The sounds came from directly under us; and for the instant all I could think of was Cronin's murdered wife! Addison had turned to stare at the dark cellar doorway, when we heard it yet again--a wild staccato yelp, prolonged and quavering.
"There must be a wolf or a fox down there!" Addison muttered and picked up a loose brick from the fireplace.
He started to throw it down the cellar stairs, when three or four yelps burst forth at once, followed by a rumble and clatter below, as if a number of animals were running madly round, and then by the ugliest, most savage growl that ever came to my ears! Addison stopped short.

"Good gracious!" he exclaimed.

"That's some big beast.

Sounds like a bear! He'll be up here in a minute! Quick, help me stand this wardrobe in front of the doorway!" He seized it on one side, I on the other, and between us we quickly stood that heavy piece of furniture up against the dark opening.

Then, while I held it in place, Addison propped it fast with the door from the foot of the chamber stairs, which with one wrench he tore from its hinges.
It was evidently foxes, or bears, or both; but how they had got into the cellar was not clear.