The mere
suggestion that the professor might still be alive and in need of
assistance was enough for them, and they set about feverishly to scour
the woods on both sides of the river and for a considerable distance
down its shores.
After an hour of vain search, however, they were forced to conclude
that the old man was indeed dead, and so reluctantly and with heavy
hearts they turned their steps back toward Wild Rose Lodge.
They talked very little on the way back, for they were too occupied
with their own gloomy thoughts. Only once Betty spoke what was in the
minds of all of them.
"It seems such a terrible waste-- such a pity," she said. "Just a
mistake on the part of the Government to have resulted in this
tragedy. Arnold and James Dempsey coming home, safe and well and
hopeful to find their father-- dead!"
The boys stayed on for several days at the lodge, and for all the
Outdoor Girls but Betty their stay was unmitigated joy. But in the
heart of the Little Captain, hard as she tried to fight against it,
was a little sense of injury to think that her chums had got their
boys back and she had been denied hers.
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