Aunt Janes Nieces on the Ranch

Chapter 8

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Arthur found Louise developing hysteria, while Beth, Patsy and Helen Hahn were working over her and striving to comfort her. Uncle John, the major and big Runyon stood gazing helplessly at the dolorous scene.

Of course, cried Patsy, turning from Louise. Were a lot of ninnies. Let us think what is best to do and map out a logical program.

The others looked at her appealingly, glad to have some one assume command but feeling themselves personally unequal to the task of thinking logically.

Dont lets bother with the why? retorted Patsy. We dont care why. The vital question is where? All we want, just now, is to find baby and get her back home again to her loving friends. She cant have been gone more than four hoursor five, at the most. Therefore she isnt so far away that an automobile cant overtake her.

True enough, observed Uncle John. Youre wrong, Patsy. We must try to decide who took baby, and why. Then we might undertake the search with a chance of success.

Whoever took baby went on foot, persisted Miss Doyle. The only four automobiles in the neighborhood are now standing in our driveway and in the garage. This is a country of great distances, and no matter in what direction the baby has been taken an auto is sure to overhaul her, if we dont waste valuable time in getting started.

Then take the north road, as far as Tungars ranch. Stop at every house to inquire. When you get to Tungars, come back by the McMillan road. Thats a sixty mile jaunt, and it will cover the north and northwest. Take Mr. Merrick with you. Now, then, off you go!

Runyon nodded and left the room, followed gladly by Uncle John, who longed to be doing something that would count. The others soon heard the roar of the motor car as it started away on its quest.

Then it was arranged for Arthur to drive back to Escondido to make inquiries and to watch the departure of the evening train, the only one to pass the station since baby had been missing. He was to carry Major Doyle with him and return by another route. Hahn promised to cover with his own car the only other two roads that remained to be searched, and he figured that they would all return to the house within two or three hours, whenif still there was no newsthey might plan a further pursuit of the fugitive baby.

Helen Hahn had promised not to leave Louise until baby was found, and before starting Arthur assisted his wife to her room, where he left her weeping dismally one moment and screaming for little Jane the next.

After the three automobiles had departed, Patsy and Beth remained in the nursery and left Helen and a maid with Louise. Once alone, Miss Doyle said to her cousin:

Having started them upon the search, Beth, you and I must take up that pertinent suggestion made by Mr. Hahn and face the important question: Why?

Im dying to be of some use, dear, responded Beth in a disconsolate tone, but I fear we two girls are quite helpless. How can we tell why the baby has been stolen?

Has she been stolen? inquired Patsy. We mustnt take even that for granted. Let us be sensible and try to marshal our wits. Heres the fact: babys gone. Heres the problem: why?

Of course some one knows. Little Jane, as our friend Bul Run reminded us, cant walk. If she went away, she was carried. By whom? And why? And where?

She went into Mildreds room and made an examination of its contents. The place seemed in its usual order, but many of Mildreds trinkets and personal possessions were scattered around.

Her absence wasnt premeditated, decided Patsy. Her white sweater is gone, but that is all. This fact, however, may prove that she expected to be out after dark. It is always chilly in this country after sundown and doubtless Mildred knew that.

That is news to me, she said in a tone that indicated she had made a discovery. Do you mean that Mildred once lived in this neighborhood?

Yes; very near here. She told me she had known this old house well years ago, when she was a girl. She used to visit it in company with her father, a friend of old Seor Cristoval.

I dont know. I remember she was overjoyed when I first suggested her coming, but I supposed that was because she had at last found a paying job.

Because, if Mildred knows this neighborhood, and wanted to steal baby and secrete her, she could take little Jane to her unknown friends and we could never discover her hiding-place.

For a rewarda ransom. She knows that Arthur Weldon is rich, and that Uncle John is richer, and she also knows that dear little Toodlums is the pride of all our hearts. If she demands a fortune for the return of baby, we will pay it at once.

We know nothing of her history. She is secretive and reserved. Mildreds cold, hard eyes condemn her as one liable to do anything. And this was such an easy way for her to make a fortune.

