Chum，IguessGoddidarealday’sworkwhenHebuiltyou。
　　I——I——Letitgoatthat。OnlyIain’tforgettin’。NoryetIain’tli’bletoforget。Comeonhome。I’ma—gittin’thechatters!"
　　Hehadbeenstrokingtheoddlyunresponsivedog’sheadashespoke。Now，forthefirsttime，Linkrealizedthatthenightwascool，thathisdrenchedclotheswerelikeiceonhim，andthatthecoldandtheshockreactionweregivinghimasharpcongestivechill。Walkingfasttorestorecirculationtohisnumbedbodyhemadeoffforhisdistantfarmhouse，Chumpatteringalongathisheels。
　　Therapidwalksethimintoaglow。Butbythetimehehadreachedhomeandhadstrippedoffhiswetclothesandswathedhimselfinaroughblanket，hisrackednervesreassertedthemselves。Hecravedadrink——anumberofdrinks——torestorehiswontedpoise。Lightingthekitchenlamp，hesetthewhiskybottleonthetableandputathicktumbleralongsideit。Chumwaslyingathismaster’sfeet。InfrontofFerriswasapintofgoodcheer。Thelamplightmadethekitchenbrightandcozy。Linkfeltasenseofutterwell—beingpervadehim。
　　Thiswashome——thiswastherealthing。Threesuccessiveandman—sizedrinksofwhiskypresentlymadeitseemmoreandmoretherealthing。Theymadeallthingsseempossible，andmostthingshighlydesirable。Linkwantedtosing。Andaftertwoadditionaldrinkshegratifiedthistastebyliftinghisvoiceinahiccup—punctuateddittyaddressedtooneJenny，whomthesingerexhortedtowaittillthecloudsrolledby。
　　HewasfollowingthisappealbyarurallyricwhichrecitedinsomewhatwearisometonalmonotonytheadventuresofaLittleBlackBullthatcameOvertheMountain，whenheobservedthatChumwasnolongerlyingathisfeet。Indeed，thedogwasinafarcorneroftheroom，pressedclosetotheclosedouterdoor，andwithcrestandruffa—droop。
　　Puzzledbyhispet’sdefection，LinkimperiouslycommandedChumtoreturntohisformerplace。Thecollie，inmostunwillingobedience，turnedaboutandcameslowlytowardthedrinker。
　　EverylineofChum’ssplendidbodytoldofreluctancetoapproachhismaster。Thedeep—set，darkeyeswereeloquentofafrighteneddisgust。HelookedatFerrisasatsomeloathelystranger。Thegladlightofloyalty，whichalwayshadtransfiguredhisvisagewhenLinkcalledtohim，waswoefullylacking。DrunkashewasFerriscouldnothelpnoticingthechange。Andhemarveledatit。
　　"Whassermatter？"bedemandedtruculently。"Whatailsyer？C’mhere，I’mtellin’you!"
　　Hestretchedouthishandinroughcaresstotheslowlyapproachingcollie。Chumshrankbackfromthetouchasachildfromadoseofcastoroil。Therewasnofearnowinhisaspect。
　　Onlydisgustandapoignantunhappiness。
　　And，allsuddenly，LinkFerrisunderstood。
　　Hehimselfdidnotknowhowtheknowledgecametohim。Acaninepsychologistmightperhapshavetoldhimthatthereisalwaysanocculttelepathybetweenthemindofathoroughbreddoganditsmaster，apowerwhichgivesthemaglimpseintoeachother’sprocessesofthought。Buttherewasnosuchpsychologisttheretoexplainthething。NordidLinkneeditexplained。Itwasenoughforhimthatheknew。
　　Heknew，asbyrevelation，thathisadoringdognowshunnedhimbecauseLinkwasdrunk。
　　Fromthefirst，Chum’slookofutterworshipandhiseagerlyhappyobediencehadbeenajoytoLink。Thesubtlycompletechangeinhisworshiper’sdemeanorjarredsharplyontheman’srawnerves。Hefeltvaguelyunclean——shamed。
　　ThecontemptofsuchofhispioushumanneighborsashadpassedhimintheroadduringhisspreeshadaffectedLinknotatall。
　　Nornowcouldheunderstandthequeerfeelingofhumiliationthatsweptoverhimatsightofthehorrifiedrepugnanceintheeyesofthismerebrutebeast。Itrousedhimtoagustofhotvexation。
　　"Shamedofme，areyou？"hegruntedfiercely。"Adirtyfour—leggedcritter’s’shamedofahe—man，hey？Well，we’lllickthatoutofyou，dam’soon!"
　　Lurchingtohisfeet，hesnatchedupabroomhandle。Hewaveditmenacinglyoverthedog。Chumgavebacknotaninch。Underthethreatofabeatinghestoodhisground，hisbraveeyessteadfast，and，lurkingintheirmysticdepths，thatsameglintofsorrowfulwonderanddisgust。
　　Upwhirledthebroomstick。Butwhenitfellitdidnotsmiteathwarttheshouldersofthesorrowingdog。Instead，itclatteredharmlesslytotheboardfloor。AndtotheflooralsoslumpedLinkFerris，hisnerveallgone，hisheartsoggywithsuddenremorse。
　　Tohiskneesthuddedtheman，closebesidethecollie。FromLink’sthroatwereburstinggreatstrangledsobswhichtorturedhiswholebodyandmadehisspeechatangledjumblethatwasnotprettytohear。
　　"Chum!"hewailedbrokenly，clutchingthedog’shugeruffinbothshakyhands。"Chum，oldfriend!Gawdforgiveme!Yousavedmefromdrowndin’an’fromgoin’broke，thisnight!YoubeentheonlyfriendthatevercaredahangifIwasaliveordead!
　　An’——an’Iwasgoin’tolickyou!Iwasgoin’tolambasteyou。
　　BecauseIwasabeastlierbeastthanYOUbe。Iwasgoin’todoitbecauseyouwassomuchbetterthanmethatyouwasmadesickbymybein’ahawg。An’Iwasmadatyouferit。I’m——oh，I’mshamederthanyouare!Chum!HonesttoGawd，Iam!Won’tyoumakefriendsagain？PLEASE，Chum!"
