The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1912-04-12
CHAPTER XXI.
The Search for the Missing.

Nv SoiSt - 49,
The note Of u~nrestrained Joy OF 70
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 q~uestioningly 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 l can
s~ee-there's a robbery charge against
him If nothing else. Any n here
know where the fellow Isl"
For a moment no one answered, al
though Keith took a step forward, rc-
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-"
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
A Fairbain, whose face grew redder
4 than usual, as be shifted his gaze
toward Keith.
That was a lie," he confessed,
lamely. IL was told to say that.
Just a moment Sheriff." and Keith
stood before them, his voice clear and
convincing. my name is Keith, and
1 have uravoidably been mixed up In
this affair from the beginning. Just
row l can relieve the doctor Of his
embarrassment. Miss Hope Waite
and I 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 a mask
Whats that" Waite broke in ex'
citedly. rs Hope here?"
Yes, has been for a week; we've
N had all the police force of Sheridan
n hunting you"
N The old man stared at the speaker
"A open-mouthed, and muttered some
. thing about Fort Hays, but Keith, pay
a ing little attention to him. hurried OF
n with his story.
n las l say, she decided upon imper
sonating Christie here. hoping In thi'
way to learn more regarding Hawley'
plans. We had discovered that tn
two we're to meet after the evening
performance at the stage door OF tn
Is. ~Trocadero. escorted Hope ther
st dressed as near like Miss Maclaire a
possible, and left her inside the vest
bule waiting for Black Bart to az
ur pear. At the head OF h alley ral
into Fairbain. told him something Q
the circumstances, and persuaded hir
no to escort Miss Christie back to tn
hotel. He was not very hard to pei
suade. Well, Hawley came, and Hop
= met him; they went out OF the lie
In way together arm In arm, talKIn
p~leasantly, and turned this way Il
er ward the hotel. The doctor n
both saw and heard them. was d
layed not to exceed two minutes
ed speaking a final word to Fairbain. an
IN when reached the street they ha
~ disappeared, | have hunted the
an everywhere without finding a trace
have even been through the resort
ng She has not returned to he hotel. an
be- I hurst in upon you here hoping TIM
Miss Maclaire might have some Info
M matios.' .,.
.ys h shook her head. and wait
elaring impotently at the W. OF her
tn swore sharply.
urt Good God. man! my girl! Hop
alone with that damn villain. Con
ust on. sheriff; we've got to fnd be
YER wait. thought" and he strobe almo
tbe menacingly across the room. "F1rs
be- want to know who the devil "
Did are?"
the Keith Strengthened up, looking
As rectly into tho fierce questioning eye
(TO Be CONTINUED,
IN.
Thoughts are things that men VI