Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks and theOnline Distributed Proofreading Team.
THE DAY OF THE DOG
by
GEORGE BARR MCCUTCHEONAuthor of "Grauslark""The Sherrods etc"
With Illustrations byHarrison Fisherand decorations byMargaret & Helen Maitland Armstrong
New York1904
ILLUSTRATIONS
SWALLOW (in color) Frontispiece CROSBY DRIVES TO THE STATION THE HANDS HAD GONE TO THEIR DINNER THE BIG RED BARN THE TWO BOYS MRS. DELANCY AND MRS. AUSTIN MR. AUSTIN MRS. DELANCY PLEADS WITH SWALLOW THEY EXAMINE THE DOCUMENTS "SHE DELIBERATELY SPREAD OUT THE PAPERS ON THE BEAM" (in color) SWALLOW SHE WATCHES HIM DESCEND INTO DANGER MR. CROSBY SHOWS SWALLOW A NEW TRICK "SWALLOW'S CHUBBY BODY SHOT SQUARELY THROUGH THE OPENING" (in color) THE MAN WITH THE LANTERN MR. HIGGINS "HE WAS SPLASHING THROUGH THE SHALLOW BROOK" (in color) HE CARRIES HER OVER THE BROOK MRS. HIGGINS THEY ENJOY MRS. HIGGINS'S GOOD SUPPER LONESOMEVILLE THE DEPUTY SHERIFF CROSBY AND THE DEPUTY MRS. DELANCY FALLS ASLEEP THEY GO TO THE THEATRE "'GOOD HEAVENS!' 'WHAT IS IT?' HE CRIED. 'YOU ARE NOT MARRIED, ARE YOU?'" (in color) "CROSBY WON BOTH SUITS"
THE DAY OF THE DOG
PART I
"I'll catch the first train back this evening, Graves. Wouldn't go downthere if it were not absolutely necessary; but I have just heard thatMrs. Delancy is to leave for New York to-night, and if I don't see herto-day there will be a pack of troublesome complications. Tell Mrs.Graves she can count me in on the box party to-night."
"We'll need you, Crosby. Don't miss the train."
Crosby Drives to the Station]
"I'll be at the station an hour before the train leaves. Confound it,it's a mean trip down there--three hours through the rankest kind ofscenery and three hours back. She's visiting in the country, too, but Ican drive out and back in an hour."
"On your life, old man, don't fail me."
"Don't worry, Graves; all Christendom couldn't keep me in Dexter afterfour o'clock this afternoon. Good-by." And Crosby climbed into thehansom and was driven away at breakneck speed toward the station.
Crosby was the junior member of the law firm of Rolfe & Crosby, and histrip to the country was on business connected with the settlement of abig estate. Mrs. Delancy, widow of a son of the decedent, was one of thelegatees, and she was visiting her sister-in-law, Mrs. Robert Austin, incentral Illinois. Mr. Austin owned extensive farming interests nearDexter, and his handsome home was less than two miles from the heart ofthe town. Crosby anticipated no trouble in driving to the house and backin time to catch the afternoon train for Chicago. It was necessary forMrs. Delancy to sign certain papers, and he was confident thetransaction could not occupy more than half an hour's time.
At 11:30 Crosby stepped from the coach to the station platform inDexter, looked inquiringly about, and then asked a perspiring man with astar on his suspender-strap where he could hire a horse and buggy. Theofficer directed him to a "feed-yard and stable," but observed thatthere was a "funeral in town an' he'd be lucky if he got a rig, as allof Smith's horses were out." Application at the stable brought the firstfrown to Crosby's brow. He could not rent a "rig" until after thefuneral, and that would make it too late for him to catch the fouro'clock train for Chicago. To make the story short, twelve o'clock sawhim trudging along the dusty road covering the two miles between townand Austin's place, and he was walking with the rapidity of one who hasno love for the beautiful.
The early spring air was invigorating, and it did not take him long toreduce the distance. Austin's house stood on a hill, far back from thehighway, and overlooking the entire country-side.