　　Now，ofcourse，thiswasamostridiculousandmaudlinwaytotalk。Moreover，nomanbelongsonhiskneesbesideadog，eventhoughthemanbeasotandthedogathoroughbred。InhiscalmermomentsLinkFerriswouldhaveknownthis。Ahigh—bredcollie，too，hasnouseforsloppyemotion，butshunsitsexhibitionwell—nighasdisgustedlyasheshunsadrunkard。
　　Yet，forsomeillogicalreason，Chumdidnotseektowithdrawhisaristocraticselffromtheshiveringclutchoftherepentantsouse。Instead，theexpressionofmiseryandrepugnancefledasifbymagicfromhisbroodingeyes。Intotheminitsplaceleapedalightofkeensolicitude。Hepressedclosertotheswayinglykneelingman，andwithupthrustmuzzlesoughttokisstheblubberingface。
　　Thewhiskyreekwasasstrongasever。ButsomethinginChum’ssoulwasstronger。HeseemedtoknowthatthemaudlinUnknownhadvanished，andthathisdearmasterwasbackagain——hisdearmasterwhowasingrievoustroubleandwhomustbecomforted。
　　Wherefore，thesickeningliquorfumesnolongerheldhimalooffromLink。Justastheicylakehadnotdeterredhimfromspringingintothewaterafterhisdrowninggod，although，likemostcollies，Chumhatedtoswim。
　　Link，throughhisownnervouscollapse，recognizedtheinstantchangeinChum’sdemeanor，andreaditaright。Itstrengthenedtheoldbondbetweenhimselfandthedog。Itsomehowgavehimalessscornfulopinionofhimself。
　　Presentlyhegottohisfeet，andwiththecollieathissidewentbacktothetable，wherestoodthethreeparts—emptyflask。
　　Hisfaceworking，Linkopenedthewindowandpouredwhatwasleftofthewhiskyoutontheground。Therewasnothingdramaticabouthisaction。Ratheritwastingedbyveryvisibleregret。TurningbacktoChum，hesaidsheepishly：
　　"Thereitgoes。An’Iain’tsayin’I’mtickledatwastin’suchgoodstuff。But——somehowIguesswe’vecometoashowdown，Chum；
　　youan’me。IfIsticktobooze，I’mli’bletoseeyoulookingatmethatqueerwayan’sidlin’awayfrommeallthetime；tillmaybeatlastyou’dgetplumbsickofmeforkeeps，an’lightout。An’——I’dratherhaveYOUthanthebooze，sinceIcan’thavebothofyou。Bein’onlyadawgandneverhavin’tastedgoodredliquor，youcan’tknowwhatabigbouquetI’ma—throwin’atyouwhenIsaythat，neither。I——Oh，let’scallitadayandgotosleep。"
　　Nextmorning，inthecourseofnature，LinkFerrisworkedwithasplittingheadache。Hecarrieditandabadtasteinhismouth，forthebestpartoftheday。
　　Butitwasthelastdrinkheadachewhichmarredhislabor，allthatlongandhappysummer。Hisworkshowedtheresultsofthechange。Sodidthemeagerhillfarm。SodidLink’ssystemandhispocketbook。
　　Ashewasareal，livehumanandnotatemperancetracthero，thereweretimeswhenhegirdedbitterlyathisself—enforcedabstinence。Whereweretimes，too——whenhehadatouchofmalariaandagainwhenthecutwormsslaughteredtworowsofhisearlytomatoes——whenheyearnedunspeakablyforthesolaceofaneveningattheHamptontavern。
　　Hehadneverbeenanaturaldrinker。Likemanyabettermanhehaddrunklessforwhathesoughttogetthanforwhathesoughttoforget。Andwiththedepartureoflonelinessandthenewinterestinhishome，hefeltlesstheneedforwetconvivialityandfordrugginghisfitsofmelancholy。
　　ThememoryofChum’sgrievingrepulsionsomehowstuckinFerris’smind。Anditservedasabrake，morethanonce，tohistavernwardimpulses。Twoorthreetimes，also，whenLink’sbabyishgustsofdestructivebadtemperboiledtothesurfaceatsomesetbackorannoyance，muchthesamewonderinglydistressedlookwouldcreepintothecollie’sglance——alookasofonewhoisrevoltedbyadearfriend’sfailuretoplayuptoform。Andtohisownamusedsurprise，Ferrisfoundhimselftryingtocurbtheseoutbursts。
　　Totheaveragehuman，adogisonlyadog。ToFerris，thiscollieofhiswastheoneintimatefriendofhislife。Unversedinthewaysofdogs，heoverestimatedChum，ofcourse，andvaluedhissocietyandhisgoodopinionfarmorehighlythantheaveragemanwouldhavedone。Thus，perhaps，hisdesiretostandwellinthedog’sesteemhadinitmorethatwascommendablethanludicrous。
　　Orperhapsnot。
　　IfthestrangeassociationdidmuchforLink，itdidinfinitelymoreforChum。Hehadfoundamasterwhohadnosocialinterestsinlifebeyondhisdog，andwhocouldanddiddevoteallhisscantleisurehourstoassociationwiththatdog。Chum’ssagacityandindividualityblossomedundersuchintensivetutelage，asmightthatofacleverchildwhoisthesolepupilofitsteacher。
　　Linkdidnotseektomakeatrickdogofhispet。HetaughtChumtoshakehands，toliedown，to"speak"andoneortwomoresimpleaccomplishments。Itwasbytalkingconstantlytothecollie，astoafellowhuman，thathebroadenedthedog’sintelligence。ChumgrewtoknowandtointerpreteveryinflectionofFerris’svoice，everysimplewordhespokeandeverygestureofhis。
　　Apartfrommeregoodfellowshipthedogwasprovingofgreatuseonthefarm。Morningandnight，Chumdrovethesheepandthecattletotheirrespectivepasturesandthenbacktothebarnyardatnight。Attheentrancestothepastures，now，Ferrishadriggeduprudegateswith"barcatch"fastenings——simplecontrivanceswhichclosedbygravityandwhosebarsthedogwasreadilytaughttoshoveupwardwithhisnose。
　　ItwasthusamatterofonlyafewdaystoteachChumtoopenorclosethelightgates。Thistrickhasbeentaughttocountlesscollies，ofcourse，inGreatBritain，andtomanyhere。ButLinkdidnotknowthat。HefeltlikeanotherColumbusorEdison，athisowngeniusindevisingsuchascheme；andhefeltaninordinateprideinChumforlearningthesimpleexploitsoquickly。
　　Ofold，Linkhadfrettedatthewasteoftimeintakingoutthesheepandcowsandingoingforthematnight。Thisdualdutywasnowathingofthepast。Chumdidtheworkforhim，andreveledintheexcitementofit。Chumalso——fromwatchingLinkperformthetasktwice——hadlearnedtodrivethechickensoutofthegardenpatcheswheneveranyofthemchancedtostraythither，andtoscurryintothecornfieldwithharrowingbarksofejectionwhenaflockofcrowshoveredhungrilyabovethenewly—plantedcrops。
　　AllofwhichwascontinualamusementtoChum，andatremendoushelptohisowner。
　　Link，gettingoverhisinitialwonderatthedog’sprogress，begantotaketheseaccomplishmentsasamatterofcourse。
　　Indeed，hewassometimesperplexedattheotherwisesagaciousdog’slimitationsofbrain。
