“With your permission, I believe I can find something that will prove to you that I have seen this goat before and, in fact, owned him for several months.”
“You surprise me! Certainly I give you permission to feel around his neck if you wish to do so.”
In less than a minute, the man had run his fingers through Billy’s hair and had brought to view a small but strongly linked gold chain with a round flat disk of gold hanging from it, which bore some engraving.
“Will you kindly read what it says on the disk?” he asked.
Mr. Watson took it and adjusting his glasses on his nose leaned over Billy and read:
This badge was presented
to
Billy Whiskers
for his bravery in saving the life of a child
from a burning building
in the
town of Plumbville
on May sixth, in the year 1921
“This is most astonishing news! But I can well believe it. Billy is so smart and so brave. He is absolutely fearless,” said Mr. Watson.
“I suppose you would want quite a high price for him if you sold him,” responded the man.
“Yes, I should, but I haven’t the least idea of selling him. We are all too fond of him for that.”
“I am very much disappointed. But could I not induce you to change your mind, if I offered you the largest sum that has ever been given for a goat?”