“No, we had a dog, but he went away,” answered Janet.
“Oh, he did!” exclaimed Mr. Blake. “Was your dog a bad dog?”
“Oh, no! He was good!” exclaimed Teddy.
“And his name was Skyrocket!” added Janet.
“Well, if your dog was a good dog I’m not looking for him,” went on the storekeeper. “I’m looking for a bad dog that has been taking my chickens and chasing my sheep. He’s taken other folks’ chickens, too!”
“Oh, no!” exclaimed Uncle Ben. “So there are bad dogs around here, are there? Are you sure, Mr. Blake, that it isn’t a fox? I found a fox den over in the woods the other day.”
“No, this is a big yellow dog,” answered Mr. Blake. “I saw him carrying off one of my chickens, and one of my men saw him chasing my sheep early the other morning. A farmer saw him do the same thing at his place. I’d like to find out who owns that dog. I’d make them take him away, or keep him shut up. I don’t like to lose chickens and sheep. I ask every one who comes into my store if he has a dog. Some day I’m going to find out who has that bad, yellow one.”
Just then a farmer entered the store, and, as he heard what Mr. Blake was saying, he exclaimed:
“I think I can tell you where to find that dog you’re talking about. He’s at a Gypsy camp about five miles from here.”