Excerpt: ...here an' I waited round till they quit." "No message for Miss Donovan up to that time?" "No." "You left the door unlocked?" "Sure; them New York fellers was both out. I oughter waited till they come in, maybe, but I was plum' tired out." "When did they come back?" "Oh, 'bout midnight, I reckon. Bill Lacy an' Matt Moore was along with 'em. They didn't disturb me none; just went inter the sample-room, an' slept on the floor. I found 'em thar in the mornin', and Bill told me how they come to be thar-leastwise 'bout ...
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Excerpt: ...here an' I waited round till they quit." "No message for Miss Donovan up to that time?" "No." "You left the door unlocked?" "Sure; them New York fellers was both out. I oughter waited till they come in, maybe, but I was plum' tired out." "When did they come back?" "Oh, 'bout midnight, I reckon. Bill Lacy an' Matt Moore was along with 'em. They didn't disturb me none; just went inter the sample-room, an' slept on the floor. I found 'em thar in the mornin', and Bill told me how they come to be thar-leastwise 'bout himself, fer Moore had got up an' gone afore I got down." "I see! And these New York people-they are still here?" "They wus all three down ter breakfast; ain't seen nuthin' of 'em since; I reckon they're up-stairs somewhar." "What became of Lacy?" "He's down in his saloon; he sed if you showed up, an' asked fer him, ter tell yer that's whar he'd be." "He told you that? He expected me to show up then?" "I reckon as how he did," and Timmons grinned in drunken good humour. "He's pretty blame smart, Bill Lacy is; he most allars knows whut's goin' ter happen." He leaned over the desk and lowered his voice. "If yer do hunt him up, Jim," he said confidentially, "you better go heeled." Westcott laughed. The first shock of the discovery of Miss Donovan's disappearance had passed, and he was himself again. He must have time to think and arrange some plan and, above all, must retain a clear mind and proceed coolly. "All right, old man," he said easily. "I'll try and look out for myself. I haven't eaten yet to-day. What can you find for me in the larder?" CHAPTER XX: TO COMPEL AN ANSWER Although feeling the need of food, Westcott entered the dining-room of the Timmons' House more desirous of being alone than for any other purpose. He realised that he was suddenly brought face to face with a most serious condition, and one which must be solved unaided. He dare not venture upon a single step forward until he had first thought out carefully the entire...
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