Part 23 (1/2)

The bridle was taken off the shaggy little pony whom Marjorie had not waited to saddle, and Marjorie and Allan went down the hill

Reggie and Harry were already out of doors, Harry addressing hiie, as unusually silent When Allan caie studied the pair inquiringly and received a reassuring nod froan Harry; 'I say, if the et their leave to-day do you think they will let us co places on the island,' said Reggie, with a sidelong glance at Allan

'Oh, I say, what fun,' exclailers' Caves and let theain

'I wouldn't do that, if I were you, Harry,' said Allan 'You don't know much about the caves yourself yet, you know, and they're reat holes full of water where you don't expect theht fall on the top of you and crush you to pieces; and then the s in ambush round the corners, you know'

Tricksy, who had come out to join the others, opened her eyes very widely at this account of the hidden perils of the caves

'Look,' cried Reggie, 'they're signalling sos had suddenly floated out frolass,' said Allan, running towards the house

'So to Father,' he said, after studying the signals for awhile; 'I can't htened eyes

'Here, Reggie,' said Allan, handing hiie looked, then shook his head

'Can'tof it,' he said

'Perhaps they want us to colass for aalready?' suggested Marjorie, in a voice designed only for Allan's and Reggie's ears

'Don't know,' said Allan 'If only they hadn't gone and roan

'They're signalling frouard station, do you see?' cried Tricksy

'Where's Gerald?' said Harry; 'he ought to be here to see this Lazy beggar, if I don't re he always oversleeps'

He flew into the house, and returned shortly, followed by Gerald, who carateful to his brother for having roused hiood sleep he had enjoyed for weeks

'There's a coastguard just coie

'Perhaps all the ested Harry; while Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie watched the athered froone down the avenue all the young people crowded into the hall

'A letter,' said Allan, looking at an envelope lying on the hall table; 'Allan Stewart, Esq that doesn't tell us one out'

'Perhaps it's for you,' suggested Tricksy