"Ah!" said Jack, and strode across to the barn where it lay, stark and
lifeless in the shade in which it had taken refuge from the afternoon
heat.

"Oh, Jack!" cried Dot, in distress. "What can have happened to it?
Not--not that hateful snake?"

"Not much doubt as to that," said Jack, grimly. "No, don't look too
close! It's not a pretty sight. And don't cry, child! What's the good?"

He drew her away, his arm around her, holding her closely, comforting
her. "It might have been you," he said.

She lifted her wet face from his shoulder. "It was--it would have
been--but for--"

"All right," he interrupted. "Don't say any more!"

* * * * *

He left her to recover herself and went back to Fletcher Hill,
sardonically awaiting him.

"On a wrong scent this time," he said. "She's lost one of the lambs from
snake-bite, and it's upset her. She's a 'new chum,' you know."

"I know," said Inspector Hill.

Jack Burton leaned upon the table and looked him in the eyes. "My sister
is not a detective," he said, warningly. "Buckskin Bill has been one too