l of 'em seemed to be in a big hurry."

"Which way did the carriage go?"

"Down towards the Brooklyn ferry."

In a thoughtful mood, the young oarsman walked back upstairs. He met Mrs.
Flannigan outside of the door.

"What's wrong, Mr. Upton?"

"That is what I am trying to find out. Miss Ardell is missing. If I go
out, will you look after the children?"

"Sure, Oi will, bless the dears," she said. Her heart was as large as her
ruddy, full-blown face.

Without waiting longer, Jerry ran down into the street and endeavored to
trace the carriage down to the ferry. In this he was successful, and
learned that the turnout containing two men and a young lady, who appeared
to be ill, had crossed to Brooklyn.

By this time night had set in, and all efforts to follow the carriage
proved unsuccessful. Yet unwilling to give up, Jerry spent over two hours
in Brooklyn, hunting in every direction for a clew.

Our hero had never been across the East River before, and in hunting
around it was but natural that he should get lost. At the end of the
search he found himself a good distance from the river, in a neighborhood
that looked anything but respectable.

"It's time I got back," thought the youth, and started to make inquiries.

"You're a dozen blocks out of your way," said a man. "Go down that way
three blocks, and turn to your left."

As Jerry walked along a somewhat gloomy street, he noticed three men
walking ahead of him. One was a tall, finely built man, wearing a large
round hat, of the western type.

The other men were short fellows, each with a red mustache. They carried
heavy canes and walked on either side of the tall individual.

"Aren't we almost there?" Jerry heard the tall man ask, as he drew closer
to the trio.

"Yes, it ain't but a step further," was the reply from one of the short
men.

"You are certain this Crazy Jim is the man I am after?"

"Oh, yes."

The mentioning of Crazy Jim's name interested Jerry. Crazy Jim was still
up on Blackwell's Island. It was possible, however, that they referred to
some other individual.

To hear what further they might have to say the young oarsman kept close
to the party.

"It's been a long hunt for me, gentlemen," said the tall man, and by his
speech Jerry felt sure he was a westerner. "But if I am on the right
trail, things will soon come out right."

"What do you want to find Crazy Jim for?" asked one of the short men.

"I'm not saying any thing about t