catch Allan, who slipped out and made for the
door.

Reggie barred his passage.

'Unfair--different directions!' cried Allan; for it was the rule among
the Stewarts and MacGregors that when two were chasing one they must
both keep to the same route; and Reggie stood aside.

They were pretty fairly matched, pursuers and pursued; and for a long
time Allan led the two others a chase among the maze of buildings; but
at last, his foot slipping upon the wet paving-stones, he was captured
by a bold dash from Marjorie.

'Only Tricksy now,' gasped Marjorie, pushing back her wet hair, which
was clinging about her face; 'we haven't seen a sign of her; where can
she be?'

'You have run enough,' suggested Allan; 'go in and let one of us take
your place.'

Marjorie flashed a glance of indignation at him, annoyed that he should
suppose that she was not going to see the thing out, and after drawing
a few long breaths she and Reggie started off again.

By this time the rain had ceased, and a pleasant smell was rising from
the damp earth and dripping trees.

No little footprints were to be seen in the garden; and it was
impossible that Tricksy could have escaped observation had she been in
the ruins or in any of the outhouses.

They hunted all over the house, then went into the field, and even
climbed the dyke which separated the doctor's grounds from the
moorland; but no Tricksy was to be seen.

'I believe she has gone beyond bounds,' said Allan, who, with Hamish,
had grown tired of waiting and had wandered out to see what was going
on; 'we said the garden and the field, you know.'

'Not she,' declared Reggie, perched outside upon the dyke, with the
wind drying his wet face and clothing; 'we have taught her to play
fair. She is only lying low in some place that we haven't thought of.
Let's shout to her to call "cuckoo."'

They raised their voices and cried, 'Call cuckoo, Tricksy;' and Laddie,
who had been shut in the house to keep him from spoiling sport, but who
had made good his escape behind the boys, pricked up his ears and
resolved to be useful.

A muffled voice was heard in response, and Laddie, with a bark, sprang
towards the peat-stack and stood before it, wagging his tail and trying
to make an entrance with nose and paws.

Some of the peats were tumbled aside, and Tricksy emerged, looking very
indignant.

'A nice way to play,' she said, 'setting Laddie on to me when you
couldn't find me yourselves.'

The