REISON IN TIIH DOG. 271 



and made tlicni sliow mo tlio nails in tlicir l)oots, 

 but not a nail tallied with those that my dog had 

 followed. On reaching home, and meeting with a 

 clever constable, I at once sent him to see what 

 he could make of it. He charged the men with 

 beino- concerned in the theft, ^^from information he 

 had received from others." ''Well," replied the 

 spokesman of the three, ' ' if they tell on us, we '11 

 tell on them, as they be the parties best to blame." 

 They then informed against the two thieves, and 

 they were apprehended, convicted, and sent to prison. 

 Now comes the most extraordinary fact, for 

 which it is totally impossible to account. When 

 my dog first checked at the rails, the two thieves, 

 knowing that the platelayers must see them, set 

 down the deer, and, leaving her there, they went 

 to the railway-men, and told them that if they 

 would say nothing of the matter, they should share 

 tlie venison. This suggestion being agreed to, the 

 thieves returned and resumeil their burden. Now 

 the curious thing that puzzles me is, how my dog, 

 after going about halfway from the spot where 

 the deer had been put down, to tlie platelayers j 

 discovered that the two men no longer carried 

 the deer. What could it have been that deceived 



