INTRODUCTION. 7 



future home. Of course no further attempts were 

 made on your life here? 



" On the contrary, three separate times my life has 

 been in danger from Russian spies, and twice my 

 good dog has warned and saved me." 



Was it Beppo who saved your life? 



" No, it was a noble English pointer, trained to 

 perfection, whose love for and devotion and obedi- 

 ence to me were priceless, and his death a positive 

 grief. Beppo, though a fine mastiff, is not his equal. " 



How did the dog save your life? 



" Shortly after my arrival in North America 

 eighteen years ago, the first attempt upon my life in 

 this country was made. I had been reading until a 

 late hour, but feeling weary, finally turned off the 

 gas and went to bed. The resting-place of my En- 

 glish pointer at night was at my bedside. Sud- 

 denly, through the deep slumber in which I lay, 

 sounded a low ominous growl, unusual enough to 

 startle me into partial wakefulness. At my command 

 the dog jumped on the bed, and feeling then secure,. 

 I closed my eyes, only to open them again in a 

 moment, to see a man standing before me. In one 

 hand he held up a lighted match, and in the other a 

 poniard lifted high, and about to descend with unerr- 

 ing stroke upon me. With one bound my brave dog 

 was upon him, and bore him to the floor; while, I, 

 in striving to wrench the poniard from his hand, 

 broke his arm." 



The wretch! Then you were able to secure him? 



" I bound him fast, and telling the dog to watch 

 him, dressed hastily, and securing a firm hold on my 



