“Well, it might be fun to see if we could read the right road to go, just as easily as the gypsies do,” said Julian. “We could make it a day’s ride. It would be interesting!”

Henry gave a most enormous yawn, and that made Anne yawn too, though hers was a very polite one.

“Henry!” said Mrs Johnson.

“Sorry,” said Henry. “It just came almost like a sneeze does. I don’t know why, but I feel almost asleep.”

“Go to bed then,” said Mrs Johnson. “You’ve had such a day of air and sunshine! You all look very brown too. The April sun has been as hot as June today.”

The five of them, and Timmy, went out for a last look at the horses, and to do one or two small jobs. Henry yawned again, and that set everyone else off, even George.

“Me for the straw!” said Julian, with a laugh. “Oh, the thought of that warm, comfy straw bed is too good for words! You girls are welcome to the beds!”

“I hope Sniffer’s Pa doesn’t come in the middle of the night again,” said Dick.

“I shall tie up the latch,” said Julian. “Well, let’s go and say goodnight to Mrs Johnson.”

It wasn’t long before the three girls were in bed and the two boys cuddled down in the straw of the stable. Clip was there still, but he no longer fidgeted. He lay down quietly, and did not once move his bad leg. It was getting much better. He would certainly be able to go after the others the next day!

Julian and Dick fell asleep at once. No one came creeping in at the stable door that night. Nothing disturbed them until the morning, when a cock got into the stable through a window, sat on a rafter just above them, and crowed loudly enough to wake both boys with a jump.

“What’s that!” said Dick. “That awful screeching in my ear! Was it you, Ju?”

The cock crowed again and the boys laughed. “Blow him!” said Julian, settling down again. “I could do with another couple of hours sleep!”

That morning Sniffer came slipping in at the gate again. He never came boldly in, he slid through the hedge, or crept in at the gate, or appeared round a corner. He saw George and went over to her.

“Master George,” he called, much to Julian’s amusement. “Is Clip better?”

“Yes!” called back George. “Captain Johnson says you can take him today. But wait a bit, Sniffer, I want to ask you something before you go.”

Sniffer was pleased. He liked this girl who had presented him with such a magnificent handkerchief. He took it carefully out of his pocket, hoping to please her.

“See,” he said. “How clean it is! I have kept it very carefully.” He sniffed loudly.

“You’re a fathead,” said George, exasperated. “I gave it to you to use, not to keep clean in your pocket. It’s to stop your sniffing. Honestly, you’re a bit of a mutt, Sniffer. I shall take that hanky away if you don’t use it!”