. The only thing I can think of is,
that she's gone down on the pier. But she never goes there alone."

"Well, there's lots of things she might be doing. Come on, let's go down
on the pier and take a look."

The two boys walked out to the end of the pier and back again, but saw
no sign of Marjorie.

On their way home, Tom turned in at his own house.

"Good-by, old chap," he said; "don't look so worried. Midget will be
sitting up laughing at you when you get home."

King said good-by, and went on. He felt a strange depression of heart,
as if something must have happened to Midget. He knew his mother felt no
alarm, and perhaps it was foolish, but the fact remained that Midge had
never acted like that before. Mr. Maynard came home at six o'clock, and
Marjorie had not yet made an appearance.

He looked very much alarmed, and at sight of his anxiety, Mrs. Maynard
grew worried.

"Why, Ed," she exclaimed, "you don't think there's anything wrong, do
you?"

"I hope not, Helen, but it's so unusual. I can only think of the ocean.
Does she ever go down and sit on the beach alone?"

"No," said King, positively; "she never does anything like that, alone.
We're always together."

"And you hadn't had any quarrel, or anything?"

"Oh, no, Father; nothing of the sort. She went to practise right after
luncheon, and said she'd be out in an hour."

"I heard her practising, while Mrs. Corey was here," said Mrs. Maynard,
reminiscently; "but I don't remember just when she stopped."

"Well," said Mr. Maynard, "it's extraordinary, but I can't think
anything's wrong with the child. You know she always has been
mischievous, and I think she's playing some game on us. We may as well
go to dinner."

But nobody could eat dinner. The sight of Midget's empty chair began to
seem tragic, and King choked and left the table.

Mrs. Maynard burst into tears, and rose also. Her husband followed her.

"Don't worry, Helen," he urged; "she's sure to be safe and sound
somewhere."

"Oh, I don't know, Ed! Such a thing as this never happened before! Oh,
find her, Ed, _do_ find her!"

King had run over to the Bryants' and now returned, accompanied by those
two very much alarmed people.

"We must _do_ something!" exclaimed Cousin Jack. "Of course something
has happened to the child! She isn't one to cut up any such game on
purpose. Have you looked in her room?"

"What for?" asked Mrs. Maynard, helplessly.

"Why, to see if you can discover any