That very evening , Thorny wrote to a boy cousin in New York , giving all the particulars of the case , and begging him to hunt up the man , investigate the dog , and see that the police made sure that every thing was right . 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 . You see if he does n't ! '' cried Ben , refusing to believe that all was over . `` A hundred wiles off ? Oh , he could n't find you without help , smart as he is , '' answered Thorny , incredulously . Ben looked discouraged , but Miss Celia cheered him up again by saying , -- `` Yes , he could . My father had a friend who left a little dog in Paris ; and the creature found her in Milan , and died of fatigue next day . That was very wonderful , but true ; and I 've no doubt that if Sanch is alive he will come home . Let us hope so , and be happy , while we wait . '' `` We will ! '' said the boys ; and day after day looked for the wanderer 's return , kept a bone ready in the old place if he should arrive at night , and shook his mat to keep it soft for his weary bones when he came .
But weeks passed , and still no XXXXX .
Ben Horace Paris Sanch Thorny day dog-man evening night right