"Oh, no; I'm strong enough. Just see, Frank, I can walk all right."
"Come on, then," said Merriwell.
All around the grounds they searched, finally finding Hodge, who stated that he had seen no trace of any one.
"The rascal made good his escape," said Frank. "I'll notify the sheriff first thing in the morning. A while ago there were some burglaries in surrounding towns. Perhaps the crooks have decided to operate in Bloomfield."
"And it was natural they should pick out your house first, Merry," said Carson.
They turned toward the house and paused again beneath the very tree where Berlin had stood when he heard the mingled voices of Lizette and the unknown man. As Frank and Hodge were talking, Carson turned away and walked a short distance toward the house. Stepping out from beneath the trees, he looked up.
In an open upper window a face appeared, distinctly shown by the moonlight.
It was Lizette.
He gazed up at her, and she looked down at him. Then she leaned forth from the window, lifted one hand and pressed a finger to her lips.
He understood the signal and nodded.