'But you don't think he means business?'

'No. And neither do you. If Trent is in the hands of the gang, no one
out of the lot will be permitted to open the doors to him. Besides, do
you think that a party of men who have the daring and the ability to
keep a prisoner three weeks safely hidden will release him for a
paltry ten thousand, knowing his father to be a multi-millionaire?'

'U-m-m--just so. And how do they keep him?'

'Well, to me that letter is very suggestive. It hints at a possible
situation. It's hard to imagine how a young man, in possession of his
strength and senses, could be held a prisoner here in Chicago. But let
us say he is ill. Suppose, for instance, he was attacked, those
diamonds he is said to have worn being the bait; he is injured; they
search him and find him a valuable person to have and to hold. If he
is ill they can keep him without much trouble. Or, the letter hints at
insanity; suppose he was lured somewhere and drugged--kept drugged. An
easy way to bring about insanity, eh?'

'Carl!' exclaimed Dave, with one of his sudden, decisive gestures,
'Carl, old man, I believe you've struck the trail! What's your next
move?'

'My first move,' I corrected, 'will depend upon Mr. Trent. I can do
nothing until I hear from him.'

'And then?' urged Dave.

'I can see no better way to begin than to try and break up the gang.'

'Before you find it?' he laughed.

'Before I look for it.'

'Good Injuns! How?'

'By making that anonymous letter public--putting it in print.'

'Jim-me-net-ti!'

* * * * *

In spite of the diligence of the watchers they could not regain the
lost trail of the little brunette, nor, indeed, of the others; and
after discussing and discarding many traps and plans, Dave ventured a
suggestion.

'If that brunette has not given up her pursuit of Miss Jenrys,' he
said, 'why not try to reach her that way? Ask her to make an
appointment. Miss Jenrys will consent.'

I could think of nothing better, but I did not act upon the suggestion
until evening, when I went, this time in company with Lossing, to call
upon the two ladies and give an account of my day's doings.

With the perfection of tact Lossing joined Miss Ross in the rear room,
and left Miss Jenrys and myself to discuss our plans. I told her the
little I had done in the Trent affair, and of my plans, contingent
upon Mr. Trent's approval.

'He will approve, I am sure of it,' she sa