Themugwaswornanddented:abovethetwinedinitials，G。L。，wasthecrestofafootlessbirdandthemotto:\"Wayteawhyle——wayteawhyle。\"
\"That\'stheotherendoftheriddle，\"Sophiewhispered，whenhesawherthatevening。\"Readhernote。TheEnglishwritebeautifulnotes。\"
Thewarmestofwelcomestoyourlittleman。Ihopehewillappreciatehisnativelandnowhehascometoit。Thoughyouhavesaidnothingwecannot，ofcourse，lookonhimasalittlestranger，andsoIamsendinghimtheoldLashmarchristeningmug。IthasbeenwithussinceGregoryLashmar，yourgreat-grandmother\'sbrother——
Georgestaredathiswife。
\"Goon，\"shetwinkled，fromthepillows——
mother\'sbrother，soldhisplacetoWalter\'sfamily。Weseemtohaveacquiredsomeofyourhouseholdgodsatthattime，butnothingsurvivesexceptthemugandtheoldcradle，whichIfoundinthepotting-shedandamhavingputinorderforyou。IhopelittleGeorge——Lashmar，hewillbetoo，won\'the？——willlivetoseehisgrandchildrencuttheirteethonhismug。
Affectionatelyyours，ALICECONANT。
P。S——Howquietyou\'vekeptaboutitall!
\"Well，I\'m——\"
\"Don\'tswear，\"saidSophie。\"Badfortheinfantmind。\"
\"Buthowintheworlddidshegetatit？HaveyoueversaidawordabouttheLashmars？\"
\"Youknowtheonlytime——toyoungIgguldenatRocketts——whenIgguldendied。\"
\"Yourgreat-grandmother\'sbrother!She\'stracedthewholeconnection——morethanyourAuntSydneycoulddo。Whatdoesshemeanaboutourkeepingquiet？\"
Sophie\'seyessparkled。\"I\'vethoughtthatouttoo。We\'vegotbackattheEnglishatlast。Can\'tyouseethatshethoughtthatwethoughtmymother\'sbeingaLashmarwasoneofthosethingswe\'dexpecttheEnglishtofindoutforthemselves，andthat\'simpressedher？\"Sheturnedthemuginherwhitehands，andsighedhappily。\"\'Wayteawhyle——wayteawhyle。\'That\'snotabadmotto，George。It\'sbeenworthit。\"
\"ButstillIdon\'tquitesee——\"
\"Ishouldn\'twonderiftheydon\'tthinkourcomingherewaspartofadeep-laidschemetobenearourancestors。They\'dunderstandthat。Andlookhowthey\'veacceptedus，allofthem。\"
\"Arewesoundesirableinourselves？\"Georgegrunted。
\"Bejust，melord。ThatwretchedSangresmanhastwiceourmoney。
CanyouseeMarmConantslappinghimbetweentheshoulders？Notbyajugful!Thepoorbeastdoesn\'texist!\"
\"Doyouthinkit\'sthatthen？\"Helookedtowardthecotbythefirewherethegodlingsnorted。
\"TheminuteIgetwellIshallfindoutfromMrs。ClokewhateveryLashmargivesindolesthat\'snicerthantipseverytimeaLashmiteisborn。I\'vedonemydutythusfar，butthere\'smuchexpectedofme。\"
EnteredhereMrs。Cloke，andhungworshippingoverthecot。Theyshowedherthemugandherfaceshone。\"Oh，nowLadyConant\'ssentit，it\'llbeallproper，ma\'am，won\'tit？\'George\'ofcoursehe\'dhavetobe，butseein\'whatheiswewashopin\'——allyourpeoplewashopin\'——it\'udbe\'Lashmar\'too，andthat\'udjustrounditout。Avery\'andsomemugquiteunique，Ishouldimagine。
\'Wayteawhyle——wayteawhyle。\'That\'struewiththeLashmars，I\'veheard。Veryslowtofilltheirhouses，theyare。MostlikeMasterGeorgewon\'topen\'isnurserytillhe\'sthirty。\"
\"Poorlamb!\"criedSophie。\"ButhowdidyouknowmyfolkwereLashmars？\"
Mrs。Clokethoughtdeeply。\"I\'msureIcan\'tquitesay，ma\'am，butI\'veabelieflikelythatitwassomethingyoumayhaveletdroptoyoungIgguldenwhenyouwasatRocketts。Thatmayhavebeenwhatgiveusaninkling。An\'soitcameout，onethinginthewayo\'talkleadingtoanother，andthoseAmericanpeopleatVeeringHollerwasveryobligin\'withnews，I\'mtold，ma\'am。\"
\"GreatScott!\"saidGeorge，underhisbreath。\"Andthisisthesimplepeasant!\"
\"Yiss，\"Mrs。Clokewenton。\"An\'Clokewasonlywonderin\'thisafternoon——yourpillow\'sslippedmydear，youmustn\'tliethata-way——justforthesakeo\'sayin\'something，whetheryouwouldn\'tthinkwellnowofgettingtheLashmarfarmsback，sir。
Theydon\'trightlyroundoffSirWalter\'sestate。Theycomecaterin\'acrossusmore。Cloke，\'e\'udbegladtoshowyouoveranyday。\"
\"ButSirWalterdoesn\'twanttosell，doeshe？\"