　　Forexample，Chumlovedthefireonthechillyeveningssuchascreepoverthemountainregioneveninmidsummer。HewouldwatchLinkreplenishtheblazewithfreshstickswheneveritsanklow。
　　Yet，lefttohimself，hewouldletthefiregoout，andheneverknewenoughtopickupastickinhismouthandlayitontheembers。ThislackofreasoningpowersinhispetperplexedFerris。
　　LinkcouldnotunderstandwhythesamewitwhichsentChumhalfamile，ofhisownaccord，insearchofonemissingsheepoutoftheentireflock，shouldnottellhimthatafireiskeptalivebytheputtingofwoodonit。
　　Insearchofsomebetterauthorityondogintelligence，LinkpaidhisfirstvisittoHampton’slittlepubliclibrary。There，shamefacedly，heaskedtheboyinchargeforsomebooksaboutdogs。Theyouthlookedidlyforafewminutesinacrossindexfile。Thenhebroughtforthatomecalled"TheDoubleGarden，"
　　writtenbysomeonewhowasevidentlyanEyetalianorPolackorotherforeigner，becauseheborethegrievouslyun—Americannameof"Maeterlinck"。
　　"ThisisallIcanfindaboutdogs，"explainedtheboy，passingthelinen—jacketedlittlevolumeacrossthecountertoLink。
　　"Firststoryinitisanessayon’OurFriend，theDog，’theindexsays。Wantit？"
　　Thatevening，byhiskitchenlamp，FerrisreadlaboriouslytheBelgianphilosopher’sdogessay。Hereaditaloud——ashehadtakentothinkingaloud——forChum’sbenefit。Andthereweremanypartsoftheimmortalessayfromwhichthemangleanednomoresensethandidthecollie。
　　ItbeganwithapromisingaccountofapuppynamedPelleas。Butmidwayitbranchedoffintosomethingelse。SomethingLinkcouldnotmakeheadnortailof。Then，onsecondreading，bitsofMaeterlinck’smeaning，hereandthere，seepedintoFerris’sbewilderedlygropingintellect。
　　Helearned，amongotherthings，thatManisallaloneonearth；
　　thatmostanimalsdon’tknowheishere，andthattherestofthemhavenouseforhim。Thatevenflowersandcropswilldeserthimandrunagaintowildness，ifManturnshisbackonthemforaminute。Sowillhishorse，hiscowandhissheep。Theygraftonhimforaliving，andtheyhateorignorehim。
　　Thedogalone，Linkspelledout，haspiercedthevastbarrierbetweenhumansandotherbeasts，andhasrangedhimself，willinglyandjoyously，onthesideofMan。ForMan’ssakethedogwillnotonlystarveandsufferandlaydownhislife，butwillbetrayhisfellowquadrupeds。Manisthedog’sgod。Andthedogistheonlylivingmortalthathastheprivilegeoflookinguponthefaceofhisdeity。
　　Allofwhichwasdoubtlessveryinteresting，andpartofwhichthrilledFerris，butnoneofwhichenlightenedhimastoadog’suncannywisdomincertainthingsandhisblankstupidityinothers。NextdayLinkreturnedthebooktothelibrary，nowiserthanbefore，albeitwithahigherappreciationofhisowngoodluckinbeingthegodofonesplendiddoglikeChum。
　　JulyhaddrowsedintoAugust，andAugustwasburningitssultrywaytowardSeptember。Link’squarterlycheckfromthePatersonMarketarrived。AndFerriswentasusualtotheHamptonstoretogetitcashed。Thistinehestoodinlessdireneedofmoney’slife—savingqualitiesthanofyore。IthadbeenagoodsummerforLink。Theliquoroutofhissystemandwithanewinterestinlife，hehadworkedwithasnapandvigorwhichhadbroughtresultsinhardcash。
　　Nonetheless，hewasgladforthischeck。Inanothermonththeannualinterest。onhisfarmmortgagewouldfalldue。Andthemeetingofthatpaymentwasalwaysaproblem。Thisyearhewouldbelesscruellyharassedbyitthanbefore。
　　Yet，allthemore，hedesiredextramoney。Forastartlinglyoriginalambitionhadawakenedrecentlyinhisheart——namely，topayoffalittleofthemortgage’sprincipalalongwiththeinterest。
　　Atfirsttheideahadstaggeredhim。ButtalkingitoverwithChumandstudyinghisthumbed—soiledledger，hehaddecidedtherewasabarechancehemightbeabletodoit。
　　Ashemountedthestepsofthestore，thiseveninginlateAugust，hesaw，tackedtothedoorsideclapboards，atrulygorgeousposter。Bythelightoftheflickeringlampoverthedoor，hediscernedthevividscarletheadofadogintheuppercorneroftheyellowplacard，andmuchdisplaytypebelowit。
　　ItwasthepictureofthedogwhichcheckedLinkinpassing。Itwasafancyhead——theheadofastatelyandlongmuzzleddogwitharuffandwithtulipears。Inshort，justsuchadogasChum。
　　NotknowingthatChumwasacollieandthatposterartistsrejoicetodepictcollies，byreasonofthelatter’sdecorativequalities，Ferriswasamazedbythecoincidence。
　　Afteralongandcriticalsurveyofthepicture，hewasmovedtorunhiseyeovertheflaringreadingmatter。
　　Theposterannounced，toallandsundry，thatonLaborDayamammothdogshowwastobeheldinthecountryclubgroundsatCraigswold——ashowforthebenefitoftheRedCross。Entriesweretobeonedollarforeachclass。"Thankstogenerouscontributions，thecommitteewasenabledtoofferprizesofunusualbeautyandvalue，inadditiontothecustomaryribbons。"
　　Followedalistofcupsandmedals。Linkscannedthemwithnogreatinterest，Butsuddenlyhisrovinggazecametoanastonishedstandstill。Atthebottomoftheposter，inforty—eight—pointbold—facetype，ranthefollowingproclamation：
　　COL。CYRUSMARDEN
　　OFCRAIGSWOLDMANOR
　　OFFERSACASHAWARDOF
　　ONEHUNDREDDOLLARS（$100）TOTHE
　　BESTDOGOFANYBREEDEXHIBITED
　　Onehundreddollars!
　　Linkrereadtheglitteringsentenceuntilhecouldhavesaiditbackward。Itwouldhavebeenapatentliehadhehearditbywordofmouth。Butasitwasinprint，ofcourseitwastrue。
　　Onehundreddollars!Andasaprizeforthefinestdogintheshow。NottoBUYthedog，mindyou。Justasagifttothemanwhohappenedtoownthebestdog。Itdidnotseempossible。Yet——
　　LinkknewbyhearsayandbyobservationthewaysoftherichcolonyatCraigswold。HeknewtheCraigswoldersspentmoneylikemud，whenitsopleasedthem——althoughmorethanonefellowhucksterwasattimessoreputtoittocollectfromthemabillforfreshvegetables。
　　Yes，andheknewCol。CyrusMardenbysight，too。Hewasalong—facedlittlemanwhousedtogoaboutdressedinfunnykneepantsandwithaleatherbagofmisshapenclubsoverhisshoulder。Linkhadseenhimagainandagain。HehadseentheColonel’senormoushouseatCraigswoldManor，too。HehadnodoubtMardencouldaffordthisgiftofahundreddollars。
　　"TOTHEBESTDOGOFANYBREED!"
