下载辰思小说免费APP
Evennow，inbroaddaylight，thefaintreekwasenoughtobringtheMaster\'smindbacktoearthandtheMaster\'sbodytoitsfeet。Sniffing，hewentouttofindthecauseofthesmell。Thechimneysandtheroofandthewindowsofthehouseshowingnosignofsmoke，heexploredfarther；andpresentlylocatedtheodor\'sorigininasmallbrush-fireatsomedistancebehindthestables。Twoofthemenwererakingprunedvine-suckersandleavesontotheblaze。Thewindsetawayfromthehouseandstables。Therewasnothingtoworryover。Ashamedofhisownfussiness，theMasterwentbacktohiswork。
Ashepassedtheopenstudywindow，onhiswayindoors，amotioninsidemadehimstop。HewasjustintimetoseeLadytrotintotheroom，crouchplayfully，andthenspringfullatthestuffedeagle。
Hisshoutdeflectedtheyoungdog\'sleap，andkepthermerrilyoutstretchedjawsfromclosingonthebird。Asitwas，theimpactknockedtheeagleandthepapier-machestumptothefloor；withmuchclatteranddust。
TheMastervaultedinthroughthewindow；arrivingonthestudyflooralmostassoonasdidtheoverthrownbird。Ladywasslinkingoutintothehall；crestfallenandscared。TheMastercollaredherandbroughtherbacktothesceneofhermischief。
Thecolliehaddisobeyedhim。Flagrantlyshehadsinnedinassailingthebird；afterhisinjunctionof"Letitalone！"Therecouldbenodoubt，fromherwrigglingaspectofguilt，thatsheknewshewasdoingwrong。Worse，shehadtakensneakyadvantageofhisabsenceinordertospringattheeagle。AnddisgustwarredwiththeMaster\'snormalindignation。
Speakingasquietlyashecouldbringhimselftospeak，hetoldLadywhatshehaddoneandwhatarottenthingithadbeen。Ashetalkedtotheutterlycrestfallenpup，hewasransackingadrawerofhisdeskinsearchofadogwhiphehadputtherelongagoandhadneverhadoccasiontouse。
Presently，hefoundit。Pointingtotheoverthrowntrophy，hebroughtthelashdownacrosstheshrinkingcollie\'sloins。Hedidnotstrikehard。Buthestruckhalfadozentimes；andwithglumknowledgethatitwastheonlycoursetotake。
Neverbeforeinhereightfoolishmonthsoflife，hadLadyknownthemeaningofablow。Whilethewhip-slashesweretoolighttodomorethanstingherwell-mattressedback，yetthehumiliationofthemseareddeepintohersensitivenature。Nosounddidsheutter。Butshecoweredflattothefloor；andtrembledasifinahardchill。
Thewhippingwasover，inafewseconds。AgaintheMasterexplainedtoherwhatithadbeeninflictedfor。Then，callinghertofollow，heledthewayoutofdoorsandtowardthestables。Stomachtoearth，theshamedandmiserableLadywrithedalong，closeathisheels。
TheMasterpassedthestablesandwalkedtowardthebrushfire，wherethetwomenwerestillatwork。Buthedidnotgowithinahundredfeetofthefire。Turning，afterhehadleftthestablesbehindhim，hemadeforthetool-house。
Ladysawwhitherhewasbound。Sheceasedtofollow。Wheelingabout，shetrottedstealthilybacktowardthestables。Reachingthetool-housedoor，theMasteropeneditandwhistledtotheunhappyyoungcollie。Ladywasnowhereinsight。Atasecondsummons，sheappearedfromaroundthecornerofthestables；
movingclosetotheground，andwithmanywrigglesofprotest。
Twice，shestopped；andlookedappealinglyattheman。
TheMasterhardenedhissoulagainsttheprettilypatheticappealinhereyesandactions；andcalledhertohimagain。Hisownmomentaryangeragainstthelucklessyoungsterwasgone，——themoresosincetheeaglehadnotbeendamagedbyitsfall，——butheknewitwasneedfultoimpressstronglyonLadythefactofherpunishment。Thisforherownsakeasmuchasforhis；sinceahousedogisworthlessuntilitlearnsthateachandeveryindoorobjectmustberespectedandheldsacredfrommutilation。
Wherefore，hewasmindedtospareLadyfromanyfuturepunishmentbymakingthispresentlessonsinkdeepintoherbrain。
Disregardinghermanifestaversionforthetool-house，hemotionedherintoitandshutthedoorbehindher。
"You\'llstaythere，tillmorning，"hetoldher，asheclosedthewindowandglancedinattheforlornlittlewispoffurandmisery。"You\'llbecomfortable。Andtheopenspacesundertheroofwillgiveyoualltheairyouwant。Idon\'tdareleavethiswindowopen，forfearyoumightbeabletojumpout。You\'vehadyoursupper。Andthere\'sapanoffreshwaterinthere。You\'llbenoworseofftherethanyouwereallwinter。Anightinjailmayteachyoutobeadecent，house-brokedog；andnotamutt。"
Ashewasonthewaybacktohisstudy，inthesunset，thecarcamedownthedrive，bearingtheMistress。Ladwasseatedinsolemnjoyonthefrontseat，atherside。Thebigcollielovedmotoring。And，asarule，hewasrelegatedtothebackseat。ButwhentheMistresswentoutalone，hiswasthetremendously-enjoyedprivilegeofsittinginfront，besideher。
"IhadtolickLady，"reportedtheMaster，shamefacedly，ashehelpedhiswifefromthecar。"Shewentfortheeagleinmystudy。YourememberhowIscoldedherforthat，lastweek，don\'tyou？Well，that\'sallthegooditdid。AndIhadtowhipher。I
hatedto。I\'mgladyouweren\'theretolookunhappyaboutit。
ThenIshutherupforthenightinthetool-house。She——"
Hebrokeoff，tolookatLad。
Asthecolliehadjumpeddownfromthecarandhadstartedtowardthehouse，hehadstruckLady\'strail；andhehadfollowedit。Ithadledhimtothetool-house。FindingLadywaslockedinsideandunhappy，hehadcomegallopingbacktotheMaster。
Standinginfrontoftheman，andwhiningsoftly，hewasscanningthefacesofhistwodeitieswithtroubledeagerness。Evidently，heconsideredthatLadyhadbeenlockedinbymistake；andhewaspleadingforherrelease。Asthesehumansdidnotseemtocatchtheideahiseyesandexpressionconveyed，hetrottedafewstepstowardthetool-houseandthenpausedtolookinvitinglybackatthem。
Twicehedidthis。Then，cominguptotheMaster，hecaughtthelatter\'scoat-hemlightlybetweenhisteethandtuggedonitashebackedtowardthetool-house。
"No，oldfriend，"saidtheMaster，pettingthesilkenheadsoappealinglyupraisedtohim。"Iknowwhatyou\'regettingat。ButIcan\'tletherout。Tomorrowmorning。Nottillthen。Comeonuptodinner。"
Unwillinglyandwithwistfulbackwardlooks，LadfollowedtheMistressandtheMastertothehouseandintothediningroomandtohiswontedplaceonthefloorattheMaster\'sleftside。But，morethanonceduringthemeal，themancaughtthecollie\'seyesfixedonhiminworriedsupplication；andwashardputtoitnottograntthepleawhichfairlyclamoredinhischum\'smutegaze。
Afterdinner，whentheMistressandtheMastersetoffontheirusualeveningwalk，Ladwasnotonhandtoaccompanythem。Asarule，hewasallaroundthemandinfrontandbehind，inaseriesofgayrushes，astheystartedonthesewalks。ButnotuntiltheMastercalledhim，tonight，didheappear。Andthenhecameupdolorouslyfromthetool-house。
Laddidnotunderstand，atall，whatwaswrong。HeknewonlythatLadyhadbeenshutupinaplaceshedetestedandthatshewashorriblyunhappyandthattheMasterwouldnotletherout。Itperplexedhim；anditmadehimincreasinglywretched。Notonlydidhemisshisplayfullycapriciousyoungmate，butherunhappinessmadehimheartsick。
Vainly，hetriedtopleadwiththeMasterforherrelease，asthewalkbegan；andagainatitsend。
Thereweresuchalotofthingsintheworldthateventhecleverestcolliecouldnotmakeheadortailof！Andmostofthesethingsweresad。