\"Wecanfindoutfromhisbailiff，sir，but\"——withcoldcontempt——\"Ithinkthattrainednurseisjustcomin\'upfromherdinner，so\'mafraidwe\'ll\'avetoaskyou，sir……Now，MasterGeorge——Ai-ie!Wakealittyminute，lammie!\"
AfewmonthslaterthethreeofthemweredownatthebrookintheGaleAnsteywoodstoconsidertherebuildingofafootbridgecarriedawaybyspringfloods。GeorgeLashmarChapinwantedallthebluebellsonGod\'searththatdaytoeat，and——Sophieadoredhiminavoiceliketothecooingofadove；sobusinesswasdelayed。
\"Here\'stheplace，\"saidhisfatheratlastamongthewaterforget-me-nots。\"Butwherethedeucearethelarch-poles，Cloke？
Itoldyoutohavethemdownhereready。\"
\"We\'llget\'emdowniffyousayso，\"Clokeanswered，withathrustoftheunderliptheybothknew。
\"ButIdidsayso。Whatonearthhaveyoubroughtthattimber-tugherefor？Wearen\'tbuildingarailwaybridge。Why，inAmerica，half-a-dozentwo-by-fourbitswouldbeample。\"
\"Idon\'tknownothin\'aboutthat，\"saidCloke。
\"An\'I\'venothin\'tosayagainstlarch——IFyouwanttomakeatemp\'ryjobofit。Iain\'t\'eretotellyouwhatisn\'tso，sir；
an\'youcan\'tsayIevercomecreepin\'uponyou，ortryin\'toleadyoufurtherinthanyousetout——\"
AyearagoGeorgewouldhavedancedwithimpatience。Nowhescrapedalittlemudoffhisoldgaiterswithhisspud，andwaited。
\"AllIsayisthatyoucanputuplarchandmakeatemp\'ryjobofit；andbythetimetheyoungmaster\'smarriedit\'llhavetobedoneagain。Now，I\'vebroughtdownacoupleofassweetsix-by-eightoaktimbersaswe\'veeverdrawed。Youput\'eminan\'
it\'soffyourmindorgoodan\'all。T\'otherway——Idon\'tsayitain\'tright，I\'monlyjustsayin\'whatIthink——butt\'otherway，he\'llnosoonerbemarriedthanwe\'lllaveitalltodoagain。
You\'venocalltoregardmywords，butyoucan\'tgetoutofthat。\"
\"No，\"saidGeorgeafterapause；\"I\'vebeenrealisingthatforsometime。Makeitoakthen；wecan\'tgetoutofit。\"
THERECALL
Iamthelandoftheirfathers，Inmethevirtuestays；
Iwillbringbackmychildren，Aftercertaindays。
UndertheirfeetinthegrassesMyclingingmagicruns。
Theyshallreturnasstrangers，Theyshallremainassons。
OvertheirheadsinthebranchesOftheirnew-bought，ancienttrees，Iweaveanincantation，Anddrawthemtomyknees。
Scentofsmokeintheevening，Smellofraininthenight，Thehours，thedaysandtheseasonsOrdertheirsoulsaright；
TillImakeplainthemeaningOfallmythousandyearsTillIfilltheirheartswithknowledge，WhileIfilltheireyeswithtears。
GARM——AHOSTAGE
0nenight，averylongtimeago，IdrovetoanIndianmilitarycantonmentcalledMianMirtoseeamateurtheatricals。AtthebackoftheInfantrybarracksasoldier，hiscapoveroneeye，rushedinfrontofthehorsesandshoutedthathewasadangeroushighwayrobber。Asamatteroffact，hewasafriendofmine，soItoldhimtogohomebeforeanyonecaughthim；buthefellunderthepole，andIheardvoicesofamilitaryguardinsearchofsomeone。
ThedriverandIcoaxedhimintothecarriage，drovehomeswiftly，undressedhimandputhimtobed，wherehewakednextmorningwithasoreheadache，verymuchashamed。Whenhisuniformwascleanedanddried，andhehadbeenshavedandwashedandmadeneat，Idrovehimbacktobarrackswithhisarminafinewhitesling，andreportedthatIhadaccidentallyrunoverhim。Ididnottellthisstorytomyfriend\'ssergeant，whowasahostileandunbelievingperson，buttohislieutenant，whodidnotknowusquitesowell。
Threedayslatermyfriendcametocall，andathisheelsslobberedandfawnedoneofthefinestbull-terriers——oftheold-fashionedbreed，twopartsbullandoneterrier——thatIhadeverseteyeson。Hewaspurewhite，withafawn-colouredsaddlejustbehindhisneck，andafawndiamondattherootofhisthinwhippytail。Ihadadmiredhimdistantlyformorethanayear；
andVixen，myownfox-terrier，knewhimtoo，butdidnotapprove。
\"\'E\'sforyou，\"saidmyfriend；buthedidnotlookasthoughhelikedpartingwithhim。
\"Nonsense!Thatdog\'sworthmorethanmostmen，Stanley，\"Isaid。
\"\'E\'sthatandmore。\'Tention!\"
Thedogroseonhishindlegs，andstooduprightforafullminute。
\"Eyesright!\"
