For an instant she hoped they would not see her or her husband, that she could at least put off the evil tidings until the morning. But it was not to be. Linda's father recognized her instantly, and came quickly towards her.
"Louise!" he exclaimed, holding out his hand. "And Ted! Any news?"
Louise could not answer for the sob that was choking her, and Ted, shy as he always was, knew it was his duty to explain.
"Bad news, Sir," he said. "We had information this morning that the girls were stranded on an island in the ocean, and that their autogiro had been stolen from them. As you probably read in the newspaper, it was found yesterday.... We—Lou and I—flew to the island where the girls were supposed to be, this afternoon, and found evidences of their camp—burnt out fires—but no trace of the girls."
Mr. Carlton looked grave.
"But they may have been rescued," suggested Mr. Crowley, who had the same optimistic disposition as his daughter.
"Possibly," admitted Ted. "But if they had, wouldn't we have heard? The whole country is waiting for news of those two brave girls."
"I'm afraid you're right," agreed Mr. Carlton, darkly. "Yes, you must be right. Foul play——"
"Or the ocean!" put in Louise. "Oh, the cruel, dreadful ocean! If it couldn't swallow Linda up on her flight to Paris, it had to have its revenge now!"