"He is not in his room, sir, nor has he been seen by any of the servants."
"Has Mr. Lowell disappeared?" asked Miss Pryor, some concern expressed in her tone.
"Yes," answered her father. "It is a most singular thing. He has never gone out before to remain longer than an hour. He knew that I should want him about a matter of some importance to-night and yet he has not come in. I don't understand it."
Every eye was leveled in his direction and not toward Lynde Pyne, or they might have observed his sudden pallor, and the expression of absolute terror that had grown in his eyes.
"Mr. Lowell is fully competent to take care of himself," laughed Mrs. Pryor. "You will make a perfect baby of that boy, Andrew, and destroy in him the very characteristics that you have so much admired. Eleven o'clock is not late in New York."
"It is for Lowell. He has no friends here; he is not accustomed to going out; he did not mention that he should be gone for any length of time, and furthermore, he knew that I should need him very particularly to-night. The whole thing in a nutshell is, that it is not like Lowell, and I am convinced that something has happened. If he is not here within half an hour I shall be sure of it."
To the surprise of all, Lynde Pyne arose. His face was deadly white, his lips quivering with dumb anxiety.
"You are quite right, Mr. Pryor!" he exclaimed. "Something must have occurred out of the ordinary to keep him out so late. Have you any idea where he was going?"
"No. Had he been gone longer I should say notify the police; but they would take little interest in the case now, as he has been gone so short a time, particularly as they know nothing of the regular habits of the boy. I suppose the only thing is to wait until to-morrow morning; then, if he has not come home, we must take every means in our power to find him."
Lynde accepted the invitation that Mr. Pryor extended to him to remain over night, and the following morning descended to breakfast without ever having removed the clothing that he had worn the night before.