Her resolution was quickly taken; slipping softly out of bed, she stole noiselessly from the room and into another, on the opposite side of the hall, occupied by Edward and Zoe.
"Edward," she said, speaking in a whisper close to his ear, "wake, my son; I am in need of help."
"What is it, mother?" he asked, starting up.
"Softly," she whispered; "make no noise, but come with me. Somebody or something is in the room where Lulu and Gracie sleep. I distinctly heard the clanking of a chain."
"Mother!" he cried, but hardly above his breath, "an escaped lunatic, probably! Stay here and let me encounter him alone. I have loaded pistols—"
"Oh, don't use them if you can help it!" she cried.
"I shall not," he assured her, "unless it is absolutely necessary."
He snatched the weapons from beneath his pillow as he spoke, and went from the room, she closely following.
At the instant that they entered hers a low growl came from the inner room, and simultaneously they exclaimed, "A dog!"
"Somewhat less to be feared than a lunatic, unless he should be mad, which is not likely," added Edward, striking a light.