"We'll take him there right away, Briggs! Come on, Jacky, my boy!"
But Pilot considered this going a little too far--he objected, at which the man Briggs lifted him and placed him in the automobile. He was far too polite to struggle for his freedom, but he put his paws upon the door and barked a vigorous protest.
Mrs. Lee had just returned from shopping and answered the bell herself. Across her mind flashed immediately the explanation of the strange group on her doorstep. In a few words she told the old man the story of Pilot's coming into their family. As he listened he nodded several times.
"I cared more for that dog than anything on earth," he told her. "He was always with me! When he was stolen I couldn't get over it, Madam--just couldn't get over it! Felt as if I'd lost my only friend!" Mrs. Lee wished she could feel sympathetic, but she was thinking of Billy!
"Now let him go, Briggs, and you watch him, Madam!"
Briggs released his hold of Pilot's collar, Pilot leaped upon Mrs. Lee joyfully, tore down the length of the hall and back and then stood a little apart, eyeing suspiciously the strange group.
"Come, Jacky, come Jacky!" cackled the old man, holding out his hand.
And Pilot, above all else, was faithful! Slowly, reluctantly, he went towards the outstretched hand and laid his nose in it.
"Always did that when I called him! See his ear, Madam--I had a stitch taken in it when he tore it! See the scar?"
There was no doubt in Mrs. Lee's mind but that the dog belonged to the man.