“Do you ever have any murders or serious crimes down here, Terry?” Sim asked suddenly.
“Yes—we had a very important one about three years ago. Reilly saw a headless tiny body floating in the bay,” Terry said dramatically.
“No, really?” Arden and Sim were all attention.
“Really,” answered Terry. “But when they picked it up, it turned out to be a doll some youngster dropped in the water.”
“Oh, Terry,” Sim said throwing a pillow at her. “You had me all worked up.”
Terry laughed mischievously and threw the pillow back. A well aimed throw from Arden caught Terry squarely in the face with such force that the chair in which she was sitting went over backwards and Terry with it. In the scramble that followed they did not hear the scratching at the door. It was not until they took a little breathing spell that Arden cautioned them to be quiet.
“Ssh-sh a minute,” she said. “Did you hear that scratching?”
They listened. It came from the front door, and this time a bark also could be heard.
“It’s a dog!” Sim exclaimed, and getting up from the pile of cushions on the floor she went to open the door.
“Why, it’s Tania!” Arden declared. “The poor dog! Look at her!”