It was ten minutes before he returned.
"Learned anything?" demanded Old King Brady, anxiously.
"Nothing. I went two blocks. Didn't see a soul; no need to ask you if you had better luck, I suppose?"
"I had none at all. I have tried the different doors, but I can't find any that is open now, whatever the case may have been a few minutes ago."
And such are the circumstances of the most mysterious disappearance Alice has ever made, and she has made many, for, of course, troubles form a part of the life of a detective.
Poor Harry was in despair. Old King Brady exceedingly anxious and also vexed with himself to think that he had not insisted upon Alice going aboard the boat.
"And you heard no noise of any kind?" he asked for the third time.
"Not a sound," replied Harry. "I was sitting quiet in the boat, too."
"When was the last you heard her speak?"
"Just before the firing began. Was it you who fired?"