been seen. Harvey sat down and rested his elbows on the desk. Already it
might be too late. He called to mind Jim's business arrangements, in the
hope of striking a clew by chance. He was interrupted by a few callers,
whom he disposed of with a rush; and he was closing his desk with a vague
idea of hunting Jim in person when he was called to the 'phone. It was the
station master.

"I was mistaken, Mr. West," he said. "Fourteen has just got in from
Manchester, and he says he took Mr. Weeks out at noon."

Harvey rang off and called up the M. & T. terminal station at Manchester.

"Hello. This is Chicago. Is Mr. Weeks there?"

"Well--say, hello! Hold on, central!--Will you call him to the 'phone,
please?"

"Why not?"

"Where? At the shops?"

"Sorry, but I guess you'll have to interrupt him. Important business."

"Can't help it if the whole road's blocked. Get him as quick as you can
and call us up. Good-by."

Harvey waited ten minutes, twenty, thirty, thirty-five--then the bell
rang.

"Hello!"