Hesatonhishaunchesandturnedhisheadsharptotheright。Atasignheroseandbarkedthrice。Thenheshookhandswithhisrightpawandboundedlightlytomyshoulder。Herehemadehimselfintoanecktie，limpandlifeless，hangingdownoneithersideofmyneck。Iwastoldtopickhimupandthrowhimintheair。Hefellwithahowl，andhelduponeleg。
\"Parto\'thetrick，\"saidhisowner。\"You\'regoingtodienow。
Digyourselfyourlittlegravean\'shutyourlittleeye。\"
Stilllimping，thedoghobbledtothegarden-edge，dugaholeandlaydowninit。Whentoldthathewascured，hejumpedout，wagginghistail，andwhiningforapplause。Hewasputthroughhalf-a-dozenothertricks，suchasshowinghowhewouldholdamansafeIwasthatman，andhesatdownbeforeme，histeethbared，readytospring，andhowhewouldstopeatingatthewordofcommand。Ihadnomorethanfinishedpraisinghimwhenmyfriendmadeagesturethatstoppedthedogasthoughhehadbeenshot，tookapieceofblue-ruledcanteen-paperfromhishelmet，handedittomeandranaway，whilethedoglookedafterhimandhowled。Iread:
SIR——Igiveyouthedogbecauseofwhatyougotmeoutof。HeisthebestIknow，forImadehimmyself，andheisasgoodasaman。Pleasedonotgivehimtoomuchtoeat，andpleasedonotgivehimbacktome，forI\'mnotgoingtotakehim，ifyouwillkeephim。Sopleasedonottrytogivehimbackanymore。Ihavekepthisnameback，soyoucancallhimanythingandhewillanswer。butpleasedonotgivehimback。Hecankillamanaseasyasanything，butpleasedonotgivehimtoomuchmeat。Heknowsmorethanaman。
Vixensympatheticallyjoinedhershrilllittleyaptothebull-terrier\'sdespairingcry，andIwasannoyed，forIknewthatamanwhocaresfordogsisonething，butamanwholovesonedogisquiteanother。Dogsareatthebestnomorethanverminousvagrants，self-scratchers，foulfeeders，anduncleanbythelawofMosesandMohammed；butadogwithwhomonelivesaloneforatleastsixmonthsintheyear；afreething，tiedtoyousostrictlybylovethatwithoutyouhewillnotstirorexercise；apatient，temperate，humorous，wisesoul，whoknowsyourmoodsbeforeyouknowthemyourself，isnotadogunderanyruling。
IhadVixen，whowasallmydogtome；andIfeltwhatmyfriendmusthavefelt，attearingouthisheartinthisstyleandleavingitinmygarden。However，thedogunderstoodclearlyenoughthatIwashismaster，anddidnotfollowthesoldier。AssoonashedrewbreathImademuchofhim，andVixen，yellingwithjealousy，flewathim。Hadshebeenofhisownsex，hemighthavecheeredhimselfwithafight，butheonlylookedworriedlywhenshenippedhisdeepironsides，laidhisheavyheadonmyknee，andhowledanew。ImeanttodineattheClubthatnight；
butasdarknessdrewin，andthedogsnuffedthroughtheemptyhouselikeachildtryingtorecoverfromafitofsobbing，I
feltthatIcouldnotleavehimtosufferhisfirsteveningalone。Sowefedathome，Vixenononeside，andthestranger-dogontheother；shewatchinghiseverymouthful，andsayingexplicitlywhatshethoughtofhistablemanners，whichweremuchbetterthanhers。
ItwasVixen\'scustom，tilltheweathergrewhot，tosleepinmybed，herheadonthepillowlikeaChristian；andwhenmorningcameIwouldalwaysfindthatthelittlethinghadbracedherfeetagainstthewallandpushedmetotheveryedgeofthecot。
Thisnightshehurriedtobedpurposefully，everyhairup，oneeyeonthestranger，whohaddroppedonamatinahelpless，hopelesssortofway，allfourfeetspreadout，sighingheavily。
Shesettledherheadonthepillowseveraltimes，toshowherlittleairsandgraces，andstruckupherusualwhineysing-songbeforeslumber。Thestranger-dogsoftlyedgedtowardme。Iputoutmyhandandhelickedit。InstantlymywristwasbetweenVixen\'steeth，andherwarningaaarh!saidasplainlyasspeech，thatifItookanyfurthernoticeofthestrangershewouldbite。
Icaughtherbehindherfatneckwithmylefthand，shookherseverely，andsaid:
\"Vixen，ifyoudothatagainyou\'llbeputintotheverandah。
Now，remember!\"
Sheunderstoodperfectly，buttheminuteIreleasedhershemouthedmyrightwristoncemore，andwaitedwithherearsbackandallherbodyflattened，readytobite。Thebigdog\'stailthumpedthefloorinahumbleandpeace-makingway。