　　Ferrisknewnothingaboutthevariousbreedsofdogs。ButhedidknowthatChumwasbyfarthebestandmostbeautifulandthewisestdogeverborn。IfMardenwereofferingahundreddollarprizeforthebestdog，therewasnotanotherdogonearthfittocompetewithChum。Thatwasacinch。
　　Asforthehundreddollars——why，itwouldbeagodsendonthemortgagepayment!Everycentofitcouldgotowardtheprincipal。
　　ThatmeantFerriscoulddevotetheextrafewdollarshehadalreadysavedfortheprincipaltothebuyingoffertilizersandseveralsorely—neededutensilsandtotheshinglingofthehouse。
　　Avidformorenewsoftheoffer，heenteredthestoreandhuntedupthepostmaster，whoalsochancedtobethestore’sproprietorandthemayorofHamptonandthelocalpeacejustice。OfthisPooh—BahtheinquiringFerrissoughtfordetails。
　　"SomeoftheRedCrossladiesfromupCraigswoldwaywereherethismorning，tohavemenailthatsignonthestore，"reportedthepostmaster。"They’remakingatourofallthetownshereabouts。Theyaskedmetotrytoint’restfolksatHamptonintheirshow，too，andgetthemtomakeentries。Theyleftmeabunchofblanks。Wantone？"
　　"Yep，"saidLink。"IguessI’lltakeoneifitdon’tcostnothin’，please。"
　　Hestudiedtheprofferedentryblankwithtotallyuncomprehendinggaze。Thepostmastercametohisrelief。
　　"Letmeshowyou，"hesuggested，takingpityonhiscustomer’swrinkledbrowandsquintinghelplessness。"I’vehadsomeexperienceinthisfolderol。ItookmyAiredaleovertotheRidgewoodshowlastspringandgotathirdwithhim。I’mgoingtotakehimuptoCraigswoldonLaborDay，too。Whatkindofdogisyours？"
　　"Thedandiestdawgthateverstoodonfourlegs，"answeredLink，afirewiththezealofownership。"Why，thatdawgofminec’n——"
　　"Whatbreedishe？"askedthepostmaster，notinterestedinthedawningrhapsody。
　　"Oh——breed？"repeatedLink。"Why，Idon’trightlyknow。Somekindofabirddawg，Iguess。Yes。Abirddawg。Buthe’ssurethegrandest——"
　　"Ishethedogyouhaddownhere，onedaylastmonth？"askedthepostmaster，withagleamofrecollection。
　　"Yep。That’shim，"assentedLink。"OnlydawgI’vegot。OnlydawgIeverhad。OnlydawgIeverwanttohave。He’s——"
　　Butthepostmasterwasnotattending。Histimewaslimited。So，takingoutafountainpen，hehadbeguntoscribbleontheblank。
　　FillinginLink’snameandaddress，hewrote，inthe"breedandsex"spaces，thewords，"Scotchcollie，sable—and—white，male。"
　　"Name？"hequeried，breakinginonFerris’sramblingeulogy。
　　"Huh？"askedthesurprisedLink，adding："Oh，hisname，hey？I
　　callhim’Chum。’Yousee，thatdawg’smorelikeachumtomethan——"
　　"Nouseaskingabouthispedigree，Isuppose，"resumedthepostmaster，"Imeanwhohisparentswereand——"
　　"Nope，"saidLink。"I——Ifoundhim。Hislegwas——"
　　"Pedigreeunknown，"wrotethepostmaster；then，"Whatclassesareyouenteringhimfor？"
　　"Classes？"repeatedLinkdully。"Why，Ijustwanttoputhimintothatcontestfor’bestdawg，’yousee。He——"
　　"Holdon!"interposedthepostmasterimpatiently。"Youdon’tcatchtheidea。Ineachbreedthereareacertainnumberofclasses：’Puppy，’’Novice，’’Limit，’’Open，’andsoon。Thedogsthatgetablueribbon——that’sfirstprize——intheseclassesallhavetoappearinwhatiscalledthe’WinnersClass。’Thenthedogthatgets’Winner’s’——thedogthatgetsfirstprizeinthis’Winners’Class’——competesforbestdogofhisbreedintheshow。
　　Afterthat——asa’special’——thebestinallthedifferentbreedsarebroughtintothering。Andthedogthatwinsinthatfinalclassisadjudgedthe’bestintheshow。’He’sthedoginthisparticularshowthatwillgetColonelMarden’shundred—dollarcashprize。SeewhatImean？"
　　"Ye—es，"repliedLink，afterdigestingcarefullywhathehadheard。"Iguessso。But——"
　　"Sinceyou’venevershownyourdogbefore，"wentonthepostmaster，beginningtowarmwithprofessionalinterest，"youcanenterhiminthe’NoviceClass。’That’sgenerallytheeasiest。Ifhelosesinthat，noharm’sdone。Ifhewinshehasachancelaterinthe’Winners’Class。’I’mmailingmyentryto—nighttothecommittee。Ifyoulike，I’llsendyoursalongwithit。Givemeadollar。"
　　WhileLinkextractedagreasydollarbillfromhispocket，thepostmasterfilledintheclassspacewiththeword"Novice。"
　　"Thanksforhelpin’meout，"saidFerris，gratefulforthelift。
　　"That’sallright，"returnedthepostmaster，pocketingthebillandfoldingtheblank，ashepreparedtoendtheinterviewbymovingaway。"BesuretohaveyourdogatthegateleadingintotheCraigswoldCountryClubgroundspromptlyatteno’clockonLaborDay。Ifyoudon’tgetacardandatagsenttoyou，beforethen，tellyournametotheclerkatthetablethere，andhe’llgiveyouanumber。Tieyourdogtothestallwiththatnumberonit，andbesuretohavehimreadytogointotheringwhenhisnumberiscalled。That’sall。"
　　"Thanks!"saidLink，again。"An’nowIguessI’llgobackhomean’commencebrightenin’Chumup，aweepeckle，onhistricks。
　　MaybeI’llhavetimetolearnhimsomenewones，too。Iwanthimtomakeahitwiththemjudges，an’everything。"
　　"Tricks？"scoffedthepostmaster，pausingashestartedtowalkaway。"Dogsdon’tneedtricksintheshowring。Allyouhavetodoistoleadyourdogintothering，andparadehimroundwiththerestofthemtillthejudgetellsyoutostop。Thenhe’llmakethemstandontheshowplatformwhileheexaminesthem。Thedog’sonly’tricks’aretostandandwalkathisbest，andtolookalert，sothejudgecanseetheshapeofhisearsandgethisexpression。Teachyourdogtowalkaroundwithyou，ontheleash，withouthangingback，andtoprickuphisearsandstandatattentionwhenyoutellhimto。That’sallheneedstodo。Thejudgewilldotherest。Havehimcleanandwellbrushed，ofcourse。"
　　"I——Isurefeelbittersorryforthereotherdawgsattheshow!"
　　mumbledLink。"Ahundreddollars!Ofallthedawgsthateverhappened，Chummieisthatone!Why，thereain’tathinghecan’tdo，fromherdin’sheeptowinnin’awadofsoftmoney!An’——an’
　　he’sallMINE。"
　　CHAPTERIII。TheOrdealBydawnonLaborDayLinkFerriswasastir。AseriesofdiscomfitingbathsandrepeatedcurryingwiththedandybrushhadmadeChum’sgrandcoatstandoutinshimmeringfluffiness。A
　　courseofcarefully—conductedcircularpromenadesontheendofachainhadtaughtthedogtowalkgailyandunrestrainedlyinleash。Andanyofseveralcrypticwords，relatingtohypotheticalrats，andsoforth，werequiteenoughtosenduphisears。
　　ItwassheerexcitementthatbroughtLinkbroadawakebeforesunriseonthatdayofdays。Ferriswasinfectedwiththemostvirulentformofthatweirdmaladyknownas"dog—showitis。"Atfirsthehadbeentemptedsolelybythehopeofwinningthehundred—dollarprize。Butlatterlytheurgeofvictoryhadgottenintohisblood。Andheyearned，too，tolettheworldseewhatamarvelousdogwashis。
　　Hehurriedthroughthemorningchores，thendressedhimselfinhisshabbybestandhitchedhishorsetotheantiquatedConcordbuggy——avehiclehehadbeenwashingforthestateoccasionalmostasvehementlyashehadscrubbedChum。
　　Afteragobbledbreakfast，Ferrismountedtotheseatoftheagedbuggy，signaledChumtoleaptothebatteredcushionathissideandsetoffforCraigswold。Longbeforeteno’clockhishorsewassafelystabledattheCraigswoldlivery，andFerriswasleadingChumproudlythroughthewicketgateleadingintothecountry—clubgrounds。
　　Allhappenedasthepostmasterhadforetold。Theclerkatthewicketaskedhimhisname，fumbledthroughaledgerandapileofenvelopesandpresentlyhandedFerrisanumberedtag。
　　"Sixty—five，"readtheclerkforLink’sbenefit。"That’sdownattheextremeright。Almostthelastbenchtotheright。"
