The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 123: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE KING OF THE SCHOOL; OR, WHO WILL WIN? his daughter had not been there, He | then tried the shop, knowing well that the proprietor’s wife had taken a great fancy to Kate, but was informed that Miss Conway had not been seen there that evening. More astonished than ever, he re- turned home, only to find, not his daughter, but the letter, we have before spoken of. And that was all that he knew, except that his darling Kate couldn’t be wicked and cruel enough to write such a letter, or to go away from her poor old father. | Frank at once saw that the plot was concocted by some most unscrupulous person. There was nothing to be done, however, but wait the course of events. On their way home they had called at a jobbing printers, and ordered some hand-bills to be printed and distributed, and were waiting to see a first im- pression. : | Before that arrived the police- sergeant made his appearance. “ Any tidings?” asked both. The man shook his head. | ‘¢ Have you made any inquiries?” “Yes. I have been to the railway station, and ascertained that no such’ person as your daughter was a pas- senger by any train last night.” ‘Then she must be in the town.” «So I thought at first.” “She could not walk to London.” “Whoever took her away might | have money enough to hire a vehicle and drive to Winton, or some other station on the line. I have sent a man round to all the hotels and stables to know what vehicles were hired out yesterday ; the man will come here to make his report tome.” Soon afterwards, the man who had been detailed to perform this special duty, made his appearance. ‘¢ Well?” asked the sergeant. «IT have been to every place in the town, and find that no licensed vehicle was out after six yesterday evening.” “Then she must have been taken away in some private trap, Back to il7 the station, and send Ralph here ag soon as he comes in,” With a clumsy bow the constable departed. _ During the time that elapsed between his exit and the arrival of the man called Ralph, many schemes were anxiously discussed by Frank and Mr. Conway, all having for their object the recovery of the fair girl who had been stolen away. | The police-sergeant listened, ‘and when they had finished, politely in- formed them that before any of their plans could be carried out, it would be necesary to discover in which direction the fugitives had gone. Old Conway gave a deep groan. “‘ Don’t despair, sir,” said the official. “We shall find her. Here comes Ralph.” . A loud knock was instantly heard at the door, and the individual so named entered. ‘* Any news, Ralph?” The man shook his head. “Did you find out where that Robinson lived before we provided him with lodgings under the town-hall?” “Yes; at the ‘Spotted Dog.’ And that young chap you told me about, he’s there.” “ ‘Was he there last night?” “So they say. At all events, I saw | him there this morning myself.” * How about the pike-keepers?” “ None of them had noticed anybody like you described going out of the town. Ihave been round to all the main roads leading out of Ballsbury.” “Then she must be in the town now,” exclaimed the sergeant. ‘ The villain has hidden her away in some snug corner.” “She may be in town,” observed Frank. “She must be!” “Why must ?” ‘‘ Because she has not left it by rail, nor by any hired vehicle, and, as she can’t fly, it stands to reason she must be somewhere in the neighbour- hood. EO JOC EO mn