CHAPTER XVIII
HUNTING FOR NED
For a few seconds the boys did not know what to do. They stood on thesteps looking blankly at one another. The woman observed them.
"Were you expecting to call on Mrs. Kenfield?" she asked sympathetically,as she observed they were strangers in New York.
"We came here to visit our chum, Ned Wilding," said Fenn.
"That must have been the boy who went off with Mrs. Kenfield," the womanwent on. She described Ned so the chums had no difficulty in knowing itwas he whom she had seen.
"You say he went off with Mrs. Kenfield?" asked Bart.
"Yes, just before noon yesterday. He was carrying two valises, one had ared mark on it."
"That's Ned's satchel," said Fenn. "That was some red paint he got on itthe day we went over to Jones's Corners to play ball. One of the fellowsdaubed it on for a joke."
"And he didn't come back?" asked Bart.
"No," replied the woman. "There has been no one at home since Mrs.Kenfield went away. I understand she is going to stay in Chicago forsome time. Her niece is quite ill."
"Well, this is queer," remarked Bart. "I wonder what we had better do."
"If you want to leave a message with me I'll give it to Mrs. Kenfieldwhen she returns," the neighbor went on.
"We're much obliged to you," said Bart, "but I'm afraid that would dolittle good. Mrs. Kenfield does not know us. Ned is her nephew and whenshe invited him to stay with her she said he could ask his chums tospend part of the time with him. Well, we're his chums, but where isNed?"
"I'm sure he didn't come back here," the woman continued. "I have beenwatching the house pretty constantly ever since Mrs. Kenfield went away,as she asked me to notify any tradesmen, who might call, that she wasgone, but that they could send their bills to the house by mail and theywould be forwarded to her. I can, however, give you her Chicagoaddress."
"I don't know as that would be of any use, though we're much obliged toyou," said Fenn.
"Yes, it would!" exclaimed Bart. "We can wire her and ask where Nedwent. She'll probably know."
"Has she got to Chicago yet?" asked Frank.
"It's about twenty-four hours since she started," replied Bart. "Even acomparatively slow train would make it in that time. If you'll give usMrs. Kenfield's address," he went on, "we'll wire her."
The neighbor gave the boys the desired information and, since there wasnothing more they could do at the closed house, save stare at the tightshutters, they started for the nearest telegraph office.
"If I can do anything for you boys, let me know," the woman said to themas they were leaving. "I am Mrs. Rowland. I have two boys of my own,and, if you need any further help in locating your chum, they will beglad to aid you."
They thanked Mrs. Rowland, but for whose information they would havebeen more in the dark than they were, regarding Ned's strangedisappearance.
"I had no idea people were so neighborly in New York," said Frank. "Iread somewhere that in this city no one ever knew who lived next door tohim."
"Lucky we got some sort of a starting point," said Bart. "Now to sendthe telegram."
A few minutes later they found a place where scores of instruments wereclicking away and forwarded this message, addressed to Mrs. Kenfield:
"Ned's chums arrived to find house closed. No trace of Ned. Understand he went away with you. Can you tell us where he is now?"
They told the clerk they would call for the answer in about two hours,as they wanted to allow plenty of time for a reply.
"Meanwhile we'll go and get dinner," suggested Fenn.
"Let's check our valises somewhere," proposed Bart. "I'm tired luggingmine around."
"Leave 'em at the station where our trunks are," Frank put in. "We mayhave to start back home soon, and they'll be handy for us there."
"Too far away," objected Fenn. "Here's a good place."
He pointed to a newsstand built under one of the elevated railroadstations, where a sign was displayed, announcing small parcels would bechecked for ten cents. They left their grips, receiving little brasstags in return, and then went to a restaurant where they had dinner.
"Lets go back and see if there's an answer to our message," suggestedFenn, after they had walked around a bit. Back they went to thetelegraph office, and found there was a reply. Bart's hands trembledslightly as he tore open the envelope. The message from Mrs. Kenfieldwas a short one. It read:
"Ned started for home after leaving me."
"Might have known it," remarked Frank.
"Of course," put in Fenn. "What else could he do? He wouldn't stay inNew York, where he doesn't know a soul, after his aunt and uncle left."
"Then I s'pose the only thing for us to do is to follow Ned back toDarewell," suggested Bart. "Here's an end to our holiday. Too bad!"
"Why need we go back?" asked Frank. "We're here in New York. It may bemany years before we have another chance like this. We have enough moneyto last us a week or more, even if we have to stay at a hotel."
"What do you mean?" asked Fenn.
"Why not spend a week in New York anyhow?" Frank went on. "It's too badNed has gone home. He'd stay with us if he was here. We can go to acheap hotel and have almost as much fun as if we were at Ned's uncle'shouse. What's the use going right back home?"
"I believe you're right," came from Bart. "We'll stay a while and seewhat New York looks like. Might as well spend some of that money forhotel bills as anything else. I've heard they rob you in New York, but Iguess we can look out for ourselves."
"Let's telegraph back to Darewell," suggested Fenn.
"What for?" asked Bart.
"To see if Ned got there safely. If he did maybe he'll come here andjoin us."
"Good idea," commented Frank. "Write out another message. Send it toNed's father. He'll get it quicker at the bank than Ned would at thehouse."
A little later this message, signed by Bart, went clicking over thewires to Darewell.
"Is Ned home? His uncle and aunt called away unexpectedly and he started back for Darewell. Answer."
The boys said they would call in an hour for a reply. They spent thetime wandering about the streets. Now, as it was approaching evening,the thoroughfares were filled with hurrying throngs. They found thetelegram from Darewell waiting for them when they went back to theoffice. It was from Mr. Wilding and read:
"Ned not home. What is the trouble? Can't you locate him in New York? Try. Will come on in the morning."
"Ned has disappeared," said Bart in strange tones, as he let thetelegram fall to the floor.