r if that man Shorty knows where he is?"

"That's what I wonder, too," replied Teddy. "And I wonder if we shall
ever get Tip back?"

But many strange things were to happen to the Curlytops and their pets
before this came about.

Teddy and Janet were so busy talking about the circus they were to get up
with their animals that, for a time, they did not watch Trouble. That
little chap wandered back to the barn, for he had been much interested in
watching the alligator do his trick.

"Me make Slider slide some more," said Trouble, talking to himself, as
he had a habit of doing. Into the barn he toddled. The alligator was
swimming around in his small tank of water, but, being a tame and pet
reptile, he came out when Trouble stood near the cage.

Unafraid of animals, as were Teddy and Janet, baby William picked Slider
up and put him on the slanting board.

Down went the alligator as nicely as you please!

It was about half an hour after this that Teddy and Janet decided they
would try to teach their dog Skyrocket some tricks to do with Top.

"Let's bring 'em both out here in the yard together," suggested Ted. "You
get Skyrocket, Jan, and I'll hunt Top."

"All right," agreed his sister.

But before they had gone far, looking for the two dogs, they heard a cry
of alarm from Mrs. Johnson, one of the neighbors across the street.

"Oh, my baby! My baby!" cried Mrs. Johnson, as she ran down off the porch
toward a mosquito-netting covered carriage in the front yard. "A big
snake is going to sting my baby! Oh, Trouble! what shall I do?"

"Ha! is Trouble over there?" asked Ted of Janet.

"Yes, and something else, too, I guess," was the answer.

And Mrs. Johnson called again:

"Oh, a big snake is in the carriage with my baby!"

CHAPTER X

MR. CAPPER'S BUNS

Forgetting in the excitement, all about teaching Skyrocket and Top to do
some tricks together, as Tip and Top did before Tip was lost, Teddy and
Janet ran across the street toward Mrs. Johnson, who was standing beside
the carriage in which was her baby. Near her was Trouble, but the little
fellow did not seem to be as excited as was Mrs. Johnson.

"Trouble," cried Janet, as she took hold of her little brother's arm,
"did you tease Ruth?" Ruth was the name of Mrs. Johnson's baby, and
though Trouble was, usually, a good little chap, he might have done
something to make a baby cry, Janet realized.

"I didn't do nuffin'!" declared Trouble.

"Oh, no, Tro