A comparison of notes disclosed the fact that another member of the party of canvassers had received a similar statement from another resident in the neighborhood.  It was decided, therefore, to delay no further but to proceed at once to the house in question, while one of the men hastened to Mr. Stanlock with news of developments in order that he might be present and direct the next move.

The latter was waiting at home, ready to answer a telephone or personal call from any of the central points of investigation.  The nervous strain of the apparent certainty, by this time, that the disappearance of Marion and her guests portended serious developments had compelled Mrs. Stanlock to take to her bed and summon a physician and a nurse.  The call from the searchers in the neighborhood took Mr. Stanlock from her bedside, and so speedily did he respond to it that he was at the entrance of the Buckholz house almost as soon as the party of citizens and uniformed policemen.

“Don’t hesitate, men,” he urged.  “I know the owner of this house very well and will take all responsibility for damages on my own shoulders.  If the door won’t give, break it down.”

“Maybe there is somebody at home,” Lieutenant Larkin suggested.  “Let’s ring the bell first”

“Well, come on,” said Mr. Stanlock.  “We’ll soon find out if there’s anyone in the house.”

He led the way up the weather-beaten but fairly well preserved steps and pulled the knob of the old fashioned doorbell.  Then they waited expectantly, straining their ears to catch the sound of the approach of someone within.  But no such sound reached them.

It appearing evident now that the house was temporarily without an inmate, the searchers for the thirteen mysteriously vanished girls decided to force their way in.  Under ordinary conditions, this act would have been recognized as burglary, but the present circumstances were so extraordinary that legal consequences had no terrors for any of those present.  Accordingly an examination was made of the two first story windows, two of which were found unlocked.  With the aid of a box discovered under the rear porch, several of the men climbed in one by one and found themselves in a large unfurnished room, architecturally intended, perhaps, as a dining room.  Each of the three uniformed policemen carried an electric flashlight and with the aid of these an examination of the house was begun.

But not a trace of the missing girls could be found.

“What next?” one of the men asked.

“The basement,” suggested Lieut.  Larkin.

Mr. Stanlock opened the door at the head of the stairway and flashed his light down the steps.

“Wait a minute,” he said, barring the entrance.  “Let’s examine the ground as we go.  These steps have dust on them, and there are shoe prints in the dust, and, yes, sir, as sure as you are alive, they are the prints of women’s shoes, and there are a lot of ’em, unless I’m mistaken.  Be careful now, men.  Follow me single file and come down along the left side of the stairway as close the wall as possible so as not to spoil those footprints in the dust.”