Mr. and Mrs. Churchill returned to Woodside late on the following evening, and were both somewhat surprised not to find May up to receive them. The two boys, however, were. "May has gone to bed with a bad headache," said Hal, with a grin, for the information of his stepmother. "I think she should have sat up; it is only proper respect to us," retorted Mrs. Churchill. "Not if she is ill, my dear," said Mr. Churchill, who somehow missed seeing his pretty daughter. Mrs. Churchill said nothing more on the subject. She ate her supper and arranged "the things" that she had brought from Castle Hill to her own satisfaction, and then retired for the night, well satisfied with herself and what she had done during the day. And the next morning she rose early, as was her usual practice, and began her healthful daily life with her accustomed energy. At half-past eight o'clock she and her husband and the two boys were seated at the well-spread breakfast table, but still May had not appeared. "Ring the breakfast bell again, Hal," directed Mrs. Churchill presently. "I can not have May lying in bed all day." The breakfast bell was rung for the second time, but it failed to bring May down-stairs. Therefore, after she had finished her own excellent breakfast with excellent appetite, Mrs. Churchill said she would go upstairs to see after her stepdaughter. "I'll not take her up any tea, as she may be only idling," she remarked, as she rose from the table; "but I'll see what is really the matter with her." She accordingly went upstairs and rapped at May's bedroom door. There was no reply, so Mrs. Churchill opened it and went in. One glance at the bed showed her that it had not been slept in; another glance around the room told her it was empty. Mrs. Churchill felt half-frightened. Again she looked around, and this time her eyes fell on a letter lying on the toilet-table. She approached the toilet-table and took up the letter. It was directed to her husband, and it was sealed, and Mrs. Churchill knew at once that something very serious had happened. She hurried out of the room carrying the letter with her. As she descended the staircase she saw her husband in the hall, about to open the front door, for the purpose of leaving the house. "William!" she called, and waved the letter, and when Mr. Churchill noticed the expression of her face he at once turned back to meet her. "Come in here," she said, opening the dining-room door, and putting her hand on her husband's arm as she spoke. The dining-room was empty and Mrs. Churchill closed the door behind them. "William," she said, when they were alone, "May is not in her room; the bed has never been slept in, and she has left this letter lying on the toilet-table for you." "Good heavens! What can be the matter?" exclaimed Mr. Churchill; and he proceeded to tear open the letter, and read it eagerly, while his wife peered over his shoulder trying to do so too. And this was what he read: