“Perhaps it wasn’t he,” said Josh.
“Perhaps he’s so busy painting something or another that he hasn’t been able to hear.”
“Oh, perhaps anything,” said Will. “Come on, I am certain now. It’s that big cleft where we found the stonechats. He will have fallen down there, paint and all.”
“Help!” came faintly now. “Help—help!”
“Hear that?” panted Josh, looking scared, and then radiant.
“Yes,” said Will; “I hear. He’s in danger.” And the two lads tore on as fast as they could up the steep slippery incline.