. You children can
go out with the dogs."

Bunny and Sue were eager enough to do this. They thought they had heard
enough about the missing boy. They were to hear more in a short time.

"And so Fred has run away," said Mr. Ward, speaking to Mr. and Mrs.
Brown. "How can I get him back? It is not good that he should be away.
I will talk about the banjo to him, and if I find he really thinks it is
the best instrument for him to play I may let him have it. But where can
I find him?"

"Perhaps I can help," said Mr. Brown. "I am a member of the town police
committee. That is, I and other men look after the policemen. We can
tell them to be on the lookout for Fred."

"Oh, that is kind of you!" cried Mrs. Ward.

"And I can also send word to the police of other cities and towns," went
on Mr. Brown. "We work together on cases like this."

"I shall be greatly obliged to you," said Mr. Ward. "I want Fred to come
back."

"When did you find out he was gone?" asked Mr. Brown.

"Just a little while ago," answered Mr. Ward. "I sent him up to his room
this morning. He did not come down to dinner, for I said he should not
eat until he said he was sorry for what he did. Perhaps I was wrong, but
I meant to do right."

"You did it for the best," said his wife. "When I went up to Fred's
room this afternoon, he was gone, and there was this note. It was then I
cried," she went on, turning to the parents of Bunny and Sue.

"I am so sorry," said Mrs. Brown. "But I think it will all come right.
My husband will help find your boy."

"I'll get the police to help, too," said Mr. Brown. "They will search
for him."

"And we'll help!" exclaimed Bunny and Sue, coming in just then from
having a romp on the lawn with the two dogs. "We'll try to find Fred for
you."

"Bless their hearts!" cried Mrs. Brown, as the children ran out again.
"They get into all sorts of mischief, but they manage to get out
somehow. Bunny is ready for anything, and Sue is generally ready for
whatever follows."

"But they are learning a good deal," said Mr. Brown. "Their life in the
woods and on the farm was good for them--as good as the time they spend
in school."

"Yes," said Mr. Ward. "Sometimes I think I may have kept Fred too much
at his books. I wish I had him back."

"Oh, we'll find him," said Mr. Brown.

"I hope so," sighed Mrs. Ward. "It is very kind of you to offer to help
us."

"Why shouldn't we?" asked Mrs. Brown. "That is what neighbors are
for