His handsome face paled to an ashen hue, and his lips trembled as he read.
It was a telegram from Richmond, and contained these startling words:
"Ask Mr. Darrell to join me here at once, if possible. Kathleen has mysteriously disappeared under circumstances that hint of foul play.
"Benjamin Carew."
"Kathleen gone! Oh, Heaven! my little darling!" groaned the young man, forgetting all about his new fancy in real grief and dismay.
Mrs. Stone burst into tears, and for a few minutes one could not comfort the other.
But women are more quick-witted than men, and Mrs. Stone, who knew nothing about Ivan Belmont and the diamonds, quickly leaped to a conclusion.
"Those asylum people—the fools!—have captured her again, and carried her off to their old prison!" she exclaimed, brightening and wiping away her tears. "Cheer up, Teddy. No harm can happen your little sweetheart, except another detention at the lunatic asylum, and you and her uncle can soon have her out when you find out exactly where the place is situated."
Her idea was so plausible that Teddy brightened up under its influence and prepared to take leave.