They returned in a few minutes.
"Nothing to be seen—absolutely nothing. It's most unfortunate. Vivian, where are the children?"
Vivian, who was leaning against a tree, his eyes dreamily fixed on the distance, roused himself.
"What children?... Oh, damn! I'd forgotten them.... Here, aren't they? Just messing about ... they were.... I'd just got an idea when you disturbed me."
"But the children?" gasped the stout one, staring wildly round the dim landscape. The young man ran his fingers through his hair. The thin lady gave a little scream.
"It was all a plot. They've led us to a lonely spot, and now someone's going to murder us."
"They'll be all right," said the young man, miserably. "Children always are. I'm getting a cold. Let's go home."
"Don't be foolish," said the stout one sternly. "I will not move from this spot till I have found the children. If necessary I will search all night and you with me."
They began to trudge wearily in single file along the narrow path.
"Oo, someone's coming," screamed the thin lady. "Let us be brave.... Offer no resistance.... They're sure to be desperate.... Vivian, for my sake, don't be rash.... Don't kill anyone."