The guide and his boy had long since departed, on the truck, for their ten-mile distant home.

Nor, even yet, did it occur to the Mistress to question the truth of the youngster's story.

She merely wondered why, for the first time in his life, Lad should absent himself at dinnertime from his time-honored place on the dining-room floor, at the Master's left.

And, amusedly, she recalled what her husband had said of the stately dog's new propensity for mischief.

Perhaps Lad was exploring the friendly home-woods in search of a bear! But when ten o'clock came and Lad did not seek the shelter of his "cave" under the music-room piano, for the night, there was real worry.
The Mistress went out on the veranda and sounded long and shrilly upon the silver whistle which hung from her belt.
From puppyhood, Laddie had always come, at a sweeping gallop, on sound of this whistle.