Sheriff Dickerson and his men searched the Adams Farm thoroughly. They found no trace of Will or Cordia. They began to ride out into the outlying areas, stopping at houses, and asking if anyone had heard anything suspicious. No one had noticed anything out of the ordinary. Around two o'clock in the morning, Sheriff Dickerson ordered his men to go home, planning to reconvene at first light. He returned to the Pike home to let Cordia's parents and Carey know they had come up empty handed.
Carey's performance had been extremely convincing. As Sheriff Dickerson explained that the search had not been successful, the brokenhearted fiancé began to weep. Jane also broke into tears, and Isaac did his best to comfort his wife. Frieda asked to be excused to her room so that she could mourn in privat
