"What's the matter, Colonel?" asked Jack. "You don't want to see the dog suffer, do you?"
"No, but—there, he's got it out himself!"
With an effort the dog had pawed from his mouth the watch, which, being rather large and of peculiar shape, had for some time, been stuck in his jaws. It rolled out on the floor, and the colonel stooped to pick it up. But Jack noticed that his chief used a wad of the tissue paper with which to handle the timepiece, which was no longer ticking.
"What's the matter—'fraid of soiling your hands?" asked Jack with a laugh.
"Well, yes, in a way—"
"Look at the dog's mouth! It's bleeding!" cried Jack, pointing.
"I was afraid it would be," said the colonel, quietly. "Don't go near him, Jack, for, unless I'm much mistaken—"
The two men gazed at the dog. The little animal suddenly looked up at them in a peculiar manner. It whined and its body was shaken as with a cold shiver. A little blood was running down the lips which were now foam-flecked.
"The dog's going mad!" cried Jack. "Look out, Colonel, or—"
"You needn't be afraid," was the calm answer, as the other turned toward the door. "He'll never hurt any one. Ah, I thought so!"