Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-07-25
CHAPTER XXX.
The Search for the Mi..ino.


The note of unrestrained joy of re-
lief In the woman's voiss rang through
the room, shilling all else, and caus-
ing those who heard to forget for an
instant the sterner purpose OF their
gathering. Fairbain bent over her,
like 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 1t doesn't make it any
brighter for Hawley SO far as can
see-there's robbery charge against
him If nothing else. Any one here
know where the fellow is?"
For moment no one answered, A.
though Keith took q stop forward, re-
minded instantly OF Hopes predica-
mont. Before he could speak. however,
Christie looked UP. with swift gesture
pushing back her loosened hair.
He was to have met me 1T tho
theater tonight" she said, her voice
trembling. but was not there when
came out; he-he said he had Inn
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 clear and
convincing. MY name is Keith, and
l 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"
What's that" Waite broke in ex-
citedly. rs 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 on
with his story.
AS say, she decided upon imper-
sonating Christie hero, 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. l 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-
layed not to exceed two minutes,
speaking final word to Fairbain, and
: when reached the street they had
disappeared. l have hunted them
everywhere without finding trace-I
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-