which he knew to be impending
for him to go back and fetch the bundle left behind.

It was always a struggle for Bob to keep his countenance steady, the
slightest suspicion of a smile being interpreted by Rover as an
intimation that he was at liberty to "go and fetch," without a word
being uttered; and, this morning, the struggle was intensified by the
presence of the Captain, who was in a joking mood, and tried all he
could to draw off Rover's attention from Bob.

However, in spite of these difficulties, the latter succeeded in
repressing any signs of emotion in his face until they got to the
landmark in the middle of the common, when, opening his mouth at last,
Bob said, almost in a whisper, the magic words, "Go and fetch!"

Low as was the tone in which the command was given, Rover heard it; and
then, in an instant, off he flew, like an arrow from the bow, with his
bushy tail stretched out straight behind, bottle-brush fashion, making
him resemble a dark-coloured fox in the distance, with the hounds in
full cry after him.

The last they saw of him was the end of his tufted tail disappearing
over the sea-wall at the place where Bob had secreted the towels, so on
they went in the expectation of Rover presently overtaking the party
with the towels, which he seldom failed to do before the roadway
skirting the other side of the common was reached, the retriever being
generally very rapid in his movements.

On this occasion, however, the Captain with the boys not only got as,
far as the terrace, but arrived at the gate of Mrs Gilmour's house,
without there being any appearance of Rover's return.

He and the towels were alike "conspicuous by their absence."

What could have happened?

Listening attentively, they could hear presently the sound of a dog
barking in the direction of the sea, and to Bob's mind, at least, there
was no doubt that the bark was the bark of Rover.

"He cannot get the towels from under the stone," cried Bob, turning
back. "It is either that, or somebody has stolen them, or something. I
must go and see what's the matter."

"We'll all come," said the Captain. "I should like to see the affair
out."

So saying, he wheeled round too, and with Dick started off in pursuit of
Bob, who, going at the run, was already some distance ahead, on his
return journey to the beach.

The Captain stepped out well, however, and he and Dick got up just in
time to settle a little dispute, in which Bob, Rover