When he reached the Prescott house a man was just coming out of the yard, following the path from the south door.

When he came up to Jerome he eyed him curiously; then he grasped him by the shoulder.
"Sick ?" said he.
"No," said Jerome.
"What on airth makes you look so ?" "Father's lost." "Lost--where's he lost?
What d'ye mean ?" "Went to get a load of wood for Doctor Prescott this mornin', an' 'ain't got home." "Now, I want to know! Didn't I see his team go up the road a few minutes ago ?" Jerome nodded.

"Met it, an' he wa'n't on," said he.
"Lord!" cried the man, and stared at him.

He was a middle-aged man, with a small wiry shape and a gait like a boy's.

His name was Jake Noyes, and he was the doctor's hired man.