urs that they grew at all anxious. She's never come back. She did
not go to Skene's. We can hear no word of her from any. Her
grandfather and I and the men at White Farm looked for her through the
night. This morning there's an alarm sent up and down the dale."

"What harm could happen--"

"She might have strayed into some lonely place--fallen--hurt herself.
There were gipsies seen the other day over by Windyedge. Or she might
have walked on and on upon what road she took, and somehow none
chanced to notice her. I am going now to ride the Edinburgh way."

"Have you gone up the glen?"

"That was tried this morning at first light. But that is just opposite
to Skene's and the way she certainly took at first. She would have to
turn and go about through the woods, or White Farm would see her." His
voice had a haunting note of fear and trouble.

Glenfernie caught it. "She was not out of health nor unhappy?"

"She is changed from the old Elspeth. When you ask her if she is
unhappy she says that she is not.... I do not know. Something is
wrong. With the others, I am seeking about as though I expected each
moment to see her sitting or standing by the roadside. But I do not
expect to see her. I do not know what I expect. We have sent to
Windyedge to apprehend those gipsies."

"Let me speak one moment to Mr. Strickland to send the men forth and
go himself. Then I am ready."

On Black Alan he rode with Robin down the hill and through the wood
and upon the White Farm way. The earth was mainly bare of snow, but
frozen hard. The hoofs rang out but left no print. The air hung still,
light and dry; the sun, far in the south, sent slanting, pale-gold
beams. The two men made little speech as they rode. They passed men
and youths, single figures and clusters.

"Ony news, Littlefarm? We've been--or we're going--seeking here, or
here--"

A woman stopped them. "It was thae gipsies, sirs! I had a dream about
them, five nights syne! A lintwhite was flying by them, and they gave
chase. Either it's that or she made away with herself! I had a dream
that might be read that way, too."

When they came to White Farm it was to find there only Jenny and Menie
and Merran.

"Somebody maun stay to keep the house warm gin the lassie come
stumbling hame, cauld and hungry and half doited! Eh, Glenfernie, ye
that are a learned man and know the warld, gie us help!"

"I am going up the glen," said Alexander to Greenlaw. "I do not know
why, but I