“Has no clue been obtained as to the whereabouts of the little girl?”
“There’s been no end of clues, but they lead nowhere. The mother in her frantic grief insists that her husband shall pay the price without more delay, and I believe he will not hold out much longer, satisfied that it is the only hope left to him.”
“But how can I give any help with my aeroplane?”
“I have reason to think the gang has its headquarters not many miles from this place.”
Harvey looked his astonishment.
“If that is true, what prevents you from running them down?”
“An almost insurmountable difficulty faces me. I am the only searcher who holds this theory, as I am the only one who has reason for it. But it is diamond cut diamond. These miscreants are alert, shrewd and cunning to the last degree. They have their watchers out, and upon the first sign of danger they will signal the others, who will make a lightning change of base, taking the child with them.”
“Have you any idea of the spot where they are?”
“Only that it is several miles away, in the depth of the forest which covers so large an extent of this mountainous country.”
“Then why in heaven’s name don’t you and a posse rush them?” asked Harvey, impatient with what seemed the dilatoriness of the officer.