Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1912-12-05
CHAPTER XXX.
The Search for the Missing.

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 an
instant the sterner purpose OF their
gathering. Fairbain bent over her,
like a fat guardian angel, patting her
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 sense of duty.
Then this lets Miss Maclaire out
of the conspiracy charge" he said.
gravely, but it doesn't make 1t any
brighter for Hawley SO far as | can
see-there's a robbery charge against
him if nothing else. Any one here
know where the fellow is?"
For a moment no one answered, al
though Keith took a 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 a moment. Sheriff." and Keith
stood before them, his voice clear 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
markable resemblance existing be
tween herself and Miss Maclaire, Miss
Hope decided upon mask"
Whats that" Waite broke in eI
citedly. is Hope here!'
Yes, has been for 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 oil
with his story.
LAS ! say. she decided upon impei
sonating Christie here. hoping in thi
way to learn more regarding Hawley'
plans. We had discovered that tn
two were to meet after the evenin
performance at the stage door OF tn
, Trocadero. | escorted Hope there
t dressed as near like Miss Maclaire a
possible. and left her inside the vest
+ bule waiting for Black Bart to al
r pear. At the head OF the alley | ra
into Fairbain told him something
l. the circumstances, and persuaded hill
o to escort Miss Christie back to tn
hotel. He was not very hard to pc
suade. Well, Hawley came. and HOP
- met him; they went out OF the allie,
n way together arm in arm. talkin
pleasantly. and turned this way I
r ward the hotel. The doctor and
both saw and heard them. | was d
layed not to exceed two minute
d speaking a final word to Fairbain, ar
D. when | reached the street they hs
y disappeared. have hunted the
n everywhere without finding a trace
have even been through the resort
6 She has not returned to the hotel. al
e. | burst in upon you here hoping tn
Miss Maclaire might have some info
u nation"
IS She shook her head. and Wait
glaring impotently at the two OF thel
D. swore sharply.
rt Good God. man. my girl! HOP
alone with that damn villain. Con
ST on. Sheriff; we've got to find he
er Wait, thought" and he strobe almo
lie menacingly across the room. "Ffrs
e. | want to know who the devil "
Id are?"
lie Keith Strengthened up. looking
as rectly into the fierce questioning eye
CTo BE CoNTINUEDJ
Thoughts are things that men ~
| wi With