The Sub's Stratagem
Ernst von Verbrennungsraum had not taken into account one of Noel
Fordyce's characteristics--that of grim, almost obstinate
determination. Under the mistaken impression that, for the sake of
his pet, the Sub would agree to his terms, the Secret Service agent
applied for and obtained a summons.
"I'll fight him while I have a penny left to call my own," declared
Fordyce, and with this laudable intention he engaged the best
solicitor in Otherport.
The German could not now back out without loss of dignity as a
respected member of the Otherport Town Council. He had to proceed
with the case, unless Fordyce capitulated.
The morning of the day fixed for the hearing came round. Noel
Fordyce, in uniform, made his way towards the Town Hall. Flirt was
safely under lock and key. An hour would decide whether she was to
live or die.
The young officer had not reached the end of the road when an Irish
terrier bounded up to him. It was Nell, Colonel Richardson's animal
and Flirt's mother, a quiet, affectionate and absolutely inoffensive
little beast. Flirt did not inherit her one bad trait from her
mother.
"Go back, Nell," ordered Noel. "Home! I can't take you for a stroll
this morning."
The dog, for once in a way, took no notice of the command. After
several vain attempts to send her back, Fordyce gave it up as a bad
job, and with Nell close at his heels he entered the Town Hall.
The police on duty at the door of the court made no attempt to turn
the animal off. They naturally but erroneously thought that this was
the canine delinquent.
While Fordyce was chatting with his solicitor the dog began
exploring. Round the well of the court she trotted, wagging her
stumpy tail; then, receiving a friendly caress from the bewigged
clerk, she proceeded, with scant regard to judicial authority, to the
bench itself, where the Great Unpaid gave her a cordial welcome.
Just then Councillor Mindiggle appeared. Catching sight of the dog,
the spy let himself go with a display of excitability that almost
betrayed his Hunnish nationality.
"That's the dog!" he exclaimed. "The dangerous brute! Take care,
gentlemen; she's vicious!"
The magistrates evidently thought otherwise. A ripple of laughter ran
through the court.
"By Jove!" thought Fordyce, an inspiration flitting across his mind.
"I'll risk it for Flirt's sake. Mr. Clinton," he said in a low tone
to his solicitor. "We decided that I was not to be put into the
witness-box. I've changed my mind. Call me as the first witness for
the defence, if you please."
The solicitor shrugged his shoulders.
"I wouldn't if I were you," he remarked. "But as you like."
The court opened, Fordyce's case was the first to be called. The
clerk read the indictment, the defendant pleaded not guilty, and John
Mindiggle was asked to give evidence.
He did so, stating most emphatically on oath that the dog present in
court was the animal that had bitten him.
Sub-Lieutenant Noel Fordyce, called and sworn, was equally emphatic
in his statement that the dog was not with him on the day in
question, and consequently could not have bitten the complainant. If
he, Fordyce, had apologized, he had done so on behalf of another dog.
"And you can see for yourselves, gentlemen," he concluded, "that this
animal is quite a harmless, well-conducted dog. I can affirm that to
the best of my knowledge and belief she has never bitten or even
attempted to bite anyone."
The magistrates consulted, and soon gave a unanimous verdict for the
defendant.
"Costs, I presume, against the prosecution?" asked Fordyce's
solicitor.
"Certainly; the prosecution is to pay costs," was the mandate.
Calling to the dog, the Sub left the court. Not until he was several
streets away did he give vent to his pent-up feelings of delight.
"Well, old girl," he exclaimed, "you've saved my Flirt. By Jove, it
was a rotten trick, though! I wouldn't have done it if that skunk
hadn't tried to make me do an underhand job. He forced my hand. It
was for Flirt's sake."
Had Fordyce known the true facts his qualms of conscience would not
have troubled him in the least. As it was, the knowledge that he had
won by means of a piece of sharp practice was not in accord with his
instincts as an officer and a gentleman.
"Well?" enquired his father laconically.
"Verdict against Mindiggle, with costs," replied Noel.
"Dash it all!" exclaimed Mr. Fordyce when his son had told him of
what had occurred. "You young scoundrel, I've half a mind to write to
Mindiggle and explain. In any case, I'm not going to be saddled with
Flirt while you're away. You'll have to find another home for her."
"Very well, Dad," replied Noel quietly, knowing that in such matters
his parent's word was law.
It was Mr. Fordyce's decision that prevented Noel confiding in him
concerning the interview with Mindiggle. In spite of his sense of
independence the young officer was anxious to obtain advice on the
matter, but now another possible chance was denied him.
"Hang it all!" he soliloquized. "I suppose it will keep a bit longer.
The main point is that I didn't agree to the sweep's proposals, and
I've scored heavily off my own bat. I'll spin the yarn to the
Honourable Derek when we are making our passage to the Baltic. Let me
see; what is that address? I have it: 'Klostivitch, 19, Bobbinsky
Prospekt'. I'll jot it down in case I forget. It may come in handy.
And now there's Flirt to consider. It won't do to send her to a place
in Otherport; she'll be nipping somebody--Mindiggle again for a dead
cert--and I'll find that she's been poisoned when I return. I'll run
her over to Billy's show this afternoon. He'll look after her, I
know."
Billy was Noel's cousin, a captain of the Loamshire Light Infantry,
who, after being thrice wounded slightly, had been buried by a shell
at Messines. He was now given home service, and was unlikely to be
again sent abroad.
Billy Fordyce was stationed at Upper Todbury--a small village about
twenty miles from Otherport--around which a large training-camp had
sprung into existence. Since Flirt was very partial to khaki it was
reasonable to suppose that the animal would take kindly to her new
surroundings.
The Sub lost no time in putting his plan into execution. It was late
in the afternoon when he brought his cycle-car round. At eight the
following morning he had to report for duty.
"I believe Flirt knows there's something in the air, Pater," he
remarked, as the dog obeyed the order to jump in with marked
reluctance. Usually the prospect of a motor run made the terrier
frantic with delight.
Noel took a roundabout route. It was a beautiful afternoon, the roads
were in perfect order, and the car ran faultlessly. In just over the
hour the Sub arrived at his cousin's quarters.
"I'll take care of her with pleasure," replied Billy in answer to his
cousin's request. "But do you think she'll stop?"
"I think so," replied Noel. "If I tell her she'll obey. In any case
she'd make her way back to Otherport, so you needn't be anxious. I
pity the man who tries to steal her."
"To be on the safe side, I'll lock her up until to-morrow morning,"
said Billy. "That'll give you time to get clear. Sorry you can't stop
to dinner, old man."
Noel took an affectionate farewell of his pet. Flirt looked very
downhearted as, with her tail between her legs, she followed the
Captain to her new quarters, while the Sub, having bidden his cousin
_au revoir_, hurried back to Otherport.