But Mr.Jansenius soon made them understand that the position of a lady in the hands of a half-witted laborer was one of danger.

His agitation infected them, and when Agatha endeavored to reassure him by declaring that Smilash was a disguised gentleman, Miss Wilson, supposing this to be a mere repetition of her former idle conjecture, told her sharply to hold her tongue, as the time was not one for talking nonsense.

The news now spread through the whole company, and the excitement became intense.
Fairholme shouted for volunteers to make up a searching party.

All the men present responded, and they were about to rush to the college gates in a body when it Occurred to the cooler among them that they had better divide into several parties, in order that search might be made at once in different quarters.

Ten minutes of confusion followed.