The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-05-20
CHAPTER X

from his lungs. He was oblivious to
the presence of his two friends be-
side him.
There's nothing we can do to help
here" said Bill in a hushed voice.
''We might as well CO."
They were about to enter Teddy's
room further down the hall when
an elderly nurse stepped from it.
She put her finger to her lips, sig
nal for them to be silent.
Miss Farrell is asleep" she whis-
pered. you'll be able to see her in
tn morning. It's better If she isn't
disturbed now"
Diana and Bill nodded and with
drew.
wen come down tn first thing
in TIL morning" said Diana, as they
parted at the entrance to the hospital
grounds. Lets see," she added,
, ''you'd better come out to tn house,
I think, and Lola and you can ride
down with me-"
Diana's inability to be of help
Irked her. She lay in bed that night
wide awake, thinking, thinking. In
spite of the search her two friends
had made and which had proved so
disastrous, her father was still miss
ing. She thought too, of Teddy's
part in the adventure and wished
that she herself had been there. i.
Her eyes were shaded with dark
violet circles when she Joined Lola,
her cousin, at breakfast. Lola too,
was downcast, although to a lesser
degree.
Diana was toying absently with
the grapefruit that the maid had
set before her when Bill Garfield
accompanied by Dinny Morrison, ar
rived. She rose to meet them, leav-
ing her food untouched.
Although touched by the gravity
of Don's condition, it was about
Teddy that Dinny was most con-
cerned.
'T'll never forget tn way she
looked in that drug store all covered
with mud and her face swollen"
said the young reporter. Are you
sure she'll come out of it all right?"
he asked Garfield, anxiously.
The city editor smiled. This was
the tenth time, at least, that morn
ing he told himself, that Dinny had
asked that question.
IF only Donwere as safe as your
Teddy, I'd be happy" the young man
was told.
my Teddy wish to TIL Lord that
she was my Teddy" sighed Dinny,
sadly.
There should have been drama in
what happened next. but there
wasn't.
The girls and the reporter heard
the front door open, then hurried
steps in the hall, then
''Daddy"
'Diana"
The first exclamation was almost
a shrek. On the threshold, his white
head towering above the bronze one
Of his daughter, stood Roger Brooks!
Joyous cries sprang simultaneous
" from the lips Of Lola, Dinny and
Bill Garfield.
Diana, her arms thrown around
her fathers neck, was sobbing and
, laughing alternately.
y dad! Pop! What? Where? For five
days! What under heavens hap
pened7"
" The interrogations were being
u fired at the new, arrival with ma
chine-gun rapidity.
"Hold orr protested Roger Pop)
Brooks. "Give me a chance to get
my breath, and I'll tell you although
I really don't know myself what it's
all. aboutw Pops voice rang out in
a musical boom.
eyes, yes, daddyw cried Diana,
eagerly, excitement turning her gray
ewes almost black. We've just
about died with worry" She sank
down, limp. Now that he was back,
all her composure was gone. Tears
rolled down her cheeks.
Pop Brooks ran his hand tenderly
over her hair.
"Oh-I forgot in tn excitement"
said Diana, getting up suddenly.
1--WE were on our way to tn Re-
ceiving hospital.
AS briefly as possible she told her
father OF Don's and Teddys expert
ence.
He listened intently, bewilderment
and anxiety playing across his coun-
tenance.
WED better go on right out to
them" he said, when Diana had nm
ished. II can tell you my story on
the way there"
"Then you're not hurt--or any
thing, daddy" she queried as they
were entering the car Pop Brooks
had presented her on her last birth
day.
mo-" he replied. I've not been
abused in any way, although l sup
pose was kidnapped, according to
all the rules and regulations. Was
there any ransom asked that you
folks know about?" he questioned, a
humorous twinkle in his keen eyes.
Now, 1 wonder" he went on mus
ingly, after they had all replied to
his query in the negative, Il wonder
why I was abducted and then re-
leased like this-in just the same
manner, Diana, as you. But let me
tell you us much as 1 know about
it,
Diana drove slowly her mind
hardly on what was ahead of the
wheel.
You all know how I left the Of
fice five days ago to go to lunch
con-" he said. well, I'd walked
about half a block from the Times
when heard someone call my name.
I'd been walking close to the curb to
avoid the MONDAY rush.
II turned around. curious. A man
~ don't knew him-never saw him
before-was sitting at the wheel Of