The knowledge of the existence of such a person,
however, might have been part of the original conspiracy--perhaps was
the very basis of it; may have first put the conception into Enright's
ready brain. Aye, that was doubtless the way of it. Frederick was to
be spirited out of the city, accompanied, taken care of by Beaton or
some other murderous crook, and this fellow, a corpse, substituted. If
he resembled Frederick at all closely, there was scarcely a chance that
his identity would be questioned. Why should it be--found in his
apartments? There was nothing to arouse suspicion; while, if anything
did occur, the conspirators were in no danger of discovery. They
risked a possible failure of their plan, but that was all. But if this
was true what had since become of Frederick?
Westcott came back from his musings to this one important question.
The answer puzzled him. If the man was dead why should Beaton remain
at Haskell and insist on Miss La Rue's joining him? And if the man was
alive and concealed somewhere in the neighbourhood, what was their
present object? Had they decided they were risking too much in
permitting him to live? Had something occurred to make them feel it
safer to have him out of the way permanently? What connection did Bill
Lacy have with the gang?
Westcott rose to his feet and began following the trail up the canon.
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