Elder urged them to be seated. "A warm day for the
season, and very pleasant to have it so. We'll hope the winter may
come late this year."

"Yes, yes. We wish to inquire after your son, Elder Craigmile. Is he
at home to-day?"

"Ah, yes. He was not at home--not when I left this noon." The Elder
cleared his throat and looked keenly at his friend. "Is it--ahem--a
matter of business, Mr. Ballard?"

"Unfortunately, no. We have come to inquire if he--when he was last at
home--or if his cousin--has been with you?"

"Not Richard, no. He came unexpectedly and has gone with as little
ceremony, but my son was here on the Sabbath--ahem--He dined that day
with you, Mr. Ballard?"

"He did--but--Elder, will you come with us? A matter with regard to
him and his cousin should be looked into."

"It is not necessary for me to interfere in matters regarding my son
any longer. He has taken the ordering of his life in his own hands
hereafter. As for Richard, he has long been his own master."

"Elder, I beg you to come with us. We fear foul play of some sort. It
is not a question now of family differences of opinion."

The Elder's face remained immovable, and Bertrand reluctantly added,
"We fear either your son or his cousin, possibly both of them, have
met with disaster--maybe murder."

A pallor crept over the Elder's face, and without a word further he
took his hat from a hook in the corner of the room, paused, and then
carefully arranged the papers he had pushed aside at their entrance
and placing them in his desk, turned the key, still without a word. At
the door he waited a moment with his hand on the knob, and with the
characteristic lift of his brows, asked: "Has anything been said to my
wife?"

"No, no. We thought best to do nothing until under your direction."

"Thank you. That's well. Whatever comes, I would spare her all I
can."

The three then drove slowly back to the top of the bluff, and on the
way Bertrand explained to the Elder all that had transpired. "It
seemed best to Mary and me that you should look the ground over
yourself, before any action be taken. We hoped appearances might be
deceptive, and that you would have information that would set our
fears at rest before news of a mystery should reach the town."

"Where are the boys who found these things?"

Mr. Walters spoke, "My son was one of them, and he is now at home.
They are forbidden to speak to any one until we know more about it."

Arrived at th