his highest collar, and pet tie. At least he made no
public comment; but when Nesta bothered him later for an opinion,
he said shortly,--

"He looks an ass."

"Oh, he doesn't," Nesta said warmly, ready to admire everything
English.

"I think so," Eustace said imperturbably.

"Then you're a silly, jealous boy," said Nesta in fiery
championship.

"Who wants to have clothes like Brenda?" was the instant retort,
"and go to school like Brenda, and be just like Brenda? But I'm
certain I don't want to look like Herbert anyway. He looks a
stuck-up ass."

"He--he looks like a gentleman," spluttered Nesta.

"Oh, shut up," said Eustace. "Can't a gentleman look an ass? Who is
that riding up the hill?"

His quick ears had caught the sound of hoofs, and glad of a pretext
to change the subject he went and leant over the balcony.

Nesta was at his side with a pounce.

"Hulloa!" he shouted a few seconds later; "here is something
queer."

"What is it, Eustace?" called his mother from within; and soon
every one was on the veranda, staring eagerly down the hill.

Coming up at a leisurely trot was a riderless horse--saddled,
bridled, but alone.

The watchful party waited in breathless astonishment till it was
close to the house. Then Eustace said sharply,--

"Mother, it's the horse Bob went away on this morning! There's been
some accident."

CHAPTER X.

A VOICE FROM THE SCRUB.

There could be no doubt about it, and every one stared blankly
after the beautiful big creature as it passed on, round the house
towards its own stable.

"What can have happened?" Mrs. Orban exclaimed. "Bob is such a
splendid rider."

"Oh, he can't have been thrown, of course," Eustace said, with an
emphasis meant to impress Aunt Dorothy.

"Perhaps it's black-fellows," said Nesta shakily.

"Stupid," said Eustace sharply, "Bob can shoot straighter than any
one I know."

"Instead of wrangling over possibilities, we ought to be doing
something," said Mrs. Orban. "Eustace, you had better fetch that
horse and ride down to father at once. Perhaps he will guess what
it means."

Eustace was off like an arrow from a bow, and presently appeared
below the veranda, sitting erect and fearless, riding the returned
horse.

He looked such a scrap perched up there that Miss Chase had a
sudden qualm as to his safety.

"Will he be all right going down alone?" she asked.

"All right?" questioned Mrs. Orban, looking puzzled.

"Yes; I mean