Keith understood all this readily enough, and comprehended also that if "Black Bart" had any use for the boy it would be for some criminal purpose.
What was it?
Was there a deeply laid plot back of all these preparations involving both Willoughby and his sister?
What was it Hawley was scheming about so carefully, holding this boy deserter in one hand, while he reached out the other after Christie Maclaire?
Surely, the man was not working blindly; he must have a purpose in view.

Willoughby had acknowledged he had told the fellow something once when he was drunk--about his family history, no doubt, for he had shown him Hope's picture.

What that family secret was Keith had no means of guessing, but Hawley, the moment he saw the face on the cardboard, had evidently recognized Christie Maclaire--had thought of some way in which what he now knew could be turned to advantage.

The few scattered facts which Keith had collected all seemed to point to such a conclusion--Hawley had sent the boy to Sheridan, where he would be out of sight, with orders to wait for him there, and the promise of a "stake" to keep him quiet.

Then he had gone to Independence and Topeka seeking after Christie Maclaire.
Evidently he meant to keep the two apart until he had gained from each whatever it was he sought.