a'am, and I was that upset that I was scarce
in me right moind, and indade, it's hersilf has saved us from robbery and
mebbe murther this night wid her barkin'."

Giftie, tired of sitting up without reward or encouragement, had trotted
quietly out of the room. She now came back waddling with importance, a pup
in her mouth. She laid it at the feet of our governess as though to
say--"There now, what do you make of that?"

"Horrors!" cried Mrs. Handsomebody, drawing back, as though the puppy were
a serpent.

With a joyful kick of the heels, Giftie was off again. In breathless
silence we waited. The second puppy, sleepy and squirming, was laid beside
its brother.

"I presume you have another?" said Mrs. Handsomebody in a controlled voice
but gripping the arms of her chair.

Giftie brought the other.

"Oh, Mrs. Handsomebody!" I implored, "please, please, let us keep them!
They're as good as gold, and they'd guard the house and everything--and
maybe save you from drowning some time. Don't take them from us, pl-ease!"
The Seraph, in sympathy, began to cry. Angel picked up his pup and held it
against his breast.

"Silence!" rapped out Mrs. Handsomebody. "Mary Ellen, fetch _The Times_.
And just look in the scullery to see that all is quiet there. Fetch the bag
left by the robber."

Mrs. Handsomebody sipped her bitters while Mary Ellen did her behests. Each
of us cuddled his own puppy, and Giftie began an energetic search for a
flea.

Had our hearts not been in the grip of apprehension we should have laughed
at the figure cut by Mary Ellen, panting under the sack of plate. Mr.
Watlin's burglar had done his job well, and Mrs. Handsomebody groaned when
she saw her most cherished possessions tumbled in such a reckless fashion.
But not a thing was missing, and when they had been replaced on the
sideboard, she turned briskly to _The Times_. She ran a long white finger
down the Lost column.

"Ah, here we are--" she announced, complacently--"Pay attention, boys," and
she read:

"_Reward_ for information leading to the recovery of Scottish terrier,
female, wearing silver collar engraved, Giftie, stolen or strayed from
5 Argyle Road, on November third. Anyone detaining after this notice
will be prosecuted."

"You see," exclaimed Mrs. Handsomebody, triumphantly, "you have made
yourselves liable to a heavy fine, or even imprisonment, by detaining what
is, I presume, a very valuable beast. Argyle Road--a v