"It seems so. You forgot yourself that time. So she was with you, was she?"
"I don't know what you mean. I told you who were with me. Go on; what did the note say?"
"It was only a request for the police to search the Seminole at once."
"Oh, that's the way the wind blows. But you preferred to tackle the job yourself. I am certainly obliged to you, West."
"You have no reason to be. I took that note to the police, and they are on the case. They are combing the city right now for Hobart, and if they get him, this bubble of yours is likely to be pricked."
"Hell, they won't get him. There isn't a fly-cop in Chicago who could locate Jim in a week, and as for Natalie, believe me she is quite able to take care of herself."
"But where is she?"
"At home, of course, if you must know—'Fairlawn,' isn't that the name of the place? We left her there on our way to Jackson Park."
"Then the girl was with you?"
"Spilled the beans, didn't I? That comes from talking too much. However, there is no harm done. Sure she left with us, but we dropped her out at Fairlawn. It was her machine we were riding in. Say, you've questioned me about enough, so let up. Listen now—you will stay in this stateroom until we get ready to let you out. Don't try any funny business either, for if you do, you are going to get hurt. There is a guard outside in the cabin, and we are not afraid to shoot out here on the lake. Nobody knows where you are, West; so if you want to live, keep quiet—that's my advice."