The big red barn stood in from the road a hundred yards or more, and hesaw that the same driveway led to the house on the hill. There was notime for speculation, so he hastily made his way up the lane. Crosby hadnever seen his client, their business having been conducted by mail orthrough Mr. Rolfe. There was not a person in sight, and he slowed hisprogress considerably as he drew nearer the big house. At the barn-yardgate he came to a full stop and debated within himself the wisdom ofinquiring at the stables for Mr. Austin.
He flung open the gate and strode quickly to the door. This he openedboldly and stepped inside, finding himself in a lofty carriage room.Several handsome vehicles stood at the far end, but the wide space nearthe door was clear. The floor was as "clean as a pin," except along thewest side. No one was in sight, and the only sound was that produced bythe horses as they munched their hay and stamped their hoofs inimpatient remonstrance with the flies.
"Where the deuce are the people?" he muttered as he crossed to themangers. "Devilish queer," glancing about in considerable doubt. "Thehands must be at dinner or taking a nap." He passed by a row of mangersand was calmly inspected by brown-eyed horses. At the end of the longrow of stalls he found a little gate opening into another section of thebarn. He was on the point of opening this gate to pass in among thehorses when a low growl attracted his attention. In some alarm he took aprecautionary look ahead. On the opposite side of the gate stood a hugeand vicious looking bulldog, unchained and waiting for him with an eagerferocity that could not be mistaken. Mr. Crosby did not open the gate.Instead he inspected it to see that it was securely fastened, and thendrew his hand across his brow.
"What an escape!" he gasped, after a long breath. "Lucky for me yougrowled, old boy. My name is Crosby, my dear sir, and I'm not here tosteal anything. I'm only a lawyer. Anybody else at home but you?"
An ominous growl was the answer, and there was lurid disappointment inthe face of the squat figure beyond the gate.
"Come, now, old chap, don't be nasty. I won't hurt you. There wasnothing farther from my mind than a desire to disturb you. And say,please do something besides growl. Bark, and oblige me. You may attractthe attention of some one."
By this time the ugly brute was trying to get at the man, growling, andsnarling savagely. Crosby complacently looked on from his place ofsafety for a moment, and was on the point of turning away when hisattention was caught by a new move on the part of the dog. The animalceased his violent efforts to get through the gate, turned aboutdeliberately, and raced from view behind the horse stalls. Crosbybrought himself up with a jerk.
"Thunder," he ejaculated; "the brute knows a way to get at me, and hewon't be long about it, either. What the dickens shall I--by George,this looks serious! He'll head me off at the door if I try to get outand--Ah, the fire-escape! We'll fool you, you brute! What a cursed idiotI was not to go to the house instead of coming--" He was shinning up aladder with little regard for grace as he mumbled this self-condemnatoryremark. There was little dignity in his manner of flight, and there wascertainly no glory in the position in which he found himself a momentlater. But there was a vast amount of satisfaction.
The ladder rested against a beam that crossed the carriage shed near themiddle. The beam was a large one, hewn from a monster tree, and was freeon all sides. The ladder had evidently been left there by men who hadused it recently and had neglected to return it to the hooks on which itproperly hung.
When the dog rushed violently through the door and into the carriageroom, he found a vast and inexplicable solitude. He was, to allappearances, alone with the vehicles under which he was permitted totrot when his master felt inclined to grant the privilege.
Crosby, seated on the beam, fifteen feet above the floor, grinnedsecurely but somewhat dubiously as he watched the mystified dog below.At last he laughed aloud. He could not help it. The enemy glanced upwardand blinked his red eyes in surprise; then he stared in deep chagrin,then glared with rage. For a few minutes Crosby watched his franticefforts to leap through fifteen feet of altitudinal space, confidentlyhoping that some one would come to drive the brute away and liberatehim.
Finally he began to lose the good humor his strategy in fooling thedog had inspired, and a hurt, indignant stare was directed toward theopen door through which he had entered.
