Before I reached the house I met the caretaker coming to seek me in a great fright, and asked her if her master was dead.

She answered No; but he was _gone_--had got out of bed and, just as he was, barefooted, left the house, and was last seen by her grandson among the very Scotch firs where we were talking.

The lad, who was terrified out of his wits, for he thought that he beheld a ghost, had told her so.
"The moonlight was very brilliant that night, especially as fresh snow had fallen, which reflected its rays.

I was on foot, and began to search among the firs, till presently just outside of them I found the track of naked feet in the snow.

Of course I followed, calling to the housekeeper to go and wake her husband, for no one else lives near by.