The htde girl followed the footprints with Buster. He put his nose down to them and Mowed them too, though it was really the smell he was following, not the marks thehiselves. Along the muddy path thef went, and then crossed a road to the other side. Then up another footpath, where they showed quite plainly, and then into alaue Here they were not so easy to follow, but Buster's nose was most useful, for he could follow the smell, even where there was no footprint to be seen.
"You really are very clever, Buster," said Bets, in great admiration. "I wish my nose was like yours. Yes - that's right - that's another of the prints - and here's another -and another. Look - they're going to the stile."
So they were. It was plain that the owner of the prints had crossed the stile and jumped down on to the field beyond. Bets grew more and more excited.
"The prints are going the same way as the other prints did!" she said to Buster. "Look! Now, Buster, dear, use your nose well across this field because I can't see anything on the grass, of course."
Buster went across the field in a straight line, his black nose held close to the ground. He could smell exactly where the person had walked. Soon Bets came to a bare muddy bit and there she saw a footprint clearly outlined. "You are going the right way. Buster," she said. "Keep your nose down! Hurry! Maybe we shall find the person if we're quick! I believe these footprints have only just been made."
The footprints did not lead to the gap in the hedge. Instead they led over another stile and up the lane that led to Bets' own house. But at Mr. Hick's gate the prints turned and went up Mr. Hick's own drive!
Bets was amazed. So the man who fired the cottage had actually gone back to it today! She wondered if he had gone to the front door or the back door. She went up the muddy drive, her face down, watching the prints. They went right to the front door. Just as she got there the door opened and Mr. Hick appeared. He seemed astonished to see Bets.
"Well, what are you doing here?" he asked.
"Oh, Mr. Hick," gasped Bets, too excited to think that she might be giving away any of the Find-Outers' secrets. "I'm following these footprints., and they go right to your door. Oh, Mr. Hick, it's most awfully important to know who made them. Has any one been to see you today?"
Mr. Hick looked surprised, and he frowned at Bets and Buster. "I don't understand," he said. "Why is it so awfully important?"