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.