"Oh! That don't go, young man--trot him out." At this moment, Dix walked out from under my desk where he had been lying, and standing beside me, gave a low, deep growl. "Why, that's the dog now." I was angry, but I was quiet, and I got up and walked over toward him. "Tell me what you are talking about," I said. "I'm talking about that dog. My daughter owns him and I've come for him." "Well, you can't get this dog," I said, "because he's mine." "Oh! he is, is he?" "Yes, I brought him here with me when I came. I've had him since he was a puppy." "Oh! you did!" "Yes, I did. Go back there, Dix, and lie down!" for Dix, with the hair up on his broad back and a wicked look in his eye, was growling his low, ominous bass that meant war. At the word, however, he went back to his corner and lay down, his eye watchful and uneasy. His prompt obedience seemed to stagger Mr. McSheen, for he condescended to make his first attempt at an explanation. "Well, a man brought him and sold him to my daughter two months ago." "I know--he stole him." "I don't know anything about that. She paid for him fair and square--$50.00, and she's fond of the dog, and I want him." "I'm sorry, for I can't part with him." "You'd sell him, I guess?" "No." "If I put up enough?" "No." "Say, see here." He put his hand in his pocket. "I helped you out about that nigger of yours, and I want the dog. I'll give you $50.00 for the dog--more than he's worth--and that makes one hundred he's cost." "He's not for sale--I won't sell him." "Well, I'll make it a hundred." A hundred dollars! The money seemed a fortune to me; but I could not sell Dix. "No. I tell you the dog is not for sale. I won't sell him." "What is your price, anyhow?" demanded McSheen. "I tell you I want the dog. I promised my daughter to get the dog back." "Mr. McSheen, I have told you the dog is not for sale--I will not sell him at any price." He suddenly flared up. "Oh! You won't! Well, I'll tell you that I'll have that dog and you'll sell him too." "I will not." "We'll see. You think you're a pretty big man, but I'll show you who's bigger in this town--you or Coll McSheen. I helped you once and you haven't sense enough to appreciate it. You look out for me, young man." He turned slowly with his scowling eye on me. "I will." "You'd better. When I lay my hand on you, you'll think an earthquake's hit you." "Well, get out of my office now," I said. "Oh! I'm going now, but wait." He walked out, and I was left with the knowledge that I had one powerful enemy. I was soon to know Mr. Collis McSheen better, as he was also to know me better. A few days after this I was walking along and about to enter my office when a man accosted me at the entrance and asked if I could tell him of a good lawyer. I told him I was one myself, though I had the grace to add that there were many more, and I named several of the leading firms in the city.