Page:Dapples of the Circus (1943).pdf/181

 that Sir Wilton was in the third stall. The smoke was now so thick that it choked him terribly. It did not seem to him that he could draw another breath, but Dapples must be saved.

He reached the third stall and put out his hand, but that was as empty as the rest had been. Freckles groaned aloud, and nearly sank to the floor with a sudden weakness that came over him.

Then he remembered something which was almost like an inspiration.

He had taught Sir Wilton to neigh in answer to a shrill whistle. This was the way they talked. He would whistle and Dapples would nicker.

Perhaps the trick would help them now. So Freckles put his two fingers between his lips and blew a shrill whistle. To his great joy, the Shetland nickered, and the sound was very close to him.

He must be in the very next stall. The groom had been mistaken. He was in the fourth stall instead of the third. Joyously