When the Randolphs rode into Denver City, Eli was sitting on the wagon seat, holding the reins. Matthew sat beside him, listening to Eli as he pointed out the landmarks. “This is the main section of town. That building out in the middle of the creek is the Rocky Mountain News building. The little town of Auraria is on one side of the creek, and Denver City is on the other. See over there, that’s the famous Criterion Saloon. But then, maybe you haven’t heard about Charley Harrison. Gave up on gold mining and has taken to strong-arming his way around town while he runs the saloon.
“The Methodist Episcopal Church is off yonder, down Cherry Creek and through those trees. Conference will be coming up. We might as well stay around for it.”
He slanted a glance toward Matthew and added, “You’ve made it clear you want to go God’s way. Might be that the best way to cement the agreement is to hang around conference for a time.”
From her seat on the pile of blankets and quilts behind Eli, Amelia watched Matthew. She noticed that he looked uncomfortable with the suggestion. Was all his talk of going God’s way a sham? The uneasiness was beginning to grow in Amelia when Matthew glanced at Eli. “Sir, begging your pardon, but do you want to stay?”
Amelia caught the question and she held her breath. This would be the final answer to all the long conversations she and Eli had carried on night after night.
He hesitated, then finally answered, “I think I do. I’m still sorting it all out in my mind, but I need to have a talk with the bishop from the Nebraska-Kansas conference.” Amelia caught her breath. Without turning, Eli stated, “Now, Wife, I haven’t made any decision.”
Matthew was grinning over his shoulder at her. Amelia smiled back as she said, “I’m not pushing, Eli.”
They turned down the main street of Denver City. Matthew studied the log buildings as they passed down the street. The wind blew dust into their faces, and Amelia smiled at the hint of distaste on Matthew’s face.
“We’re not too neat around here yet,” she stated. “There’s a sawmill getting started up, so in another year we should see a good share of planed lumber buildings. Meanwhile, the old cottonwood buildings will have to do.”
Matthew looked at her curiously. “You don’t sound as if you object to this cow town.”
“I don’t,” she said softly. “I rather like the feeling of a new beginning, whether for people or for towns. You know, Matthew, I’ve come to one conclusion. Colorado Territory seems to be the land of new beginnings. You get to talking to your neighbors and you find they’re fleeing something. It’s either bad work situations back East or they’re looking for the elephant.”
He turned to look at her. “I gather you aren’t referring to the structure they call the Elephant Corral?”
“Not hardly. It’s a catch phrase. I guess it can best be described by calling it an elusive dream.” She was silent a moment before adding, “Some neighbors are just the restless type. They’re looking for something new. I don’t expect them to stay here long.”
“So you think I might try gold mining?”
“Only if you’re looking for a diversion. There’s a pack of men around. I’d suggest you head for the high country. You might have a few dollars before the snow falls. Then again, you could come out of the hills a millionaire.”
Matthew asked, “That’s a pretty big business establishment over there, what is it?”
“That’s the Elephant Corral.”
“Well, it sure isn’t elusive. Can’t hardly miss the place!”
Eli pointed. “Over yonder are all of Charley Harrison’s businesses. I mentioned the Criterion Saloon. There are two hotels in addition and at least one more saloon—see, over there next to the general store. I understand the big saloon has gaming rooms upstairs, and who knows what else. All this was built up after we went to Central City, so I haven’t kept up with things. Back in the beginning, us fellas from the church did our preaching in the saloons on a regular basis. Guess they won’t cotton to it anymore, now we have a church built.”
“Eli.” They both turned at her strange cry. Amelia pointed toward the saloon. “Isn’t that Amy going into the saloon all by herself?”
Eli leaned forward to peer toward the saloon. “Sure looks like her, but I can’t imagine my daughter entering such a place, particularly alone. Besides, Amelia, we saw her head off with Father Dyer. She ought to be home with her husband right now.”
“Unless he’s come to meeting,” Amelia commented. Slowly she added, “I can’t imagine what she would be doing in a place like that.”
“Might be Father Dyer’s having services and she’s going in to play the organ.”
“In a saloon? Eli, I think we should go after her.”
He nodded. “But you’ll have to wait until I get this rig around to the livery stable.”
“Just let me off, I’ll go by myself.”
