definition; it roots down into nature. I was to learn much.

She was an Australian shepherd. She was of a tawny black and bob-
tailed from birth.

What is the power that lies behind instinct? How far does it go? I
had a notion that the dog would be outside the sinister clutch
that was dragging me under.

Happily Jerome was fond of dogs. He was reading. When I entered
with Queen tugging at the chain he looked up. The dog recognised
the heart of the man; when he stooped to pet her she moved her
stub tail in an effusion of affectionate acceptance. Jerome had
been reading Le Bon's theory on the evolution of force. His
researches after the mystery had led him into the depths of
speculation; he had become quite a scholar. After our first
greeting I unhooked the chain and let Queen have the freedom of
the house. I related what had happened. The detective closed the
book and sat down. The dog waited a bit for further petting; but
missing that she began sniffing about the room. There was nothing
strange about it of course. I myself paid not the slightest
attention. But the detective was watching. While I was telling my
story he was following every movement of the shepherd. Suddenly he
held up one finger. I turned.

It was Queen. A low growl, guttural and suspicious. She was
standing about a foot from the portieres that separated the
library from the other room--where we had lost Watson, and where
Jerome had had his experience with the old lady. Tense and rigid,
one forepaw held up stealthily, her stub tail erect and the hair