Thatnight，whenthehousewasshut，Ladcreptasusualintohiscaveunderthepiano。Andhelaydownwithasigh，hisgreatheadbetweenhistwoabsurdlysmallwhiteforepaws。Asarule，beforegoingtosleepforthenight，Ladusedtospendmuchtimeinlickingthosesamesnowyforepawsintoshiningcleanliness。Thepawswerehisonegrossvanity；andhewastedmorethananhouradayinkeepingthemspotlesslywhite。Buttonighthewastoodepressedtothinkofanythingbutthewhimperinglittledogimprisoneddowninthetool-house。
Afterawhile，hefellasleep。
Atruewatchdogsleepswithallhissensesortheveryedgeofwakefulness。Andwhenhewakens，hedoesnotwakenasdowehumans；——yawningly，dazedly，drunkwithslumber。Atonemomentheissoundasleep。Atthenextheisbroadawake；witheveryfacultyalert。
Soeveritwas，withLad。Soitwaswithhim，thisnight。Anhourbeforedawn，hewokewithsharpsuddenness；andatoncehewasonhisfeet；tense，onguard。Hedidnotknowwhathadrousedhim。
Yet，nowthathewasawake，twoofhissensesrecordedsomethingwhichbanishedfromhimallthoughtoffurthersleep。
Tohisearscameafar-offmuffledwail；——awailwhichheldmorethanunhappiness；——awailwhichvibratedwithrealterror。AndheknewthevoiceforLady\'s。
Tohissensitivenostrils，throughtheinterveningdistanceandtheobstructingwallsandwindows，driftedafaintreekofsmoke。
Now，thesmoke-smell，byitself，meantnothingwhatevertoLad。
Alleveningatraceofithadhungintheair；fromthebrushfire。And，inanycase，thiswhiffwastooslighttohaveemanatedfromthehouseorfromanyspotnearthehouse。Yet，takentogetherwithLady\'scryoffear——
Ladcrossedtothefrontdoor，andscratchedimperiouslyatit。
Thelockeddoordidnotyieldtohispush。Toosensibletokeeponataportalhecouldnotopen，heranupstairs，tothecloseddooroftheMaster\'sroom。There，againhescratched；thistimeharderandmoreloudly。Twiceandthricehescratched；whiningunderhisbreath。
Atlastthedeep-slumberingMasterheardhim。Rousinghimself，andstillthree-quartersasleep，heheardnotonlythescratchingandthewhimperbut，inthedistance，Lady\'swailoffear。And，sleep-drugged，hemumbled"Shutup，Laddie！——Ihearher——Letherhowl——Ifshe\'slonely，downthere，she\'ll——she\'llrememberthelesson——allthebetter。
Godownstairsand——bequiet！"
Hefellsoundasleepagain。Obedienttotheslumbrousmandate，Ladturnedandpatteredmournfullyaway。But，hewasnotcontenttoreturntohisownnap，withthatterror-cryofLady\'sechoinginhisears。Andhemadeasecondattempttogetout。
Ateachsideofthepiano，inthemusicroom，wasalongFrenchwindow。Often，byday，Ladusedtopassinoroutofthesedoor-likewindows。Heknewthatthey，aswellasthedoors，werearecognizedmeansofexit。Now，witheagerlyscratchingpaw，hepushedatthenearestofthem。
Thehousewasbutcarelesslylockedatnight。ForLad\'spresencedownstairswasabetterburglar-preventivethanthebestboltseverforged。Tiredanddrowsy，theMaster，thisnight，hadneglectedtobartheFrenchwindows。
Thewindowgave，atLad\'svehementscratch；andswungoutwardonitshinges。Asecondlater，thebigdogwasrunningattopspeedtowardthetool-house。
Now，thewaysofthemostinsignificantbrushfirearebeyondtheexactwisdomofman。Especiallyindroughtyweather。Whentheyknockedoffworkfortheday，thetwolaborershadgonebacktotheblazebeyondthetool-houseandconscientiouslyhadscatteredandstampedonitslastvisibleremnants。TheMaster，too，cominghomefromhiseveningwalk，hadglancedtowardthebackgardenandhadseennotelltalesparktohintatlifeinthetrampledfire。
Nevertheless，ascrapofember，hiddenfromthemen\'sgazebeneathahandfulofdeadleaveshadrefusedtoperishwithitscomrade-sparks。And，inthecourseoffivehours，anindustriouslittleflickerhadignitedotherbitsofbrushandofdriedleafageandlastyear\'sweedstumps。Thewindwasinthenorth。
Andithadguidedthecourseofthecrawlingthreadofred。Theadvancinglinehadthrownouttendrilsofscarlet，asitwent。
Mostofthesehaddied，intheplowedground。Onehadnot。Ithadcrepton，half-extinguishedattimesandagainsnappingmerrily，untilithadreachedthetool-house。Theshed-likeroomstoodonlowjoists，withaclearspacetenincheshighbetweenitsflimsyboardfloorandtheground。And，inthisspace，theleavesoftheprecedingautumnhaddriftedinwindrows。Theperseveringsparkdidtherest。
Ladywokefromafitfuldoze，tofindherselfchokingfromsmoke。
Theboardsofthefloorweretoohotforendurance。Betweentheircracksthinwaveryslicesofsmokewerepouringupwardintotheroom。Theleaveshadbeguntoignitethefloor-boardsandthelowerpartoftheramshacklebuilding\'sthinwalls。
Whilethepainandhumiliationofherwhippinghadnotbeenabletowringasoundfromtheyoungthoroughbred，yetfrightofthissortwasafardifferentthing。Howlingwithpanicterror，shedashedaboutthesmallenclosure，clawingfranticallyatdoorandscantling。Onceortwiceshemadehalf-heartedefforttospringupattheclosedwindow。But，fromlackofrunning-spaceaswellasfromlackofnervetomakethehighleap，shefailed。
Acrossthelawnanddoor-yardandaroundtheendofthestablesthunderedLad。Withthespeedofachargingbullhecameon。
Beforehereachedtheburningshack，heknewmoreofhismate\'splightandperilthananyhumancouldhaveknown。
Aroundthesmallbuildinghewhirled，soclosetoitthattheflamesatitsbasesearedhismightycoatandblisteredandblackenedhiswhitepaws。
Then，runningbackayardorso，heflunghiseighty-poundweightcrashinglyatthefasteneddoor。Thedoor，asitchanced，waswell-nightheonlysolidportionoftheshack。Anditheldfirm，underanimpactthatbruisedtheflyingdogandwhichknockedhimbreathlesstothefire-streakedground。
Atsoundofhermate\'sapproach，Ladyhadceasedwailing。Ladcouldhearherterrifiedwhimpersasshedancedfranticallyaboutonthered-hotboards。Andtheknowledgeofhertorturedrovehimmomentarilyinsane。
Staggeringupfromhisfall，heflunghissplendidheadbackand，withmuzzletothecloudedskies，hetoretoshredsthesolemnsilencesofthespringnightwithawolf-howl；hideousinitssavagegrief，deafeninglyloud。
Asthoughtheawesomeyellhadclearedhisbrain，hesprangtohisfeetamidthestingingembers；steady，alert，calm；withnohintofdespairorofsurrender。
Hissmartingeyesfixedthemselvesonthesingledustywindowofthetool-house。Itssillwasafullfivefeetaboveground。Itsfoursmallpaneswereseparatedbyawideold-fashionedcross-pieceofhardwoodandputty。Theputty，fromage，wasassolidascement。Thewholewindowwasabaresixteenbytwentyinches。
Ladranback，oncemore，afewfeet；hisgazefixedappraisinglyonthewindowandmeasuringhisdistancewiththesurenessofasharpshooter。
Thebigcolliehadmadeuphismind。Hisplanwasformed。Andashewasall-wise，withtheeeriewisdomofthehighesttypeofcollie，therecanbescantdoubtheknewjustwhatthatplanentailed。
Itwassuicide。But，oh，itwasaglorioussuicide！Comparedtoitthelove-sacrificesofahostofAntonysandAbelardsandRomeosarebutpettythings。Indeed，itsnearestapproachinreallifewasperhapsMoore\'sidioticallybeautifulboastThroughthefieryfurnaceyourstepsI\'llpursue；
Tofindyouandsaveyou:——orperishthere，too！
Thegreatdoggatheredhimselffortheinsanehero-deed。Hisshaggybodywhizzedacrossthescarletpatternofembers；thenshotintotheair。Straightasaflungspearheflew；hurtlingthroughtheflame-fringedbillowsofsmoke。
Againsttheshutwindowhecrashed，withthespeedofacatapult。
Againstithecrashed；andcleanthroughit，intothehellofsmokeandfireandstrangulationinsidetheshack。
