"That's just what we are going to do, Mr. Wayne," returned the Chief, rising and starting for the door, Wayne accompanying him. "The child is being secreted somewhere in the vicinity. We must learn the identity of any questionable character in the county who, for a consideration, would be apt to shelter her. My object is not only to recover the child but to wipe out the entire gang of villains involved in this outrage. They are a menace to any community. I'll not stop until I've either brought them to trial or exterminated them. Come. We're hot on the trail. Let's go." A few hours later newspaper accounts stated that the criminals were known to the police and that arrests, with startling disclosures, were momentarily expected. CHAPTER XVIII STEPHEN GIVES A CLUE "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."--Matt. v, 7 Away sped the police car, over the country roads and lanes throughout the district towards which the kidnapper's car was believed to have disappeared. The sun shone brightly after the storm of the night before and the heavy fragrance of flowers was in the air. On all sides of the valley were tumbled hills and beyond the hills rose the rugged tops of mountain ranges, bristling with interminable forest. Up and down and round about these hills they made their search, keeping always to the east. Passers-by were stopped and questioned. Deserted log cabins and prosperous farm houses were visited. Again and again some member of the party got out of the car and proceeded afoot into some thicket or along a little-used path to ask questions of people living off from the main roads. Everywhere the answer was the same. No one had seen a strange car of any description passing, or stopping, at an unusual hour or in any manner to attract attention. The search was discouraging, even to the optimistic Chief. Just as they were on the verge of turning back and beginning their search all over again, a little more to the south, they came upon a farmer sitting in his wagon, waiting by the side of the road to let their car go by. He was tall and gaunt, and he wore a broad slouch hat, pushed sufficiently back from his face for his features to be distinguishable. He smiled genially and called, "Howdy, Chief," as the police car whizzed by. "Want to stop, Chief," asked the driver, instantly changing gear. "Yes," answered the Chief. "Turn around. I know that fellow. He's got something under his hat that he wants to gossip about or he wouldn't have been so cordial. Don't scare his mare, now. She's skittish. That's why he pulled off the road. It's all right. He sees we're coming back. He'll wait." "How are you, Mr. Tyler," called the Chief as he came again within speaking distance of the farmer. "I wonder if you can give us a little help in a search we're making for a kidnapped child."