Down jumped the children from the oat-box and stood beside Michael.
"There's his nest," cried Tom excitedly,—"that bunch of rags and twine in the corner."
"It's right ye are," replied Michael.
"What's that yellow thing there under that rag?" asked Tom.
Michael stooped and picked up the object that had attracted Tom's attention.
"My amber necklace," shrieked Posy joyfully. "Oh, I'm so glad! Now they won't say you took it any more, Nancy;" and snatching the necklace from Michael's hand, she darted out of the barn, calling "Mamma" so loudly that Mrs. Winton was at the door almost as soon as Posy was.
"My amber necklace," cried Posy, waving it frantically over her head. "It was in the old rat's nest. Come and see where he lived."
Mrs. Winton followed Posy to the barn,
