The Secret Warning by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

gals!”
    Suddenly :Biff’s jovial expression turned to one of dismay. Startled gasps and squeals came from the other guests.
    â€œJoe, look out!” warned Tony Prito.
    Before Joe could react, something struck him hard in the back, sending him sprawling to the ground!

CHAPTER X
    A Four-legged Menace
    Â 
    Â 
    Â 
    Â 
    Â 
    â€œH EY! What gives?” Joe spluttered. He tried to get up, but felt paws trampling his back.
    As he turned his head, a large wet tongue licked him across the face. His assailant was an ungainly Great Dane!
    â€œDown, Tivoli! Here, boy!” Biff shouted as he ran to his guest’s assistance. Everyone else was roaring with laughter.
    Joe finally struggled to his feet. “For Pete’s sake,” he gasped, wiping his face, “where’d that monster come from?”
    â€œHe’s no monster—he’s my big surprise,” said Biff, hanging on to the huge dog with both hands. “I’ll have you know this magnificent creature comes from champion— Oof!”
    Biff broke off with a grunt as the Dane pulled free from his grip and went bounding off among the young people. “Hey, come here! I said, come , Tivoli!”
    The dog paid no attention. He pranced happily about the lawn, barging into several teen-agers and spilling their soda pop. Biff pursued his pet, but the Great Dane eluded him as nimbly as a swivel-hipped quarterback.
    â€œWatch it, Chet!” Tony Prito shouted. “He’s going for the hot dogs!”
    The party was in an uproar. Phil Cohen, at Biff’s frantic request, ran into the house and got a chain-link training collar.
    With Frank helping, Biff finally put the collar around Tivoli’s neck—but not before the dog had gulped five frankfurters and a package of hamburger meat.
    â€œDon’t you ever feed the poor thing?” Tony joked.
    â€œFeed him?” Biff said indignantly. “Listen, he’s had three big meals today already!” Then he added hastily, “Tivoli’s not really such a terribly big eater—”
    A chorus of disbelieving laughs greeted his words.
    â€œHe’s not!” Biff insisted. “It’s just that he got half-starved when he was being shipped here, so now he’s making up for lost time.”
    Iola giggled. “And how! I’ll bet even Chet has a canary’s appetite by comparison!”
    â€œYou still haven’t told us how you got him, Biff,” said Jim Foy, a Chinese youth.
    â€œI won him in a mail-order contest.” Biff explained that he had submitted the winning slogan for a new cereal and had received Tivoli as first prize.
    â€œHow old is the mutt?” asked Jerry Gilroy.
    â€œMutt my eye!” Biff retorted. “This dog comes from purebred stock. His father and mother were both international champions—and Tivoli will be, too, someday. He’s just nine months old.”
    â€œNine months?” Chet echoed. “Good night, he’s as big as a colt already! How big will he be when he’s full grown?”
    â€œBig enough to make the best watchdog in Bayport,” Biff said proudly. He cleared his throat. “Ahem! It just happens that Tivoli—er—arrived at a bad time, with us going on vacation. So as I was about to announce, one of you lucky people can have the privilege of keeping this future champ while I’m gone.”
    Another chorus of laughter arose.
    â€œDid you say lucky? ” teased Callie.
    â€œDoes the offer include a cage?” Phil added.
    â€œ ’Fraid you’re wasting your time, Biff old pal,” added another boy. “You’ll have to board him at a kennel—if you can find one big enough.”
    Summoning up a hearty pitchman’s smile, Biff went on, “Listen, gang. Think what an impression Tivoli will make when you take him out on a leash.”
    Tony chuckled. “He’ll make an impression all right. Everybody’ll run