He did that.

He sprang--touched the grass--bounded--floated along--touched again--and so on, and presently exploded--puff! and in his place was vacancy.
It was a strange and beautiful thing to see.

We did not say anything, but sat wondering and dreaming and blinking; and finally Seppi roused up and said, mournfully sighing: "I suppose none of it has happened." Nikolaus sighed and said about the same.
I was miserable to hear them say it, for it was the same cold fear that was in my own mind.

Then we saw poor old Father Peter wandering along back, with his head bent down, searching the ground.

When he was pretty close to us he looked up and saw us, and said, "How long have you been here, boys ?" "A little while, Father." "Then it is since I came by, and maybe you can help me.