Ormiston was the first to speak.
"What in Heaven's name has happened!" he wonderingly exclaimed.
"Some one has been here," said Sir Norman, turning very pale, "and carried her off while we were gone." "Let us search the house," said the doctor; "you should have locked your door, Sir Norman; but it may not be too late yet." Acting on the hint, Sir Norman seized the lamp burning on the table, and started on the search.

His two friends followed him, and "The highest, the lowest, the loveliest spot, They searched for the lady, and found her not." No, though there was not the slightest trace of robbers or intruders, neither was there the slightest trace of the beautiful plague-patient.
Everything in the house was precisely as it always was, but the silver shining vision was gone..