IgrabbedVixenasecondtime，liftedheroutofbedlikearabbitshehatedthatandyelled，and，asIhadpromised，setheroutintheverandahwiththebatsandthemoonlight。Atthisshehowled。Thensheusedcoarselanguage——nottome，buttothebullterrier——tillshecoughedwithexhaustion。Thensheranroundthehousetryingeverydoor。Thenshewentofftothestablesandbarkedasthoughsomeonewerestealingthehorses，whichwasanoldtrickofhers。Lastshereturned，andhersnuffingyelpsaid，\"I\'llbegood!LetmeinandI\'ll\'begood!\"
Shewasadmittedandflewtoherpillow。WhenshewasquietedI
whisperedtotheotherdog，\"Youcanlieonthefootofthebed。\"
Thebulljumpedupatonce，andthoughIfeltVixenquiverwithrage，sheknewbetterthantoprotest。Soweslepttillthemorning，andtheyhadearlybreakfastwithme，biteforbite，tillthehorsecameroundandwewentforaride。Idon\'tthinkthebullhadeverfollowedahorsebefore。Hewaswildwithexcitement，andVixen，asusual，squealedandscutteredandscooted，andtookchargeoftheprocession。
Therewasonecornerofavillagenearby，whichwegenerallypassedwithcaution，becausealltheyellowpariah-dogsoftheplacegatheredaboutit。
Theywerehalf-wild，starvingbeasts，andthoughuttercowards，yetwherenineortenofthemgettogethertheywillmobandkillandeatanEnglishdog。Ikeptawhipwithalonglashforthem。
ThatmorningtheyattackedVixen，who，perhapsofdesign，hadmovedfrombeyondmyhorse\'sshadow。
Thebullwasploughingalonginthedust，fiftyyardsbehind，rollinginhisrun，andsmilingasbull-terrierswill。IheardVixensqueal；halfadozenofthecursclosedinonher；awhitestreakcameupbehindme；acloudofdustrosenearVixen，and，whenitcleared，Isawonetallpariahwithhisbackbroken，andthebullwrenchinganothertoearth。Vixenretreatedtotheprotectionofmywhip，andthebullpaddledbacksmilingmorethanever，coveredwiththebloodofhisenemies。Thatdecidedmetocallhim\"GarinoftheBloodyBreast，\"whowasagreatpersoninhistime，or\"Garm\"forshort；so，leaningforward，Itoldhimwhathistemporarynamewouldbe。HelookedupwhileIrepeatedit，andthenracedaway。Ishouted\"Garin!\"Hestopped，racedback，andcameuptoaskmywill。
ThenIsawthatmysoldierfriendwasright，andthatthatdogknewandwasworthmorethanaman。AttheendoftherideIgaveanorderwhichVixenknewandhated:\"Goawayandgetwashed!\"I
said。Garinunderstoodsomepartofit，andVixeninterpretedtherest，andthetwotrottedofftogethersoberly。WhenIwenttothebackverandahVixenhadbeenwashedsnowy-white，andwasveryproudofherself，butthedog-boywouldnottouchGarmonanyaccountunlessIstoodby。SoIwaitedwhilehewasbeingscrubbed，andGarm，withthesoapcreamingonthetopofhisbroadhead，lookedatmetomakesurethatthiswaswhatI
expectedhimtoendure。Heknewperfectlythatthedog-boywasonlyobeyingorders。
\"Anothertime，\"Isaidtothedog-boy，\"youwillwashthegreatdogwithVixenwhenIsendthemhome。\"
\"Doesheknow？\"saidthedog-boy，whounderstoodthewaysofdogs。
\"Garm，\"Isaid，\"anothertimeyouwillbewashedwithVixen。\"
IknewthatGarmunderstood。Indeed，nextwashing-day，whenVixenasusualfledundermybed，Garmstaredatthedoubtfuldog-boyintheverandah，stalkedtotheplacewherehehadbeenwashedlasttime，andstoodrigidinthetub。
Butthelongdaysinmyofficetriedhimsorely。Wethreewoulddriveoffinthemorningathalf-pasteightandcomehomeatsixorlater。Vixenknowingtheroutineofit，wenttosleepundermytable；buttheconfinementateintoGarm\'ssoul。HegenerallysatontheverandahlookingoutontheMall；andwellIknewwhatheexpected。
SometimesacompanyofsoldierswouldmovealongontheirwaytotheFort，andGarmrolledforthtoinspectthem；oranofficerinuniformenteredintotheoffice，anditwaspitifultoseepoorGarm\'swelcometothecloth——nottheman。Hewouldleapathim，andsniffandbarkjoyously，thenruntothedoorandbackagain。
OneafternoonIheardhimbaywithafullthroat——athingIhadneverheardbefore——andhedisappeared。WhenIdroveintomy