"What's the matter with the idiots?" he growled impatiently. "Are theygoing to let this poor dog snarl his lungs out? He's a faithful chap,too, and a willing worker. Gad, I never saw anything more earnest thanthe way he tries to climb up that ladder." Adjusting himself in acomfortable position, his elbows on his knees, his hands to his chin, heallowed his feet to swing lazily, tantalizingly, below the beam. "I'mputting a good deal of faith in this beam," he went on resignedly. Thetimber was at least fifteen inches square.
"Ah, by George! That was a bully jump--the best you've made. You didn'tmiss me more than ten feet that time. I don't like to be disrespectful,you know, but you are an exceedingly rough looking dog. Don't get huffyabout it, old fellow, but you have the ugliest mouth I ever saw. Yes,you miserable cur, politeness at last ceases to be a virtue with me. IfI had you up here I'd punch your face for you, too. Why don't you comeup, you coward? You're bow-legged, too, and you haven't any more figurethan a crab. Anybody that would take an insult like that is beneath me(thank heaven!) and would steal sheep. Great Scott! Where are all thesepeople? Shut up, you brute, you! I'm getting a headache. But it doesn'tdo any good to reason with you, I can see that plainly. The thing Iought to do is to go down there and punish you severely. But I'll--Hello! Hey, boy! Call off this--confounded dog."
Two small Lord Fauntleroy boys were standing in the door, gazing up athim with wide open mouths and bulging eyes.
"Call him off, I say, or I'll come down there and kick a hole clearthrough him." The boys stared all the harder. "Is your name Austin?" hedemanded, addressing neither in particular.
"Yes, sir," answered the larger boy, with an effort.
"Well, where's your father? Shut up, you brute! Can't you see I'mtalking? Go tell your father I want to see him, boy."
"Dad's up at the house."
"That sounds encouraging. Can't you call off this dog?"
"I--I guess I'd better not. That's what dad keeps him for."
"Oh, he does, eh? And what is it that he keeps him for?"
"To watch tramps."
"To watch--to watch tramps? Say, boy, I'm a lawyer and I'm here onbusiness." He was black in the face with indignation.
"You better come up to the house and see dad, then. He don't live in thebarn," said the boy keenly.
"I can't fly to the house, boy. Say, if you don't call off this dog I'llput a bullet through him."
"You'd have to be a purty good shot, mister. Nearly everybody in thecounty has tried to do it." Both boys were grinning diabolically and thedog took on energy through inspiration. Crosby longed for a stick ofdynamite.
"I'll give you a dollar if you get him away from here."
"Let's see your dollar." Crosby drew a silver dollar from his trouserspocket, almost falling from his perch in the effort.
"Here's the coin. Call him off," gasped the lawyer.
"I'm afraid papa wouldn't like it," said the boy. The smaller lad nudgedhis brother and urged him to "take the money anyhow."
"I live in Chicago," Crosby began, hoping to impress the boys at least.
"So do we when we're at home," said the smaller boy. "We live in Chicagoin the winter time."
"Is Mrs. Delancy your aunt?"
"Yes, sir."
"I'll give you this dollar if you'll tell your father I'm here and wantto see him at once."
"Throw down your dollar." The coin fell at their feet but rolleddeliberately through a crack in the floor and was lost forever. Crosbymuttered something unintelligible, but resignedly threw a second coinafter the first.
"He'll be out when he gets through dinner," said the older boy, justbefore the fight. Two minutes later he was streaking across the barn lotwith the coin in his pocket, the smaller boy wailing under the woe of abloody nose. For half an hour Crosby heaped insult after insult upon theglowering dog at the bottom of the ladder and was in the midst of arabid denunciation of Austin when the city-bred farmer entered the barn.
"Am I addressing Mr. Robert Austin?" called Crosby, suddenly amiable.The dog subsided and ran to his master's side. Austin, ablack-moustached, sallow-faced man of forty, stopped near the door andlooked aloft, squinting.
"Where are you?" he asked somewhat sharply.
"I am very much up in the air," replied Crosby. "Look a little sou' bysou'east. Ah, now you have me. Can you manage the dog? If so, I'll comedown."
"One moment, please. Who are you?"
