d of Haskell, and he
felt convinced firmly that this special brand of deviltry had some
direct connection with the disappearance of Frederick Cavendish. Just
what the connection between these people might prove to be was still a
matter of doubt, but as Miss Donovan was seeking this information at
the hotel, all that remained for him to do at present was an
investigation of Lacy.

Yet it was not in the nature of the big miner to go at anything
recklessly. He possessed a logical mind and needed to think out
clearly a course of action before putting it into execution. This
revelation had come to him suddenly, and the conclusion which he had
arrived at, and expressed to the girl, was more of an inspiration than
the result of calm mental judgment. After she had disappeared on her
walk back to Haskell, Westcott lit his pipe and resumed his seat on the
big rock again, to think it all out in detail, and decide on a course
of action. He was surprised how swiftly and surely the facts of the
case as already understood marshalled themselves into line in support
of the theory he had advanced. The careful review of all Miss Donovan
had told him only served to increase his confidence that his old
partner still lived. No other conception seemed possible, or would
account for the presence of Ned Beaton in Haskell, or the hurried call
for Miss La Rue. Yet it was equally evident this was not caused by any
miscarriage of their original plans. It was not fear that had led to
this meeting--no escape of their prisoner, no suspicion that their
conspiracy had been discovered, no alarm of exposure--but merely the
careful completion of plans long before perfected. Apparently every
detail of the crime, which meant the winning of Frederick Cavendish's
fortune, had been thus far successfully carried out. The money was
already practically in their possession, and not the slightest
suspicion had been aroused. It had been a masterpiece of criminal
ingenuity, so boldly carried out as to avoid danger of discovery.

Westcott believed he saw the purpose which had actuated the ruling
spirit--a desire to attain these millions without bloodshed; without
risking any charge of murder. This whole affair had been no vulgar,
clumsy crime; it was more nearly a business proposition, cold-blooded,
deliberately planned, cautiously executed. Every step had been taken
exactly in accord with the original outlines, except possibly that they
had been hurrie