A GENTLE DONKEY.
(Concluded from page [402].)
IV.
'Please, sir, could you speak to Simmons?'
'Ask him to come in here. Wonder what Simmons wants at this hour?' said Major Raeburn to his wife, when the parlour-maid had closed the door.
'Well, Simmons,' as the groom quietly entered the room, 'what is the trouble?'
'It's the oats, sir. Some one is stealing them.'
'Are you sure?'
'Certain, sir. It has been going on for a day or two.'
'Extraordinary,' murmured the Major. 'Well, we must watch. Have other things disappeared?'