Haywood rose to meet him.
“Your arrival is welcome, gentlemen,” he said, “though on such sad business. Where are the two young men, Barker?”
“They couldn’t be found, sir. They left town yesterday, and have not returned.”
“Did you go to the hotel?”
“Yes—they have not been seen there.”
Haywood mused, but kept his thoughts to himself.
“What sort of young men were they?” asked one of the officers.
“They were strangers to me,” replied Haywood. “I believe they claimed to be nephews of Colonel Conrad.”
“Well it looks mighty queer. A horse and carriage that one of them hired yesterday was found standing by the door of the livery-stable this morning.”
“Indeed! How did you ascertain that?”