He cantered ruthlessly across a flower–bed, leapt the garden wall, and swung easily up the hillside with his tail streaming out behind him.
That night he failed to return home. There was nothing unusual in this, and no one was anxious. On the following night also he was absent. Thomas was disturbed, but concealed his anxiety under annoyance, for he had planned a long walk with Sirius for the next day. On the third night also there was no Sirius. Pugh had not seen him, nor had he put in an appearance at any of the neighbouring farms, nor in the village. Thomas was now alarmed; and Plaxy, thinking of their last meeting, felt remorse for her coldness.
The whole household was organized as a search party, with Idwal and another super–sheep–dog, who were borrowed for the occasion and made to s
