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。