　　IntothehallowedprecinctLinkpilotedthemuch—interestedChum。
　　Therehepausedforadazzledinstant。Theputtinggreenandthefore—lawninfrontofthefield—stoneclubhousehadbeencoveredwithamassofwoodenalleyways，eachlinedwithadoublerowofstallsabouttwofeetfromtheground，carpetedwithstrawandhavingindividualzincwatertroughsinfrontofthem。Innearlyeveryoneofthese"benches"wastiedadog。
　　ThereweremoredogsthanLinkFerrishadseenbeforeinallhisquasi—doglesslife。Andallofthemseemedtobebarkingoryelping。Thedinwasegregious。Alongthealleyways，menandwomeninsportclothesweredrifting，insurveyofthechainedexhibits。Inacentralspaceamongthelinesofbencheswasalargesquareenclosure，ropedoffexceptforoneaperture。Inthemiddleofthisspace，whichLinkrightlyguessedtobethejudgingring，stoodaverylowwoodenplatform。Atonesideoftheringwereachairandatable，wheresatastewardinaPalmBeachsuit，fussilyturningovertheleavesofaledgerandassortingaheapofhigh—packedandvari—coloredribbons。
　　Link，mindfulofinstructions，boretotherightinsearchofastalllabeled"65。"Ashewent，henotedthatthedogswerebenchedinsuchawaythateachbreedhadasectiontoitself。
　　Thus，whilehewasstillsomedistanceawayfromhisdesignatedbench，hesawthathewascomingintoasectionofdogswhich，ingeneralaspect，resembledChum。Abovethisaggregation，asoverothers，hungaletteredsign。Andthisespecialsignread"CollieSection。"
　　SoChumwasa"collie"——whateverthatmightbe。Linktookittobeafancytermfor"birddog。"Hehadseenthewordbeforesomewhere。Andherememberednowthatithadbeenintheadvertisementthatofferedseventy—fivedollarsforthereturnofalost"sable—and—whitecollie。"Yes，andDominieJansenhadsaid，"sable"meant"black。"Linkfeltaglowofreliefthattheadvertisementhadnotsaid"abrown—and—whitecollie。"
　　Chumwasviewinghisnewsurroundingswithmuchattention，lookingupnowandthenintohismaster’sfaceastheymovedalongtheracketyline——asthoughtogainreassurancethatallwaswell。
　　Toahigh—strungandsensitivedogashowisaterrificordeal。
　　ButChum，likethearistocrathewas，boreitspreliminarieswithdebonaircalm。
　　ArrivingatBench65inthecolliesection，Linkenthronedhisdogthere，fasteningthechain’sfreeendtoaringinthestall’scorner。Then，afterseeingthatthewaterpanwaswhereChumcouldreachitincasehewerethirstyandthatthestrawmadeacomfortablecouchforhim，Ferrisoncemorepattedtheworrieddogandtoldhimeverythingwasallright。AfterwhichLinkproceededtotakeasurveyoftheneighboringcollies，thesixteendogswhichweretobeChum’scompetitors。
　　Hisfirstappraisingglanceofthedoublerowofcolliescausedthefurrowbetweenhiseyestovanishandbroughtagrinofcomplacentsatisfactiontohisthinlips。Forhedidnotseeasingleentrantthat，inhiseyes，seemedtohaveaghostofachanceagainsthisidolizedpet——notadogashandsomeorwithhalfthelookofintelligenceorwiththeproudlygaybearingofChum。
　　Ofthesixteenothercolliesthemajorityweresablesofdiversshades。Therewerethreetricolorsandtwomist—huedmerles。Overnearlyallthesection’soccupantsaswarmofownersandhandlerswerejustnowbusywithbrushandcloth。Forwordhadcomethatcolliesweretobethesecondbreedjudgedthatday。ThefirstbreedwastobetheGreatDanes。AstherewerebutthreeDanesintheshow，theirjudgingwouldbebrief。Anditbehoovedthecollies’attendantstohavetheirentriesready。
　　Link，followingtheexampleofthosearoundhim，tookfromhispocketthemoltingdandybrushandsettoworkoncemoreonChum’scoat。Heobservedthattherestwerebrushingtheirdogs’
　　furagainstthegrain，tomakeitfluffup。Andhereversedhisownformerprocessinimitationofthem。Hehadsupposeduntilnowthatacollie’shair，likeaman’s，oughttobeslickeddownsmoothforstateoccasions。AndittroubledhimtofindthatChum’scoatrebelledagainstsuchtreatment。Now，underthereverseprocess，itstoodoutinwavyfreedom。
　　Attheadjoiningstalltotheleftadecidedlyprettygirlwaswatchingagroomputthefinishingtouchestothetoiletofhertricolorcollie。Linkheardherexclaiminprotestasthegroomremovedfromthedog’scollarahugecerisebowshehadjustaffixedthere。
　　"Sorry，Miss，"Ferrisheardthegroomexplain，"butit’saginrulesforadogtogointheringwitharibbonon。Ifthejudgethinkshe’sgoodenoughforaribbonhe’llawardhimone。But——"
　　"Oh，hesimplycan’thelpawardingonetoMorven，here!"brokeinthegirl。"CANhe，Stokes？"
　　"Hardtosay，Miss，"answeredthegroomimperturbably，ashewroughtwithbrushandcloth。"Judgeshastheirownideas。We’llhavetohopeforthebestforhimandnotbetoosickifhegetsgated。"
　　"Gated？"echoedthegirl——anevidentnewcomertotherealmofshowdom。
　　"Yes，Miss，"expoundedthegroom。"’Gated’means’shownthegate。’Somejudgesthinsoutaclassthatway，bysendingthepoorestdogsoutoftheringfirst。Thenagain，somejudges——"
　　"Oh，I’mgladIworethisdress!"sighedthegirl。"ItgoessowellwithMorven’scolor。Perhapsthejudge——"
　　"Excuseme，Miss，"putinthegroom，tryingnottolaugh，"butthecolliejudgeto—dayisFredLeightonhebredthegreatHowgillRival，youknow——andwhenLeightonisinthering，hehasn’tgoteyesforanythingbutthedogsthemselves。Beggingyourpardon，hewouldn’tnoticeifyouwastowearahorseblanket。Atthat，Leighton’sthesquarestandthebest——"
　　"Look!"whisperedthegirl，whoseattentionhadwanderedandwhoserovinggazehadsettledonChum。"Lookatthatdoginthenextbench。Isn’themagnificent？"
　　Linkswelledwithprideatthelowspokenpraise。Andturningawaytohidehissatisfaction，hesawthatquiteasizableknotofspectatorshadgatheredinfrontofChum’sbench。Theywereinspectingthecolliewithmanifestapproval。Chum，embarrassedbytheunaccustomednotice，hadmovedasfaraspossiblefromhisadmirers，andwasnuzzlinghisheadintoFerris’shandforrefuge。
　　"PuppyClass，MaleScotchCollies!"dronedaringattendant，appearingforamomentatthefarendofthesection。Numbers60，61，62。"
　　Threeyoungsters，ranginginagefromseventoelevenmonths，werecoaxeddownfromtheirstrawcouchesbythreeexcitedownersandwereconvoyedfussilytowardthering。
　　"NoviceClassnext，Miss，"Linkheardthegroomsayingtothegirlattheadjoiningbench。"Gothisringleashready？"
　　"Ringleash!"ThiswasanewonetoFerris。Hiseyesfollowedthetrioofpuppiesshufflingringward。Hesawthatallthreewereonleatherleashesandthattheirchainshadbeenleftinthestalls。Presumablytherewasalawagainstchainsinthering。
　　AndLinkhadnoleash。
　　Foraninstanthewasinaquandary。Thenhisbrowcleared。True，hehadnoleash。Yet，ifchains，likebowsofribbon，werebarredfromthering，hecouldmaneuverChumeverybitaswellwithhisvoiceaswithanyleash。Sothatproblemwassolved。
　　Aminutelater，thethreepupsreappearedattheendofthesection。Andbehindthemcametheattendant，intoning：
　　"NoviceClass，MaleScotchCollies!Numbers64，65，66，67。"
　　TherewasanabsurdthrobbinginLinkFerris’smeridian。HiscallousedhandsshookasheunchainedChumandmotionedhimtoleapfromthebenchtotheground。
　　Chumobeyed，butwithevidentuneasiness。Hisoddsurroundingsweregettingonthecollie’snerves。Linkbentoverhim，underpretenseofgivinghimafarewellrubwiththebrush。
　　"It’sallright，Chummie!"hecroonedsoothingly。"It’sallRIGHT!I’mhere。An’nobody’sgoin’tobotheryounone。You’rea—helpin’mewinthathundred。An’you’relettin’thesegold—shirtfolksseewhataclam’gorgeousdawgyoube!Comealong，ol’friend!"
