"There, you see how mistaken we were. Dogs are often named Sancho,
especially Spanish poodles, for the original Sancho was a Spaniard,
you know. This dog is not ours, and I'm so sorry."

The boys faces had fallen dismally as their hope was destroyed; but
Ben would not give up, for him there was and could be only one Sancho
in the world, and his quick wits suggested an explanation which no one
else thought of.

"It may be my dog--they color 'em as we used to paint over trick
horses. I told you he was a valuable chap, and those that stole him
hide him that way, else he'd be no use, don't you see, because we'd
know him."

"But the black dog had no tail," began Thorny, longing to be
convinced, but still doubtful.

Ben shivered as if the mere thought hurt him, as he said, in a grim
tone:

"They might have cut Sanch's off."

"Oh, no! no! they mustn't, they wouldn't!"

"How could any one be so wicked?" cried Bab and Betty, horrified at
the suggestion.

"You don't know what such fellows would do to make all safe, so
they could use a dog to earn their living for 'em," said Ben, with