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Abner could see nothing behind the headlights, but he ran to the car.

"Where's Daddy?" cried the girl. "Is he here?"

Something in her voice plucked at Abner's nerves.

"I—I don't know. I haven't seen him." He began peering over the crowd from where he stood on the running board. He shouted at a man near by: "Milo! Oh, Milo," he called. "Have you seen Railroad Jones?"

Out of the confusion Milo answered back, "No, I ain't see him; ain't he at home?"

"No!" shrilled Adelaide suddenly. "He hasn't been at home to-night; he's bound to be here!"

"He hasn't!" Milo turned and began pushing through the crowd. "I'll help you look for him!"

Abner leaped off the machine and started a search in another direction. The motor moved forward again, honking constantly for a passage. As Abner threaded the throng, he could hear Adelaide's voice calling in increasing terror, "Where's Daddy? Have any of you-all seen Daddy?" Then other voices took up the search, "Railroad! Railroad Jones!" "Is Railroad Jones here?" "Hey, Railroad!" Presently the throng resounded with the hunt.

With a growing and formless fear, Abner hurried through the crowd, peering in every direction. In the dancing light, the faces of the hill folk looked more grotesque than ever. By this time everybody was still searching for the magnate. Abner could still hear Adelaide honking her motor.

Suddenly the teamster set off at a trot to make the entire circuit of the burning office. As he trotted a sudden inarticulate shout arose from the north side of the building. A note of horror in it whirled Abner about and sent him flying in this new direction. He heard somebody scream in an extremity of repulsion, "Look! My God, look!" and another, "Jim Sandage must have . . . Keep Addy away! Good Lord, keep her away!" Then everything was lost in shrieks and screams. Abner saw men fling up their hands and turn away as if overpowered by the heat. Women