“Were all the dogs poisoned owned by her?”
“All of them.”
“Do you think it possible that rivalry or jealousy could be at the bottom of it?”
“In the contest here for prizes, do you mean?”
“Yes.”
“I cannot believe it.”
Nick asked no more questions, and looked over the room.
“Come with me and look at the dog,” said the banker.
Nick nodded, and the banker led the detective to a rear room, where he saw a noble setter dog writhing in agony on a blanket on the floor.
A well-known veterinary surgeon was laboring over the dog, and a beautiful woman of thirty, regardless of her costly raiment, was kneeling at the dog’s head, soothing and petting him, the tears streaming from her eyes, while she murmured: