He was also, positive that there were three figures in the front seat! Who was the extra person?
was the question that flashed into the minds of the listeners.

A small boy came to the schoolhouse at nine o'clock in the morning with 'Rast Little's new derby hat.

He had picked it up at the roadside not far from the schoolhouse and in the direction taken by the Farnsworth party.
Anderson gave orders that no word of the catastrophe be carried to Rosalie, who was reported to be ill of a fever the next morning after the spelling-bee.

She had a cough, and the doctor had said that nothing should be said or done to excite her.
The crowd at the schoolhouse grew larger as the morning passed Everybody talked in whispers; everybody was mystified beyond belief.

All eyes were turned to Anderson Crow, who stood aloof, pondering as he had never pondered before.