e, but none of the servants had seen the
dog since the day before. I remembered at once the howling that I had
heard during the night and spoke of it. The Major thought for a moment,
then raised his head with a sudden look of comprehension. "Don't you
remember, Mr. Morgan, that Boris was with us when we made our
examination of the green room last night? I do not recollect seeing him
after that. We all left the room very hurriedly, you will remember,
having just learned that my daughter could not be found. The poor fellow
has no doubt been locked in there ever since, and it was his howls that
you heard. Wait until I see if I can find another key--there are two
about the house somewhere. Sergeant McQuade has the one usually left in
the door."

He disappeared for a few moments, then returned with several keys upon a
wire ring. "One of these will open it, I think," he said, and lead the
way to the green room, Muriel and I following him. "Poor dog," he said
as we hastily ascended the stairs, "he must be dying for food, or a
drink of water."

Upon our arrival at the door, Major Temple tried several of the keys
before finding one that would open it. At last the lock turned, however,
and he attempted to push open the door. It refused to open, and felt, he
said, as though some heavy object had been placed against it, upon the
inside of the room. I went to his assistance and by pushing with our
united strength forced the door inward sufficiently to allow us to
enter. The Major took a candle from the room occupied by myself, across
the hall, and we squeezed our way into the room with some difficulty,
Muriel remaining outside. What was our astonishment to see lying upon
the floor, his head close to the door, as though struck down in an
effort to escape, the Major's mastiff, Boris, stone dead, his eyes wide
open and staring, his mouth distended and still covered with foam, his
face wearing an expression of intense fear. It was a horrible sight,
and we looked at each other in alarm. "My God," said the Major--"this
room is accursed. Let us go." He started for the door.

"Shall I come in?" we heard Muriel asking from the hall without.

"No--no!" the Major commanded. "We will be with you in a moment." He
motioned to me to go ahead, and he followed me and closed the door.

"What is the matter?" asked his daughter as she saw our startled faces.
"Isn't Boris there?"

"Yes, he is there." The Major's tone was grave and solemn. "He is t