from the East. As we approached the hut Jip put up his ears and
said,

"That's funny!"

"What's funny?" asked the Doctor.

"That Bob hasn't come out to meet us. He should have heard us
long ago--or smelt us. What's that queer noise?"

"Sounds to me like a gate creaking," said the Doctor. "Maybe
it's Luke's door, only we can't see the door from here; it's on
the far side of the shack."

"I hope Bob isn't sick," said Jip; and he let out a bark to see
if that would call him. But the only answer he got was the
wailing of the wind across the wide, salt fen.

We hurried forward, all three of us thinking hard.

When we reached the front of the shack we found the door open,
swinging and creaking dismally in the wind. We looked inside.
There was no one there.

"Isn't Luke at home then?" said I. "Perhaps he's out for a walk."

"He is ALWAYS at home," said the Doctor frowning in a peculiar
sort of way. "And even if he were out for a. walk he wouldn't
leave his door banging in the wind behind him. There is
something queer about this--What are you doing in there, Jip?"