"Have you seen two children?" John asked, anxiously.
"No, sir, this is the Small Cats' House," replied the keeper.
"Children," repeated John, irritably.
"No, sir. Or, yes, I believe there was a little boy and a little girl in here, but they've been gone some minutes now. It's closing time," he added, significantly.
John rushed miserably along deserted paths through the dusk, looking everywhere for Bertram and Viola without success.
"All out," was being shouted from every direction.
"Two children," he panted to a keeper by the exit.
"All out"
"But two children are lost in the Gardens."
"Closing time, sir. They must have gone out by another gate."