“He had been in the office two or three times. He said he was going tiger hunting soon, but that he thought he’d wait till the Jefferson came in, so that he could hear something about his father and affairs at home generally by direct word of mouth from the captain.”
“But he did not wait, after all?”
“No. He vanished just about the time Pike went,” replied McKeever. “We are not sure that there is any relation between the two in appearances. But there are the facts, just as I give them to you.”
“A hundred thousand dollars, you told me in your telegram, McKeever,” observed Jefferson thoughtfully.
“That’s what I figure it,” answered the young man. “But I cannot swear that Pike didn’t fix the books.”
“H’m! Very likely he did,” grunted Jefferson. “Well, we’ll get out on the night train. Jai Singh will have to be our guide. He seems to have some idea of where we may find Leslie. What do you say, Carter?”
“That’s the only thing to do,” answered the detective. “We will get what things we need and go. There is nothing to be done here. Fortunately, I know both your son and Pike. So does my man Chick. My other assistant, Patsy Garvan, has never seen either of them. But I can rely on him to help when the time comes.”
“Will you take your bloodhound?” asked Jefferson Arnold.
“Certainly! Old Captain has been useful in too many cases for me to leave him behind.”
“I was hoping you would take him,” said Jefferson. “We are likely to find ourselves against some of the tough tribes when we get up the country, and a dog who can follow a good scent will be a mighty comfortable friend in the party.”