　　Underthecomfortofhisgod’svoice，Chum’snervousnessfled。
　　Safeinhissublimetrustthathismasterwouldletnoharmbefallhim，thecollietrottedtowardtheringatFerris’sheels。
　　ThreeothernovicedogswerealreadyintheringwhenLinkarrivedatthenarrowopening。Thestewardwassittingatthetableasbefore。Atthecornerofthering，alongsidetheplatform，stoodamanintweeds，unlightedpipeinmouth，half—shutshrewdeyesstudyingthedogsastheyfiledinthroughthegapintheropes。TheinscrutableeyesflickeredeversolittleatsightofChum，butatonceresumedtheirformerdisinterestedgaze。
　　"Walkclose!"whisperedLinkastheparadestarted。
　　Chum，hearingacommandhehadlongsincelearned，rangedhimselfatFerris’ssideandpacedmajesticallyintheprocessionoffour。Twooftheothernovicedogswerestrainingattheirleashes；thethirdwashangingbackandpawingfranticallytobreakaway。Chum，unleashed，guidedonlybythevoice，dreweveryeyetohimbyhisrarebeautyandhisloftyself—possession。
　　Buthewasnotallowedtofinishtheparade。SteppinguptoFerris，JudgeLeightontappedhimonthearm。
　　"Takeyourdogovertothatcorner，"heordered，"andkeephimthere。"
　　Linkfoughtbackayearningtopunchthejudge，andsurlilyheobeyedthemandate。Intohismemoryjumpedthethingsthegroomhadsaidaboutadogbeing"gated。"IfthatjudgethoughtforonesecondthatanyofthosemuttscouldholdacandletoChum——。
　　Againheyearnedtoenforcewithhistwowillingfistshisopinionofthejudge。
　　But，ashewellknew，tostartafightinthisplutocraticassemblagewouldmeanajailterm。Andinsuchcase，whatwouldbefallthedesertedChum？Forthedog’ssakeherestrainedhimself，andhebegantoedgesurreptitiouslytowardtheringexit，withaviewtoslidingoutunperceivedwithhissplendid，underrateddog。
　　ButFerrisdidnotreachthegateunchecked。
　　JudgeLeightonhadendedtheparadeandhadstoodthethreedogs，onebyoneandthentwoatatime，ontheplatformwhilehestudiedthem。Thenhehadcrossedtothetableandpickedupthejudgingbookandfourribbons——oneblue，onered，oneyellowandonewhite。Threeoftheseribbonshehandedtothethreecontestants’handlers。
　　ThenhesteppedacrosstheringtowhereFerriswasedginghiswaytowardtheexit；andhandedLinktheremainingribbon。Itwasdarkblue，withgiltlettering。
　　LeightondidnotsomuchassubjectChumtothehandlingandcloseinspectionhehadlavishedonthethreeothers。Oneexpertglancehadtoldthejudgethatthedark—sablecollie，ledbythisloutishcountryman，wasbetterfittedtocleanupprizesatMadisonSquareGardenthantoappearinasocietydogshowintheNorthJerseyhinterland。
　　LeightonhadviewedChum，asaboredmusician，listeningtothepiano—anticsofdefectivechildren，mighthaveregardedtheplayingofadisguisedPaderewski。Wherefore，hehadwavedthedogtoonesidewhilehejudgedthelesserentrants，andthenhadgivenhimthemeritedfirst—prizeribbon。
　　Link，inadazeofbliss，stalkedbacktothebench；withChumcaperingalongathisside。ThequeersixthsenseofacollietoldChumhisgodwasdeliriouslyhappy，andthatChumhimselfhadsomehowhadashareinmakinghimso。Hencethedog’sformergloomypacingchangedtoaseriesofecstaticlittledancesteps，andhekeptthrustinghiscoldmuzzleintothecupofFerris’spalm。
　　AgainBench65wassurroundedbyanadmiringclumpofspectators。
　　ChumandLinkviedeachotherintheiricyaloofnesstowardtheseadmirers。Butwithadifference。
　　Chumwasunaffectedlybotheredbysomuchunwelcomeattentionfromstrangers。Ferris，ontheotherhand，reveledintheknowledgethathisbelovedpetwasthecenterofmoreadulationthanwasanyotherdoginallthesection。
　　Classafterclasswenttobejudged。LinkwassorryhehadnotspentmoremoneyandenteredChumineveryclass。Theinitialvictoryhadgonetohishead。Hehadnotknownhecouldbesoserenelyhappy。Afterawhile，hestartedupattheattendant’sdroningannouncementof，"Winners’Class，MaleScotchCollies!Numbers62，65，68，70，73!"
　　AgainLinkandChumsetoutforthering。Link’sgleehadmergedintoanall—consumingnervousness，comparableonlytoamaidenhunter’s"buckague。"Chum，oncemoresensingFerris’sstateofmind，losthisowngladbuoyancyandpacedsolemnlyalongside，peeringworriedlyupintoLink’sfaceateveryfewsteps。
　　Allfiveentrantsfiledintotheringandbegantheirparade。
　　Leighton，inviewoftheimportanceofthiscrowningevent，didnotsingleoutanyonedog，asbefore，tostandtooneside；nordidhegateany。Hegaveownersandspectatorstheirfulldue，byathoroughinspectionofallfivecontestants。Butasaresultofhisexamination，heendedthesuspensebyhandingLinkFerrisapurplerosette，whereonwasblazonedingiltthelegend，"Winners。"
　　Asalvoofhandclapsgreetedtheeminentlyjustdecision。AndChumleftthering，tofindascoreofgratulatoryhandsstretchedforthtopathim。Quitealittlecrowdescortedhimbacktohisbench。
　　AdozenpeoplepickedacquaintancewithLink。Theyaskedhimallsortsofquestionsastohisdog。Linkmademonosyllabicandnoncommittalrepliestoallofthese——evenwhenthegreatCol。
　　CyrusMardenhimselfdeignedtocomeovertothecolliesectionandstareatChum，accompanyinghisscrutinywithavolleyorpatronizinginquiries。
　　FromthebystandersLinklearnedsomethingofrealinterest——namely，thatoneofthe"specials"wasabigsilvercup，tobeawardedto"bestcollieofeithersex"；andthatafterthefemalesshouldhavebeen，judged，thewinningfemaleandChummustappearintheringtogethertocompeteforthistrophy。
　　Sureenough，inlessthanthirtyminutesChumwassummonedtothering。There，awaitinghim，wasadaintyandtemperamentalmerle，oftheTazewellstrain。Exquisiteandhigh—bredaswasthisfemalecompetitor，JudgeLeightonwastedlittletimeontheexaminationbeforegivingFerrisatricoloredribbon，whosepossessionentitledhimtooneoftheshimmeringsilvermugsinthenear—bytrophycase。
　　Afterreceivingfullassurancethatthebigcupshouldbehisatthecloseoftheshow，LinkreturnedtoChum’sbenchinecstasyandsatdownbesidehistireddog，withonearmthrownlovinglyroundthecollie’sruff。Chumnestledagainsthistriumphantmaster，asLinkfondledhisbunchofribbonsandwentover，mentally，everymoveofhistriumphalmorning。
　　ThemillingandchanginggroupsofspectatorsinfrontofBench65didnotdwindle。Indeed，asthemorningwenton，theyincreased。Peoplekeptcomingbacktothebenchandbringingotherswiththem。Someofthesepeoplewhisperedtogether。Somemerelystaredandwentaway。SomeaskedFerriscarefullywordedquestions，towhichtheshylyhappymountaineerrepliedwithsheepishgrunts。
　　Thelongperiodofjudgingcameatlasttoanend。Andthe"BestDoginShow"specialwascalled。
　　IntotheringFerrisescortedChum，amidamultitudeoffellowwinners，representingonemaleorfemaleofeverybreedexhibited。Leightonandanotherjudgestoodinthering’scenter，andaroundthembillowedtheheterogeneousarray。ThetwowentattheirGargantuantaskwithanexpertswiftness。Mercilessly，dogafterdogwasweededoutandgated。Atlast，Chumandtwootherswereallremainingofthemanywhichhadthrongedthering。Thespectatorswerebanked，fivedeepandbreathless，roundtheropes。
　　Thetwojudgeswentintobriefexecutivesessioninonecorner。
　　ThenLeightoncrossedtoLink，forthefourthtimethatday，andgavehimthegaudyrosettewhichproclaimedChum"bestdogintheshow。"Aroarofapplausewentup。Linkfeltdizzy——andnumb。
　　Then，withagaspofrapture，hestoopedandgatheredtheboredChuminhislongarms，inabearlike，ecstatichug。
　　"Wedoneit，Chummie!"hechortled。"WEDONEIT!"
