. Had
Fuzz and Buzz, and Thunder and Lightning, and the Stars been present at
that moment, there is not the least doubt that Irene would have elected
them to wreak their vengeance on Lucy; but she was keeping herself in
for all she was worth at the present moment, for after all even Lucy did
not much matter--it was little Agnes who mattered.

"Here's the hedgehog," said Irene when they entered her bedroom--"a
great big one--and some one had put it into the little one's bed, and
she's not there, and you know how timid she is. Where is she? You know I
didn't do it. Is it likely I'd do it to one I love?"

"Oh! you're a sort of fairy--a changeling," said Lucy. "And you have
done such things to other people. Why shouldn't you do it to her?
Anyhow, who else in the house can be accused? Every one knows your
character."

"Never mind about my character now. I know, I am positive, that you are
at the bottom of this. But the thing is to find little Agnes. I must go
at once to Mrs. Merriman."

"I wonder where she can be?" said Lucy, who had not expected for a
moment that little Agnes would disappear. "She must have gone to one of
the other girls' rooms. We will go to all the others and find out. Of
course, I am sorry for you, Irene; but really you went too far when you
made use of a hedgehog--such a horrid, frightening thing."

"I don't want your help. I'll go myself," said Irene.

She pushed past Lucy, and going down the corridor, entered each room.
Each girl was asked where little Agnes Frost was. Each girl replied that
she did not know. It was Phyllis Flower, however, who, in excitement and
pallor, started from an uneasy dream.

"Little Agnes?" she said. "But she can't have gone out!"

"It seems to me you know something about this. Will you help me to find
her?" said Irene.

Then, all in a minute, for some reason which she could never define,
little Phyllis sprang to her feet hastily, put on her clothes, and
without even glancing at Lucy, took Irene's hand.

"We'll search the house first," she said.

"Then you don't think I did such a cruel thing?" said Irene.

"Oh, don't ask me! I mean--oh, no, no! But I'll help you to find her.
I'll do my best--my very best."

The whole house was awakened, and the alarm given. The Professor was not
yet in bed. He was very much worried and annoyed. He directly told Irene
that he believed she was guilty of giving her little companion a fright.

"You have done it so often before,