"Gone," replied Laura Bentley.
"How long ago?" Dick asked, paling somewhat and looking troubled.
"About two minutes ago," replied Dr. Bentley. "They excused themselves and went away in their car."
"Can't you take me in your car, Doctor, and help me to pursue them?" asked Prescott anxiously.
"Yes," agreed Dr. Bentley good-naturedly, "if you've any idea which direction to take in looking for them. A mile to the east three roads cross; half a mile to the west four roads cross. Our friends may be on any one of the seven roads, or they may have gone by a trail of their own."
Dick came to an abrupt stop, clenching his hands tightly.
"Isn't that luck for you?" he demanded ironically. Then, suddenly, his face brightened.
"No matter," he said. "They can be reached through the Eagle
Hotel, in Gridley."
"Why should you want to reach them?" asked Laura curiously.
"Will you mind if I keep that to myself, for just a little while?" asked Dick, so pleasantly that Laura took no offense at all.