Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-05-20

/ advanced 10 the group quickly.


| came up Miss Wingarde andui
were sitting on the verauda ab0u,
elght-lhirty as near IL | can recall.
one of the guides We had with us GU
ur "trip came to The foot of the steps
and spoke 10 the professor
He Went down and talked to the
chap. We didn't hear what they said.
After Il bit Wingarde turned and
called up that ne Was going ways
with the guide and would be back
shortly. They walked off, and
haven't seen him since. OF course |
cant speak from deep knowledge OF
your aborigines around here, but it
looks funny"
Nonsense" the clerk cut in.
Those fellows the professor took on
his trip are perfectly reliable men
There's no chance of their having
done anything 10 him"
The two guides shook their heads
in agreement with the clerk pro.
nouncement,.
"Ihen he must have sustained fall
or something and been hurt said
Dayton. Here it's after twelve and
he wouldn't be apt to stay around the
Indian village till any such hour.
fancy we'd best start search. That's
why | sent for you chaps he adj
dressed the guides.
Then let's get at it, suggested
one.
DAYTON nodded. One minute. I'll
inform Miss Wingarde and go with
YOU" He started for the stairs.
followed add touched him on the
arm. He turned with an impatient
manner. eco on" ] said, speaking
softly I'm Glace. You saw me in
the pooroom this evening
"Oh, yes!' he acknowledged.
"Well?'
we BEGAN to mount the stairs.
Just this | returned Miss Win
earde is worried about her f9ther.
Shel have a dreary time waiting the
results OF this search alone. My wife
would be glad to stay with her and
I'd be glad 60 help in the search, ii
YOU like
Jolly good OF you" said Dayton.
III yonll wait biz till | can ask
Evelyn about it,"
He Went on up and turned down
the same hall on which our own suite
was placed Passing its door, we went
on few numbers farther down land
Dayton raped Almost at once the
girl had seen earlier in the evening
drew il open and he stepped inside
waited. In a few minutes he was out.
81 have advised Miss Wingarde TO
accept. if you will be 80 kind he
advised me.
led him back 10 our suite and m
side Connie. dressed In a soft, loose
gown, was sitting in the chair where
| had left her Dual at u writing
table, bent forward and | knew that
already he was at work upon those
ahstruse calculations which had 80
often served To point The way for sus-
picion 10 follow in The past.
He rose and | presented Dayton.
Without delay Connie and ] fol.
lowed The En2lishman back to the
Wngardes' rooms. There / met the
young girl who, if Dual was right.
as | knew him too well to doubt, was
already an orphan With a word and
Il glance Dayton told her to keep up
her courage.
He swung open the door
A man stood there--a tail, slender,
swarthy mar, clad in soft flannels.
His hand was half lifted as though he
had been on the point of rapping.
Even before he spoke saw it was
Laredo.
"ttl senior Dayton" he said in Il
manner totally free from embarrass-
ment or restraint, Il was passing and
noticed he light was about 70 rap.
oh, so lightly. II perchance YOU were
uWHhF, w bI'Iullt dDpNt INV "a N1CN0bls
Has ne perhaps return"
Well, il was plausible enough
DAYTON had asked him about Win.
garde. and what more natural than
knowing them he should stop TO in
uuire when he saw the light. Before
Dayton could answer however, ! got
Ia question. "Your room along
here, Laredo?"
I spoke shortly, | fear, for he lifted
his brows slightly. "But yes, senor."
THE professor has not yet been
found said Dayton in an under,one
~ he quickly closed the door behind
him I'VE are on the point If ORGAN
iZins a searching party. They are
waiting for me below stairs now.
Come on, Glaze"
"One moment" said voice /
knew.
Dual had drawn open the door of
our suite aud now stepped into the
hall. Clad in his soft, gray suit, with
llO 10 match, soft, gray skirt with
canvas shoes, he made a striking ap.
pearance as lie approached us along
the passage. We had all turned at his
words and stood waiting. His strong
face was quite calm and his voice was
iinpersonal In tone as he went on.
I'm my estimation, Mr. Dayton and
Mr. t'laee can do more good by 70.
naming here than they possibly can