t
found him?"

"No, sir, arn't seen or heard nowt."

"But he had been and left the medicine?"

"Nay, sir, not he. Nobody had seen nowt of him. He hadn't been there."

Aunt Hannah uttered a faint gasp.

"But didn't you ask at either of the cottages as you passed?" asked the
doctor sharply.

"Cottages, sir? Why, there arn't none. I cut acrost the fields
wherever I could, and the only plaace nigh is Candell's farm--that's
quarter of a mile down a lane."

"Yes, yes, of course," said the doctor. "I had forgotten. Then you
have brought no news at all?"

"Well, yes, sir; a bit as you may say."

"Well, what is it, man? Don't keep us in suspense."

"Seems like news to say as he arn't been nowheres near Lenby."

"Can you form any idea of where he is likely to have gone?"

Bruff looked in his hat and pulled the lining out a little way, and
peered under that as if expecting to find some information there, but
ended by shaking his head and looking in a puzzled fashion at the
doctor.

"Come with me," said the latter, and turning to Aunt Hannah, he
whispered: "Go and wait patiently, my dear. I don't suppose there is
anything serious the matter. I daresay there is a simple explanation of
the absence if we could find it; but I feel bound to try and find him,
if I can, to-night."

"But how long will you be?"

"One hour," said the doctor, glancing at his watch. "If I am not back
then you will have a message from me in that time, so that you will be
kept acquainted with all I know."

"Please, sir, couldn't we come and help?" said cook eagerly. "Me and
'Liza's good walkers."

"Thank you," said the doctor; "the best help you can render is to sit up
and wait, ready to attend to your mistress."

He turned to Aunt Hannah who could not trust herself to speak, but
pressed his hand as he passed out into the dark night, followed by
Bruff.

"The rectory," he said briefly; and walked there rapidly to ring and
startle Joseph, who was just thinking of giving his final look round
before going to bed.

"Some one badly, sir?" he said, as he admitted the doctor and gardener,
jumping at the conclusion that his master was wanted at a sick person's
bedside.

"No. Have you seen Mr Vane since he left after lessons this morning?"

"No, sir."

"Where is the rector?"

"In his study, sir."

"And the young gentlemen?"

"Just gone up to bed, sir."

"Show me into the study."

Joseph obeyed, and the rector, who was s