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Page 43
But presently into his weather-beaten face came an expression of
glad welcome. Out of the mairie gate and into the sleepy warmth
of the street lounged a huge dark-brown-and-white collie. The don
stretched himself lazily, fore and aft, in true collie style,
then stood gazing about him as if in search of something of
interest to occupy his bored attention.
"Hello!" observed Mahan, breaking in on a homily of Vivier's.
"There's Bruce!"
Vivier's leathery face brightened at sound of the collie's name.
He looked eagerly in the direction of Mahan's pointing finger.
"Ce brave!" exclaimed the Frenchman. "I did not know even that he
was in the village. It must be he is but new-arriven. Otherwise
he would, of an assuredly, have hunted up his old friends. Ohe,
Bruce!" he called invitingly.
"The big dog must have gotten here just a few minutes ago," said
Sergeant Mahan. "He was coming out of headquarters when I saw
him. That must mean he's just struck the town, and with a message
for the K.O. He always goes like greased lightning when he's on
dispatch duty, till he has delivered his message. Then, if he's
to be allowed to hang around a while before he's sent back, he
loafs, lazy-like; the way you see him now. If all the courier-
dogs were like him, every human courier would be out of a job."
At Vivier's hail the great collie had pricked his ears and
glanced inquiringly up and down the street. Catching sight of the
group seated in front of the estaminet, he began to wag his plumy
tail and set off toward them at a trot.
Ten minutes earlier, Bruce had cantered into Meran-en-Laye from
the opposite end of the street, bearing in his collar a dispatch
from the corps commander to the colonel of the "Here-We-Comes."
The colonel, at the mairie, had read the dispatch and had patted
its bearer; then had bidden the dog lie down and rest, if he
chose, after his long run.
Instead, Bruce had preferred to stroll out in search of friends.
Top-Sergeant Mahan, by the way, would have felt highly flattered
had he chanced to get a glimpse of the dispatch Bruce had brought
to the colonel. For it bore out Mahan's own theory regarding the
presence of spies at or near the village, and it bade the "Here-
We-Come" colonel use every means for tracing them.
It added the information that three troop-trains with nine
engines were to pass through the village that night on their way
to the trenches, and that the trains were due at the junction at
nine o'clock or shortly thereafter. The mairie was on the other
side of the street from the estaminet. Incidentally, it was on
the shady side of the street--for which reason Bruce,--being
wise, and the day being hot,--remained on that side, until he
should come opposite the bench where his friends awaited him.
His course, thus, brought him directly past the church.
As he trotted by the steps, the Red Cross nurse, who sat sewing
there, chirped timidly at him. Bruce paused in his leisurely
progress to see who had accosted him whether an old acquaintance,
to be greeted as such, or merely a pleasantly inclined stranger.
His soft brown eyes rested first in idle inquiry upon the angular
and white-robed figure on the steps. Then, on the instant, the
friendly inquiring look left his eyes and their softness went
with it--leaving the dog's gaze cold and frankly hostile.
One corner of Bruce's lips slowly lifted, revealing a tiny view
of the terrible white fangs behind them. His gayly erect head was
lowered, and in the depths of his furry throat a growl was born.
When a dog barks and holds his head up, there is little enough to
fear from him. But when he lowers his head and growl--then look
out.
Mahan knew dogs. In stark amazement he now noted Bruce's strange
attitude toward the nurse. Never before had he seen the dog show
active hostility toward a stranger--least of all toward a
stranger who had in no way molested him. It was incredible that
the wontedly dignified and sweet-tempered collie had thus
returned a greeting. Especially from a woman!
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