d a half years. But the bit terrier is no' my ain
dog." Suddenly, the memory of the stormy night, the sick old man and the
pathos of his renunciation of the only beating heart in the world that
loved him--"Bobby isna ma ain dog!" swept over the remorseful landlord.
He was filled with a fierce championship of the wee Highlander, whose
loyalty to that dead master had brought him to this strait.

To the magistrate Mr. Traill's tossed-up head had the effect of
defiance, and brought a sharp rebuke. "Don't split hairs, Mr. Traill.
You are wasting the time of the court. You admit feeding the dog. Who is
his master and where does he sleep?"

"His master is in his grave in auld Greyfriars kirkyard, and the dog has
aye slept there on the mound."

The magistrate leaned over his desk. "Man, no dog could sleep in the
open for one winter in this climate. Are you fond of romancing, Mr.
Traill?"

"No' so overfond, your Honor. The dog is of the subarctic breed of Skye
terriers, the kind with a thick under-jacket of fleece, and a weather
thatch that turns rain like a crofter's cottage roof."

"There should be witnesses to such an extraordinary story. The dog could
not have lived in this strictly guarded churchyard without the
consent of those in authority." The magistrate was plainly annoyed and
skeptical, and Mr. Traill felt the sting of it.

"Ay, the caretaker has been his gude friend, but Mr. Brown is ill
of rheumatism, and can no' come out. Nae doubt, if necessary, his
deposeetion could be tak'n. Permission for the bit dog to live in the
kirkyard was given by the meenister of Greyfriars auld kirk, but Doctor
Lee is in failing health and has gone to the south of France. The
tenement children and the Heriot laddies have aye made a pet of Bobby,
but they would no' be competent witnesses."

"You should have counsel. There are some legal difficulties here."

"I'm no' needing a lawyer. The law in sic a matter can no' be so
complicated, and I have a tongue in my ain head that has aye served
me, your Honor." The magistrate smiled, and the spectators moved to the
nearer benches to enjoy this racy man. The room began to fill by that
kind of telepathy that causes crowds to gather around the human drama.
One man stood, unnoticed, in the doorway. Mr. Traill went on, quietly:
"If the court permits me to do so, I shall be glad to pay for Bobby's
license, but I'm thinking that carries responsibeelity for the bit dog."

"You are quite right