"My name is Crosby, of Rolfe & Crosby, Chicago. I am here to see Mrs.Delancy, your sister-in-law, on business before she leaves for NewYork."
"What is your business with her, may I ask?"
"Private," said Crosby laconically. "Hold the dog."
"I insist in knowing the nature of your business," said Austin firmly.
"I'd rather come down there and talk, if you don't mind."
"I don't but the dog may," said the other grimly.
"Well, this is a nice way to treat a gentleman," cried Crosbywrathfully.
"A gentleman would scarcely have expected to find a lady in the barn,much less on a cross-beam. This is where my horses and dogs live."
"Oh, that's all right now; this isn't a joke, you know."
"I quite agree with you. What is your business with Mrs. Delancy?"
"We represent her late husband's interests in settling up the estate ofhis father. Your wife's interests are being looked after by Morton &Rogers, I believe. I am here to have Mrs. Delancy go through the form ofsigning papers authorizing us to bring suit against the estate in orderto establish certain rights of which you are fully aware. Your wife'sbrother left his affairs slightly tangled, you remember."
"Well, I can save you a good deal of trouble. Mrs. Delancy has decidedto let the matter rest as it is and to accept the compromise termsoffered by the other heirs. She will not care to see you, for she hasjust written to your firm announcing her decision."
"You--you don't mean it," exclaimed Crosby in dismay. He saw aprodigious fee slipping through his fingers. "Gad, I must see her aboutthis," he went on, starting down the ladder, only to go back againhastily. The growling dog leaped forward and stood ready to receive him.Austin chuckled audibly.
"She really can't see you, Mr. Crosby. Mrs. Delancy leaves at fouro'clock for Chicago, where she takes the Michigan Central for New Yorkto-night. You can gain nothing by seeing her."
"But I insist, sir," exploded Crosby.
"You may come down when you like," said Austin. "The dog will be hereuntil I return from the depot after driving her over. Come down when youlike."
Crosby did not utter the threat that surged to his lips. With the wisdomborn of self-preservation, he temporized, reserving deep down in thesurging young breast a promise to amply recompense his pride for theblows it was receiving at the hands of the detestable Mr. Austin.
"You'll admit that I'm in a devil of a pickle, Mr. Austin," he saidjovially. "The dog is not at all friendly."
"He is at least diverting. You won't be lonesome while I'm away. I'lltell Mrs. Delancy that you called," said Austin ironically.
He turned to leave the barn, and the sinister sneer on his face gaveCrosby a new and amazing inspiration. Like a flash there rushed into hismind the belief that Austin had a deep laid design in not permitting himto see the lady. With this belief also came the conviction that he washurrying her off to New York on some pretext simply to forestall anyaction that might induce her to continue the contemplated suit againstthe estate. Mrs. Delancy had undoubtedly been urged to drop the matterunder pressure of promises, and the Austins were getting her away fromthe scene of action before she could reconsider or before her solicitorscould convince her of the mistake she was making. The thought of thissent the fire of resentment racing through Crosby's brain, and he fairlygasped with the longing to get at the bottom of the case. His only hopenow lay in sending a telegram to Mr. Rolfe, comman
ding him to meet Mrs.Delancy when her train reached Chicago, and to lay the whole matterbefore her.
Before Austin could make his exit the voices of women were heard outsidethe door and an instant later two ladies entered. The farmer attemptedto turn them back, but the younger, taller, and slighter of thenewcomers cried:
"I just couldn't go without another look at the horses, Bob."
Crosby, on the beam, did not fail to observe the rich, tender tone ofthe voice, and it would have required almost total darkness to obscurethe beauty of her face. Her companion was older and coarser, and hefound delight in the belief that she was the better half of thedisagreeable Mr. Austin.
"Good-afternoon, Mrs. Delancy!" came a fine masculine voice fromnowhere. The ladies started in amazement, Mr. Austin ground his teeth,the dog took another tired leap upward; Mr. Crosby took off his hatgallantly, and waited patiently for the lady to discover hiswhereabouts.
