BUCKY FOLLOWS A HOT TRAIL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 April 1939, Page 10

BUCKY FOLLOWS A HOT TRAIL

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

COPYRIGHT.

BY

WILLIAM MACLEOD RAINE.

CHAPTER XIII. (Continued). “I’m working with you, chief,” Bucky said equably. "But there wouldn’t be any sense in telling you a suspicion until it’s backed up with facts.” “I don’t give a curse about your suspicions. But you know something—or think you do. Probably doesn’t amount to a thing. But that’s for me to judge, not you.” “Wait till I know a little more about it. But I’ll say this. Get to the motive of the bank robbery, Chief. I mean the fundamental motive.” Bucky lifted a protesting hand. “Yes, I know you’re going to say, that any idiot would know they did it to get the dough. True enough. But look back of that. Dig deeper. Who gained most by the robbery? Figure that out, and when you have the answer you’ll tell me I’m crazy.” The chief watched him, his eyes narrowed in thought. "That all you got to say, Bucky?” "Not quite all. The shot fired at me today came from a house owned by one enemy of mine, and on the rental list of another enemy. Doesn’t that suggest anything?” “You don’t think either Clem Garside or Jud Richman did this personally—l mean shot at you today.” “No, not while killers can be hired for fifty dollars a head.” “That all you’ve got to tell me?’ O’Sullivan rose He looked down at Cameron grimly. “Now listen to me, young fellow If you don’t get out of town and stay out, you’ll tell me nothing more. You’ll be lying bn a slab at the morgue. See?” While the chief was still in the corridor Nancy announced Mitchell. The face of the blonde fair-haired visitor showed concern. “I’ve just heard of the attempt on your life,” he said. “You must.be careful, Mr Camerin. These scoundrels have marked you for death. Get out to your ranch and stay there. Don’t give them a chance.”

News spreads fast in this town,” Bucky replied. “Where did you hear it?”

“A police broadcast. Not ten minutes ago. Suspects are being checked up.”

“That’s hooey to save face. The police haven’t any suspects, except my friends from the Red Rock, country.

“Why not check up on them?” Mitchell asked. He pulled himself up, cutting off his next words, a sudden excitement in his pink face. “Mr Cameron, I believe I met the man—slipping back to town —right after he had done it.”

“Where —and when?” Bucky wanted to know. 1

“At the corner of Wilson and Fifth about—let me see —close to four, a little earlier.”

Bucky consulted Nancy. “That would be about the right time, wouldn’t it?” “Yes,” she said. “It was twenty minutes to four when I started out to make the lemonade. I looked at my watch.”

“Can you describe the man?” On the heel of that question Bucky asked a second. “What makes you think he might be the one?” “There was something—furtive about him. He looked as if he didn’t want to be noticed.” "What did he look like?” “A big, dark man, black-haired. I caught only a’glimpse of his face. He wore high-heeled cowboy boots.” “Might be Brad Davis from your I description.” “By the way, if this young lady doesn’t talk ” Mitchell stopped and looked at Nancy, who at once rose to go. Her employer detained her with a lift of the hand. “You may say anything you like before Miss Graham,” he assured his visitor. “Good. I’ve satisfied myself on those points I spoke about- the other day” Mitchel] ticked them off with the forefinger of one hand on the little finger of the other. “First, Davis, West, and Quinn were in town at the time of the bank robbery. They spent the evening at the Crystal Palace drinking. They were restless. More than once one of them went out for a time and came back. About half-past eleven they left the saloon. Nobody saw them again, as far as I can find out, until a quarter to one. Then Quinn and Davis went to the livery stable and got their three horses. West was not with them.” “You think he was in some dark spot guarding my uncle until the others could bring the horses.” Back of Bucky’s quiet manner and softspoken words raced a keen excitement. “What would you think? Why wouldn’t he be with the others, unless he had to be somewhere else — say, guarding a prisoner, who was either dead or alive?” Mitchell too spoke evenly, but Nancy felt that his calm was a fraud. A light triumphant blazed in his eyes. “You think they killed Uncle Cliff before they left town—or after?” Bucky asked. “I don’t know. After, I would say, if they could get him out of town quietly and without any fuss.” “I think so too. A live man is easier to transport than a dead one. Mr Mitchell, you have done good work. If you can prove all you say. the Red Rock gents will have quite some explaining to do.” “I can prove it, if my witness will stand by what they let out to me.” “Some of them won't, if they think it’s not safe. I don’t suppose they knew what you were getting at when you talked with them.” “No. We’ll have to spring it on them suddenly before the district attorney. not giving them time to change their stories.” “Our most important citizen—l won’t mention his name —is friendlv with West and his crowd. You still think he isn’t in this?” “Doesn’t look reasonable to me. As I said before, I don’t like him. He is selfish and a good deal of a bully. But he’s silting on the top of the world. It has taken him thirty years to get there. He couldn’t afford to risk, losing everything in one crazy deal.” “No,” Bucky conceded, reluctance in voice and manner. “It would be dumb of him. But I hate to give up the idea ... Is it your intention to arrest the (Red Rock men.now?” I Mitchell shook his head.. “Not yet. i We haven’t tied them up with the robberv. But we'll get the evidence one

