Themugwaswornanddented:abovethetwinedinitials，G。L。，wasthecrestofafootlessbirdandthemotto:"Wayteawhyle——wayteawhyle。"
　　"That'stheotherendoftheriddle，"Sophiewhispered，whenhesawherthatevening。"Readhernote。TheEnglishwritebeautifulnotes。"
　　Thewarmestofwelcomestoyourlittleman。Ihopehewillappreciatehisnativelandnowhehascometoit。Thoughyouhavesaidnothingwecannot，ofcourse，lookonhimasalittlestranger，andsoIamsendinghimtheoldLashmarchristeningmug。IthasbeenwithussinceGregoryLashmar，yourgreat-grandmother'sbrother——
　　Georgestaredathiswife。
　　"Goon，"shetwinkled，fromthepillows——
　　mother'sbrother，soldhisplacetoWalter'sfamily。Weseemtohaveacquiredsomeofyourhouseholdgodsatthattime，butnothingsurvivesexceptthemugandtheoldcradle，whichIfoundinthepotting-shedandamhavingputinorderforyou。IhopelittleGeorge——Lashmar，hewillbetoo，won'the？——willlivetoseehisgrandchildrencuttheirteethonhismug。
　　Affectionatelyyours，ALICECONANT。
　　P。S——Howquietyou'vekeptaboutitall!
　　"Well，I'm——"
　　"Don'tswear，"saidSophie。"Badfortheinfantmind。"
　　"Buthowintheworlddidshegetatit？HaveyoueversaidawordabouttheLashmars？"
　　"Youknowtheonlytime——toyoungIgguldenatRocketts——whenIgguldendied。"
　　"Yourgreat-grandmother'sbrother!She'stracedthewholeconnection——morethanyourAuntSydneycoulddo。Whatdoesshemeanaboutourkeepingquiet？"
　　Sophie'seyessparkled。"I'vethoughtthatouttoo。We'vegotbackattheEnglishatlast。Can'tyouseethatshethoughtthatwethoughtmymother'sbeingaLashmarwasoneofthosethingswe'dexpecttheEnglishtofindoutforthemselves，andthat'simpressedher？"Sheturnedthemuginherwhitehands，andsighedhappily。"'Wayteawhyle——wayteawhyle。'That'snotabadmotto，George。It'sbeenworthit。"
　　"ButstillIdon'tquitesee——"
　　"Ishouldn'twonderiftheydon'tthinkourcomingherewaspartofadeep-laidschemetobenearourancestors。They'dunderstandthat。Andlookhowthey'veacceptedus，allofthem。"
　　"Arewesoundesirableinourselves？"Georgegrunted。
　　"Bejust，melord。ThatwretchedSangresmanhastwiceourmoney。
　　CanyouseeMarmConantslappinghimbetweentheshoulders？Notbyajugful!Thepoorbeastdoesn'texist!"
　　"Doyouthinkit'sthatthen？"Helookedtowardthecotbythefirewherethegodlingsnorted。
　　"TheminuteIgetwellIshallfindoutfromMrs。ClokewhateveryLashmargivesindolesthat'snicerthantipseverytimeaLashmiteisborn。I'vedonemydutythusfar，butthere'smuchexpectedofme。"
　　EnteredhereMrs。Cloke，andhungworshippingoverthecot。Theyshowedherthemugandherfaceshone。"Oh，nowLadyConant'ssentit，it'llbeallproper，ma'am，won'tit？'George'ofcoursehe'dhavetobe，butseein'whatheiswewashopin'——allyourpeoplewashopin'——it'udbe'Lashmar'too，andthat'udjustrounditout。Avery'andsomemugquiteunique，Ishouldimagine。
　　'Wayteawhyle——wayteawhyle。'That'struewiththeLashmars，I'veheard。Veryslowtofilltheirhouses，theyare。MostlikeMasterGeorgewon'topen'isnurserytillhe'sthirty。"
　　"Poorlamb!"criedSophie。"ButhowdidyouknowmyfolkwereLashmars？"
　　Mrs。Clokethoughtdeeply。"I'msureIcan'tquitesay，ma'am，butI'veabelieflikelythatitwassomethingyoumayhaveletdroptoyoungIgguldenwhenyouwasatRocketts。Thatmayhavebeenwhatgiveusaninkling。An'soitcameout，onethinginthewayo'talkleadingtoanother，andthoseAmericanpeopleatVeeringHollerwasveryobligin'withnews，I'mtold，ma'am。"
　　"GreatScott!"saidGeorge，underhisbreath。"Andthisisthesimplepeasant!"
　　"Yiss，"Mrs。Clokewenton。"An'Clokewasonlywonderin'thisafternoon——yourpillow'sslippedmydear，youmustn'tliethata-way——justforthesakeo'sayin'something，whetheryouwouldn'tthinkwellnowofgettingtheLashmarfarmsback，sir。
　　Theydon'trightlyroundoffSirWalter'sestate。Theycomecaterin'acrossusmore。Cloke，'e'udbegladtoshowyouoveranyday。"
　　"ButSirWalterdoesn'twanttosell，doeshe？"
　　"Wecanfindoutfromhisbailiff，sir，but"——withcoldcontempt——"Ithinkthattrainednurseisjustcomin'upfromherdinner，so'mafraidwe'll'avetoaskyou，sir……Now，MasterGeorge——Ai-ie!Wakealittyminute，lammie!"
