Clarissa had just finished her disagreeable task, and, assisted very reluctantly by the indignant Lina, had at last succeeded in removing all traces of Fred’s unfortunate collection, when a tremendous ringing at the house-door called her down stairs.  It was the watchman with the banner.  Another strange occurrence.  What would happen next?  She was really frightened when she recognized Oscar’s banner, and read the too distinctly printed motto which embellished it.  Clarissa looked anxiously at the different doors for fear that Mrs. Stanhope might come through one of them.  She asked the man what his business might be.  He replied that they had discovered that the owner of the banner he held in his hand belonged at Rosemount, and also that they had come to the conclusion that all that affair was only boys’ play, though at first the miller had thought otherwise because of the motto.  This was why he had informed the police.  Now, they merely wished to advise Mrs. Stanhope to bid her young people keep such games within the limits of her own grounds.

Clarissa still glanced anxiously towards the doors, while she assured the man that his advice would be followed, and pressed a coin into his hand as an acknowledgment of the trouble he had taken.  Then she hurriedly took the banner, rolled it up, and carried it away.  She was determined, if possible, to keep from Mrs. Stanhope all knowledge of this day’s occurrences.  But would it be possible?

However, all was safe for the present; and, when the bell rang for supper, Clarissa laid aside her anxiety and went cheerfully into the dining-room.  Oscar and Fred followed each other with slow steps and dejected demeanor.  Their usual vivacity had vanished, and, as they seated themselves at the table, they hung their heads like hyacinths nipped by the frost.

Elsli sat next to Fred; her cheeks were glowing with exercise, for she had had to run fast all the way home to be in time for supper.  She, too, hung her head over her plate to hide her heated face.

Emma and Fani were not there.

Mrs. Stanhope looked silently first at the empty places, then at the children.

Clarissa watched the door uneasily; no one came.

“I am willing to allow children all possible freedom,” said Mrs. Stanhope, seriously; “but the order of the house must be maintained.  I am very much annoyed at unpunctuality at meals.  Fani has never allowed himself any such irregularity.  I wonder how it happened now.”

She looked from one brother to another as if expecting some explanation.  They looked so uncomfortable that she took it as a sign of regret for their sister’s delinquency, and so forbore farther remark.

After supper, Mrs. Stanhope went out as usual on the terrace, and the others followed.  It began to grow dark.  Clarissa’s anxiety became unendurable; what could have happened to the children?

“Dear Mrs. Stanhope,” she said, entreatingly, “do let me send some one out to look for the children.  I cannot rest for fear that they have met with some accident.”