"They were nowhere about when I got back," Walter replied. "The whole place was still as the grave. I was just going to hunt up Jerry when I saw the cars coming up the avenue."
"Well, I must not delay any longer now," announced Mrs. Crowninshield. "The Davenports will be wondering what has become of me and so will everybody else. Just find Jerry and Tim and quietly make sure they have not taken the dog. In the meantime I will inquire of the maids at the house. We will not, however, make too much talk about it, and send out an alarm until we are certain there is a real tragedy. If I can keep Mr. Crowninshield in ignorance of the matter until our guests have gone I shall be glad. He will be dreadfully upset for he took great pride in his possession of Lola and has declined numberless offers to sell her."
"I know it," groaned Walter. "If it were only one of the other dogs that was missing!"
"The fact that it isn't is what alarms me," returned the woman. "Lola is a quiet little thing and has been petted so much that it would not be like her to run away. Some of the other dogs might but she wouldn't. She is far too timid."
"How could she run away, even if she had a mind to, with the gate locked?"
"I know. That is another ominous fact." Mrs. Crowninshield shook her head. "I'm afraid——"
"What?"
"That she has been stolen."
"Stolen!" gasped Walter. "But how could she with—with everybody around?"
"But you yourself just said that nobody was around."