.J.'

This, while indefinite, was at least not discouraging. To Mr. Trent I
wired at some length, as follows:

'Has money package been sent? Answer. If sent, order it held
until further notice. Send at once original letter. It may
prove a clue. Letter follows.

'MASTERS.'

This done, I wrote at once to Mr. Trent, setting forth my belief that
the letter was only a scheme to extort money, repeating my message
with explanatory detail, and outlining a plan of action which would
await his approval by telegraph, and then be put into immediate
execution. This I posted with a special delivery stamp, and finding my
head growing large and exceedingly painful, I went to my own quarters,
compelled for a time to give up to the combined pain and fatigue which
seemed suddenly to overcome me. But in spite of the pain in my head I
could not withdraw my thoughts from this singular letter; and after
tossing restlessly for an hour I got up, and having treated my aching
skull to a gentle rubbing with my friend the druggist's soothing
lotion, I sallied forth and wandered about the Exposition grounds
until the time for luncheon and my meeting with Dave came together.

* * * * *

Dave was anxious to hear the outcome of my visit to Miss Jenrys, and
we made haste with our luncheon and were soon back in our room, when I
told him the little I had to tell and put into his hand Miss O'Neil's
letter, bidding him read the page containing what she declared to be
an 'exact copy' of the anonymous letter.

Dave read the singular document, as I had done before him, once and
again; and then, placing it upon his knee, he sat looking at the floor
and biting his under lip, a way he had when puzzled or in doubt.
Finally he looked up. 'What do you think of this?' he asked.

'It's a snare. Don't you think so?'

'Yes; but do you swallow this story of the gang?'

'Old man, supposing young Trent to be alive and in duress somewhere,
do you imagine that one man, or even two, could keep him day and
night?'

'U-m-m--no.'

'Well, I said to Miss Jenrys an absurd thing. I said the letter might
have been suggested by seeing those reward notices; but those notices
did not give Mr. Trent's full name, and street, and number. No, sir,
that letter was written by someone who has seen the contents of Gerald
Trent's pockets, and who knows where he is, dead or alive.'