d it is from there
the oats are being stolen. I generally go to have a bit of lunch about
ten or half-past, and I think the oats are taken then.'

'Well, look here! it is just ten, so you go to your lunch as usual; that
will put the thief off his guard; but send one of the boys to hide in
the stable and I will go and join him.'

'Any one there?' he whispered, a little later, as he crept into the
stable.

'Yes, sir, Robin. I am in the loose-box,' continued the voice of the
unseen Robin.

They had waited for over an hour, when Robin sat up and listened
intently.

'Hear something?' inquired his master.

'The paddock gate, sir.'

Now, as no one used the paddock gate except Simmons or one of the
boys--when Tim was turned out--Major Raeburn rose softly to his feet,
and cautiously moved towards the small window.

'Quick, Robin!' called the Major, laughing softly, 'look at this!'

There at the paddock gate stood Tim; his head was down and he was trying
to open the gate. They could see his soft nose pushed through between
the bars of the gate, and hear the metallic click that the latch made as
it fell back into its groove.

At last Tim's efforts were successful, and pushing the gate forward, he
walked into the yard.

On he came towards the stable, past the window where the two watchers
stood motionless, and then his head appeared through the doorway.

'Hush!' whispered Major Raeburn, afraid that Robin would break the
silence.

Straight towards the bin where the oats were kept did Tim go, and here
he paused and looked around.

Fumble, fumble, fumble, went his nose against the iron bolt of the bin;
but Tim was an expert burglar, and not easily discouraged. After many
failures, his struggles were crowned by success, and Tim pressed up the
lid with his strong, brown head until, with a dull thud, it feel back
against the wall; then whisking his tail over his back, with a movement
that expressed perfect satisfaction, Tim's head disappeared in the
depths of the oats-bin.

Then, but not till then, did Major Raeburn and Robin give way to their
mirth.

'Upon my word,' said the Major, 'that donkey is just a little too clever
for any ordinary family.'

'Come out of that, you little villain!' he shouted to Tim, who was
evidently making the most of this golden opportunity; 'and allow me to
tell you that this is the last feed of oats you will be able to steal.'

* * * * *

'Are you goin