　　Stillinadaze，hefollowedthestewardtothetrophycase，wherehereceivednotonlytheshiningsilvercup，buta"sovereignpurse，"whereinwereensconcedtenten—dollargoldpieces。
　　Itwasalladream——awonderdreamfromwhichpresentlyhemustawaken。Linkwascertainofthat。Butwhilethegoldendreamlasted，heknewthenamelessjoysofparadise。
　　Chumcloseathisside，hemadehiswaythroughthecongratulatingcrowdtowardtheoutergateofthecountryclubgrounds。Hehadalmostreachedthewicketwhensomeonetouchedhim，withunnecessaryfirmness，ontheshoulder。
　　Notrelishingthefamiliarity，Linkturnedascowlingvisageontheinterrupterofhistriumphalhomewardprogress。Athiselbowstoodastockily—builtman，dressedwithsevereplainness。
　　"You’reLincolnFerris？"queriedthestranger，moreasifstatingaggressivelyafactthanmakinganinquiry。
　　"Yep，"saidLink，crossatthisannoyingbreak—inuponhistranceofhappiness。"Whatd’j’want？"headded。
　　"Pleasestepbacktotheclubhouseaminutewithme，"returnedthestranger，civillyenough，butwiththesamebossyfirmnessinhistonethathadjarredFerrisinhistouch。"Oneortwopeoplewanttospeaktoyou。Bringalongyourdog。"
　　Linkglowered。Hefanciedheknewwhatwasinstore。SomeoftheultraselecthadgatheredintheholyinterioroftheclubhouseandwantedaprivateviewofChum，unsulliedbythenoisypresenceofthecrowdoutside。TheywouldtalkpatronizinglytoLink，andperhapseventrytocoaxhimintosellingChum。ThethoughtdecidedFerris。
　　"I’mgoin’home!"hesaidroughly。
　　"You’recomingwithme，"contradictedthemaninthatsamequietvoice，butslippinghismusculararmintoLink’s。
　　Withhisotherhandheshiftedthelapelofhiscoat，displayingapolicebadgeonitsreverse。Stillavoidinganyoutwardappearanceofforce，heturnedabout，withhisarmlockedinFerris’sandstartedtowardtheclubhouse。
　　"Here!"expostulatedpoorLink，withallatruemountaineer’shorrorofthepolice。"What’sallthis？Iain’tbrokenolaw!
　　I——"
　　AnuglygrowlfromChumpunctuatedhisscaredplea。Notingtheterrorinhismaster’stoneandthegripofthestrangeronLink’sarm，Chumhadspunroundtofacethetwo。
　　Thecollie’seyeswerefixedgrimlyupontheplainclothesman’stemptinglythickthroat。OnecornerofChum’supperlipwascurledback，displayingabusinesslikeifsnowyfang。Hisheadwaslowered。Deepinhisfurrythroatasuccessionoflegatogrowlswereborn。
　　Theplain—clothesmanknewmuchaboutdogs。Heknew，forexample，thatwhenadogholdshisheadhighandbarksthereisnospecialdangertobefearedfromhim。Buthealsoknewthatwhenadoglowershisheadandgrowls，showinghiseyetooth，hemeansbusiness。
　　Andthemanshrankfromthemenace。Onehandcreptbackinstinctivelytowardhishippocket。
　　Linksawthepurelyinvoluntarygesture，andheshookinhisboots。ItwasthusaHamptonconstablehadoncereachedbackwhenastraycursnappedathim。Andthatconstablehadcompletedthemovementbydrawingapistolandshootingthecur。Perhapsthisnon—uniformedstrangermeanttodothesamething。
　　"Holdon!"beggedLink，interveningbetweenthemanandthedog。
　　"I’llgoalongwithyoupeaceful。Quit，Chum!It’sallright!"
