t at the sound the blood of all that heard it turned
to water. It was so appalling that for an instant no one moved, and then
from every part of the house, along the garden walks, from the servants'
quarters, came the sound of pounding feet. Herrick, with Miss Waring
clutching at his sleeve, raced toward the other end of the terrace. They
had not far to go. Directly in front of them they saw what had dragged
from the very soul of the woman the scream of terror.

The drawing-room opened upon the terrace, and, seated at the piano,
Jackson had been playing for those in the room to dance. The windows to
the terrace were open. The terrace itself was flooded with moonlight.
Seeking the fresh air, one of the dancers stepped from the drawing-room
to the flags outside. She had then raised the cry of terror and fallen
in a faint. What she had seen, Herrick a moment later also saw. On the
terrace in the moon-light, Bruno and Clara, on their hind legs, were
solemnly waltzing. Neither the scream nor the cessation of the music
disturbed them. Contentedly, proudly, they continued to revolve in hops
and leaps. From their happy expression, it was evident they not only
were enjoying themselves, but that they felt they were greatly affording
immeasurable delight to others. Sick at heart, furious, bitterly hurt,
with roars of mocking laughter in his ears, Herrick ran toward the
stables for help. At the farther end of the terrace the butler had
placed a tray of liqueurs, whiskeys, and soda bottles. His back had been
turned for only a few moments, but the time had sufficed.

Lolling with his legs out, stretched in a wicker chair, Herrick beheld
the form of Ikey. Between his uplifted paws he held aloof the base of
a decanter; between his teeth, and well jammed down his throat, was the
long neck of the bottle. From it issued the sound of gentle gurgling.
Herrick seized the decanter and hurled it crashing upon the terrace.
With difficulty Ikey rose. Swaying and shaking his head reproachfully,
he gave Herrick a perfectly accurate imitation of an intoxicated bear.

End of Project Gutenberg's The Nature Faker, by Richard Harding Davis

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