Dick Lionheart Part 5

"What was she like?" cried d.i.c.k eagerly, "and which way did she go?"

"Down the Market Place, and she was belonging to one of the shows. She was bigger'n you, and she had a yellow scarf on and eardrops."

The girl on the caravan whose master had wanted Pat! d.i.c.k had the clue now, but how could he recover his treasure?

Shutting his eyes for a moment he prayed to his Heavenly Father for help, and then began another tour of the shows.

There were dogs in plenty, ugly and lean-looking curs lying on the straw under the waggons or loafing around the shops in search of plunder, but none at all like Pat.

Again and again as he pa.s.sed he called and whistled, but there was no answering bark. Suddenly he saw the girl just inside a gaily painted show while her father stood on the steps and called out, "Walk up, ladies and gentlemen! Walk up and see the smallest dwarf in the world with his performing happy family, dogs and cats and birds, all living together. Only 2d., for the greatest wonder of the age."

Without a moment's hesitation, d.i.c.k ran forward and said to the girl, "What have you done with my dog? Please let me have him back at once!"

"Your dog," she said with a toss of her head that set the earrings dancing. "I like your impudence. Haven't seen or heard of your dog."

"But you had him and took him away; a boy told me so!"

"Haven't seen him, I tell you."

"Now, you young rascal, be off at once, or I'll give you in charge!"

said the man threateningly. "Coming here with such c.o.c.k-and-bull tales."

"What's it all about?" said a tall policeman, stepping forward.

"Why, this young varmint has lost his dog and comes here after it, as cheeky as can be. We ain't got no dog except the happy family one in here as we've had for years, and that's a white one, as you can see for yourself."

"Was yours white?" said the officer to d.i.c.k.

"No, sir, black and tan. A boy told me he saw that girl pick him up and run off."

"Best go and find the boy," said the policeman not unkindly, "then we'll see."

"I'll make it hot for you, if you show your impudent face here again!"

shouted the man, who was red with pa.s.sion. He grew redder still as the officer asked quickly, "How did you know this dog was not white?"

"They've got him, I know they have," d.i.c.k muttered as he turned away with a sob in his throat. "James Cross--that's the name on the show, and I'll follow them everywhere, till I get Pat back."

But he went through all the Fair again, without finding any trace of the boy who had told him. Presently he saw the empty waggons drawn up in the side alley, and with fresh hope in his heart he hurried along.

And in the last in the row "James Cross" was painted and, from somewhere within, there came a low, unhappy whine.

Instantly d.i.c.k was at the door calling "Pat!" and whistling the familiar call, and this was answered by a storm of eager m.u.f.fled barking. The locked door was shaken in vain, and there was no possible way of rescue there.

But d.i.c.k rushed back to the middle of the Fair, and going at once to the friendly policeman cried, "I've found him! I've found him! He's locked up in their waggon down that side street. Oh, please make them come and let him out."

"Is this true?" said the officer sternly to the showman, who had heard every word. "Have you got his dog?"

"'Tisn't his, it's mine. The young rascal stole him from me and now wants to make out it's his own."

"But you said just now you hadn't got another dog. When did he steal it?"

"This morning, and I got him back, of course."

"I didn't steal it, sir," cried d.i.c.k indignantly. "It's my very own.

Come and hear how he barks when I call him."

"Come and let him out at once," said the officer, "and we'll soon settle the ownership."

"Can't leave the show," muttered the man angrily.

"Oh, yes, you can. It isn't far, and this girl can manage without you!"

The man sullenly got down and marched along most unwillingly with the officer and d.i.c.k, followed by an interested crowd.

"Now open the door; there's a dog in there, undoubtedly. We shall know directly who's telling the truth."

Two doors were unlocked, and then like a small whirlwind Pat scrambled out, rushed to d.i.c.k's feet and grovelled there in an ecstasy of joy.

"Hum, considering you say this boy only stole him this morning, they've got uncommon fond of one another! Call him and see if he'll come to you." But the showman's wiles were in vain. Pat would not go near him.

"Have you any witnesses to prove he's yours, my lad?"

d.i.c.k thought a moment and said, "I couldn't find the boy who saw him stolen from me. But Mr. Brown the carrier knows. He heard this man offer to buy Pat this morning."

"Run round to the George Yard and ask Brown to step here a minute, if he's still there."

Two or three messengers at once darted away.

"Anything else in proof?"

"He'll do tricks for me, sir."

And d.i.c.k stooped and whispered in Pat's ear, and the dog, not at all abashed by the cheers and laughter of the crowd, begged and danced and sang in his very best manner, till Mr. Brown appeared, driving his carrier's van, for he was just starting again for the homeward journey.

His emphatic testimony settled what n.o.body doubted, and the officer prepared to take the showman to the lock-up.

But d.i.c.k's only desire was to get away as soon as possible on his delayed journey, and he begged that nothing more might be said about prosecution.

So the showman was allowed to go, scowling and muttering, and the crowd jeered as he went, though more than one present would have been willing to risk stealing and its penalties for the possession of Pat.

"Best get away at once, and don't let him out of your sight again,"

said the man in blue, kindly. "That dog's too fetching to be on the road with such a small owner."

"Better both jump up into the van and go back with me to Turningham,"

said carrier Brown. "I want a boy to help with the horse and do odd jobs about the shop, and I know the missus would take to you and the dog. You've been a brave boy and a smart one to-day. Eighteen-pence a week and your keep to begin. Come, now!"

But d.i.c.k shook his head.

"I'm ever so much obliged, sir, but I must go on to Ironboro', whatever happens."