the great deerhound, was
following close behind him, apparently examining him thoughtfully.

"Lie down, Bruce!" said Kenneth, and the dog dropped into a couching
attitude. "You look fizzing, Max," he said, in a low voice, as his
father walked to the window and peered out.

Max gave him a piteous look, and gladly seated himself, seeming glad of
the shelter of the hanging tablecloth, for, after examining him
wonderingly, Sneeshing suddenly set up his tail very stiffly and uttered
a sharp bark, while Dirk shook his frill out about his neck and uttered
a menacing growl, which to poor Max's ears sounded like, "You miserable
impostor, get out of those things!"

Just then Grant entered with the portion of the breakfast kept back till
Max came down, The Mackhai seated himself, and the breakfast began.

As at previous meals, the host was very much abstracted: when he was not
partaking of his breakfast, he was reading his letters or referring to
the newspaper, leaving the task of entertaining the guest to his son.

"How do you feel now?" said Kenneth.

"Not very comfortable," whispered Max. "May I ask Grant to have a good
search made for my things?"

"Oh no, don't ask him now. It puts him out. You'll be all right, and
forget all about them soon."

"I--I don't think I shall," said Max, as he made a very poor breakfast.

"Oh yes, you will. I say, if I were you, I'd write up to my tailor to
send you down two rigs-out like that. You'll find 'em splendid for
shooting and fishing."

Max shook his head.

"Never mind. Have some of this kipper, it's--"

"Ow!" ejaculated Max, dropping his coffee-cup on the table, so that it
upset, and the brown fluid began to spread, as the lad sprang back from
the table.

"What's the matter?" cried The Mackhai.

"Nothing, sir;--I--that is--that dog--"

Kenneth was seized with a violent fit of laughing and choking, which
necessitated his getting up from the table and being thumped on the back
by Grant; while Dirk, who had been the cause of all the trouble, marched
slowly out from under the table, and stood upon the hearthrug uttering a
low growl, and looking from one to the other of the boys, as if he felt
that they were insulting him.

"Look here, Kenneth, if you cannot behave yourself at table," cried The
Mackhai angrily, "you had better have your meals by yourself."

"I--I--oh dear!--oh, oh, oh! I beg your pardon, father, I--oh, I say,
Max, don't look like that, or you'll ki