Aunt Jane's Nieces on the Ranch Part 14

"For the sake of argument, and to try to get somewhere near the truth,"

said he, "let us concede that, after we had gone to town, the two nurses quarreled. That would not be surprising; I've been expecting an open rupture between them. Following the quarrel, what happened? In view of the results, as we find them, two deductions are open to us. One girl may have made away with the other, in a fit of unreasoning rage, and then taken baby and run away to escape the consequences of her crime. If that conclusion is true, Inez is the more likely to be the criminal and it is Mildred's dead body we shall find in a clump of bushes or hidden in the cellar. That Mexican girl has a fierce temper; I've seen her eyes gleam like those of a wildcat as she watched Mildred kiss and cuddle little Jane. And she was so madly devoted to baby that she'd sooner die than part with her. Mildred is different; she's more civilized."

"To me, her eyes seem more treacherous than those of Inez," declared Arthur, who had liked the little Mexican nurse because she had been so fond of Toodlums. "They never meet your gaze frankly, those eyes, but seem always trying to cover some dark secret of which the girl is ashamed."

"Nevertheless, I maintain that she is the more civilized of the two,"

insisted the major. "She has a calmer, more deliberate nature. She wouldn't be likely to hurt Inez, while Inez would enjoy murdering Mildred."

"What's the other hypothesis?" asked Arthur.

"The more sensible one, by odds. After the quarrel, Inez grabs up baby and runs away, determined to escape from her hated rival and carry Jane beyond her influence. Soon after, Mildred discovers the flight of the Mexican and, impelled by her duty to you and her desire to circ.u.mvent Inez, rushes away in full chase, forgetting to leave any word. Perhaps she thought she would be able to return with baby before we arrived back from town; but Inez has led her a merry chase, which Mildred stubbornly refuses to abandon. I'm an old man, Arthur, and have seen a good deal of life, so mark my words: when the truth of this affair is known, it will be something like the story I've just outlined. I believe I've hit the nail on the head, and I'll admit it's bad enough, even that way."

"Then," said Arthur, more hopefully, "we may find Mildred and baby at home, when we return."

"Yes; and we may not. If they are home, Arthur, there are plenty there to look after the wee darling, and Louise will be comforted. On the other hand, if they don't return, it must be our business to find them.

I can imagine Mildred, f.a.gged out, in some far-away corner, resolving to stay the night and return to the ranch in the morning."

They remembered to have pa.s.sed along this road before, that afternoon, on their way home from town. At that time they had seen no sign of the nurses or the baby. But to make a.s.surance doubly sure Arthur stopped at every house to make inquiries and the road was inspected carefully. When they reached town they first visited the local police station and then the telephone office. Here they arranged to have every ranch house within a wide radius called and questioned in regard to the missing baby. Arthur also tried to get his own house, but the wire was still out of service.

Then to the telegraph office, where messages were sent to all the neighboring towns, giving descriptions of the missing baby and the nurses and offering a liberal reward for any news of their whereabouts.

By this time it was necessary to go to the depot, as the evening train was soon due. While they awaited its arrival Arthur and the major closely scanned every member of the group gathered at the station.

Weldon even managed to have the train held, on its arrival, until he had pa.s.sed through all the cars and a.s.sured himself that neither Mildred, Inez or baby Jane was aboard.

That automobile would have carried two despairing men away from the little town had it not been for the ray of hope suggested by the major that they would find baby safe at home on their arrival. However, that no chance might be neglected, they took another route, as originally arranged, and patiently continued their vain inquiries all the way back to the ranch. As they entered the driveway at El Cajon the clock in the brilliantly lighted hall of the mansion was striking ten.

Arthur rushed in and was met by Patsy.

"Any news?" they both cried eagerly; and then their expectant faces fell.

"How is Louise?" faltered Arthur.

"More quiet, now," answered the girl. "She became so violent, after you left, that we were all frightened; so Mrs. Hahn jumped into your little car and drove home, where she telephoned for the doctor. He happened to be at the Wilson place, so she caught him there and he came directly here. He is upstairs yet, but he gave Louise a quieting potion and I think she is now asleep."

Arthur started to mount the stairs; then hesitated.

"Are the boys back yet?" he asked.

"Yes; they are now out in the grounds, helping the Mexicans search the shrubbery."

The young man shuddered.

"I-I think I'll join them," he decided, and the major merely gave his daughter a solemn kiss and followed the bereaved father.

At the back of the mansion the lights of the lanterns were twinkling like fireflies, although the stars shone so brilliantly that all near-by objects were easily distinguished. Arthur and the major joined the men and for two hours longer the search was continued-more because they all felt they must be doing something, than through any hope of success.

Finally, at midnight, the chief searchers met in a group near the house, and Rudolph said: "Let's go in and rest a bit, and have a smoke. I'm about f.a.gged out and, as a matter of fact, we've covered every inch of these grounds several times over."

Arthur silently turned and led the way into the house, where Patsy, Beth and Helen Hahn, all three worn and haggard, met them in the hall.

"Louise?" asked Arthur.

"Sleeping quietly," replied Beth. "Marcia is sitting beside her."

"Has Dr. Knox gone?"

"No; he's in the library, smoking. Eulalia is getting him something to eat, for it seems he missed his dinner."

"Why, so did I!" trilled big Runyon, in his clearest tenor. "I've just remembered it."

"You must all eat something," declared Patsy, "else you won't be fit to continue the search. Go to the library-all of you-and Beth and I will see what we can find in the kitchen."

CHAPTER X-CONJECTURES AND ABSURDITIES

In somber procession the men trailed up the stairs to the big library, where a dapper little man sat reading a book and puffing at a huge cigar. He looked up, as they entered, and nodded a head as guiltless of hair as was that of Uncle John. But his face was fresh and chubby, despite his fifty years, and the merry twinkle in his gray eyes seemed out of place, at first thought, in this house of anxiety and distress.

"Ah, Weldon; what news of little Jane?" he cheerfully inquired.

"None, Doctor."

"No trace at all?"

"None, whatever."

"That's good," declared the doctor, removing the ash from his cigar.

"Good!"

"Of course. No news is good news. I'll wager my new touring-car that our Jane is sound asleep and dreaming of the angels, this very minute."

"Has your new car a self-starter?" inquired Runyon anxiously, as if about to accept the wager.

"I wish I might share your belief, Doctor," said Arthur with a deep sigh. "It all seems a terrible mystery and I can think of no logical explanation to a.s.sure me of baby's safety."

"Yes, it's a mystery," agreed Dr. Knox. "But I've just thought of a solution."

"What is it?" cried half a dozen voices.

"Sit down and light up. I hope you all smoke? And you need refreshment, for you've been working under a strain."

"Refreshments are coming presently," said Rudolph. "What's your solution, Doc?"

"The young ladies have been telling me every detail of the disappearance, as well as the events leading up to it. Now, it seems Mildred Travers is an old resident of this section of California. Was born here, in fact."

This was news to them all and the suggestion it conveyed caused them to regard Dr. Knox attentively.