In Bexley they visited the rural policeman, but he could not tell them anything useful. They rode all over the common but found nothing, so they turned their horses' heads towards home. They reached the Chase about eleven o'clock, feeling extremely tired and almost heart-broken. They found Washington and the twins waiting for them at the gate with lanterns, as the road to the house was very dark.

No-one had seen any sign at all of Virginia. The gypsies had been found on Brockley common, but Virginia was not with them.

The gypsies explained that they had left Canterville Chase in such a hurry because they had mistaken the date of Chorton Fair, and they were afraid they would be late. Indeed, the gypsies had been quite upset when they heard of Virginia's disappearance, because they were very grateful to Mr Otis for having allowed them to camp in his park.

Four of the gypsies stayed behind to help in the search for Virginia. They looked to see if Virginia had fallen into the pond, and checked the whole of Canterville Chase very thoroughly, but they found nothing.

Everyone could see that Virginia was not going to be found that night. Mr Otis and the boys were very depressed as they walked up to the house with the groom following behind with the two horses and the pony.

In the hall they found a group of frightened servants, and poor Mrs Otis was lying on a sofa in the library, her mind completely filled with terror and worry. The old housekeeper was sitting with her and trying to comfort her. Mr Otis said that his wife should be given some food immediately, and ordered supper for everybody. It was a melancholy meal.