第1章

SunnybankLadwonamillionfriendsthroughmybook，"LAD:A

DOG"；andthroughtheLad-anecdotesin"Buff:ACollie。"Thesebooksthemselveswereinnosensegreat。ButLaddiewasgreatineverysense；andhislife-storycouldnotbemarred，pastinterest，bymyclumsywayoftellingit。

PeoplehavewritteningratifyingnumbersaskingformorestoriesaboutLad。MorethanseventeenhundredvisitorshavecomeallthewaytoSunnybanktoseehisgrave。SoIwrotethecollectionoftaleswhicharenowincludedin"FurtherAdventuresofLad。"Mostofthemappeared，incondensedform，intheLadies\'HomeJournal。

Verymuch，Ihopeyoumaylikethem。

ALBERTPAYSONTERHUNE"Sunnybank"PomptonLakes，NewJerseyFURTHERADVENTURESOFLAD

CHAPTERI。TheComingOfLadInthemile-awayvillageofHampton，therehadbeenaveritableepidemicofburglaries——rangingfromthetheftofabrand-newash-canfromthestepsoftheMethodistchapeltotheravagingofMrs。Blauvelt\'swholelinefulofclothes，onawashdaydusk。

UptheValleyanddownit，fromTuxedotoRidgewood，therehadbeenahalf-scorerobberiesofaverydifferentorder——depredationswrought，manifestly，byprofessionals；

thieveswhosemotorcarsservedthetwentiethcenturypurposeofsuchhistoricsteedsasDickTurpin\'sBlackBessandJackShepard\'sRanter。Thesetheftswereinthelineofjewelryandthelike；andwereasdaringlywroughtaswerethemodestlocaloperators\'raidsonash-canandlaundry。

Itistheeasiestthingintheworldtostirhumankind\'sever-

tenseburglar-nervesintohystericaljangling。Inhouseafterhouse，formilesofthepeacefulNorthJerseyregion，oldpistolswerecleanedandloaded；windowfasteningsanddoorlockswereinspectedandnewhiding-placesfoundforportablefamilytreasures。

Acrossthelakefromthevillage，anddowntheValleyfromadozencountryhomes，seepedthetideofprecautions。AnditswirledatlastaroundthePlace，——athirty-acrehomestead，isolatedandsweet，whosegroundsranfromhighwaytolake；andwhosewistaria-cladgrayhousedrowsedamongbigoaksmidwaybetweenroadandwater；afurlongormoredistantfromeither。

ThePlace\'sfamilydog，——apointer，——haddied，richinyearsandhonor。Andthenewperilofburglarymadeithighlyneedfultochooseasuccessorforhim。

TheMastertalkedofbuyingawhalebone-and-steel-and-snowbullterrier，oramoreformidableifmoregreedyGreatDane。ButtheMistresswantedacollie。Sotheycompromisedbygettingthecollie。

HereachedthePlaceinacrampyandsmellycrate；precededbyalongenvelopecontaininganintricateandimposingpedigree。Theburglary-preventingproblemseemedsolved。

Butwhenthecratewasopenedanditsoccupantsteppedgravelyforth，onthePlace\'sveranda，theproblemwasrevived。

AlltheMasterandtheMistresshadknownaboutthenewcomer，——apartfromhispriceandloftylineage，——wasthathisbreederhadnamedhim"Lad。"

FromthesemeagerfactstheyhadsomehowbuiltupapictureofahugeandgrimlyferociousanimalthatshouldbeaterrortoallintrudersandthatmightintimebeinducedtomakefriendswiththePlace\'svouched-foroccupants。Inviewofthis，theyhadhadastoutkennelmadeandtoittheyhadaffixedwithdoublestaplesachainstrongenoughtorestrainabull。

(ItmayaswellbesaidherethatneverinallthesixteenyearsofhisbeautifullifedidLadoccupythatoranyotherkennelnorwearthatoranyotherchain。)

EventhecratewhichbroughtthenewdogtothePlacefailedsomehowtodestroytheillusionofsizeandfierceness。But，themomentthecratedoorwasopenedthedelusionwaswreckedbyLadhimself。

Outontotheporchhewalked。Theramshacklecratebehindhimhadaridiculousairofachrysalisfromwhichsomebrightthinghaddeparted。Forashaftofsunlightwasshimmeringathwarttheverandafloor。AndintothemiddleofthewarmbarofradianceLaddiestepped，——andstood。

Hisfluffypuppy-coatofwavymahogany-and-whitecaughtamillionsunbeams，reflectingthembackintawny-orangeglintsandinadazzleasofsnow。Hisforepawswereabsurdlysmall，evenforapuppy\'s。Abovethemtheridgingofthestockyleg-bonesgaveasclearpromiseofmightysizeandstrengthasdidtheamazinglydeeplittlechestandsquareshoulders。

Hereonedaywouldstandagiantamongdogs，powerfulasatimber-wolf，litheasacat，asdangeroustofoesasanangrytiger；adogwithoutfearortreachery；adogofuncannybrainandgreatlovinglyloyalheartand，withal，adancingsenseoffun。Adogwithasoul。

Allthis，anycaninephysiologistmighthavereadfromthecompactframe，theproudhead-carriage，thesmolderinthedeep-setsorrowfuldarkeyes。Tothecasualobserver，hewasbutabeautifulandappealingandwonderfullycuddleablebunchofpuppyhood。

Lad\'sdarkeyesswepttheporch，thesoftswellinggreenofthelawn，theflashoffire-bluelakeamongthetreesbelow。Then，hedeignedtolookatthegroupofhumansatonesideofhim。

Gravely，impersonally，hesurveyedthem；notatallcowedorstrangeinhisnewsurroundings；courteouslyinquisitiveastothetwistofluckthathadsethimdownhereandastothepeoplewho，presumably，weretobehisfuturecompanions。

Perhapsthestoutlittleheartquiveredjustabit，ifmemorywentbacktohishomekennelandtotherowdythrongofbrothersandsistersandmostofall，tothesoftfurrymotheragainstwhosesidehehadnestledeverynightsincehewasborn。Butifso，Ladwastoovalianttoshowhomesicknessbysomuchasawhimper。And，assuredly，thisHouseofPeacewasinfinitelybetterthanthemiserablecratewhereinhehadspenttwentyhorribleandjouncingandsmellyandnoisyhours。

Fromonetoanotherofthegroupstrayedthelevelsorrowfulgaze。Aftertheswiftinspection，Laddie\'seyesrestedagainontheMistress。Foraninstant，hestood，lookingather，inthatmildlypolitecuriositywhichheldnohintofpersonalinterest。

Then，allatonce，hisplumytailbegantowave。Intohissadeyessprangaflickerofwarmfriendliness。Unbidden——obliviousofeveryoneelsehetrottedacrosstowheretheMistresssat。Heputonetinywhitepawinherlap；andstoodthus，lookinguplovinglyintoherface，tailawag，eyesshining。

"There\'snoquestionwhosedoghe\'sgoingtobe，"laughedtheMaster。"He\'selectedyou，——byacclamation。"

TheMistresscaughtupintoherarmsthehalfgrownyoungster，pettinghissilkenhead，runningherwhitefingersthroughhisshiningmahoganycoat；makingcrooninglittlefriendlynoisestohim。

Ladforgothewasadignifiedandstatelypocket-editionofacollie。Underthisspell，hechangedinasecondtoanexcessivelylovingandnestlingandadoringpuppy。

"Justthesame，"interposedtheMaster，"we\'vebeenstung。I

wantedadogtoguardthePlaceandtobeamenacetoburglarsandallthatsortofthing。Andthey\'vesentusaTeddy-Bear。I

thinkI\'llshiphimbackandgetagrownone。Whatsortofuseis——？"

"Heisgoingtobeallthosethings，"eagerlyprophesiedtheMistress。"Andahundredmore。Seehowhelovestohavemepethim！And，look——he\'slearned，already，toshakehands；and——"

"Fine！"applaudedtheMaster。"Sowhenitcomesourturntobevisitedbythismotor-Raffles，thepuppywillshakehandswithhim，andregisterloveofpetting；andtheburlymarauderwillbesotouchedbyLad\'sfriendlinessthathe\'llnotonlyspareourhousebutleadanuprightlifeeverafter。I——"

"Don\'tsendhimback！"shepleaded。"He\'llgrowup，soon，and——"

"Andifonlythecourteousburglarswillwaittillhe\'sacoupleofyearsold，"suggestedtheMaster，"he——"

SetgentlyonthefloorbytheMistress，LaddiehadcrossedtowheretheMasterstood。Theman，glancingdown，metthepuppy\'sgaze。Foraninstanthescowledattheminiaturewatchdog，soludicrouslydifferentfromtheferociousbrutehehadexpected。

