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 way to the fox pen, closely followed by the young people.

He stopped before the pile of fresh dirt by the guard fence and looked at it curiously.

"What's that?" asked Bud.

"Why," replied Mr. Jennings nonchalantly, "that is a new front door; one that Redcoat made for himself this very morning. See that hole under the fence yonder; that is another front door leading from his pen to the lane."

"But, where is he?" inquired Bud excitedly, not fully sensing Mr. Jennings' joke, yet getting a glimmer of the truth.

"Heaven only knows," replied Mr. Jennings solemnly. "The last we saw of him he was making for the woods and he was closely followed by the best blue fox on the farm."

"What?" cried the young folks in chorus. "Has Redcoat escaped?"

"Not only that," replied Mr. Jennings, "but he has taken with him the most valuable lady fox we had, and we have said goodby to them."