Cleo pushed open the door.
The bed was empty!
"She's gone!" exclaimed Cleo excitedly.
"And the screen is out of the window. Look!" cried Grace.
Beyond the bed the low latticed window was flung wide open, its screen lay where it had fallen, and the pretty draperies were almost torn from their hangings.
"Oh!" gasped Madaline. "Someone has stolen her!"
But Mrs. Dunbar thoughtfully shook her head.
CHAPTER XII
A STARTLING EXPERIENCE
Mary was gone and through the window! That was plain even to the excited girls who, in the night, stood around Mrs. Dunbar, aghast with wonder, and fearful for the safety of the little girl, so lately their companion.