Page:Gaston Leroux--The bride of the sun.djvu/127

113 "No, señor. Libertad was sitting in it alone."

Releasing his grip, Dick dashed into the street again and started running toward the main avenue. If Maria-Teresa had been carried off in her own motor, it would be easy to trace her part of the way. As Domingo had said, there were not so many cars about. As he dashed round a corner, Dick came into sharp collision with a man emerging from a doorway, who swore vigorously. Dick recognized him at once, and gave such a shout that the chief of police, for it was he, fell into a posture of defense.

"Forgive me, señor.... I am Dick Montgomery ... the fiancé of Señorita de la Torre.... She has been carried off by the Indians!..."

"Doña Maria-Teresa? That is not possible!"

In a few words, Dick told the little old gentleman what had happened, and gave him his suspicions. He found ready sympathy and belief.

"I was on my way to dine with a friend just opposite. A minute while I tell them that I cannot come, and I am with you,"

He hurried across the street while Dick, with an indignant snort, moved on toward the harbor, questioning shopkeepers and pedestrians as he went So far as he could gather, the motor had about half-an-hour's start of them.