　　AfewmonthslaterthethreeofthemweredownatthebrookintheGaleAnsteywoodstoconsidertherebuildingofafootbridgecarriedawaybyspringfloods。GeorgeLashmarChapinwantedallthebluebellsonGod'searththatdaytoeat，and——Sophieadoredhiminavoiceliketothecooingofadove；sobusinesswasdelayed。
　　"Here'stheplace，"saidhisfatheratlastamongthewaterforget-me-nots。"Butwherethedeucearethelarch-poles，Cloke？
　　Itoldyoutohavethemdownhereready。"
　　"We'llget'emdowniffyousayso，"Clokeanswered，withathrustoftheunderliptheybothknew。
　　"ButIdidsayso。Whatonearthhaveyoubroughtthattimber-tugherefor？Wearen'tbuildingarailwaybridge。Why，inAmerica，half-a-dozentwo-by-fourbitswouldbeample。"
　　"Idon'tknownothin'aboutthat，"saidCloke。
　　"An'I'venothin'tosayagainstlarch——IFyouwanttomakeatemp'ryjobofit。Iain't'eretotellyouwhatisn'tso，sir；
　　an'youcan'tsayIevercomecreepin'uponyou，ortryin'toleadyoufurtherinthanyousetout——"
　　AyearagoGeorgewouldhavedancedwithimpatience。Nowhescrapedalittlemudoffhisoldgaiterswithhisspud，andwaited。
　　"AllIsayisthatyoucanputuplarchandmakeatemp'ryjobofit；andbythetimetheyoungmaster'smarriedit'llhavetobedoneagain。Now，I'vebroughtdownacoupleofassweetsix-by-eightoaktimbersaswe'veeverdrawed。Youput'eminan'
　　it'soffyourmindorgoodan'all。T'otherway——Idon'tsayitain'tright，I'monlyjustsayin'whatIthink——butt'otherway，he'llnosoonerbemarriedthanwe'lllaveitalltodoagain。
　　You'venocalltoregardmywords，butyoucan'tgetoutofthat。"
　　"No，"saidGeorgeafterapause；"I'vebeenrealisingthatforsometime。Makeitoakthen；wecan'tgetoutofit。"
　　THERECALL
　　Iamthelandoftheirfathers，Inmethevirtuestays；
　　Iwillbringbackmychildren，Aftercertaindays。
　　UndertheirfeetinthegrassesMyclingingmagicruns。
　　Theyshallreturnasstrangers，Theyshallremainassons。
　　OvertheirheadsinthebranchesOftheirnew-bought，ancienttrees，Iweaveanincantation，Anddrawthemtomyknees。
　　Scentofsmokeintheevening，Smellofraininthenight，Thehours，thedaysandtheseasonsOrdertheirsoulsaright；
　　TillImakeplainthemeaningOfallmythousandyearsTillIfilltheirheartswithknowledge，WhileIfilltheireyeswithtears。
　　GARM——AHOSTAGE
　　0nenight，averylongtimeago，IdrovetoanIndianmilitarycantonmentcalledMianMirtoseeamateurtheatricals。AtthebackoftheInfantrybarracksasoldier，hiscapoveroneeye，rushedinfrontofthehorsesandshoutedthathewasadangeroushighwayrobber。Asamatteroffact，hewasafriendofmine，soItoldhimtogohomebeforeanyonecaughthim；buthefellunderthepole，andIheardvoicesofamilitaryguardinsearchofsomeone。
　　ThedriverandIcoaxedhimintothecarriage，drovehomeswiftly，undressedhimandputhimtobed，wherehewakednextmorningwithasoreheadache，verymuchashamed。Whenhisuniformwascleanedanddried，andhehadbeenshavedandwashedandmadeneat，Idrovehimbacktobarrackswithhisarminafinewhitesling，andreportedthatIhadaccidentallyrunoverhim。Ididnottellthisstorytomyfriend'ssergeant，whowasahostileandunbelievingperson，buttohislieutenant，whodidnotknowusquitesowell。
　　Threedayslatermyfriendcametocall，andathisheelsslobberedandfawnedoneofthefinestbull-terriers——oftheold-fashionedbreed，twopartsbullandoneterrier——thatIhadeverseteyeson。Hewaspurewhite，withafawn-colouredsaddlejustbehindhisneck，andafawndiamondattherootofhisthinwhippytail。Ihadadmiredhimdistantlyformorethanayear；
　　andVixen，myownfox-terrier，knewhimtoo，butdidnotapprove。
　　"'E'sforyou，"saidmyfriend；buthedidnotlookasthoughhelikedpartingwithhim。
　　"Nonsense!Thatdog'sworthmorethanmostmen，Stanley，"Isaid。
　　"'E'sthatandmore。'Tention!"
