"But how will we get Trouble back?" asked Ted.
"Why, the farmer, whoever he is, will find out his mistake, and he'll bring the little fellow back to town again," was the answer. "That's what will happen. But I'll get as many men as I can, and with the constable we'll inquire of all the farmers around here. In that way we'll get Trouble back quicker."
There were willing searchers, and soon the country around Crystal Lake was being searched by men and women in automobiles and sleds who inquired at each farmhouse for a little boy taken away by mistake.
But as night came and no Trouble had been found, the Curlytops and their playmates began to feel very sad indeed.
Uncle Toby decided to take the children home and leave them with Aunt Sallie in the cabin, while he kept on with the search.
"Trouble missing and Skyrocket gone!" thought Uncle Toby to himself, as he drove back in the automobile. "This will be a sad Christmas, when I meant it to be such a happy one."
But it would not be Christmas for two days, and much might happen in that time.
It was nearly dusk when the big automobile drew near the old deserted cabin of Newt Baker, from which the strange man had once been seen running away. Looking from the window on his side, Ted peered at the old shack, and as he did so he uttered a cry of surprise and wonder.
"What is it?" asked Uncle Toby, quickly bringing the machine to a stop, for he thought some one had opened a door and fallen out.
"It's Trouble! I saw him at the window just now! In there!" and Ted pointed to the old cabin.