Mr. Sanders was trying to make his way toward the girls just then, so Nancy delayed answering Ted.
“And say, Ted,” Mr. Sanders began. “About your dog. You needn’t worry that anyone will take him from you. That man who spoke to you used to be care-taker at the old stone house. And he was supposed to look after Nero, whose real name is Jason. That’s the fellow who went after the Golden Fleece you remember.”
“Jason?” repeated Ted. “Sounds like an auto fixer. I like Nero best.”
“All right, son,” and Mr. Sanders gave Ted a friendly slap on the shoulders. “Nero he shall be. But as I was saying, the man who was expected to care for your dog hadn’t done so, and he’s got sort of worried lately and wanted to get him back.”
“He can’t have him,” Ted defended stoutly.
“No, that’s right; he can’t. And I told him so. He knows now that the dog is in good hands, and that I’ll answer any questions the Ellors family care to ask about him.”
Ted’s face was now beaming with joy. He had been so worried about Nero that he simply wouldn’t let the animal out of his protective sight for days past.
“And Mr. Sanders,” he insisted, “night before last Nero saved us from a flood. A water pipe broke right over there and Nero—made us all get up—”
“Night before last!” exclaimed the professor.
“Yes; and Nancy turned off the water—”