　　Thedogroseonhishindlegs，andstooduprightforafullminute。
　　"Eyesright!"
　　Hesatonhishaunchesandturnedhisheadsharptotheright。Atasignheroseandbarkedthrice。Thenheshookhandswithhisrightpawandboundedlightlytomyshoulder。Herehemadehimselfintoanecktie，limpandlifeless，hangingdownoneithersideofmyneck。Iwastoldtopickhimupandthrowhimintheair。Hefellwithahowl，andhelduponeleg。
　　"Parto'thetrick，"saidhisowner。"You'regoingtodienow。
　　Digyourselfyourlittlegravean'shutyourlittleeye。"
　　Stilllimping，thedoghobbledtothegarden-edge，dugaholeandlaydowninit。Whentoldthathewascured，hejumpedout，wagginghistail，andwhiningforapplause。Hewasputthroughhalf-a-dozenothertricks，suchasshowinghowhewouldholdamansafeIwasthatman，andhesatdownbeforeme，histeethbared，readytospring，andhowhewouldstopeatingatthewordofcommand。Ihadnomorethanfinishedpraisinghimwhenmyfriendmadeagesturethatstoppedthedogasthoughhehadbeenshot，tookapieceofblue-ruledcanteen-paperfromhishelmet，handedittomeandranaway，whilethedoglookedafterhimandhowled。Iread:
　　SIR——Igiveyouthedogbecauseofwhatyougotmeoutof。HeisthebestIknow，forImadehimmyself，andheisasgoodasaman。Pleasedonotgivehimtoomuchtoeat，andpleasedonotgivehimbacktome，forI'mnotgoingtotakehim，ifyouwillkeephim。Sopleasedonottrytogivehimbackanymore。Ihavekepthisnameback，soyoucancallhimanythingandhewillanswer。butpleasedonotgivehimback。Hecankillamanaseasyasanything，butpleasedonotgivehimtoomuchmeat。Heknowsmorethanaman。
　　Vixensympatheticallyjoinedhershrilllittleyaptothebull-terrier'sdespairingcry，andIwasannoyed，forIknewthatamanwhocaresfordogsisonething，butamanwholovesonedogisquiteanother。Dogsareatthebestnomorethanverminousvagrants，self-scratchers，foulfeeders，anduncleanbythelawofMosesandMohammed；butadogwithwhomonelivesaloneforatleastsixmonthsintheyear；afreething，tiedtoyousostrictlybylovethatwithoutyouhewillnotstirorexercise；apatient，temperate，humorous，wisesoul，whoknowsyourmoodsbeforeyouknowthemyourself，isnotadogunderanyruling。
　　IhadVixen，whowasallmydogtome；andIfeltwhatmyfriendmusthavefelt，attearingouthisheartinthisstyleandleavingitinmygarden。However，thedogunderstoodclearlyenoughthatIwashismaster，anddidnotfollowthesoldier。AssoonashedrewbreathImademuchofhim，andVixen，yellingwithjealousy，flewathim。Hadshebeenofhisownsex，hemighthavecheeredhimselfwithafight，butheonlylookedworriedlywhenshenippedhisdeepironsides，laidhisheavyheadonmyknee，andhowledanew。ImeanttodineattheClubthatnight；
　　butasdarknessdrewin，andthedogsnuffedthroughtheemptyhouselikeachildtryingtorecoverfromafitofsobbing，I
　　feltthatIcouldnotleavehimtosufferhisfirsteveningalone。Sowefedathome，Vixenononeside，andthestranger-dogontheother；shewatchinghiseverymouthful，andsayingexplicitlywhatshethoughtofhistablemanners，whichweremuchbetterthanhers。
　　ItwasVixen'scustom，tilltheweathergrewhot，tosleepinmybed，herheadonthepillowlikeaChristian；andwhenmorningcameIwouldalwaysfindthatthelittlethinghadbracedherfeetagainstthewallandpushedmetotheveryedgeofthecot。
　　Thisnightshehurriedtobedpurposefully，everyhairup，oneeyeonthestranger，whohaddroppedonamatinahelpless，hopelesssortofway，allfourfeetspreadout，sighingheavily。
　　Shesettledherheadonthepillowseveraltimes，toshowherlittleairsandgraces，andstruckupherusualwhineysing-songbeforeslumber。Thestranger-dogsoftlyedgedtowardme。Iputoutmyhandandhelickedit。InstantlymywristwasbetweenVixen'steeth，andherwarningaaarh!saidasplainlyasspeech，thatifItookanyfurthernoticeofthestrangershewouldbite。
　　Icaughtherbehindherfatneckwithmylefthand，shookherseverely，andsaid:
　　"Vixen，ifyoudothatagainyou'llbeputintotheverandah。
　　Now，remember!"