Ipretendednottonotice，butGarmknewandVixenknew。Hewouldglidehomewardsfromtheofficeaboutfouro\'clock，asthoughhewereonlygoingtolookatthescenery，andthishedidsoquietlythatbutforVixenIshouldnothavenoticedhim。Thejealouslittledogunderthetablewouldgiveasniffandasnort，justloudenoughtocallmyattentiontotheflight。GarmmightgooutfortytimesinthedayandVixenwouldneverstir，butwhenheslunkofftoseehistruemasterinmygardenshetoldmeinherowntongue。ThatwastheonesignshemadetoprovethatGarmdidnotaltogetherbelongtothefamily。Theywerethebestoffriendsatalltimes，but，VixenexplainedthatIwasnevertoforgetGarmdidnotlovemeasshelovedme。
Ineverexpectedit。Thedogwasnotmydogcouldneverbemydog——andIknewhewasasmiserableashismasterwhotrampedeightmilesadaytoseehim。Soitseemedtomethatthesoonerthetwowerereunitedthebetterforall。OneafternoonIsentVixenhomealoneinthedog-cartGarmhadgonebefore，androdeovertocantonmentstofindanotherfriendofmine，whowasanIrishsoldierandagreatfriendofthedog\'smaster。
Iexplainedthewholecase，andwoundupwith:
\"AndnowStanley\'sinmygardencryingoverhisdog。Whydoesn\'thetakehimback？They\'rebothunhappy。\"
\"Unhappy!There\'snosenseinthelittlemananymore。But\'tishisfit。\"
\"Whatishisfit？Hetravelsfiftymilesaweektoseethebrute，andhepretendsnottonoticemewhenheseesmeontheroad；andI\'masunhappyasheis。Makehimtakethedogback。\"
\"It\'shispenancehe\'ssethimself。Itoldhimbywayofajoke，aftheryou\'drunoverhimsoconvenientthatnight，whinhewasdrunk——IsaidifhewasaCatholiche\'ddopenance。Offhewentwidthatfitinhislittleheadan\'adoseoffever，annothin\'
wouldsuitbutgivin\'youthedogasahostage。\"
\"Hostageforwhat？Idon\'twanthostagesfromStanley。\"
\"Forhisgoodbehaviour。He\'skeepin\'straightnow，thewayit\'snopleasuretoassociatewidhim。\"
\"Hashetakenthepledge？\"
\"If\'twasonlythatIneednotcare。Yecantakethepledgeforthreemonthsonan\'off。Hesezhe\'llneverseethedogagain，an\'somarkyou，he\'llkeepstraightforevermore。Yeknowhisfits？Well，thisiswanofthem。How\'sthedogtakin\'it？\"
\"Likeaman。He\'sthebestdoginIndia。Can\'tyoumakeStanleytakehimback？\"
\"IcandonomorethanIhavedone。Butyeknowhisfits。He\'sjustdoin\'hispenance。WhatwillhedowhenhegoestotheHills？Thedoctor\'sputhimonthelist。\"
ItisthecustominIndiatosendacertainnumberofinvalidsfromeachregimentuptostationsintheHimalayasforthehotweather；andthoughthemenoughttoenjoythecoolandthecomfort，theymissthesocietyofthebarracksdownbelow，anddotheirbesttocomebackortoavoidgoing。Ifeltthatthismovewouldbringmatterstoahead，soIleftTerrencehopefully，thoughhecalledafterme\"Hewon\'ttakethedog，sorr。Youcanlayyourmonth\'spayonthat。Yeknowhisfits。\"
IneverpretendedtounderstandPrivateOrtheris；andsoIdidthenextbestthingIlefthimalone。
ThatsummertheinvalidsoftheregimenttowhichmyfriendbelongedwereorderedofftotheHillsearly，becausethedoctorsthoughtmarchinginthecoolofthedaywoulddothemgood。TheirroutelaysouthtoaplacecalledUmballa，ahundredandtwentymilesormore。ThentheywouldturneastandmarchupintothehillstoKasauliorDugshaiorSubathoo。Idinedwiththeofficersthenightbeforetheyleft——theyweremarchingatfiveinthemorning。ItwasmidnightwhenIdroveintomygarden，andsurprisedawhitefigureflyingoverthewall。
\"Thatman，\"saidmybutler，\"hasbeenheresincenine，makingtalktothatdog。Heisquitemad。\"
Ididnottellhimtogoawaybecausehehasbeenheremanytimesbefore，andbecausethedog-boytoldmethatifItoldhimtogoaway，thatgreatdogwouldimmediatelyslayme。HedidnotwishtospeaktotheProtectorofthePoor，andhedidnotaskforanythingtoeatordrink。\"
\"KadirBuksh，\"saidI，\"thatwaswelldone，forthedogwouldsurelyhavekilledthee。ButIdonotthinkthewhitesoldierwillcomeanymore。\"
Garmsleptillthatnightandwhimperedinhisdreams。Oncehesprangupwithaclear，ringingbark，andIheardhimwaghistailtillitwakedhimandthebarkdiedoutinahowl。Hehaddreamedhewaswithhismasteragain，andInearlycried。ItwasallStanley\'ssillyfault。
