It seemed as if it had been done accidentally, for he dropped it before coming quite up.

If so, it was a fortunate accident, for it served as the tiny fulcrum on which to place the point of that mighty lever which was destined ere long to raise him to the pinnacle of canine erudition.

Dick Varley immediately lavished upon him the tenderest caresses and gave him a lump of meat.

But he quickly tried it again lest he should lose the lesson.

The dog evidently felt that if he did not fetch that mitten he should have no meat or caresses.