of those nameless airs which
Dan whistled as he rode through the hills. There came a patter of
swift, light footfalls in the hall, and then a heavy scratching at the
door.

"Down, Bart!" she called, and went to admit him to the room.

The moment she turned the handle the door burst open and Bart fell in
against her. She cried out at sight of the gleaming teeth and eyes,
but he fawned about her feet, alternately whining and snarling.

"What is it, boy?" she asked, gathering her skirts close about her
ankles and stepping back, for she never was without some fear of this
black monster. "What do you want, Bart?"

For reply he stood stock still, raised his nose, and emitted a long
wail, a mournful, a ghastly sound, with a broken-hearted quaver at the
end. Kate Cumberland shrank back still farther until the wall blocked
her retreat. Black Bart had never acted like this before. He followed
her with a green light in his eyes, which shone phosphorescent and
distinct through the growing shadows. And most terrible of all was
the sound which came deep in his throat as if his brute nature was
struggling to speak human words. She felt a great impulse to cry out
for help, but checked herself. He was still crouching about her feet.
Obviously he meant no harm to her.

He turned and ran towards the door, stopped, looked back to her, and
made a sound which was nearer to the bark of a dog than anything he
had ever uttered. She made a step after him. He whined with delight
and moved closer to the door. Now she stopped again. He whirled and
ran back, caught her dress in his teeth, and again made for the door,
tugging her after him.

At last she understood and followed him. When she went towards the
corral to get her horse, he planted himself in front of her and
snarled so furiously that she gave up her purpose. She was beginning
to be more and more afraid. A childish thought came to her that
perhaps this brute was attempting to lure her away from the house, as
she had seen coyotes lure dogs, and then turn his teeth against her.
Nevertheless she followed. Something in the animal's eagerness moved
her deeply. When he led her out to the road he released her dress and
trotted ahead a short distance, looking back and whining, as if to beg
her to go faster. For the first time the thought of Dan came into her
mind. Black Bart was leading her down the road towards Morgan's place.
What if something had happened to Dan?

She caught a breath