to the old barn, at least, though Jack wished several times that he
might meet his chum running toward them along the road.

They reached the barn in due course, and while Washington, Jack and
Andy began a search of it, the two scientists went up to the house of
the man who owned it and enlisted his aid. They asked him if he had
seen Mark around that afternoon, but the farmer had not.

"But me an' my hired man'll come out and help you hunt through the
barn," he said. "I remember once, when I was a lad, that my brother
fell off the hay mow and lay unconscious in a manger for five hours
before we found him. Maybe that's what's happened to this young man,"
suggested Mr. Hampton, which was the farmer's name.

"I looked around pretty well this afternoon," explained Jack, when the
farmer and his man had reached the barn, "but, of course, I didn't know
all the nooks and corners."

A thorough search of the structure, however, failed to reveal the
presence of Mark, and then the farmer volunteered to accompany the
party on to the old Preakness house. His offer was received with
thanks, and, bringing two more lanterns with them, Mr. Hampton and his
man added considerable to the illumination.

They went through the old mansion from garret to cellar, and called
repeatedly, but there was no answer. And good reason, for in the secret
room, with his captive, the mysterious man heard the first approach of
the searching party; and he quickly bound Mark and gagged him, so that
he could not answer.