"That's vague."
"So was my—I can't even call it exactly sensation. It was so very slight. In fact, I'm as good as sure I felt nothing at all. It was a mere fancy. Nothing more."
And then again they were silent. The fire gradually died down until the room grew quite dark. Presently Valentine said:
"Hulloh! here is Rip up against my foot. He is cold without the fire, poor little beggar."
"Shall we stop?" asked Julian.
"Yes; I vote we do—for to-night."
Valentine struck a match, felt for the knob of the electric light, and turned it on. Julian and he looked at each other, blinking.
"Think there's anything in it?" asked Julian.
"I don't know," said Valentine. "I suppose not. Rip! Rip! He is cold. Did you ever see a dog shiver like that?"
He picked the little creature up in his arms. It nestled against his shoulder with a deep sigh.