Part 45 (2/2)
”Sure, an' Oi did not Oi was out,” she replied.
He next tried the janitress, who lived in the bas.e.m.e.nt. She was a peppery old woman who seldom had a pleasant word for anybody.
”Did I see her? Yes, she went out with two men about two hours ago,” she said.
”What sort of looking men?”
”I can't say--I'm not taking notice of everybody who comes and goes.”
”But this is important, Mrs. Foley. I am afraid something has happened to Miss Ardell.”
”They were tall men, and I guess both had big black mustaches and beards.”
”Where did she go with them?”
”Into a carriage. All of 'em seemed to be in a big hurry.”
”Which way did the carriage go?”
”Down towards the Brooklyn ferry.”
In a thoughtful mood, the young oarsman walked back upstairs. He met Mrs.
Flannigan outside of the door.
”What's wrong, Mr. Upton?”
”That is what I am trying to find out. Miss Ardell is missing. If I go out, will you look after the children?”
”Sure, Oi will, bless the dears,” she said. Her heart was as large as her ruddy, full-blown face.
Without waiting longer, Jerry ran down into the street and endeavored to trace the carriage down to the ferry. In this he was successful, and learned that the turnout containing two men and a young lady, who appeared to be ill, had crossed to Brooklyn.
By this time night had set in, and all efforts to follow the carriage proved unsuccessful. Yet unwilling to give up, Jerry spent over two hours in Brooklyn, hunting in every direction for a clew.
Our hero had never been across the East River before, and in hunting around it was but natural that he should get lost. At the end of the search he found himself a good distance from the river, in a neighborhood that looked anything but respectable.
”It's time I got back,” thought the youth, and started to make inquiries.
”You're a dozen blocks out of your way,” said a man. ”Go down that way three blocks, and turn to your left.”
As Jerry walked along a somewhat gloomy street, he noticed three men walking ahead of him. One was a tall, finely built man, wearing a large round hat, of the western type.
The other men were short fellows, each with a red mustache. They carried heavy canes and walked on either side of the tall individual.
”Aren't we almost there?” Jerry heard the tall man ask, as he drew closer to the trio.
”Yes, it ain't but a step further,” was the reply from one of the short men.
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