Hisheadhadsmashedthestrongcross-pieceofwoodanddriedputtyandhadcrumpleditlikesomuchwetpaper。Hisgiantshouldershadrippedthewindow-framecleanofitsscrews。IntotheburningroomspunLad，amidahailofbrokenglassandsplinteredwood。
Tothefire-eatenfloorhewashurled，closetohiscoweringandwhimperingmate。Hereeledtohisfeet，andstoodthere，shouldertoshoulderwithLady。Hisworkwasdone。
And，yet，itwasnotinSunnybankLad\'snaturetobesuchafoolasistheusualmelodramahero。True，hehadcometoshareLady\'sfate，ifhecouldnotrescueher。Yet，hewouldnotsubmittamelytodeath，untileveryresourcehadbeentried。
Heglancedatthedoor。Alreadyhehadfoundbyharshexperiencethathisstrengthavailednothinginthebatteringdownofthosestrongpanels。Andhepeeredup，throughtheswirlingredsmoke，towardtheoblongofwindow，wherebyhehadmadehistumultuousentrancetothedeath-trap。
Again，hemusthaveknownhowhopelessofachievementwasthefeathewasabouttotry。But，asever，mereobstacleswerenotpermittedtostandinLad\'sway。
Wheeling，heseizedLadybythenapeoftheneck。Withamightyheave，heswungherclearofthehotfloor。Gatheringallhisfiercestrengthintoonesublimeeffort，hesprangupwardtowardthewindow；hismatehangingfromhisironjaws。
Yes，itwasaridiculousthingtoattempt。Nodog，withthriceLad\'smuscularstrength，couldhaveaccomplishedtheimpossibilityofspringingoutthroughthathigh，narrowwindow，carryingaweightoffiftypoundsbetweenhisteeth。
Lad\'sleapdidnotcarryhimhalfthedistancehehadaimedfor。
Backtothefloorhefell，Ladywithhim。
Maddenedbypainandbychokingandbystarkterror，LadyhadnotthewittorealizewhatLadwasattempting。Allsheknewwasthathehadseizedherroughlybytheneck，andhadleapedinairwithher；andhadthenbroughtherbanginglydownuponthetorturinghotboards。Andherpanicwasaugmentedbydeliriousrage。
AtLad\'sfacesheflew，snarlingmurderously。Oneslashofhercurvingeyetoothlaidbarehischeek。Thenshedroveforhisthroat。
Ladstoodstockstill。Hisonlymovewastointerposehisshaggyshouldertoherraveningjaws。And，deepintothefurandskinandfleshofhisshoulderherfuriousteethshoretheirway。
Itwouldhavebeenchild\'splayforhimtohaveshakenheroffandtohaveleapedtosafety，alone，throughthesash-lesswindow。
Yethestoodwherehewas；hissorrowfuleyeslookingtenderlydownuponthemaddenedyoungsterwhowastearingintohimsoferociously。
AndthatwasthepicturetheMasterbeheld；asheflungopenthedoorandblinkedgaspinglythroughthesmokeforthedoghehadlockedin。
Broughtoutofbed，onthejump，byLad\'sunearthlywolfhowl，hehadsmeltthesmokeandhadrunouttoinvestigate。But，notuntilheunbarredthetool-housedoordidheguessthatLadywasnottheburningshack\'sonlyprisoner。
"It\'llbeanothersixmonthsbeforeyourwonderfulcoatgrowsoutagain，Laddiedear，"observedtheMistress，nextday，assherenewedthesmellywetclothsonLad\'sburnedandglass-cutbody。
"Dr。Hoppersaysso。Buthesaystherestofyouwillbeaswellasever，insideofafortnight。AndhesaysLadywillbewell，beforeyouwill。But，honestly，you\'llneverlookasbeautiful，again，tome，asyoudothisveryminute。He——hesaidyoulooklikeascarecrow。Butyoudon\'t。Youlooklikea——likea——a-WhatgorgeouslysplendidthingDOEShelooklike，dear？"sheappealedtoherhusband。
"Helooks，"repliedtheMaster，afterdeepthought，"helookslikeLAD。Andthat\'saboutthehighestpraiseIknowhowtogivehim；——orgivetoanyone。"
CHAPTERV。TheStowawayTherewerebutthreecolliesonthePlace，inthosedays。Lad；
hisdaintygold-and-whitemate，Lady；andtheirfluffyandfierywispofason，littleWolf。
WhenWolfwasaspoiledandobstreperouspuppyofthreemonthsorso，Ladywasstrickenwithdistemperandwastakentoaveterinaryhospital。There，forsomethingmorethanthreemonthsshewasnursedthroughthescourgingmaladyandthroughthechoreaandpneumoniawhicharesopronetofollowindistemper\'sdreadwake。
Scienceamusesitselfbycuttingupandotherwisetorturinghelplessdogsintheunholynameofvivisection。ButSciencehasnotyettroubleditselftodiscoveronecertaincureorpreventiveforthedistemperwhichyearlyrobsthousandsofhomesoftheirlovedcaninepetsandguards。Apparentlyitispleasanterforscientiststowatchascreamingdogwritheundertheknifeinaresearchlaboratorythantotroubleaboutfindingawaytoabolishdistemper；andthusofriddingthedogworldofitsworstscourge。
Thisisadigressionfromourstory。Butperhapsitisworthyourremembering，——youwhocareaboutdogs。
Altogether，LadywasawayfromthePlaceforfifteenweeks。
And，inherabsence，theunhappyLadtookuponhimselfthetaskofturninglittleWolffromapestintosomethingapproachingadecentcaninecitizen。Itwasnosinecure，thiseducatingofthehot-temperedandundisciplinedyoungster。ButLadbroughttoitanelephantinepatienceandanuncannilywisebrain。And，bythetimeLadywasbroughtback，cured，thepuppyhadbeguntoshowtheresultsofhissire\'ssternteachings。
Indeed，Lady\'sabsencewasthebestthingthatcouldhavebefallenWolf。For，otherwise，histrainingmustneedshavedevolvedupontheMistressandtheMaster。AndnomerehumanscouldhavedonethejobwithsuchgrimlygentlethoroughnessasdidLad。Fewdogs，exceptpointersorsettersorcollies，willdeigntoeducatetheirpuppiestothedutiesoflifeandoffieldandofhouse。ButLadhaddonetheworkinawaythatleftlittletobeaskedfor。
WhenLadycamehome，herflightybrainseemedtohaveforgottenthefactthatyoungWolfwasheronce-adoredson。Ofherearliercapriciousdevotiontohim，notraceremained。Shesniffedinstand-offishinquiryathim；asatastranger。Andthescatterbrainpuprememberedhernobetterthansherememberedhim。Thereisawidegulfinintelligencebetweenathree-monthpuppyandonesixmonthsold。
Yet，——perhapsbecausetheywerebothexcitableandmischievousandlovedromping，——andbecauseeachwasanoveltytotheother——motherandsonquicklyformedanewfriendship。Fromthemoresedateanddiscipline-enforcingLad，theyoungsterturnedeagerlytochum-shipwiththisflightygold-whitestranger。AndLady，forsimilarreason，seemedtofindtentimesasmuchcongenialityandfuninrompingwithWolfasinplayingwiththelessgalvanicallyagileLad。
Inbrief，LadyandlittleWolfbecameinseparablecompanions；——
thistothesemi-exclusionofLad。
Thegreatcolliedidnotresentthisexclusion；nordidhetrytoregainhisfast-slippingholdonWolf\'saffections。Yet，infashionthatwasmorepatheticthanludicrous，hesoughttowinbackLady\'swaningaffection。Abitclumsily，hetriedtorompandgambolwithher，asdidWolf。Hetriedtointeresther，asofyore，infollowinghisleadinbreak-neckforestgallopsafterrabbitsoringloriouslyexhilaratingswimsinthefire-bluelakeatthefootofthelawn。Tothepityinglyon-lookingMistressandMaster，heseemedlikesomegeneralorstatesmanseekingtounbendinthegamesandchatterofapartyofhighschoolboysandgirls。
Butitwasnouse。
True，inthecross-countryrunsortheswirlingchargesafterrabbits，neitherLadynorWolfcouldkeepupwithLad\'sflyingstride。Andalongswim，whichscarcebreathedLad，wouldexhausteitherorbothofthem。
But，theywereyoung；andhewasmiddle-aged。And，asinhumanrelationships，thatonesentencetoldthewholetragicstory。
