“Then you are worried about him?” inquired Ralph.
“I am, very much. You see, he spoke of an enemy of Ernest. How do I know what may have happened to both of them? If Clark should disappear, see what a fix I am in, assuming his name, spending his money. I’d have a hard time explaining reasonably the wild, mad move Clark made me take.”
“It is certainly a singular situation,” admitted the young railroader thoughtfully.
“Isn’t it, now? I’ve come to you to have you help me solve the problem. Think it over, give me some advice. Or, one thing—you go to many places with your railroading. You might keep 167 a watch out for Clark, just as I am doing. You might get a clew to him or run across him.”
“But how should I know him?” inquired Ralph.
“I’m going to give you his picture.”
“That will help.”
Fred drew out a memorandum book and selected from it a small photograph, which he presented to Ralph. The latter saw a bright, manly face portrayed in the picture.
“You keep that,” directed Fred.
Ralph reflected for a few moments. Then they discussed the situation in all its bearings. There was not much to suggest, however, on the part of the young engineer. The most they could hope for, he told Fred, was that one or the other of them might by some circumstance run across the missing Clark and his young charge.