“Where is Uncle John?” asked Mrs. Dainty, in her terror and bewilderment.
Mr. Fleetwood entered from the street at the moment his name was mentioned, and in no way lessened the anxious fears of his niece by his troubled exclamations on learning that Madeline was nowhere to be found in the house.
“I have trembled every day in fear of this!” said the old man, pacing the floor in great agitation. “How could you leave her unguarded?”
Not long, however, did Mr. Fleetwood remain inactive. After sending word to Mr. Dainty, and despatching servants in various directions to search through all the neighborhood, he went out himself, and commenced a series of close inquiries at all the stores and offices within several squares.
“Had she curly hair?” inquired a boy who was buying something at one of the stores visited by Mr. Fleetwood.
“Yes,” answered the old gentleman, with a sudden eagerness of manner.
“And wore a blue frock?”
“Yes.”
“Was bare-headed?”
“Yes.”