Thefirsthaltwhichthedetachmentofinvalidsmadewassomemilesfromtheirbarracks，ontheAmritsarroad，andtenmilesdistantfrommyhouse。ByamerechanceoneoftheofficersdrovebackforanothergooddinnerattheClubcookingonthelineofmarchisalwaysbad，andthereImethim。Hewasaparticularfriendofmine，andIknewthatheknewhowtoloveadogproperly。HispetwasabigfatretrieverwhowasgoinguptotheHillsforhishealth，and，thoughitwasstillApril，theround，brownbrutepuffedandpantedintheClubverandahasthoughhewouldburst。
\"It\'samazing，\"saidtheofficer，\"whatexcusestheseinvalidsofminemaketogetbacktobarracks。There\'samaninmycompanynowaskedmeforleavetogobacktocantonmentstopayadebthe\'dforgotten。IwassotakenbytheideaIlethimgo，andhejingledoffinanekkaaspleasedasPunch。Tenmilestopayadebt!Wonderwhatitwasreally？\"
\"Ifyou\'lldrivemehomeIthinkIcanshowyou，\"Isaid。
Sohewentovertomyhouseinhisdog-cartwiththeretriever；
andonthewayItoldhimthestoryofGarm。
\"Iwaswonderingwherethatbrutehadgoneto。He\'sthebestdogintheregiment，\"saidmyfriend。\"Iofferedthelittlefellowtwentyrupeesforhimamonthago。Buthe\'sahostage，yousay，forStanley\'sgoodconduct。Stanley\'soneofthebestmenIhavewhenhechooses。\"
\"That\'sthereasonwhy，\"Isaid。\"Asecond-ratemanwouldn\'thavetakenthingstoheartashehasdone。\"
Wedroveinquietlyatthefarendofthegarden，andcreptroundthehouse。Therewasaplaceclosetothewallallgrownaboutwithtamarisktrees，whereIknewGarmkepthisbones。EvenVixenwasnotallowedtositnearit。InthefullIndianmoonlightI
couldseeawhiteuniformbendingoverthedog。
\"Good-bye，oldman，\"wecouldnothelphearingStanley\'svoice。
\"For\'Eving\'ssakedon\'tgetbitandgomadbyanymeaslypi-dog。
Butyoucanlookafteryourself，oldman。Youdon\'tgetdrunkan\'
runabout\'ittin\'yourfriends。Youtakesyourbonesan\'youeatsyourbiscuit，an\'youkillsyourenemylikeagentleman。I\'mgoin\'away——don\'t\'owl——I\'mgoin\'offtoKasauli，whereIwon\'tseeyounomore。\"
IcouldhearhimholdingGarm\'snoseasthedogthrewituptothestars。
\"You\'llstayherean\'be\'ave，an\'——an\'I\'llgoawayan\'trytobe\'ave，an\'Idon\'tknow\'owtoleaveyou。Idon\'tknow——\"
\"Ithinkthisisdamnsilly，\"saidtheofficer，pattinghisfoolishfubsyoldretriever。Hecalledtotheprivate，wholeapedtohisfeet，marchedforward，andsaluted。
\"Youhere？\"saidtheofficer，turningawayhishead。
\"Yes，sir，butI\'mjustgoin\'back。\"
\"Ishallbeleavinghereateleveninmycart。Youcomewithme。
Ican\'thavesickmenrunningaboutfallovertheplace。Reportyourselfateleven，here。\"
Wedidnotsaymuchwhenwewentindoors，buttheofficermutteredandpulledhisretriever\'sears。
Hewasadisgraceful，overfeddoormatofadog；andwhenhewaddledofftomycookhousetobefed，Ihadabrilliantidea。
Ateleveno\'clockthatofficer\'sdogwasnowheretobefound，andyouneverheardsuchafussashisownermade。Hecalledandshoutedandgrewangry，andhuntedthroughmygardenforhalfanhour。
ThenIsaid:
\"He\'ssuretoturnupinthemorning。Sendamaninbyrail，andI\'llfindthebeastandreturnhim。\"
\"Beast？\"saidtheofficer。\"IvaluethatdogconsiderablymorethanIvalueanymanIknow。It\'sallveryfineforyoutotalk——yourdog\'shere。\"
Soshewas——undermyfeet——and，hadshebeenmissing，foodandwageswouldhavestoppedinmyhousetillherreturn。Butsomepeoplegrowfondofdogsnotworthacutofthewhip。MyfriendhadtodriveawayatlastwithStanleyinthebackseat；andthenthedog-boysaidtome:
\"WhatkindofanimalisBullenSahib\'sdog？Lookathim!\"
Iwenttotheboy\'shut，andthefatoldreprobatewaslyingonamatcarefullychainedup。Hemusthaveheardhismastercallingfortwentyminutes，buthadnotevenattemptedtojoinhim。
\"Hehasnoface，\"saidthedog-boyscornfully。\"Heisapunniar-kooteraspaniel。Henevertriedtogetthatclothoffhisjawswhenhismastercalled。NowVixen-babawouldhavejumpedthroughthewindow，andthatGreatDogwouldhaveslainmewithhismuzzledmouth。Itistruethattherearemanykindsofdogs。\"
