ly
reward, could penetrate.

On the morning of the third day another telegram came. This read:

'Still delayed because of illness. Hold rooms.

'TRENT.'

Accompanying the photograph had come a distracted letter from poor
Hilda O'Neil, in which she had described Mrs. Trent, the mother of the
missing young man, as almost broken down by the shock and suspense;
and we readily guessed that her illness was the cause of the delay.

Twenty-four hours after receipt of this last message came another:

'Mrs. T. too ill to travel. Doctor forbids my leaving. Give
up rooms. For God's sake work. Don't spare money. Letter
follows.

'TRENT.'

In addition to these, every day brought across the wires, from Hilda
O'Neil to her friend, the pitiful little question, 'Any news?' and
took back the only possible reply, 'Not yet.'

And then came this letter from the father of Gerald Trent:

'DEAR SIR,' it began,

'I thank you heartily for your kind straightforward letter,
and while I see and realize the many obstacles in the way of
your search, I yet hope--I must hope--for your ultimate
success; first, because Miss Jenrys' letter, so full of
confidence in you, has inspired me with the same confidence;
and, second, because to abandon hope would be worse than
death. The prompt way in which you have taken up this
search, at Miss Jenrys' request, has earned my sincerest
gratitude. Although I had ordered the search begun through
our chief of police here, yours was the first word of hope
or encouragement I have received, although I have since
heard from your city police.

'My wife lies in a condition bordering upon insanity, and
much as I long to be where I can, at least, be cognizant of
every step in the search for my son, as it is taken, my duty
to that son's mother holds me at her bedside. For this
reason we must all remain here, and I implore you to work!
Leave no stone unturned! Employ more men; draw upon me for
any sum you may require; offer any reward you may see fit;
do what you will; only find my son, and save his mother from
insanity and his father from a broken heart! Above all keep
me informed, I beg of you. Remember all our moments here are
moments of suspense.'

The name at the end was written in a