at lady really had the valuable silver cup belonging to the twins.

"They loaned it to me to drink from," she wrote, "and when the train
stopped so suddenly, there was so much confusion that I put it in my
valise by mistake. I have had it ever since and have been wondering
how I could send it back to you. The circus went to Cuba soon after
that, and has been traveling around that island ever since. I have
only just received your last letter asking me about the cup, or I would
have answered before. If you will send me directions how to ship the
cup to you I shall be very glad to return it."

"Oh goodie!" cried Freddie. "We'll have our nice cup again!"

"Is that all in the letter, papa?" asked Flossie.

"No, not quite," he said. "I'll read a little more," and he read:

"When our circus was wrecked we lost a valuable trick dog. He could
play soldier, say his prayers, turn somersaults, and do a number of
tricks. The ringmaster feels very badly about losing him, and has
tried to locate him, but without success. If you should hear of anyone
near you having such a dog we would be much obliged if you would send
him to us as he belongs to the circus."

There was a moment of silence after Mr. Bobbsey read this, and then
Freddie said:

"Why that must be Snap--our pet dog! Oh, papa you won't give him back
to the circus; will you?"

CHAPTER XXII

SNAP AND SNOOP

ALL of the Bobbsey twins--Nan, Bert, Flossie and Freddie--looked so
serious over the prospect of losing Snap that Mr. Bobbsey had to laugh.
He just couldn't help it.

"Well, I don't see anything to make fun over," said Nan, with a little
pout.

"Why, you all act as though you had lost your best friend--or were
going to."

"Well, Snap is one of our best friends, aren't you Snap?" said Freddie.

"Still, if he belongs to the circus I don't see but what I'll have to
send him back," went on Mr. Bobbsey, slowly.

At this Flossie burst into tears, and Mrs. Bobbsey, putting her arms
about the little girl, said to her husband:

"Are you in earnest Richard? Don't tease the child."

"I'm not, Mary. The fat lady wrote just that. I believe the dog we
have does belong to the circus."

"Then we'll have to give him up I suppose," and Mrs. Bobbsey sighed,
for she had grown very much attached to the fine animal.

"Well, we won't have to send him back right away," said Mr. Bobbsey.
"I will have to get more particulars. But I did not finish the fat
lady