NexteveningwhoshouldturnupbutStanley。TheofficerhadsenthimbackfourteenmilesbyrailwithanotebeggingmetoreturntheretrieverifIhadfoundhim，and，ifIhadnot，toofferhugerewards。Thelasttraintocampleftathalf-pastten，andStanley，stayedtilltentalkingtoGarm。Iarguedandentreated，andeventhreatenedtoshootthebull-terrier，batthelittlemanwasasfirmasarock，thoughIgavehimagooddinnerandtalkedtohimmostseverely。GarmknewaswellasIthatthiswasthelasttimehecouldhopetoseehisman，andfollowedStanleylikeashadow。Theretrieversaidnothing，butlickedhislipsafterhismealandwaddledoffwithoutsomuchassaying\"Thankyou\"tothedisgusteddog-boy。
Sothatlastmeetingwasover，andIfeltaswretchedasGarm，whomoanedinhissleepallnight。WhenwewenttotheofficehefoundaplaceunderthetableclosetoVixen，anddroppedflattillitwastimetogohome。Therewasnomorerunningoutintotheverandahs，noslinkingawayforstolentalkswithStanley。Astheweathergrewwarmerthedogswereforbiddentorunbesidethecart，butsatatmysideontheseat，Vixenwithherheadunderthecrookofmyleftelbow，andGarmhuggingthelefthandrail。
HereVixenwaseveringreatform。Shehadtoattendtoallthemovingtraffic，suchasbullock-cartsthatblockedtheway，andcamels，andledponies；aswellastokeepupherdignitywhenshepassedlowfriendsrunninginthedust。Sheneveryappedforyapping\'ssake，buthershrill，highbarkwasknownallalongtheMall，andothermen\'sterrierski-yiedinreply，andbullock-driverslookedovertheirshouldersandgaveustheroadwithagrin。
ButGarmcaredfornoneofthesethings。Hisbigeyeswereonthehorizonandhisterriblemouthwasshut。Therewasanotherdogintheofficewhobelongedtomychief。Wecalledhim\"BobtheLibrarian，\"becausehealwaysimaginedvainratsbehindthebookshelves，andinhuntingforthemwoulddragouthalftheoldnewspaper-files。Bobwasawell-meaningidiot，butGarmdidnotencouragehim。Hewouldslidehisheadroundthedoorpanting，\"Rats!ComealongGarm!\"andGarmwouldshiftoneforepawovertheother，andcurlhimselfround，leavingBobtowhineatamostuninterestedback。Theofficewasnearlyascheerfulasatombinthosedays。
Once，andonlyonce，didIseeGarmatallcontentedwithhissurroundings。HehadgoneforanunauthorisedwalkwithVixenearlyoneSundaymorning，andaveryyoungandfoolishartillerymanhisbatteryhadjustmovedtothatpartoftheworldtriedtostealthemboth。Vixen，ofcourse，knewbetterthantotakefoodfromsoldiers，and，besides，shehadjustfinishedherbreakfast。Soshetrottedbackwithalargepieceofthemuttonthattheyissuetoourtroops，laiditdownonmyverandah，andlookeduptoseewhatIthought。IaskedherwhereGarinwas，andsheraninfrontofthehorsetoshowmetheway。
Aboutamileuptheroadwecameacrossourartillerymansittingverystifflyontheedgeofaculvertwithagreasyhandkerchiefonhisknees。Garinwasinfrontofhim，lookingratherpleased。
Whenthemanmovedlegorhand，Garinbaredhisteethinsilence。
Abrokenstringhungfromhiscollar，andtheotherhalfof，itlay，allwarm，intheartilleryman\'sstillhand。Heexplainedtome，keepinghiseyesstraightinfrontofhim，thathehadmetthisdoghecalledhimawfulnameswalkingalone，andwasgoingtotakehimtotheForttobekilledforamasterlesspariah。
IsaidthatGarindidnotseemtomemuchofapariah，butthathehadbettertakehimtotheFortifhethoughtbest。Hesaidhedidnotcaretodoso。ItoldhimtogototheFortalone。Hesaidhedidnotwanttogoatthathour，butwouldfollowmyadviceassoonasIhadcalledoffthedog。IinstructedGarintotakehimtotheFort，andGarmmarchedhimsolemnlyuptothegate，onemileandahalfunderahotsun，andItoldthequarter-guardwhathadhappened；buttheyoungartillerymanwasmoreangrythanwasatallnecessarywhentheybegantolaugh。
Severalregiments，hewastold，hadtriedtostealGarmintheirtime。
Thatmonththehotweathershutdowninearnest，andthedogssleptinthebathroomonthecoolwetbrickswherethebathisplaced。Everymorning，assoonasthemanfilledmybaththetwojumpedin，andeverymorningthemanfilledthebathasecondtime。Isaidtohimthathemightaswellfillasmalltubspeciallyforthedogs。\"Nay，\"saidhesmiling，\"itisnottheircustom。Theywouldnotunderstand。Besides，thebigbathgivesthemmorespace。\"
