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 had been faithful to his trust, although he could not understand what had become of him and the little flock of sheep.

He went as far as the foothills in an automobile. Arriving there, Richard left the car with a small farmer who corralled and fed his father's sheep in the winter months, and farmed on a small scale for the rest of the year. When Richard told him his errand, the man who was well versed in the ways of sheep shook his head.

"I am afraid you will find the flock sadly diminished, if you find it at all," he said. "You could not blame the dog. He could not be expected to starve."

"But I trained him very carefully. He understands that they are my property as well as I do," explained Dick.

"I know," said the farmer, "but even man will break all the moral laws when it comes to a case of slow starvation."

"Silversheene could hunt enough to keep himself alive," countered Dick.

"Not and watch the sheep and keep off