for the present, at least. Go you, Ambrose.
Your brother may be wanted later. If any accident has happened (which
God forbid!) we may have to inquire in more than one direction. Silas,
you will stay at the farm."

The brothers withdrew together; Ambrose to prepare for his journey,
Silas to saddle one of the horses for him. Naomi slipped out after
them. Left in company with Mr. Meadowcroft and his daughter (both
devoured by anxiety about the missing man, and both trying to conceal
it under an assumption of devout resignation to circumstances), I need
hardly add that I, too, retired, as soon as it was politely possible
for me to leave the room. Ascending the stairs on my way to my own
quarters, I discovered Naomi half hidden by the recess formed by an
old-fashioned window-seat on the first landing. My bright little friend
was in sore trouble. Her apron was over her face, and she was crying
bitterly. Ambrose had not taken his leave as tenderly as usual. She was
more firmly persuaded than ever that "Ambrose was hiding something from
her." We all waited anxiously for the next day. The next day made the
mystery deeper than ever.

The horse which had taken Ambrose to Narrabee was ridden back to the
farm by a groom from the hotel. He delivered a written message from
Ambrose which startled us. Further inquiries had positively proved that
the missing man had never been near Narrabee. The only attainable
tidings of his whereabouts were tidings derived from vague report. It
was said that a man like John Jago had been seen the previous day in a
railway car, traveling on the line to New York. Acting on this
imperfect information, Ambrose had decided on verifying the truth of
the report by extending his inquiries to New York.

This extraordinary proceeding forced the suspicion on me that something
had really gone wrong. I kept my doubts to myself; but I was prepared,
from that moment, to see the disappearance of John Jago followed by
very grave results.

The same day the results declared themselves.

Time enough had now elapsed for report to spread through the district
the news of what had happened at the farm. Already aware of the bad
feeling existing between the men, the neighbors had been now informed
(no doubt by the laborers present) of the deplorable scene that had
taken place under my bedroom window. Public opinion declares itself in
America without the slightest reserve, or the slightest care for
consequences. Public op