Page:The Fate of Fenella (1892).djvu/222

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ARTHUR A'BECKETT.
207

Well, he did his duty, inasmuch as he gave us the notice the boy was off. That has been reported right enough, but——" he stopped.

"Don't you know where my son is at this moment?" said Frank angrily.

"Well, sir—I should say, my lord—that is exactly what I cannot say. Our man rushed off to tell us the news of departure; he would have done better had he followed up the track."

"And what do you propose to do?"

"Oh, we have made the best of it. We have sent a first-class officer, up to every move in the game, to take the matter up, and by this time you may be sure the country is being scoured high and low. When we come upon a track you shall hear of it. We can trust the colonel. He is respected, and would not lend himself to any underhand piece of work. But it's the lady that is doing it. Now, we have not much of an opinion about her, and she is in it, that's the worst of it. However, don't you cry out yet; ours is the smartest service in the world, and we will do our best for you."

"But can I do nothing?"

"Well, no, sir—I should say, my lord—I don't see that you can. You had better look in to-morrow evening, and then I could report progress. In the meanwhile, keep an eye upon yourself. New York is a dangerous place for a stranger. I know you Englishmen are brave fellows, but