Aswellexpectacoupleofflyawaychildrentogiveupagameoftaginordertolistentothesolemndiscourseofanelderlyuncle；astomakethefun-lovingLadyandWolfwidentheirselfishcomradeshiptoincludeinitthesteadierandolderandinfinitelywiserLad。
Perforce，LadwasthrownmoreandmoreonthesocietyoftheMistressandtheMaster。And，intheirfriendship，hewashappy；——untilhewouldchancetoseehismateandhislittlesonplayinginwildecstasywithastickorball，andwouldfriskbulkilyovertojointhem。Inabaresecondortwo，thedemeanorofbothshowedhimjustwhatagrosslyunwelcomeinterloperhewas。
Whereat，afterawistfullymiserableglancefromonetotheotheroftheexclusivepair，Ladwouldtrotslowlybacktohishumandeities；and。withaqueerlysobbinglittlesigh，hewouldcurlupattheMistress\'sfeet。
"It\'sashame，Laddie！"declaredtheMistress，atonesuchtime。
"It\'saSHAME！Why，youareworthamillionofthosecrazyplaydogs！You\'reamilliontimeswiserandbeautifullerandmorelovable。Whydoyoubotherwiththem？MasterandIareeversomuchbettercompanyforyou；andwelovetohaveyouwithus。
Stayrighthere，andforgetthem。"
Lad，perhaps，understoodtheactualmeaningofonewordintenoftheadvice。ButheunderstoodandlovedtheMistress\'ssweetvoiceandthecaressofhercoollittlehand；andthesympathyinhertone。ItallmeantmuchtoLaddie。Verymuchindeed。Andhelaidhismightyheadagainstherknee；happyinthecomfortoftouchandvoice。
Nevertheless，thatwistfulglintwaseverlurkinginhisdeep-seteyes，nowadays。Andhisgaylytrumpetingbarkrangoutlessoftenandlessjubilantlythanofold。Hetooktomoping。Andhespentmoretimethanbeforeinhisbeloved"cave，"underthemusic-roompiano。
Mopingandsolitudearenomorebeneficialtodogsthantohumans。TheMasterrackedhisbrainforsomewayofbringingthesplendidcolliebacktohisoldenspirits。
Luck，orfate，tookthematteroutofhishands。
TheMistressandtheMasterwereinvitedtospendaweekwithsomefriendswhosehousestoodinanultra-restrictedresidentialpark，highupintheCatskills。ByleavingthePlaceatsunrise，theycouldreachthePark，bymotor，intimeforafternoontea。
Atdawn，thecarwasbroughttothedoor。Itstonneauwaspiledwithluggage；andallwasreadyforastartassoonastheunappetizinglyearlybreakfastcouldbeswallowed。
WolfandLady，afterfollowingthecarfromthegaragetothedoor，weariedoftheuninspiringwait；andsetforthatahand-gallopforthewoods。There，atdawning，thedewwouldlieheavy。Andwetgroundeverholdsscentbetterthandoesdry。Itwouldbeeasytopickupandfollowrabbittrails，throughthedamp。
Ladmadeasthoughtofollowthem。Heranoutofthehouseandhalf-wayupthedriveinpursuitoftheirflashinggold-and-whiteflight。Neitherturnedaheadatsoundofhisfollowingsteps。
Neitherslackenedpacetoincludehiminthehunt。
Alwaysabnormallysensitive，thebigcollienotedthisaloofness。
Andhecametoanirresolutehalt。Foramoment，hestaredafterthetwovanishingrunaways；hisplumedtailswayingeversolittle，ingroundlessexpectationofaninvitinglyglanceoryelpfromLady。Then，tailandcrestadroop，heturnedslowlybacktowardthehouse。
Frompuppyhood，anoddtraitofLad\'shadcausedamusementatthePlace。Wheneverhewasunhappyorconsideredhimselfill-treated，itwashiswaytohuntforsomethingwherewithhemightcomforthimself。Forinstance，asapup，ascoldingforsomepettymisdeedwouldsendhiminsearchofhischerishedflanneldollorhissqueakingball。Inlateryears，thecarhadtakentheplaceofthesebabyhoodcomforters。
Ladcaredmoreformotoringthanforanyotheramusement。Inmomentsofstresshesometimesrantothegarageandcurledhimselfupinthetonneau；asthoughinhopesomeonemighttakepityonhisunhappinessandgivehimadrive。And，usually，somebodydid。
Now，turningback，rebuffed，fromtheforestgallop，hecaughtsightofthecar。Notinthegarage，either；butatthefrontdoor；whereitspresencecouldmeannothingexceptanimmediateride。
Withonehighspring，Ladhadclearedthegroundandwasovertheclosedtonneaudoorandamidaruckofluggageandrugs。Therearseatwasfilledbyasteamer-trunk，strappedtightlyinplacethere。Andthebottomofthecarwasannoyinglycrowdedbybumpybagsandothergear。
Still，bythesimpleandancestralprocessofturninghimselfaroundseveraltimes，Ladwasabletoclearenoughspaceonthefloortopermitofhislyingdown；albeitinaverycompactbunch。
Hesettledhimselfintoplaceonthefloorwithasatisfiedjouncewhichloosenedacar-rugdrapedoverthetrunk。Downslitheredtherug；andfellathwartthedog\'sshaggybackandoneofthebags。ItwasnotheavyenoughtoannoyLadorhurthisfeelings。Anditsdrapedfoldsservedasthetopofasortofcaveforhim。Onthewhole，Ladratherenjoyedtherug\'sdescent。
Itmadehisnarrowresting-placesnuggerandwarmeronthischillyearlymorning。Patiently，Ladlaythere；waitingforthecartostart。
Hedidnothavelongtowait。Inanotherminuteortwo，theMistressandtheMastercameoutfrombreakfast；andgotintothefrontseat。Thenthecarwasbreastingthewindingslopeofthedrive，infirstspeed；thefaintjaroftheenginesendingundulationsoverthemahogany-and-whitecoatofthestowawaydog。
And，inaminutemore，theywereoutonthesmoothhighway，headedforthedistantCatskills。
Now，Ladhadnottheremotestnotionhewasastowaway。Onthefewtimeswhenithadnotbeenconvenienttotakehimondrives，theMasterhadalwaysbiddenhimstayathome。Andwhen，atsuchtimes，thedogchancedalreadytobeitsthecar，hehadbeenorderedbacktoearth。There，wasnowayforLadtoknow，thismorning，thatneitherofthecar\'sotheroccupantshadseenhimashelaycurleduponthefloor，three-quartershiddenunderthefallenrug。Theluggagehadbeenarrangedinthetonneau，beforebreakfast。Andnobodyhadgivenasecondglanceatitsincethen。
Thesunwasrisingoveranew-madeworld，alivewithsummergloryandthrillingwithbird-songs。Theair，laterintheday，wouldbewarm。But，atsunrise，itwassharpandbracing。Themysticwonderandthehushofdawnwerestillbroodingovertheearth。
Thehardwhiteroadstretchedout，likeawindingriver，betweenbanksofdew-gleamingverdure。Themountain-topswereglowingwiththetouchofthesun。Inthedeepervalleysfloatedashimmeringdusk。
Thecarspedswiftlyalongtheemptyhighway；slowingdownonlyasitspunthroughhalf-awakenedvillages；orcheckeditspacetoallowasleepyboytodriveastragglingbunchofcowsacrosstheroadtopasturage。
Foranhourormore，Ladlaycuddledundertherugincontentedlaziness。Thentherecumbentposturetiredhim；andhesatup。Asarule，oneortheotherofhisdeitieswaswonttoturnaround，atintervals，andspeaktohimorpethim。Today，neitherofthempaidhimtheslightestattention。Still，theridewasajoy。Andthesurroundingcountrywasnewandinteresting。SoLadhadagoodtime，inspiteofhumanneglect。Afteranotherhourorso，hecurledupagain，amongthebags，andfelltodrowsing。
Asix-hourrun，overgoodroads，broughtthecartoKingston，atthegatewaytotheCatskills。Here，atahotelentrance，themachinecametoastandstill。TheMastergotout，andturnedtohelptheMistresstoalight。Itwastheplacetheyhaddecidedonforluncheon。Anotherthreehours，atmost，wouldcarrythemtotheirdestination。
Anegroboy，loafingaimlesslyatthestreetcorner，hadbeguntowhistleindustriouslytohimselfasthecarsloweddown。Andhehadwakenedintoactivemotion。Apparently，herememberedallatonceanimportantmissionontheothersideofthestreet。Forhesetoffataswingingpace。
