me they
searched every nook and corner for a clue to the mystery.

"Yes, they know--poor little things," their mistress agreed. "They are
trying their best to tell the story, too. I'd give worlds to know what
it is."

"And I."

"You are certain you locked everything up when you took the other dogs
out."

"Positive. Dick was with me and we both tried the gate before we
started."

"Nothing seems to be disturbed."

"No. That is the strange part of it."

Mrs. Crowninshield stopped, hot and breathless from her search.

"I cannot believe but that the mite will turn up. Have you asked Jerry
or Tim?"

"They were nowhere about when I got back," Walter replied. "The whole
place was still as the grave. I was just going to hunt up Jerry when I
saw the cars coming up the avenue."

"Well, I must not delay any longer now," announced Mrs. Crowninshield.
"The Davenports will be wondering what has become of me and so will
everybody else. Just find Jerry and Tim and quietly make sure they
have not taken the dog. In the meantime I will inquire of the maids at
the house. We will not, however, make too much talk about it, and send
out an alarm until we are certain there is a real tragedy. If I can
keep Mr. Crowninshield in ignorance of the matter until our guests
have gone I shall be glad. He will be dreadfully upset for he took
great pride in his possession of Lola and has declined numberless
offers to sell her."

"I know it," groaned Walter. "If it were only one of the other dogs
that was missing!"

"The fact that it isn't is what alarms me," returned the woman. "Lola
is a quiet little thing and has been petted so much that it would not
be like her to run away. Some of the other dogs might but she
wouldn't. She is far too timid."

"How could she run away, even if she had a mind to, with the gate
locked?"

"I know. That is another ominous fact." Mrs. Crowninshield shook her
head. "I'm afraid----"

"What?"

"That she has been stolen."

"Stolen!" gasped Walter. "But how could she with--with everybody
around?"

"But you yourself just said that nobody was around."

"Jove! That's true. Still somebody must have been here some time
during the afternoon. It is not likely Jerry, Tim, and all the rest
were out of hearing all the time I was gone."

"That is what we must find out."

"I'll go and hunt up Jerry now."

"Do. But work quietly; do not make a fuss. It will be time enough to
get everybody up in arms when we ha