sir?" demanded Max, adding, "You
have no call to be here. Let go of that bridle and step out of the path
at once."

"I'm not under your orders, bubby," said the tramp with a disagreeable,
mocking laugh.

"These are my father's grounds," said Max, drawing himself up with a
determined air, "and we don't allow tramps and loafers here; so if you
don't let go of that bridle and be off I'll set my dog on you. Here,
Prince, Prince!"

At the sound of the call, answered by a loud bark, and the sight of
Prince's huge form making rapid bounds in his direction, the tramp
released Fairy's bridle, and growling out an oath, turned and made his
way with all celerity toward the public road, leaping the fence that
separated it from Capt. Raymond's grounds, barely in time to escape
Prince's teeth, as he made a dash to seize him by the leg.

"Oh," cried Lulu, drawing a long breath of relief, "what a happy thing
that Prince came running out to meet us!"

"Yes," said Max, "and I hope he has given that fellow a fright that will
keep him from ever coming into these grounds again. If he isn't a
scoundrel his looks certainly belie him very much."

They had held their ponies in check while watching the race between man
and dog, but now urged them forward in haste to reach the house; for the
short winter day was fast closing in.

The captain was standing on the veranda as they rode up.

"You are a trifle late, children," he said, as he stepped to the side of
Fairy and lifted Lulu from the saddle, but his tone was not stern.

"Yes, papa," said Max; "I'm afraid we went a little farther than we
ought; at any rate it took us longer than we expected to reach home
again; and we were detained a minute or two just now, out here in the
grove, by a tramp that caught hold of Fairy's bridle and wouldn't let go
till I called Prince and he showed his teeth."

"What! can it be possible?" cried the captain closing his fingers more
firmly over the hand Lulu had slipped into his, and gazing down into
her face with a look of mingled concern and relief. "It is well indeed
that Lulu was not alone, and that Prince was at hand. Come into the
library and tell me all about it."

He led Lulu in as he spoke, Max following, while a servant took the
ponies to their stable.

Capt. Raymond sat down and drew Lulu to his side, putting an arm
protectingly around her, while Max, standing near, went on to give the
particulars of their encounter with the tramp, Lulu no