that where one was the other must be near, and there would surely be
some word of Necia. He burst through the door; a quick glance over
the place showed it empty of those he sought, but, spying Poleon
Doret, he dragged him outside, inquiring breathlessly:

"Have you seen Gale?"

"Have you seen Stark? Has he been about?"

"Yes, wan hour, mebbe two hour ago. W'y? Wat for you ask?"

"There's the devil to pay. Those two have come together, and Necia
is gone."

"Necia gone?" the Canadian jerked out. "Wat you mean by dat? Were
she's gone to?"

"I don't know--nobody knows. God! I'm shaking like a leaf."

"Bah! She's feel purty bad! She's go out by herse'f. Dat's all
right."

"I tell you something has happened to her; there's hell to pay. I
found her clothes at the house torn to ribbons and all muddy and
wet."

Poleon cried out at this.

"We've got to find her and Gale, and we haven't a minute to lose.
I'm afraid we're too late as it is. I wish it was daylight. Damn the