orders to Buck, who
went off at once to follow, if possible, the track of the strangers
across the heath, to inquire at cottages, and do his utmost to trace
them.

"For my part," said Colonel Keppel, "I shall drive back at once to
Longhampton, and see the superintendent. The railway must be watched,
and every constable for miles round be warned by telegraph to keep a
look out for the rascals."

"You are very kind to take so much trouble, Colonel," said Dr.
Lawrence.

"I'm working for myself as much as anyone," laughed the other. "My
wife and daughters use that road continually, and very often they are
driving alone in a pony-carriage. It is imperative that the
neighbourhood be cleared of such desperate characters."

He drove away at once, and Dr. Lawrence and Jack walked up the hill to
the school. Jack had given up the idea of his visit to Longhampton.

"If I were you, Haydon," said the Head, "I should go and rest a
little. Sit down quietly in your study for an hour or two; you must
feel badly shaken by your awful experience."

"Thank you, sir," replied Jack, "I will do as you say, though as a
matter of fact I am practically recovered now. Luckily, I'm in
first-rate condition, I'm not bothered with nerves."

"No," smiled Dr. Lawrence, "I suppose not. Still, I should be careful
for a time if I were you."

At the Doctor's gate they parted, and Jack went to his own study and
sat down. He could not keep his mind from his extraordinary adventure.
Why had those fellows seized him, and what did they want? Would they
be caught, and then would their secret be discovered? His mind worked
over these points again and again, like a squirrel working the wheel
in his cage.

CHAPTER II.

A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.

Four days later Jack Haydon was in his study, his heels on the
mantelpiece, his eyes fastened on the pages of a novel, when there was
a tap at his door and a telegram was brought in. He broke open the
envelope and read the contents in growing surprise and wonder. Then a
look of uneasiness came into his eyes. It was a cablegram from
Brindisi, and ran, "Come at once. Most urgent," and was signed
"Risley." Jack went across to the Doctor's house, sent up his name,
and was bidden to go up to the study. Here he laid the cablegram
before the Head.

"Who is Risley, Haydon?" asked Dr. Lawrence.

"My father's man, sir," replied Jack. "It seems to me that they must
have got as far as Brindisi on their way h