"Who is it, Bob?" cried the tall one, and Crosby patted his bump ofshrewdness happily. "Who have you in hiding here?"
"I'm not in hiding, Mrs. Delancy. I'm a prisoner, that's all. I'm rightnear the top of the ladder directly in front of you. You know me onlythrough the mails, but my partner, Mr. Rolfe, is known to youpersonally. My name is Crosby."
"How very strange," she cried in wonder. "Why don't you come down, Mr.Crosby?"
"I hate to admit it, but I'm afraid. There's the dog, you know. Have youany influence over him?"
"None whatever. He hates me. Perhaps Mr. Austin can manage him. Oh,isn't it ludicrous?" and she burst into hearty laughter. It was a verymusical laugh, but Crosby considered it a disagreeable croak.
"But Mr. Austin declines to interfere. I came to see you on privatebusiness and am not permitted to do so."
"We don't know this fellow, Louise, and I can't allow you to talk tohim," said Austin brusquely. "I found him where he is and there he staysuntil the marshal comes out from town. His actions have been verysuspicious and must be investigated. I can't take chances on letting ahorse thief escape. Swallow will watch him until I can secureassistance."
"I implore you, Mrs. Delancy, to give me a moment or two in which toexplain," cried Crosby. "He knows I'm not here to steal his horses, andhe knows I intend to punch his head the minute I get the chance." Mrs.Austin's little shriek of dismay and her husband's fierce glare did notcheck the flow of language from the beam. "I AM Crosby of Rolfe &Crosby, your counsel. I have the papers here for you to sign and--"
"Louise, I insist that you come away from here. This fellow is a fraud--"
"He's refreshing, at any rate," said Mrs. Delancy gaily. "There can beno harm in hearing what he has to say, Bob."
"You are very kind, and I won't detain you long."
"I've a mind to kick you out of this barn," cried Austin angrily.
"I don't believe you're tall enough, my good fellow." Mr. Crosby wasmore than amiable. He was positively genial. Mrs. Delancy's pretty facewas the picture of eager, excited mirth, and he saw that she wasdetermined to see the comedy to the end.
"Louise!" exclaimed Mrs. Austin, speaking for the first time. "You arenot fool enough to credit this fellow's story, I'm sure. Come to thehouse at once. I will not stay here." Mrs. Austin's voice was hard andbiting, and Crosby also caught the quick glance that passed betweenhusband and wife.
"I am sure Mrs. Delancy will not be so unkind as to leave me after I'vehad so much trouble in getting an audience. Here is my card, Mrs.Delancy." Crosby tossed a card from his perch, but Swallow gobbled it upinstantly. Mrs. Delancy gave a little cry of disappointment, and Crosbypromptly apologized for the dog's greediness. "Mr. Austin knows I'mCrosby," he concluded.
"I know nothing of the sort, sir, and I forbid Mrs. Delancy holdingfurther conversation with you. This is an outrageous imposition, Louise.You must hurry, by the way, or we'll miss the train," said Austin,biting his lip impatiently.
"That reminds me, I also take the four o'clock train for Chicago, Mrs.Delancy. If you prefer, we can talk over our affairs on the traininstead of here. I'll confess this isn't a very dignified manner inwhich to hold a consultation," said Crosby apologetically.
"Will you be kind enough to state the nature of your business, Mr.Crosby?" said the young woman, ignoring Mr. Austin.
"Then you believe I'm Crosby?" cried that gentleman triumphantly.
"Louise!" cried Mrs. Austin in despair.
"In spite of your present occupation, I believe you are Crosby," saidMrs. Delancy merrily.
"But, good gracious, I can't talk business with you from this confoundedbeam," he cried lugubriously.
"Mr. Austin will call the dog away," she said confidently, turning tothe man in the door. Austin's sallow face lighted with a suddenmalicious grin, and there was positive joy in his voice.
