“Feargus!” they exclaimed.
“Don’t speak so loud,” he said. “I may as well tell you at once that I’m hiding over in the glen for a few days. An old man from the village brings me food here at the abbey early every morning before the tourists come, but he didn’t put in an appearance to-day, and I’ve been here ever since, hoping he would show up.”
“You poor soul, you must be starving,” cried Billie sympathetically, remembering Feargus’ appetite.
“I am,” he answered. “I’m fairly caving in. I haven’t eaten a bite since yesterday at noon, because I was greedy and ate everything that was brought to me at one meal.”
“But what are you hiding from?” demanded Nancy, unable to sympathize with Feargus’ hunger until her own curiosity was satisfied.
“Never mind that now,” said Billie. “We’ll bring him some food first and he can explain later.”
The four girls immediately dashed off to the motor car, and presently returned with the remains of their luncheon and supplies enough in tins to last him for several days.
“I feel like Elijah being fed by the ravens,” remarked Feargus, demolishing a sandwich in two bites and drinking half a bottle of ginger ale at a gulp.
“You are much more like the giant who bolted a pig at a mouthful,” said Nancy.
Feargus smiled at her blandly.