never forget his face when he saw the mutilated body of the dog that for years had been his faithful companion. He almost wept, only rage and resentment against the murderer were so strong in him that they thrust grief for the time into the background. The mysterious, incomprehensible manner of the dog's death only added to his anger, for there was apparently no one on whom to wreak his vengeance. The news caused general concern throughout the house, and Ethne was frightfully upset. "Oh, Alister, isn't it awful?" she exclaimed, tears standing in her pretty blue eyes. "Poor, darling Mike!" "Yes," he answered rather absently. "It's most unfortunate. Valuable dog, too, wasn't it?" I walked away. The man's calm, handsome face filled me suddenly with unspeakable revulsion. The atmosphere of the room seemed to become heavy and noisome. I felt compelled to get out into the open to breathe. I found the General tramping up and down the drive in the rain, his chin sunk deep into the collar of his overcoat, his hat pulled low down over his eyes. I joined him without speaking, and in silence we paced side by side for another quarter of an hour. "Uncle Bob," I said abruptly at last, "take my advice. Have one of the hounds indoors tonight--Princep, he's a good watch-dog." The General stopped short in his walk and looked at me. "You've something on your mind, boy. What is it?" "This," I answered grimly. "Whoever, or whatever killed Mike was in the house last night, or got in, after Giles shut up. It may still be there for all we know. In the dark, dark deeds are done, and--well, I think it's wise to take precautions." "Good God, Maurice, if there is any creature in hiding, we'll soon have it out! I'll have the place searched now. But the thing's impossible, absurd!" I shrugged my shoulders. "Then Mike died a natural death?" "Natural?" he echoed fiercely. "Don't talk rubbish!" "In that case," I said quietly, "you'll agree to let one of the dogs sleep in." He gave me a long, troubled, searching look, then said gruffly: "Very well, but don't make any fuss about it. Women are such nervous beings and we don't want to upset anyone." "You needn't be afraid of that," I replied, "I'll manage it all right." There was no further talk of Mike that day. The visitors, seeing how distressed the General was, by tacit consent avoided the subject, but everyone felt the dampening effect. That night, before I retired to my room, I took a lantern, went out to the kennels and brought in Princep, a pure-bred Irish setter. He was a dog of exceptional intelligence, and when I spoke to him, explaining the reason of his presence indoors, he seemed to know instinctively what was required of him. As I passed the study I noticed a light coming from under the door. Somewhat surprised, I 

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