He said no more about it, and promptly at half-past nine they left the inn together and made their way toward Cliff Cottage. They had gone less than half way, however, when they met Chip walking toward them with long strides.
"Good morning!" he called out. "Did you sleep well?"
"We never slept better," answered Judy, "and I feel as if I could walk twenty miles."
"So do I," said Noel, "but all the walking I shall do this morning will be to the post office and back."
"Why?" exclaimed the other two.
"It's my own fault. I never sent the Chief word that I wouldn't be in town to-day. Clean forgot it. I'll send him a wire to say what time I'll be back to-morrow. Then I must write one or two letters I won't have another chance to write before I go off on Thursday. Anyhow, I'll meet you at the inn at one. You're lunching with us to-day, Chip. Well," as he turned to leave them, "have a good walk. So long!"
They stood watching his thin, upright figure. That empty sleeve of his, tucked into the pocket of his coat, did not affect his easy, swinging walk. He ignored it himself so utterly that he made other people ignore it too. They waited until he
