expectation. It had been hard to locate the weapon, in all that
tangle of lilac-stems. It had been harder to carry the awkwardly
heavy thing all the way back, in his mouth, without dropping it.
But, if this was the plaything the Master had chosen, Lad was
only too willing to continue the game.

A little choking sound made the collie shift his gaze suddenly to
the Mistress's troubled face. And the light of fun in his eyes
was quenched. The sight of her splendid dog retrieving so
joyously the weapon designed for his death, was almost too much
for the Mistress's self-control.

The effect on the Master was different.

As Wefers made as though to jump forward and grab the pistol, the
Master said sharply

"WATCH it, Laddie!"

Instantly, Lad was on the alert. The game, it seemed, had begun
again, and along sterner lines. He was to guard this
plaything;--particularly from the bearded intruder who was
snatching so avidly for it.

There was a sharp growl, a flash of fierce white teeth, a bound.
One of Lad's snowy little forepaws was on the fallen pistol. And
the rest of Lad's sinewy body was crouching above it, fangs
aglint, eyes blazing with hot menace.

Wefers jerked back his protruding arm, with extreme quickness;