Then，——forsomequeerreason，——hestoopedandranhishandroughlyoverthetawnycoat，lettingitrestatlastontheshapelyheadthatdidnotflinchorwriggleathistouch。

"Allright，"bedecreed。"Lethimstay。He\'llbeanamusingpetforyou，anyhow。Andhiseyehasthetruethoroughbredexpression，——\'thelookofeagles。\'Hemayamounttosomethingafterall。Lethimstay。We\'lltakeachanceonburglars。"

SoitwasthatLadcametothePlace。SoitwasthathedemandedandreceivedduewelcomewhichwaseverLad\'sway。TheMasterhadbeenrightaboutthepup\'sproving"anamusingpet，"fortheMistress。Fromthatfirsthour，Ladwasneverwillinglyoutofhersight。Hehadadoptedher。TheMaster，too，——inonlyalittlelesserwholeheartedness，——headopted。Towardtherestoftheworld，fromthefirst，hewasfriendlybutmoreorlessindifferent。

Almostatonce，hisownersnotedanoddtraitinthedog\'snature。Hewouldofcoursegetintoanyorallofthethousandmischief-scrapeswhicharetheheritageofpuppies。But，asinglereproofwasenoughtocurehimforeveroftheparticularformofmischiefwhichhadjustbeenchidden。HewasoneofthoseraredogsthatlearntheLawbyinstinct；andthatrememberforalltimeacommandoraprohibitiononcegiventhem。

Forexample:——OnhisseconddayatthePlace，hemadeafuriousrushataneuroticmotherhenandhergoldenconvoyofchicks。

TheMistress，——luckilyforallconcerned，——waswithincall。Athersharpsummonsthepuppywheeled，midwayinhischarge，andtrottedbacktoher。Severely，yettryingnottolaughathisworriedaspect，shescoldedLadforhismisdeed。

Anhourlater，asLadwasscamperingaheadofher，pastthestables，theyroundedacornerandcameflushuponthesamenerve-wreckedhenandherbrood。Ladhaltedinhisscamper，withasuddennessthatmadehimskid。Then，walkingasthoughoneggs，hemadeanidioticallywidecircleaboutthefeathereddamandhersillychicks。NeverthereafterdidheassailanyofthePlace\'sfowls。

Itwasthesame，whenhesprangupmerrilyatalineoflaundry，flappinginalluringinvitationfromthedryinggroundlines。A

singlewordofrebuke，——andthenceforththefamilywashwassafefromhim。

Andsoonwiththemyriadperplexing"Don\'ts"whichspatterthecareerofafun-lovingcolliepup。Versedinthepatience-frayingwaysofpupsingeneral，theMistressandtheMastermarveledandbraggedandpraised。

Alldayandeveryday，lifewasadelighttothelittledog。Hehadfriendseverywhere，willingtorompwithhim。Hehadsquirrelstochase，amongtheoaks。Hehadthelaketosplashecstaticallyin:Hehadallhewantedtoeat；andhehadallthepettinghishungrylittleheartcouldcrave。

Hewasevenallowed，withcertainrestrictions，tocomeintothemysterioushouseitself。Nor，afteronedefiantbarkataleopard-skinrug，didhemolestanythingtherein。Inthehouse，too，hefoundagenuinecave:——awonderfulplacetolieandwatchtheworldatlarge，andtostaycoolinandtopretendhewasawolf。Thecavewasthedeepspacebeneaththepianointhemusicroom。ItseemedtohaveapeculiarcharmtoLad。Totheendofhisdays，bytheway，thiscavewashischosenrestingplace。

Nor，inhislifetime，didanyotherdogsetfoottherein。

Somuchfor"alldayandeveryday。"Butthenightsweredifferent。

Ladhatedthenights。Inthefirstplace，everybodywenttobedandlefthimalone。Inthesecond，hishard-heartedownersmadehimsleeponafluffyruginacorneroftheverandainsteadofinhisdelectablepiano-cave。Moreover，therewasnofoodatnight。Andtherewasnobodytoplaywithortogoforwalkswithortolistento。Therewasnothingbutgloomandsilenceanddullness。Whenapuppytakesfiftycat-napsinthecourseoftheday，hecannotalwaysbeexpectedtosleepthenightthrough。Itistoomuchtoask。AndLad\'swakinghoursatnightweretimesofdesolationandofutterboredom。True，hemighthaveconsoledhimself，asdoesmanyalesserpup，withvoicinghiswoesinaseriesofmelancholyhowls。That，intime，wouldhavedrawnplentyofhumanattentiontothelonelyyoungster；eveniftheattentionwerenotwhollyflattering。

ButLaddidnotbelongtothehowlingtype。Whenhewasunhappy，hewaxedsilent。Andhissorrowfuleyestookonadeeperwoe。Bytheway，ifthereisanythingmoresorrowfulthantheeyesofacolliepupthathasneverknownsorrow，Ihaveyettoseeit。

No，Ladcouldnothowl。Andhecouldnothuntforsquirrels。Fortheseenemiesofhiswerenotcontentwiththeunsportsmanlinessofclimbingoutofhisreachinthedaytime，whenhechasedthem；

buttheyaddedtotheirsinsbyjoiningtherestoftheworld，——exceptLad，——insleepingallnight。EventhelakethatwassofriendlybydaywasachillyandforbiddingplayfellowonthecoolNorthJerseynights。

Therewasnothingforapoorlonelypuptodobutstretchoutonhisrugandstareinunhappysilenceupthedriveway，intheimpossiblehopethatsomeonemighthappenalongthroughthedarknesstoplaywithhim。

Atsuchanhourandinsuchlonesomeness，Ladwouldgladlyhavetossedasideallprejudicesofcaste，——andallhisnaturaldislikes，andwouldhavefrolickedinmadjoywiththeverieststranger。Anythingwasbetterthanthisdrearsolitudethroughoutthemillionhoursbeforethefirstofthemaidsshouldbestirringorthefirstofthefarmhandsreportforwork。Yes，nightwasadisgustingtime；andithadnotonesingleredeemingtraitforthepuppy。

Ladwasnotevenconsoledbytheknowledgethathewasguardingtheslumbroushouse。Hewasnotguardingit。Hehadnottheveryremotestideawhatitmeanttobeawatchdog。Inallhisfivemonthshehadneverlearnedthatthereisunfriendlinessintheworld；orthatthereisanythingtoguardahouseagainst。

True，itwasinstinctivewithhimtobarkwhenPeoplecamedownthedrive，orappearedatthegateswithoutwarning。ButmorethanoncetheMasterhadbiddenhimbesilentwhenaracketyPuppysalvoofbarkinghadbrokeninonthearrivalofsomeguest。AndLadwasstillinperplexeddoubtastowhetherbarkingwassomethingforbiddenormerelylimited。

Onenight，——asolemn，black，breathlessAugustnight，whenhalf-visibleheatlightningturnedthemurkofthewesternhorizontopulsesofdirtysulphur，Ladawokefromafitfuldreamofchasingsquirrelswhichhadneverlearnedtoclimb。

Hesatuponhisrug，blinkingaroundthroughthegloominthehalfhopethatsomeofthosenon-climbingsquirrelsmightstillbeinsight。Astheywerenot，hesighedunhappilyandpreparedtolayhisclassicyoungheadbackagainontherugforanotherspellofnight-shorteningsleep。

But，beforehisheadcouldtouchtherug，hereareditandhalfofhissmallbodyfromthefloorandfocusedhisnearsightedeyesonthedriveway。Atthesametime，histailbegantowagathumpingwelcome。

Now，byday，adogcannotseesofarnorsoclearlyascanahuman。Butbynight，——forcomparativelyshortdistances，——hecanseemuchbetterthancanhismaster。Bydayorbydarkness，hiskeenhearingandkeenerscentmakeupforalldefectsofeyesight。

AndnowthreeofLad\'ssensestoldhimhewasnolongeraloneinhistediousvigil。Downthedrive，movingwithamusingslownessandsilence，amanwascoming。Hewasonfoot。Andhewasfairlywelldressed。Dogs，theforemostsnobsincreation，——arequicktonotethedifferencebetweenawell-cladandadisreputablestranger。

Hereunquestionablywasavisitor:——somesuchmanassooftencametothePlaceandpaidsuchflatteringattentiontothepuppy。NolongerneedLadbeboredbythesolitudeofthisparticularnight。Someonewascomingtowardsthehouse；——andcarryingasmallbagunderhisarm。Someonetomakefriendswith。