　　Sheunderstoodperfectly，buttheminuteIreleasedhershemouthedmyrightwristoncemore，andwaitedwithherearsbackandallherbodyflattened，readytobite。Thebigdog'stailthumpedthefloorinahumbleandpeace-makingway。
　　IgrabbedVixenasecondtime，liftedheroutofbedlikearabbitshehatedthatandyelled，and，asIhadpromised，setheroutintheverandahwiththebatsandthemoonlight。Atthisshehowled。Thensheusedcoarselanguage——nottome，buttothebullterrier——tillshecoughedwithexhaustion。Thensheranroundthehousetryingeverydoor。Thenshewentofftothestablesandbarkedasthoughsomeonewerestealingthehorses，whichwasanoldtrickofhers。Lastshereturned，andhersnuffingyelpsaid，"I'llbegood!LetmeinandI'll'begood!"
　　Shewasadmittedandflewtoherpillow。WhenshewasquietedI
　　whisperedtotheotherdog，"Youcanlieonthefootofthebed。"
　　Thebulljumpedupatonce，andthoughIfeltVixenquiverwithrage，sheknewbetterthantoprotest。Soweslepttillthemorning，andtheyhadearlybreakfastwithme，biteforbite，tillthehorsecameroundandwewentforaride。Idon'tthinkthebullhadeverfollowedahorsebefore。Hewaswildwithexcitement，andVixen，asusual，squealedandscutteredandscooted，andtookchargeoftheprocession。
　　Therewasonecornerofavillagenearby，whichwegenerallypassedwithcaution，becausealltheyellowpariah-dogsoftheplacegatheredaboutit。
　　Theywerehalf-wild，starvingbeasts，andthoughuttercowards，yetwherenineortenofthemgettogethertheywillmobandkillandeatanEnglishdog。Ikeptawhipwithalonglashforthem。
　　ThatmorningtheyattackedVixen，who，perhapsofdesign，hadmovedfrombeyondmyhorse'sshadow。
　　Thebullwasploughingalonginthedust，fiftyyardsbehind，rollinginhisrun，andsmilingasbull-terrierswill。IheardVixensqueal；halfadozenofthecursclosedinonher；awhitestreakcameupbehindme；acloudofdustrosenearVixen，and，whenitcleared，Isawonetallpariahwithhisbackbroken，andthebullwrenchinganothertoearth。Vixenretreatedtotheprotectionofmywhip，andthebullpaddledbacksmilingmorethanever，coveredwiththebloodofhisenemies。Thatdecidedmetocallhim"GarinoftheBloodyBreast，"whowasagreatpersoninhistime，or"Garm"forshort；so，leaningforward，Itoldhimwhathistemporarynamewouldbe。HelookedupwhileIrepeatedit，andthenracedaway。Ishouted"Garin!"Hestopped，racedback，andcameuptoaskmywill。
　　ThenIsawthatmysoldierfriendwasright，andthatthatdogknewandwasworthmorethanaman。AttheendoftherideIgaveanorderwhichVixenknewandhated:"Goawayandgetwashed!"I
　　said。Garinunderstoodsomepartofit，andVixeninterpretedtherest，andthetwotrottedofftogethersoberly。WhenIwenttothebackverandahVixenhadbeenwashedsnowy-white，andwasveryproudofherself，butthedog-boywouldnottouchGarmonanyaccountunlessIstoodby。SoIwaitedwhilehewasbeingscrubbed，andGarm，withthesoapcreamingonthetopofhisbroadhead，lookedatmetomakesurethatthiswaswhatI
　　expectedhimtoendure。Heknewperfectlythatthedog-boywasonlyobeyingorders。
　　"Anothertime，"Isaidtothedog-boy，"youwillwashthegreatdogwithVixenwhenIsendthemhome。"
　　"Doesheknow？"saidthedog-boy，whounderstoodthewaysofdogs。
　　"Garm，"Isaid，"anothertimeyouwillbewashedwithVixen。"
　　IknewthatGarmunderstood。Indeed，nextwashing-day，whenVixenasusualfledundermybed，Garmstaredatthedoubtfuldog-boyintheverandah，stalkedtotheplacewherehehadbeenwashedlasttime，andstoodrigidinthetub。
　　Butthelongdaysinmyofficetriedhimsorely。Wethreewoulddriveoffinthemorningathalf-pasteightandcomehomeatsixorlater。Vixenknowingtheroutineofit，wenttosleepundermytable；buttheconfinementateintoGarm'ssoul。HegenerallysatontheverandahlookingoutontheMall；andwellIknewwhatheexpected。
　　SometimesacompanyofsoldierswouldmovealongontheirwaytotheFort，andGarmrolledforthtoinspectthem；oranofficerinuniformenteredintotheoffice，anditwaspitifultoseepoorGarm'swelcometothecloth——nottheman。Hewouldleapathim，andsniffandbarkjoyously，thenruntothedoorandbackagain。
