id not want any one to see him going in the front door."

"Does he know where Fred is?" asked Bunny.

"No. But he went to tell Mr. Ward about him. He had seen some of the
police circulars, or printed papers which were scattered about, showing
Fred's picture and telling how he looked and how much his father wanted
him to come home again."

"And is he coming?" asked Sue.

"We don't know, dear. Mr. Ward told us this boy, whose name is George
Simpson, knew that Fred was going to run away, for Fred had told him."

"Why didn't George come and tell Fred's father so he could stop him?"
asked Bunny.

"Because Fred made George promise not to tell. But after George had
seen the police circulars he made up his mind he must say something, so
he came to-night. He said Fred had told him he was going to run away to
Portland and try to get work in a theater playing a banjo."

"Portland!" cried Bunny. "Why that's where we're going!"

"And maybe we'll see Fred!" added Sue.

"It may be," said their mother. "But now you two must go to sleep. The
big auto will be here in the morning, and you will wish to see the new
things daddy has put in."

"May I ask just one more question?" begged Bunny.

"Yes, and only one."

"How did Fred come to go to Portland? Did he know we were going there?"

"No, dear. But he knew a man in a theater there who had promised to give
him a trial at banjo playing if ever he wanted it. So, when Fred ran
away, he decided to go there. At least so he told George."

"Oh, Mother, when we get to Portland may we----" began Sue, but Mrs.
Brown laughed and cried:

"No more questions until morning!"

Bunny and Sue talked in whispers for a little while, and then fell
asleep. They were awakened by the honking of an automobile horn, and
Bunny, hopping out of bed and running to the window, cried to his
sister:

"Oh, Sue, it's the big car we're going touring in, and Bunker Blue has
brought it up the hill. Come on down to see it."

"Oh what fun!" cried Sue.

She and Bunny dressed quickly, and without waiting for breakfast they
ran out to look at the automobile.

Bunker Blue, the boy who worked at the dock for Mr. Brown and who had
gone on the first trip in the Brown's big car, smiled at Bunny and Sue.

"Well, you've got a fine car now!" he cried.

"Is it different?" asked Sue.

"A lot different. Come inside."

"Breakfast, children!" called their mother.

"Oh, Mother, just a second--until we see how the a