Every heart was throbbing painfully and no one spoke: there was no need
of it, for no comfort could be gained therefrom.
Mr. Layton and Kilgore moved carefully up the creek, while Nick and his
parents walked toward the pond, which lay to the left.
The two wished to be apart from the others that they might consult
without danger of being overheard by those whose hearts were suffering
so much anguish.
"It's very strange," said Mr. Kilgore, "that the basket should be found
on the bridge: what do you make of it, Mr. Layton?"
The teacher shook his head.
"It is strange, indeed; had there been no water in the creek you could
have set it down as certain that the child had not fallen from it, but,
as she could not have done so without drowning, I am inclined to
think--"
The instructor hesitated, as if afraid to pronounce the dreadful words.
"You think she is drowned?" said his friend, supplying the answer with
his own question.
Mr. Layton nodded his head by way of reply, and, holding the lanterns in
front, they began groping their way along the margin of the creek.
By raising the lights above their heads the rays reached the opposite
bank, lighting up the water between. This was unusually clear, and they
could see the bottom some distance from shore.
Both felt that if the body was floating anywhere they could not fail to
see it, though the probabilities were that it was already far below
them, and would be first discovered by the parents and brother.
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