THE HIDING PLACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 46, 23 February 1929, Page 2

THE HIDING PLACE.

They were staying at a jolly farmhouse" called Applecroft—Aunt Mabel, Roddy and Kitty—and all went well until" Aunt Mabel missed her little emerald brooch.

"I am sure I left it on the pin-tray," she said. "Where can it have gone?"

The twins helped her to hunt for it, but nowhere could the brooch be found.

"I wonder if Joey lias taken it," ex claimed Kitty suddenly.

Joey was a tame magpie belonging to the farmer's wife and was a very quiet, well-behaved bird.

Mrs. Dore. when asked, said: "Oh, no, our old Jcey isn't a thief; I've never missed anything, unless it might be a silver thimble once. Perhaps you dropped your brooch in the haylield, Miss. You were having tea there the day beforo vesterday?"

"I wasn't wearing it then," replied Aunt Mabel. "Never mind, I daresay it will turn tip."

Privately, she still thought Joey knew where it was; though certainly lie looked the picture of innocence, hopping sedately about the back garden, or perched gravely on the arm of the farmer's chair whilst he read the paper.

The little green brooch was not found, and, what is more, something else disappeared. This time it was a little silver spoon belonging to Aunt Mabel. It had a stork at the end of the handle, and Aunt Mabel cried:

"I am quite sure it's Joey. If only we could find the place where he hides the things!"

"Roddy and I have been watching him, aunty," said Kitty, "but he nevor seems to tiy away anywhere, except into the lield where, the sheep are. He takes a ride on their backs sometimes."

"It's very tiresome," complained her aunt.

Kitty lind a jjilt safety pin, ami presently that went. Hut Joey was never caught hopping about their rooms, so who could say he was the thief? Then a funny thing happened. Dick, the stable boy, brought in the "stork" spoon. He had picked it up by tlio pond. "However did it get there?" exclaimed Roddy. Dick grinned. " 'Tis Joey. He's made friends with one of the sheep," said he, "air .Iticy sits on her back and hides things in her wool. I've seen 'im clawing away when ho thinks nobody's looking. Oh. he's an artful one, is that magpie! I suppose the spoon was a bit heavy, an' fell out."

"T knew it was Joey!" cried Aunt Mabel, triumphantly, "lie looked too good. Xow 1 hope I shall get my brooch back."

She did. There it was, hidden in the. sheep's thick coat, which sly Master Joey used as his "hidey-hole." Mrs. Dore.'s silver thimble turned up too. and Kitty's safety pin, and a small pair ot scissors, and two collar studs to Mr. Dore, who said:

"[ think that s all. You can run along now, old lady—to the sheep—and don't you go receiving stolen propert" any more, or we shall have to shear you."

k very body told Jony how naughty lie had been, hut he didn't seem to cure a brass hntton.