"So he was," declared Teddy. "But he came in out of the snow," he added. "Didn't you, Nicknack?"
"Yes, and he brought something with him," went on Mr. Martin. "You must stop hugging Nicknack, Curlytops, until I see what it is."
He led the goat gently away from the children. Nicknack bleated again.
"I guess he's hungry," said Teddy.
"I'll get him a cookie!" offered Janet.
"You'd better give him a real meal," put in Nora. "He'll be hungry and want more than cookies, I'm thinkin'."
"Get him anything you like," said Mr. Martin, "as long as I get this off his neck. It is a note!" he cried. "It's tied on with a piece of string. It's a note—a letter!"
"Who in the world would send a note by Nicknack in that queer way, I wonder," remarked Mrs. Martin.
"I've read of persons lost in the mountains sending a note for help tied around the neck of a St. Bernard dog," said Uncle Frank. "Maybe somebody used Nicknack as a dog."
Meanwhile Teddy and Jan had to run to the pantry to get Nicknack something to eat. Trouble was now petting the goat and asking: