"Who, Ruth? I demand to know!" Mr. Hamlin repeated.
"I shall not tell you," Ruth returned, with a little gasp.
"Send for my daughter, Harriet. She may know something," Mr. Hamlin ejaculated. Then he rang for a servant.
The two girls and the one man, who had grown old in the last few minutes, waited in unbroken silence. The girls had a strong desire to scream, to cry out, to warn Harriet. She must not let her father know of her foolish deed while his anger was at its height.
It seemed an eternity before the butler returned to Mr. Hamlin's study.
"Miss Hamlin is not in her room," he reported respectfully.
"Not in her room? Then look for her through the house," Mr. Hamlin repeated more quietly. He had gained greater control of himself. But a new fear was oppressing him, weighing him down. He would not give the idea credence even in his own mind.
Three—four—five minutes passed. Still Harriet did not appear.
"Let me look for Harriet, Uncle," Ruth implored, unable to control herself any longer.
At this moment Mollie came innocently down the stairs. "Is Mr. Hamlin looking for Harriet?" she inquired. "Harriet left the house ten minutes ago. She had on her coat and her hat, but she would not stop to say good-bye. I think her maid went with her. Mary had just a shawl thrown over her head. I am sure they will be back in a few minutes. Harriet must have gone out to post a letter. I thought she would have come back before this."