"There's the circus-tents," said Bets, as they topped a hill and rode down. "And look at the cages, too — and the gay caravans. Oh, I do think it looks exciting!"
It was exciting. A big elephant was tethered by a hind leg to a stout tree. Five tigers in a very strong cage roared for their dinner. Seven beautiful black horses were being ridden round the field by the grooms, who were giving them a little exercise.
Smoke rose from the chimneys of the gay caravans, and all kinds of exciting smells rose on the air.
"What's our plan?" said Larry, jumping off his bicycle and leaning it against the fence. "Do we hunt round for Luke, or do we ask for Jake?"
"We'll all go, except Bets," said Larry. "It can't matter us wandering separately round the field. I can see other children doing it too. But Bets had better stay and look after the bikes."
The others climbed over the fence and went in to the field. They separated and wandered about, waiting to meet someone they could ask about Jake.
It was Pip who found Jake. He had asked a cheeky little circus-girl if she knew where Jake was, and she had first put out her tongue at him, then called him an impolite name, and then pointed to where a big man was giving a pail of water to a horse.
Pip went across to him. The man looked up. "What do you want?" he said.
"I say," said Pip, "I'm looking for a boy I know, called Luke. I've got a message for him. Is he here?"
"Nope," said the man shortly. "Haven't seen him for weeks."