CHAPTER XXII 



T T NDOUBTEDLY Sweep's backsliding caused him to be 

 vJ held in contempt by His Sporting Lordship. It must 

 be remembered, however, that my cherished retriever was 

 but a puppy, and consequently somewhat irresponsible ; but 

 this was the natural outcome of intense keenness. He had 

 all the makings of an Ai dog, and, in course of time, was 

 so pronounced by every sportsman that shot over him. 



Some days before Dr. Straton arrived at Graeme's Hall, Ted 

 and I had made a raid on a late clutch of flappers which had 

 been bred in the nearer tarn. Among this bunch of nine was 

 a callow and backward " Little Willie," which, being unable 

 to take wing with his brothers and sisters, escaped lethal 

 powder and shot, but had to put up with persistent persecution 

 on the part of Sweep. 



Every morning, my black beauty would slip off, whilst we 

 were negotiating breakfast, and chivvy the unfortunate 

 caneton until the latter was so exhausted that it allowed 

 the dog to take it tenderly (Sweep had a velvet mouth) in his 

 jaws and transpoit it, in triumph, to our presence. 



This diurnal formality being completed, the flapper was 

 each day returned to its native haunts, there to await a 

 further call by the enemy. I had a hunch to pull the epis- 

 copal nether limb gaiters and all ! 



'You don't think much of Sweep, do you, Doctor?" I 

 asked. 



r< Well, well. I cannot say that I do ; but perhaps if you 

 do not spare the rod, you may avoid spoiling the pup 1 " 



" Believe me," I replied, " Sweep is super-intelligent. 

 He knows every word I say to him. A nod is as good as a 

 wink to make him carry out orders. Now if I were to ask 



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