Part 26 (1/2)

”And I presume you consider that we should work chiefly on that hypothesis?”

”Exactly.”

”And you do not consider the possible capture of Retief as being the most important feature of the case?”

”Important--certainly. But, for the moment, of minor consideration. Once we discover the means by which he secretes his stock--and the hiding-place--we can stop his depredations and turn all our energies to his capture. You follow me? At first I was inclined to think with you that the capture of the man would be the best thing. But now it seems to me that the easiest method of procedure will be the discovery of that path.”

The rasping tone in which Lablache spoke conveyed to the other his unalterable conviction. The prairie man, however, remained unconvinced.

”Well,” he replied, after a moment's deliberation, ”I cannot say I agree with you. Open secret or not, I've a notion that we'd stand a better chance of discovering the profoundest of state secrets than elicit information, even supposing them to possess it, of this description from the Breeds. I expect Gautier here in a few minutes; we shall hear what he has to say.”

”I trust he _may_ have something to say.”

Lablache snapped his reply out in that peculiar tone of his which spoke volumes. It never failed to anger him to have his opinions gainsaid.

Then his manner changed slightly, and his mood seemed to become contemplative. Horrocks observed the change and wondered what was coming. The money-lender cleared his throat and spat into the stove.

Then he spoke with that slow deliberation which was his when thinking deeply.

”Two years ago, when Retief did what he liked in this part of the country, there were many stories going about as to his relations.h.i.+p with a certain lady in this settlement.”

”Miss Allandale--yes, I have heard.”

”Just so; some said that she--er--was very partial to him. Some, that they were distantly connected. All were of opinion that she knew a great deal of the man if she only chose to tell. These stories were gossip--merely. These small places are given to gossip. But I must confess to a belief that gossip is often--always, in fact--founded on a certain amount of fact.”

There was no niceness of feeling about this mountain of obesity in matters of business. He spoke as callously of the girl, for whom he entertained his unholy pa.s.sion, as he would speak of a stranger. He experienced no compunction in linking her name with that of an outlaw.

His gross nature was of too low an order to hold anything sacred where his money-bags were affected.

”Perhaps you--er--do not know,” he pursued, carefully lighting his pipe and pressing the charred tobacco down with the tip of his little finger, ”that this girl is the daughter of a Breed mother?”

”Guess I hadn't a notion.”

Horrocks's keen eyes flashed with interest. He too lit his pipe as he lounged back in his chair.

”She is a quarter-breed, and, moreover, the esteem in which she is held by the skulking inhabitants of the camp inclines me to the belief that--er--judicious--er--handling--”

”You mean that through her we might obtain the information we require?”

Horrocks punctuated the other's deliberate utterances with hasty eagerness. Lablache permitted a vague smile about the corners of his mouth, his eyes remained gleaming coldly.

”You antic.i.p.ate me. The matter would need delicate handling. What Miss Allandale has done in the past will not be easy to find out. Granting, of course, that gossip has not wronged her,” he went on doubtfully. ”On second thoughts, perhaps you had better leave that source of information to me.”

He relapsed apparently into deep thought. His pensive deliberation was full of guile. He had a purpose to achieve which necessitated the suggestion which he had made to this representative of the law. He wished to impress upon his companion a certain connivance on the part of, at least, one member of the house of Allandale with the doings of the raider. He merely wished to establish a suspicion in the mind of the officer. Time and necessity might develop it, if it suited Lablache's schemes that such should occur. In the meantime he knew he could direct this man's actions as he chose.

The calm superiority of the money-lender was not lost upon his companion. Horrocks was nettled, and showed it.

”But you'll pardon me, Mr. Lablache. You have offered me a source of information which, as a police-officer, it is my duty to sound. As you yourself admit, the old stories of a secret love affair may have some foundation in fact. Accept that and what possibilities are not opened up? Had I been employed on the affairs of Retief, during his previous raids, I should certainly have worked upon so important a clew.”

”Tut, tut, man,” retorted the other, sharply. ”I understood you to be a keen man at your business. A single ill-timed move in the direction we are discussing and the fat will be in the fire. The girl is as smart as paint; at the first inkling of your purpose she'll curl up--shut up like a rat trap. The Breeds will be warned and we shall be further off success than ever. No, no, when it comes to handling Jacky Allandale you leave it to me--Ah!”

Lablache's e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n was the result of the sudden apparition of a dark face peering in at his window. He swung round with lightning rapidity, and before Horrocks could realize what he was doing his fat hand was grasping the b.u.t.t of a revolver. Then, with a grunt of annoyance, he turned back to his guest.