“Did they all go back?” asked Mrs. Hilton, grasping at this possibility, “Even Marjorie and Daisy?”
“Marj and Daisy!” repeated Tom, in consternation. “Why, they left us hours ago!”
“You’re teasing us!” cried Alice, with the vain hope that he might be. “Oh, please don’t be mean. We’re so worried!”
But the alarm in both boys’ faces immediately assured her that she was wrong. Something had happened.
Kirk Smith was the first to propose action. Jumping to his feet, he announced that he was going immediately in search of the missing girls.
“There can be no thought of leaving this spot today,” he said.
“So the rest of you might just as well unpack and put up your tents again. Mr. Hilton, have we provisions for an extra day?”
“Yes, plenty,” replied the older man; “especially since three of the party have gone home.”
“Well, then I’d like to take some food with me for the girls when I find them,” continued Kirk. “And I want a companion. Who volunteers?”
“I do!” cried Bob, promptly. “If somebody will look after the horses for me while I’m gone.”