"Why, Therese, what is the matter?" exclaimed all the party at once.
"Oh, Mr. McGregor, have you seen my mother? Do you know where she is?" exclaimed Therese.
"No, my dear; I have not seen her since last week some time."
"Oh, where can she be? What has happened?" said Therese, wringing her hands. "Oh, Mr. McGregor, do, do come to our house and see what has happened!"
Heiress of McGregor.
—found a window—
"In a moment," said Alick. "Sit down a moment, Therese; recover your breath and tell us just what is the matter; then we shall know better what to do. Your mother is not at home? She may have gone out somewhere to work."
"No, no!" said Therese. "She always leaves the key where I can find it. But it is not there now, and the house is fastened. I looked in through the window, and everything is all smoked and blackened up; the ceiling is scorched, and there is a great hole burned in the floor. Oh, do come and see what has happened!"
It was not very far across the fields to the little house, and the whole party was soon gathered round the door which was fast. Alick tried the back door with the same result, but presently found a window, by which he entered and unlocked the door.
"Stay where you are, girls," said he; "I don't know how much weight the floor will bear. It is burned clear through. Duncan, will you come in?"