his place at Dorothy's side, while the others
followed, two by two, to make a circuit of the grounds and test their
mounts.

The men cheered again and again as the procession started, Mr. Ford and
Dorothy leading; then Leslie on the sorrel, Caesar, with Alfy on Blanca;
Helena on Benito, with Monty on the chestnut, Juan--a mount well suited
to his stature and requirements. Last rode Molly on Juana, another
chestnut, and a perfect match for her brother--Monty's Juan; while
Herbert's Blackamoor finished the caravan, last but by no means least in
the creature's own proud estimation.

They paced and they cantered, they trotted and they galloped, even the
most inexperienced without fear, because of the vigilant attendants who
raced beside them, as well as the high spirits of the others. Around and
around the spacious grounds they rode, Captain Lem pointing out several
fences and hedges he would have them leap, later on, and finally
bringing up before the stately front of the house to dismount.

As they did so Dorothy noticed a queerly dressed little boy sitting
beside the fountain holding a basket in his hand and eagerly watching
the cavalcade. Nobody else seemed to observe him, amid all the clatter
and laughter. He looked to the sympathetic girl as if he were very tired
and, leaving the rest, she crossed to him and asked:

"Who are you, little boy? Do you want something?"

Instantly, he offered her the basket, and as instantly vanished.

CHAPTER X

AN UNEXPECTED DEPARTURE

Dorothy looked after the fleeing little figure as it disappeared behind
a clump of shrubbery in the direction of the laundry.

"A child of one of the workmen, I suppose, but such an odd, quaint
looking child," she thought, and rejoined her mates. They were still
standing beside the cloistered walk, talking, planning the wonderful
trips which would be open to them now that they owned horses; comparing
notes upon the points of each that they fancied they had already
learned, while Mr. Ford declared:

"This really is the most wonderful affair! Not that you have the horses,
but that you show no jealousy about them. So far as I can see each of
you is perfectly satisfied with his own choice and sure it was the
wisest. I only hope our good James Barlow will like his Azul as well.
Heigho, Dolly Doodles! What a quaint little basket! An Indian one and
fine. Where did you get that?"

"A little boy gave it to me. I suppose it is for Lady Gray, an