This was enough to drive everything else out of Fanny's head. The two little girls started off to see the fun, and poor Dick was quite forgotten.
There were ladies riding in golden cars, and little piebald ponies, and an elephant, and all kinds of marvellous sights. Fanny and Dora followed the procession to the field in which the tent was to be put up, and it was growing late before they thought of setting out for home.
Then there suddenly came into Fanny's mind the remembrance of the little boy she had left fastened to the gate.
'I forgot all about him,' she said to Dora. 'I do hope he is all right.'
But when they reached the cottage, no Dick was to be seen!
'Perhaps he managed to untie the cords, and is in the house,' Dora suggested.
They hunted high and low, but no Dick was to be found, and Fanny burst into tears.
'Oh, Dora,' she cried, 'perhaps the circus people have been here and stolen him! You know they do steal little boys sometimes, and make them walk on tight-ropes. And they may be unkind to Dick. Oh! what shall I do?'
At this moment a man on horseback came down the lane, and there, riding in front of him, was Dick!
Fanny thought her worst fears were realised. The man must be a circus rider, and how could she hope to rescue her brother if the man chose to turn and gallop away!