Page:Ned Wilding's Disappearance.djvu/203

Rh The clerk showed them to the chums. They had no difficulty in identifying as Ned's several articles in the valise.

"Then that writing was his, after all!" exclaimed Frank. "Boys, we are on his track."

"But where can he be?" asked Bart. "We only know he ran away from here. Why did he leave in that fashion? Had he done something he was afraid of?"

"Perhaps he suddenly went—" began Frank, and then he stopped in seeming confusion.

"What were you going to say?" asked Bart.

"Nothing," Frank replied. "I made a mistake. I think we'd better tell the police about this."

"That's so. I nearly forgot," the clerk added. "You are to go to police headquarters. A message came over the telephone a little while ago."

"Perhaps they've found Ned!" exclaimed Bart for they had left the telephone number of their hotel with the sergeant at headquarters and the official had promised he would telephone if he had any news.

"Hurry up!" cried Fenn. "Perhaps Ned is there waiting for us."

"I only hope he is," Frank remarked, and the boys noticed he appeared gloomy and sad.