Glancing about, Claire noticed a folded steamer rug, on the end of the big davenport in the hall, and fetching that, she laid it lightly over the still form.
“Now, about Betty,——” said the doctor, coming out of his brown study. “She is in the house,—probably hiding,—from fear,——”
“Oh, do you think that? Then let us find her!”
“We can’t both go. Will you remain here and meet the others or shall I stay here while you go to look for the girl?”
Claire Blackwood pondered. Either suggestion was too hard for her to accept.
“I can’t,——” she said, at last. “I’m a coward, I suppose,—but I can’t search this great, empty house,—for Betty. And, if she were in it, she would surely come here to us,——”
Doctor Varian looked at her.
“Then I’ll go,” he said, simply. “You stay here.”
“No!” Claire grasped his arm. “I can’t do that either. Oh, Doctor Varian, stay here with me! Think,—these are not my people,—I’m sympathetic, of course, but, I’m terrified,—I’m afraid——”
“There’s nothing to fear.”