stressed that the boy has run away without bidding us good-bye."

"No, but we are to blame. We were as glad as was Fritz that Pixy was
with us on the way to Frankfort; then when he became a trouble we blamed
Fritz. I wish we could do something now. Perhaps the train has not left
for the Odenwald, and if we go to the depot he may be there, and we can
bring him and Pixy back."

"Oh, you dear boy, to think of this! Yes, go quickly. But hark! I hear a
step on the porch. He is at the hall door. Yes, thank heaven, the boy
has come back of his own free will!" And she ran and opened the door.

"Fritz! Fritz!" she called as she saw the tall form of her brother, and,
clasping his hand, she led him to the sitting-room. "Did you see Fritz
at the station?"

"No, is he not here?"

"He left for home without bidding us good-bye, and it is all on account
of the dog. The boys were just going to the depot to see if he is
there."

"It is no use to go. If he had been there, I would have seen him, and
Pixy would have found me."

"What are we to do about it?"

"Do nothing. It will be an experience for him to be allowed to follow
his own inclination in the matter. He will be surprised when he reaches
home to know that I am here. I am on my way to Cassel on business and
stopped off to see you and my boy."

"But I feel so anxious about him," said his sister. "I would ask the
police to see to it but am ashamed, for I had to apply to them when his
purse was lost, then when his dog was lost and now it would be to tell
them that both dog and boy are gone. Uncle Braun put a notice in the
paper about the dog, and oh dear! there seems to be no end to what that
notice brought;" and she told of the letters and the dog fight.

"I am sorry you bothered about it for there is no need. He can take care
of himself. He is eleven years old, has money in his purse, and is
afraid of nothing, so what is the need of worrying? Yet it may be that
he has not left Frankfort, and if it will be a comfort to you we will
try to find the young rascal. There are two railways which he could take
to go home, so you and the two boys can go to the Eastern station, and I
will go to the other, which will leave us plenty of time to see both
departures for the Odenwald and one of us will catch him if he is there
to be caught. Have you a schedule?"

"No, I have no need of one from one year's end to another. But suppose
he refuses to come back with us?"

"No danger of th