　　OneafternoonIheardhimbaywithafullthroat——athingIhadneverheardbefore——andhedisappeared。WhenIdroveintomy
　　Ipretendednottonotice，butGarmknewandVixenknew。Hewouldglidehomewardsfromtheofficeaboutfouro'clock，asthoughhewereonlygoingtolookatthescenery，andthishedidsoquietlythatbutforVixenIshouldnothavenoticedhim。Thejealouslittledogunderthetablewouldgiveasniffandasnort，justloudenoughtocallmyattentiontotheflight。GarmmightgooutfortytimesinthedayandVixenwouldneverstir，butwhenheslunkofftoseehistruemasterinmygardenshetoldmeinherowntongue。ThatwastheonesignshemadetoprovethatGarmdidnotaltogetherbelongtothefamily。Theywerethebestoffriendsatalltimes，but，VixenexplainedthatIwasnevertoforgetGarmdidnotlovemeasshelovedme。
　　Ineverexpectedit。Thedogwasnotmydogcouldneverbemydog——andIknewhewasasmiserableashismasterwhotrampedeightmilesadaytoseehim。Soitseemedtomethatthesoonerthetwowerereunitedthebetterforall。OneafternoonIsentVixenhomealoneinthedog-cartGarmhadgonebefore，androdeovertocantonmentstofindanotherfriendofmine，whowasanIrishsoldierandagreatfriendofthedog'smaster。
　　Iexplainedthewholecase，andwoundupwith:
　　"AndnowStanley'sinmygardencryingoverhisdog。Whydoesn'thetakehimback？They'rebothunhappy。"
　　"Unhappy!There'snosenseinthelittlemananymore。But'tishisfit。"
　　"Whatishisfit？Hetravelsfiftymilesaweektoseethebrute，andhepretendsnottonoticemewhenheseesmeontheroad；andI'masunhappyasheis。Makehimtakethedogback。"
　　"It'shispenancehe'ssethimself。Itoldhimbywayofajoke，aftheryou'drunoverhimsoconvenientthatnight，whinhewasdrunk——IsaidifhewasaCatholiche'ddopenance。Offhewentwidthatfitinhislittleheadan'adoseoffever，annothin'
　　wouldsuitbutgivin'youthedogasahostage。"
　　"Hostageforwhat？Idon'twanthostagesfromStanley。"
　　"Forhisgoodbehaviour。He'skeepin'straightnow，thewayit'snopleasuretoassociatewidhim。"
　　"Hashetakenthepledge？"
　　"If'twasonlythatIneednotcare。Yecantakethepledgeforthreemonthsonan'off。Hesezhe'llneverseethedogagain，an'somarkyou，he'llkeepstraightforevermore。Yeknowhisfits？Well，thisiswanofthem。How'sthedogtakin'it？"
　　"Likeaman。He'sthebestdoginIndia。Can'tyoumakeStanleytakehimback？"
　　"IcandonomorethanIhavedone。Butyeknowhisfits。He'sjustdoin'hispenance。WhatwillhedowhenhegoestotheHills？Thedoctor'sputhimonthelist。"
　　ItisthecustominIndiatosendacertainnumberofinvalidsfromeachregimentuptostationsintheHimalayasforthehotweather；andthoughthemenoughttoenjoythecoolandthecomfort，theymissthesocietyofthebarracksdownbelow，anddotheirbesttocomebackortoavoidgoing。Ifeltthatthismovewouldbringmatterstoahead，soIleftTerrencehopefully，thoughhecalledafterme"Hewon'ttakethedog，sorr。Youcanlayyourmonth'spayonthat。Yeknowhisfits。"
　　IneverpretendedtounderstandPrivateOrtheris；andsoIdidthenextbestthingIlefthimalone。
　　ThatsummertheinvalidsoftheregimenttowhichmyfriendbelongedwereorderedofftotheHillsearly，becausethedoctorsthoughtmarchinginthecoolofthedaywoulddothemgood。TheirroutelaysouthtoaplacecalledUmballa，ahundredandtwentymilesormore。ThentheywouldturneastandmarchupintothehillstoKasauliorDugshaiorSubathoo。Idinedwiththeofficersthenightbeforetheyleft——theyweremarchingatfiveinthemorning。ItwasmidnightwhenIdroveintomygarden，andsurprisedawhitefigureflyingoverthewall。
　　"Thatman，"saidmybutler，"hasbeenheresincenine，makingtalktothatdog。Heisquitemad。"
　　Ididnottellhimtogoawaybecausehehasbeenheremanytimesbefore，andbecausethedog-boytoldmethatifItoldhimtogoaway，thatgreatdogwouldimmediatelyslayme。HedidnotwishtospeaktotheProtectorofthePoor，andhedidnotaskforanythingtoeatordrink。"
