way
he will be," and he ran out, followed by his comrades.

The first person they met was a carpenter with his tools upon his
shoulder.

"Have you seen my dog, my Pixy?" asked Fritz as the three halted and
looked up in his face. "A beautiful, black dog with curly hair on his
neck and shoulders?"

"No, I have seen no black dog," and the boys ran along again, asking
every one they met.

"You are only asking me to plague me," said a cross old woman, not
heeding the tearful eyes of Fritz. "The street boys are getting more
tormenting all the time."

At length a kind-hearted woman told them that she had seen a black dog
on the next street, and they ran in breathless haste to see it, but
alas! it was not Pixy, for while resembling him, it did not recognize
the name of Pixy, nor the voice of Fritz calling it.

"This is my dog, boys! What do you mean by trying to toll him away?"
exclaimed a gentleman, coming to the door of a store; but when Fritz
explained that he had lost his dog, the gentleman believed him and
became a sympathizing friend.

"I will give you the advice to go to the animal asylum," he said. "Stray
dogs and other animals are taken there and good care given them until
the owners claim them."

"Oh, if my Pixy falls in good hands until I can find him," said Fritz.

"I must tell you, boys," continued the gentleman, "that in Frankfort, as
in other cities, there are people who will steal dogs in order to get a
reward. But your dog may only be lost, and the best way will be to put a
notice in the morning paper. Then if he is at the asylum, they will let
you know."

At that moment a well-known voice said, "Good day, doctor, what
important business have you with my young friends?"

It was Uncle Braun who spoke, and the boys were so delighted to see him
that half their trouble seemed to be gone.

"Don't be so distressed, Fritz," he said. "I will put a notice in the
paper saying that a black dog answering to the name of Pixy has strayed
away, and will promise a reward to anyone who will bring him to 37
Bornheimer street. Now run home, boys, and do not keep Mrs. Steiner
anxious about you."

He added to his kindness by going with them as far as number 37, and
when the triplets hurried up the steps, they found Mrs. Steiner on the
porch watching for them. She was sad to see that Pixy was not with them,
but cheered Fritz by saying that Uncle Braun generally succeeded in
what he undertook, and all ate dinner wit