self. The question is, how to find her most speedily."

"The police, probably, could do it most speedily," I said; "but since
she can be in no immediate danger of any kind, I rather doubt whether
it would be wise to call in the police. Miss Holladay would very
properly resent any more publicity----"

"But," objected Mr. Graham, "if we don't call in the police, how are
we to find her? I recognize, of course, how undesirable it is that she
should be subjected to any further notoriety, but is there any other
way?"

I glanced at Mr. Royce, and saw that he was seemingly sunk in apathy.

"If I could be excused from the office for a few days, sir," I began
hesitatingly, "I might be able to find some trace of her. If I'm
unsuccessful, we might then call in the authorities."

Mr. Royce brightened up for a moment.

"That's it," he said. "Let Lester look into it."

"Very well," assented Mr. Graham. "I agree to that. Of course, any
expenses you may incur will be borne by the office."

"Thank you, sir," and I rose with fast-beating heart, for the
adventure appealed to me strongly. "I'll begin at once then. I should
like assistance in one thing. Could you let me have three or four
clerks to visit the various stables of the city? It would be best, I
think, to use our own people."

"Certainly," assented our senior instantly. "I'll call them in, and we
can give them their instructions at once."

So four clerks were summoned, and each was given a district of the
city. Their instructions were to find from which stable Miss Holladay
had ordered a carriage on the morning of Thursday, April 3d. They were
to report at the office every day, noon and evening, until the search
was finished. They started away at once, and I turned to follow them,
when my eye was caught by the expression of our junior's face.

"Mr. Royce is ill, sir!" I cried. "Look at him!"

He was leaning forward heavily, his face drawn and livid, his eyes
set, his hands plucking at the arms of his chair. We sprang to him and
led him to a couch. I bathed his hands and face in cold water, while
Mr. Graham hurriedly summoned a physician. The doctor soon arrived,
and diagnosed the case at a glance.

"Nervous breakdown," he said tersely. "You lawyers drive yourselves
too hard. It's a wonder to me you don't all drop over. We'll have to
look out, or this will end in brain fever."

He poured out a stimulant, which the sick man swallowed without
protest. He seemed stron