"You may be satisfied, but I am not. If you desire to transact businesswith this impertinent stranger, Mrs. Delancy, you'll have to do so underexisting conditions. I do not approve of him or his methods, and my dogdoesn't either. You can trust a dog for knowing a man for what he is.Mrs. Austin and I are going to the house. You may remain, of course; Ihave no right to command you to follow. When you are ready to drive tothe station, please come to the house. I'll be ready. Your Mr. Crosbymay leave when he likes--IF HE CAN. Come, Elizabeth." With this defiantthrust, Mr. Austin stalked from the barn, followed by his wife. Mrs.Delancy started to follow but checked herself immediately, a flush ofanger mounting to her brow. After a long pause she spoke.
"I don't understand how you came to be where you are, Mr. Crosby," shesaid slowly. He related his experiences rapidly and laughed with hersimply because she had a way with her.
"You'll pardon me for laughing," she giggled.
"With all my heart," he replied gallantly. "It must be very funny.However, this is not business. You are in a hurry to get away from hereand--I'm not, it seems. Briefly, Mrs. Delancy, I have the papers you areto sign before we begin your action against the Fairwater estate. Youknow what they are through Mr. Rolfe."
"Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Crosby, to say to you that I have decided toabandon the matter. A satisfactory compromise is under way."
"So I've been told. But are you sure you understand yourself?"
"Perfectly, thank you."
"This is a very unsatisfactory place from which to argue my case, Mrs.Delancy. Can't you dispose of the dog?"
"Only God disposes."
"Well, do you mind telling me what the compromise provides?" She staredat him for a moment haughtily, but his smile won the point for him. Shetold him everything and then looked very much displeased when he sworedistinctly.
"Pardon me, but you are getting very much the worst of it in this deal.It is the most contemptible scheme to rob that I ever heard of. By thisarrangement you are to get farming lands and building lots in ruraltowns worth in all about $100,000, I'd say. Don't you know that you areentitled to nearly half a million?"
"Oh, dear, no. By right, my share is less than $75,000," she criedtriumphantly.
"Who told you so?" he demanded, and she saw a very heavy frown on hiserstwhile merry face.
"Why--why, Mr. Austin and another brother-in-law, Mr. Gray, both of whomare very kind to me in the matter, I'm sure."
"Mrs. Delancy, you are being robbed by these fellows. Can't you see thatthese brothers-in-law and their wives will profit immensely if theysucceed in keeping the wool over your eyes long enough? Let ME show yousome figures." He excitedly drew a packet of papers from his pocket andin five minutes' time had her gasping with the knowledge that she waslegally entitled to more than half a million of dollars.
"Are you sure?" she cried, unable to believe her ears.
"Absolutely. Here is the inventory and here are the figures tocorroborate everything I say."
"But THEY had figures, too," she cried in perplexity.
"Certainly. Figures are wonderful things. I only ask you to defer thisplan to compromise until we are able to thoroughly convince you that Iam not misrepresenting the facts to you."
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"Oh, if I could only believe you!"
"I'd toss the documents down to you if I were not afraid they'd join mycard. That is a terribly ravenous beast. Surely you can coax him out ofthe barn," he added eagerly.
"I can try, but persuasion is difficult with a bulldog, you know," shesaid doubtfully. "It is much easier to persuade a man," she smiled.
"I trust you won't try to persuade me to come down," he said in alarm.
"Mr. Austin is a brute to treat you in this manner," she criedindignantly.
"I wouldn't treat a dog as he is treating me."
"Oh, I am sure you couldn't," she cried in perfect sincerity. "Swallowdoesn't like me, but I'll try to get him away. You can't stay up thereall night."
"By Jove!" he exclaimed sharply.
"What is it?" she asked quickly.
"I had forgotten an engagement in Chicago for to-night. Box party at thecomic opera," he said, looking nervously at his watch.
"It would be too bad if you missed it," she said sweetly. "You'd be muchmore comfortable in a box."
"You are consoling at least. Are you going to coax him off?"
"In behalf of the box party, I'll try. Come, Swallow. There's a nicedoggie!"
Crosby watched the proceedings with deepest interest and concern and nota little admiration. But not only did Swallow refuse to abdicate but heseemed to take decided exceptions to