Indeed, the whole of the police in the provinces of Abo and of Helsingfors seemed to be actively making a house-to-house search.
But what could be the truth of Elma's disappearance?
Had she fled of her own accord, or had she once more fallen a victim to some ingenious and dastardly plot.

That gray dress of hers might, I recollected, betray her if she dared to venture near any town, while her affliction would, of itself, be plain evidence of identification.

All I hoped was that she had gone and hidden herself in the forest somewhere in the vicinity to wait until the danger of recapture had passed.
For nearly half an hour I argued with the police officer whose intention it was to take me under arrest to Helsingfors.

Once there, however, I knew too well that my liberty would be probably gone for ever.

Whatever was the Baron's motive in holding the poor girl a prisoner, it would also be his motive to silence me.