The Day of the Dog | Page 5

to lay the whole matter before her.
Before Austin could make his exit the voices of women were heard
outside the door and an instant later two ladies entered. The farmer
attempted to turn them back, but the younger, taller, and slighter of the
newcomers 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 of the
voice, and it would have required almost total darkness to obscure the
beauty of her face. Her companion was older and coarser, and he found
delight in the belief that she was the better half of the disagreeable Mr.
Austin.
"Good-afternoon, Mrs. Delancy!" came a fine masculine voice from
nowhere. The ladies started in amazement, Mr. Austin ground his teeth,
the dog took another tired leap upward; Mr. Crosby took off his hat
gallantly, and waited patiently for the lady to discover his whereabouts.
"Who is it, Bob?" cried the tall one, and Crosby patted his bump of
shrewdness happily. "Who have you in hiding here?"
"I'm not in hiding, Mrs. Delancy. I'm a prisoner, that's all. I'm right near
the top of the ladder directly in front of you. You know me only
through the mails, but my partner, Mr. Rolfe, is known to you

personally. 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 you
any 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 very
musical laugh, but Crosby considered it a disagreeable croak.
"But Mr. Austin declines to interfere. I came to see you on private
business and am not permitted to do so."
"We don't know this fellow, Louise, and I can't allow you to talk to
him," said Austin brusquely. "I found him where he is and there he
stays until the marshal comes out from town. His actions have been
very suspicious and must be investigated. I can't take chances on letting
a horse thief escape. Swallow will watch him until I can secure
assistance."
"I implore you, Mrs. Delancy, to give me a moment or two in which to
explain," cried Crosby. "He knows I'm not here to steal his horses, and
he 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 not
check 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 be
no 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 was
more than amiable. He was positively genial. Mrs. Delancy's pretty
face was the picture of eager, excited mirth, and he saw that she was
determined to see the comedy to the end.
"Louise!" exclaimed Mrs. Austin, speaking for the first time. "You are
not fool enough to credit this fellow's story, I'm sure. Come to the
house at once. I will not stay here." Mrs. Austin's voice was hard and
biting, and Crosby also caught the quick glance that passed between
husband and wife.
"I am sure Mrs. Delancy will not be so unkind as to leave me after I've
had so much trouble in getting an audience. Here is my card, Mrs.
Delancy." Crosby tossed a card from his perch, but Swallow gobbled it
up instantly. Mrs. Delancy gave a little cry of disappointment, and
Crosby promptly apologized for the dog's greediness. "Mr. Austin
knows I'm Crosby," he concluded.
"I know nothing of the sort, sir, and I forbid Mrs. Delancy holding
further 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 train instead
of here. I'll confess this isn't a very dignified manner in which 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