him back, of course."

"I didn't steal it, sir," cried Dick indignantly. "It's my very own.
Come and hear how he barks when I call him."

"Come and let him out at once," said the officer, "and we'll soon
settle the ownership."

"Can't leave the show," muttered the man angrily.

"Oh, yes, you can. It isn't far, and this girl can manage without you!"

The man sullenly got down and marched along most unwillingly with the
officer and Dick, followed by an interested crowd.

"Now open the door; there's a dog in there, undoubtedly. We shall know
directly who's telling the truth."

Two doors were unlocked, and then like a small whirlwind Pat scrambled
out, rushed to Dick's feet and grovelled there in an ecstasy of joy.
"Hum, considering you say this boy only stole him this morning, they've
got uncommon fond of one another! Call him and see if he'll come to
you." But the showman's wiles were in vain. Pat would not go near him.

"Have you any witnesses to prove he's yours, my lad?"

Dick thought a moment and said, "I couldn't find the boy who saw him
stolen from me. But Mr. Brown the carrier knows. He heard this man
offer to buy Pat this morning."

"Run round to the George Yard and ask Brown to step here a minute, if
he's still there."

Two or three messengers at once darted away.

"Anything else in proof?"

"He'll do tricks for me, sir."

And Dick stooped and whispered in Pat's ear, and the dog, not at all
abashed by the cheers and laughter of the crowd, begged and danced and
sang in his very best manner, till Mr. Brown appeared, driving his
carrier's van, for he was just starting again for the homeward journey.
His emphatic testimony settled what nobody doubted, and the officer
prepared to take the showman to the lock-up.

But Dick's only desire was to get away as soon as possible on his
delayed journey, and he begged that nothing more might be said about
prosecution.

So the showman was allowed to go, scowling and muttering, and the crowd
jeered as he went, though more than one present would have been willing
to risk stealing and its penalties for the possession of Pat.

"Best get away at once, and don't let him out of your sight again,"
said the man in blue, kindly. "That dog's too fetching to be on the
road with such a small owner."

"Better both jump up into the van and go back with me to Turningham,"
said carrier Brown. "I want a boy to help with the horse and do odd
jobs about the shop, an