it low tide now?" persisted Tom.

Mrs. Beauchamp peered into the dusk.

"No; it is nearly high, I think. There is very little of the rocks to be
seen."

"Well, there is something scrambling about on the island, quite low down,
and it looks just like goats."

"Sea-birds, Tom?"

"They don't _scramble_," said Tom.

"Well, fishermen perhaps. Show me where you see them."

But the black dots had disappeared. The fine drizzling rain had come on
again, and the island was misty; heavy clouds were banked on the horizon,
and it had grown suddenly cold and dark.

"Come inside, Tom," said Mrs. Beauchamp; "hold on to the rail and don't
tumble off. Isn't it pleasant to think of the warm, cosy nursery and
supper?"

"Is it supper-time?" asked Tom, amazed.

"Well, it is past six, and we are a good way from home yet. I hope all
the family were safe under shelter before the rain came on. Do you see
the white horses dashing up the sides of the island? It looks very cold,
doesn't it?"

"I'm glad I'm not a goat," said Tom.

"So am I! See, there are the Parade lights. Get all the parcels together,
and be ready to jump off when we stop."

A shopping expedition alone with mother was always a great treat. There
was so much to tell afterwards--so many parcels to open and examine. Tom
scampered up the Parade in advance of Mrs. Beauchamp's soberer footsteps,
so it was he who first caught sight of nurse's face when the door was
opened to his clamorous knock.

"Go up to the nursery, Master Tom," she said.

Tom dashed on merrily, and a minute later he heard his mother's voice in
the hall, with a quick note of anxiety in it.

"What is it, nurse?"

"It's Miss Susie," said nurse, "and Master Dick."

Tom hung over the banisters to hear more.

"I left them out on the beach for a bit, whilst I came in to make the
tea; and they had my orders to come when I signalled, but they never took
no notice. So I ran down to the beach, and there wasn't a sign of them;
and there was nothing more that I could do till you came home."

"How long ago?" asked Mrs. Beauchamp.

All of a sudden the tired look had come back to her face. She was
anxious, but she was not frightened.

"It was about five I called to them, and it's past six now."

"Have you any idea where they are?"

"Well, I've heard Miss Susie speak of the town and buying sweets; and
she's that audacious by times she might have dragged the poor child off
without stopping to think--and