"I wish you a very pleasant voyage!" he said. "Think over my offer. When you get to London will you mail these letters for me? Remember, you are to cable if you need anything, money or advice--or a husband. And cable at once if Mrs. Deering cables. Good-by! _Bon voyage!_"
When Miss Keogh came to open the package of letters she found in it thirty-three, stamped with British stamps, on stationery of Thornton's Hotel'! They were addressed in a woman's handwriting to various business houses, some of which she recognized as manufacturers of medical goods and agents of mineral waters of the kind used by people who suffer from kidney diseases. It made her think that if--between the deluge of medical prospectuses and Miss Keogh's efforts--Mrs. Deering did not cable for her only daughter it would be a wonder! Jerningham was neglecting nothing to succeed.
Frank Wolfe's first task in his new and now famous job consisted of helping Jerningham buy two automobiles. Then, when the weather permitted, they toured Westchester County and Long Island.
Usually they took along some of Frank's men friends. It was pleasant work---at the rate of twenty-five thousand dollars a year.
Jerningham did not again refer to his love-affair, and Frank could not very well allude to it; but it was perfectly plain to the young man that within a very short time their friendship would be sufficiently strong to justify Mr. Jerningham in asking Frank to help actively in the search of the vanished Naida Deering.
One day Mr. Jerningham waited in vain for young Mr. Wolfe. They had planned to go to Mount Kisco to look at a farm that was offered for sale, Mr. Jerningham having developed the usual millionaire's desire to own an estate. At one o'clock the telephone-bell rang. Jerningham answered in person. He heard a feminine voice say that Mr. Wolfe regretted that a severe indisposition had prevented him from going as usual to Mr. Jerningham's rooms, but he hoped to be sufficiently recovered to have that pleasure on the next day.
Jerningham merely said, "Say I hope it is nothing serious--and ask him, please, whether there is anything I can do."
Silence. Then: "He says, 'No--thanks!' It is nothing very serious."
"Tell him not to come down until he has entirely recovered and to take good care of himself. Good-by!"