"Maybe," he said dubiously, on hearing of the missing boat--"Maybe the child has gone on the Fjord--'tis often her custom,--but, then, where is Britta? Besides, they must have expected us--they would have prepared supper--they would have been watching for our return. No, no! there is something wrong about this--'tis altogether unusual."
And he looked about him in a bewildered way, while Sir Philip, noting his uneasiness, grew more and more uneasy himself.
"Let me go and search for them, sir," he said, eagerly. "They may be in the woods, or up towards the orchard."
Güldmar shook his head and drew his fuzzy white brows together in puzzled meditation--suddenly he started and struck his staff forcibly on the ground.
"I have it!" he exclaimed. "That old hag Lovisa is at the bottom of this!"
"By Jove!" cried Errington. "I believe you're right! What shall we do?"
At that moment, Lorimer, Duprèz, and Macfarlane came on the scene, thinking they had kept aloft long enough,--and the strange disappearance of the two girls was rapidly explained to them. They listened astonished and almost incredulous, but agreed with the bonde as to Lovisa's probable share in the matter.
"Look here!" said Lorimer excitedly. "I'm not in the least tired,--show me the way to Talvig, where that old screech-owl lives, and I'll go there straight as a gun! Shouldn't wonder if she has not forced away her grandchild, in which case Miss Thelma may have gone after her."
"I'll come with you!" said Errington. "Let's lose no time about it."
But Güldmar shook his head. "'Tis a long way, my lads,--and you do not know the road. No--'twill be better we should take the boat and pull over to Bosekop; there we can get a carriole to take two of us at least to Talvig--"
He stopped, interrupted by Macfarlane, who looked particularly shrewd.
"I should certainly advise ye to try Bosekop first," he remarked cautiously. "Mr. Dyceworthy might be able to provide ye with valuable information."
"Dyceworthy!" roared the bonde, becoming inflammable at once. "He knows little of me or mine, thank the gods! and I would not by choice step within a mile of his dwelling. What makes you think of him, sir?"
Lorimer laid a hand soothingly on his arm.
"Now, my dear Mr. Güldmar, don't get excited! Mac is right. I dare say Dyceworthy knows as much in his way as the ancient Lovisa. At any rate, it isn't his fault if he does not. Because you see--" Lorimer hesitated and turned to Errington. "You tell him, Phil! you know all about it."