"Very well, let's look him up at once. That, of course, will be my first care."
It did not take them long to find the coroner, who told them that the deputy marshals had taken possession of the house, the property, and the remains of the dead woman, to be held for the appearance of some friend of hers, who had notified them to do so.
"Who is this friend?" asked the major stiffly.
"I'm sure I don't know. You'll have to see the deputy marshals. The inquest has been held, and I have nothing more to do with the affair."
"Now for the deputy marshals," said the major, who had recovered possession of himself, and was now all decision.
They went immediately to the chief deputy, who was also deputy coroner, and whose name, they learned, was Jack Burk.
But they could not find him, neither were any of his men to be found, although Ted was convinced that he was in town.
"There is only one thing to do," said Ted.
"What is that?" asked the major.
"Go to the house, and take possession of it yourself."