Far down below was a tiny glimmer of still water . The Cuthbert well was the deepest in Avonlea . If Dora ... but Anne could not face the idea . She shuddered and turned away . `` Run across for Mr. Harrison , '' said Marilla , wringing her hands . `` Mr. Harrison and John Henry are both away ... they went to town today . I 'll go for Mr. Barry . '' Mr. Barry came back with Anne , carrying a coil of rope to which was attached a claw-like instrument that had been the business end of a grubbing fork . Marilla and Anne stood by , cold and shaken with horror and dread , while Mr. Barry dragged the well , and Davy , astride the gate , watched the group with a face indicative of huge enjoyment . Finally Mr. Barry shook his head , with a relieved air . `` She ca n't be down there . It 's a mighty curious thing where she could have got to , though . Look here , young man , are you sure you 've no idea where your sister is ? '' `` I 've told you a dozen times that I have n't , '' said Davy , with an injured air . `` Maybe a tramp come and stole her . '' `` Nonsense , '' said Marilla sharply , relieved from her horrible fear of the well . `` Anne , do you suppose she could have strayed over to Mr. Harrison 's ? She has always been talking about his parrot ever since that time you took her over . '' `` I ca n't believe Dora would venture so far alone but I 'll go over and see , '' said Anne . Nobody was looking at Davy just then or it would have been seen that a very decided change came over his face .
He quietly slipped off the gate and ran , as fast as his fat legs could carry him , XXXXX the barn .
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