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Rh. "It was my fault. I should have followed Ned."

"No, you did what you thought was best," Fenn replied.

They returned to the hotel, to find Mr. Wilding and Frank awaiting them. Mr. Wilding, who had expected some news of his son, was deeply disappointed when the three boys returned with none.

"What in the world are we to do?" asked Mr. Wilding. We seem completely at a loss."

"There are a few more lodging houses to try," suggested William. "I'll start out again this evening. That's when the places are full, and I may get some trace of him."

No one could offer a better suggestion, and it was arranged that Mr. Wilding should continue the search with a private detective he had hired, while William and Bart would make a tour of the lodging houses. Fenn and Frank were to remain at the Imperial Hotel.

"There's no telling when a message may come from the baggage agent telling us that Ned has called for his trunk," Bart said, "and some one ought to be ready to hurry to the depot. We'll have to divide our forces."

With little hope in their hearts, but with dogged patience, and a determination to keep up the search, William and Bart started out.