* * * * *

[Sidenote:  The Judge Returns]

When the Judge came in, an hour later, he was much surprised to find the office locked and the cards of three valued clients on the floor under the door.  There had been four, but Fido had eaten the first one.  Two of them were marked with the hour of the call.  It indicated, plainly, to a logical mind, that Roger had left the office soon after he did, and had not returned.  It was very strange.

Fido slumbered on, though hitherto the sound of his master’s step would awaken him to noisy and affectionate demonstrations.  The Judge turned Fido over with a friendly foot, but there was no answer save a wide yawn.  He brought the parcel of bread and meat and opened it, leaving it on the floor close by.  Then he took a chicken bone and held it to the sleeper’s nose, but Fido turned away as though from an annoying fly.

As the dog had never before failed to take immediate interest in a chicken bone, the Judge was alarmed.  He picked up the fragments of the little red box and wondered if anyone could have poisoned his pet.  He brought fresh water, but Fido, hitherto possessed of an unquenchable thirst, failed to respond.

When Roger came in, belated and breathless, he found his explanations coldly received.  Whether or not Barbara North ever walked was evidently a matter of no particular concern to the Judge.  It was also of no immediate importance that clients had come and found the office empty, even though one of them, presumably, had intended to settle an account of long standing.  The vital question was simply this:  what was the matter with Fido?

Roger did not know.  Though Fido’s disdain of food and drink might be abnormal, his position on the floor and his deep breathing were quite natural.

[Sidenote:  An Inquiry]

Then the fragments of the little red box were presented to Roger, and inquiry made as to the contents.  Also, had Roger tried to poison the Judge’s pet?

Roger had not.  The box had contained a prescription for lumbago which Doctor Conrad had given his mother.  It was in the drawer in his desk.  He might possibly have left the drawer open—­probably had, as the box was gone.

The Judge was deeply desirous of knowing why Mrs. Austin’s lumbago cure should be kept in the office, within reach of unwary pets.  After considerable hesitation, Roger explained.

The owner of Fido was highly incensed.  First, he condemned the entire procedure as “criminal carelessness,” setting forth his argument in unparliamentary language.  Then, remembering that Roger had not really loved Fido, he brought forth an unworthy motive, and accused the hapless young man of murderous intent.

[Sidenote:  The Judge Commands]

Roger would kindly borrow the miniature express waggon which was the prized possession of the postmaster’s small son, place the cushion in it, with its precious burden, and convey Fido, with all possible tenderness, to his other and larger cushion in the Judge’s own bedroom.  He would take the cold chicken, too, please, for if Fido ever wanted anything again in this world, it would probably be chicken.