It turns out that Niton is correct - there was a filter. However, it was a filter I removed, but which it turns out WILL NOT go away.

I clear out the filters (again and again, with and without IT watching me), but the instant I create a new search folder, the filter returns. The filter dialog is blank before I create the search folder, but after I create the search folder and go in to look, the filter is back. I can't kill it.

Is there a switch somewhere other than the View > View Settings > Filter dialog that controls this??

Thanks!