The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1912-03-01
CHAPTER XXI.
The Search for the Missing.

ne SGdFCn TOT tnG mISSln0.
The note of unrestrained joy OF re
lief in the woman's voice rang through
the room. stilling all else, and caus
ing those who heard to forget for ar
instant the sterner purpose of theil
gathering. Fairbain bent over her
like a fat guardian angel patting hel
shoulder, her eyes so blurred with
tears as to be practically sightless, YET
still turned questioningly upon Waite
The sheriff was first to recover
speech, and a sense of duty.
Then this let's Miss Maclaire out
Of the conspiracy charge" he said
gravely, but 1t doesn't make it any
brighter for Hawley so far as | can
see-there's a robbery charge against
him If nothing else. Amy one here
know where the fellow is?"
For a moment no one answered, al
though Keith took step forward. re
minded instantly of Hopes predica
ment. Before he could speak, however
Christie looked up. with swift gesture
pushing back her loosened hair
He was to have met me at the
theater tonight" she said. her voice
trembling, but was not there when
came out; he-he said he had i'm.
portant news for me-"
And failed to show up-did he send
no message?"
Doctor Fairbain was waiting for
me instead. He said that Mr.. Hawley
was called suddenly out of town
The eyes of the sheriff turned to
Fairbain. whose face grew redder
than usual as he shifted his gaze
toward Keith
That was lie," he confessed.
lamely. II was told to say that.
Just moment. Sheriff" and Keith
stood before them, his voice Gear and
convincing. My name is Keith. and
| have unavoidably been mixed up in
this affair from the beginning Just
now | can relieve the doctor of his
embarrassment, Miss Hope Waite
and | have been associated together
IN an effort to solve this mystery. This
evening, taking advantage Of the re-
markabIe resemblance existing be-
tween herself and Miss Maclaire. Miss
Hope decided upon a mask"
What's that" Waite broke in ex-
citedly. rs Hope here?"
Yes, has been for a week; we've
had all the police force of Sheridan
hunting you"
The old man stared at the speaker.
open -mouthed. and muttered some
thing about Fort Hays, but Keith. pay
ing little attention to him. hurried on
with his story.
"As | say. she decided upon imper-
sonating Christie here, hoping in this
way to learn more regarding Hawley's
plans. We had discovered that the
two were to meet after the evening
performance at the stage door of the
Trocadero. | escorted Hope there.
dressed as near like Miss Maclaire as
possible, and left her inside the vesti-
bule waiting for Black Bart to ap-
pear. At the head OF the alley | ran
into Fairbain. told him something OF
the circumstances. and persuaded him
to escort Miss Christie back to the
hotel He was not very hard to per
suade. Well. Hawley came, and Hope
met him; they went out of the alley
way together arm in arm. talking
pleasantly, and turned this way to-
ward the hotel The doctor and |
both saw and heard them. ! was de-
Iayed not to exceed two minutes.
speaking a final word to Fairbain. and
when | reached the street they had
have hunted them
everywhere without finding a trace
have even been through the resorts.
She has not returned to the hotel. and
| burst in upon you here hoping that
Miss Maclaire might have some infor-
nation"
She shook her head. and Waite,
glaring impotently at the two of them.
swore sharply.
Good God, man! my girl! Hope.
alone with that damn villain. Come
on. Sheriff; we've got to find her.
Wait, thought" and he strode almost
across the room. First.
| want to know who the devil you
are?"
Keith Strengthened up, looking d.
rectly into the fierce questioning eyes.
tTO BE CONTINUED)