"But Russ isn't with them!" said Mrs. Dalwood, in surprise. "I wonder what can have happened to him?"
Anxiously the two parents waited until the girls came up.
"Oh, such a time!" cried Alice, breathlessly.
"Where's Russ?" demanded his mother.
"After the men—Simp Wolley and Bud Brisket!"
"Oh, those horrid men!"
"He's all right," said Ruth, gently. "He is going to get Mr. Pertell and an officer to go with him."
"But what is it all about?" asked Mr. DeVere.
Then, rather disjointedly, and with many interruptions, the girls told the story of the afternoon and evening, for it was now nearly nine o'clock. Of course Mr. DeVere and Mrs. Dalwood were much worried when they learned what had happened, and the widow was not at her ease when she thought of her son still not out of danger.
"But I'm sure he will soon be back," declared Alice, confidently. She was a great comfort in trouble—a real optimist.