"You might leave the rescue of the Countess to the proper authorities--the police," she said calmly.

"I think it is your duty as an American to head the search for Mr.King.

If Count Marlanx has spirited his wife away, pray, who has a better right ?" "But we are not sure that he--" "We are sure that Mr.King is either dead or in dire need of help," she interrupted hotly.

He looked at her in surprise, swayed by two impulses.
"Colonel Quinnox is quite competent to conduct the search," he said shortly.
"But Colonel Quinnox has gone forth on another mission.

He may be unable to give any of his time to the search for Mr.King.It is outrageous, John Tullis, to refuse help--" "I don't refuse help," he exclaimed.