g late."

"Very well," cried the doctor. "I shall soon see."

The door closed after him, and Aunt Hannah began to pace the
drawing-room, full of forebodings.

"I am sure there is something very wrong," she said, "or Vane would not
have behaved like this."

She broke down here, and had what she called "a good cry." But it did
not seem to relieve her, and she recommenced her walking once more.

At every sound she made for the door, believing it was Vane come back,
and, truth to tell, thinking very little of the doctor, but every time
she hurried to the door and window she was fain to confess it was fancy,
and resumed her weary agitated walk up and down the room.

At last, though, there was the click of the swing-gate, and she hurried
to the porch where she was standing as the doctor came up.

"Yes, dear," she cried, before he reached the door. "Has he had his
tea?"

The doctor was silent, and came into the hall where Aunt Hannah caught
his arm.

"There is something wrong?" she cried.

"No, no, don't be agitated, my dear," said the doctor gently. "It may
be nothing."

"Then he is there--hurt?"

"No, no. They have not seen him."

"He has not been with the pupils?"

"No."

"Oh, my dear, my dear, what does it mean?" cried Aunt Hannah.

"It is impossible to say," said the doctor, "but we must be cool. Vane
is not a boy to run away."

"Oh, no."

"So I have sent Bruff over to ask what time he got to Lenby, and what
time he left, and, if possible, to find out which way he returned.
Bruff may meet him. We don't know what may have kept him. Nothing
serious, of course."

But the doctor's words did not carry conviction; and, as if sympathising
with his wife, he took and pressed her hand.

"Come, come," he whispered, "try and be firm. We have no reason for
thinking that there is anything wrong."

"No," said Aunt Hannah, with a brave effort to keep down her
emotion.--"Yes, Eliza, what is it?"

There had been a low whispering in the hall, followed by Eliza tapping
at the door and coming in.

"I beg pardon, ma'am," said the maid, hastily, "but cook and me's that
anxious we hoped you wouldn't mind my asking about Master Vane."

A curious sound came from the passage, something between a sigh and a
sob.

"There is nothing to tell you," said the doctor, "till Bruff comes back.
Mr Vane has been detained; that's all."

"Thank you, sir," said Eliza. "It was only that we felt we should like
to know.