night, for the roof of the newly-erected extension was almost on a
level with the window.

"Well," said she anxiously, "couldn't she have been got out that way?"

"More difficult things have been done," said I; and was about to step
out upon the roof when I bethought to inquire of Mrs. Daniels if any
of the girl's clothing was missing.

She immediately flew to the closets and thence to bureau drawers which
she turned hastily over. "No, nothing is missing but a hat and cloak
and--" She paused confusedly.

"And what?" I asked.

"Nothing," returned she, hurriedly closing the bureau drawer; "only
some little knick-knacks."

"Knick-knacks!" quoth I. "If she stopped for knick-knacks, she
couldn't have gone in any very unwilling frame of mind." And somewhat
disgusted, I was about to throw up the whole affair and leave the
room. But the indecision in Mrs. Daniels' own face deterred me.

"I don't understand it," murmured she, drawing her hand across her
eyes. "I don't understand it. But," she went on with even an increase
in her old tone of heart-felt conviction, "no matter whether we
understand it or not, the case is serious; I tell you so, and she must
be found."

I resolved to know the nature of that must, used as few women in her