Victor laughed. “Ah, that is the joke of it. I haven’t an idea where it is. I simply have faith to believe there is one; there must be. Who ever saw a town that did not contain at least one discarded cart wheel in the out-of-the-way corner of some stable-yard, or some such place? I shall prowl around until I find it; that is all. Do you want to prowl, too?” Lucie declared herself eager to go with him on this quest, and they started out, making inquiries as they went along and at last coming upon the very odd corner that Victor had prophesied and where they found the cart wheel of their desire. It was rather a dubious looking affair, and its circumference was slightly less than those on the cart which Victor had secured, but he declared it would serve, and, with the help of an old man, managed to fasten it in place. Then they started off for the cow shed in high good humor. “It does not go badly, this cart,” maintained Victor, “and as for our friend. Long Ears, he is none the worse for having served his time in prison.” “Ah, do not speak of him in that way,” chided Lucie. “It is as if he had been a criminal.” “He may be, who knows what evil deeds he may have done in his lifetime.” But Lucie would none of this, and so they argued and made merry upon that same road over which Lucie had traveled so wearily and despairingly a few hours before. They found everything intact at the shed. Victor lifted baskets and bundles into the cart. “Now we will hunt for those eggs,” he said, “and we may as well take the hen, too. Some one can make use of her, and she will find it hard to scratch for a living here.” “The eggs first. I am so very curious about those eggs, Victor. To think that after all I shall find them.” “Shall I climb up, or do you want to see for yourself?” “I would very much like to see for myself.” “Then you shall do so. I will lift you up so you can see.” Lucie looked rather doubtful at this. She was not sure that she would approve of this way to discovery. “Suppose you should let me fall, or at least hold me so unsteadily that I should let the eggs fall.” Victor took her objections good-naturedly. “Then shall I climb up?” “Ye-es, I suppose you will have to,” admitted Lucie. “I have it,” cried Victor wanting to indulge her. “I can back the cart into the shed. There is plenty of room, and you can stand on that and be perfectly sure of your footing.” “Oh, Victor, what a perfectly lovely idea,” cried Lucie. And in a few minutes the cart was standing beneath the shelf while Lucie climbed upon it. She laughed down at Victor. “It cannot be said that one’s footing is so very sure after all, for the cart is so rickety.” “I think it will hold out. I will stand by Long Ears so he will not bolt at a critical moment.”