And this bore out the statement of the last letter. It
seemed evident that a terrible accident had happened to the detective, or
else he had been criminally assaulted. In either case it seemed evident
to the young man his duty to visit Keene if possible.
"What had I best do, mother?" finally questioned the young man.
Before asking the question August had fully determined upon his course,
but he was anxious to have his mother's approval as well.
"Go, by all meant, August."
"That was my determination," assured the engineer.
She was wholly unsuspicious, and had no thought that her son might go to
his own doom.
Why should she feel suspicious? Who would care to harm her son, who, she
fully believed, had never injured a human soul?
August had suspicions, however, and he secured a revolver upon his person
ere venturing out upon his mission.
Promptly at nine the sound of wheels was heard, ceasing in front of the
engineer's cottage.
Kissing his mother good-by August hastened forth. A hack stood near the
sidewalk, the door standing open.
It was dark within, but the young man noted the outlines of a man upon
the forward seat.
Pages:
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132