ong the brambles, or lost his
way?"

"No, my boy, absurd!"

"I once did, sir, and he came and helped me out."

"Oh, no," cried the doctor; "impossible."

"But there are some very awkward pieces of bog and peat and water-holes,
sir," said Gilmore; and as he said this Distin drew a deep breath, and
took a step back from the shaded lamp.

The rector also drew a deep breath, and looked anxiously at the doctor,
who stood with his brow contracted for a few moments, and then shook his
head.

"He was too clever and active for that," he cried. "No, Gilmore, that
is not the solution. He is not likely to have come upon poachers?
There are a great many pheasants about there?"

"No poachers would be about in the afternoon," said the rector. "My
dear Lee, I do not like to suggest so terrible a thing, but I must say,
I think it is our duty to get all the help we can, and search the place
armed with lanterns."

The doctor looked at him wildly.

"Of course we'll help. What do you say?"

"Yes," said the doctor hoarsely. "Let us search."

The rector rang the bell, and Joseph answered directly.

"Wait a moment," cried the doctor. "Mr Distin, you have not spoken
yet. Tell me: what is your opinion. Do you think Vane can have come to
harm in the moor strip yonder?"

Distin shrank back as he was addressed, and looked round wildly, from
one to the other.

"I--I?" he faltered.

"Yes, you--my dear boy," said the rector, sharply. "Answer at once, and
do, pray, try to master that nervousness."

Distin passed his tongue over his lips, and his voice sounded very husky
as he said, almost inaudibly at first, but gathering force as he went
on:--

"I don't know. I have not seen him since this morning."

"We know that," said the doctor; "but should you think it likely, that
he has met with an accident, or can you suggest anywhere likely for him
to have gone?"

"No, sir, no," said Distin, firmly now. "I can't think of anywhere, nor
should I think he is likely to have sunk in either of the bog holes,
though he is very fond of trying to get plants of all kinds when he is
out."

"Yes, yes," said the doctor, hoarsely. "I taught him;" and as he spoke
Distin gave a furtive look all round the room, to see that nearly
everyone was watching him closely.

"We must hope for the best, Lee," said the doctor, firmly. "Joseph,
take Doctor Lee's man with you, go down the town street and spread the
alarm. We want men with lantern