Just the same, I believe they had it right, and
that there was to have been a wedding-party on. Find the girl: that's
the stunt now."
"I don't think you're likely to find her around here."
"Maybe not. But there's something. Holmesley has beaten it for the Far
East. Sailed yesterday. But the story is still in this country, if the
lady can be rounded up.... Well, I'm going to the village to make
inquiries. Want to put me up again for the night if there's no train
back?"
"Sure thing! There isn't likely to be, either."
Banneker felt greatly relieved at the easy turn given to the inquiry by
the distorted tip. True, Gardner might, on his return, enter upon some
more embarrassing line of inquiry; in which case the agent decided to
take refuge in silence. But the reporter, when he came back late in the
evening disheartened and disgusted with the fallibility of long-distance
tips, declared himself sick of the whole business.
"Let's talk about something else," he said, having lighted his pipe.
"What else have you written besides the wreck stuff?"
"Nothing," said Banneker.
"Come off! That thing was never a first attempt."
"Well, nothing except random things for my own amusement."
"Pass 'em over."
Banneker shook his head.
Pages:
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134