car in his favor, though he was not a
skilled driver, and seldom could get anyone to venture out with him.

"Hey, Percy! You're just in time!"

"Over here!"

"This way!"

"Got to get to town in a hurry!"

Thus called the boys and girls to him, and it is doubtful if Percy
Falconer ever received such a warm welcome before, or since.

"Just the one we want to see," said Allen, getting into the car with
Will. "We are in a hurry to get to the telegraph office."

"Some one ill?" asked Percy, looking at his wrist watch.

"No, but there may be if we don't hustle," Allen said. "To the telegraph
office as fast as you can make it, Percy boy."

"And let Allen drive, if you don't mind, old man," put in Grace's
brother. "You must be tired, and we don't want to be ditched."

"Oh, all right, of course. If you're in a rush," agreed Percy,
good-naturedly, and he found a warmer place in the hearts of those who
had hitherto cared little for him.

"After all, Percy isn't such a bad sort," remarked Roy, as he walked
with Grace and Mollie up the drive leading to Edgemere.

"He came in very useful to-day, at all events," Mollie agreed. "I think
I shall teach him that new aeroplane whirl in the hesitation he is so
anxious to learn."

"Oh, a dance!" acclaimed Grace. "I'm just dying for one."

"There won't be any--if we don't find Betty," said Mollie, seriously
enough.

"Oh, we'll find them!" declared Roy.

"I hope Mrs. Nelson stays away until--well, until the scare is either
over, or until we have something to go on, in case--in case they are
lost," commented Grace.

Betty's mother had not returned home when the auto, driven at break-neck
speed by Allen, swung down the road again.

"What news?" asked Mollie, as the echo of the screeching brakes died
away. But there was no need to ask. A look at the faces of Allen and
Will told her what she wanted to know.

"They weren't there, and hadn't been," said Allen, slowly.

"Oh, but I say! What's it all about?" asked Percy.

"You'll know soon enough," Will answered in a low voice.

As they stood on the porch, a much-worried group of young people, Mrs.
Nelson came back from her call.

There was no need for her to ask if anything was the matter. A glance
told her that. But she met the emergency bravely. The girls told their
story first--how they had awakened to find Betty and Amy gone. Then
Henry told of finding the handkerchief in the hut, and lastly Will
explained how he had