of these days and wind a net around them. One of them will get drunk and talk. Or they’ll begin spending money. Or somebody, will come forward who saw them,, around the First National building the night of the robbery.” “It’s a time for Mr Cameron to lie down and rest,” Nancy announced. “He’s had a pretty strenuous afternoon.” The visitor rose. “That’s so. Well, I’ll be going.” Nancy closed the door after him. Bucky looked at her grimly. “Mitchell is right. The inside story is going to break soon. By the way, I want you to send some wires for me.” CHAPTER XIV. At the end of the second day, Nancy announced that she was not going to stay, any longer at the CC ranch under pay. Except for half an hour in the morning and evening. I don't have anything to do but play,” she said. “I go riding with your cousin and I play cards with you or sit and talk. That’s no way to earn seven dollars a day.” “Have you heard me complain?” Bucky drawled. “You don’t need a nurse any longer.” "I need some one to keep me from worrying.” "You worry a lot, don’t you?” she mocked.

“How about staying a few days as Julia’s guest?” "I might do that—if she asked me.” “You’re a swell girl, Nancy.”

Nancy said, “Thank you, kind sir.” She added, “It's more important for me to be a good nurse, isn't it?” “No, but you're that, too.” He watched her moving about the room, making things ready for the night. His thoughts turned to Tim Murphy. "Seems to me the misogynist has been hanging around a good deal today. You don’t reckon he’s going to get sick and need a nurse, do you? Or maybe get some one to plug him in the shoulder. I’ve had a fine time since some kind enemy handed me a pill.” “So have I,” she acknowledged. “It’s been —exciting.”

“I hope you get a grumpy old man for your next patient.” "Nice of you. Why?” “So that you will remember by contrast your favourite patient and think about him.” "I couldn’t say off-hand who is- my favourite one,” she told him, opening a window. “Is there anything else you want?”

“You mean anything I can have?” he asked.

“If not, I’ll say good night,” she said, ignoring his question. At the door she turned to tell him a piece of personal news. “I’m going riding in the moonlight with the misogynist. I’ll be back in an hour or two.”

“Is that wise?” he asked, instantly serious. “War has been declared on the range. There might be sharpshooters around. Send Tim to me before you start.” “You wouldn’t spoil my fun, would you?” she asked. When Murphy came in he grinned sheepishly. “Which way are you riding, Tim?” “Thought I’d take the trail ridge.” "As good as any, if you have to go. Be careful of the girl, Tim. If you meet any of West’s scoundrels they might blaze away in the darkness.’! "That’s why I’m going up trail ridge. No chance any of them Will be there. But I’ll sure be careful, Bucky.” “Do that. I’ll be worried till you get back.” Bucky did not sleep until he heard Nancy’s cheerful voice calling a good night to Murphy from the porch two hours later.

The foreman drove to town next day and came back with a piece of gossip he had picked up at the Pioneer’s Club. Bucky was playing cards with Nancy. “Some of the boys are saying that Clem Garside has been mighty short of cash lately.” Tim said. “They claim he’s spread out darned thin, and if anything cracked he would have to scratch gravel considerable.” “Who says this?” Bucky asked. "Well, Munson was one of them — and Luke Mennig. They say he has sunk pretty close to a quarter of a million on that molybdenum mine of his. I understand it’s rich as all get out, but what with machinery, building roads, and one thing and another there has been nothing but outlay so far.” . . . “A quarter of a million is a lot or money,” Bucky reflected aloud. “Munson usually knows what he is talking about. I could check up on it through Warren Young.” . „ “Clem left yesterday for the mine, Tim said. “He spends two or, three days a month up at Fairview.” Bucky rose. “I’ll get on the phone. Before he could reach it the bell rang Judge Lewis was on the wire. Bucky’s cool indifference voice became crisp, incivise. “Know who they are?” he demanded. Then, after listening to an answer: “Anybody hurt? . . Did they get away with much?” Presently Bucky said, “Yes, 111 do that. It’s just two forty-five now. Tim Murphy is here with me —and my cousin Julia, and my nurse. Miss Graham . . Call me up again if you find out anything more.” Bucky hung up. He explained what had occurred. “The Valley Bank has been held up by bandits. One of the tellers was wounded. They got away with a good deal of money. Judge Lewis called me up so we can establish our alibis. The bank was robbed not five minutes ago. Ring the big bell. Tim, and gather all the men who are on the ranch now. I want to make a rostei of them against any possible charges that may develop later.” All the CC riders on the place were checked up. Murphy sent them out on to the range to find and bring in at once those out on duty. They were told to jot down with a pencil the exact time they caught sight of those already in the saddle. “It’s going to be claimed we robbed the Valley Bank,” Bucky explained. “Get going, boys. Round up every CC man as soon as you can.” <To be Continued).