The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-05-24

holy as pictured the awful grief that
had come upon him in his old age! 1
could not give up the fight.
"Langston," I said, with ugly de-
termination surging all through me,
"this is shame! This hunt must 60
on! I en- as certain that Annie Raj
ston is on the Ketoto as I am that we
are here. Couldn't get out of this city
and the police not know it! Nonsense!
Suppose they told US that no person
could have left that house without
Sykes seeing him. What then? We
know they left the house. What, then,
must be our conclusion in regard to
the honesty of Sykes? And now Sykes
is q synonym for the entire force. I
do not include in this the superinten-
dent or his officers of rank; but this 1
soy, that Annie Ralston has been taken
out of San Francisco, and there is an
other Sykes in the case somewhere.
Langston stood pensively studying
the floor. His hands were thrust deep
in his pockets. 1 had seen him that
way when studying out case for pre-:
sentation before jury. When I had
finished, he slowly raised his head.
He did not reply to me. He looked
calmly and steadily at the superin.
tendent.
"He is right" he said.
eff that is so," said the superin-
tendent, "I will find the man, if it
takes my entire lifetime. regret that
L am placed in this position, seeming
ly Indifferent in the case. I know how
you feel about it and do not blame
you. But I am not omnipotent. I
have done all that one man in my po-
sition could do, and I have failed"
Mr.. Ralston jumped up from his
chair and grasped the hand of the
superintendent.
"You have done nobly. I honor you,
sir, and thank you. That you have
failed is, I am convinced, not your
fault. But am almost crazy! What
shall we do?"
He sank into his chair and gazed
helplesslY at Langston and me. Ed
ward Ralston stood by, as helpless as
his father. His hungry eyes-hungry
for news ofyhis beautiful sister-hun-
cry for hopeLseemed to burn their
way intomy soul. felt rebuked by
the speech of Mr.. Ralston. I, too,
advanced and took the hand of the
superintendent.
"Pardon my hasty Words" I said.
"i am little overwrought. I meant
nothing"
The superintendent smiled YEARLY.
"It is nothing" he replied. "Iget
that every day."
"Have you anything in the way Of
advice to offer?" asked Langston.
"Not now. Give me time to think.
Come here tomorrow, and I will try
to plan something"
"Very well," said Langston, in a
tone of disappointment. Then turn
ing to me, he said: "Crickmore, let
US go to,my Office, where we can talk
this over calmly and at our leisure"
"Better 80, l replied. "Come, Mr..
Ralston, Will you 80 with us?"
Laugston led the way, walking with
Edward. I followed with Mr.. Rails
ton. We said little on the street.
Each one of US was deep in thought.
Reaching the Office, Langston
opened the door.
I'VE are at least comfortable here,
and can study this thing thoroughly.
Sit down, Mr.. Ralston, take that easy
chair. It will rest you.
The old man dropped into big
arm chair and sat with bowed head.
Hurry up,"I said. Lets hear
what you've got to say first"
"Well, in the first place." began
the lawyer, getting himself in an easy
attitude and speaking slowly, you
ere thoroughly convinced from the de-
scription that this girl on the Ketoto
is Annie Ralston?'
'Tnere is no doubt of it," I re-
piled.
"No, there is no doubt of it, said
Edward.
"Not bit of it," added his father.
Langton stared at the ceiling in
silence.
"Oh, you are too slow" I said i'm
patiently. Lawyers are so method
ical. Now, in my business, We learn
to act quickly"
"Well, 50 on" replied Langston,
smiling.
"There is no use sitting here, plan
ming and studying" I continued.
"The girl is gone. Now, then, the
thing is how to get at her. Gentle
men, am going to China"
Langston nodded approvingly. The
t.o Ralsions looked ut us as if wait
ing for the next word. Their powers
Of concentration were gone 1t was
plain to be seen that they depended
upon US.
Eyes, am going to China"
81 will gu with you," said Langston.
"Hooray" I exclaimed, slapping
him on the back. "True blue, every
inch. Langston, we'll do it,"
"You mustn't leave me out" said
Edward Ralston. ''To attempt now
to express any thanks to both of you
would be useless. I am too full Of
gratitude on one hand and grief on
the other to be myself. But I shall
share your dangers. Not only that.
I will place at your disposal ali the
money you will need for any kind of
enterprise you deem advisable. This
is about all I can do. AS you know,
I am student. I do not know the
world as you do. HeEce, I shall have
to rely on you for the leadership"
eff we are only equal to it." I said.