The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 115: what you’re looking at

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

THE GOLD “That may be a difficult matter.” “The longer you wait to take up the trail the greater will be the difficulty.” “T shall begin the pursuit at once, and will have men to help me. Nothing shall be left undone, Whipple, but be- fore I go I wish you would clear up one point for me.” “What is that?” ‘“We know why this Greaser, Chom- bo, has designs on your life—they’re a rabid lot, these Mexicans—but what was Jeffries’ motive? ” “ He saw me talking with you in the power-house.”’ “And you thmk he suspected who you were? ” “He suspected that several days ago. Seeing me with you merely clinched the argument in his mind.” “And young ‘T'ravis, why should he lend himself to such a diabolical plot? ” Whipple puffed his cigarette reficc- tively. “I have charitable notions concern- ing young Travis,” he answered finally. “ He’s easily led, and Jeffries, in this instance, is the one who is leading him.” “He’s the brother of the young woman in charge of the laboratory work here? ” es Yes.”’ “Don’t you think the woman may have had a guilty knowledge of what was to happen?” “T have too high a regard for your sagacity, Christopher, to think that you seriously entertain any such notion.” “Tt isn’t such a fool idea as you im- agine, Whipple. When the bullion was stolen, two weeks ago, it was Monday before Miss ‘Travis came to Phoenix and said anything about it.” “I tell you,” returned Whipple sharply, “ Miss Travis is not at fault. I have been here two weeks, and don’t you think I ought to know? ” “Oh, well, of course if you’re con- vinced Miss Travis is all right I haven’t a word to say. But it has a strange look to me.” Whipple vouchsafed no response, and the sheriff got up from his chair to go. “Just to think,’ he added, “ that while this fellow Jeffries was in the hills, helping me hunt for the bullion thieves, as I supposed, he an¢ his pals GLEANERS. — lil were holding up the Cache d’Oro stage.” The sheriff laughed glumly. “ Well, we know who these men are, now, and that’s something.” “It’s everything,” said Whipple. “Vl be up in two weeks, and if you haven’t captured the men by that time, Pil help you.” “They were saying down-stairs, be- fore I came up, that the doctor was positive you couldn’t leave your bed for a month.” “The doctor is a Mexican, and doesn’t know,” was the short response. “TI do. Adios, Christopher, and good luck to you.” “ Good-by,” returned the sheriff, and left the room. In the passage just outside the door, he encountered some one, and Whipple heard him mutter a word of greeting, or apology, and then pass on. While the manager had his eyes on the door- way, Amy appeared in the opening. “ Are you well enough to see me for a few minutes, Mr. Whipple? ” ae in- quired, “ Certainly, Miss Travis. Please come in.” Although she was very pale and her face more haggard than when he had seen it last, he was glad to observe that she seemed as firmly self-contained as on the previous occasion. | she entered the room quietly and took the chair left vacant by the sheriff. “Tom is gone,” she announced. She was doing her utmost to be brave; he could see that, and his ad- miration for her increased. “I thought he would be,” said Whip- ple. “The bag of bullion is also gone,” she went on. “If you knew Tom was not worthy of confidence, why did you trust him? ” “I did not trust him, Miss Travis.” In answer to the inquiring look she flashed toward him, he added: “ The bullion was not taken.” “The bag is gone from the safe.” ““T foresaw that, but the bag did not contain the gold.” “Do you still feel that I should re- main at the Golden Hagie? ” she asked, after a pause. “IT need you now more than ever, GORMIGOOO (COL