tood still, he remained standing patiently at his heel, and
never once looked back.

The young man laughed as he took out his sovereign-case.

"Queer chap, Zero. Well, you've won, Mr Smith. Catch!"

Mr Smith caught the sovereign adroitly, and went back into the stable.

"Yes," he said to the cleverest of the black poodles, "I don't know that
I wouldn't sooner he'd taken you."

It was seldom that Smith addressed any of his dogs, except to give an
order. The poodle did not know what to make of it. He whined faintly.

Richard Staines went back to his hotel, with Zero at his heels. He had
his own sitting-room opening into his bedroom at the hotel, and he
intended to keep the dog there at night. This was against the laws of
the hotel; therefore Staines had to pause a few moments in the hall to
get the laws altered. One of the arguments he used was that he would
only be there two days longer, and it would not matter for so short a
time. The other argument was bribery and corruption. After which he and
Zero went up in the lift together.

CHAPTER II

Staines was a partner in succession to his father in an old-established
firm of stockbrokers with a good connection. He had a small flat in St
James's Place, and thither he brought Zero. Zero accepted metropolitan
life philosophically. There was a dingy cat in the basement of St
James's Place, and he was quite willing to make friends with her. He
looked mildly puzzled at her definite assurance that she would kill him
if he came a step nearer. It never occurred to him to attempt to injure
her. But for one slight lapse--he had killed a collie, and cost Staines
compensation--his behaviour was admirable. He was fortunate in having a
master who was fond of outdoor life, and not at all fond of London.
Every week-end, and occasionally on a fine afternoon, if business was
slack, he got away into the country. He never quite seemed to understand
the terror which his appearance inspired in some young or foolish
people. When children rushed from him shrieking, he would look up at his
master as much as to say, "Can you understand this?" And he was careful
not to increase their terror by running after them.

One day in the Park a muddy-faced little girl of six, who feared nothing
at all, came up and patted him, examined his teeth with curious
interest, and finally sat on him. These attentions Zero received with
great joy. Weeks passed, and he had not given the slightest sign of