"I don't see who would steal him," said Esther Ann, practically. "Everyone knows he belongs to you, and there aren't many strangers that come through the village."
"There are a few. There was a tramp at our back door only a few days ago."
"But you didn't lose Jet a few days ago; it was only to-day that you missed him."
"I think it's more likely he is shut up somewhere," decided Reba. "Where have you looked, Alcinda?"
"Oh, pretty near everywhere I could think of, and I have asked everybody who might have seen him."
"Maybe he has gone off with some other dogs," suggested Reliance. "Dogs will do that, and sometimes they don't come back for two or three days. Mr. Prendergast had a dog that did that way. He lives near where we used to, you know, and he had a collie named Rob Roy that would go off now and then, and the other dogs would bring him back after a while. He would come in looking so ashamed, while they stood off to see how he would be treated."
"Jetty never did run away before," said Alcinda, doubtfully, although Reliance's words were comforting.
"When did you see him last and what was he doing?" asked Esther Ann.
"Mother heard him barking at a wagon that was going by. He doesn't bark at everyone, but there are some people he can't bear."
"What people?" inquired Esther Ann, trying to get a clue.