“We sure will, an’ if you’ve hurt our li’l’ friend—­if she’s got any grievance against you an’ the way you treat her—­I’ll certainly wreck you proper, Mr. Cunningham.”

James flushed angrily.  “Get out of here—­all of you!  Or I’ll send for the police and have you swept out.  I’m fed up on your interference.”

“Is it interference for Miss McLean here to want to know where her sister is?” asked Kirby quietly.

“Why should you all assume I know?”

“Because the evidence points to you.”

“Absurd.  You come down here from Wyoming and do nothing but make trouble for me and Jack even though we try to stand your friend.  I’ve had about enough of you.”

“Sorry you look at it that way.”  Kirby’s smile was friendly.  It was even wistful.  “I appreciate what you did for me, but I’ve got to go through with what I’ve started.  I can’t quit on the job because I’m under an obligation to you.  By the way, I’ve arranged the matter of the bond.  We’re to take it up at the district attorney’s office at eleven this morning.”

“Glad to hear it.  I want to be quit of you,” snapped Cunningham tartly.

Outside, Kirby gave directions to his lieutenants.  “It’s up to you two to dig up some facts.  I’m gonna be busy all mornin’ with this bond business so’s I can keep outa jail.  Rose, you go up to the Secretary of State’s office and find the number of the license of my cousin’s car and the kind of machine it is.  Then you’d better come back an’ take a look at all the cars parked within three or four blocks of here.  He may have driven it down when he came to work this mornin’.  Look at the speedometer an’ see what the mileage record is of the last trip taken.  Cole, you go to this address.  That’s where my cousin lives.  Find out at what garage he keeps his car.  If they don’t know, go to all the garages within several blocks of the place.  See if it’s a closed car.  Get the make an’ the number an’ the last trip mileage.  Meet me here at twelve o’clock, say.  Both of you.”

“Suits me,” said Cole.  “But wise me up.  What’s the idea in the mileage?”

“Just this.  James was outa town last night probably.  We couldn’t find him anywhere.  My notion is that he’s taken Esther somewhere into the mountains.  If we can get the mileage of the last trip, all we have to do is to divide it by two to know how far away Esther is.  Then we’ll draw a circle round Denver at that distance an’—­”

Cole slapped his thigh with his hat.  “Bully!  You’re sure the white-haired lad in this deteckative game.”

“Maybe he didn’t set the speedometer for the trip,” suggested Rose.

“Possible.  Then again more likely he did.  James is a methodical chap.  Another thing, while you’re at the private hotel where he lives, Cole.  Find out if you can where James goes when he fishes or drives into the mountains.  Perhaps he’s got a cottage of his own or some favorite spot.”