"We haven't any bloodhounds and we haven't any time to get them," replied Mr. Mason.
"We might offer a reward for their capture," suggested Walter.
"We'll do that—if the authorities cannot aid us," said his father.
"Those rascals ought to be hung, Dad."
"I wouldn't say hung, Walter. But they ought to be severely punished. I fear they have scared Nan so she will not enjoy her visit to Florida."
"You had better take those papers, Dad."
"I think so myself. I can't understand why Nan kept them."
"Oh, some of the other girls thought she'd be afraid to keep them, and she wanted to show them that she wasn't afraid. But now I guess she had better give them up."
The search was continued for a while longer and then father and son returned to the others. Then all set out for town.