"Humph!" The miller stroked his chin and looked speculatively at the little dog.
"How do you suppose he got so far from home?" ventured Edna.
"Shouldn't wonder if he was brought in my wagon in an empty sack. Bad man, bad man, that Jeb Wilkins."
"Jetty always barked at him," said Edna.
"I guess that accounts for it. Jeb got mad and thought he'd pay the little creature back. Barked at him, did he? Well, I don't blame the dog. I did some pretty tall growling myself before I discharged the man. He's gone now for good, or bad, whichever you like."
"Do you think he threw the dog in the water?" asked Reliance coming directly to the point.
"That's just what I do think. I shouldn't wonder if he meant to steal him at first, and sell him, for it is a valuable dog, they tell me, but the dog got out, and I was keeping an eye on Jeb so he couldn't make way with the beast. I meant to take him home and advertise for his owner, but when I came to look for him, the dog was gone, though Jeb was there. Said, as innocent as you please, when I made inquiries, that some people drove by and took the dog back to town where he belonged."
"Oh!" exclaimed Edna, her eyes and mouth round with surprise and disapproval.
"Just what he said. Made it up out of whole cloth, of course, and meantime had taken his spite out on me and the poor little dog by throwing him overboard. How did you happen upon him?"
Reliance gave an account of the rescue and received approving nods. "Smart girls, you two," he commented.