Hiscoursetookhimsonearthebackofthecarthathehadtoturnout，asteporso，toavoidcollisionwithit。Heaccompaniedthisturning-outmaneuverbyanotherwhichwaslessostentatious，butmorepurposeful。Timinghissteps，soastopassbytherearofthecarjustastheMasterwasbusyhelpinghiswifetodescend，theyouththrustanarmoverthesideofthetonneau，withthespeedofastrikingsnake。Hishandclosedonthehandleofatravelingbag，amongtheheapofluggage。Neverslackeninghispace，thenegrogaveafierceyankathisplunder，tohoistitoverthecloseddoor。
Inthattourist-riddencity，bag-stealingofferedmuchprofit。Intherarechanceofdetectionwhenhewasatwork，theboyhadonlytopleadover-zealintryingtoearnanhonestdimebyhelpinglifttheluggagetothesidewalk。
Itwasaprettybitoftheft；anditbetokenedlongandcarefulpractice。Thus，——fromthethief\'sstandpoint，——itwasalmostapitythebrillianteffortwaswasted。Forwasteditwas。
Thisyoungnegropridedhimselfonhispowersofspeedandofsilence，inplyinghistrade。And，today，thoughheproceededtoexcelinthefirstofthesequalities，hedisgracedhimselfmostwoefullyasregardedthesecond。
Forhejerkedhishandoutofthetonneaufarfasterthanhehadthrustitin。Ashedidso，hewoketheechoeswiththemostblood-curdlingscreechhisleathernlungscouldcompass。
Ashisduskyfingershadclosedonthebag，somethingviselikeandrelentlesshadfasteneduponthosesameexpertfingers；
breakingtwoofthem，andrendingthefleshofthelowerhand。
Lad，inrisingtohisfeet，afterhispleasantnap，attheslowingofthecar，hadbeenawareofthatpredatoryhand；asitgropedforthebag。Now，frompuppyhood，Ladhadbeentaughttoregardeverythinginthecarasunderhisowncarefulguardianship。Hence，helungedforwardandsankhisterriblewhiteteethdeepintothegropingfingers。
Bymainforcetheyouthtorefree。Withasecondscreech，hereeledbackfromtheunseenperilwhichhadassailedhim。ButLadwouldnothaveitso。
Therewasaharsh-breathedgrowl，fromdowninthetonneau；and，ontheinstant，atawnygiantshapecamecatapultingoverthetopoftheshutdoorandhurleditselfuponthestaggeringnegro。
TheMaster，turningatsoundoftheyell，wasjustintimetoseetheattack。Thecollie，——supposedlyninetymilesaway，andpeacefullyguardingthePlace，——washurtlingthroughtheairandcrashingagainstthechestofagray-facedandpop-eyedyoungnegro。Toearthwentthetwo；inacloudofdust；asecondbeforetheMaster\'ssharpcallbroughtLadreluctantlyawayfromhisprey，andjustasapolicemanandascoreofidlerscamerunningup。
Thethiefdidnotwaittoexplain。NosoonerdidheseetheMastercatchtheinfuriateddogbytheruffthanhescrambledtohisfeet；duckedunderthepoliceman\'sarmandsetoff，aroundacorner，insomethingbetterthanrecordtime。Somehow，theencounterhaddeprivedhimofthenerveandtheplucktostandhisgroundandtoexplainthathehadmerelybeentryingtohelpwiththeluggage。Hisonlydesire，justthen，wastoputasmanythousandmilesaspossiblebetweenhimselfandthetawnydemonthathadassaultedhim。
"Laddie！"gaspedtheMistress，unbelieving，asthepolicemanandmostofthelittlecrowdsetoffafterthefugitive。"LADDIE！
Whatintheworld——？"
"He——hemusthavebeeninthecar，allthetime，"gabbledtheMaster，brilliantly。"Hemusthavejumpedin，whilewewereatbreakfast。See，he\'sclearedaspaceforhimselfbetweentwoofthebags。He\'sbeenthere，allthetime，andwenever——"
"Ifhehadn\'tbeenthere，"suggestedtheMistress，"we\'dbelookingnowforoneortwopiecesofluggagethathaddisappeared。WhentheGrayswentthroughhere，oneoftheirsuitcaseswas——"
"Butwhatinblazesarewegoingtodowithhim？"brokeintheMaster，worriedly。"Wecan\'ttakehimallthewayhome。AndI
won\'ttrusttosendinghimbyexpress。Hemightgetbackedontoasidingandbekepttherefordays，withoutfoodorwater。
Besides，theywon\'tletadoggobyexpressunlesshe\'sinacrate。Whatarewetodo？"
"Why，"saidtheMistress，stoopingtostrokethesilkenheadthatrestedagainstherknee，"Why，Laddieseemstohavesettledthatforus，bycomingalong。He\'ssurelypaidhisway。We\'llhavetotakehimtherestofthetrip。TheHarmonswillbegladtoseehim，I\'msure。Everybody\'salwaysgladtoseeLaddie，whereverwego。Let\'stakehim。It\'stheonlythingtodo。Wecanexplaintothemhowithappened。"
Andso，aftermorediscussion，itwassettled。EvenasmostthingshadawayofbeingsettledwhentheMistressproposedthem。
Threehourslater，thecarstoppedbeforetheentranceofaroomilybeautifulhouseinaroomilybeautifulresidencepark，intheupperCatskills。
Thewelcomingsmilesonthefacesofhostandhostesssufferedsuddeneclipse；asahugemahogany-and-whitecolliesteppedmajesticallyfromthecarattheheelsofthetwoguests。
"ThisisLad，"introducedtheMistress。"Ihopeyoudon\'tmindourbringinghim。Icanpromisehewon\'tbeabitoftroubletoanybody。Wedidn\'tmeantobringhim。Itjusthappened。Thiswastheway:——"
WhileshewasrecountingtheadventuretoMrs。Harmon，theirhostdrewtheMastertooneside。
"Say，oldman，"beganHarmon，withvisiblediscomfort，"pleasedon\'tmisunderstandmeoranything。ButI\'malittlebotheredaboutjustwhattodo。Thisistheidea:TherewasamaddogscarehereinDaylightPark，lastmonth，whenaPompuppysnappedatsomekidsthatwereteasingit。Then，adayorsolater，aPersiancathadfitsandchasedoldMrs。Cratchittacrossalawnandgaveheraspellofpalpitationoftheheart。AndthenextdayanAngoragoatthattheVarianchildrenhadasapetgotlooseandchewedupseveralhundreddollars\'worthoflingerieoffaline。ThentheClives\'spanieltooktobarkingunderRutherfordGarretse\'sstudywindow。And——"
"Youneedn\'tbeafraidofLad\'sdoinganyofthosefoolthings，"
braggedtheMaster。"Hebehavesaswellasanyhuman。Betterthanmostofthem。He——"
"Thatisn\'tthepoint，"saidhishost，withgrowinguneasiness。
"Yousee，DaylightParkisrunasaclub。Homegovernmentandallthatsortofthing。Well，theselivestockfracasesraisedsucharowthattheclub\'sBoardofGovernorshaspassedanordinance，forbiddingthekeepingofanypetanimalsinthewholepark。
Nothingbiggerthanacanarybirdcanbeharboredhere。It\'sahard-and-fastrule。Itseemedtheonlywaytosaveourwholesummercolonyfromdisruption。Youknowalivestocksquabblecancausemoreructionsinasmallcommunitythan——"
"Isee，"musedtheMaster，staringglumlyafterLadwhowasjustvanishingintothehouseinthewakeoftheMistressandtheunhappyMrs。Harmon。"Isee。H\'m！"
Heponderedforaninstant，whilehishostshiftedfromfoottofootandlookedapologetic。ThentheMasterspokeagain。
"Theonlywayout，thatIsee，"hehazarded，"isformetodrivebackhomewithLad；andleavehimthereandcomeonhere，tomorrow。Ican——"
"Nothingofthesort！"protestedHarmon，"There\'saneasierwaythanthat。WittsvilleisonlyamileorsofromtheParkgates。
They\'vegotafineboardingkennelthere。SeveralofthePark\'sdogswereexiledtoit，whenourordinancewentintoeffect。Jumpintothecar，andwe\'lltakeyourcolliethereintenminutes。
He\'llbewelltreated。Andyouandyourwifecangotoseehim，everydayyou\'rehere。Comealong。I——Ihatetoseeminhospitableaboutthisthing。Butyouseeforyourselfhowitis。We——"
"Certainly，"assentedtheMaster。"I\'llgoinandgethimandexplaintomywife。Don\'tletitmakeyoufeeluncomfortable。Webothunderstand。"
