Much relieved by this performance, the boys waited anxiously for a reply, and when it came found little comfort in it.

Cousin Horace had done his duty like a man, but regretted that he could only report a failure.

The owner of the black poodle was a suspicious character, but told a straight story, how he had bought the dog from a stranger, and exhibited him with success till he was stolen.

Knew nothing of his history, and was very sorry to lose him, for he was a remarkably clever beast.
"I told my dog-man to look about for him, but he says he has probably been killed, with ever so many more; so there is an end of it, and I call it a mean shame." "Good for Horace! I told you he'd do it up thoroughly and see the end of it," said Thorny, as he read that paragraph in the deeply interesting letter.
"May be the end of that dog, but not of mine.

I'll bet he ran away; and if it was Sanch, he'll come home.