"Leslie F. Stone - Men With Wings" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stone Leslie F)

hundred thousand dollars for the recovery of his daughter or at least for
word
as to her whereabouts. The story was printed on handbills and distributed
throughout the city as it was evident that Hally would not depend on the
newspapers to make the announcement.
"The story says that Miss Hally had gone for a jaunt on her horse, followed
only
by an attendant by the name of Jose, through the winding paths of the vast
estate of Senor Alvarez Ricardi y Murado at whose home the Hallys were
visiting.
The equerry kept a respectable distance behind his lady, speeding his horse
as
they rounded each curve so as to keep her in sight. The ride was, at first,
anything but eventful; the sun was hot, the day warm. Gradually Jose fell
farther and farther behind until suddenly awakened by the shying of his horse
he
recalled his responsibility and whipping up his horse was surprised to find
his
mistress riding in the company of a man who was likewise horsed.
"The stranger's costume struck Jose as singular, since the equestrian was
entirely wrapped in a black, completely enfolding cape. Under his wide
brimmed
hat was a tanned hawkish face that reminded the equerry of a bird. Miss Hally
appeared very much interested in her escort and the two were conversing with
allimation. Jose fell back again and was aroused from his lethargy only when
a
piercing scream brought him to attention. Spurring up his horse he raced
ahead.
The path took a wide curve, a hairpin curve in truth and although the voice
was
near at hand it was necessary for him to ride in a wide circle to reach the
spot
from where the voice had come. He saw the two horses grazing quietly beside
the
road but there was no sign of their riders!
"Leaping from his horse Jose looked about. On the ground ten feet away he
found
the long cape of the stranger, and to it was adhering several black feathers,
glossily ashine, and several inches in length. Farther on he found Miss
Hally's
stiff little riding hat. But though he searched in all directions and
repeatedly
called her name there was no answer. Once he glanced up at the sky and saw
what
appeared to be a large bird of black flying high and very swiftly though he
appeared to be carrying a burden. It was only after much questioning that he
bethought himself of the bird, but, of course, the police did not consider
that
a clue. Nevertheless the disappearance of Marian Hally is still one of the
unsolved mysteries.