"Come back," I called; "there must be a burglar in the house. I will telephone to the police."
After that announcement there came a gentle tap on the door, and a voice whispered:—
"Please let me in for a moment. I want to speak to you once more."
Switching on the lights I opened the door, and Mr. Saltus came in.
"Forgive me, little girl," he said. "I'm a devil. I'm all you say I am, but I have not wrecked your life, Mowgy. If I am less to you than a dog you never saw till yesterday I have failed,—totally failed. All the same I have never wanted anything but to see you smile. Try me again."
By that time there were two of us weeping, with Toto jumping up upon us licking our hands; taking on, as she did, our vibrations as might a delicately constructed instrument.
The following day I went to Mr. Saltus and said:—
"I'm dreadfully sorry over what occurred last night, and while there is no possible danger I want you to have your wound attended to."
"Don't worry over that," he said. "I had it cauterized this morning. Anyway, it did its work. That poor dog was trying to protect the house. He and I are on the same job and we will make friends."
They made up, and to such an extent that when after a few days a home was found for the stray, Mr. Saltus had to be persuaded to let him go.