THE THIRD CHAPTER
JIP AND THE SECRET
WHEN we reached the house the first question the Doctor asked of Dab-Dab in the hall was,
“Is Jip home yet?”
“No,” said Dab-Dab, “I haven’t seen him.”
“Let me know the moment he comes in, will you, please?” said the Doctor, hanging up his hat.
“Certainly I will,” said Dab-Dab. “Don’t be long over washing your hands; the lunch is on the table.”
Just as we were sitting down to luncheon in the kitchen we heard a great racket at the front door. I ran and opened it. In bounded Jip.
“Doctor!” he cried, “come into the library quick. I’ve got something to tell you—No, Dab-Dab, the luncheon must wait. Please hurry, Doctor. There’s not a moment to be lost. Don’t let any of the animals come—just you and Tommy.”
“Now,” he said, when we were inside the libr
