Disregarding the curses of the old woman, a thorough search of the place was made.

The forest, the ravine, the mountainside for a mile or more in all directions were gone over by the searchers.

There was absolutely no sign of the missing man, nor was there the least indication that there had been foul play.
The old woman's story, reflected by the grandson, was convincing so far as it went.

She said that the young man remained behind in the kitchen to puzzle himself over the smoke mystery, while she went out to her doorstep.

The man with the horses became frightened when she went down to explain the situation to him.