He went out into the hall and took an electric hand lamp that stood on the hall-stand. Amber drew the curtains and, opening the French window, stepped out. The girl threw a shawl round her shoulders and followed. “There’s another lamp in the study, Amber,” said Sutton; and Amber with a nod strode through the room and down the passage that led to the library. He found the lamp, turned out the light, and rejoined the others. A thin fog overhung the country-side and shrouded the grounds, but it was not so thick that it offered any obstacle to their search. The circuit of the grounds took them very little time. There was no sign of the explorer. At the furthermost corner of the little estate was a wicket gate which opened to a narrow lane leading from the main road to the Nigerhill Road, and toward this the search party made. As they drew near Amber smothered an oath. The wicket was wide open. In the circle of light the lamps threw upon the weather-stained door a fluttering white paper attracted their attention. It was a half-sheet of notepaper fastened by a drawing-pin, and Amber raised his lamp and read: “They have took him to the quarry on the Rag. Follow quickly. Turn to the right as you get out of the gate and follow the road up the hill. Go quickly and you can save everything. “A FRIEND.” “Wait a moment.” Amber held the other’s arm as he made for the lane. “Don’t delay, for God’s sake, Amber!” cried Sutton fretfully; “we may be in time.” “Wait,” commanded Amber sharply. He flashed his lamp on the ground. The soil was of clay and soft. There were footmarks--of how many people he could not tell. He stepped out into the road. The ground was soft here with patches of grass. Whoever had passed through the wicket had by good fortune or intention missed the soft patches of clay, for there was no recent footprint. “Come along!” Sutton was hurrying up the road, and Amber and the girl followed. “Have you got a gun?” asked Amber. For answer Sutton slipped a Smith Weison from his pocket. “Did you expect this?” asked the girl by his side. “Something like it,” was the quiet answer. “Until we had settled this business I insisted that we should all be armed--I know Whitey.” Sutton fell back until he was abreast of them. “I can see no sign of footmarks,” he said, “and I’m worried about that message.” “There is one set of footprints,” said Amber shortly. His light had been searching the road all the time. “As to the message, I am more puzzled than worried. Hullo, what is that?” In the middle of the road lay a black object, and Sutton ran forward and picked it up. “It is a hat,” he said. “By Heaven, Amber, it is my father’s!” “Oh,” said Amber shortly, and stopped dead. They stood for the space of a few seconds. “I’m going back,” said Amber suddenly. They stared at him. “But--” said the bewildered girl, “but--you are not going to give up the search?”