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

'"uiH' wiz NC itu ~ liit pItltSSluilil
guides who are quite familiar with
HE region and can give il thorough
beating even at night am sure they
can do quite. all which will he essen.
tial foe Professor Wingarde."
! saw at a glance that he had plain.
| ~ overheard our remarks to Laredo.
ay heart leaped. for knew that his
action could mean but one thing, and
that already his masterful hands had
caught up the reins and wOald drive
10 The end of the venture. Dayton on
The contrary seemed inclined TO re.
| sent his interruption.
But l say" he objected. AS
Winsarde's friend and his partner on
this trip, and all that. | can't turn the
search over to a lot Of disinterested
nobodies, YOU know"
at is precisely because you were
his friend and partner on this trip
! that | wish You TO remain here" said
! Dual. shall we not 90 down and sec
that the search is started promptly
I After that would desire to ask YOU
I some questions
"You know. | can't just see what
/ gives YOU The right to interfere in
this my good man" Dayton began.
Dual's eyes came mp and rested
steadily upon him.
There are 50 many things YOU have
4
ms dnce, you do not appear TO knew
/ that Professor Wugarde is already
/ beyond The need of any friendship"
( is what? | say now what do
/ you Dayton stammered, and his
/ voice rose.
Softly" sal1 Semi "The news
4 will be hard enough for the daughter,
no matter how gently broken. The
professor, YOU see, is dead"
"Dios.' 1t came in a gasp from my
elbow.
/ saw Laredo start pace backward
ward. mOmentary expression Of
shocked surprise on his dusky face
MY Cod" chimed Dayton like an
echo How do You know that? Has
somebody found him."
Not that | know Of" said Semi.
"ln fact think not yet
Then how do you know" Dayton's
face which had paled, went suddenly
red. Il don't understand all this"
Not yet" said Duai Later.
Come. let MS 20 below
took Dayton's arm arr led him
4 along. was conscious OF Laredo be.
I hind us. So We went down again 10
! The lobby and .onnd the guides and
/ several more OF the guests who had
/ been sitting mp over a card game and
had volunteered to iOi.. ia the search.
/ They stood or sat in close little
group in the otherwise deserted lobby.
! The guides had set down their ian.
| terms. and they shone sickly in the
electric glare All eyes turned toward
us AS we approached As | half ex.
! pected. Dual took control. He spoke
| directly 10 the clerk
Il have suggested to Mr. Dayton
| that he place the search in the hands
of the guides as the best parties to
conduct it quickly"
Both The guides nodded and the
! clerk rubbed his hands Exactly
sir. II would avoid delay and un-
necessary excitement | agree with
! you completely"
Semi tulnei on the two men, "'rhen
select your parties from iiIese gentle
men here and proceed Continue till
| you find Professor Wingarde."
| One OF the Two men spoke t. his
| companion. You take half OF 'enl.
Bill. an Wen get on the job" lie
stopped 10 pick 40 his lantern.
| But ! say Dayton again protest.
! ed. Il don't think Evelyn would wish
| me 10 stay about here when her faith.
! er may be in danger or iniured--or-
or worse Wait a Bit, you chaps"
! took him again by the arm. DO
as Dual says I whispered He
knows what he's doing. think he's
the only one OF Us who does
But who gave him the authority
to take hold" he retmted, growing
! more and more flushed. who is the
chap? What
Hes a detective" I said, choosing
the word for what | hoped would be
its impression.
He shoy me Il sharp glance. "Eh?
On. by Joye--'
"Well. 40 we 20 or do we stand
! around and chew the rag?' Bills tone
WAS one OF palpable disgust.
Dayton turned toward him "Co
on" be said with sudden decision
"Ill wait here. Stay tin YOU find the
professor. You'll be well paid"
At once they moved Off
They left the hotel, went down The
steps. and we followed them to he
yeranda Through the night We could
see their lanterns separate and 20
I hobblng off In two different directions.
With them went the bell boys, who
had joined the search while the clerk
had turned his eyes for moment
Dual, Dayton Laredo and myself
remained standing at the head Of the
veranda stairs.
"sit down, # you please" said
1