tion was distracted by the approach of an ungainly
boy, evidently a native.

The boy held in his hand a telegram. Roy dropped his tackle, and held
out his hand for the message. Mechanically, he tossed a coin to the lad.
Then he ripped open the envelope and read the message.... And he read
there Ethel's frantic appeal for help.

Roy was equally amazed and alarmed as he read and its meaning penetrated
his brain. Usually, he was a young man distinguished for his coolness,
resourcefulness and courage. Now, however, for the time being his brain
was dazed; his heart leaped with fear. Through long minutes he stood
motionless, staring with unseeing eyes, as if striving in vain to
penetrate the veil of this terrible mystery that hung between him and
the girl he loved. His thoughts were a miserable whirl of confusion; his
will was powerless to marshal them in order. He did not note the going
of the messenger boy, who sauntered casually back over the way he had
come, whistling in happy unconsciousness as to the suffering of which he
had been the harbinger.

Then, presently, Roy's mind cleared; his heart grew brave again; he felt
a frantic desire for instant action. He looked about for the messenger
boy, and uttered an exclamation of anger as he saw that the fellow was
gone. He was desirous of sending on that very instant a telegram to the
police authorities in New York, asking them to begin an investigation at
once. He shouted for the boy, but there was no answer, and he realized
that the messenger was gone beyond recall.

Roy wheeled, and rushed into the house. He ordered a horse saddled, and
within five minutes was galloping at breakneck speed for the station. He
knew that the next regular train was not due for three hours, but he had
decided without any hesitation that he would order a special. He felt
that no haste could equal the necessity now when Ethel was momently
being carried further and further away from him, when perhaps her life,
her honor, were imperilled by the scoundrels who had her in their
keeping.

On his arrival at the station, Roy issued his orders with a crisp air of
authority that won instant obedience from the man who served as station
master and telegraph operator. The telegraph key sounded busily for a
few minutes, and the matter was arranged. A special would be ready for
him within an hour. This would get him to Albany in time to make
connection with the limited express for New York.

That accompl