A lamp was burning in the sitting-room, and as Marion passed she glanced up at the clock. She had been out over two hours, while every one else was in bed and sleeping.
Marion found the money in her own chamber, and then tip-toed to Dollie’s. Her anxiety for her sister was making her almost nervous.
She peered into the room, which was clearly lighted by the moon.
Her sister was not there. The bed was rumpled but empty.
Marion flew down the stairs and through the side door to the yard.
“Bert! Bert!” she called softly, but nobody answered.
“Oh, dear, what has happened?” she whispered to herself. “There’s something wrong; it’s in the air! I know it! I feel it!”
A soft step on the walk made her turn expectantly.
Bert Jackson was just behind her. He had been in the kitchen. He explained it by whispering that he had been after a drink of water.
Marion did not give a thought to this fact while her mind was in such a whirl; she only hurried to him quickly and gave him the money.