l have done without being
observed by any of us.'

"This was a new mystery. Why Ruth should have fled I could not guess,
because as soon as the soldiers appeared there was no more danger in
remaining. Besides, I did not think Ruth was one to shrink from
danger. However, there was no more to be learned, and I again went
out into the streets."

CHAPTER XIII.

THE SEARCH FOR MYSA.

"Perhaps Ruth had gone to tell my mother that Mysa was lost," Chebron
suggested when Jethro had gone so far in his story.

"That could hardly have been," Jethro replied, "for I should have told
you that your mother returned early this morning to the house with
many relatives, and that all were weeping and mourning round the body
of your father. Had Ruth gone to her, she would either have returned
with her, or Lyptis would have heard where she was."

"Did you hear how my mother bore her misfortunes, Jethro?"

"She was overwhelmed with grief, Lyptis said, at your father's
death--so overwhelmed that she seemed to have no thought for anything
else. She had, of course, been told the night before that Mysa was
missing; but it seemed to make no impression upon her. She only said
that doubtless friends had carried her off to save her from the danger
that Chebron's wickedness had brought upon us all. This morning she
made some further inquiries, but did not seem in any serious alarm;
but the magistrates, when they came last night to inquire into the
whole matter, took note of Mysa having been carried off, and when on
their coming again this morning they found that nothing had been heard
of her, gave orders that a search should be made for her, and a
proclamation was issued this afternoon denouncing punishment on those
who carried her off, and enjoining all who could give any information
on the subject to present themselves before them immediately.

"Since I came out from the house I have been wandering about trying to
think what is best to be done, and hoping that something might occur
to me which would put me upon the track of the villains who carried
Mysa off."

"You do not think of carrying out our plans for to-morrow, Jethro?"
Chebron asked anxiously. "We could never go away from here in
ignorance of what had become of her."

"Certainly not, Chebron. I consider it my duty, as well as my
inclination, to stay here until she is found. Your father spoke to me
of her as well as of you, but as he did not see any way in which we
could