ou left the door unlocked?"

"Sure; them New York fellers was both out. I oughter waited till they
come in, maybe, but I was plum' tired out."

"When did they come back?"

"Oh, 'bout midnight, I reckon. Bill Lacy an' Matt Moore was along with
'em. They didn't disturb me none; just went inter the sample-room, an'
slept on the floor. I found 'em thar in the mornin', and Bill told me
how they come to be thar--leastwise 'bout himself, fer Moore had got up
an' gone afore I got down."

"I see! And these New York people--they are still here?"

"They wus all three down ter breakfast; ain't seen nuthin' of 'em
since; I reckon they're up-stairs somewhar."

"What became of Lacy?"

"He's down in his saloon; he sed if you showed up, an' asked fer him,
ter tell yer that's whar he'd be."

"He told you that? He expected me to show up then?"

"I reckon as how he did," and Timmons grinned in drunken good humour.
"He's pretty blame smart, Bill Lacy is; he most allars knows whut's
goin' ter happen." He leaned over the desk and lowered his voice. "If
yer do hunt him up, Jim," he said confidentially, "you better go
heeled."

Westcott laughed. The first shock of the discovery of Miss Donovan's
disappearance had passed, and he was himself again. He must have time
to think and arrange some plan and, above all, must retain a clear mind
and proceed coolly.

"All right, old man," he said easily. "I'll try and look out for
myself. I haven't eaten yet to-day. What can you find for me in the
larder?"

CHAPTER XX: TO COMPEL AN ANSWER

Although feeling the need of food, Westcott entered the dining-room of
the Timmons' House more desirous of being alone than for any other
purpose. He realised that he was suddenly brought face to face with a
most serious condition, and one which must be solved unaided. He dare
not venture upon a single step forward until he had first thought out
carefully the entire course to be followed. Two lives, and perhaps
three, including his own, were now in imminent peril, and any mistake
on his part would prove most disastrous. First of all he must keep his
own counsel. Not even the half-drunken Timmons could be allowed to
suspect the real depth of his interest in this affair.

Fortunately, it was so late in the morning he was left undisturbed at a
side table, screened from the open door leading into the office.
Sadie, the waitress, took his order and immediately disappeared,
leaving hi