If he could get hold
of a file of some Chicago daily paper for the week succeeding, he
might look over the last arrivals, and ascertain at what hotel
Harding had stopped. This would be something.
"Where can I examine a file of some Chicago daily paper for 1879,
Mr. Lawrence?" he asked of the clerk.
"Right here," answered the clerk. "Mr. Goth, the landlord, has a
file of the Times for the last ten years."
"Would he let me examine the volume for 1879?" asked Luke, eagerly.
"Certainly. I am busy just now, but this afternoon I will have the
papers brought down to the reading-room."
He was as good as his word, and at three o'clock in the afternoon
Luke sat down before a formidable pile of papers, and began his
task of examination.
He began with the paper bearing date June 19, and examined that and
the succeeding papers with great care. At length his search was
rewarded. In the paper for June 23 Luke discovered the name of James
Harding, and, what was a little singular, he was registered at the
Ottawa House.
Luke felt quite exultant at this discovery. It might not lead to
anything, to be sure, but still it was an encouragement, and seemed
to augur well for his ultimate success.
He went with his discovery to his friend the clerk.
"Were you here in June, 1879, Mr. Lawrence?" he asked.
"Yes. I came here in April of that year."
"Of course, you could hardly be expected to remember a
casual guest?"
"I am afraid not.
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