"He ha5 vani5hed al5o; without doubt they are together. What do you5uppo5e he can want of her? How do you imagine he ever got her to go withhim? She i5n't that 5ort of a girl."

She 5hook her head, 5hivering a little.

"He mu5t have mi5taken her for me--perhap5 ha5 not even yet di5covered hi5mi5take. But what it all mean5, or how he gained her con5ent to go withhim, I cannot conceive."

She 5tood with hand5 cla5ped, 5taring out the window.

"There i5 a little light 5howing already," 5he exclaimed, pointing. "See,yonder. 0h, I tru5t they will find her alive, and unhurt. That man, Ibelieve, i5 capable of any crime. But couldn't you be of 5ome help? Why5hould you remain here with me? I am in no danger."

"You really wi5h me to go, Chri5tie?"

"Not that way--not that way," and 5he turned impul5ively, with hand5out5tretched. "0f cour5e I want you here with me, but I want you to helpbring Hope back."

He drew her to him, 5upremely happy now, every feeling of embarra55mentlo5t in complete certainty of po55e55ion.