he protested, ‘‘you cannot enter this house save over my dead body. Imean what I say, and my death means others among youas well. You'd bet- ter think well of this before you proceed to extremities.” The speaker toyed with his weapon as though it would bea pleasure to him to use it on the crowd. There was stil] hesitancy among the plains- men. ‘*Make up your minds, gentlemen,” said Ragsdale. ‘‘If we are to have a battle, the sooner it begins the sooner it will be over. I am not the only one you will have to meet. There are two armed men inside who won't pom mob violence to rule in this coun- ry.” ‘‘Hear him,” growled Tribune Tripp. ‘I don’t believe he dare shoot, boys. Let’s make one grand rush and down the Denver coy- ote.” The face of Ragsdale paled a little as heno- ticed a gathering for a general rush, but he meant to stand his ground and meet force with force. He knew if the mob hanged Demming, whether innocent or guilty, that would end the whole case, and in such a manner as to leave a doubt in his mind as to who murdered his cousin Olive, — Click—click! ‘“Come on, men of the Big Horn, I am ready.” The hand of theman from Denver shot for- ward, and held a cocked weapon leveled at the head of Tribune Tripp. ‘‘T shall make sure of you, Mr. Tripp, at the first fire.” _.'' Good Lord! man, don’t point that at me: it’s mighty careless of you. The confounded b) thing might go off!” roared Tripp, recoiling in dread. ‘“Then call off these men or I'll shot any- how!” declared Ragsdale, sternly. ‘‘Treckon it’s best, boys. The sun's gone down, and it'll soon be dark, and then we can fix the murderer. We'll just lay seige to the shanty.” At Tribune's suggestion, the plainsmen re- tired some rods away and held a consultation. The men who had constituted the coroner’s jury were seen riding across the prairie some half a mile distant. Having performed their duty, they concluded not to remain and see murder committed. . Now was the time for the prisoner to make a move to egscape. Ragsdale turned and re-entered the old house. _ He stared in astonishment. The room was empty! Where were Demming and Colonel Red- hart? Quickly the young lawyer sprung across the floor and glanced through the little window at the back of the old cabin. No one was to be seen. Gloomy shadows hung over the trees with- out, and a distant moan swept through the leafy branches. The young man glanced back into the room, There on the ground was the checkered quilt, covering an awful object beneath. Out through the open door, some rods away, were groups of men talking and gesticulating violently. ‘©The colonel has outwitted the men of the Big Horn,” mused Ragsdale. ‘‘Itis well. I am glad. Demming must live to be brought to trial, and then the truth may come out. I’ll not remain here longer, but repair at once to Three Oaks and see the colonel. It’s not likely the mob will dare venture to make an assault on the ranch itself.” Lifting the shackley door into place, the man from Denver cast one parting glance to- ward Tribune Tripp and his followers, then crossed the floor and made his exit through the opening at the rear of the cabin. Shadows were gathering swiftly. Without once again looking back, the Den- verite walked on through the trees into the open plain, from which point he could see Three Oaks in the dim distance. Scarcely had the young lawyer appeared in the opening than a form darted from the edge of the timber and confronted him. It was Benay Flash. ‘‘There’s been some hot times, Mr. Rags- dale,” said the half-breed in his low, insinu- ating tones, so displeasing to the ear of the man from Denver. ‘‘ Where were you during the time?’ ‘‘Not far away.” ‘Why did you not show yourself?” ™ ‘‘T did not think it necessary. I meant to cover the retreat of Demming if the worst came.” ** Indeed ?” ‘¢ You seem to feel sarcastic just now, Hil- ton Ragsdale. I think I am entitled to some consideration.” ‘*T hope so, Flash.” ‘‘ You didn’t want Demming hung by a mob any sore than I and the colonel ?” oe i 0.”’ ‘‘The man may be innocent, you know, Hilton.” ‘* Possibly.” ‘* Yet you do not so believe ?” ‘‘T am expressing no opinion.” The two walked on in company toward Three Oaks. ‘¢ How did Demming and the colonel get away without being seen ?” finally questioned the Denverite. ‘‘Hasy enough. The trees screened them, and they didn’t let grass grow under their feet after they left the old cabin.” ‘« Where are they now?” ‘‘I haven’t seen them since they made tracks toward Three Oaks.” ‘‘ Then Demming must be in hiding at Col- onel Redhart’s ranch.” ‘Yes, I suppose so, and the more shame that it is 80,” said Flash. ‘‘ People have become excited over the find- ing of the body of the murdered girl. It is impossible to blame them a great deal. It looks very black for Demming, and~—” ‘‘ Black for Demming, did you say?” Flush interrupted, showing his white teeth. ‘‘ Be careful how you jump at conclusions, Hilton. I beg of you make no mistake when you do secure the arrest of the criminal.” There was such intense earnestness in the voice of the speaker, Ragsdale could not but regard him in surprise. Why did the half-breed exhibit so much feeling on the subject? The fellow was not to be trusted. At any rate, so the man from Denver had decided at the outset, aid Ragsdale had made up his mind to keep an eye on the young fac- totum continually. ‘‘T don’t expect to make a mistake,” said the seif-constituted detective. ‘‘I mean to sift this wicked crime to the bottom, and the one guilty must suffer for his crime.” - ‘‘T am glad to hear you say that, Mr. Rags- dale,” returned Flash. ‘‘It gives me hope. Once I thought this man Demming guilty, and it may be that Iso informed you on one occasion, but truth to tell, I have made some discoveries of late that have turned my thoughts in an altogether different direc- tion.” ‘‘ Have you really made discoveries, or has the colonel talked you out of your former be- lief ?” The lawyer detective regarded his young companion keenly. ‘*Pooh!” retorted Flash lightly. ‘‘I have a mind of my own, Hilton, and no influence that is contrary to my convictions could have the least power over me.” ‘¢ You are more than ordinarily strong-mind- ed.” ‘‘T have a will of my own at any rate,” de- clared the half-breed. ‘‘ By the way, I suppose you have fixed the murder on some one, Mr. Flash.” ‘*T have.” “ His name?” “‘T would rather not tell at present.” ‘You seem to me over cautious.” ‘‘T don’t mean to make any mistakes. I¢ may be that a reward will yet be offered for the discovery of the murderer of Olive Ches- ter. Iam biding my time, Hilton, biding my time.” And the half-breed laughed in a way that chilled the blood of his listener. The more Ragsdale saw of Benay Flash the more he distrusted him. And yet, if asked to tell why he had so con- ceived a dislike for the colonel’s factotum, the young lawyer could not have told. When they reached Three Oaks Ranch, Colonel Redhart sat on the long porch smok- ing in the dim light. “* Hello!” ‘The colonel removed his pipe, and laughed immoderately. Why he was pleased was a puzzle to Rags- dale. The explanation was soon forthcoming when Colonel Redhart grasped his guest by the hand and shook it warmly, all the time laughing from head to foot. ‘Talk about tenderfeet,” he finally articu- lated. ‘‘ Ha! hatha! Good gracious, my lad, you out-cowed the cowboys that time. You’ve got the sand, Mr. Ragsdale, and that’s what I admire in a man.” ‘“T had no idea that you and Demming would run away,” said the lawyer. ‘‘I sup- posed you would stand by me if the worst came. I’m afraid I can’t return the compli- ment as regards sand.” ‘Chere was a smile on Ragsdale’s face, how- ever, that in a measure disarmed his criti- cism, and saved the Missourian’s good humor. ‘Ho! ho! it was delightful how neatly we outwitted the sneaks,” declared the colonel. ‘‘I want to express the gratitude of Dem- ming for your act at the old house, Hilton. He thinks you saved his life. and, by thunder, I’m not fur from that opinion myself.” ‘Don’t you think you had as much to do with the saving of his life as I had, Mr. Redhart? I’m sure I would have done as much for the veriest criminal on earth. What I object to is lynch law. No man should be hung without judge or jury. I'm a lawyer myself, and have a great respect for my calling.” ‘¢ So I was tellin’ Evard. He allowed meb- be you mout be prevailed on ter undertake his case ef it should ever come inter court. I told him I'd mention it to you incidentally, though I reckon Evaid Demming won't never MICLOO© (C SS (CO (CO