the several local nurses of the Order won from him a glance of
real approbation.

But presently into his weather-beaten face came an expression of
glad welcome. Out of the mairie gate and into the sleepy warmth
of the street lounged a huge dark-brown-and-white collie. The don
stretched himself lazily, fore and aft, in true collie style,
then stood gazing about him as if in search of something of
interest to occupy his bored attention.

"Hello!" observed Mahan, breaking in on a homily of Vivier's.
"There's Bruce!"

Vivier's leathery face brightened at sound of the collie's name.
He looked eagerly in the direction of Mahan's pointing finger.

"Ce brave!" exclaimed the Frenchman. "I did not know even that he
was in the village. It must be he is but new-arriven. Otherwise
he would, of an assuredly, have hunted up his old friends. Ohe,
Bruce!" he called invitingly.

"The big dog must have gotten here just a few minutes ago," said
Sergeant Mahan. "He was coming out of headquarters when I saw
him. That must mean he's just struck the town, and with a message
for the K.O. He always goes like greased lightning when he's on
dispatch duty, till he has delivered his message. Then, if he's
to be allowed to hang around a while before he's sent back, he
loafs, lazy-like; the way you see him now. If all the courier-
dogs were like him, every human courier would be out of a job."