"You've got to hang on and make good in the place where you lost out," Clancy returned. "You've got to do this for the sake of your mother, who thinks so much of you. We've got to allow a little time, you know, for us to get back on our old footing. I need a change. Ferguson says so, and I have a feeling that he knows what he is talking about. I—"
A boy came into the office that moment with a telegram. He knew the motor wizard by sight, and went directly to him.
"This is for you, Mr. Clancy," said he.
Clancy signed for the message, tore it open, read the contents, and laughed.
"By thunder," he cried, "here's just the thing!"
"What do you mean?" asked Wynn.
"It's a hurry-up call from Hiram Hill. You remember Hiram?"
Wynn winced. "Yes," said he, "I remember Hiram Hill quite vividly."
"He left Phoenix for the coast several weeks ago, carrying on his search for his father. I always thought that search of Hiram's was more or less of a joke–and I haven't any positive information yet that it isn't–but here's a message asking me to come to Los Angeles at once. Hiram says that he is 'hot on the trail,' and that I promised him to help him find his father–which is true."
Clancy arose with sudden determination in his voice and manner.