Noon
The portiere returned first . He had been to every hotel in the little town , but none of them had received a guest since the afternoon train of yesterday . Count Ferralti had disappeared as if by magic , and no one could account for it . Noon arrived , but no Uncle John . The girls became dispirited and anxious , for the little man was usually very prompt in keeping his engagements , and always had returned at the set time . They waited until the last moment and then entered the _ salle a manger _ and ate their luncheon in gloomy silence , hoping every moment to hear the sound of their uncle 's familiar tread . After luncheon they held a hurried consultation and decided to go into town and search for him .