The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-08-04

determination to institute coun-
try-wide search for Neal.
You're rtghty' he announced
tersely. ~ may as we'll confess
that I have been waiting for this.
Thought you'd come to it."
'And probably wondered why
we were-6ooling around" I added.
"No," Ralph answered with his
ready understanding II know
how conservative your folks are.
And I realize that az long as
they feel there are-ugly circun-
stances connected with the CASE
they'd hesitate as long az possa-
ting the world sec what they con-
ting the world see what they conf
slider the family skeleton"
"They have not consented" ] re-
piled slowly. hating to tell Ralph
what there was no way Of hiding
from him. I'm doing this on my
own-against their protests. I
have to. can't leave q stone
unturned"-
''of course not. They'll see IL
yet. Well start the press and the
police working tomorrow. I'll call
for you and Jim tonight ana
maybe on the drive In I can tell
him Of the proposition Of helping
YOU"
Jim asked me not to mention
Neal to him again" I corrected
hastily. Hes perfectly satisfied
to have me bring all my troubles
to you IL. only I don't trouble him
with the matter again. That's
not as bitter as It sounds. Jim
feels he ought to stop me some
how. And he thinks he is going
against jeanne and-clan loyalty
when he o. ks my turning to
such an efficient helper as YOU"
SET see," said Ralph briefly.
Then he plunged into the out
line of a campaign Of publicity In
our search for Neal
KNOWS AN EXPERT.
There's a man I know-sort OF
Sherlock Holmes without the
cleverness of the old story book
hero" he added buoyantly. Hes
q newspaper man who has gone
in for the law and has turned
himself into a regular bureau OF
records of missing persons. His
files on the subject take in the
world from Athabasca to zanzi-
bar. Geographically and other
wise he's gone in for 1t from
A to z. I'll put him on the job.
Wen insert notices in papers all
over the country. TIL call on the
courtesy Of the press and my fell
low newspaper men to spread the
warning"
wen find him, won't we?" I
cried confidently. Someone will
see our notices and send him
home. Or perhaps, If he's roam
ing around somewhere not know
ing who he Is, he'll remember.
You think we'll find him, don't
you, Ralph?
eff he's on top Of the earth
we'll sfind him." answered Ralph
grirnly, as he turned his car and
drove in through the gates Of the
Hoadley country place.
Something about the hitherto
atrociously new and glaring red
brick mansion caught my atten-
ton. Cool green awnings softened
its blank pretersion. A wide bal
cony had been built across one
side, and vines trailed down to
glassed.in porch below. Chintz
and wicker showed invitinsly
through the open windows, and
from the other side Of the house
a pebbled path led to green Closes
which guessed to be the hedges
around Aunt Mays garden.
Ralph honlxed his horn, and IN
answer Aunt May came running
to the door in a little morning
dress Of lavender.dotted swiss,
She welcomed us happily and
showed us around her home
proudly.
''Max IL over at the landscape
gardeners studying plans for
making q park out of the front
lawn" she laughed at last. Hell
be back in half an hour. Sup
pose you children entertain each
other while ! dresa, and when
Max comes wa can all drive over
to Dreamwold to see the baby,
Ralph, nay dear, I'll let you have
the privilege of showing Anne my
garden"
Her tone seemed fraught with
purpose, And suddenly was
Glad at the thought OF being
alone with Ralph in Aunt Mays
garden.
There was something t must
say to Ralph Lacy. And In the
peace of this old-fashioned garden
l thought could find the
courage.