"Will let us in to make a mess of her kitchen," finished Alan. "She is a bit of a cross-patch, but we'll make her let us in. What's the good of a Triple Alliance if we can't fight? Come on, girls. United we stand!"
They ran off as fast as they could towards the Low Farm, Alan carrying Curly very close to him, so that the warmth from his own body might revive the little dog. Blanche kept asking if he seemed better, but the answer was always the same—he had not moved or shown any signs of life.
Once Marjory said, "I say, it was very good of you, Alan, and you're soaking wet, and you must be cold without your coat."
"Rot!" replied Alan, and Marjory said no more.
CHAPTER XI.
THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER.
"And thus the heart will break,
Yet brokenly live on."—Byron.
Mrs. Shaw saw the children coming, and wondered what could be the reason of this unusual visit. She went to the garden gate to meet them, and saw at once by Blanche's tear-stained face that something was wrong. They told her what they wanted, and she invited them in without hesitation, taking them straight to the kitchen, where a bright fire was blazing.