'At last! A clue! What do you mean?'
I turned at the door. 'Don't you see that this is really the first hint we have had to indicate that young Trent is still alive and a prisoner. Up to this moment all has been theory and surmise. If this letter is not a wretched fraud, a bold scheme to obtain money, hatched in the brain of some villain who has seen the advertised rewards and knows nothing about Trent, it is our first clue, and through it we may find him.' And promising to call upon her again that evening, or sooner if possible, I hastened to the nearest telegraph-office.
CHAPTER XXV.
'IT'S A SNARE.'
My first act upon reaching the telegraph-office was to send a message, at Miss Jenrys' request and in her name, to Hilda O'Neil.
'Word it as you think best,' Miss Jenrys had said, and accordingly I had sent this message:
'Miss Hilda O'Neil,
'Yours received. Will do my best for you. Have courage.
'J.J.'