CHAPTER XI
THE NOTIFICATION
WHERE was Wint? Others beside Bentley were asking that question, as the afternoon of election wore along. Where was Wint?
No one had seen him. Every one was asking the question. No one was answering. But the inquirers, casting back and forth along the trail, at length hit upon one fact. Wint, for days past, had been consistently in the company of Jack Routt.
Where, then, was Routt?
On the morning after Amos Caretall’s announcement at the Rink that he would vote for a Chase for Mayor, Jack Routt had gone to the Congressman with questions on his lips. He had come away with instructions, instructions to keep much in Wint’s company and to keep the young man out of harm’s way till election day.
He had done this zealously. Until Monday evening, he and Wint were almost constantly together. That evening, Wint went to Joan’s house, and bluntly rebuffed Jack’s offer to accompany him. But when Wint came out—and he came out in a sulky and defiant manner—Jack was waiting for him at the gate.
Jack did not appear to be waiting. He seemed to be merely passing, on his way downtown; and Wint hailed him.
“Hello—you!”
“Hello, Wint! Just going home?”
“Home? It’s early yet. Going uptown?”