"But Mrs. Traynor has a clue. She got a letter yesterday, saying where the child was. She wouldn't confide in any of us and she left here only half an hour ago to go to the place."
Again Kenneth was seized by panic.
"Gone to a kidnapper's den. Great God! She's running a terrible risk. Where has she gone? I'll go to her."
"I don't know, sir, but Mr. Steell may know——"
"Ah, that's right. I'll go and see Steell."
Not waiting to say more he rushed down the steps, and, hailing another taxi, went off at full speed in the direction of Wilbur Steell's office.
CHAPTER XX
The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell. At first Helen refused to credit the report. It seemed impossible that any new suffering was to be inflicted upon her after what she had already endured. White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms. Hysterically she cried:
"What have I done that I should be made to suffer in this way? My God! Where is my child? This maddening suspense will kill me."