Beth was about to protest this severe judgment, but on second thought remained silent. Appearances were certainly against Mildred Travers and Beth saw no reason to champion her, although she confessed to herself that she had liked the girl and been interested in helping her.

We are coming to her presently, replied Patsy. Let us finish with Mildred first. A girl who has evidently had a past, which she guards jealously. A poor girl, whose profession scarcely earned her bread-and-butter before we engaged her. A girl whose eyes repel friendship; who has little to lose by kidnapping Jane in the attempt to secure a fortune. She was fond of baby; I could see that myself; so she wont injure our darling but will take good care of her until we pay the money, when Toodlums will be restored to us, smiling and crowing as usual. Beth, if this reasoning is correct, we neednt worry. By to-morrow morning Arthur will receive the demand for ransom, and he will lose no time in satisfying Mildreds cupidity.

Yes. Inez isnt clever; she doesnt care for money; she would not steal Jane for a ransom. But the Mexican girl worships baby in every fibre of her being. She would die for baby; she lowering her voice to a whisper, she would kill anyone for baby.

Now, let us look at this matter calmly. Inez has, from the first, resented the employment of Mildred as chief nurse. She has hated Mildred with a deadly hatred and brooded over her fancied wrongs until she has lost all sense of reason. She feared that in the end baby Jane would be taken away from her, and this thought she could not bear. Therefore she has stolen baby and carried her away, so as to have the precious one always in her keeping.

Well, in regard to Mildred, there are two conjectures to consider. She may have discovered that Inez had stolen baby and is now following in pursuit. Or

Or in a fit of anger Inez murdered Mildred and hid her body. Then, to escape the penalty of her crime, she ran away and took baby with her. Either one of these suppositions would account for the absence of both nurses.

I think, said she, youd better go and get something to eat; or a cup of tea, at least. This excitement isismaking you daffy, Patsy dear.

Pah! Food would disgust me. And Im not crazy, Beth. Dreadful things happen in this world, at times, and Louise has a queer lot of people around her. Think a moment. Our baby has disappeared. Her two nurses, neither of whom are especially trustworthy, have also disappeared. Theres a reason, Beth, and you may be sure its not any common, ordinary reason, either. Im trying to be logical in my deductions and to face the facts sensibly.

I realize that. If I thought for a moment that baby was in any peril I would go distracted, and scream louder than poor Louise is doing. Do you hear her? Isnt it awful?

Let us tell Louise these things, said Beth, rising from her chair. What you call your deductions are terribly tragic, Patsy, but they reassure us about baby. Shall we go to Louise?

I think it will be better, decided Patsy, and they left the nursery and stepped out into the court. At the far end of the open space stood huddled a group of men, all of whom bore lanterns. Patsy advanced to the group and discovered them to be the Mexican laborers from the quarters. Old Miguel advanced a pace and bowed.

That is a happy thought, Miguel, replied the girl. The others are scouring the roads in their motor cars, but the country needs searching, tooaway from the roads, in the fields and orchards. Send your men out at once, and scatter them in all directions.

Miguel turned and rapidly harangued his followers in the Spanish patois. One by one they turned and vanished into the night. Only the old man remained.

In spite of the words there was a tone of indifference in Miguels voice that attracted the girls notice. He did not seem in the least worried or agitated, nor did he appear to attach much importance to the search. Yet Patsy knew the aged foreman was one of Mees Janes most devoted admirers.

She ees to me nothing, said he. Inez is Mexican, but her family ees not my family. Not all Mexicans eesrespecble. Once I know Inez father. He drink too much wheesky, an the wheesky make heem bad.

Wait a minute, said Patsy, and ran up to her room, leaving Beth to confront the ranchero and to study him with her dark, clear eyes. But she said nothing until her cousin returned and thrust a small kodak print into Miguels hand.

Miguel held up his lantern while he examined the picture and both girls observed that his hand trembled. For a long time he remained bent over the printan unnecessarily long time, indeedbut when he raised his head his face was impassive as a mask.

I am sure of it, agreed Patsy; but that does not enlighten the mystery any. Im sorry we brought Mildred to this place. Theres just one thing you can bank on, Beth: that in some way or other Mildred is responsible for the disappearance of our precious Toodlums.

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