Ruth told him what she knew of Bab's disappearance. Olive related the story of how Mollie had suddenly vanished.
"They certainly didn't vanish into thin air. They are still in this house and I am going to find them, even if I have to tear the house down, with Mr. Presby's permission, of course."
"Get the girls. Go as far as you like. Tear down the old house if you must. I shall not have use for it very much longer."
Bob groped about on the floor. His hands found a broken stove poker. With this he began sounding the walls about waist high, thumping and listening, listening and thumping. He paused suddenly.
"Where was Miss Mollie standing when you last saw her?" he demanded, turning to the group.
"There on the south side," answered Olive.
"Something has been there against the wall for some time, hasn't there? I see a mark on the wall."
"I don't recall whether or not there was anything there," answered Mr. Presby.
"Yes, there was an old dresser there. I moved it aside to-day to get some things that had fallen behind it. We were cleaning out the garret. That's the dresser over yonder," Olive informed him.
The young man did not look at the piece of furniture indicated by Miss Presby. Instead, he strode over to the point where the dresser had stood for no one knew how long. It was a dresser belonging to some of the Presby ancestors. It never had been disturbed during the present owner's occupancy.