“No—it isn’t a fit place for a lady to be seen.” Amelia blinked at Eli’s back.
Matthew turned to grin at her. “Now, Mrs. Randolph, a pastor’s wife—”
Eli’s shoulders twitched. “Sorry, dear.”
“Eli, that’s the nicest compliment you’ve paid me. Certainly I’ll wait. Couldn’t be Amy, but if it is, we’ll find her.”
Eli flicked the reins to hurry the team along. At the livery stable they left the team and wagon and started down the street together, walking slowly for Eli’s sake. He was using one crutch and Amelia linked her arm through his as he limped along.
Matthew walked in front of them. When he stopped in the middle of the street, Amelia sidestepped him and lifted her head at the incredulous question, “Is that you, Daniel?”
“Daniel!” Amelia scooted around Matthew, exclaiming. “You’ve grown a beard! How nice.”
Eli smiled. “Good to see you, son. It was a big relief to get news of you through Father Dyer.” He clasped Daniel’s hand and then added, “We think we’ve seen Amy just ahead of us, and we’re following her. I suppose you know why she’s gone into the saloon alone.”
“Amy, in the saloon? I’ve been looking for her ever since I got here. Two days it’s been since I rode into town. Had to return the Army’s horse, and now I’ve walked my feet off looking for Amy.” He shook his head. “Not Amy, that’s not like Amy to be going into a saloon all by herself.”
****
Amy heard Crystal close the door after Lucas. The key turned in the lock, but the minutes stretched as Amy listened, and waited. There was only silence from the room. Cautiously Amy tapped at the door of the armoire.
Crystal opened the door and stepped back, and Amy sighed with relief as she stepped out. “Forever, it felt like,” she whispered. The room was filled with late-afternoon shadows. As Amy smoothed her tousled hair, she watched Crystal cross the room to light the lamp on the table. “I suppose you heard it all,” she remarked as she touched the match to the wick.
“Yes,” Amy said quietly. “Crystal, what are you going to do?”
“First I need to get a message out, and then I’ll do just as Lucas has instructed.”
Amy caught her breath. “With the stagecoach being held up? You can’t; it’s dangerous.”
“Amy, it won’t be the first time. This is an old plan. You heard those men on the stagecoach talking about secessionists holding up the stage? Well, I’ve been held up several times. Each time I’m relieved of my bag of gold and a message.”
“Who gets the message?”
“I have no idea, but I do think it’s some key figure in Colorado Territory. Someone so well known that even Lucas isn’t allowed to know his name.” She paused and then added, “Makes you think all this is very important to someone.”
Amy nodded and asked, “Have you read the message?”
“No. It’s sealed and I wouldn’t dare break the seal.”
“You said you have a message for someone.”
Crystal nodded. “A contact close to the new governor. It is someone who needs to know every time Lucas sends gold and one of these messages.” She added, “By the way, the new governor, John Evans, is a former abolitionist, as well as a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Does that tell you something?”
Amy studied her for a moment before saying, “It says something about Lucas, and it also makes what you are doing seem very important.” She looked at Crystal, feeling a new respect as she added, “How are you going to deliver a message?” Crystal looked steadily at Amy and didn’t answer.
“I—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry; it’s just that I am worried.”
“Don’t fret.” Unexpectedly Crystal hugged Amy. “It’s nice to have someone here. “Do stay on while I’m gone.”
“How long will that be?”
“Just long enough for us to be robbed. The driver always heads back to Denver City.”
“Is there—do they shoot?”
Reluctantly Crystal admitted, “Yes, sometimes. Mostly it’s the stage driver. The secessionists have a reputation for being perfect gentlemen. Quite a reputation,” she added with a touch of irony in her voice.
After mulling over Crystal’s statement, Amy remarked, “I’m surprised they haven’t caught them, or killed someone.”
“There’s not enough men left to fight our own private war. I suppose you read the Rocky Mountain News, and know that the new army’s first job was to clean out the Bummers.
“Since the Army’s headed south, we’ve had to take care of ourselves.” She glanced at Amy. “This business with the stagecoach is getting to be a gentleman’s game. We hand over the money, the gold and jewels; they tip their hats and off they go. I get the feeling the law is looking the other direction since they can’t do anything about it.” She paused then added, “Or won’t until someone is killed.”
