As this creek was deep enough to drown any person who could not swim, not to mention the large pond into which it emptied, every one of the searchers felt a vague, awful dread that poor Nellie had fallen into the water.
No one spoke of it, but the thought was there all the same.
Shortly after entering the wood, Nick called attention to two star-like points of light twinkling ahead of them.
"They are the lanterns of Mr. Layton and Kilgore," said Nick, who immediately added, "we forgot to stop and get Mr. Marston."
"That is too bad, but it isn't worth while to go back now," replied his father, hardly slackening his gait.
As the lantern which Mrs. Ribsam had handed to her husband was lighted before leaving home, the men in advance detected it immediately after they were seen themselves, and the halloo of the teacher was answered by Nick.
"Have you found anything of Nellie?" asked the mother, in broken English, as soon as the parties came together.
"It could scarcely be expected," answered the instructor, in a kindly voice; "we have just got here, and have only looked along the road. I have little doubt that she is soundly sleeping somewhere not far off."
While all stood still, the father lifted up his voice, and in clear, penetrating tones called the name of his missing child: