he had disappeared. With our burning torches held down to the snowy earth we started out to look for him. We found no trace of him.
We returned to the hut to see if he were hidden behind some faggots. We searched for a long time; ten times we looked in the same place, the same corners. I climbed up on Vitalis' shoulders to look amongst the branches of which the roof was made. We called again and again, but there was no answer.
Vitalis seemed angry. I was in despair. I asked my master if he thought that the wolves could have taken him also.
"No," he said, "the wolves would not dare come into the hut. I am afraid they got Zerbino and Dulcie when they went out, but they did not come in here. It is quite likely that Pretty-Heart was terrified and has hidden himself somewhere while we were outside; that is why I am so anxious. In this terrible weather he will catch cold, and cold is fatal for him."
"Well, let us keep on looking."
We went over the ground again, but all in vain.
"We must wait till day," said Vitalis.
"When will it be day?"
"In two or three hours, I think."
Vitalis sat down before the fire, with his head in his hands. I did not dare disturb him. I stood quite close to him, only moving occasionally to put some branches on the fire. Once or twice he got up and went to the door. He looked at the sky,