　　Thedogstilllookedundecided。Hedidnotlikethisnewnoteinhisgod’svoice。Butheobeyedtheinjunction，andfellintostepatLink’ssideasusual。Ferrissufferedhimselftobepiloted，unresisting，throughthetatteredremnantofthecrowdanduptheclubhousesteps。
　　Therehisconductorledhimthroughthesacredportalsanddownawidehallwaytothedoorofacommitteeroom。Throwingopenthedoor，heusheredinhiscaptiveandthedog，enteringbehindthemandreclosingtheheavydoor。
　　Intheroom，roundatable，satseveralpersons——allmenexceptone。TheexceptionwasthegirlwhosecolliehadhadthebenchnexttoChum’s。Atthetablehead，lookingverymagisterialindeed，satColonelMarden。Besidehimloungedalargerandoldermaninaplaidsportsuit。
　　Link’sescortrangedhisprisonersatthefootofthetable；ChumstandingtightagainstFerris’sknee，asiftoguardhimfrompossibleharm。LinkstoodgloweringinsullenperplexityattheColonel。Mardenclearedhisvoicepompously，thenspoke。
　　"Ferris，"hebeganwithmuchimpressiveness，"Iamamagistrateofthiscounty——asyouperhapsknow。YoumayconsideryourselfbeforetheBarofJustice，andreplytomyquestionsaccordingly。"
　　Awedbythisthunderedpreamble，Ferrismadeshifttomutter：
　　"Iain’tbrokenolaws。Whatd’j’wantofme，anyhow？"
　　"Firstofall，"proceededMarden，"wheredidyougetthatdog？"
　　"Chumhere？"saidFerris。"Why，Icomeacrosthim，earlylastspring，onthepatchofstateroad，jes’outsideofHampton。Hewasa—layin’inaditch，withhislegbust。Throwedoff’naauto，Ifiggeredit。Itookhimhomean’——"
　　Hepaused，asthesport—suitedmannexttoMardennoddedexcitedlytothegirlandthenwhisperedtotheColonel。
　　"Youtookhimhome？"pursuedMarden。"Couldn’tyouseehewasavaluabledog？"
　　"Ic’dseehewasasufferin’an’dyin’dawg，"retortedLink。"I
　　c’dseehewasagoner，’lessItookhimhomean’’tendedhim。Ifyou’reaimin’atfindin’outwhyIwentonkeepin’himafterthat，Idonesobecausenooneclaimedhim。Iputupnotices’bouthim。Iputoneupatthepost—officehere，too。I——"
　　"Hedid!"interruptedthegirl。"That’strue!Isawit。Only——thenoticesaiditwasabirddog。That’swhywedidn’tfollowitup。
　　He——"
　　"MissGault，"suggestedMardeninloftyreproof，"supposeyouleavetheinterrogatorytome，ifyouplease？Yes，Irecollectthatnotice。Myattentionwascalledtoitatthetime。But，"
　　againaddressingLink，"whydidyoucall’GlenmuirCavalier’a’BIRDdog’？Wasittothrowusoffthetrackor——"
　　"Don’tknownoWhat’s—His—NameCav’lier!"snappedFerris。"Thisdawg’snameisChum。Likeyouc’nseeinmyentryblank，what’slayin’onthetableinfrontofyou。Iadv’tisedChumasabirddawgbecauseIs’posedheWASabirddawg。Iain’tasharpondawgs。He’sthefustoneeverIhad。Ifheain’tabirddawg，’tain’tmyfault。Helooksmorelikeonethanlike’totherbreedsI’dseen。SoIcalledhimone。"
　　"Thereisnoneedtoraiseyourvoiceatme!"rebukedthecolonel。"Iamdisposedtoacceptyourexplanation。Butifyoureadthelocalpapersyoumusthaveseen——"
　　"Ididread’em，"saidFerris。"Iread’emsteadyforamonthormore，toseewastherewasadv’tisementferalostdawg。Naryanadv’tisementdidIseeexcep’onefera’sable’collie。’Sable’
　　means’black。’Iknow，becauseourdominietoldmeso。Iaskedhim，whenIseethatpieceinthepaper。Chumain’tblack，nornowheresnearblack。SoIknoweditcouldn’tbehim。Whatd’j’
　　wantofme，anyhow？"hedemandedoncemore。
　　"Again，Iamdisposedtocredityourexplanation，"boomedthecolonel，frowningdownarippleofgigglesthathaditsriseinMissGault。"AndIamdisposedtoacquityouofconsciouslydishonestintent。Iamgladtodoso。Hereisthesituation：
　　Earlylastspring，Mr。Gault，"indicatingthesport—suitwearerathisleft，"boughtfromthefamousGlenmuirCollieKennels，ontheHudson，anunusuallyfineyoungcollie——adogforwhichconnoisseurspredictedagreatfutureintheshowring。Hepurchaseditasagiftforhisdaughter，MissMarionGault。"
　　Heinclinedhisheadslightlytowardthegirl；thenproceeded：
　　"AsMr。Glenmuirwasdisbandinghiskennel，Mr。Gaultwasabletosecurethedog——GlenmuirCavalier。HestartedforCraigswold，withthedogontherearseatofthecar。Atfirsthekeptahandonthedog’scollar，butasthecolliemadenoattempttoescape，hesoonturnedaround——hewasinthefrontseat——andpaidnomoreattentiontohim。JustoutsideofSuffern，helookedback——tofindCavalierhaddisappeared。Headvertised，andmadeallpossibleeffortstolocatethedog。Buthecouldgetnoclewtohim，untilto—day。Seeingthisdogofyoursintheshowring，herecognizedhimatonce。"
　　Thepompouslyboomingvoice，withitsstilteddiction，ceased。
　　AlleyeswereuponLinkFerris。Themountaineer，stungtolifebythesilenceandthemultiplegaze，cameoutofhistranceofshock。
　　"Then——then，"hestuttered，forcingthewordsfromathroatsandedbysuddendread，"thenChumrightlyb’longstothisman？"
　　"Quiteso!"assentedMarden，insomerelief。"Iamgladyougraspthepointsoreadily。Mr。Gaulthastalkedthematteroverwithme，andheistakingaremarkablybroadandgenerousviewofthecaseifImaysayso。Heisnotonlywillingthatyoushouldkeepthecupandthecashprizewhichyouhavewonto—day，butheisalsoreadytopaytoyoutheseventy—fivedollarrewardheofferedforthereturnofGlenmuirCavalier。Irepeat，thisstrikesmeasmostgener——"
　　"NO!"yelledLink，aspasmofforeseenlonelinesssweepingoverhim。"NO!!Hecan’thavehim!Nobodycan!WhyChum’smydawg!
　　I’velearnedhimtofetchcowsan’shakehandsan’——an’
　　everything!An’hedrugmeout’nthelake，whenIwasa—drowndin’!An’hedoneaheapmore’nthatferme!He’sdrugmeuptomyfeet，out’nwuthlessness，too；an’he’slearnedmethatlivin’iswuthwhile!He’smy——my——he’smydawg!"hefinishedlamely，hisscaredeyessweepingthecircleoffacesinpanicappeal。
　　"Thatwilldo，Ferris!"coldlyexhortedthecolonel。"Wewishnosceneshere。YouwilltakethisseventyfivedollarcheckwhichMr。Gaulthassokindlymadeoutforyou，andyouwillgo。"
　　"Leavin’Chumbehind？"babbledFerris，aghast。"Notleavin’Chumbehind？PLEASEnot!"
　　Hepulledhimselftogetherwithaneffortthatdrovehisnailsbitinglyintohispalmsandlefthisfacegray。Hesawtheuselessnessofpleadingwiththesepeopleofpolishediron，whocouldnotunderstandhisfearfulloss。ForthesakeofChum——forthesakeoftheself—respectingmanhehimselfhadbecome——hewouldnotlethimselfgotopieces。Forcinghisshakenvoicetoadrysteadiness，headdressedtheuneasilysquirmingGault。
　　"Whatd’j’youpayforChumwhenyouboughthimoff’nthatHudsonRiverfeller——thatGlenmuirchap？"hedemanded。
　　"Why，asamatteroffact，"respondedGault，"asColonelMardenhastoldyou，Icouldn’thavehopedtogetsuchapromisingcollieatanypriceit——"
　　"Whatd’j’youpayforhim？"insistedLink，hisvoiceharshandunconsciouslydomineeringasavaguenewhopedawnedonhistroubledmind。
　　"Ipaidsixhundreddollars，"answeredGaultshortly，inannoyanceattheboor’smanner。
　　"Good!"approvedLink，"Thatgivesussuthin’togoon。I’llpayyousixhundreddollarsferhimback。Thishundreddollarsingoldan’thisyersilvercupan’sevendollarsmoreIgotwithme——tobindthebargain。An’asecondmortgageonmyfarmfertherest。Ferasmuchoftherest，"heamended，"asIain’tgotreadycashfor。"
　　Inhisstarkearnestness，Link’sroughvoicesoundedmorehectoringandunpleasantthanbefore。Gault，unusedtosuchtalkfromthealleged"peasantry，"resolvedtocutshortthehaggling。
　　"Sellforsixhundredadogthat’scleanedup’bestintheshow？’"herasped。"No，thankyou。LeightonsaysCavalierwillgofar。Oneman，tenminutesago，offeredmeathousandforhim。"
　　"Athousan’？"repeatedFerris，scaredatthemagnitudeofthesum——then，rallying，heasked：
　　"WhatWILLyouletmehavehimfer，then？Setaprice，can’tyou？"
　　"Thedogisnotforsale，"curtlyrepliedGault，busyinghimselfwiththelightingofacigarette。