d to pass quietly, though once Uncle Toby thought he
heard Skyrocket barking in the kitchen. Getting out of his bed, Uncle
Toby called:

"Who's in the kitchen? Is everything all right?"

There was no answer, not even a bark from the dog, and Uncle Toby
thought he had been mistaken about hearing a noise.

"And I guess Skyrocket is asleep," he added.

In the morning Tom and Ted came down earlier than any of the others, for
they had an idea that they could build a little house of pieces of
carpet on the toboggan and coast while inside it. They wanted to try
out this idea before Uncle Toby should say it was too risky.

"Here, Sky! Sky!" called Ted, as he walked toward the kitchen.

There was no joyous, answering bark, and when the door was pushed open
no dog ran to greet his young master.

Skyrocket was gone!

CHAPTER XX

TROUBLE IS MISSING

Harry came into the kitchen to join his chums, and when he heard that
Skyrocket was gone he and the other two boys made such a noise calling
and whistling for the missing dog that Uncle Toby asked:

"What's the matter out there?"

"Skyrocket's gone!" explained Ted.

"Well, that's all right," said Uncle Toby. "I suppose he went out early
to get up an appetite for breakfast."

"But how could he get out, Uncle Toby?" asked Ted, as Mr. Bardeen came
into the kitchen where the dog had been put for the night. "How could he
get out? There isn't a door or window open, and he hasn't jumped through
any of the window glass, as he did once to get to me when he was shut up
by mistake."

"Hum!" murmured Uncle Toby, thoughtfully. "Are you sure he's gone, Ted?"

"Well, he isn't around and he doesn't come when I call him," the boy
answered. "He must be gone."

Jan and the other girls now came into the kitchen, and soon Aunt Sallie
had Trouble dressed, so the whole family was up. That is all but
Skyrocket, and he surely was one of the family.

"What's the matter?" asked Jan, for she knew that there was something
wrong. And when Ted told her about Skyrocket being gone, tears came into
Jan's eyes. Seeing this, Uncle Toby knew what he had to do to keep the
children contented and happy while on their holiday stay with him at
Crystal Lake.

"Look here, boys and girls," he said, "Skyrocket isn't lost. He has just
run out somewhere. He'll be back soon. Don't feel too bad about him. It
isn't the first time he has run away, is it, Ted?"

"No, Uncle Toby. But how did he get out to