found no trace of the missing
one.

"It's no use hunting when it is so dark," Andy informed him. "We might
as well look for a needle in a hay-stack. I move that we wait until
morning."

This suggestion was carried out, and while most of the men went back to
their homes in order to get something to eat, Jasper made his way to
the Haven. Mrs. Peterson met him at the door and her face bore a
worried expression.

"Have you found him?" she enquired. "We have been so uneasy."

"No," was the reply. "We must wait until morning. It is no use
groping about in the dark. Where is Betty?"

"She's in Mr. David's room. I am so anxious about her. She has been
crying and wringing her hands ever since you left. I cannot tell what
has come over the girl."

"She is fretting about David, no doubt."

"Yes, that may account for some of her grief," and Mrs. Peterson's eyes
rested thoughtfully upon the floor. "But there's something else
troubling her, mark my word. She's been nearly frightened to death
over something, and the way she sits and shivers at times is hard for
me to stand."

"But won't she tell you what's the matter?" Jasper asked.

"I have asked her over and over again, but she always shakes her head,
and falls to sobbing and moaning worse than ever. Poor child, I feel
so sorry for her."

"It is strange," Jasper mused. "May I see her? Perhaps it is only the
excitement that is troubling her."

Betty's face brightened somewhat as Jasper entered the room. This was
for only an instant, however, and then she buried her face in her hands
and sobbed as if her heart would break.

"Betty, Betty, what is the matter?" Jasper asked. "Tell me what is
worrying you?"

"It's about Mr. David!" she moaned. "He's lost and I'm sure he's dead!"

"But we hope to find him," Jasper soothed. "Just as soon as it is
light enough we are going to continue our search for him. He must have
wandered away into the woods, and no doubt we shall soon find him.
There is something else troubling you, is there not? Won't you tell me
what it is?"

But the girl shook her head, and try as he might Jasper could not
induce her to talk. She was determined to remain obstinately silent.

There was but one person to whom Jasper felt he could turn for
assistance, and that was Lois. He had thought of her before, and
wondered if she had heard the news of David's disappearance. He felt
that it was unlikely as no one would think of carryin