“I am sure of it,” agreed Patsy; “but that does not enlighten the mystery any. I’m sorry we brought Mildred to this place. There’s just one thing you can bank on, Beth: that in some way or other Mildred is responsible for the disappearance of our precious Toodlums.”
[CHAPTER IX—A FRUITLESS SEARCH]
Meantime, Uncle John and big Runyon were bowling along the north road, the lights gleaming from the powerful lanterns of the car and illuminating every object on either side of the way. The road seemed deserted and it was fully twenty minutes before they came to the first ranch house beyond that owned by Runyon himself. Here Mr. Merrick got out to make inquiries.
A tall, slovenly dressed woman answered his ring. She carried an oil lamp in her hand and eyed her late visitor severely.
“Have you seen a woman with a baby pass this way to-day—this afternoon?” asked the little man.
“Yes,” was the reply; “she stopped here for supper.”
Uncle John’s heart gave a great bound.
“Have they gone on?” he inquired.
“Yes; an hour ago.”
“Which way, ma’am?”