seen by any wakeful member of the family.

That one quick sweep revealed to his gaze the shiny brown bag a
half-dozen feet ahead of him, still swinging several inches above
ground. He flung himself forward at it; refusing to believe he
also saw that queer double glow of pale light just above. He
dived for the satchel with the speed and the accuracy of a
football tackle. And that was all the good it did him.

Perhaps there is something in nature more agile and dismayingly
elusive than a romping young collie. But that "something" is not
a mortal man. As the thief sprang, Lad sprang in unison with him;
darting to the left and a yard or so backward. He came to an
expectant standstill once more; his tail wildly vibrating, his
entire furry body tingling with the glad excitement of the game.
This sportive visitor of his was a veritable godsend. If only he
could be coaxed into coming to play with him every night--!

But presently he noted that the other seemed to have wearied of
the game. After plunging through the air and landing on all fours
with his grasping hands closing on nothingness, the man had
remained thus, as if dazed, for a second or so. Then he had felt
the ground all about him. Then, bewildered, he had scrambled to
his feet. Now he was standing, moveless, his lips working.

Yes, he seemed to be tired of the lovely game;--and just when
Laddie was beginning to enter into the full spirit of it. Once in
a while, the Mistress or the Master stopped playing, during the
romps with the flannel doll. And Laddie had long since hit on a
trick for reviving their interest. He employed this ruse now.