Ladwasveryhappy。

Deepinhisthroatawelcomingbarkwasborn。Buthestilledit。

Once，whenhehadbarkedattheapproachofastranger，thestrangerhadgoneaway。Ifthisstrangerweretogoaway，allthenight\'sfunwouldgowithhim。Also，nolaterthanyesterday，theMasterhadscoldedLadforbarkingatamanwhohadcalled。

Whereforethedogheldhispeace。

Gettingtohisfeetandstretchinghimself，foreandaft，intruecolliefashion，thepupgamboledupthedrivetomeetthevisitor。

Themanwasfeelinghiswaythroughthepitchdarkness，gropingcautiously；haltingonceortwiceforasmolderoflightningtosilhouettethehousehewasnearing。Inawoodedlane，aquartermileaway，hislightlessmotorcarwaited。

Ladtrotteduptohim，thetinywhitefeetnoiselessinthesoftdustofthedrive。Themandidnotseehim，butpassedsoclosetothedog\'shospitablyupthrustnosethatheallbuttouchedit。

Onlyslightlyrebuffedatsuchchilllackofcordiality，Ladfellinbehindhim，tailawag，andfollowedhimtotheporch。Whentheguestshouldringthebell，theMasteroroneofthemaidswouldcometothedoor。Therewouldbelightsandtalk；andperhapsLaddiehimselfmightbeallowedtoslipintohisbelovedcave。

Butthemandidnotring。Hedidnotstopatthedooratall。Ontiptoeheskirtedtheverandatotheold-fashionedbaywindowsatthesouthsideofthelivingroom；windowswithcatchesasold-fashionedandassimpletoopenasthemselves。

Ladpaddedalong，apaceorsototherear；——stillhopefulofbeingpettedorperhapsevenrompedwith。Themangaveafaintbutpromisingsignofintenttoromp，byswinginghissmallandveryshinybrownbagtoandfroashewalked。ThuseverdidtheMasterswingLad\'spreciouscantonflanneldollbeforethrowingitforhimtoretrieve。Ladmadeatentativesnapatthebag，histailwaggingharderthanever。Buthemissedit。And，inanothermomentthemanstoppedswingingthebagandtuckeditunderhisarmagainashebegantomumblewithabitofsteel。

Therewastheveryfaintestofclicks。Then，noiselesslythewindowslidupward。Asecondfumblingsentthewoodeninsideshuttersajar。Themanworkedwithnouncertainty。EversincehisvisittothePlace，aweekearlier，behindtheaegisofabigandbrightandnewlyforgedtelephone-inspectorbadge，hehadcarriedinhistrainedmemorythelocationofwindowsandofobstructingfurnitureandoftheprimitivesmallsafeinthelivingroomwall，withitspitifullypickablelock；——thesafewhereinthePlace\'sfewbitsofvaluablejewelryandothercompacttreasuresreposedatnight。

Ladwastemptedtofollowthecreepingbodyandthefascinatinglyswingingbagindoors。Buthisoneefforttoenterthehouse，——withmuddypaws，——bywayofanopenwindow，hadbeenrebukedbytheLawgivers。Hehadbeenledtounderstandthatreallywell-bredlittledogscomeinbywayofthedoor；andthenonlyonpermission。

Sohewaited，doubtfully，attheverandaedge；inthehopethathisnewfriendmightreappearorthattheMastermightperhapswanttoshowoffhispuptothecaller，assooftentheMasterwaswonttodo。

Headcockedtooneside，tulipearsalert，Laddiestoodlistening。Tothekeenesthumanearsthethief\'ssoftprogressacrossthewidelivingroomtothewall-safewouldhavebeenallbutinaudible。ButLadcouldfolloweveryphaseofit；thecautiousskirtingofeachchair；thehesitantpauseasabitofancientfurniturecreaked；thehaltinfrontofthesafe；thequeergrindingnoise，muffledbutpersevering，atthelock；thenthefaintcreakoftheswingingirondoor，andthedeftgropingoffingers。

Soon，themanstartedbacktowardthepaleoblongofgloomwhichmarkedthewindow\'soutlinesfromthesurroundingblack。Lad\'stailbegantowagagain。Apparently，thiseccentricpersonwascomingout，afterall，tokeephimcompany。Now，themanwaskneelingonthewindow-seat。Now，ingingerlyfashion，hereachedforwardandsetthesmallbagdownontheveranda；beforenegotiatingtheclimbacrossthebroadseat，——aclimbthatmightwellcallfortheuseofbothhishands。

Ladwasentranced。Herewasagameheunderstood。Thus，morethanonce，hadtheMistresstossedouttohimhisflanneldoll，ashehadstoodinpatheticinvitationontheporch，lookinginatherasshereadortalked。Shehadlaughedathiswildtossingsandothermaltreatmentsofthelimpdoll。Hehadfelthewasscoringarealhit。Andthishithedecidedtorepeat。

Snatchinguptheswollenlittlesatchel，almostbeforeitlefttheintruder\'shand，Ladshookit，joyously，revelinginthefaintclinkandjingleofthecontents。Hebackedplayfullyaway；

thebag-handleswinginginhisjaws。Crouchinglow，hewaggedhistailinardentinvitationtothestrangertochasehimandgetbackthesatchel。ThusdidtheMasterrompwithLad，whentheflanneldollwastheprizeoftheirgame。AndLadlovedsuchraces。

Yes，thestrangerwasacceptingtheinvitation。Themomenthehadcrawledoutontheverandahereacheddownforthebag。Asitwasnotwherehethoughthehadleftit，heswunghisgropinghandforwardinahalf-circle，hisfingerssweepingthefloor。

Makethatenticingmotion，directlyinfrontofaplayfulcolliepup；speciallyifhehassomethinghedoesn\'twantyoutotakefromhim；——andwatchtheeffect。

Instantly，Ladwasathrillwiththespiritofthegame。Inonescurryingbackwardjump，hewasofftheverandaandonthelawn，tailvibrating，eyesdancing；satchelheldtantalizinglytowardsitswould-bepossessor。

Thelightsoundofhisbodytouchinggroundreachedtheman。

Reasoningthatthesweepofhisownarmhadsomehowknockedthebagofftheporch，heventuredofftheedgeoftheverandaandflashedaswathedrayofhispocketlightalongthegroundinsearchofit。

Theflashlight\'slenswascleverlymuffled；inawaytogiveforthbutasinglesubduedfingerofillumination。Thatonebriefglimmerwasenoughtoshowthethiefarightimpossiblesight。

Theglowstruckansweringlightsfromthepolishedsidesofthebrownbag。Thebagwashanginginair，somesixinchesabovethegrassandperhapsfivefeetawayfromhim。Thenhesawitswigfrivolouslytoonesideandvanishinthenight。

Theastonishedmanhadseenmore。Feeblewastheflashlight\'sshroudedray，toofeebletooutlineagainstthenightthesmalldarkbodybehindtheshiningbrownbag。Butthatsameraycaughtandreflectedbacktotheincredulousbeholdertwosplashesofpalefire；——glintsfromapairofdeep-setcollie-eyes。

Asthebagdisappeared，theeeriefire-pointsweregone。Thethiefallbutdroppedhisflashlight。Hegapedinnervousdread；

andsoughtvainlytoaccountforthewitch-workhehadwitnessed。

Hehadplentyofnerve。Hehadplentyofexperiencealonghischosenlineofendeavor。But，whileacrookmaycontrolhisnerve，hecannotmakeitphlegmaticorsteady。Always，hemustbeconsciousofholdingitincheck，asacleverdriverchecksandsteadiesandkeepsinsubjectionaplunginghorse。Letthevigilanceslacken，andthereisarunaway。

Nowthisparticularmarauderhadlongagokeyedhisnervetothechanceofinterruptionfromsomegun-brandishinghouseholder；andtothepossiblepursuitofpolice；andtotheneedoffightingoroffleeing。Butallhispreparationshadnottakenintoaccountthisnewestemergency。Hehadnotsteeledhimselftowatchunmovedtheglidingawayofatreasure-satchel，apparentlymovingofitsownwill；northeshimmeroftwogreenishsparksintheairjustaboveit。And，foraninstant，themanhadtobattleagainstacravendesiretobolt。

Lad，meanwhile，washavingabeautifultime。Sincerely，heappreciatedtheplayfulgrabhisnocturnalfriendhadmadeinhisgeneraldirection。Ladhadcounteredthis，byfriskingawayforanotherfiveorsixfeet，andthenwheelingabouttofaceoncemorehisplayfellowandtoawaitthenextmoveintheblithegambol。Thepupcouldseetolerablywell，inthedarknessquitewellenoughtoplaythegamehisguesthaddevised。Andofcourse，hehadnowayofknowingthatthemancouldnotseeequallywell。

