"Is my dog safe?" she inquired of the baggageman. "Is he hurt?"
"No'm, he's all right; or he was a little while ago," the man answered. "He was tied in the corner, just where you told me to put him. I guess he's there yet. His end of the car wasn't hit. But he howled a lot."
"Poor Rex! Let me see him." The lady went to the open door of the baggage car, and looked in. "Why, he's gone!" she cried. "My dog—my darling dog—is gone!"
"Can't be!" exclaimed the trainman. "He was tied right there a minute ago."
He jumped into the shattered car and looked about.
"Is he there?" cried the woman.
"No, ma'am, he's gone," was the answer. "But I don't see how it could be."
"Did he break loose?" the lady asked, with much eagerness.
"No, the strap is gone, and he couldn't possibly untie the knot I put in it. Someone has taken him, ma'am."
"Then this company is responsible, and I shall sue it!" the lady cried, bristling with what might be righteous anger. "My dog was a valuable one. Rex III has taken prize after prize, and I was on my way with him to a dog show now. Oh, Rex! Who could have taken you?" and she seemed genuinely distressed.