“Shall we go right on now?” asked Ned, pausing to see what the rest wanted to do. “The cabin is just ahead.”
“Go on,” said Mr. Snodgrass.
They came out into the little glade, in which the cabin stood. As they emerged from the woods they saw Kate standing in front of the hut, crying.
“What is the matter?” asked the professor.
“They have taken the poor old man away and killed him!” sobbed the woman.
“It’s another of her imaginations,” said Ned, softly. “Probably the hermit is inside.”
But when they looked he was not to be seen, and his bed showed that it had not been slept in that night.
“Will you help me hunt for him?” asked Kate.
“Certainly we will,” answered the professor.