Shakingoffhismomentaryterror，thethiefoncemorepressedthebuttonofhisflashlight；swingingthetorchinaswiftsemicircleandextinguishingitatonce；lestthedimglowbeseenbyanywakefulmemberofthefamily。

Thatonequicksweeprevealedtohisgazetheshinybrownbagahalf-dozenfeetaheadofhim，stillswingingseveralinchesaboveground。Heflunghimselfforwardatit；refusingtobelievehealsosawthatqueerdoubleglowofpalelightjustabove。Hedivedforthesatchelwiththespeedandtheaccuracyofafootballtackle。Andthatwasallthegooditdidhim。

Perhapsthereissomethinginnaturemoreagileanddismayinglyelusivethanarompingyoungcollie。Butthat"something"isnotamortalman。Asthethiefsprang，Ladspranginunisonwithhim；

dartingtotheleftandayardorsobackward。Hecametoanexpectantstandstilloncemore；histailwildlyvibrating，hisentirefurrybodytinglingwiththegladexcitementofthegame。

Thissportivevisitorofhiswasaveritablegodsend。Ifonlyhecouldbecoaxedintocomingtoplaywithhimeverynight——！

Butpresentlyhenotedthattheotherseemedtohaveweariedofthegame。Afterplungingthroughtheairandlandingonallfourswithhisgraspinghandsclosingonnothingness，themanhadremainedthus，asifdazed，forasecondorso。Thenhehadfeltthegroundallabouthim。Then，bewildered，hehadscrambledtohisfeet。Nowhewasstanding，moveless，hislipsworking。

Yes，heseemedtobetiredofthelovelygame；——andjustwhenLaddiewasbeginningtoenterintothefullspiritofit。Onceinawhile，theMistressortheMasterstoppedplaying，duringtherompswiththeflanneldoll。AndLaddiehadlongsincehitonatrickforrevivingtheirinterest。Heemployedthisrusenow。

Asthemanstood，puzzledandscared，somethingbrushedverylightly，-evencoquettishly，——againsthisknuckles。Hestartedinnervousfright。Aninstantlater，thesamethingbrushedhisknucklesagain，thistimemoreinsistently。Theman，inaspurtoffear-drivenrage，grabbedattheinvisibleobject。HisfingersslippedalongthesmoothsidesofthebewitchedbagthatLadwasshovinginvitinglyathim。

Briefaswasthecontact，itwaslongenoughforthethief\'ssensitivefingertipstorecognizewhattheytouched。Andbothhandswerebroughtsuddenlyintoplay，inamadsnatchfortheprize。Thetenavidfingersmissedthebag；andcametogetherwithclawingforce。But，beforetheymet，thefingertipsofthelefthandtelegraphedtotheman\'sbrainthattheyhadhadmomentarylightexperiencewithsomethinghairyandwarm，——somethingthathadslipped，eel-like，pastthemintothenight；——somethingthatmostassuredlywasnosatchel，butALIVE！

Theman\'sthroatcontracted，ingaggingfright。And，asbefore，fearscourgedhimtofeverishrage。

Recklesslyhepressedtheflashlight\'sbutton；andswungthemuffledbaroflightineverydirection。Inhisotherhandheleveledthepistolhehaddrawn。Thistimetheshadedrayrevealedtohimnotonlyhisbag，but，——vaguely，——theThingthatheldit。

Hecouldnotmakeoutwhatmannerofcreatureitwaswhichgrippedthesatchel\'shandleandwhoseeyespulsedbackgreenishflaresintothetorch\'sdimglow。Butitwasananimalofsomekind；——distortedandformlessinthewaveringfingerofbluntedlight；butstillananimal。Notaghost。

Andfeardeparted。Theintruderfearednothingmortal。Themysteryinpartexplained，hedidnotbothertopuzzleouttheremainderofit。Impossibleasitseemed，hisbagwascarriedbysomelivingthing。Allthatremainedforhimwastocapturethething，andrecoverhisbag。Theweaklightstillturnedon，hegavechase。

Lad\'sspiritsarosewithabound。Hisrusehadsucceeded。Hehadreawakenedinthiseasily-discouragedchumanewinterestinthegame。Andhegamboledacrossthelawn，fairlywrigglingwithdelight。Hedidnotwishtomakehisfriendloseinterestagain。

Soinsteadofdashingoffatfullspeed，hefriskeddaintily，justoutofreachoftheclawinghand。

Andinthispleasantfashionthetwoplayfellowscoveredahundredyardsofground。Morethanonce，themancamewithinaninchofhisquarry。Butalways，bythemostimperceptiblespurtofspeed，Laddiearrangedtokeephimselfandhisdearsatchelfromcapture。

Then，innotimeatall，thegameended；andwithitendedLad\'sbabyfaithinthefriendlinessandtrustworthinessofallhumannature。

Realizingthatthesoundofhisownstumblinglyrunningfeetandtheintermittentflashesofhistorchmightwellawakensomelightsleeperinthehouse，thethiefresolvedonadaringmove。

Thiscreatureinfrontofhim，——dogorbearorgoat，orwhateveritwas，——wasuncatchable。Butbysendingabulletthroughit，hecouldbringtheanimaltoasuddenandpermanentstop。

Then，snatchinguphisbagandrunningattopspeed，behimselfcouldeasilywinclearofthePlacebeforeanyoneofthehouseholdshouldappear。Andhiscarwouldbeamileawaybeforetheneighborhoodcouldbearoused。Furyattheweirdbeastandthewrenchingstrainonhisownnerveslenteagernesstohisacceptanceoftheidea。

Hereachedbackagainforhispistol，whippeditout，and，comingtoastandstill，aimedatthepup。Lad，waitingonlytoboundoveranobstructioninhispath，cametoacorrespondingpause，nottenfeetaheadofhisplaymate。

Itwasaneasyshot。Yetthebulletwentseveralinchesabovetheobliginglywaitingdog\'sback。Ninemenoutoften，shootingbymoonlightorbyflashlight，aimtoohigh。Thethiefhadheardthisoldmarksman-maximfiftytimes。But，likemosthearersofmaxims，hehadforgottenitattheonetimeinhisspeckledcareerwhenitmighthavebeenofanyusetohim。

Hehadfired。Hehadmissed。Inanothersecond，everysleeperinthehouseandinthegate-lodgewouldbeoutofbed。Hisnight\'sworkwasablank，unless——

WithabullrushhehurledhimselfforwardattheinterestedlywaitingLad。And，ashesprang，hefiredagain。Thenseveralthingshappened。

Everyone，exceptmovieactorsandnewly-appointedpolicemen，knowsthatamanonfootcannotshootstraight，unlessheisstandingstockstill。Yet，asluckwouldhaveit，thissecondshotfoundamarkwherethefirstandbetteraimedbullethadgonewild。

Ladhadleapedthenarrowanddeepditchleftalongthelawn-edgebyworkerswhowereputtinginanewwater-mainforthePlace。Onthefarsideofthisobstaclehehadstopped，andhadwaitedforhisfriendtofollow。Butthefriendhadnotfollowed。Instead，hehadbeensomehowresponsibleforaspurtofredflameandforamostthrillingracket。Ladwasmoreimpressedthaneverbytheman\'swondrouspossibilitiesasamidnightentertainer。Hewaited，gaylyexpectant，formore。Hegotit。

Therewasasecondracketyexplosionandasecondpuffoflightningfromtheman\'sout-flunghand。But，thistime，somethinglikeared-hotwhip-lashsmoteLadwithhorriblyagonizingforceathwarttherighthip。

Themanhaddonethis，——themanwhomLaddiehadthoughtsofriendlyandplayful！

Hehadnotdoneitbyaccident。Forhishandhadbeenout-flungdirectlyatthepup，justasoncehadbeenthearmofthekennelman，backatLad\'sbirthplace，inbeatingadisobedientmongrel。ItwastheonlybeatingLadhadeverseen。Andithadstuck，shudderingly，inhisuncannilysensitivememory。Yetnow，hehimselfhadjusthadalikeexperience。

Inaninstant，thepup\'strustfulfriendlinesswasgone。ThemanhadcomeonthePlace，atdeadofnight，andhadstruckhim。Thatmustbepaidfor！Neverwouldthepupforget，——hisagonizinglessonthatnightintrudersarenottobetrustedoreventobetolerated。Withinasinglesecond，hehadgraduatedfromalittlefriendofalltheworld，intoavigilantwatchdog。

Withasnarl，hedroppedthebagandwhizzedforwardathisassailant。Needle-sharpmilk-teethbared，headlow，ruffabristle，friendlysofteyesasferociousasawolf\'s，hecharged。

