"The wagon's gone," Janet said. "I looked under the shed for that
and it wasn't there."
"Then I can just about guess what has happened," said Daddy Martin.
"Trouble heard as talking about taking Nicknack over to Mr. Newton's
house, where he would be kept while we are at Uncle Frank's ranch,
and the little fellow has just about taken the goat over himself."
"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mrs. Martin. "Trouble couldn't hitch the goat
to the wagon and drive off with him."
"Oh, yes he could, Mother!" said Teddy. "He's seen me and Janet
hitch Nicknack up lots of times, and he's helped, too. At first he
got the straps all crooked, but I showed him how to do it, and I
guess he could 'most hitch the goat up himself now all alone."
"Then that's what he's done," said Mr. Martin. "Come on, Curlytops,
we'll go over to Mr. Newton's and get Trouble."
"I hope you find him all right," said Mrs. Martin, with a sigh.
"Oh, we'll find him all right--don't worry," her husband answered.
Laughing among themselves at the trick Trouble had played, Janet,
Teddy and Mr. Martin started for the home of Mr. Newton, which was
three or four long streets away, toward the edge of the town.
On the way they looked here and there, in the yards of houses where
the children often went to play.
"For," said Mr. Martin, "it might be possible that when Trouble
found he could drive Nicknack, which he could do, as the goat is very
gentle, he might have stopped on the way to play.
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