The dog grabbed it, and retired under the sofa.

This was an odd thing for him to do, and we commented upon it.

Suddenly a thought occurred to Hollis, and he took out his money and began counting it.
"By Jove," he exclaimed, "I've given that little beast half-a-sovereign--here, Tiny!" But Tiny only backed further underneath the sofa, and no mere verbal invitation would induce him to stir.

So we adopted a more pressing plan, and coaxed him out by the scruff of his neck.
He came, an inch at a time, growling viciously, and holding Hollis's half- sovereign tight between his teeth.

We tried sweet reasonableness at first.