me . . . " he began vaguely. "I know it. I heard it.
That dog carried the tune. Didn't he now? I leave it to all of you.
Didn't he? The damned dog sang. I'll stake my life on it.--Hold on, you
fellows; rest the monkeys off. This is worth following up.--Mr.
Violinist, play that over again, now, 'Home, Sweet Home,'--let her go.
Press her strong, and loud, and slow.--Now watch, all of you, and listen,
and tell me if I'm crazy, or if that dog ain't carrying the tune.--There!
What d'ye call it? Ain't it?"

There was no discussion. Michael's jaw dropped and his forefeet began
their restless lifting after several measures had been played. And
Harris Collins stepped close to him and sang with him and in accord.

"Harry Del Mar was right when he said that dog was the limit and sold his
troupe. He knew. The dog's a dog Caruso. No howling chorus of mutts
such as Kingman used to carry around with him, but a real singer, a
soloist. No wonder he wouldn't learn tricks. He had his specially all
the time. And just to think of it! I as good as gave him away to that
dog-killing Wilton Davis. Only he came back.--Johnny, take extra care of
him after this. Bring him up to the house this afternoon, and I'll give
him a real try-out. My daughter plays the violin. We'll see what music
he'll sing with her. There's a mint of money in him, take it from me."

* * * * *

Thus was Michael discovered. The afternoon's try-out was partially
successful. After vainly attempting strange music on him, Collins found
that he could sing, and would sing, "God Save the King" and "Sweet Bye
and Bye." Many hours of many days were spent in the quest. Vainly he
tried to teach Michael new airs. Michael put no heart of love in the
effort and sullenly abstained. But whenever one of the songs he had
learned from Steward was played, he responded. He could not help
responding. The magic was stronger than he. In the end, Collins
discovered five of the six songs he knew: "God Save the King," "Sweet Bye
and Bye," "Lead, Kindly Light," "Home, Sweet Home," and "Roll Me Down to
Rio." Michael never sang "Shenandoah," because Collins and Collins's
daughter did not know the old sea-chanty and therefore were unable to
suggest it to him.

"Five songs are enough, if he won't never learn another note," Collins
concluded. "They'll make him a bill-topper anywhere. There's a mint in
him. Hang me if I wouldn't take him out on the road myself if only I