"This is a surprise," exclaimed Mr Musgrave. "I had no idea you were back." "We got home last night. Motored from town; a good run, but tiring." "I trust," Mr Musgrave said, "that the ladies are well?" "First rate, thanks." Will Chadwick watched Mr Musgrave as, having succeeded in grasping Diogenes' collar, he promptly fixed the chain. "New dog, eh?" he said. "I have had him some months," Mr Musgrave replied. "But I prefer to keep him on the chain when we get outside the gate. He is a bit wild." "Seems to be--yes." Mr Chadwick continued to regard the dog reflectively. He had heard of people turning suddenly white through shock; he was wondering whether change of residence could have the effect of changing a white bull-dog into a brindle. "You call him Diogenes?" he observed. "It's odd, but he is so like the dog we had I could almost swear it is the same. Same stock, perhaps. What's his pedigree?" "I really haven't an idea," Mr Musgrave replied, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. "The resemblance you speak of to your dog is very marked. I have observed it myself. I call him Diogenes on that account." "Oh!" said Mr Chadwick. The talk hung for a time. Mr Chadwick was debating whether a strong family likeness between two animals might extend to the affections in so far as to incline them towards the same persons. Mr Musgrave's brindle betrayed the fawning devotion towards himself that he had been accustomed to from his own dog. "He's a nice-looking beast," he remarked, still scrutinising Diogenes closely. "Might be a prize dog if it wasn't for his coat." "What is wrong with his coat?" inquired Mr Musgrave anxiously. "That is what I should like to be able to state definitely. The colour isn't good." The speaker here examined the dog at a nearer range, to Mr Musgrave's further discomfiture. When he faced Mr Musgrave again there was a puzzled questioning in his eyes, but he made no further allusion to the dog; the subject was tacitly dropped. The wisdom of having Diogenes on the chain was manifested when the moment arrived for Mr Chadwick to separate from Diogenes and his new master and proceed on his homeward way. Diogenes, despite a very real attachment for his new owner, was faithful to the old allegiance and showed so strong a desire to follow Will Chadwick to the Hall that Mr Musgrave had to exert his strength in order to restrain him. The business of holding Diogenes as he tugged determinedly at the chain put Mr Musgrave to the undignified necessity of tugging also. Mr Chadwick left them struggling in the road and proceeded on his way with an amused smile; a smile which broadened and finally ended in a laugh. "I wonder what he smears on the coat to make him that colour?" he mused as he walked. Then he laughed again.