The day following the one on which this conversation was held, Farmer Giles came into the kitchen in great perturbation about twelve o'clock.
'Where are the children?' he demanded quickly.
Nurse came into the room, leading Bobby, who had been undergoing a change of garments through a tumble into the duck-pond.
'They're out in the meadows,' she said; 'what's the matter?'
'I'm afraid there's a dog of Mr. Dart's loose; I've just heard say it's gone mad, and can't be found! It's these dreadful hot days. I've just chained up Rough. Little Miss Betty must look after that dog of hers. Tom Dart and a neighbour is out huntin' for theirs now.'
'A mad dog!' exclaimed nurse in horror; 'call them in, Jack, do! What should I do if they met it?'
And leaving Bobby in the kitchen, she as well as her brother ran out to warn the children. They found them in a clover field under the trees: Douglas was busy trying to work his way inside an old hollow trunk; Molly was digging down a rabbit hole; and Billy was waiting upon them both.
'Where is Miss Betty?'
'She's gone along the lane,' said Douglas, looking up with a very heated face; 'I sent her to the brook to get some water: we're going to lay in provisions for a siege; and this tree will be our hiding-place.'
'And I'm digging for treasure money,' said Molly.