Ruth repeated this to her friends, and asked Mrs. Murchiston what
they should do.

"If the baste comes here," cried Mary, the maid, "he can jump right
into these low winders. We'll be clawed to pieces."

"There are heavy shutters for these windows," Mrs. Murchiston said,
faintly. "But they are to heavy for us to handle--and I suppose they
are stored in one of the outbuildings, anyway."

"Why, I wouldn't go out of doors for a fortune!" cried Lluella
Fairfax.

"But the creature isn't here yet," Ruth said, doubtfully.

"How do you know how fast he's traveling?" returned Helen, quickly.

"But think of the boys down there skating," said her chum.

"Oh, oh!" gasped Jennie. "If that panther eats them up they'll be
more than well paid for spoiling our taffy."

"Hush, Jennie!" commanded Madge. "This is no time for joking. How
are we going to warn them--and the men in the woods?"

"And father?" cried Helen Cameron.

"Oh, I wouldn't _dare_ go out!" gasped Belle Tingley.