came a strange one to
Andrew's cottage, and he brought it here for us."

There was a little dispute about the order in which the jackdaws came,
which led the conversation quite away from the doctor's loss. But after
dinner, when the children were in the garden, Ambrose began to talk of
it again.

"I wish," he said to David, "we could think of a way to help him to get
it back."

David did not answer at first. He was looking at Andrew, who was
sweeping the path at a little distance. Swish, swish, went his broom to
right and left amongst the yellow leaves, leaving a bare space in the
middle.

"Let's ask Andrew," said David suddenly.

Fortunately Andrew was in a good temper, and though he did not leave off
sweeping he listened to the story with attention.

"We want your advice," said Ambrose when he had done.

Andrew stopped his broom for an instant, took off his tall black hat,
and gazed into its depths silently.

"I should try a call-bird, master," he said as he put it on again.

"A call-bird?" repeated both the boys together.

Andrew nodded.

"Put a similar bird in a cage near to where t'other one used to be," he
said, "and like enough it'll call the old un back."

The boys looked at him with admiration. They had a hundred questions to
ask about call-birds, and Andrew's experience of them, but they soon
found that it was of no use to try to make him talk any more. Andrew
had said his say, and now he wanted to get on with his work.

"Isn't that a splendid thought?" said Ambrose as he and David turned
away. "I shall take Jack over with me to-morrow morning in a basket,
and put him into Dr Budge's cage."

"How do you suppose he'll call him back?" said David, who had become
deeply interested. "P'r'aps he'll be miles and miles away."

"Well, if he can't hear he won't come," answered Ambrose; "but he may be
quite near home, and only have lost his way."

"May I go with you?" was David's next question.

Ambrose hesitated. He felt that he would much rather have the whole
thing in his own hands.

"You might let me help to carry him as far as the gate," pursued David.
"After all, it was me that thought of asking Andrew."

"Well, then," said Ambrose, "you can ask Miss Grey if you may. But you
won't want to come further than the gate?" he added in a warning tone.

David could readily promise that, for he was a good deal afraid of Dr
Budge; and he ran off at once to get Miss Grey's consent.

This h