Isn't anybody in ?" "They're all gone away to Llandudno, for a month." "All?
Isn't anyone here ?" "No, the house is locked up." Here a warning call of "Willie!" caused their informant to disappear as suddenly as he had come, but the girls had heard enough.

All their hopes were suddenly blighted.

They had arrived at the end of their journey only to draw a blank.

They were indeed in a worse position than when they had missed the train at Denscourt, for they were farther from home, and it was much later.

Almost ready to cry, they turned down the garden again.
"We've got to get home to-night somehow!" said Ingred through her set teeth.
"Shall we go to the police station ?" quavered Verity.
"And give ourselves up like lost children?
No, it's too undignified! Wait a moment, I've got an idea!" said Beatrice.