At last this haven was reached, and, after taking a rest, Mrs. Newton's desire to be brought to Denver where she could have medical assistance and see the officers was granted. She was accordingly brought into town, and with her arrival we are brought back to the beginning of the narrative.
This is the story to which Gen. Cook had listened. It had been told with great incoherence, but he had kept the threads of it well together, and was relieved when the tragic tale had been concluded. Although the description of the murderer, who Cook believed to be the German farm hand, was not complete, he had hope of finding further evidence at the ranch, and started out with the promise to the woman that he would overtake the murderer of her brother and her own would-be slayer. And he kept the promise to the letter.
ON THE TRACK OF THE ASSASSIN--A VISIT TO THE SCENE OF THE TRAGEDY--THE BODY OF BONACINA FOUND--SHOT WHILE SLEEPING--MEYERS' NATURALIZATION PAPERS REVEAL HIS NAME AND HIS PROBABLE COURSE OF FLIGHT--OFF FOR PUEBLO ON A STOLEN HORSE--GEN. COOK'S PURSUIT AND CAPTURE OF THE FUGITIVE--A CONFESSION IN THE DENVER JAIL.
Chief Cook decided immediately upon the apprehension of the murderer. Accordingly, immediately after hearing the wounded woman's story, he started out to the ranch on the Platte, accompanied by Frank Smith. The only clue the officers had as to the identity of the murderer was his first name, which the woman had given them. After a thorough search about the house, the floor of which was covered with blood, the officers found the German's naturalization papers, and then for the first time learned his full name, which was Theodore Meyers. From these papers they learned further that he had been naturalized at Pueblo, Judge Bradford having signed the papers. From this fact they concluded that he must have resided at Pueblo for some time, and that he must have friends there, and hence decided that to be the point towards which he most probably would turn his face in his flight.
The officers were astonished to find that of all the nearest neighbors, only Lyman's family had the slightest cognizance of the dreadful tragedy. The people of the vicinity, some of whom were harvesting close by, when informed through the officers of what had happened, evinced their astonishment in utter speechlessness.