Therehadbeenscarceabreathing-spacebetweenthesecondreportofthepistolandthecollie\'scounterattack。Buttherehadbeentimeenoughfortheonward-plungingthieftostepintothenarrowlipofthewater-pipeditch。Themomentumofhisownrushhurledtheupperpartofhisbodyforward。Buthisleftleg，caughtbetweentheditch-sides，didnotkeeppacewiththerestofhim。

Therewasahideoussnappingsound，ascreechofmortalanguish；

andthemancrashedtoearth，inadeadfaintofpainandshock，——hisbrokenleftlegstillthrustatanimpossibleangleintheditch。

Ladcheckedhimselfmidwayinhisownfiercecharge。Teethbare，throatagrowl，hehesitated。Ithadseemedtohimrightandnaturaltoassailthemanwhohadstruckhimsopainfully。Butnowthissamemanwaslyingstillandhelplessunderhim。Andthesportinginstinctsofahundredgenerationsofthoroughbredscriedouttohimnottomanglethedefenseless。

Wherefore，hestood，irresolute；alertforsignofmovementonthepartofhisfoe。Buttherewasnosuchsign。Andthelightbullet-grazeonhishipwashurtingliketheverymischief。

Moreover，everywindowinthehousebeyondwasblossomingforthintolights。Thereweresounds，——reassuringhumansounds。Anddoorswereopening。Hisdeitieswerecomingforth。

Allatonce，Laddiestoppedbeingavengefulbeastofprey；andrememberedthathewasaverysmallandverymuchhurtandverylonelyandworriedpuppy。HecravedtheMistress\'sdeartouchonhiswound，andawordofcrooningcomfortfromhersoftvoice。

ThisyearningwasmingledwithadoubtlestperhapshehadbeentransgressingthePlace\'sLaw，insomenewway；andlesthemighthavelethimselfinforascolding。TheLawwasstillsoqueerandsoillogical！

Ladstartedtowardthehouse。Then，pausing，hepickedupthebagwhichhadbeensoexhilaratingaplaythingforhimthispastfewminutesandwhichhehadforgotteninhispain。

ItwasLad\'scolliewaytopickupofferings(rangingfromslipperstoverydeadfish)andtocarrythemtotheMistress。

Sometimeshewaspettedforthis。Sometimestheofferingwasliftedgingerlybetweenalooffingersandtossedbackintothelake。But，nobodycouldwellrefusesojinglyandprettyagiftasthissatchel。

TheMaster，sketchilyattired，camerunningdownthelawn，flashlightinhand。Pasthim，unnoticed，ashespedtowardtheditch，acolliepuplimped；——averyunhappyandcomfort-seekingpuppywhocarriedinhismouthablood-spatteredbrownbag。

"Itdoesn\'tmakesensetome！"complainedtheMaster，nextday，ashetoldthestoryforthedozenthtime，toanewgroupofcallers。"IheardtheshotsandIwentouttoinvestigate。Therehewaslying，halfinandhalfoutoftheditch。Thefellowwasunconscious。Hedidn\'tgethissensesbacktillafterthepolicecame。Thenhetoldsomebabblingyarnaboutacreaturethathadstolenhisbagoflootandthathadluredhimtotheditch。Hewasallunnervedandupset，andalmostoutofhisheadwithpain。

Sothepolicehadlittleenoughtroublein\'sweating\'him。Hetoldeverythingheknew。Andthere\'sawholesaleround-upofthemotor-robberybunchgoingonthisafternoonasaresultofit。

ButwhatIcan\'tunderstand——"

"It\'sasclearasday，"insistedtheMistress，strokingasilkenheadthatpressedlovinglyagainstherknee。"Asclearasday。I

wasstandinginthedoorwayherewhenLaddiecamepatteringuptomeandlaidalittlesatchelatmyfeet。Iopenedit，andwell，ithadeverythingofvalueinitthathadbeeninthesafeoverthere。Thatandthethief\'sstorymakeitperfectlyplain。Laddiecaughtthemanashewasclimbingoutofthatwindow。Hegotthebagawayfromhim；andthemanchasedhim，firingashewent。Andhestumbledintotheditchand——"

"Nonsense！"laughedtheMaster。"I\'llgrantallyousayaboutLad\'sbeingthemostmarvelouspuppyonearth。AndI\'llevenbelieveallthemiraclesofhiscleverness。Butwhenitcomestotakingabagofjewelryfromaburglarandthenenticinghimtoaditchandthencomingbackheretoyouwiththebag——"

"Thenhowdoyouaccount——？"

"Idon\'t。Noneofitmakessensetome。AsIjustsaid。But，whateverhappened，it\'sturnedLaddieintoarealwatchdog。Didyounoticehowhewentforthepolicewhentheystarteddownthedrive，lastnight？We\'vegotawatchdogatlast。"

"We\'vegotmorethanawatchdog，"amendedtheMistress。"Anordinarywatchdogwouldjustscareawaythievesorbitethem。Ladcapturedthethiefandthenbroughtthestolenjewelrybacktous。Nootherdogcouldhavedonethat。"

Lad，enrapturedbythenoteofpraiseintheMistress\'ssoftvoice，lookedadoringlyupintothefacethatsmiledsoproudlydownathim。Then，catchingthesoundofasteponthedrive，hedashedouttobarkinmurderousfashionatawhollyharmlessdeliveryboywhomhehadseeneverydayforweeks。

Awatchdogcan\'taffordtorelaxvigilance，forasingleinstant，——especiallyattheresponsibleageoffivemonths。

CHAPTERII。TheFetishFromthenightoftherobbery，Lad\'shighpositionatthePlacewasassured。

Eveninthemonthsofganglinglyleggyawkwardnesswhichgenerallyseparatefurrypuppyhoodfromdignifiedcolliematurity，hegavesurepromiseofhisquality。Hewassuchadogasisfoundperhapsonceinageneration；thesuper-colliethatneitherknowsnorneedssuchthingsaswhipandchain；andthatlearnstheLawwithbewilderingswiftness。Adogwithabrainandamightyheart，aswellasanendlessfundofloveablenessandofgaycourage。

Monthbymonth，theyoungsterdevelopedintoamassivegiant；hisorange-mahoganycoatamiracleofthicknessandlength，hisdeepchestpromisingpoweraswellaswolflikegrace。Hismindandhisoddlyhumantraitsdevelopedasfastasdidhisbody。

AfterthefirstmonthorsohereceivedprivilegesnevertobeaccordedtoanyotherofthePlace\'sdogsinLad\'slifetime。Hesleptatnightunderthemusic-roompiano，inthe"cave"thatwashisdelight。Atmealtimeshewasevenadmittedintothesacreddining-room，wherehelayonthefloorattheMaster\'slefthand。

Hehadtherunofthehouse，asfullyasanyhuman。

ItwaswhenLadwaseighteenmonthsoldthatthemad-dogscaresweptHamptonvillage；andreacheditscrawlytentaclesoutacrossthelaketothemile-distantPlace。

Downthevillagestreet，oneday，trottedanenormousblackmongrel；fullinthecenteroftheroadway。Themongrel\'sheavyheadwaslow，andlolledfromsidetosidewitheachlurchingstrideofthebigbody。Theeyeswerebloodshot。Fromthemouthandthehangingdewlaps，flecksoffoamdroppednowandthentotheground。

Thebigmongrelwassickofmindandofbody。Hecravedonlytogetoutofthatabodeofmenandtofindsolitudeintheforestsandhillsbeyondthevillage。

Forthisistheconsideratewayofdogs；andofcatsaswell。

Whendiresicknesssmitesthem，theydonothangabout，cravingsympathyandcallingforendlessattention。Alltheywantistogetoutoftheway，——welloutoftheway，intothewoodsandswampsandmountains；wheretheymaywrestlewiththeirlife-or-deathproblemintheirownprimitivemanner；andwhere，ifneedbe，theymaydiealoneandpeacefully，withouttroublinganyoneelse。

Especiallyisthistruewithdogs。Iftheirmaladyislikelytoaffectthebrainandtoturnthemsavage，theymakeeverypossibleattempttoescapefromhomeandtobeasfarawayfromtheirmastersasmaybe，beforethecrisisshallgoadthemintoattackingthosetheylove。

And，whensomesuchsufferingbeastisseen，onhiswaytosolitude，wehumansproveourhumanitybyraisingtheidioticbellowof"Maddog！"andbychasingandtorturingthevictim。Allthis，despiteproofthatnotonesickdoginathousand，thusassailed，hasanydiseasewhichisevenremotelyakintorabies。

Nexttovivisection，nocrimeagainsthelplessanimalsissoneedlesslyandfoolishlycruelastheaveragemad-dogchase。

