d inquiring whether
she had returned to the hotel, whether she had got his message, and if
she were well. Any news of her, or from her, was anxiously expected by
her friends.

Having sent off this dispatch, Mr. Rockharrt went in to dinner. The
dinner was long. The courses were many. Mr. Rockharrt and his
granddaughter were still at table when the following telegram was placed
in his hands:

BLANK HOUSE, New York, May, 18--

Mrs. Stillwater is not here, and has not been seen by any of our
people since she left the house with your party for the Hudson
River Railway depot. We have made inquiries, but have no news.

M. MARTIN.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE SEARCH.

"This is intolerable," muttered old Aaron Rockharrt, in a tone as who
should say: "How dare Fate set herself to baffle ME?"

He then took tablets and pencil from his pocket and wrote the following
telegram:

COZZENS HOTEL, WEST POINT,
May ----, 18--

To M. MARTIN, ESQ., Blank House, New York City:

Just received your dispatch. There has been foul play. Report the
case at police headquarters. Set private detective on the track of
the missing lady. Last seen at the gate of the Hudson River
Railway depot, waiting for 7:30 a.m. train for West Point
yesterday morning, but not seen on train. Give me prompt notice of
any news.

AARON ROCKHARRT.

He beckoned a waiter and sent the message to be dispatched from the
office of the hotel.

Then he set himself to finish his dinner.

After dinner he went out on the piazza.

Cora followed him. There was quite a number of people out there, seeing
whom, he walked out upon the open grounds.

"May I come with you, grandfather?" inquired Cora.

"If you like," was the short answer.

As they walked on he said:

"I think it possible that Mrs. Stillwater, after missing our train, left
for North End."

"Yes, it is possible," assented Cora.

No more was said. They walked on for half an hour and then returned to
the hotel and bade each other good night.

The next morning they met in the parlor.

Old Aaron Rockharrt was reading a New York morning paper. Cora went up
and bade him good morning.

He merely nodded and went on reading. Presently he burst out with:

"By ----! This must be Mrs. Stillwater!"

"Who? What?" eagerly inquired Cora, going to his side.

"Here! Read!" exclaimed the Iron King, handing her the sheet and
pointing out the paragrap