"The very questions
I asked," replied Westcott instantly. "In the instructions left Valois
was a check for five thousand dollars made to my order, to be forwarded
at once. Fred's destination was Sonora, Mexico, where he had some
large copper interests. He intended to look after these and return
here to Haskell within a week, or ten days. But the war in Mexico made
this impossible--once across the border he couldn't get back. He wrote
me, but evidently the letter miscarried."
"And Beaton missed him entirely."
"By pure luck. Fred phoned the New York Central for a lower to
Chicago, and they were all gone. Enright must have learned, in some
way, of his calling that office, and so informed Beaton, who took that
train. Later, from his own rooms, Cavendish secured accommodations on
the Pennsylvania."
He paused, endeavouring to see out through the window, hearing the hoof
beats of an approaching team.
"What's that, Pete?" he asked of Timmons, who was hovering as closely
as he dared. "Pretty late, isn't it?"
"Guests, I reckon; the Overland was three hours late; sure, they're
stoppin' yere.
Pages:
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431