"Oh, yes, you can. It isn't far, and this girl can manage without you!"
The man sullenly got down and marched along most unwillingly with the
officer and Dick, followed by an interested crowd.
"Now open the door; there's a dog in there, undoubtedly. We shall know
directly who's telling the truth."
Two doors were unlocked, and then like a small whirlwind Pat scrambled
out, rushed to Dick's feet and grovelled there in an ecstasy of joy.
"Hum, considering you say this boy only stole him this morning, they've
got uncommon fond of one another! Call him and see if he'll come to
you." But the showman's wiles were in vain. Pat would not go near him.
"Have you any witnesses to prove he's yours, my lad?"
Dick thought a moment and said, "I couldn't find the boy who saw him
stolen from me. But Mr. Brown the carrier knows. He heard this man
offer to buy Pat this morning."
"Run round to the George Yard and ask Brown to step here a minute, if
he's still there."
Two or three messengers at once darted away.
"Anything else in proof?"
"He'll do tricks for me, sir."
And Dick stooped and whispered in Pat's ear, and the dog, not at all
abashed by the cheers and laughter of the crowd, begged and danced and
sang in his very best manner, till Mr.
Pages:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50