One jump ahead

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

76082

Title

One jump ahead

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In a dusty Western town, Sheriff Joe Cook faces a baffling mystery when two men are seen digging up a mysterious box under a bridge. With political elections looming and public pressure mounting, the sheriff must solve the case before his reputation is ruined. Featuring a clever deputy, a parolee with a secret, and a town full of rumors, this fast-paced tale blends classic Western tropes with a surprising twist that turns a seemingly hopeless investigation into a triumph of...

Summary up to 500 words

In Ray Humphreys' Western tale *One Jump Ahead*, the story begins in the town of Monte Vista, where Sheriff Joe Cook warmly welcomes Manuel Perez, a Mexican ex-convict recently released on parole. The sheriff is eager to help Perez find honest work, but their efforts are interrupted by a sensational discovery. Local residents Grandpa McMeel and Fred Speers report seeing two mysterious men digging a large hole under the Third Street bridge and carrying a heavy box across Coyote Creek. The town buzzes with speculation regarding buried treasure, a body, or smuggled goods, but the investigation yields no clues; notably, the drag of the box has wiped out all footprints. Sheriff Cook's despair deepens when he finds an old wallet containing a newspaper clipping from eight years prior, confirming the box contained loot from the infamous Alamosa bank robbery. Believing the original robbers have returned and that the case is cold, the sheriff prepares to resign, fearing political ruin during the upcoming spring elections. Just as he is about to announce his failure to the county commissioners, his deputy, Shorty McKay, reveals the truth. Shorty had long suspected that Perez was faking poverty to hide money from past cattle rustling. He realized Perez had buried his own stash under the bridge before his arrest, intending to retrieve it after parole. The digging incident was merely a distraction. Furthermore, Shorty exposed Fred Speers as a former rustler and proved the wallet was planted to mislead the investigation. The money found in the box belonged to Perez, not the bank robbers. The real criminals had never returned; the entire event was a clever setup by Perez and Speers to retrieve their hidden fortune. With the mystery solved and the money accounted for, the sheriff secures his reelection thanks to Shorty's sharp detective work and unwavering loyalty.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Local file path

data/epubs/pg76082.epub

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Categories

• Short Stories
• Detective and mystery stories
• Western stories