At sight of their uniforms excitement revived; there was a general conviction that something effectual would be done now.

But the constables were only mortal, and in a few moments a whisper spread that they were fooled.

They doubted everything told them, and expressed their contempt for amateur searching by entering on a fresh investigation, prying with the greatest care into the least probable places.

Two of them went off to the chalet to look for Smilash.
Then Fairholme, sunburnt, perspiring, and dusty, but still energetic, brought back the exhausted remnant of his party, with a sullen boy, who scowled defiantly at the police, evidently believing that he was about to be delivered into their custody.
Fairholme had been everywhere, and, having seen nothing of the missing pair, had come to the conclusion that they were nowhere.

He had asked everybody for information, and had let them know that he meant to have it too, if it was to be had.