“What do you mean?” asked Mr. Willing quickly, and stepped forward.
He glanced searchingly at Gabriel, and just then the noble horse staggered.
Mr. Willing sprang forward with a cry of alarm.
“Help me get this bridle off immediately,” he shouted.
Jimmy and Shirley sprang to do his bidding.
The bridle came away in Mr. Willing’s hands a moment later, and the latter examined it carefully. Gabriel, in the meantime, walking very slowly, made for his stall.
Mr. Willing turned from his examination of the bridle. He held the bit in his hand.
“I was sure I could not be mistaken,” he said quietly. “I have seen too many such cases.”
“What do you mean, Dad?” said Shirley in alarm.
The others also turned to him anxiously.