Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III OPEN TRAIL. NOT good enough," said Average Jones, laying aside a sheet of paper upon which was pasted a newspaper clipping. "We can't afford luxuries, Simpson." The confidential clerk rubbed his high, pale forehead indeterminately. "But five thousand dollars, Mr. Jones," he protested. "Would pay a year's office rent, you're thinking. True. Nevertheless I can't see the missing Mr. Hoff as a sound professional proposition." "So you think it would be impossible to find him?" " "Now, why should I think .any such absurd thing? I think, if you choose, that he wouldn't be worth the amount, when found, to loser." "The ad. says different, sir." Simpson raised the paper and read: "five Thousand Dollars—The aforesaid sum will be paid without question to anyone furnishing information which leads to the discovery of Roderick Hoff, twenty-four years old, who leff his home in Toledo, O., on April 12. Communicate with Dr. Conrad Hoff, Toledo. "Surely Doctor Hoff is good for the amount." "Oh, he's good for millions, thanks to his much- advertised quack 'Catarrh-Killer.' The point is, from what I can discover, Mr. Roderick Hoff isn't worth retrieving at any price above one dime." "Was the information about him that you wished, in the telegram ?" asked the confidential clerk. "Yes; all I wanted. Thanks for looking after it. Have the Toledo reporter, who sent it, forward his bill. And if the old inventor who's been haunted by disembodied voices comes again, bring him to me." "Yes, sir," said Simpson, going out. Left to himself, Average Jones again ran over the despatches, conveying the information as to the lost Toledo youth. They had given a fairly complete sketch of young Hoff's life and character. At twenty-four, it appeared, Roderick Hoff had ...