　　"KadirBuksh，"saidI，"thatwaswelldone，forthedogwouldsurelyhavekilledthee。ButIdonotthinkthewhitesoldierwillcomeanymore。"
　　Garmsleptillthatnightandwhimperedinhisdreams。Oncehesprangupwithaclear，ringingbark，andIheardhimwaghistailtillitwakedhimandthebarkdiedoutinahowl。Hehaddreamedhewaswithhismasteragain，andInearlycried。ItwasallStanley'ssillyfault。
　　Thefirsthaltwhichthedetachmentofinvalidsmadewassomemilesfromtheirbarracks，ontheAmritsarroad，andtenmilesdistantfrommyhouse。ByamerechanceoneoftheofficersdrovebackforanothergooddinnerattheClubcookingonthelineofmarchisalwaysbad，andthereImethim。Hewasaparticularfriendofmine，andIknewthatheknewhowtoloveadogproperly。HispetwasabigfatretrieverwhowasgoinguptotheHillsforhishealth，and，thoughitwasstillApril，theround，brownbrutepuffedandpantedintheClubverandahasthoughhewouldburst。
　　"It'samazing，"saidtheofficer，"whatexcusestheseinvalidsofminemaketogetbacktobarracks。There'samaninmycompanynowaskedmeforleavetogobacktocantonmentstopayadebthe'dforgotten。IwassotakenbytheideaIlethimgo，andhejingledoffinanekkaaspleasedasPunch。Tenmilestopayadebt!Wonderwhatitwasreally？"
　　"Ifyou'lldrivemehomeIthinkIcanshowyou，"Isaid。
　　Sohewentovertomyhouseinhisdog-cartwiththeretriever；
　　andonthewayItoldhimthestoryofGarm。
　　"Iwaswonderingwherethatbrutehadgoneto。He'sthebestdogintheregiment，"saidmyfriend。"Iofferedthelittlefellowtwentyrupeesforhimamonthago。Buthe'sahostage，yousay，forStanley'sgoodconduct。Stanley'soneofthebestmenIhavewhenhechooses。"
　　"That'sthereasonwhy，"Isaid。"Asecond-ratemanwouldn'thavetakenthingstoheartashehasdone。"
　　Wedroveinquietlyatthefarendofthegarden，andcreptroundthehouse。Therewasaplaceclosetothewallallgrownaboutwithtamarisktrees，whereIknewGarmkepthisbones。EvenVixenwasnotallowedtositnearit。InthefullIndianmoonlightI
　　couldseeawhiteuniformbendingoverthedog。
　　"Good-bye，oldman，"wecouldnothelphearingStanley'svoice。
　　"For'Eving'ssakedon'tgetbitandgomadbyanymeaslypi-dog。
　　Butyoucanlookafteryourself，oldman。Youdon'tgetdrunkan'
　　runabout'ittin'yourfriends。Youtakesyourbonesan'youeatsyourbiscuit，an'youkillsyourenemylikeagentleman。I'mgoin'away——don't'owl——I'mgoin'offtoKasauli，whereIwon'tseeyounomore。"
　　IcouldhearhimholdingGarm'snoseasthedogthrewituptothestars。
　　"You'llstayherean'be'ave，an'——an'I'llgoawayan'trytobe'ave，an'Idon'tknow'owtoleaveyou。Idon'tknow——"
　　"Ithinkthisisdamnsilly，"saidtheofficer，pattinghisfoolishfubsyoldretriever。Hecalledtotheprivate，wholeapedtohisfeet，marchedforward，andsaluted。
　　"Youhere？"saidtheofficer，turningawayhishead。
　　"Yes，sir，butI'mjustgoin'back。"
　　"Ishallbeleavinghereateleveninmycart。Youcomewithme。
　　Ican'thavesickmenrunningaboutfallovertheplace。Reportyourselfateleven，here。"
　　Wedidnotsaymuchwhenwewentindoors，buttheofficermutteredandpulledhisretriever'sears。
　　Hewasadisgraceful，overfeddoormatofadog；andwhenhewaddledofftomycookhousetobefed，Ihadabrilliantidea。
　　Ateleveno'clockthatofficer'sdogwasnowheretobefound，andyouneverheardsuchafussashisownermade。Hecalledandshoutedandgrewangry，andhuntedthroughmygardenforhalfanhour。
　　ThenIsaid:
　　"He'ssuretoturnupinthemorning。Sendamaninbyrail，andI'llfindthebeastandreturnhim。"
　　"Beast？"saidtheofficer。"IvaluethatdogconsiderablymorethanIvalueanymanIknow。It'sallveryfineforyoutotalk——yourdog'shere。"
　　Soshewas——undermyfeet——and，hadshebeenmissing，foodandwageswouldhavestoppedinmyhousetillherreturn。Butsomepeoplegrowfondofdogsnotworthacutofthewhip。MyfriendhadtodriveawayatlastwithStanleyinthebackseat；andthenthedog-boysaidtome:
　　"WhatkindofanimalisBullenSahib'sdog？Lookathim!"
