Bunny Brown and his sister Sue and their trick dog

by Laura Lee Hope

“I know it isn’t now. But we could put on more ropes,” said George.

But when Mr. Brown heard about this talk he said:

“Nothing like that! It would be dangerous to get Toby up on a swing or a trapeze. It’s all right for the dog and the monkey, as they’re not so heavy—but not Toby.”

So, with a sigh, George gave up that plan.

At last all was in readiness for the show, which was but two days off now. Most of the tickets had been sold, the seats had been put in the barn, Bunny and Sue’s Uncle Tad, the old soldier, helping all he could. Patter and Toby had been put through their tricks again and again until they were nearly perfect. A new clown suit and the silver and gold suit had been made for Patter, and Bunny had also sewed what he called the tramp suit. Certainly it was very ragged.

And then, when the show was but two days off, something dreadful happened.

One morning Bunny went out to the shed where Patter slept each night, but could not see his dog.

“Where’s Patter?” he asked Sue.

“I don’t know,” she answered. “Isn’t he in his box?”

But there was no dog there, and the door had been locked when Bunny opened it.