*****
Rose Patterson lived in a small house three doors down from her mother. It wasn't a long walk from the Lodge, and Julia had found the way easily. She'd told Mrs. Patterson that she'd met her daughter and that she would like to visit her. Mrs. Patterson had explained how to get there, and Julia had paid careful attention.
''And?'' Mrs. Patterson had said before Julia left on her walk.
''And what, Mrs. Patterson?''
''Have you told him yet?''
''No, but I will very soon.''
Rose's house was small and looked as if it had been wedged between two large houses as an afterthought. It had a thatched roof and smoke rising gently from the chimney. Julia knocked and waited.
''Rose, sorry to bother you. Do you remember me, we met on a walk the other day?''
''Ah, yes,'' Roses' eyes lit up. ''I do. Come in please.''
Inside it was cluttered buy clean. There were only two rooms downstairs. The kitchen was straight ahead and the sitting room off to the right.
''Please sit down. Tea?''
The walk had made Julia thirsty; she nodded. ''Thank you, that would be lovely.''
Rose brought a try with a plain white teapot and two cups. ''So Miss what can I do for you?''
''It's a delicate matter. I need your help.''
Rose liked it when she could help people. She was by nature a giver. Unfortunately, she'd never been asked by a man to give herself, but she remained hopeful. ''Anything, just ask.''
''You have a dog do you not?''
''Yes, Charlie. He's out in the garden at the moment.''
''I need you to look after some dogs. You must not tell anybody, and nobody must see you with them. Just for few days. I'll bring them to you.''
''Do you have dogs then?'' Rose wanted to know.
''No, they aren't my dogs. Don't ask me anymore because I cannot tell you. All I can tell you is that by looking after them, you will be helping a good many people out of a miserable situation.''
''Of course. Just bring them to me when you are ready.''
''But please remember, tell nobody and don't let anybody see you with them. Especially your mother.''
Rose nodded, enjoying the mystery.
*****
Julia had paid very careful attention over the previous two weeks. She'd watched from her bedroom window each evening as Oscar put his two Spaniels, Dragoon, and Oliver into their kennel. She'd seen where he left the leads, and where he'd hung the key to the lock that fastened the wire mesh door. In the middle of the night, she crept out of the house and across the lawn. The dogs were more interested in the meat she was carrying than barking at her. She unlocked the door and put the key back. She took the leads and tied the dogs to them. Closing the door behind her, she set off to Rose's house. Luckily it was a moonlit night, and Julia was able to see well. Rose was surprised to see Julia in the middle of the night but took the dogs into her house and promised she would keep quiet about it.
*****
''Andrew,'' Oscar shouted at the top of his voice. ''Andrew.'' Andrew fastened his dressing gown and answered the door. ''Have you seen the dogs,'' Oscar said his face flushed with anxiety.
''No, I haven't. Father, it's only six thirty.''
''But I always take them for a walk at this time. They aren't in their kennel.''
''Well maybe you didn't shut the door properly.''
''Of course, I did. I lock it every evening without fail. Oh, where can they be?''
''I have no idea. I'm sure they'll return when they're hungry.
At ten o'clock the police arrived at Thorpe Hall. Oscar had called them and asked them to investigate the theft of his dogs. But the constable and sergeant having looked at the kennel concluded that Oscar had simply forgotten to lock the door.
Oscar put up 'LOST' notices in all the villages around the area, on every lamppost and church notice board. He also told everyone he saw to let him know if they saw a stray Spaniel. He went their favorite walk five times a day hoping to catch a glimpse of them.
''Miss Julia, I am at my whits end. I have no idea where they can be,'' he said when he met her walking across the lawn. 'It's heartbreaking.''
After five days, Julia couldn't bear to see Oscar in such a state, and she decided to put him out of his misery. She went to Rose's and took the dogs. On the way home, she let them off the lead. They ran around sniffing and chasing rabbits but stayed with her. As she approached Thorpe Hall, Oscar was in the garden about to set off on one of his search missions. When he saw Julia arrive with the two dogs, he ran toward them. Happy to see their master after five days in a shed, they danced around him and jumped up at him. When Julia looked at him, he had tears of joy in his eyes.
''Thank you, Julia. Thank you so much,'' he gushed. ''Where on earth were they?''
''I have no idea, they seemed to find me when I went for a walk this afternoon. It's most strange, but they're back now.''
''Well please come to dinner this evening, I want to thank you.''