Whichisadigression；butwhichmayormaynotenableyoutokeepyourhead，nexttimeamad-dogscaresweepsyourownneighborhood。

Downthemiddleofthedustystreettrottedthesickmongrel。

Fiveminutesearlier，hehadescapedfromthedampcellarinwhichhisownerhadimprisonedhimwhenfirsthefellill。Andnow，hisonepurposewastoleavethevillagebehindhimandtogaintheleafyrefugeofthefoothillsbeyond。

Outfromadoor-yard，flashedabumptiouslittlefoxterrier。

Intotheroadwayhebounded；intentonchallengingthebiggeranimal。

Hebarkedferociously；thendancedinfrontoftheinvalid；

yappingandsnappingupatthehanginghead。Thebigmongrel，inagony，snarledandmadealungeathisirritatinglydancingtormentor。Histeethduggrazinglyintotheterrier\'swithers；

and，withanimpatienttoss，heflungthelittlebeasttooneside。Thenhecontinuedhisinterruptedflight；sickwrathbeginningtoencompasshisreelingbrain，attheannoyancehehadencountered。

Theyelloftheslightlyhurtterrierbroughtpeopletotheirdoors。Thesounddisturbedahalf-breedspanielfromhisdozeinthedust，andsenthimouttocontinuetheharryinghisinjuredterrierchumhadbegun。

Thespanielflewattheblackdog；nippingattheploddingforepaws。Themongrelraged；asmightsomepainfullysickhumanwhoispesteredwhenheasksonlytobeletalone。Hisdullapathygaveplacetosullenanger。Hebitgrowlinglyatthespaniel，throwinghimselftoonesideinpursuitoftheelusivefoe。AndhesnappedwithequalrageatanIrishterrierthathadcomeouttoaddtotheturmoil。

Bythistime，ascoreofpeopleweredancingupanddowninsidetheirdoor-yardfences，squalling"Maddog！"andflingingattheblackbruteanymissiletheycouldlayhandto。

Abrokenflower-potcuttheinvalid\'snose。Astonereboundedfromhisribs。Theraucoushumanyellscompletedtheworkthefirstdoghadstarted。Fromameresufferer，theblackmongrelhadchangedintoaperil。

TheMistresshadmotoredovertotheHamptonpost-office，thatafternoon，tomailsomeletters。Lad，asusual，hadgonewithher。Shehadlefthiminthecar，whileshewentintothepost-office。

Ladlaythere，insnugcontentment，onthecar\'sfrontseat；

awaitingthereturnofhisdeityandkeepingawatchfuleyeonanyonewhochancedtoloiternearthemachine。Presently，hesatup。Leaningout，fromonesideoftheseat，hestareddownthehotroadway，inadirectionwhenceababelofhighlyexcitingsoundsbegantoissue。

Apparently，beyondthatkick-upofdust，afurlongbelow，allsortsofinterestingthingswerehappening。Lad\'ssofteyestookonaglintofeagercuriosity；andhesniffedthestillairforfurthercluesastothenatureofthefun。Anumberofhumans，——tojudgebytheracket，——wereshoutingandscreaming；

andthewell-understoodword，"dog，"formedalargepartoftheirclamor。Also，therewererealdogsmixedupinthefracas；andmorethanoneofthemhadbloodonhim。Somuchthecollie\'suncannysensesofsmellandofhearingtoldhim。

Ladwhimpered，fardowninhisthroat。Hehadbeenleftheretoguardthiscar。Itwashisdutytostaywherehewas，untiltheMistressshouldreturn。Yet，rightbehindhim，there，aseriesofmightyentertainingthingswerehappening，——thingsthathelongedtoinvestigateandtomixinto。Itwashardtodoone\'ssolemndutyaswatchdog，whensomuchofwildinterestwasastir！NotoncediditoccurtoLaddietodeserthispost。Buthecouldnotforbearthatlowwhimperandaglanceofappealtowardthepost-office。

Andnow，outofthesmearofflyingdust，loomedalurchingblackshape；——gigantic，terrible。Itwascomingstraighttowardthecar；stillalmostinmid-road。Behind，lessdistinct，appearedrunningmen。Andashotwasfired。Somebodyhadrunindoorsforapistol，beforejoiningthechase。Thesamesomebody，inthevanofthepursuers，hadopenedfire；andwasindangerofdoingfarmoredamagetolifethancouldadozenallegedlymaddogs。

Justthen，outfromthepost-office，cametheMistress。Crossingthenarrowsidewalk，shenearedthecar。Ladstoodup，wagginghisplumedtailinwelcome；histinywhiteforepawsdancingajigofeagernessontheleatherseat-cushion。

Onreeledtheblackmongrel；crazedbynoiseandpain。HisblearedeyescaughtaflashoftheMistress\'swhitedress，onthewalk，fifteenfeetinfrontofhimandayardormoretooneside。

Inaframeofmindwheneverynewcomerwasaprobabletormenter，themongrelresolvedtomeetthiswhite-cladfoe，head-on。Heswerved，withastagger，fromhisbee-lineoftravel；growledhideously，andsprangfullather。

TheMistresspaused，foraninstant，inthemiddleofthesidewalk，tofindoutthereasonforthesuddendinthathadassailedherearsassheemergedfromthepost-office。Inthatbriefmoment，shecaughtthemultiple-bellowedphraseof"Maddog！"andsawtheblackbrutechargingdownuponher。

Therewasnotimetodartbackintotheshelterofthebuildingortogainthelessersafetyofthecar。Forthechargingmongrelwasnotfivefeetaway。

TheMistressstoodstock-still；holdingherhandsatalevelwithherthroat。Shedidnotcryout；norfaint。ThatwasnottheMistress\'sway。LikeLad，shewasthoroughbredinsoulaswellasinbody。Andneithershenorherdogbelongedtothebreedofscreamers。Throughhermind，inthatbriefestfractionofasecondwhizzedtheconsolingthought"He\'snotmad，whateverelseheis。Amaddogneverswervesfromhispath。"

ButiftheMistressremainedmoveless，Laddidnot。Seeingherperilevenmoreswiftlythandidshe，hemadeonelightningdivefromhisperchonthecarseat。

Hedidnotleapatrandom。Lad\'sbrainalwaysworkedmorequicklythandidhislithebody；flyinglyrapidaswerethatbody\'smotions。Ashegatheredhimselfforthespring，hiscampaignwasmappedout。

Downuponthechargingbeastswoopedafurrywhirlwindofburnishedmahogany-and-snow。Downitswoopedwiththewhirringspeedandunerringaimofaneagle。Sixty-oddpoundsofsinewyweightsmotethelungingmongrel，obliquely，ontheleftshoulder；knockingthegreatbrute\'slegsfromunderhimandthrowinghimcompletelyoffhisbalance。Intothedustcrashedthetwodogs；Ladontop。Beforetheystruckground，thecollie\'steethhadfoundtheirgoalirethesideofthelargerdog\'sthroat；andeverywhalebonemuscleinLad\'sbodywasbracedtoholdhisenemydown。

Itwasacleverhold。Forthefallhadthrownthemongrelonhisside。AndsolongasLadshouldbeabletokeepthegreatfoamingheadinthatsidewaysposture，theotherdogcouldnotgethisfeetunderhimagain。Withhislegsintheirpresentposition，hehadnopowertogetup；butlaythrashingandsnappingandsnarling；andtryingwithallhiscrampedmighttofreehimselffromthemusculargripthatheldhimprostrate。

Itwasalloverinsomethingliketwoseconds。Upstormedthecrowd；thepistol-wielderatitshead。Threeshotswerefiredatpoint-blankrange。BysomemiraclenoneofthemharmedLad；

althoughonebulletscratchedhisforelegonitswaytotheblackgiant\'sbrain。

Assoonasshecould，theMistressgotherselfandtheloudly-praisedLadintothecarandsetoffforhome。Nowthattheperilwasover，shefeltdizzyandill。Shehadseenwhatitisnotwelltosee。Andthememoryofithauntedherformanyanightthereafter。

AsforLad，hewasstillatinglewithexcitement。Thenoisypraiseofthosebabblinghumanshadbotheredhim；andhehadbeengladtoescapeit。Ladhatedtobemauledortalkedtobystrangers。ButtheMistress\'stremuloussqueezeandhershudderingwhisperof"Oh，Laddie！LADDIE！"hadshownshewasproudofhim。AndthisflatteredanddelightedLad，pastallmeasure。

Hehadactedonimpulse。But，fromtheMistress\'smanner，hesawhehadmadeawonderfulhitwithherbywhathehaddone。Andhistailthumpedecstaticallyagainsttheseatashecuddledveryclosetoherside。

