"I'm sure he didn't come back here," the woman continued. "I have been watching the house pretty constantly ever since Mrs. Kenfield went away, as she asked me to notify any tradesmen, who might call, that she was gone, but that they could send their bills to the house by mail and they would be forwarded to her. I can, however, give you her Chicago address." "I don't know as that would be of any use, though we're much obliged to you," said Fenn. "Yes, it would!" exclaimed Bart. "We can wire her and ask where Ned went. She'll probably know." "Has she got to Chicago yet?" asked Frank. "It's about twenty-four hours since she started," replied Bart. "Even a comparatively slow train would make it in that time. If you'll give us Mrs. Kenfield's address," he went on, "we'll wire her." The neighbor gave the boys the desired information and, since there was nothing more they could do at the closed house, save stare at the tight shutters, they started for the nearest telegraph office. "If I can do anything for you boys, let me know," the woman said to them as they were leaving. "I am Mrs. Rowland. I have two boys of my own, and, if you need any further help in locating your chum, they will be glad to aid you." They thanked Mrs. Rowland, but for whose information they would have been more in the dark than they were, regarding Ned's strange disappearance. "I had no idea people were so neighborly in New York," said Frank. "I read somewhere that in this city no one ever knew who lived next door to him." "Lucky we got some sort of a starting point," said Bart. "Now to send the telegram." A few minutes later they found a place where scores of instruments were clicking away and forwarded this message, addressed to Mrs. Kenfield: "Ned's chums arrived to find house closed. No trace of Ned. Understand he went away with you. Can you tell us where he is now?" They told the clerk they would call for the answer in about two hours, as they wanted to allow plenty of time for a reply. "Meanwhile we'll go and get dinner," suggested Fenn. "Let's check our valises somewhere," proposed Bart. "I'm tired lugging mine around." "Leave 'em at the station where our trunks are," Frank put in. "We may have to start back home soon, and they'll be handy for us there." "Too far away," objected Fenn. "Here's a good place." He pointed to a newsstand built under one of the elevated railroad stations, where a sign was displayed, announcing small parcels would be checked for ten cents. They left their grips, receiving little brass tags in return, and then went to a restaurant where they had dinner. "Lets go back and see if there's an answer to our message," suggested Fenn, after they had walked around a bit. Back they went to the telegraph office, and found there was a reply. Bart's hands trembled slightly as he tore open the envelope. The message from Mrs. Kenfield was a short one. It read: "Ned started for home after leaving me."