WhichaccountsforthefactthatLad，withinthenexthalfhour，waspreparingtospendhisfirstnightawayfromhomeandfromthetwopeoplewhowerehisgods。Hewasnotatallhappy。Ithadbeenaninterestingday。ButitsconclusiondidnotpleaseLaddie，inanymanner。
And，whenthingsdidnotpleaseLad，hehadaverydeterminedfashionoftryingtoavoidthem；——unlessperchancetheMistressortheMasterhaddecreedotherwise。
TheMasterhadbroughthimtothisobnoxiousstrangeplace。ButhehadnotbiddenLadstaythere。Andthecolliemerelywaitedhischancetogetout。Atteno\'clock，oneofthekennelmenmadethenightrounds。HeswungopenthedoorofthelittlestallinwhichLadhadbeenlockedforthenight。Atleast，heswungthedoorhalfwayopen。Ladswungittherestoftheway。
Withaplunge，thecolliechargedoutthroughtheopeningportal，duckedbetweenthekennelman\'slegs，reachedtheopengateoftheenclosureintwomoresprings；andvanisheddowntheroadintothedarkness。
Assoonashefeltthehighwayunderhisfeet，Lad\'snosedroopedearthward；andhesniffedwithallhismight。Instantly，hecaughtthescenthewasseeking；——ascentasfamiliartohimasthatofhisownpianocave；thescentofthePlace\'scar-tires。
IthadtakenHarmonandtheMasterthebestpartoftenminutestodrivethroughtheparkandtotheboardingkennels。IttookLadlessthanhalfthattimetoreachtheverandaoftheHarmonhouse。Circlingthehouseandfindingalldoorsshut，helaydownonthemat；andsettledhimselftosleepthereinwhatcomforthemight，untiltheMistressandtheMastershouldcomedowninthemorningandfindhim。
ButtheHarmonswerelaterisers。Andthesunhadbeenupforsomehoursbeforeanyofthehouseholdwereastir。
IfLadhadbeentheprofessionallyFaithfulHound，ofstorybooks，hewoulddoubtlesshavewaitedonthematuntilsomeoneshouldcometolethimin。But，afterlyingthereuntilbroaddaylight，hewasmovedtoexplorethisnewsectionoftheworld。Themoreso，sincehouseafterhousewithinrangeofhisshortvisionshowedsignsoflifeandactivity。
SeveralpeoplepassedandrepassedalongtheprivateroadwayinfrontoftheHarmons\'door；andnearlyallofthesepausedtopeeratLad，inwhatseemedtothecollieamostflatteringshowofinterest。
Atlast，thedoggottohisfeet，stretchedhimselffore-and-aft，intruecolliefashion；andtrotteddownthepavedwalktotheroad。Thereforamoment，hestoodhesitant。Ashestood，hewassurveyingthescene；——notonlywithhiseyes，butwiththosefarstrongersenseorgans，hisearsandhisnostrils。Hisearstoldhimnothingofinterest。Hisnosetoldhimmuch。Indeed，beforehehadfairlyreachedtheroad，thesenostrilshadtelegraphedtohisbrainanodorthatnotonlywashighlyinteresting，buttotallynewtohim。Lad\'sexperiencewithscentswasfar-reaching。Butthissmelllaytotallyoutsideallhisknowledgeormemory。
Itwasarankandqueersmell；——notstrongenough，outthereintheopen，toregisterinahuman-brain；butalmoststinginglyacutetothehighlysensitizeddog。Itwasanalluringscent；thesortofodorthatrousedallhiscuriosityandseemedtocallforpromptinvestigation。
Nosetoground，Ladsetofftotracethesmelltoitssource。
Strongasitwas，itgrewstrongerandfresherateverystep。
Evenamongrelpuppycouldhavefollowedit。Oblivioustoallelse，Ladbrokeintoacanter；nosestillclosetoearth；
pleasurablyexcitedandkeenlyinquisitive。
Heranalongtheprivateroadforperhapsahundredyards。Then，hewheeledinatanotherpavedwalkandranupalowflightofverandasteps。Thefrontdoorofahousestoodinvitinglyopentothecoolairofthemorning。InthroughthedoorwaywentLad；
unheedingthegobblingcallofamaid-servantwhowassweepingthefarendoftheveranda。
Laddidnotknowhewascommittingtrespass。Tohimanopendoorhadalwaysmeantpermissiontoenter。Andtheenticinglyrankscentwastenfoldstrongerindoorsthanout。Acrossahallwayhetrotted，stillsniffing；andupaflightofstairsleadingtothesecondstoryofthehouse。
Atthestairhead，aroomdoorstoodwide。Andintothisroomledtheodor。Ladwentin。Hewasinalargeandsunlitroom；butinthemostdisorderlyroomhehadeverseteyeson。Theroomneededairing，too。Forallitsfourwindowswereclosed，exceptonewhichwasopenforperhapssixinchesfromthetop。
Ladcircledtheroom，twice；fromdoortowindows，andthencetocentertableandaroundthewalls；pausingatonewindowsillandagainatthethreshold；pickinghiswaydaintilyoverheapsoflitteronthefloor。Yes，theroomwasfullofthescent。But，whencethescentemanated，Ladcouldnot，forthelifeofhim，tell。Theroomgavehimnoclew。And，afterafewminutesoffutileinvestigation，heturnedtodepart。
Atthestairhead，hecameuponthesameservanthehadseensweepingtheveranda。Shecried:"Shoo！"athimandbrandishedherbroom。Lad，inoffendeddignity，stalkedpastherandoutofthehouse。
Hisquesthavingprovenvain，hebetookhimselftotheHarmons\'，arrivingthereastheMistressandtheMasteremergedupontheverandaincompanywiththeirhosts。Inwilddelight，LadscampereduptotheMistress；hiswholestatelybodywrigglingineagerwelcome，histinywhiteforepawspattingatherfeet，hismuzzlethrustingitselfintohercuppedhand。
"Why，Lad！"shecried。"Laddie！Weweresoworriedaboutyou。
Theyjustphonedfromthekennelsthatyouhadgottenaway。I
mighthaveknownyou\'dfindyourwaytous。We——"
Shegotnofurther。Upthewalk，fromtheroad，camerunninganapoplecticallyredandpuffingmanoflatemiddleage；——amanwhosefaceboretracesoflather；andwhowasswathedinapurplebathrobe。Flappingslippersill-coveredhissocklessfeet。
TheMasterrecognizedthefast-advancingnewcomer。Herecognizedhimfrommanypicturesinnewspapersandmagazines。
ThiswasRutherfordGarretse，world-famedauthorandcollector；
theliterarylionandchiefcelebrityofthesummercolonyatDaylightPark。Butwhateccentricityofgeniuscouldaccountforhiscostumeandforthisbellicosemethodofbearingdownuponaneighbor\'shome，wasmorethantheMastercouldguess。
Nordidthevisitor\'sfirstwordsclearupthemystery。Haltingatthefootofthesteps，RutherfordGarretsegesticulatedindumbanguish，whilehefoughtforbreathandforcoherentspeech。
Then，disregardingHarmon\'swonderinggreeting，thecelebrityburstintochokingstaccatospeech。
"Thatdog！"hecroaked。"That——that——DOG！Themaidsawhimgointothehouse。Sawhimgouptomystudy。Shewasafraidtofollow，atfirst。Butinafewminutesshedid。Shesawhimcomingoutofmystudy！COME！！！Idemandit。Allofyou。COME！"
Withoutanotherword，hewheeledandmadeoffdowntheroad，pausingonlytobeckonimperiously。Marveling，thegroupontheverandafollowed。Deaftotheirquestions，heledtheway。LadfellintolinebehindtheperplexedMistress。
Downtheroadtothenexthouse，stalkedRutherfordGarretse。Atthedoorway，herepeatedhisdramaticgestureandcommanded"COME！"
Upthebroadstairshestamped。Behindhimtrailedthedumfoundedprocession；LaddiestillpatteringhappilyalongwiththeMistress。Attheopendoorofalargeroomatthestairhead，theauthorstoodasideandpointedinsilentdespairthroughthedoorway。
"What\'sup？"queriedHarmon，forperhapsthetenthtime。"Isanything——？"
Hisquestionendedinagrunt。And，liketheothers，hestaredaghastonthescenebeforehim。
Theroom，veryevidently，wasastudy。Butmuchofitsfloor，justnow，washeaped，anklehigh，withhundredsofpagesoftornandcrumpledpaper。
