y were within half an hour's run of the Thorlakson siding. The girl
had many hours the start of him and no doubt he would find her safe and
sound at the section shanty with Mrs. Thorlakson. The fast passenger
train did not stop often in this part of the country; but he had
persuaded the conductor to slow down so that he could jump for it.

He had taken a compartment in the observation car, but at the moment
was lounging in a corner of the open reading room which at that late
hour presented a vista of empty chairs and discarded magazines in their
leather folders. The porter was nowhere about. One by one the other
passengers had sought their berths, leaving Phil in solitary
possession. He sat staring out the wide window at the racing double of
the lighted coach, deep in thought.

Ordinarily the thing to have done was to head her off from this
wild-goose chase by reporting the matter to her father or by having her
editor wire her on board train to return at once. But Stiles had
pleaded earnestly that the girl's activities be kept a secret because
there was much at stake which did not appear upon the surface. Miss
Lawson was anxious particularly that her father did not learn of her
present assignment until the task was completed as he would have
worried unnecessarily, perhaps have interfered.

What that task was Kendrick had been unable to learn. Either the
bookkeeper could not or would not tell him and Phil had been in too
great a hurry to get into action to waste time in futile talk. The
motive which actuated her must be a strong one to drive her into the
hazards of foggy nights, office espionage and actual danger. He could
well credit Stiles' assurance that Miss Lawson was not afraid of
anything; her calmness after the trying experience in the park was
evidence of that.

But the fact of her foolhardy trip into the Algoma wilderness was the
main issue to meet just now, and with so much secrecy seemingly
desirable Phil had decided that the best thing to do was to go after
her himself, follow her, overtake her, protect her if need be. Her
paper might or might not know where she had gone and why; but he would
say nothing to anybody. If Miss Lawson had some secret, cherished
plans her pluck in attempting to carry them out entitled her to some
consideration, and she would be grateful for his discretion.

He had need of all the finesse which he could command if he hoped to
win a place in her confidence. He cou