a fact."

"You'll have to believe it, Fortune," said Apollo, "for it's true.
They went out one day about a month ago--we think they must have gone
to some woods not far from that horrid Rectory, but nobody seems to
know for certain--and they just never came back. We missed them at
tea-time, and we began to look for 'em, and we went on looking from
that minute until now, and we have never found either of 'em. That's
about all. They are both quite lost. What I think," continued the
little boy, speaking in a wise tone, "is that Diana must have met the
great Diana of long ago, and gone right away with her, and perhaps
Orion has been turned into one of the stars that he's called after. I
don't really know what else to think," continued Apollo.

"Fudge!" said Fortune. "Don't you waste your time talking any more
such arrant nonsense. Now, the two of you are as cold and shivery as
can be, and I doubt not, as hungry also. Come straight away to the
house. This thing has got to be inquired into."

"Oh, Fortune! can you do anything?" asked Iris.

"Can I do anything?" said Fortune. "I have got to find those blessed
children, or my name's not Fortune Squeers. Did your mother bring me
all the way from America to be of no use in an emergency like the
present? You needn't fret any more, Iris; nor you either, Apollo. Just
come right along to the house and have your cozy, warm supper, the two
of you, and then let me undress you and put you into your old little
beds, and I'll sleep in the room alongside of you, and in the morning
we'll see about getting back those two children. Lost, is it? Not a
bit of it. They are mislaid, if you like, but lost they aint--not
while Fortune is above ground."

Fortune's strong words were of the greatest possible comfort to Iris.
It is true that Aunt Jane had told her somewhat the same, day by
day--Aunt Jane was also sure that the children were certain to be
found--but, as far as Iris could gather, she only spoke, and never did
anything to aid their recovery; for Iris had no faith in detectives,
nor secret police, nor any of the known dignitaries of the law. But
she put the greatest possible faith in the strong, cheery words of her
old nurse, and she returned to the house clasping Fortune's hand, and
feeling as if the worst of her troubles were at an end.

The greater part of Delaney Manor was shut up, and Fortune and two
other old servants were left in charge; but very soon a comfortable
meal was sp