'Abroad at present; it is to be regretted now.'
I took up the paper and re-read the account of young Trent's disappearance; and Miss Jenrys dropped her head upon her hand, and seemed to be studying the case. After a moment of silence, Miss Ross, who had been a listener from the beginning, leaned toward her niece and said, in her gentlest tone:
'June, my child, ought we not to try and do something? What does thee think? Should we wait, and perhaps lose valuable time, while the Trents are on their way?'
Miss Jenrys lifted her head suddenly.
'Auntie,' she exclaimed, 'you are worth a dozen of me! You are right! We must do something. Mr. Masters, what would you do first if you were to begin at once upon the case?'
'Get, from the chief of police if necessary, the name of the up-town hotel where young Trent was last seen.'
'And then?' she urged, in a prompt, imperious manner quite new in my acquaintance with her.
'Obtain a description of him from some of the people there, and learn all that can be learned about him.'
'And what next?' she urged still.
'Next, I would seek among the houses within two or three blocks from the north entrance for the rooms which he engaged, and which are perhaps still held for him.'