CHAPTER XIII: THE SHOT OF DEATH

Westcott's purpose in visiting the La Rosita mine was a rather vague
one. His thought had naturally associated Bill Lacy with whatever form
of deviltry had brought Beaton to the neighbourhood 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