Part 43 (1/2)

At the consulate they could find no trace of d.i.c.k.

”What can have happened?” demanded Mr. Willing anxiously.

”Oh, he'll turn up,” declared the consul. ”We'll wait.”

They sat down to await the return of d.i.c.k, meanwhile talking over what was best to be done.

Meantime, d.i.c.k, on the trail of Captain Von Blusen, was having troubles of his own. He had approached too close behind the German, and the latter had realized he was being followed.

Rounding a corner, the German officer stopped abruptly. As d.i.c.k swung around the corner he recognized him instantly and struck out with his fist. The blow caught d.i.c.k on the side of the head and he went down.

He was up in a moment, however, and grappled with his opponent. In this sort of fighting the German was no match for d.i.c.k, but he finally succeeded in breaking the latter's hold, and took to his heels.

d.i.c.k ran after him.

Unconsciously the German took the direction from which he had just come, and not stopping to think that he might be followed, had thus betrayed the rendezvous. He ran straight to Hernandez' home, as we already know, and d.i.c.k recognized it.

Captain Von Blusen entered by the back door, and there d.i.c.k stopped. He had seen enough to tell him just how the situation stood, and realizing that he could accomplish little himself and that haste therefore was essential, he hurried back to the consulate.

”Where have you been?” cried Mr. Willing jumping to his feet as d.i.c.k burst into the room.

”I've been trailing Von Blusen, sir.”

”Von Blusen!”

”Yes, sir, and I have learned enough to warrant my belief that Hernandez is concerned in the disappearance of s.h.i.+rley and Mabel.”

In a few words he related what had occurred.

Consul Edwards drummed upon the table with his fingers for several minutes. Then he rose to his feet.

”You must be right,” he said, ”although it seems impossible. Are you armed?”

The others shook their heads. The consul left the room and returned a moment later with a revolver for each.

”We may not need them, but it's best to be prepared,” he said grimly.

”What are you going to do?” asked Colonel Ashton.

”We shall go back and call on Hernandez. In my official capacity, of course, I could not do this, but I'm willing to take a chance. We'll search the house from top to bottom.”

They did not enter the home of Hernandez by the manner in which they had gone before. d.i.c.k led the way to the place he had seen Captain Von Blusen enter, and tried the door.

To his surprise it opened easily, and d.i.c.k, with weapon ready, led the way in. From first one room to the other they went, Consul Edwards lighting the way with a pocket searchlight.

Suddenly d.i.c.k stooped and picked up something. The consul turned the light on it. It was a small handkerchief. d.i.c.k looked it over for a mark of identification. In the corner he saw two initials, ”S. W.”

He pa.s.sed it to Mr. Willing.

”s.h.i.+rley's!” exclaimed the latter, after a glance at it.