　　Iwenttotheboy'shut，andthefatoldreprobatewaslyingonamatcarefullychainedup。Hemusthaveheardhismastercallingfortwentyminutes，buthadnotevenattemptedtojoinhim。
　　"Hehasnoface，"saidthedog-boyscornfully。"Heisapunniar-kooteraspaniel。Henevertriedtogetthatclothoffhisjawswhenhismastercalled。NowVixen-babawouldhavejumpedthroughthewindow，andthatGreatDogwouldhaveslainmewithhismuzzledmouth。Itistruethattherearemanykindsofdogs。"
　　NexteveningwhoshouldturnupbutStanley。TheofficerhadsenthimbackfourteenmilesbyrailwithanotebeggingmetoreturntheretrieverifIhadfoundhim，and，ifIhadnot，toofferhugerewards。Thelasttraintocampleftathalf-pastten，andStanley，stayedtilltentalkingtoGarm。Iarguedandentreated，andeventhreatenedtoshootthebull-terrier，batthelittlemanwasasfirmasarock，thoughIgavehimagooddinnerandtalkedtohimmostseverely。GarmknewaswellasIthatthiswasthelasttimehecouldhopetoseehisman，andfollowedStanleylikeashadow。Theretrieversaidnothing，butlickedhislipsafterhismealandwaddledoffwithoutsomuchassaying"Thankyou"tothedisgusteddog-boy。
　　Sothatlastmeetingwasover，andIfeltaswretchedasGarm，whomoanedinhissleepallnight。WhenwewenttotheofficehefoundaplaceunderthetableclosetoVixen，anddroppedflattillitwastimetogohome。Therewasnomorerunningoutintotheverandahs，noslinkingawayforstolentalkswithStanley。Astheweathergrewwarmerthedogswereforbiddentorunbesidethecart，butsatatmysideontheseat，Vixenwithherheadunderthecrookofmyleftelbow，andGarmhuggingthelefthandrail。
　　HereVixenwaseveringreatform。Shehadtoattendtoallthemovingtraffic，suchasbullock-cartsthatblockedtheway，andcamels，andledponies；aswellastokeepupherdignitywhenshepassedlowfriendsrunninginthedust。Sheneveryappedforyapping'ssake，buthershrill，highbarkwasknownallalongtheMall，andothermen'sterrierski-yiedinreply，andbullock-driverslookedovertheirshouldersandgaveustheroadwithagrin。
　　ButGarmcaredfornoneofthesethings。Hisbigeyeswereonthehorizonandhisterriblemouthwasshut。Therewasanotherdogintheofficewhobelongedtomychief。Wecalledhim"BobtheLibrarian，"becausehealwaysimaginedvainratsbehindthebookshelves，andinhuntingforthemwoulddragouthalftheoldnewspaper-files。Bobwasawell-meaningidiot，butGarmdidnotencouragehim。Hewouldslidehisheadroundthedoorpanting，"Rats!ComealongGarm!"andGarmwouldshiftoneforepawovertheother，andcurlhimselfround，leavingBobtowhineatamostuninterestedback。Theofficewasnearlyascheerfulasatombinthosedays。
　　Once，andonlyonce，didIseeGarmatallcontentedwithhissurroundings。HehadgoneforanunauthorisedwalkwithVixenearlyoneSundaymorning，andaveryyoungandfoolishartillerymanhisbatteryhadjustmovedtothatpartoftheworldtriedtostealthemboth。Vixen，ofcourse，knewbetterthantotakefoodfromsoldiers，and，besides，shehadjustfinishedherbreakfast。Soshetrottedbackwithalargepieceofthemuttonthattheyissuetoourtroops，laiditdownonmyverandah，andlookeduptoseewhatIthought。IaskedherwhereGarinwas，andsheraninfrontofthehorsetoshowmetheway。
　　Aboutamileuptheroadwecameacrossourartillerymansittingverystifflyontheedgeofaculvertwithagreasyhandkerchiefonhisknees。Garinwasinfrontofhim，lookingratherpleased。
　　Whenthemanmovedlegorhand，Garinbaredhisteethinsilence。
　　Abrokenstringhungfromhiscollar，andtheotherhalfof，itlay，allwarm，intheartilleryman'sstillhand。Heexplainedtome，keepinghiseyesstraightinfrontofhim，thathehadmetthisdoghecalledhimawfulnameswalkingalone，andwasgoingtotakehimtotheForttobekilledforamasterlesspariah。
　　IsaidthatGarindidnotseemtomemuchofapariah，butthathehadbettertakehimtotheFortifhethoughtbest。Hesaidhedidnotcaretodoso。ItoldhimtogototheFortalone。Hesaidhedidnotwanttogoatthathour，butwouldfollowmyadviceassoonasIhadcalledoffthedog。IinstructedGarintotakehimtotheFort，andGarmmarchedhimsolemnlyuptothegate，onemileandahalfunderahotsun，andItoldthequarter-guardwhathadhappened；buttheyoungartillerymanwasmoreangrythanwasatallnecessarywhentheybegantolaugh。
　　Severalregiments，hewastold，hadtriedtostealGarmintheirtime。
