st four or five, I guess."

"And there was nobody about the place all that time?"

"The men were all busy somewhere else. Strangely enough even Jerry,
who usually is on deck, had a telephone call and had to go up to the
big house."

"Oh, he did!"

"Yes. It was funny, too, because it was somebody he didn't know at all
and he couldn't find out what the fellow wanted."

"What's that?" The interrogation was sharp and tense.

"Jerry just said it was some man up in Brockton whom he didn't know
and as he couldn't make head nor tail out of the message he hung up
the receiver. Nobody ever telephones to Jerry. It was queer they
should do it to-day, wasn't it?"

"Very. Did you tell Mr. Crowninshield about it?"

"Oh, no, indeed. He was too busy about Lola to think of anything
else."

"Nevertheless, I would tell him."

"What for? It wouldn't interest him."

"I think it might--a good deal. You tell him. Do you know whether he
has done anything yet or not?"

"No, I don't. I didn't dare ask him what he was going to do."

"I suppose not. Well, I'm glad you got out of this snarl so well, kid.
It's a pity they've lost the dog. You take mighty good care of the
rest of the pups and don't let any more of them disappear."

"I'll try. And Bob----"

"I can't stop to talk any longer now, old chap. So long! If they get a
line on the thief you might ring me up again. I shall be interested.
Good-by."

"Good-by, Bob."

How fair Bob always was, reflected the boy, as he emerged into the
open and made his way back to the kennels. Some brothers would
probably have blurted out, "That's you all over!" or "Trust you to get
into a mess!" But Bob never enjoyed seeing somebody else miserable.
Instead he always tried to make everybody's troubles smaller than they
really were. One could confess one's sins to Bob, knowing that he
would be merciful.

So thought Walter as he sped down the gravel path to greet the
clamoring pack of animals that hungrily awaited his coming.

"Well, old sports!" called he as he turned the key in the lock, "I
guess you are ready for your supper. Wondering where your boss was,
eh? I'm not very late. Only a quarter of an hour. It isn't late enough
to warrant your making such a fuss. Down, Achilles! What's the matter
with you? Anybody'd think you were crazy to see you jumping up and
whining this way. What's got you, old man? Down, I say!"

He pushed the dog from him and started to enter the room where the
food