'No, sir, not so far as I have seen. I can't make head or tail of it. The two lads are as honest as the day; indeed, it was one of them who first noticed it. He refills the bin in the stable, and it is from there the oats are being stolen. I generally go to have a bit of lunch about ten or half-past, and I think the oats are taken then.'
'Well, look here! it is just ten, so you go to your lunch as usual; that will put the thief off his guard; but send one of the boys to hide in the stable and I will go and join him.'
'Any one there?' he whispered, a little later, as he crept into the stable.
'Yes, sir, Robin. I am in the loose-box,' continued the voice of the unseen Robin.
They had waited for over an hour, when Robin sat up and listened intently.
'Hear something?' inquired his master.
'The paddock gate, sir.'
Now, as no one used the paddock gate except Simmons or one of the boys—when Tim was turned out—Major Raeburn rose softly to his feet, and cautiously moved towards the small window.
'Quick, Robin!' called the Major, laughing softly, 'look at this!'
There at the paddock gate stood Tim; his head was down and he was trying to open the gate. They could see his soft nose pushed through between the bars of the gate, and hear the metallic click that the latch made as it fell back into its groove.