For a long time, Amy studied Crystal and thought about the situation. She noticed the lamplight emphasized the planes of Crystal’s face and heightened the sad droop of her lips. Finally Amy asked, “How much longer are you going to do this? You could be killed.”
“I—I guess I don’t have much to live for.” There was a catch in Crystal’s voice. Immediately she apologized, “Sorry, at this stage of the game, I always get dismal.”
“You need something to eat; shall we go down to the dining room?”
Crystal shook her head. “Right now I don’t feel like being in public.”
“Shall I bring food up here?”
She thought a moment and then sighed. “Would you? I know I need to eat. There won’t be much time for food tomorrow. Also, will you drop off this message at the desk?”
Amy nodded as she watched Crystal sit down at the table. Taking out a sheet of blue paper she began to write. Amy asked, “That’s the contact?”
Crystal nodded and held it out. Amy took the little scrap of blue paper and picked up her handbag. Crystal warned, “You should take care that no one is watching when you go to the desk. Also, make certain you give it to the old man.” The concern in Crystal’s eyes made Amy pause.
Finally she nodded and left the room, carefully closing the door behind herself.
In the lobby Amy looked around. There was only the old man behind the desk. The lobby was empty. Amy handed over the message and noticed the man seemed to know what to do with it. She watched him tuck it carefully into the pigeonhole behind the desk before he smiled at her.
Suddenly aware that she was shaking with hunger, Amy crossed the lobby to the dining room. It took her a moment to adjust to the dimly lighted room, and another moment to see the room was nearly empty. She settled into a corner and gave her instructions to the youth who came to take her order.
Amy was beginning to think she had been forgotten when the waiter returned with the carefully wrapped tray of food. He apologized. “Sorry for the delay, ma’am; the cook is in a bad temper. Shall I carry it upstairs for you?”
“Thank you, no. I’ll manage fine.”
As Amy started to leave the room, she glanced through the doorway and stopped abruptly. Taking a step backward into the dining room she leaned into the shadows and watched the man approach the desk. Without a doubt it was Lucas Tristram.
Amy looked at the loaded tray. What a time for Lucas to return! Just as she decided to sit in the dining room, she saw Lucas was turning away from the desk. He held a slip of blue paper.
While Amy watched he read the paper, thrust it into his pocket, and quickly walked out the front door.
“Ma’am, is everything all right?” It was the youth again. Amy nodded and smiled as she hurried toward the stairs.
Crystal turned quickly as Amy burst into the room. “Crystal—was that message intended for Lucas Tristram?”
The answer was written in the sudden pallor of her face. She bit her lip. “Amy, I’ve considered this possibility. I even suggested it to—All he would have to do is bluff his way into the clerk’s confidence by mentioning me.” She paced the room, pounding her fists against each other. When she came back to Amy she said, “I’d no idea! Tell me what happened.” She listened as Amy described the scene in front of the desk.
“Crystal, all I know is that the paper was blue.”
“And the gentleman behind the desk gave it to him?” She nodded and Crystal sighed and turned away. “Looks as if I’ve been discovered.”
In the morning both Amy and Crystal were heavy-eyed from tossing all night. Amy studied the circles under Crystal’s eyes and asked, “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. The stage leaves at ten o’clock. If I’m not on it, Amy, he’ll know I’ve betrayed him. If I go, then—”
“Crystal, have you thought, I mean have you considered the implications? Is it possible he will have you killed?”
They looked at each other. Slowly Amy said, “I got an idea. But I will have to know where to contact Lucas.”
“During the day, most days when he is in town, he can be found in the gaming rooms on the top floor of that big saloon down the street” She paused, asked, “What are you going to do?”
Amy hesitated. “Well, first we are going to have breakfast downstairs. I understand expectant mothers need to eat regularly.”
“You did last night—your own dinner and most of mine.”
Amy grinned and took Crystal’s arm. “Don’t look so sober; everything is going to be just fine. Even better than you can guess. But I think you need to buy more than you can eat.”
Crystal studied Amy’s face for a minute before the smile began in her eyes. “You are a dear friend. But if it doesn’t work, don’t feel bad. I—” She shook her head as they left the room.
