It was marvellous that any one could vanish in such a way. But he
hesitated too. He felt uncertain about something. His thoughts flew
off to that strange wood he loved to play in. He remembered the
warning: "Beware the centre, if you enter; For once you're _there_,
you disappear!" But this explanation did not appeal to him as likely
now. He stared at Judy and his uncle. Some one _had_ touched him,
making him warm and happy. He remembered that distinctly. He had
caught a glimpse--though a glimpse too marvellous to be seen for long,
even to be remembered properly. "But there's no good looking unless we
know where to look," he remarked. "Is there?"
"He's just gone out like a candle," whispered Judy.
"Extror'nary," declared her brother, hugging the excitement that
thrilled his heart. "But he can't be really lost. I'm sure of that!"
And a great hush fell upon them all. Some one, it seemed, was
listening; some one was watching; some one was waiting for them to
move.
"Uncle?" they said in the same breath together, then hung upon his
answer.
This authority hesitated a moment, looking about him expectantly as
though for help.
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