Not a sign of life could he observe around the place, and he wondered how he could awaken Lois and not disturb the whole household.  As he drew near the verandah he noticed that a light shone from one of the upstairs windows.  Whether it was Lois’ room or not he could not tell, but scarcely had he stepped upon the verandah and tapped gently upon the door, ere it was opened and Lois stood before him, dressed in her out-of-door clothes.

“What’s the matter?” she asked before Jasper had time to say a word.

“Have you heard anything?” Jasper enquired,

“No, nothing,” was the reply.  “But I saw the lights near the Haven and along the road and felt sure that something was wrong.”

Jasper noted that Lois’ face was very pale, and that she was trembling as if cold.  He did not know that she had been unable to sleep owing to the strange presentiment which had come to her the previous evening.  So strong had this at last become that she had risen and looked out of the window facing the Haven.  It was then that she saw the moving lights, and her worst tears were confirmed.

“David is missing,” Jasper told her, “and we are waiting for daylight to have another search for him.”

“David is missing!” Lois slowly repeated, as if she had not heard aright.  “Have you any idea where he is?”

“No.  I left him last night on the road near the Haven.  He may have wandered off somewhere into the woods.  But Betty is feeling very badly, and I have come thinking that perhaps you might be able to comfort her.”

“I shall go at once,” Lois replied.  “I am so glad you have come for me, as I was almost frantic wondering what was going on.”

As they made their way toward the Haven Jasper told Lois more about Betty and her state of agitation.

“What is the cause of it, do you suppose?” Lois asked.  “Do you think it is in connection with Mr. David?”

“Not altogether, I am quite certain.  There is something else on her mind.  She might explain to you what it is when she would tell no one else.”

They had just reached the gate leading to the Haven when Andy Forbes, accompanied by several men, swung up the road.

“I must leave you now,” Jasper told Lois, “and assist in the search.”

“Please let us know as soon as you find any trace of Mr. David,” Lois replied.  “I shall stay with Betty for a while.”

It was quite light now, and as the men walked along the road they searched most carefully every nook and corner, but all in vain.

“He is not anywhere here,” Andy remarked.  “But he may have wandered into the woods along that old winter road.  I suggest that we follow it for a while.  He may be wandering about in there.  We can comb the woods if he’s not on the road.”

The men moved very quietly, keenly alert, each hoping to make the discovery first.  To Jasper there seemed something uncanny about the way they moved so silently onward at that weird morning hour.  A spirit of depression came upon him, and his companions appeared like enemies.  He felt that in some unaccountable way they believed that he was to blame for all the trouble, and that he should have taken more care of the old man.