great
anxiety about his son, who has never stayed away all night before,
except with the knowledge of his parents."

"Oh, that will all come right," said Dr. Hillhouse. "The young man went
home, probably, with some friend. Had too much to drink, it may be, and
wanted to sleep it off before coming into his mother's pressence."

"There is no doubt about his having drank too much," returned Dr.
Angier. "I saw him going along the hall toward the street door in
rather a bad way. He had his overcoat on and his hat in his hand."

"Was any one with him?"

"I believe not. I think he went out alone."

"Into that dreadful storm?"

"Yes."

The countenance of Dr. Hillhouse became very grave:

"And has not been heard of since?"

"No."

"Have the police been informed about it?"

"Yes. The police have had the matter in hand for several hours, but at
the time I left not the smallest clue had been found."

"Rather a bad look," said Dr. Hillhouse. "What does Mr. Voss say about
it?"

"His mind seems to dwell on two theories--one that Archie, who had a
valuable diamond pin and a gold watch, may have wandered into some evil
neighborhood, bewildered by the storm, and there been set upon and
robbed--murdered perhaps. The other is that he has fallen in some
out-of-the-way place, overcome by the cold, and lies buried in the
snow. The fact that no police-officer reports having seen him or any
one answering to his description during the night awakens the gravest
fears."

"Still," replied Dr. Hillhouse, "it may all come out right. He may have
gone to a hotel. There are a dozen theories to set against those of his
friends."

After remaining silent for several moments, he said:

"The boy had been drinking too much?"

"Yes; and I judge from, his manner, when I saw him on his way to the
street, that he was conscious of his condition and ashamed of it. He
went quietly along, evidently trying not to excite observation, but his
steps were unsteady and his sight not true, for in trying to thread his
way along the hall he ran against one and another, and drew the
attention he was seeking to avoid."

"Poor fellow!" said Dr. Hillhouse, with genuine pity. "He was always a
nice boy. If anything has happened to him, I wouldn't give a dime for
the life of his mother."

"Nor I. And even as it is, the shock already received may prove greater
than her exhausted system can bear. I think you had better see her,
doctor, as early as possible.