Part 35 (1/2)

The search-party met in the hall, just as that other search-party had kept doing so o, but there was never any news

”Can there be a secret chamber somewhere else?” said Nesta

Brenda shook her head

”I don't think so,” she said

”I wish father would coht think of sorandfather what is to be done,” said Herbert at last in desperation

It was a last resource Nothing but the most serious business was allowed to interrupt Mr Chase'sto warrant the intrusion

In through the folding-doors trooped the anxious-looking searchers, Herbert first

”Well, I never!” he exclaimed, for there stood Peter as calrandfather across the broad writing-table

”Can you ride bareback?” he was inquiring in his shrill treble

”Bob can; but he said I mustn't try because it is slimy”

”Slimy?” repeated Mr Chase, with brows bent in perplexity

”Yes,” said Peter, ”sliddery, you know A horse is a very slippery beast for short legs, Bob says”

He went on quite regardless of the intruders, who stood watching in awed silence, because if Mr Chase did not order Peter out of the room, it was no one's business to do so

”And who ?” asked Mr Chase--”a bushranger?”

”No, he's our friend,” replied Peter ”He is just Bob, you knoho comes to see us Once Eustace and he were lost in the scrub

And Bob says Eustace is a--”

”Peter!” exclai bad,” said Peter ”I was only going to tell grandfather how you--”

”Grandfather doesn't want to know,” said Eustace, looking red and uncoht blue eyes on Eustace; they were blue eyes, very like Peter's

”Perhaps grandfather does,” he said firmly--”Go on, Peter”

”I can tell you better,” said Eustace hurriedly ”It is only Bob was lost, and I got lost looking for hi to kill us, but the chief wanted a reward, so he fetched father and Mr Cochrane to take us home”

Mr Chase listened quietly It was a tame little story, without much point to it told like that, but he had watched Eustace's sensitive face narrowly, and he asked no further questions

”I see,” he said instead, looking round the group on the threshold ”What are you all doing, if I randfather,” explained Herbert uncomfortably, certain that Mr Chase was annoyed ”We've been hunting for him for the last hour”