Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1907-04-06

word to anyone concerning their mis-
| tress's disappearance.
Plainly, the first thing to be done was
TO find the coachman who had driven
Miss Holladay and her maid away from
the house, and with this end in view,
we visited at all the stables
in the neighborhood; but from
none OF them had a carriage been
ordered by her. Had she ordered It her
self from a stable in some distant por-
tion OF the city Tor the purpose of
concealing her whereabouts, or had II
been ordered for her by her maid, and
was she really the victim Of foul play2
l put the question TO Mr. Royce, but
he seemed quite unable TO reach con-
clusion. AS for myself, / was certain
that she had gone away of her own
accord, and had deliberately planned
her disappearance. why? Wen. l be-
gan to suspect that we had not yet
really touched the bottom Of the mys-
terry.
We drove back to the Office and found
Mr. Graham there / related TO him the
circumstances OF our search. and sub
mitted to him and 10 our junior one
question for immediate settlement
AT the best, it's delicate case"
pointed out. Miss Holiday has plain
~ laid her plans very carefully to pre-
vent us following her. 1t may be diff
cult to prove that she has not gone
away NAAiiIlS VI liEI own dttbIu. 6IlN
certainly has a perfect right to go
wherever she wishes without consulting
us. Have we the right to follow her
against her evident desire?"
For moment Mr.. Graham did not
answer but sat tapping his desk with
that deep line Of perplexity between
his eyebrows. Then he nodded en-
phaticany.
It's our duty to follow her and find
her, ne said. TITS perfectly evident
TO me that no girl In her right mind
would act as she had done. She had no
reason whatever for de2eiving us-for
running away. We wouldn't have in
tereferei with her Jenkinson's right
she's suffering with dementia We must
see that she receives proper medical
| treatment"
1T might not be dementia I sug-
gested, $50 much as undue influence
on the part of the new maid, perhaps
Then it's our duty to rescue her from
that influence" rejoned Mr. Graham.
and restore her TO her normal men
tality"
Even If we offend her?"
we can't stop To think Of that. Be
sides, she won't be offended when she
comes to herself The question is, how
to find her most speedily"
The police, probably, could do 1t
most speedily" l said but since she
can be in no immediate danger of any
kind / rather doubt whether IL would
be wise to call in the police. Miss
hoiladay would very properly resent
any more publicity
But" objected Mr.. Graham. "if we
don't call in the police, how are we to
ind her2 l recognize. of course. how
undesirable ii is that she shau!d be
subjected to any further notoriety, but
is there any other way?"
l glanced at Mr. Royce and saw that
he ( ~ fcrI H.,
If / could be excused from tho Of
nee for a few days sir" / began hesi-
tatingly, II might be able to find Some
! race OF her If I'm unsuccessful. we
might then call in the authorities"
Mr.. Royce frightened UP for a mo
ment.
That's it," he said LET Lester look
into It,"
Very We'll" assented Mr.. Graham "T
agree to that OF course, any expenses
you may incur viii be borne by the
Office"
Thank you, sir and I rose with
fast beating heart, for the adventure
appealed to me strongly. "Ill begin at
once then. l should like assistance IN
one thing. Could you let me have three
or four clerks to visit the various sta
bles OF the city? 1t wculd be best.
think to use our own people"
Certainly assented our senior in
! W.
give them their instructions al once ="
So four clerks were summoned ana
each was given a district of the citv
Their Instructions were to find from
which stable Miss Holiday had or
dered carriage the morning of Thurs
day, April 3. They were TO report AZ
the office every day, noon and evening
until the search was finished. They
started away at once. and / turne9 70
follow them, when my eye was caught
by the expression Of our juniors face
Mr.. Royce is Ill, sir" l cried. Look
at him!"
He 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 10 q
couch. / bathed his hands and face
In cold water while Mr. Graham mr.
riediy summoned a physician. The doc
tor soon arrived, and diagnosed tho
case at a glance
Nervous breakdown" he said terse-
~ You lawyers drive yourselves too
hard. It's wonder to me you don't
All drop over. Wen have to look out or
this will end In brain fever"
lie poured out a stimulant. which the
sick man swallowed without protest