However, in spite of these difficulties, the latter succeeded in repressing any signs of emotion in his face until they got to the landmark in the middle of the common, when, opening his mouth at last, Bob said, almost in a whisper, the magic words, “Go and fetch!”
Low as was the tone in which the command was given, Rover heard it; and then, in an instant, off he flew, like an arrow from the bow, with his bushy tail stretched out straight behind, bottle-brush fashion, making him resemble a dark-coloured fox in the distance, with the hounds in full cry after him.
The last they saw of him was the end of his tufted tail disappearing over the sea-wall at the place where Bob had secreted the towels, so on they went in the expectation of Rover presently overtaking the party with the towels, which he seldom failed to do before the roadway skirting the other side of the common was reached, the retriever being generally very rapid in his movements.
On this occasion, however, the Captain with the boys not only got as, far as the terrace, but arrived at the gate of Mrs Gilmour’s house, without there being any appearance of Rover’s return.
He and the towels were alike “conspicuous by their absence.”
What could have happened?
Listening attentively, they could hear presently the sound of a dog barking in the direction of the sea, and to Bob’s mind, at least, there was no doubt that the bark was the bark of Rover.
“He cannot get the towels from under the stone,” cried Bob, turning back. “It is either that, or somebody has stolen them, or something. I must go and see what’s the matter.”
“We’ll all come,” said the Captain. “I should like to see the affair out.”
So saying, he wheeled round too, and with Dick started off in pursuit of Bob, who, going at the run, was already some distance ahead, on his return journey to the beach.