“Stand still!” cried Sleuth chokingly. “Stand where you are, or I’ll shoot! Keep your dog off, if you don’t want him riddled!”
Growling, with its teeth exposed, the dog seemed ready to spring at the boy, but instantly the creature’s master spoke.
“Here, Bob,” he said sharply. “Steady, sir! Down! down!”
The creature obeying its master’s commands, Sleuth felt his courage rise with a sudden bound, although his tremendous excitement was not in the least abated. With an air of perplexed dismay the man remained standing at the water’s edge, his eyes fastened on the threatening figure of the boy. In that manner they gazed at each other for a few moments of intense, nerve-tingling silence. Presently the man spoke.
“Put down that gun,” he said. “If it’s loaded, you’re liable to make a mistake and shoot me.”
Exultantly Piper retorted:
“If you’re a ghost, it won’t hurt you to be shot; and if you’re not a ghost, you’d better explain your actions mighty quick.”
“Put down the gun,” repeated the man angrily. “I’m no ghost.”
“Ah!” breathed Sleuth in tremendous satisfaction; and he lowered the gun.
“What are you doing here?” questioned the person in white.