Part 52 (1/2)

Four or five men were lying face downwards on the gra.s.s--worn out and tired. Before the steps of one caravan a group of children were playing, whilst one woman in a red shawl sat on the steps smoking a clay pipe, and holding a dirty-looking baby in her arms.

The twins stole round the caravan, taking good care not to be seen.

There was as yet no sign of the clown.

At last they found a smaller caravan which stood apart from the others, and the door was ajar. ”Perhaps he is in there,” suggested Humpty. ”I am going to see.” And he ran up the steps and peeped inside.

”Oh, do come, Dumpty!” he cried; ”it is awfully interesting.”

Dumpty tumbled up the steps.

”Oh, Humpty!” she said, ”how lovely!”

It really was a very nice caravan, and spotlessly clean. There were dear little red curtains in front of the window and a red mat on the floor.

All over the wall hung baskets made in pretty green and blue straw of all shapes and sizes. On the chair lay a bundle of peac.o.c.k's feathers.

”These are like what the gipsies sell,” remarked Dumpty. A gipsy's basket was lying on the floor, in which were tin utensils for cooking, and two or three saucepans. Bootlaces had been wound round the handle.

The twins were fascinated, and turned everything over with great interest. They found a large cupboard, too, containing all sorts of beautiful clothes--lovely velvet dresses, and robes of gold and silver.

”How dark it is getting!” said Humpty presently; ”why did you shut the door?”

”I didn't shut the door,” answered Dumpty; ”I spect the wind did.”

They took a long time in exploring the cupboard. Suddenly Humpty cried, ”We have forgotten Poor Jane's brother!”

They made a rush for the door.

”Here, Humpty, will you open it? This handle is stiff.”

Humpty pulled and struggled with the handle until he was red in the face.

”I can't get it open,” he said at last.

”Let me try again,” said Dumpty, and she pushed and struggled, but to no purpose.

For a long time she and Humpty tried alternately to open the door, but nothing that they could do was of any avail.

[Sidenote: Locked in]

”I think it is locked,” said Humpty at last, sitting down despondently.

He was panting breathlessly, and began to swing his legs.

Dumpty's eyes grew wide with terror, her lips trembled.

”Have they locked us in on purpose?” she asked.

”Yes,” said Humpty, ”the circus people have locked us in, and they won't unlock the door until they have left Woodstead.”

”And then?” asked Dumpty.