Dash and Dingo Read Online Free Page A

I’ve got this friend who flies the mail from here to Hobart, and we’ll be there in four days. And it’s free, can’t beat that.”
    Henry tried not to look too defeated while Dingo appeared to be a little smug. Even though he was oversetting all of his plans, Henry had to admit he could see the value in the offer of free travel; it would make his proposition all the more appealing to Larwood. However, he wasn’t prepared to let Dingo march off with all the honors in this battle of wills.
    “Dingo, just remember, Larwood is an academic. He will respond more favorably to a well-reasoned argument that lays out the advantages to this institution, in terms of money, publicity, and a profitable arrangement with the London zoo, should our quest prove successful.”
    16 | Catt Ford and Sean Kennedy

    “Damned if you English don’t know how to speak the language,” Dingo observed. “If I read you right, Lardarse is a dull old dog, and you’re aiming to play into that. I say we hit him where he lives.”
    “And where, according to you, does he live?” Henry snarled.
    “It’s all about selling a dream, Dash. We’ve got to get him so excited, he won’t even know he’s saying yes while he’s agreeing to our terms.”
    There it was again. We. Us. Our . Henry could see how people got swept up on the tide of Dingo’s enthusiasm. He almost did himself but remembered the glazed look of Diana’s eyes and swore to himself that he wouldn’t look as besotted. Even Larwood seemed in awe of the man.
    “Well?” Dingo asked.
    Henry realized he had been lost in his own thoughts and may have even been staring at Dingo while doing so. He pushed his glasses back up his nose hurriedly and tried to look as blank as possible. “Yes.”
    “Did you even hear what I said?”
    “Of course I did.” Henry checked his watch and was relieved to see that it was almost nine. “I have to go. One of the geology classes is coming in for a tour, and I have to show them our igneous collection.”
    “No wonder you’re itching to get out to see Tassie, if that’s what you have to do all day.” Dingo said this pleasantly, but it still stung Henry.
    “I happen to like my job,” Henry replied, bristling slightly.
    “Of course you do,” Dingo said. “But—”
    “But nothing.” Henry got to his feet, mustering up as much dignity as he could. “Enjoy the rest of your breakfast, Mr. Chambers. I will schedule a meeting with Mr. Larwood and present our case to him.”
    Dingo nodded. “Hey, Dash, if I offended you—”
    “You didn’t,” Henry said stiffly, although his meaning was more than apparent to the other man. “I’ll let you know the results of the meeting.”
    “On your bike, then,” Dingo said, by way of goodbye.
    Henry wasn’t exactly sure what that meant, but he felt he would lose face if he had to ask, so he nodded and left one bemused Australian in his wake.

    Dash and Dingo: In Search of the Tasmanian Tiger | 17

    Henry burned with the fire of indignation all morning as he led a small group of bored students around the geology department’s archives. He ended up being snippy with the class, taking out the anger he felt against Dingo upon them. When their time together was finally up, both sides were relieved.
    He wasn’t sure why Dingo’s easy dismissal of his work affected him so much. The truth was that he was slightly bored with it all. Much the same as the morning’s students had been. It was the thylacine that had awakened this need for something new within him.
    So he decided to go and pay a visit to his thylacine collection, the old friend that always gave him a sense of peace despite its inherent sadness.
    But when he got there, he realized he wouldn’t be alone.
    Dingo sat at the large table, the pelt of the thylacine spread out before him.
    “What are you doing?” Henry asked brusquely.
    Dingo jumped slightly, which made Henry happy. It was good to know that the man could be startled occasionally.