Athome，therewasmorepraiseandpetting；——thistimefromboththeMistressandtheMaster。AndtheMasterbathedandpatchedtheinsignificantbullet-scratchonthecollie\'sforeleg。

Altogether，itwasagalaafternoonfortheyoungdog。Andhelovedit。

But，nextmorning，therewasquiteanotherphaseoflifeawaitinghim。LikemostGreatMoments，thisexploitofLad\'swasnotonthefreelist。AndTroublesetin；——grimandsinistertrouble。

Breakfastwasover。TheMistressandtheMasterweretakingtheirwontedmorningstrollthroughthegrounds。Ladcanteredalong，aheadofthem。Thelightbullet-scratchonhisforelegdidnotlameorannoyhim。Heinspectedeverythingofcanineinterest；

sniffingexpertinquiryatholeswhichmightprovetoberabbitwarrens；glaringintruculentthreatupsometreewhichmightormightnotharboranimpudentsquirrel；affectingtoseeobjectsofmysteriousimportinbushclumps；crouchingindramaticthreatatafatstag-beetlewhichscuttledacrosshispath。

Thereareanimmensenumberofworth-whiledetailsforaveryyoungcollie，ineventhemostcasualmorningwalk；especiallyifhisMistressandhisMasterchancetobeunderhisescort。AndLaddieneglectednoneofthesethings。IfatroopofbearsorabandofIndiansoraman-eatingelephantwerelurkinganywhereintheshrubberyorbehindtree-trunks，Ladwasnotgoingtofailindiscoveringandroutingoutsuchpossibledangerstothepeaceofmindofhistwoadoreddeities。

Scentandsightpresentlywereattractedbyafeebleflutteringunderalow-limbedcatalpatreeinwhosebranchesapairofhystericalrobinswerescreeching。Ladpaused，histulipearsatattention，hisplumedtailswaying。Thenhepushedhislongmuzzlethroughaclumpofgrassandemergedcarryingaflappingandpipingmorselbetweenhismightyjaws。Thebirds，onthelimbabove，redoubledtheirfrenziedchirping；andmadelittlefutiledashesatthecollie\'shead。

Unheeding，LadwalkedbacktotheMistressandlaidgentlyatherfeetthebabyrobinhehadfound。Hiskeenteethhadnotsomuchasruffleditspinfeatherplumage。Havingdonehissharetowardsettlingthebird\'sdilemma，LaddiestoodbackandwatchedingraveinterestwhiletheMistressliftedtheflutteringinfantandputitbackinthenestwhenceithadfallen。

"ThatmakesthefifthbabybirdLaddiehasbroughttomeinamonth，"shecommented，assheandtheMasterturnedbacktowardthehouse。"Tosaynothingoftwofieldmiceandabroken-wingedbat。HeseemstothinkI\'llknowwhattodoforthem。"

"Ionlyhopehewon\'thappenuponanewbornrattlesnakeorcopperheadandbringittoyouforrefuge，"answeredtheMaster。

"Ineversawanotherdog，exceptatrainedpointerorsetter，thatcouldhandlebirdssotenderly。He——"

Thebumpingofabadlyhandledrowboat，againstthedock，atthefootofthelawn，ahundredyardsbelow，checkedhisramblingwords。Lad，atsuddenattention，byhismaster\'sside，watchedtheboat\'soccupantclamberclumsilyoutofhisscow；thenstampalongthedockandupthelawntowardthehouse。Thearrivalwasalongandleanandlankandlantern-jawedmanwithasetofthemostfieryredwhiskerseverseenoutsideamusicalcomedy。TheMasterhadseenhimseveraltimes，inthevillage；andrecognizedhimasHomerWefers，thenewly-appointedTownshipHeadConstable。

TheMistressrecognizedhim，too，asthevehementofficialwhosevolleyofpistol-bulletshadendedthesufferingsoftheblackmongrel。Sheshivered，inreminiscence，asshelookedathim。Thememoryheevokedwasnotpleasant。

"Morning！"Wefersobserved，curtly，astheMaster，withLadbesidehim，steppedforwardtogreetthescarlet-beardedguest。

"Itriedtogetoverhere，lastnight。ButIguessit\'ssoonenough，today。Hasheshowedanysigns，yet？"HenoddedinquiringlyattheimpassiveLad，ashespoke。

"\'Soonenough\'forwhat？"queriedthepuzzledMaster。

"Andwhatsortof\'signs\'areyoutalkingabout？"

"Soonenoughtoshootthatbigbrowncollieofyours，"explainedWefers，withbusinesslikebriskness。"AndI\'maskingifhe\'sshowedanysignsofhydrophoby。Hashe？"

"AreyouspeakingofLaddie？"askedtheMistress，indismay；astheslower-wittedMaster，staredandgulped。"Whyshouldheshowanysignsofhydrophobia？He——"

"Ifhehasn\'t，hewill，"rappedoutthevisitor。"Orhewould，ifhewasn\'tputoutoftheway。That\'swhatI\'mherefor。ButI

kindofhopedmaybeyoufolksmighthavedoneit，yourselves。

Can\'tbetoocareful，youknow。\'Specially——"

"Whatinblueblazesareyoublitheringabout？"roaredtheMaster，findinghisvoiceandmarshalinghisstartledwits。"Doyoumean——"

"Imean，"saidWefers，rebukingwithacoldglaretheMaster\'sdisrespectfulmanner，"ImeanI\'mheretoshootthatbigcollieofyours。Hewasbitbyamaddog，yesterday。Sowasthreeotherdogsoverinthevillage。Ishot\'emall；beforetheyhadtimetod\'velopsymptomsandthings；orbiteanybody。Oneof\'em，"headded，unctuously，"oneof\'emb\'longedtothatlittlecrippledPosthangergirl。Shecriedandbegged，somethingpitiful，whenI

comeforhim。Butdootyisdooty。SoI——"

"OH！"

TheMistress\'shorrifiedmonosyllablebrokeinonthesmugrecital。ShecaughtLadprotectinglybytheruffandstaredinmutedreadatthelankyandred-whiskeredofficer。Lad，readinghervoiceasalways，divinedthisnasal-tonedcallerhadsaidordonesomethingtomakeherunhappy。Hisruffbristled。Onecornerofhislipliftedinsomethingwhichlookedlikeasmile，butwhichwasnot。And，veryfardowninhisthroatagrowlwasborn。

ButtheMastersteppedinfrontofhiswifeandhisdog，andconfrontedtheconstable。Fightingforcalmness，heasked:

"DoIunderstandthatyoushotthoseharmlesslittlepupsjustbecauseadogthatwassick，andnotrabid，happenedtonipthem？

Andthatyou\'vecomeacrossherewithanideaofdoingthesamethingtoLad？Isthatit？"

"That\'stheidea，"assentedWefers。"Isaidso，rightoff，assoonasIgothere。Only，you\'rewrongaboutthedogbeing\'sick。\'Hewasmad。Hadrabies。I\'doughttoknow。I——"

"Howandwhyoughtyoutoknow？"demandedtheMaster，stillbattlingforperfectcalm，andsucceedingnonetoowell。"Howoughtyoutoknow？Areyouaveterinary？Haveyouevermadeastudyofdogsandoftheirmaladies？Haveyoueverreadup，carefully，onthesubjectofrabies？HaveyoureadEberhardtorDr。BennettorSkinneroranyofadozenotherauthoritiesonthedisease？HaveyouconsultedsucheminentvetsasHopperandFinch，forinstance？Ifyouhave，youcertainlymustknowthatadog，afflictedwithgenuinerabies，willnomoreturnoutofhiswaytobiteanyonethanatyphoidpatientwilljumpoutofbedtochaseadoctor。I\'mnotsayingthatthebiteofanysickanimal(orofanysickhuman，forthatmatter)isn\'tmoreorlessdangerous；unlessit\'scarefullywashedoutandpaintedwithiodine。Butthat\'snoexcusetogoaroundthecountry，shootingeverydogthatsomesickmongrelhassnappedat。Putsuchdogsunderobservation，ifnecessary；andthen——"

"Youtalklikeafool！"snortedWefers，inloftycontempt。"I——"

"ButIamgoingtokeepyoufromactinglikeafool，"returnedtheMaster，hishard-heldtemperbeginningtofray。"Yousayyou\'vecomeoverheretoshootmydog。IfeveranyoneshootsLad，I\'llbethemantodoit。AndI\'llhavetohavelotsbetterreasonforitthan——"

"Goahead，then！"vouchsafedtheconstable，fishingoutarustyservicepistolfromhiscoat-tailpocket。"Goaheadanddoityourself，then；ifyou\'drather。It\'sallonetome，solong\'sit\'sdone。"

