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112
Pickles and Pearls
Todd coldly, "and will not be tolerated. Take him away, officers !"
"Wait !" begged Charlie. ''Mr. Leeson, you have recovered the machine I used in coming to Boggsville ?"
"I have."
''Then keep the hundred-dollar check and let me go !"
"You have damaged the car at least two hundred dollars' worth,'" said Leeson, "and I am determined to proceed against you."
Charlie had one more hope. "Mr. McTodd, give Leeson what you are to pay me for recovering the tiara, and see if he will call our little account square."
"Never!" answered the pickle king. "Away with him ! Ah," he added, hurrying toward the front of the factory, "here comes the duke !"
Charlie had done all that he could, and had failed. Rude hands dragged him away, past the scoundrelly Jack O'Byrne, who, with his best man, was just descending from his automobile. O'Byrne saw Charlie in the grasp of the officers.
"I always knew that man was a rogue, Mr. McTodd,' said he. "What has he done that brought him to this?"
"I was deceived in him," answered the pickle king. "He stole an automobile."
"My word !" And the polished scoundrel looked after the hapless Charlie and gave a mocking laugh.
"Come into my private office, duke," went on Mr. McTodd. "My little girl will be here presently, and we will wait there."
In the luxurious private quarters of the pickle king, the proprietor of the factory, the bridegroom, and the best man waited for the coming of the bride. They waited until a quarter of four, and then Blivens came in to ask the cause of the delay. The ladies and gentlemen, gathered to witness the ceremony, were growing restless, and the
organist had been waiting for fifteen minutes to play the wedding march.
"You called the manor when I told you to, Blivens?" queried Mr. McTodd.
"Yes, sir."
"Are you sure Lola received the message ?"
"She took the message herself."
Then Mr. McTodd himself called up his residence. Hawkins answered. According to Hawkins,. Miss McTodd had left the manor in the limousine at twenty-five minutes of four.
"Could there have been an accident?" queried the supposed duke, in alarm.
"We must discover what has happened," answered the anxious pickle merchant. "I will take my roadster and go over the road. Have no fears, duke." he added, trying to be composed ; *all will be well."
In ten minutes, Mr. McTodd was back at the factory. His face was pallid, and he reeled as he entered the private room.
"Where is Miss McTodd?" was the question flung at him.
The pickle king threw up his hands and dropped heavily into a chair.
"Was there ever such a mystery as this?" he groaned. "My daughter left the manor for the works at twenty-five minutes of four, and somewhere between our home and the factor}' she disappeared completely. Ah, Heaven, what can this mean?"
The bride was missing. There could be no wedding without the bride. What fearsome influences had been at work to cross the plans of Silas McTodd and his fair daughter, Lola?
CHAPTER XL.
THE ESCAPE.
Two of the largest members of the Boggsville police force had been detailed to accompany Leeson and arrest the man who had taken the automobile. Charlie looked up at these guardians of