much if it were not
willing to incur some risk," answered her friend sagely. "Where is
he?"

"In the chamber above the kitchen, Sally. Let's go out there. I am
consumed with anxiety lest he be discovered."

The sheriff, followed by his associate Mr. Ledie, David Owen, Robert
and Fairfax, having made the rounds of the house came into the entry
way just as Sally and Peggy entered it. The men who had been detailed
to make the search of the outbuildings and grounds joined them a few
moments later.

"He stood just here," observed the sheriff indicating the place behind
the door. "You can see his tracks. What puzzles me is the fact that
there are no further traces. He did not go away, as there are no
tracks leading away from this place. Neither are there any inside,
and the sand on the kitchen floor hath not been disturbed save by the
darkey."

"Hast thou searched the wash-house and the servants' quarters?"
queried Mr. Owen anxiously. "They are all in this building."

"We have looked through it thoroughly," declared the sheriff
emphatically. "And the barn, and all other buildings. 'Tis most
mysterious. He hath disappeared as unaccountably as though whisked out
of sight on a witch's broom. Well, boys, scatter about the grounds
again, and see if you can't find some trace. Some one in the house
hath aided in the escape," he said, turning again to Mr. Owen as the
men obeyed his order.

"I do not see who could have done so," returned David Owen with a
troubled look. "There is not one of the household who is not a
consistent Whig, and there hath been no opportunity for anything of
the sort. When we have not been together in the sitting-room we have
been at the table. The girls washed the dishes in the dining-room, but
joined us immediately afterward. From the laughter that accompanied
the act I would be willing to wager that no British prisoner had any
share in it."

Peggy did not see the quick glance that passed between Robert Dale and
Fairfax Johnson. She had been absent from the room fully a half hour
longer than the other girls, but evidently her father had not noticed
the fact. Fairfax Johnson spoke abruptly:

"Suppose we take a look about the grounds, Major Dale."

"Your pardon, gentlemen," interposed Sheriff Will. "I cannot allow you
to go unless one of my men accompanies you. You see all of you are
more or less under suspicion until the matter is cleared up, and I
prefer that you remain in sight."

"Just as y