“Woof,” said Timmy, mournfully. He was rather enjoying all the fuss. George patted his head. “Come on,” she said, “we’ll soon get that leg put right. Come on, Tim.”

They all went on, looking round to see how Timmy was getting on. He followed slowly, and then began to limp more badly. Finally he lifted his left hind leg up from the ground and ran on three legs only.

“Poor boy,” said George. “Poor Timmy! I do hope his leg will be all right tomorrow. I can’t possibly go on with the hike if it isn’t.”

It was rather a gloomy company that came to Beacons Village, Julian made his way to a little inn that stood in the middle, called Three Shepherds.

A woman was shaking a duster out of a window, Julian called up to her.

“I say! Is there a vet anywhere in this district? I want someone to have a look at our dog’s leg.”

“No. No vet here,” answered the woman. “Not one nearer than Marlins over six miles away.”

George’s heart sank. Timmy would never be able to walk six miles.

“Is there a bus?” she called.

“No. Not to Marlins,” said the woman. “No bus goes there, missy. But if you want your dog’s leg seen to, you go up to Spiggy House, up along there. Mr Gaston lives there with his horses, and he knows about dogs too. You take the dog there. He’ll know what to do.”

“Oh thank you,” said George, gratefully. “Is it very far?”

About half a mile,’ said the woman. “See that hill? You go up there, take the turning to the right and you’ll see a big house. That’s Spiggy House. You can’t mistake it because of the stables built all round it. Ask for Mr Gaston. He’s nice, he is. Maybe you’ll have to wait a little if he’s out with his horses though - he may not be in till it’s almost dark ”

The four held a little council. “We’d better go up to this Mr Gaston’s, I think,” said Julian. “But I think you and Anne, Dick, should go on to the farm-house I planned to stay in for the night, and make arrangements for us. We don’t want to leave it till the last minute. I’ll go with George and Timmy, of course.”

“Right,” said Dick. “I’ll take Anne now. It will be dark pretty soon. Got your torch, Julian?”

“Yes,” said Julian. “And I’m pretty good at finding my way, as you know. I shall come back to this village after we’ve been to Mr Gaston’s, and then make straight for the farm-house. It’s about a mile and a half away.”

“Thanks awfully for saying you’ll come with me, Julian,” said George. “Let’s go now, shall we? Well, Dick and Anne - see you later!”

Julian set off with George and Timmy up the hill to Spiggy House. Timmy went on three legs, and still seemed very sorry for himself. Anne and Dick watched him, feeling sorry for him.