"Yes, and he was here till three weeks ago. Then he came home from the shop where he was at work and told me he was going away."
"Did he tell you where he was going?" asked Bert, eagerly.
"He said he should go to Chicago first, but I have not heard from him since he went away."
Ralph Harding then was in Chicago. If Bert had only known that, he would have remained there and prosecuted the search in the Lake City. Yet what chance would he have of finding a man whom he had never seen and would not know by sight in so large and populous a place?
His face showed the keenness of his disappointment, and Mrs. Clifton was led to inquire:
"Did you wish to see my brother on business of importance?"
"Is it," she asked with hesitation, "likely to get Ralph into trouble?"
"No, madam. On the contrary, if I find him it will be of advantage to him."
"Then I hope you may find him. But I am afraid it will be difficult. Ralph is very restless. We tried all we could to keep him here, but it was of no use. He had a good place, and, though I say it myself, a good home, where he enjoyed every comfort, but all that didn't prevent him leaving us to go among strangers," she concluded, with a sigh.