His quick ears had caught the sound of hoofs, and glad of a pretext to change the subject he went and leant over the balcony.
Nesta was at his side with a pounce.
"Hulloa!" he shouted a few seconds later; "here is something queer."
"What is it, Eustace?" called his mother from within; and soon every one was on the veranda, staring eagerly down the hill.
Coming up at a leisurely trot was a riderless horse—saddled, bridled, but alone.
The watchful party waited in breathless astonishment till it was close to the house. Then Eustace said sharply,—
"Mother, it's the horse Bob went away on this morning! There's been some accident."
CHAPTER X.
A VOICE FROM THE SCRUB.
There could be no doubt about it, and every one stared blankly after the beautiful big creature as it passed on, round the house towards its own stable.