Dividing into bands, they scoured the country roundabout, being
assisted by the cow-punchers and the ranchers in the neighborhood.
But Stella had disappeared as if the earth had opened and swallowed her.
With all his ingenuity, backed by the strong desire he had to find her,
Ted was making no headway, and he hardly slept or ate during the long
days and nights, but was in the saddle almost continuously.
Naturally, he suspected Shan Rhue of knowing something about Stella's
absence, if, indeed, he was not actually responsible for it.
But he could not fasten anything on the man whom he had come to regard
as his greatest enemy, and whom he knew hated him. Whenever he sought
Shan Rhue, he was always to be found at his haunts.
Tired of the inaction, Ted met Shan Rhue on the street one day, and
resolved to have it out with him.
"Shan Rhue, I want to speak with you," said Ted, stopping him.
"Well, what is it you want?" asked Shan Rhue.
"I want you to tell me where Stella is," said Ted.
Shan Rhue stared at him in apparent amazement.
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