“Will you tackle that beast?”
“Will I? You just watch me, and don’t you have any fear. I’ve got a good way for serving out doggies, big and little.”
“But I cannot let you face that fellow.”
The dog had approached very leisurely, and he was an immense fellow as he loomed up in the darkness.
“I’ll fix him,” whispered Ike quickly. “You stand back.”
The dog came quite near and then suddenly, with a growl and a snappish bark, leaped forward, and the next instant Ike had him by the neck and turned him over on his back. The great beast lay silent and helpless.
“Got a cord?” asked Ike.
The detective was amazed, but produced a strong cord and Ike deliberately tied the great hound as a butcher ties a calf for market. He had also bitted him so he could not make any noise, and then rising and facing the detective inquired:
“Well, how’s that?”
“Are you a human being?” demanded the officer.