either. Now which of you will volunteer? I'm sure you'll do
it to please me. Mr. Van Bibber, now: you say you're so
clever. We're all the time hearing of your adventures. Why
don't you show how full of expedients you are and rise to the
occasion?" The suggestion of scorn in this speech nettled Van
Bibber.

"I'm sure I never posed as being clever," he said, "and
finding a lost dog with all Long Island to pick and choose
from isn't a particularly easy thing to pull off successfully,
I should think."

"I didn't suppose you'd take a dare like that, Van
Bibber," said one of the men. "Why, it's just the sort of
thing you do so well."

"Yes," said another, "I'll back you to find him if you
try."

"Thanks," said Van Bibber, dryly. "There seems to be a
disposition on the part of the young men present to turn me
into a dog-catcher. I doubt whether this is altogether
unselfish. I do not say that they would rather remain indoors
and teach the girls how to play billiards, but I quite
appreciate their reasons for not wishing to roam about in the
snow and whistle for a dog. However, to oblige the despondent
mistress of this valuable member of the household, I will risk
pneumonia, and I will, at the same time, in order to make the
event interesting to all concerned, back myself to bring that
dog back by eight o'clock. Now, then, if any of you unselfish