“That was what Lizzie said; she was pretty positive, sir; an’ then about an hour later, Miss Natalie ordered her car, an’ drove into town.”

“Alone?”

“Yes, sir; it was the electric she took.”

West remained silent, tapping with his knife on the table.  This might prove important, and he could not afford to ignore the information.  While to his mind it was hardly likely Hobart had called the girl, yet the possibility remained.

“I never heard of a Ray Street,” he said at length, “but of course, there may be one.  Oh, Charlie,” he stopped a waiter passing.  “Bring me up a City directory, will you.  You will find one in the office down stairs.  Tell the Secretary Captain West wishes it and will return it at once.”

The first course had been served when the man returned with the book, placing it on a chair next West, who immediately deserted his soup to inspect the volume.

“Ray Street,” he said doubtfully, fingering the pages.  “There is no such street here, Sexton.  Are you sure you got that right?”

“That’s what she said, sir; I made her say it over twice.”

“Ray Street; wonder if it could be spelled with a W?  By Jove, it is—­Wray!  Here we have it, only five blocks long, extending from Conway to Grogan.  Rather tough section I should judge.”

“I don’t know, sir.  I never heard of any of those streets before.  How do you get there?”

“By car you mean?  Well, let’s see on the map.  Oh yes, that’s plain enough; Milwaukee Avenue to Gans, and then walk east three blocks.  It wouldn’t do any harm to take a look around there either.  Perhaps that is where Hobart went; he might have been the one calling Natalie.  Rather a wild guess, but it will give us something to do.  What number was it?”

“238, sir.”

“Good; we’ll try our luck after we finish dinner; there will be a couple of hours of daylight yet.  Are you game, Sexton?”

“Quite so, sir.”

The sinking sun was still above the sky-line of the buildings fronting on Milwaukee Avenue, when the two men alighted at the intersection of Gans Street.  West hardly took the adventure seriously, being more influenced by curiosity than any other motive, but Sexton was deeply in earnest, in full faith they were upon the right trail.  Doubtful as he was, West had neglected no precautions.  The map assured him that they were invading a disorderly section of the city, where to be well-dressed would only invite suspicion, and might lead to trouble.  To avoid this possibility, he had donned his most shabby suit, and wore a cap largely concealing his face.  In one pocket of his jacket within easy reach lay hidden his service revolver loaded, and he had induced Sexton to accept a smaller weapon in case of emergency.

Gans Street was not inviting, the saloon on the corner being flanked by several small factories.  The brick side-walk was in bad condition, and littered with junk of all kinds, while the road-way was entirely uncared for, and deeply rutted from heavy traffic.  Half way down the block, was a tannery, closed now for the night, but with its odour yet permeating the entire atmosphere.  Altogether, the scene was desolate and disagreeable enough, but the street was deserted of pedestrians, the factory doors tightly closed for the night.