After breakfast they quickly returned to the room, carrying the bundle of food. Amy asked, “What time is it?”
“Past ten. I think I hear the stage leaving. What are you going to do if Lucas comes charging up the stairs right now?”
Alarmed Amy asked, “Does he come to see you off?” Crystal shook her head. Amy went to the dressing table and picked up her handbag and the large key to the room.
She turned to Crystal. “Have a nice nap. When I visit you later this afternoon, I am going to find you bound and gagged, with your bag missing. Of course, everyone in Denver City will know about it before nightfall. Including Lucas Tristram.”
The questions were big in Crystal’s eyes, but she only smiled. Amy wagged her fingers as she closed the door and carefully locked it.
In front of the hotel she looked up and down the street. The early morning crowd was mostly housewives and rough-clad miners. There was no white suit among the throng of people. Grinning with satisfaction, Amy started her trip along the street. Now that she had started on her mission, panic began building up inside of her. Dear Jesus, please help me! I’m afraid; so much could go wrong.
Walking slowly, Amy stopped at every shop and studied the merchandise. It was nearly noon when she reached the end of the street. She quickened her steps, crossed the street and walked through the door of the saloon.
The man rearranging bottles glanced her direction.
“Please, tell me which room Mr. Tristram is in.”
He studied her, then finally said, “Maybe he don’t want company.”
“Might be he does.”
“Go up the stairs, turn right. Second door. Don’t know about this, but be quiet. Lucas don’t like noise when he’s with the cards.”
Amy followed his directions. As she walked into the room, Lucas quirked an eyebrow at her and continued to deal cards. “What’s your business?”
“I’ve come to talk about the piano.” She reached into her handbag and pulled out the bill of lading. “Lucas, you’ve directed the piano to me. What do you think my husband is going to say when he sees this?”
“Whoopie?”
“You’re insulting. Lucas, Mr. Tristram. You said you wanted to donate a ‘gift for the church.’ I found that piano in my house when I returned home.”
He paused. A grin creased his face. “You did? How did that happen?”
“I don’t know. But under the circumstances, I think you’d better take it back, unless you can contact my husband and convince him—” Amy stopped and listened. There was the shuffle of feet and a curious thumping coming from the stairs.
Slowly Lucas got up. “Hey, what’s going on?” She studied his tight-lipped face and darkening eyes.
“Why, I don’t know,” Amy frowned, feeling as puzzled as Lucas looked. “But I can’t imagine why you are upset by a little noise like that. Lucas, what is—” She gulped and closed her mouth.
She watched Lucas edge around the table, moving his head, as he glanced uneasily around the room. Was he searching for something? He seemed to consider the window. Just as he backed away from the table and reached for his jacket, the door burst open.
She stared at the people filling the doorway. Lucas backed quickly to the window. “Wait, hold it!” Amy stared at the man rushing through the door. It was Matthew. “Tristram! What are you doing here? You and I have a score to settle.”
A white-faced Tristram glared at Amy. “A trap. Crystal is in this somewhere.”
“Crystal! Don’t even mention her name.” Matthew’s voice rose. Amy turned and could only stare at Matthew’s livid face. With one big step, his hand lashed out and fastened on Lucas’s brocade vest. “What have you been up to? You bought me into bondage. Is that what you are doing with my wife? And don’t tell me any of the old lies. I don’t believe them now. I’ve started doing my own thinking.”
Amy was conscious of others pushing into the room. She forced her fascinated gaze away from the two men and turned. But she needed to blink before she really saw the three. “Daniel!” She dashed to him.
For a moment she felt his resistance, and then he was kissing her. In his arms she patted his beard and pressed her hand to his face. “Oh, Amy,” he groaned. “What now?”
“Watch out!”
Tristram plunged through the group with Matthew limping after him, grasping for that white coattail. Daniel dropped Amy and fled after them.
Amy staggered against the wall. She heard a shout, followed by the thud of feet on the stairs and then there was silence. Amy ran to the window, only to find it opened on an empty side street. Bewildered, she turned and looked at her parents. “Gone! Again my Daniel is gone, just like last time, when he went running after Matthew.”
She sighed heavily and slumped against her mother and father as they encircled her with outstretched arms.