Withsardonicpoliteness，heprofferedthebulkyweapon。TheMastercaughtitfromhishandandflungitahundredfeetaway，intothecenterofaclumpoflilacs。

"Somuchforthegun！"heblazed，advancingantheastoundedWefers。"Now，unlessyouwanttofollowit——"

"Dear！"expostulatedtheMistress，hersweetvoiceatremble。

"I\'manof\'cerofthelaw！"blusteredtheoffendedconstable；inthesamebreathadding"Andresistinganof\'cerinthep\'sootofhisdootyisamisde——"

Hecheckedhimself，unconsciouslyturningtoobservetheoddactionsofLad。

AstheMasterhadhurledthepistolfarfromhim，thecolliehadspedinbreakneckpursuitofit。Thus，always，didhedelighttoretrieveanyobjecttheMistressortheMastermighttossforhisamusement。ItwasoneofLaddie\'sfavoritegames，thisfetchingbackofanythingthrown。Thefartheritmightbeflungandthemoredifficultitslandingplace，themorezesttothesport。

Thistime，Ladwasespeciallygladatthediversion。Fromthevoicesofthesedeitiesofhis，LadhadgatheredthattheMasterwasfuriouslyangryandthattheMistresswascorrespondinglyunhappy。Also，thatthelankyandred-beardedvisitorwasdirectlyresponsiblefortheirstressoffeeling。HehadbeeneyeingalternatelytheMasterandWefers；tenselyawaitingsomeovertactorsomewordofpermissionwhichshouldwarranthiminlaunchinghimselfontheintruder。

Andnow，itseemed，thewholethingwasagame；——agamewhereinhehimselfhadbeeninvitedtoplayamerryandspectacularpart。

Joyously，heflewafterthehurtlinglumpofsteelandrubber。

TheMaster，facingtheconstable，didnotseehispet\'sperformance。HetookupthethreadofspeechwhereWefersdroppedit。

"Idon\'tknowwhatthelawdoesordoesn\'tempoweryoutodo，insuchcases，"hesaid，tryingtoforcehiswaybacktotheearliersemblanceofcalm。"ButIdoubtifitpermitsyoutotrespassonmyland，withoutawarrantoracourtorderofsomesort；ortoshootadogofmine。And，untilIfindoutthelawinthematter，you\'llgetoffthisplaceandkeepoffofit。Asforthedog，I\'llbelegallyresponsibleforhim；andI\'llguaranteehe\'lldonodamage。So——"

LikeWefers，theMastercametoanabrupthaltinhisharangue。

ForLadwascanteringgleefullytowardhim，carryingsomethingdarkandheavybetweenhisjaws。StraighttotheMastercameLad。

Carefully，attheMaster\'sfeet，helaidtherustypistol。

Then，steppingbackapace，helookedup，eagerly，intothedumfoundedman\'sface，tailwaving，darkeyesaglintwithexpectation。Ithadbeenhardtolocatetheweapon，inallthattangleoflilac-stems。Ithadbeenhardertocarrytheawkwardlyheavythingallthewayback，inhismouth，withoutdroppingit。

But，ifthiswastheplaythingtheMasterhadchosen，Ladwasonlytoowillingtocontinuethegame。

AlittlechokingsoundmadethecollieshifthisgazesuddenlytotheMistress\'stroubledface。Andthelightoffuninhiseyeswasquenched。Thesightofhersplendiddogretrievingsojoyouslytheweapondesignedforhisdeath，wasalmosttoomuchfortheMistress\'sself-control。

TheeffectontheMasterwasdifferent。

AsWefersmadeasthoughtojumpforwardandgrabthepistol，theMastersaidsharply"WATCHit，Laddie！"

Instantly，Ladwasonthealert。Thegame，itseemed，hadbegunagain，andalongsternerlines。Hewastoguardthisplaything；——particularlyfromthebeardedintruderwhowassnatchingsoavidlyforit。

Therewasasharpgrowl，aflashoffiercewhiteteeth，abound。

OneofLad\'ssnowylittleforepawswasonthefallenpistol。AndtherestofLad\'ssinewybodywascrouchingaboveit，fangsaglint，eyesblazingwithhotmenace。

Wefersjerkedbackhisprotrudingarm，withextremequickness；

barelyavoidingadeepslashfromthecollie\'sshearingeye-teeth。AndLad，continuedto"watch"thepistol。

Thedogwashavingalovelytime。Seldomhadhebeenhappier。Allgoodcolliesrespondinsemi-psychicfashiontothemoodsoftheirmasters。And，toLad，theveryatmosphereabouthimwasthrillingjustnowtowavesofstarkexcitement。Withthedelightfulvanitywhichisapartofthecolliemake-up，herealizedthatinsomemannerhehimselfwasaprominentpartofthisexcitement。Andhereveledinit。

AsWeferspulledbackhisimperiledarm，theMistresssteppedforward，beforetheMastercouldspeakormove。

"Evenifitweretruethathecouldgetrabiesbyabitefromarabiddog，"saidshe，"andevenifthatdog，yesterday，weremad，thatwouldn\'taffectLaddie。Forhedidn\'tbiteLaddie。Henevergotthechance。Ladpinnedhimtotheground。Andwhilethemongrelwasstrugglingtogetup，youshothim。OneofyourbulletsflickedLad\'sforeleg。Butthemongrel\'steethnevercamewithintwelveinchesofhim。Icantestifytothat。"

"Hewasfightingwithamaddog！"reiteratedWefers，fumingly。"I

saw\'em，myself。Andwhenadogisfighting，he\'sboundtogetbit。I\'mnotheretoargueoverit。I\'mheretoenforcethelawofthesov\'r\'nStateofNooJersey，CountyofP\'saic，Townshipof——"

"Butthelawdeclaresaprisonerinnocent，tillhe\'sprovedguilty，"urgedtheMistress，restrainingtheMaster，byalighthandonhisrestlessarm。"AndLad\'snotbeenprovedguilty。Itisn\'tprovedhewasbitten，atall。Icantestifyhewasn\'t。Myhusbandwashedthescratchandhecantellyouitwasn\'tmadebyabite。Anyveterinarycantellyouthesamething，ataglance。

WecanestablishthefactthatLadwasnotbitten。Soevenifthelawletsyoushootabittendog，——whichIdon\'tbelieveitdoes，——itdoesn\'tempoweryoutoshootLad。Why！"shewenton，shudderingslightly，"ifLadhadn\'tsprungbetweenthatbruteandmyself，you\'dprobablybewantingtoshootME！ForI\'dhavebeenbitten，terribly，ifLadhadn\'t——"

"I\'mnotheretolistentosillynonsense！"announcedWefer，glaringatthewatchfuldogandbackatthemanandwoman，"I

camehereinp\'sootofmysworndooty。Ibeenbalkedandresistedbythetwoofyou；andmypistol\'sbeenstolefrommeandasavagedog\'sbeenpract\'c\'llysickedontome。I\'manof\'cerofthelaw。AndI\'mgoingtohavethelawonbothofyou，forint\'feringwithmelikeyouhave。AndI\'mgoingtogetacourtordertoshoot——"

"Thenyouhaven\'tacourtorderoranyotherauthoritytoshoothim？"theMastercaughthimup。"Youadmitthat！Youcameoverhere，thinkingyoucouldbluffusintolettingyoudoit，justbecauseyouhappentowearatinbadge！Ithoughtso。Now，mypink-whiskeredfriend，you\'llstopshoutingandmakingfaces；andyou\'lllistentome，aminute。Youaren\'tthefirstofficerwhohasexceededhisauthorityonthechancethatpeoplewillthinkhe\'sactingwithinhisrights。Thistimetheblufffails。Withnowarrantorsummonsorotherlegalpowertobackhim，aconstablehasnomorerightonmyplacethananynegrotrespasser。Whatyoumayormaynotbeabletopersuadesomemagistratetodoaboutthis，Idon\'tknow。But，forthepresent，you\'llclearout。Getthat？I\'vewarnedyou，inthepresenceofawitness。Ifyouknowanythingoflaw，youknowthatalandowner，aftersuchwarning，mayejectatrespasserbyforce。Go。Andkeepgoing。That\'sall。"

Weferssputteredwordlessly，fromtimetotime，duringthetirade。Butbeforeitsend，hefellsilentandbegantofidget。

Hehimselfwasnonetoowellversedinthematterofhislegalrightsofintrusion。And，forthemoment，hehadnochancetoexecutehiserrand。Later，armedwithamagistrate\'sorder，hecouldpaybackwithinteresthishumiliationofthismorning。Inthemeantime——

"Gimmemygun！"hedemandedingrouchysurrender。