Catoctin clarion., 1902-11-20

OF your own men on guard. What ar.
you going to do about this?'
81 cannot see that there is anything
for me to do" hereplied "Our police,
of course, have no standing in China.
The Ketoto sails for Shanghai. 1t is
now matter for national action. In
that Mr.. Ralston is better posted than
am"
grew hot and inpatient. The loss
of the promised reward being proba'
Bile, the police ceased to be greatly in
terested. l was very indignant but
powerless. Poor Mr.. Ralston sat with
bowed head, now and then an uncon.
trollable sob shaking his stalwart
frame. Oh, how my heart ached for
him! His white hair seemed almost
holy as pictured the awful grief that
had come upon him in his old age! ]
could not give up the fight.
'Langston," L said, with ugly de-
termination surging all through me,
"this is shame! This hunt must 60
on! am as certain that Annie Raj.
ston is Oh the Ketoto as am that we
are here. Couldn't get ont 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 synonym for the entire force. ]
do not include in this the superinten
dent or his officers of rank; bat this !
say, that Annie Ralston has been taken
out of San Francisco, and there is an
other Sykes in the case somewhere.
Langston stood pcnsively studying
the floor. His hands We're thrust deep
in his pockets. | had seen him that
way when studying out II case for pre-
sentation before jury. When [ had
finished, he slowly raised his head.
tie did not reply to me. He looked
,almly and steadily at tho superin'
tendent.
"He is right" he said,
'If that is so," said the superiu
.endent, 'T will find the man, if il
;akes my entire lifetime. regret that
| am placed i'll this position, seeming
" indifferent in the case. | know how
you feel about it and do not blame
you. But ! am not omnipotent, |
nave done all that one man i'll my pc.
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. l honor you,
sir. and thank you. That you havo
failed is, / am convinced, not your
'ault But am almost crazy! What
shall we do?"
He sank into his chair and gazed
helplessly Mt Langston and me. Ed.
ward Ralston stood by, as helpless as
his father, His hungry cyes-hungry
for news of his beautiful sister-hun.
cry for hope-seemed to burn their
way into my soul. ] felt rebuked by
The speech of Mr.. Ralston. /, too,
advanced and took the hand of the
superintendent.
Pardon my hasty words" I said.
- am little overwrought l meant
aothing."
The superintendent smiled YEARLY.
g 1t is nothing" he replied. 81 get
that every day
Have you anything in the way of
advice to ofl'er?" asked LangstoD.
"Not now. Give me time to think.
Come here tomorrow, and | will try
70 plan something"
Very well" said Langston, in q
.one of disappointment. Then turn
ing to me, he said; "Crickmore, let
rs 90 to my office, where we can talk
this over calmly and at our leisure"
Better So" I replied Come, Mr..
Ralston, will you go with us?"
Laugston led the way, walking with
Edward. l followed with Mr.. Rails
ton We said little on the street
Each one of us was deep in thought.
Reaching the Office, Laugston
opened the door.
I'VE are at least comfortable here,
and can study this thing thoroughly.
Sit down, Mr.. Ralston, take that easy,
chair. 1t will rest you"
The old man dropped into big
armchair and sat with bowed head.
Hurry up" 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
thnrnnrblx al f,,,., {hn 10
scription that this girl on the Ketotc
is Annie Ralston?"
There is no doubt Of it," | re.
piled.
'No, there is no doubt of it, ",said
Edward.
"Not bit OF it, added his father
Langton stared Mt the ceiling IL
silence.
ooh, you are too Slow" I said i'm
patiently. Lawyers are SO method
zeal. Now, in my business, we learr
to act quickly"
"Well, go on" replied Langston,
smiling.
"There is no use sitting here, plan
ming and studying" [ continued
1.-The girl is gone. Now, then, the
thing is how to get at her. Gentle
men, l am going to China"
Langs,on nodded approvingly, Th'
two Ralsions looked at us as ii wait
ing for the next word. Their power'
of concentration were gone. 1t wa'
plain to be seen that they depended
upon us.
Eyes, am going to China"
'T will 60 with you, said Langston,
"Hooray" 1 exclaimed, slappinq
him on the back. True blue, every
inch. Langston. wen do itl'