Page:The Cross Pull.pdf/56

 At the sound of her voice the two men beyond her opened their eyes instantly but made no move. Flash knew they were awake.

“Come here,” she said again, and extended her hand.

Flash took one more step and for one brief instant his big bushy tail flipped aloft, then dropped again. Inch by inch he edged up to her, keeping a wary eye on the two silent spectators beyond. His nose barely touched the tips of the extended fingers.

The girl reached out still farther and stroked his head.

“Come on up here—don’t be afraid of me—I won’t hurt you,” she coaxed.

He crept closer, thrilling to the soft touch of her hand. His nose brushed her cheek and pressed against the mass of brown hair, breathing deep of its fragrance; then he abruptly raised his head and peered across her at the two men as one of them spoke.

“That’s the first time he ever let a soul touch him but Moran,” Kinney said.

“You know him then,” said the stranger.

“It’s Flash,” Kinney answered. “He belongs