"Squark! squark! squark!" went Stuffie, Highhead, Longlegs, and Bigfoot. It was just after the clock had struck for midnight. Red Nose Mike woke up to find the door open and some one, he could not tell who, standing there with the people in his hand. He was reaching for Charcoal. Mike at once woke Charcoal and the rest of them escaped. Soon the person, whom Red Nose Mike could see was not a chicken, disappeared. "O! O! where are they? Who was it? O! Cousin Red Nose!" said Eatwell. "No time for this, Eatwell," said Mrs. Bluehen. "Mr. Bill, Mr. Bill, where are you?" "Right here, putting on my overcoat. I must go up to the Castle and warn the people of the danger," answered Bill. "Yes, I was just going to say you ought to go." Bill was gone. Did he ever reach the Castle? We will see. THE TRAMP. THE TRAMP. As soon as he got outside the door the first thing Bill did was to put his ear down to the ground. But he heard nothing. Then on he went. But no, his legs would not carry him Lady Gray was easy to wake. She was soon at the window. She raised it and said:— "Mr. Bill, what do you mean? This is rather late to pay calls." "O, lady, it is not a call. I came to tell you that serious trouble has come to dear Fowl Farm," said Bill. Lady Gray was a person not easily frightened, so she said:— "I hope it is not as serious as you think; but what is it?" "My dear madam, a tramp came to our house and stole Stuffie, Highhead, Longlegs, and Bigfoot. Dear lady, he may come here, so please send out to see if he has left the farm." This was too much for Lady Gray. She fainted. |