"And Mr. Lewis Warner was not amongst them?"
"Not that I saw, sir."
Just then a porter came up, who said he believed he had seen the young gentleman, but he was not alone. He thought he got into a third-class carriage.
"Had he a bag with him?"
He rather thought so, but could not be sure.
"Do you know the name of the lad with him?"
"No, sir; I did not see his face. He had his cap slouched over his brow, and Mr. Warner wore his in the same way."
And that was all they could find out.
One thing was certain—Dr. Warner must be told all, and his advice taken as to what should be done. Priscilla had told Austin of her conversation with the vicar, and Mr. M'Ivor thought it would be well to get him to come with them and break the sad news to the father.
The professor had just entered his study, ready to begin his early morning reading and writing, when the door opened, and Mr. M'Ivor, followed by the vicar and Austin, entered.