Thedesk-topandaSheratoncabinetandtablewerebareofallcontents。Onthefloorreposedcountlessshatteredarticlesofglassandporcelain；jumbledtogetherwithblottersanpastepotandshearsandink-standandotherutensils。Inkhadbeenpouredingrotesquepatternonrugsandparquetryandwindowcurtains。
Inonecornerlayatypewriter，itskeystwistedanditscarriagebroken。Books——someoftheminrarebindings，——layguttedandink-smeared，fromoneendoftheplacetotheother。
ThroughthedazeofgeneralhorrorboomedthetremblinglymajesticvoiceofRutherfordGarretse。
"Iwantedyoutosee！"hedeclaimed。"Iorderedeverythingleftasitwas。Thatmessofpapersallovertheflooriswhatremainsofthefirstdraftofmybook。ThebookIhavebeenatworkonforsixmonths！I——"
"Anditwasthedog，there！"sputteredthemaid-servant；emotionridingoverdiscipline。"Ic\'nsweartheroomwasneatandalldusted。Notablessedthingoutofplace；andallthepaperwhereMr。Garretsehadstacked\'eminhisportfolio，yonder。Idustedthisstudyandthenthediningroom。AndthenIwentouttosweeptheveranda；likeIalwaysdo，beforebreakfast。AndmaybetenminuteslaterIseethisbrutetrotoutofMr。Harmon\'splace，andalongtheroad，andcome，asnuffingupthestepsandintothehouse。AndwhenIfollowedhimupstairsandscattedhimout，I
sawtheroomlookinglikeitis，now；andIyellstoMr。
Garretse，andhe\'sshaving，and——"
"Thatwilldo，Esther！"snappedtheauthor。"And，now，sir——"
"But，Mr。Garretse，"putintheMistress，"Ladneverdidsuchathingasthis，inallhislife！He\'sbeenbroughtupinthehouse。Evenasapuppy，hewas——"
"Theevidenceshowsotherwise，"interruptedGarretse，withavisiblestruggleatself-control。"Nohuman，unlesshewereamaniac，wouldhavedonesuchawantonlydestructivething。Nootheranimalhasbeenhere。Thedogwasseenenteringandleavingthisroom。Andmyworkofsixmonthsisnotonlydestroyedbyhim，butmanyoftheverybestpiecesinmyglass-and-porcelaincabinet。"
"But——"
"IconsentedtostayonatDaylightPark，onlyonthesolemnassuranceoftheGovernorsthatnoanimalshouldbeallowedagainwithintheParkprecincts。Idetestanimals。Particularlydogs。
AndnowIseemydislikeisnotmereprejudice。MayIaskwhattheownersand——andtheharborer——ofthecurmeantodoaboutthisoutrage？Notice，please，thatIamspeakingwithstudiedmoderation，inaskingthisvitalquestion。I——"
"Itismyfault，——orrather，itisamistake，——thatLadisinthePark，"spokeuptheMaster。"Mr。Harmoniswhollyinnocentinthematter。Icantestifytothat。Ifthereisanyfineorotherpenaltyinconnectionwithmydog\'sbeinghere，I\'mreadytosettleforit。ButifyouexpectmetobelievethatLaddiedidallthisweirddamagetoyourmanuscriptandyourcollectionandyourroom，——why，that\'sabsurd！Utterlyabsurd！Lad，neverinhislife，——"
"Thecourtswillthinkotherwise！"blazedGarretse，losingafractionofhishard-heldselfmastery。"Andthecaseshallgothrougheverycourtintheland，sinceyoupersistinthisidioticdenialofaprovenfact。Iwarnyou，Ishall——Lookthere！"hebrokeoff，furiously，levelingashakilyvehementforefingeratLad。"Watchhim！He\'sprowlingaround，evennow，insearchofmorethingstoinjure。He——"
Theauthorfinishedhissentencebycatchingupaheavymetalpaperweightanddrawingitbackasifforathrow。Hismusclesflexed。TheMistressmoved，asbyaccident，betweentheragingmanandthedog。
TheMaster，forthemoment，lackedpresenceofmindtodoeventhatmuchforhiscaninechum\'ssafety。HewastoomuchtakenupinglaringunbelievinglyatLad。
Thesedatecollie，afterfollowingthebevyofexcitedhumansupstairs，hadstoodgravely，justinsidethethreshold；lookingwithkeeninterestfromonetotheotherofthegesticulatingandnoisygroup。Then，asasharpwhiffofthatsamebafflingscentassailedhisnose，hebegananewtouroftheroom。
Theodorwasfresherthanbefore。AndLad\'scuriositywasrousedtothefull。Hesniffedtorightandleft，exploringthefloorrubbishwithinquiringmuzzle，andcirclingthedespoiledwritingdesk。
ItwasthenthatGarretsecalledattentiontohim。AnditwasthenthatLad\'snosesuddenlypointedskyward。Inanothermoment，hehadboundedeagerlytowardoneofthewindows，——thewindowthatwasslightlyopenfromthetop。
Fromthatdirection，thescentnowcame；anditwasmorepotentthanatanyearliertimeinhisquest。
EvenastheastonishedeyesofthegroupfollowedLadwindow-ward，thosesameeyeswereattractedbyapartialdarkeningoftheopenspaceatthewindow\'stop。
Intotheroom，throughthenarrowaperturewiggledahairyform，movingwitheel-likespeed。
Thence，itleapedtothefloor。Forthefractionofasecond，theintrudercrouchedthere；peeringabout，todetermineintowhatcompanyhisjumphadlandedhim。
Hewasagraymonkey，small，infinitelyagedandwitheredofaspect。Hispawsandforearmswereblackwithhalf-dryink。Hereandthere，alloverhisfuzzygraybody，ink-blobswerespattered。InoneskinnypawhestillclutchedthesplinteredfragmentofaSatsumavase。
Bythetimethegapinghumanscouldgetasinglegoodlookatthemonkey，Ladwasathim。Hereatlastwasthesolutionofthatmysteriousscent，sonewtothecollie。
Ladgallopedtowardthewizenedandmalodorousgraybunch；moreintentoninvestigationthanonattack。Themonkeydidnotwaitforhim。Withanincrediblyagileleap，hewasonthespatteredwindowcurtainsandswarminguptotherodatthetop。Therehesquatted，welloutofreach；grimacinghorriblyandchatteringinsimianwrath。
"It\'s——it\'sadevil！"stammeredRutherfordGarretse；hisnearsightedeyessquintingashesoughttotakeinthemotleydetailsofthecreature\'sappearance。"I——"
"It\'sMrs。McMurdle\'spestofamonkey，sirs"blitheredthemaid。
"Askingyourpardon。Theoneshemadesuchafussaboutsendingaway，lastmonth，whenallbeasteeswasbarredfromthePark。Itmust\'a\'strayedbackfromwhereshesentitto，thecraftylittlenuisance！It\'s——"
"Incidentally，"saidtheMaster，"itisthecreaturethatwreckedyourroom。Seetheinkonit。Andthatbitofporcelainit\'sbrandishingatuslookslikeamatchforsomeofthesesmashedbitsonthefloor。Itgotinhere，Isuppose，throughthatwindow，earlier，——and——"
"No，"correctedtheMistress，wiseratdeduction。"Throughthedoorway，downstairs。Fromsomewhereoutside。Probablywhilethemaidwasdustingthedining-room。Itcameinhereandbegandestroyingthings；asmonkeysloveto。AndLaddiestruckitstrailandfollowedituphere。ItheardLadcominganditgotoutthroughthewindow。Then，justnow，somethingoutsidescaredit；
anditclimbedbackinagain。Iwonderif——"
Asshetalked，theMistresshadmovedtowardthenearestwindow。
"See？"shefinished，intriumph，asshepointedoutanddown。
Onthepatchofbacklawn，below，stoodaverymuchflusteredoldlady，herworriedgazeupraisedtothestudy。Inonehandshecarriedaleash，intheotherahalf-peeledbanana。
"It\'sMrs。McMurdle！"exclaimedHarmon。"Themaidwasright。Shemusthavedisobeyedtheordinanceandhadthemiserablemonkeyhiddeninherhouseallthetime。Itmusthavegottenout，thismorning；andshehuntedaroundtillshesawitperchedonthetopofthewindowcornice。Isupposeitdivedbackinhere，atsightofher。She——"
"Comeon，Laddie！"whisperedtheMistress，undercoverofanewoutbreakofmultipletalk。"YOU\'REacquitted，anyhow。Andtherestofthesceneisreallynobusinessofours。Thesoonerwegetyoutotheboardingkennelsagain，thelesschancethereisoftrouble。AndMasterandIwillcometoseeyouthere，everysingleday，tillwegobackhome。"
Aweeklater，thecarturnedinagainatthegatesofthePlace。
