The surly man came forward.
"Hi, Bill!" he called to some one in the shed he had left. "Here's a couple of fresh guys that need lookin' after."
"Oh, we can look after ourselves; thank you," said Dick. Then, raising his voice, he called sharply:
"Here, Grit! Hi, old man!"
A perfect chorus of barks answered him. The young millionaire sprang toward the stable, but before he could reach the door there was the sound of a rattling chain, that seemed to snap. Then came a choking gurgle, and the next moment the door burst open and Grit, leaping and bounding, rushed out.
"Grit!" called Dick.
The dog barked an answer, and then, trailing the broken chain after him, made a rush at the surly man.
"Look out!" called Paul. "If he gets hold of you——"
The man did not stop to hear the rest of the warning. With a leap he made for the shed he had left, pushing his companion before him, and slamming the door shut in time to cause Grit to bound fiercely up against it.
"He's a lucky chap," murmured Innis, while the dog leaped and bounded about the closed portal, barking with rage.