At the State House he at last found some one who had seen and known the group--an attache of the State educational department. There was no train that way until midnight. He took it. How he passed the time of waiting he never knew. He was at the doors of the institution as early as decency permitted. He did not wish to compromise her. He was assured in a manner that left no room for doubt that Miss Kavanagh had not returned with the others. They were much worried and had notified her father. Harlan sent an appealing telegram to him, daring even to solicit that ogre of the North. But no word came to him. He wired orders to his caretaker at "The Barracks" to investigate at that end, and returned to the State capital, distracted, baffled, not knowing what step to take next. The session had not closed for the day when he arrived at the State House. Men in the lobby stared at him as he passed. It was evident that tongues had been busy with his affairs. His grandfather, striding up and down, tried to intercept him, but he kept on to his seat. All the eyes of the House were on him. Word of the "Thornton Bill" had gone abroad. Now, in spite of his mental distress, he remembered his duty. When he rose to ask the privilege of introducing a bill, interrupting the order of business, he anticipated objection. No objection was made. The opposition did not propose to waste effort on pettifogging preliminaries. The bill went in and on its way--and that night the capital buzzed with the discussion of it. Harlan Thornton spent half the night at the telegraph-office, his mind intent on something far from prospective legislation. But no word came to comfort him--no clew that he could pursue. Days grew into weeks. He did not attempt search in person. It would have been vague wandering about the country. He remained to hold up the hands of Governor Waymouth, finding relish for fight in the rancor that settled within him. He and Linton silently faced the gossip that beat about them in regard to their encounter--and kept away from each other. Theirs was a balanced account. And Madeleine Presson somewhat ostentatiously permitted the attentions of the young Secretary of State! CHAPTER XXVII THE EVERLASTING PROBLEM