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“Daddy motored down from Tirau this morning with Gerald, and Gerald lent him his car to bring us out,” explained Jo. “Daddy’s sold ours.”

“And we’re going back in the morning in the car to Tirau for our holidays,” said Biddy.

“Gerald isn’t coming. He’s going to Wellington tomorrow.”

“They seem to have told you all the news,” said Holmes to Ann. He had been exchanging greetings with Mrs. Ford and Rhoda while the little girls were shouting at Ann.

Suddenly the hounds gave tongue, and streamed away along the valley with the field behind them, and the conversation took a different turn.

“Look, there’s Stephanie!” said Rhoda. “Boxer’s jumping well, isn’t he, mother? Have you been here long, Mr. Holmes?”

“Yes, we came out early, and brought some sandwiches with us.”

“And hard-boiled eggs,” said Biddy.

“And Mrs. Marley made us tea in her thermometer,” added Jo. Every one laughed except Biddy, who remarked:

“Silly! You mean thermogene.”

At which the twins chorused loudly:

“Thermos, that’s what it is, isn’t it, Mum?”

Hounds and riders had now disappeared over a low ridge of the hills.

“Could we go any further after them?” asked Rhoda.

“I don’t think so,” replied Holmes. “They’ll probably turn at the creek over the hill there, and circle back this way.”

“Have there been any spills?”