listen to the dash of rain against the windows, for the storm, bearing
out its promise of the morning, had lasted all day, changing from a
drizzle to a downpour and from a downpour to a drizzle with dismal
repetition. The colonel glanced at Shag, and then, drawing from an
inner pocket the little green book, read:

"Hunting is a game for princes and noble persons. It hath been highly
prized in all ages. It was one of the qualifications--"

The detective snapped the book shut, and tossed it on the bed.

"Shag!" he exploded.

"Yes, sah, Colonel."

"You've often heard me talk of fishing and hunting, haven't you?"

"Deed an' I has, Colonel; many a time! Yes, sah!"

"Humph! Yes! Well, detective work is a sort of hunt, isn't it, Shag?"

"Yes, sah, Colonel. Dat's jest what it is! Many an' many a time I'se
done heah yo' say yo's goin' out t' hunt dis man or dat woman!"

"Very good, Shag. And it's a sort of fishing, too, isn't it?".

"Yes, sah, Colonel! More as once I'se heah yo' say as how yo' had t'
fish an' fish an' _fish_ t' git a bit of a clew."

"I see you remember, Shag. Well, now, you black rascal, did you say