But Ventnor 's dog is under suspicion , and if Don runs with him he 'll learn the trick sure as preaching . The farmers are growling a good bit already , and if they hear of Don and Ventnor 's dog going about in company , they 'll put it on them both . Better keep Don shut up awhile , let him howl as he likes . '' `` I believe I will , '' said Curtis soberly . `` I do n't want Don to fall under suspicion of sheep-worrying , though I 'm sure he would never do it . Anyhow , I do n't want him to run with Ventnor 's dog . I 'll chain him up in the barn when I go home . I could n't stand it if anything happened to Don . After you , he 's the only chum I 've got -- and he 's a good one . '' Will agreed . He was almost as fond of Don as Curtis was . But he did not feel so sure that the dog would not worry a sheep . Will knew that Don was suspected already , but he did not like to tell Curtis so . And of course there was as yet no positive proof -- merely mutterings and suggestions among the Bayside farmers who had lost sheep and were anxious to locate their slayer . There were many other dogs in Bayside and the surrounding districts who were just as likely to be the guilty animals , and Will hoped that if Don were shut up for a time , suspicion might be averted from him , especially if the worryings still went on . He had felt a little doubtful about hinting the truth to Curtis , who was a high-spirited lad and always resented any slur cast upon Don much more bitterly than if it were meant for himself . But he knew that Curtis would take it better from him than from the other Bayside boys , one or the other of whom would be sure soon to cast something up to Curtis about his dog . Will felt decidedly relieved to find that Curtis took his advice in the spirit in which it was offered . `` Who have lost sheep lately ? '' queried Curtis , as they left the main road and struck into a wood path through the ranks of beeches on Tom Grier 's land .
`` Nearly everybody XXXXX the Hollow farms , '' answered Will .
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