Thepunkah-coolieswhopullthepunkahsdayandnightcametoknowGarinintimately。HenoticedthatwhentheswayingfanstoppedIwouldcallouttothecoolieandbidhimpullwithalongstroke。IfthemanstillsleptIwouldwakehimup。Hediscovered，too，thatitwasagoodthingtolieinthewaveofairunderthepunkah。MaybeStanleyhadtaughthimallaboutthisinbarracks。Atanyrate，whenthepunkahstopped，Garinwouldfirstgrowlandcockhiseyeattherope，andifthatdidnotwakethemanitnearlyalwaysdid——hewouldtiptoeforthandtalkinthesleeper\'sear。Vixenwasacleverlittledog，butshecouldneverconnectthepunkahandthecoolie；soGaringavemegratefulhoursofcoolsleep。But——hewasutterlywretched——asmiserableasahumanbeing；andinhismiseryheclungsocloselytomethatothermennoticedit，andwereenvious。IfImovedfromoneroomtoanotherGarinfollowed；ifmypenstoppedscratching，Garm\'sheadwasthrustintomyhand；ifIturned，halfawake，onthepillow，Garmwasupandatmyside，forheknewthatIwashisonlylinkwithhismaster，anddayandnight，andnightandday，hiseyesaskedonequestion——\"Whenisthisgoingtoend？\"
LivingwiththedogasIdid，Inevernoticedthathewasmorethanordinarilyupsetbythehotweather，tillonedayattheClubamansaid:\"Thatdogofyourswilldieinaweekortwo。
He\'sashadow。\"ThenIdosedGarinwithironandquinine，whichhehated；andIfeltveryanxious。Helosthisappetite，andVixenwasallowedtoeathisdinnerunderhiseyes。Eventhatdidnotmakehimswallow，andweheldaconsultationonhim，ofthebestman-doctorintheplace；alady-doctor，whocuredthesickwivesofkings；andtheDeputyInspector-GeneraloftheveterinaryserviceofallIndia。Theypronounceduponhissymptoms，andItoldthemhisstory，andGarmlayonasofalickingmyhand。
\"He\'sdyingofabrokenheart，\"saidthelady-doctorsuddenly。
\"\'Ponmyword，\"saidtheDeputyInspectorGeneral，\"IbelieveMrs。Macraeisperfectlyrightasusual。\"
Thebestman-doctorintheplacewroteaprescription，andtheveterinaryDeputyInspector-Generalwentoveritafterwardstobesurethatthedrugswereintheproperdog-proportions；andthatwasthefirsttimeinhislifethatourdoctoreverallowedhisprescriptionstobeedited。Itwasastrongtonic，anditputthedearboyonhisfeetforaweekortwo；thenhelostfleshagain。
IaskedamanIknewtotakehimuptotheHillswithhimwhenhewent，andthemancametothedoorwithhiskitpackedonthetopofthecarriage。Garintookinthesituationatoneredglance。
Thehairrosealonghisback；hesatdowninfrontofmeanddeliveredthemostawfulgrowlIhaveeverheardinthejawsofadog。Ishoutedtomyfriendtogetawayatonce，andassoonasthecarriagewasoutofthegardenGarinlaidhisheadonmykneeandwhined。SoIknewhisanswer，anddevotedmyselftogettingStanley\'saddressintheHills。
MyturntogotothecoolcamelateinAugust。Wewereallowedthirtydays\'holidayinayear，ifnoonefellsick，andwetookitaswecouldbespared。MychiefandBobtheLibrarianhadtheirholidayfirst，andwhentheyweregoneImadeacalendar，asIalwaysdid，andhungitupattheheadofmycot，tearingoffonedayatatimetilltheyreturned。VixenhadgoneuptotheHillswithmefivetimesbefore；andsheappreciatedthecoldandthedampandthebeautifulwoodfiresthereasmuchasIdid。
\"Garm，\"Isaid，\"wearegoingbacktoStanleyatKasauli。
Kasauli——Stanley；StanleyKasauli。\"AndIrepeatedittwentytimes。ItwasnotKasaulireally，butanotherplace。StillI
rememberedwhatStanleyhadsaidinmygardenonthelastnight，andIdarednotchangethename。ThenGarmbegantotremble；thenhebarked；andthenheleapedupatme，friskingandwagginghistail。
\"Notnow，\"Isaid，holdingupmyhand。\"WhenIsay\'Go，\'we\'llgo，Garm。\"IpulledoutthelittleblanketcoatandspikedcollarthatVixenalwaysworeupintheHillstoprotectheragainstsuddenchillsandthievingleopards，andIletthetwosmellthemandtalkitover。WhattheysaidofcourseIdonotknow；butitmadeanewdogofGarm。Hiseyeswerebright；andhebarkedjoyfullywhenIspoketohim。Heatehisfood，andhekilledhisratsforthenextthreeweeks，andwhenhebegantowhineIhadonlytosay\"Stanley——Kasauli；Kasauli——Stanley，\"towakehimup。