The Red Cloud chief., 1905-12-22
(C)NTiNCED.)

Mr.. Graham there. | related TO him
the circumstance Of our search and
submitted to him and TO our junior one
question for immediate settlement.
AT the best, it's n delicate caSe,'' I
pointed out. "Miss Holiday has plain
ly laid her plans very carefully to pre-.
vent us following her. 1t may be diff
fcult to prove that she has not gone
away entirely of her own accord. She
certainly has a perfect right TO go
wherever she wishes without consult
Ing us. Have we the right to follow
her against her evident desirey'
For a moment Mr.. Graham did not
answer, hut sat tapping his desk with
that deep line of perplexity between
his eyebrows. Then he nodded en-
phatlcally.
Its our duty to follow her and find
her." he said. ITS perfectly evident
To me that no girl In her right mind
would act as she has done. She had no
reason whatever for deceiving us-for
running away. We wouldn't have in
terfered with her. %Jenklnson's right
she's suffering with dementia. We
must see that she receives proper med
ical treatment"
1T might not be dementia," | sug-
gested, $50 much AZ undue influence
on the part Of the new maid, perhaps"
Then it's our duty to rescue her
from that influence" rejoined Mr.. Ora
ham, "and restore her to her normal
mentality"
Even IL we offend herr"
we can't stop to think of that. Be
sides. she won't he offended when she
comes to herself. The question Is how
10 find her most speedily"
The police. probably, could do it
most speedily" | said, but since she
can be In no immediate danger Of any
Kind | rather doubt whether it would
be wise to call in the police. Miss
Holiday would very properly resent
any more publicity
But" objected Mr.. Graham, IF we
don't call in the police. how are we to
find her? / recognize, OF course, how
undesirable it il that she should be
subjected to any further notoriety, but
Is there any other wayI"
| glanced mt Mr.. Royce and saw that
ne was seemingly sunk in apathy.
IF could be excused from the
Office for a few days, sir" | began
hesitatingly, II might be able to find
some trace Of her. If I'm unsuccess-
full. we might then call in the author
tiles"
Mr.. Royce frightened up for a mo-.
ment.
That's it," he said. Let Lester
look into it,"
Very well,' assented Mr.. Graham.
"I agree to that. OF course any ex-
pense you may incur will be borne by
the office"
Thank you. sir" and l rose with
fast beating heart, for the adventure
appealed TO me strongly. I'll begin
at once then. | should like assistance
in one thing. Could you let me have
three or four clerks to visit the "a
rious stables of the city? 1t would
be best. | think, to use our W people,
Certainly" asSented our senior in
stantly. III call them in and we can
give them their instructions ut once
80 IOllT tIpIkS WE'RE Sllllillblitl, dlb
each was given II district of the city.
Their instructions were to find from
which stable Miss Holiday had or
dcred a carriage OH the morning OF
Thursday, April 3. They were to re-
port at the office every day, noon and
evening, until the search was finished,
They started away at once, II ]
turned TO follow them, when my eye
was caught by the expression OF our
juniors face.
Mr.. Royce is Ill, sir" l cried. "Look
al him.!
lie was leaning forward heavily, his
face drawn and livid, his eyes set. his
hands plucking at the arms OF his
chair. We sprang to him and led him
TO a couch. l bathed his hands an,
face IN cold water, while Mr.. Graham
hurrledly summoned a physician. Th'
doctor soon arrived aud diagnosed thu
ease at u glance.
Nervous breakdown" he said terse
". "You lawyers drive yourselves to-
hard. It's IA wonder to me you don
all drop over Well have to look OIL
or this will end In brain fever
He poured out IL stimulant, which tn
sick mar swallowed without protest
He seemed stronger In "A few moment
and began talking incOherently to him
self. We got him down to the doctor
carriage and drove rapidly to his lodG
ings, where we put him to bed withou
delay.