He stood dumb and motionless.
"Gone, believing that!" he gasped.
She shook him. "But you can find her. Remember that she is young. She believed gossip too quickly. You must find her. Hurry! She will only have to see your eyes to know that they all lied."
He rushed to the door.
"Bring her to me," cried the girl. "I'll know how to help you."
At the railroad station he was told that the special trains had gone with the visitors who were not in town for the ball.
He did not even know the name of the school from which she had come.
At the State House he at last found some one who had seen and known the group—an attaché of the State educational department. There was no train that way until midnight. He took it. How he passed the time of waiting he never knew. He was at the doors of the institution as early as decency permitted. He did not wish to compromise her.
He was assured in a manner that left no room for doubt that Miss Kavanagh had not returned with the others. They were much worried and had notified her father.
Harlan sent an appealing telegram to him, daring even to solicit that ogre of the North. But no word came to him.