“I see!  And these New York people—­they are still here?”

“They wus all three down ter breakfast; ain’t seen nuthin’ of ’em since; I reckon they’re up-stairs somewhar.”

“What became of Lacy?”

“He’s down in his saloon; he sed if you showed up, an’ asked fer him, ter tell yer that’s whar he’d be.”

“He told you that?  He expected me to show up then?”

“I reckon as how he did,” and Timmons grinned in drunken good humour.  “He’s pretty blame smart, Bill Lacy is; he most allars knows whut’s goin’ ter happen.”  He leaned over the desk and lowered his voice.  “If yer do hunt him up, Jim,” he said confidentially, “you better go heeled.”

Westcott laughed.  The first shock of the discovery of Miss Donovan’s disappearance had passed, and he was himself again.  He must have time to think and arrange some plan and, above all, must retain a clear mind and proceed coolly.

“All right, old man,” he said easily.  “I’ll try and look out for myself.  I haven’t eaten yet to-day.  What can you find for me in the larder?”

CHAPTER XX:  TO COMPEL AN ANSWER

Although feeling the need of food, Westcott entered the dining-room of the Timmons’ House more desirous of being alone than for any other purpose.  He realised that he was suddenly brought face to face with a most serious condition, and one which must be solved unaided.  He dare not venture upon a single step forward until he had first thought out carefully the entire course to be followed.  Two lives, and perhaps three, including his own, were now in imminent peril, and any mistake on his part would prove most disastrous.  First of all he must keep his own counsel.  Not even the half-drunken Timmons could be allowed to suspect the real depth of his interest in this affair.

Fortunately, it was so late in the morning he was left undisturbed at a side table, screened from the open door leading into the office.  Sadie, the waitress, took his order and immediately disappeared, leaving him to his own thoughts.  These were far from happy ones, as his mind rapidly reviewed the situation and endeavoured to concentrate upon some practical plan of action.

So Bill Lacy expected him?  Had left word where he was to be found?  What was the probable meaning of this?  Westcott did not connect this message directly with the strange disappearance of Miss Donovan.  Whether or not Lacy was concerned in that outrage had nothing to do with this, for the man could scarcely be aware of his deep interest in the girl.  No, this must be his own personal affair, complicated by the case of Cavendish.  Moore must have recognised him during their fight, and reported to his master who it was that had been discovered listening at the window.  Realising the nature of that conversation, Lacy naturally anticipated being sought the very moment Westcott came to town.  That was what this meant.  All right, he would hunt Lacy as soon as he was ready to do so; and, as Timmons suggested, would go “heeled.”