Thistime，Ladrodeinstateatoptheflattrunkontherearseat。Asthecarhaltedattheveranda，hesprangtoearthwithoutwaitingforthetonneaudoortobeopened。
For，dashingtowardhimfromthedirectionofthelake，Ladyhoveinsight。Behindher，andtrottingmoreleisurely，cameWolf。Atsightandscentofherreturnedmate，Ladyfairlysquealedwithdelight。ShewhirleduptoLad，franticallylickinghisfaceandspinningabouthimwithlittlestaccatoyelpsofjoy。
Ladwasdeliriouslyhappy。Notonlywasheathomeagain；butLadywaswelcominghimwithaneffusionthatshehadnotshownhimformanyasorrowfulmonth。Hecouldnotunderstandit。Nordidhetryto。Hewascontenttoacceptthemiracle；andtorejoiceinitwithallhisgreathonestheart。
Knowingnothingoffemininepsychology，hecouldnotrealizethataweekofPuppyWolf\'ssoleandundilutedcompanionshiphadboredLadyhorriblyandhadbeguntogetonhernerves；——northatshehadlearnedtomissandyearnforthebig，wise，ever-gentlematewhomshehadsolongneglected。
ItwasenoughforLadtoknowthathewasnolongeraneglectedoutsider，inthePlace\'scaninefamily；butthathisworshipedmatewaswildwithjoytoseehimagain。
"Look！"saidtheMaster。"Theoldchaphasforgivenherforeverybitofherrottennesstohim。He\'sinsanelyhappy，justbecauseshechoosestomakemuchofhim，oncemore。"
"Yes，"assentedtheMistress，cryptically"Sometimesdogsarepitifully——human！"
CHAPTERVI。TheTrackerThechild\'sparentsweregoingtoEuropeforthreemonths，thatwinter。Thechildhimselfwasgettingoveranervousailment。Thedoctorshadadvisedhebekeptoutofschoolforaterm；andbesenttothecountry。
Hismotherwasafraidtheconstanttravelfromplacetoplace，inEurope，mightbetoomuchforhim。SosheaskedleaveoftheMistressandtheMaster，——oneofwhomwasherdistantrelative，——fortheconvalescenttostayatthePlaceduringhisparents\'absence。
Thatwashowitallstarted。
Theyoungsterwaselevenyearsold；lankandgangling，andblestwithafretfulvoiceandwithfarlessdisciplineandmannersthanathree-monthcolliepup。HisnamewasCyril。Briefly，hewasapest，——anunspeakablepest。
ForthefirstdayortwoatthePlace，thenewnessofhissurroundingskeptCyrilmoreorlessinbounds。Then，ashomesicknessandnoveltyalikeworeoff，hisadventuroussoulexpanded。
Hewasverymuchathome；farmoresothanwerehishosts，andinfinitelymorepleasedthantheywiththesituationingeneral。
Hehadaninfinitegeniusforgettingintotrouble。Notinthedelightfullynormalfashionoftheaveragegrowingboy；butinfurtivelycraftywaysthatdidnotbelongtohealthychildhood。
Daybyday，Cyrilimpressedhisoddpersonalitymoreandmoreoneverythingaroundhim。Theatmosphereofsweetpeacewhichhadbrooded，likeablessing，overthewholePlace，wasdispersed。
Thecook，——amarvelofculinaryskillandoflongservice，gavetearfulwarning，anddeparted。Thiswhenshefoundtheinsidesofallhercookingutensilsneatlysoaped；andthesheafofhome-lettersinherwork-boxreplacedbycigar-coupons。
Oneoftheworkmenthrewoverhisjobwithnoisyblasphemy；whenhisroomabovethestableswasinvadedbystealthandacomic-paperpictureofagoat\'sheadsubstitutedforhisdeadmother\'sphotographinthewell-polishedlittlebronzeframeonhisbureau。
Andsoon，allalongtheline。
TheworstandmostcontinuoussuffererfromCyril\'sloathedpresenceonthePlacewasthemassivecollie，Lad。
Thechildlearned，onthefirstdayofhisvisit，thatitwouldbewell-nighassafetoplaywithahandfulofdynamiteaswithLad\'sgold-and-whitemate，Lady。Ladydidnotcareforlibertiesfromanyone。Andshetooknopainstomaskhersnappishfirst-sightaversiontothelankyCyril。Herfierylittleson，Wolf，wasscarcelessformidablethanshe，whenitcametobeingteasedbyanoutsider。ButgallantoldLadwassafegame。
HewassafegameforCyril，becauseLad\'smightyheartandsoulweremilesabovethepossibilityofresentinganythingfromsopitifullyweakanddefenselessacreatureasthischild。Heseemedtorealize，ataglance，thatCyrilwasaninvalidandhelplessandataphysicaldisadvantage。And，asevertowardthefeeble，hisbignaturewentoutinfriendlyprotectiontothisganglingwispofimpishness。
Whichwasallthegooditdidhim。
Infact，itlaidthehugecollieopentoanendlesssuccessionoftorment。Forthedog\'ssizeandpatienceseemedtoawakeneveryatomofbullyingcrueltyinthesmallvisitor\'snature。
Cyril，fromthehourofhisarrival，foundacuteblissinmakingLad\'slifeahorror。Hisinitialstepwastorespondeffusivelytothecollie\'swelcomingadvances；solongastheMistressandtheMasterchancedtobeintheroom。Astheypassedout，theMistresschancedtolookback。
ShesawCyrilpullabitofcakefromhispocketand，withhislefthand，profferittoLad。Thetawnydogsteppedcourteouslyforwardtoacceptthegift。Ashisteethwereabouttoclosedaintilyonthecake，Cyrilwhippeditbackoutofreach；andwithhisotherhandrappedLadsmartlyacrossthenose。
HadanygrownmanventuredahumiliatingandpainfultrickofthatsortonLad，thecolliewouldhavebeenatthetormentor\'sthroat，ontheinstant。Butitwasnotinthegreatdog\'snaturetoattackachild。Shrinkingback，inamaze，hisabnormallysensitivefeelingsjarred，thecollieretreatedmajesticallytohisbeloved"cave"underthemusic-roompiano。
TotheMistress\'sremonstrance，Cyrildeniedmostearnestlythathehaddonethething。Norwashisvehementlytearfuldenialshakenbyherassertionthatshehadseenitall。
Ladsoonforgavetheaffront。Andheforgaveadozenotherandworsemal-treatmentswhichfollowed。But，atlast，thedogtooktoshunningtheneighborhoodofthepest。Thatavailedhimnothing；excepttomakeCyrilseekhimoutinwhatsoeverrefugethedoghadchosen。
Lad，trottinghungrilytohisdinnerdish，wouldfindhisfoodthick-strewnwithcayennepepperorelsesoakedinreekinggasoline。
Lad，seekingpeaceandsolitudeinhispianocave，woulddiscoverhisrug，there，cleverlyscatteredwithcarpettacks，pointsupward。
Lad，startingupfromasnoozeattheMistress\'scall，wouldbedeftlytrippedashestartedtobounddowntheverandasteps，andwouldriskbruisesandfracturesbyanuglyfalltothedrivewaybelow。
WhereverLadwent，whateverLaddid，therewasacrueltrickawaitinghim。And，intime，thedog\'sdarkeyestookonanexpressionofpuzzledunhappinessthatwentstraighttotheheartsofthetwohumanswholovedhim。
Allhislife，LadhadbeenaprivilegedcharacteronthePlace。
Neverhadheknownnorneededwhiporchain。Neverhadhe，——oranyofthePlace\'sotherdogs，——beenwantonlyteasedbyanyhuman。Hehadknown，andhadgiven，onlyloveandsquaretreatmentandstanchfriendliness。HehadruledasbenevolentmonarchofthePlace\'sLittlePeople；hadgivenloyalservicetohistwodeities，theMistressandtheMaster；andhadstoodcourteouslyalooffromtherestofmankind。Andhehadbeenvery，veryhappy。
Now，inabreath，allthiswaschanged。Everathisheels，everwaitingtofindsomenewwaytopesterhim，wasahumantoosmallandtooweaktoattack；——ahumanwhowasforeversettingthecollie\'shigh-strungnervesonedgeorelseactivelyhurtinghim。
Ladcouldnotunderstandit。Andasthechildgainedinhealthandstrength，Lad\'slotgrewincreasinglymiserable。
TheMistressandtheMasterwerekeenlyawareofconditions。Andtheydidtheirbest，——auselessbest，——tomitigatethemforthedog。TheylaboredoverCyril，tomakehimleaveLadalone。Theypointedouttohimthemeancowardiceofhiscourseoftorture。
