It was a most astounding turn in affairs. For a few moments they were overcome.
What could it mean?
It was easy to assume that Van had deserted the team.
But where and why? Where was he now?
It seemed an altogether foolish thing for him to desert the horse and sleigh to go afoot such a wild night.
No man could hope to live long in such a storm.
Yet it seemed that he had done this very thing.
The closest inquiries by the detectives revealed nothing more.
The farmer’s boys could vouchsafe no further information.
The detectives were obliged to be satisfied with it.