　　Thatmonththehotweathershutdowninearnest，andthedogssleptinthebathroomonthecoolwetbrickswherethebathisplaced。Everymorning，assoonasthemanfilledmybaththetwojumpedin，andeverymorningthemanfilledthebathasecondtime。Isaidtohimthathemightaswellfillasmalltubspeciallyforthedogs。"Nay，"saidhesmiling，"itisnottheircustom。Theywouldnotunderstand。Besides，thebigbathgivesthemmorespace。"
　　Thepunkah-coolieswhopullthepunkahsdayandnightcametoknowGarinintimately。HenoticedthatwhentheswayingfanstoppedIwouldcallouttothecoolieandbidhimpullwithalongstroke。IfthemanstillsleptIwouldwakehimup。Hediscovered，too，thatitwasagoodthingtolieinthewaveofairunderthepunkah。MaybeStanleyhadtaughthimallaboutthisinbarracks。Atanyrate，whenthepunkahstopped，Garinwouldfirstgrowlandcockhiseyeattherope，andifthatdidnotwakethemanitnearlyalwaysdid——hewouldtiptoeforthandtalkinthesleeper'sear。Vixenwasacleverlittledog，butshecouldneverconnectthepunkahandthecoolie；soGaringavemegratefulhoursofcoolsleep。But——hewasutterlywretched——asmiserableasahumanbeing；andinhismiseryheclungsocloselytomethatothermennoticedit，andwereenvious。IfImovedfromoneroomtoanotherGarinfollowed；ifmypenstoppedscratching，Garm'sheadwasthrustintomyhand；ifIturned，halfawake，onthepillow，Garmwasupandatmyside，forheknewthatIwashisonlylinkwithhismaster，anddayandnight，andnightandday，hiseyesaskedonequestion——"Whenisthisgoingtoend？"
　　LivingwiththedogasIdid，Inevernoticedthathewasmorethanordinarilyupsetbythehotweather，tillonedayattheClubamansaid:"Thatdogofyourswilldieinaweekortwo。
　　He'sashadow。"ThenIdosedGarinwithironandquinine，whichhehated；andIfeltveryanxious。Helosthisappetite，andVixenwasallowedtoeathisdinnerunderhiseyes。Eventhatdidnotmakehimswallow，andweheldaconsultationonhim，ofthebestman-doctorintheplace；alady-doctor，whocuredthesickwivesofkings；andtheDeputyInspector-GeneraloftheveterinaryserviceofallIndia。Theypronounceduponhissymptoms，andItoldthemhisstory，andGarmlayonasofalickingmyhand。
　　"He'sdyingofabrokenheart，"saidthelady-doctorsuddenly。
　　"'Ponmyword，"saidtheDeputyInspectorGeneral，"IbelieveMrs。Macraeisperfectlyrightasusual。"
　　Thebestman-doctorintheplacewroteaprescription，andtheveterinaryDeputyInspector-Generalwentoveritafterwardstobesurethatthedrugswereintheproperdog-proportions；andthatwasthefirsttimeinhislifethatourdoctoreverallowedhisprescriptionstobeedited。Itwasastrongtonic，anditputthedearboyonhisfeetforaweekortwo；thenhelostfleshagain。
　　IaskedamanIknewtotakehimuptotheHillswithhimwhenhewent，andthemancametothedoorwithhiskitpackedonthetopofthecarriage。Garintookinthesituationatoneredglance。
　　Thehairrosealonghisback；hesatdowninfrontofmeanddeliveredthemostawfulgrowlIhaveeverheardinthejawsofadog。Ishoutedtomyfriendtogetawayatonce，andassoonasthecarriagewasoutofthegardenGarinlaidhisheadonmykneeandwhined。SoIknewhisanswer，anddevotedmyselftogettingStanley'saddressintheHills。
　　MyturntogotothecoolcamelateinAugust。Wewereallowedthirtydays'holidayinayear，ifnoonefellsick，andwetookitaswecouldbespared。MychiefandBobtheLibrarianhadtheirholidayfirst，andwhentheyweregoneImadeacalendar，asIalwaysdid，andhungitupattheheadofmycot，tearingoffonedayatatimetilltheyreturned。VixenhadgoneuptotheHillswithmefivetimesbefore；andsheappreciatedthecoldandthedampandthebeautifulwoodfiresthereasmuchasIdid。
　　"Garm，"Isaid，"wearegoingbacktoStanleyatKasauli。
　　Kasauli——Stanley；StanleyKasauli。"AndIrepeatedittwentytimes。ItwasnotKasaulireally，butanotherplace。StillI
　　rememberedwhatStanleyhadsaidinmygardenonthelastnight，andIdarednotchangethename。ThenGarmbegantotremble；thenhebarked；andthenheleapedupatme，friskingandwagginghistail。
　　"Notnow，"Isaid，holdingupmyhand。"WhenIsay'Go，'we'llgo，Garm。"IpulledoutthelittleblanketcoatandspikedcollarthatVixenalwaysworeupintheHillstoprotectheragainstsuddenchillsandthievingleopards，andIletthetwosmellthemandtalkitover。WhattheysaidofcourseIdonotknow；butitmadeanewdogofGarm。Hiseyeswerebright；andhebarkedjoyfullywhenIspoketohim。Heatehisfood，andhekilledhisratsforthenextthreeweeks，andwhenhebegantowhineIhadonlytosay"Stanley——Kasauli；Kasauli——Stanley，"towakehimup。