at the Guv’nor and then glared at Minkie. Stifle me, he thought it was some trick she had played on him. But if the head of our family was not much good at business he was in the front row where prompt action was needed.

“Follow me, quick!” he shouted, and made for the door. He was just a second too late. [Pg 33]The tall negro was coming downstairs three at a time. He bounded across the hall and had his hand on the latch just as the Guv’nor rushed at him. Out went the black, out went Mr. Grosvenor after him, with Minkie and Dan a dead heat half a length behind, and Schwartz whipping in. On the level the nigger drew away; but Dan overhauled him at the turn near the clump of rhododendrons, and Dan never makes the mistake of advertising his whereabouts when the matter is serious. So he nailed the make-believe valet by the ankle, and his teeth closed on bone and sinew without ever a sound. Down went the nigger with a crash and a yell. It was pitch dark among the shrubs, but the Old Man groped for him and got a knee in the small of his back, bending his head upwards at the same time by grabbing a handful of wool. That is a good trick. It simply paralyses the other fellow.

[Pg 33]

“I’ve got him,” he shouted, but Schwartz just roared “Help!” at the top of his voice, and kept to the open drive. Minkie heard Dan sawing away, and growling a bit, now; [Pg 34]she closed in, clutched a loose leg that was kicking wildly, and said:

[Pg 34]

“Are you all right, dad?”

“Yes. Tell James to fetch a stable lantern and a rope.”

Minkie wasn’t going to leave her father nor miss any of the fun. She sung out directions, and Jim came along at a gallop. The unfortunate nigger was screaming that the dog was eating him, but, when they had tied his hands behind his back, and Minkie pulled Dan off, he seemed to be more frightened than hurt. Polly told me next day that these black fellows are always weak below the knee joints, however gigantic they may be otherwise.

But the previous excitement was a small affair compared with the row which sprang up when Jim held the lantern so that Schwartz could see the negro’s face.

“Gott in himmel!” he shrieked, in a kind of frenzy, “it’s Prince John.”

“Yes—you thief!” said the prisoner, who seemed to regain his self-possession and his dignity when he set eyes on Schwartz.

 Prev. P 17/79 next