“No child, unless a very stupid one, would stumble from this bridge, and there could have been no circumstances which in my judgment would have brought such a mishap to Nellie.”

This sounded reasonable enough, but: 

“De basket,—­vot of dot?” asked the father.

“She has dropped that from some cause; but that of itself is a favorable sign, for had she fallen accidentally into the water she would have taken it with her.”

This sounded as if true, but it did not remove the fears of any one.  Even he who uttered the words could not bring himself fully to believe in their truth, for none knew better than he that the evil one himself seems to conspire with guns and pistols that appear to be unloaded, and with water which is thought to be harmless.

All wanted to place faith in the declaration, and no protest was uttered.  As nothing was to be seen or learned where they stood, they crossed the bridge and descended the wooded slope until they reached the edge of the stream, which wound its way through the woods to the big pond.

Every heart was throbbing painfully and no one spoke:  there was no need of it, for no comfort could be gained therefrom.

Mr. Layton and Kilgore moved carefully up the creek, while Nick and his parents walked toward the pond, which lay to the left.

The two wished to be apart from the others that they might consult without danger of being overheard by those whose hearts were suffering so much anguish.

“It’s very strange,” said Mr. Kilgore, “that the basket should be found on the bridge:  what do you make of it, Mr. Layton?”

The teacher shook his head.

“It is strange, indeed; had there been no water in the creek you could have set it down as certain that the child had not fallen from it, but, as she could not have done so without drowning, I am inclined to think—­”

The instructor hesitated, as if afraid to pronounce the dreadful words.

“You think she is drowned?” said his friend, supplying the answer with his own question.

Mr. Layton nodded his head by way of reply, and, holding the lanterns in front, they began groping their way along the margin of the creek.

By raising the lights above their heads the rays reached the opposite bank, lighting up the water between.  This was unusually clear, and they could see the bottom some distance from shore.

Both felt that if the body was floating anywhere they could not fail to see it, though the probabilities were that it was already far below them, and would be first discovered by the parents and brother.

“Halloa!” suddenly exclaimed Mr. Layton, lowering his lantern close to the ground, “I don’t like that.”

By way of explanation, he pointed to the damp soil where no vegetation grew:  it was directly in front and close to the water, being that portion which was frequently swept by the creek when above its present level.