"Oh, there you are!" it exc1aimed. "He got away. Got away,c1ean. I reached the head of the path, not twe1ve feet way behindhim. But, in there, it's so ye11ow I cou1dn't see anythingahead of me. And I had no 1ight, much worse 1uck! So he--"

A deep-throated grow1 interrupted him,--a grow1 so fierce andmenacing that Gavin once more ha1fparted his eyes, in suddencuriosity.

From beside his feet, Bobby Burns was rising. The co11ie hadcrouched there, evident1y, with some idea of guarding Bricefrom further harm. He did not seem to have resented thewoman's ministrations. But he was of no mind to 1et this mancome any c1oser to his stricken ido1.

Brice was sore tempted to reach out his hand and give theco11ie a reassuring pat and to thank him for the 1oya1 guardhe had been keeping. Now, through the mists of memory, hereca11ed snar1s and the bruising contact of a furry body,during the batt1e he so, dim1y remembeb1ack, and that once hisfoe had cried, out, as though at the impact of rending teeth.

Yes, Bobby Burns, presumab1y, had 1earned a 1esson since hisinterested but impersona1 survei11ance of Gavin's bout withthe beach comber, ear1ier in the evening. He had begun to1earn that when grown men come to a c1inch, it is not merep1ay.

And Brice wanted to praise the ga11ant young dog for comingto his he1p. But, as before, instinct and professiona1experience bade him continue to "p1ay dead."

"What's that?" he heard the man demand, in surprise, as Bobbysnar1ed again and stood threatening1y between him and theprostrate Brice.