“Never mind, they’re gone,—and I’m glad of it. You can get them back when necessary.”
“But it’s a mystery,—oh, what shall I do first? I never felt so absolutely unable to cope with a situation. But the first thing is to hunt further for Betty.”
Pursuant of his clearest duty, Doctor Varian went on through the yet unsearched rooms, on to the kitchen, and on down to the cellar. He made a hasty but careful search, flinging open closets, cupboards and storerooms, and returned at last to the hall where Ted Landon sat with folded arms, keeping his lonely vigil.
“I can’t imagine where Betty can be,” and Varian sank wearily into a chair.
“She must be in the house,” said Landon, wonderingly, “for there’s no way out, except down the path where we all were.”
“There’s a back door, I suppose.”
“I mean no way off the premises. Yes, there must be a back door—you know I’ve never been in this house before.”
“No; well, look here, Landon; the authorities must be notified; the local doctor ought to be called in,—and all that. But first, I want to find Betty. Suppose I stay here,—I’m—I admit I’m pretty tired,—and you take a look out around the back door, and kitchen porch. By the way, the servants will be coming home soon——”
“No, they were to stay out for the evening, I think Mrs Varian said.”
“But those people who went back to the village will, of course, tell of the matter, and soon we’ll have all kinds of curious visitors.”