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.Once there he stopped, studying the place.All was dark.Lifting his head, he let loose a long, drawn-out howl, proclaiming that this was his territory and that he, McKinley, was head dog.Within moments, from all over the neighborhood, there came a satisfying response of howls, barks, and yelps.He could be sure Redburn heard that, too.Even so, McKinley kept his eyes on the Sullivans’ house.Within moments Redburn’s face appeared behind a window, fogging the glass with his breath.Lifting his leg against the Sullivans’ gatepost, McKinley peed.No way that Redburn could miss this message.As the snow continued to thicken, McKinley headed for Pycraft’s house.Duchess needed to know what had happened to Lupin.• • •McKinley peered through the fence into Pycraft’s yard.It appeared deserted, but there was enough light from the house for him to see the cable and leash system.The doghouse door was ajar, and the leash ran right into it.Duchess had to be there.McKinley examined the fence.He blinked and cocked his head.The entry way was open.Drawing closer, he gave it a little shove.Though McKinley knew he could go on through, he held back.His ears flicked.He growled.Despite the snow, the whole area smelled of Pycraft.The stink made McKinley edgy.He looked toward the house.Dimly, he could see the light of a flickering glow box.It meant nothing.Sometimes—McKinley didn’t understand why—people left the boxes glowing all the time.Then, for a moment, he was sure he heard the sound of another dog behind him, in the dark somewhere.He thought of Redburn.The snow should hide me, he thought.But it can hide someone else, too.He swung around.The snow worked against him.He could see or smell nothing.Yawning with nervousness, McKinley pawed the snow and allowed himself a high-pitched growl.He made up his mind to enter the yard.Stepping with care over one of Duchess’s play sticks, McKinley trotted in, then stopped, ears up, listening.Nothing to alarm him.He glanced back over his shoulder to make certain he could—if necessary—escape through the entryway.When he reached the doghouse, he stuck his head past the door.The air inside was close and damp, but full of Duchess’s scent.He gave a quick, sharp bark.“McKinley?” came the startled response.“That you?”“It’s me, all right.” McKinley backed away from the door.There was a clank as the leash banged the doghouse.Duchess crept out.“How did you get in here?” “The entry way was open.”Duchess whimpered.“Be careful, McKinley.Pycraft may be careless, but he’s mean.And he’s around.”“I can take care of myself,” McKinley growled.“Why did you come?”McKinley gazed into Duchess’s eyes.“I promised you I’d help Lupin, didn’t I? And I did.Aspen and I.But Lupin was wounded.We cleaned her wound and got her food.She’s doing fine, now.”“Did she go back to the wilderness?”McKinley shook his head.“She’s too weak to travel.We’ve got her hidden.”“McKinley,” Duchess whined, “the humans are going to hunt for her this morning.Did you know that?”“Yes.Who told you?”“Redburn came around.”McKinley snorted.“He spoke to me through the back fence.Said he was the new head dog.That he beat you in a fair fight.Is that true?”“No.”“I’m really glad to hear that.Redburn was saying I should learn to make the best of my situation.That the humans were in charge of things.That it could be worse.But, McKinley, it’s Lupin I’m worried about.Can you stop the hunt?”“I’m going to try.Now listen, we’ve got to hurry.Do you want your collar off?”“Oh, McKinley, could you? It’s new.” Duchess nodded toward Pycraft’s house.“He bought it just yesterday.”McKinley growled.“I’ll see what I can do.”Duchess lowered her head so he could get his teeth into the collar.“McKinley.,” Duchess said.“What?”“You’re a good dog.Thank you.” Shivering in the cold, snowy air, she held as still as she could.McKinley kept chewing.“Almost.a little.more.There! Give a shake.”Duchess shook her head.What remained of the collar fell away, dangling from the leash.McKinley wagged his tail hard.“Come on,” he barked.“Let’s get out of here.” He turned and froze in his tracks.At the fence, a human was watching.“What’s going on here?” came an angry voice.“McKinley!” Duchess yelped.“It’s Pycraft.”McKinley stood tall, wrinkling his nose, curling back his lips, growling.“You again,” Pycraft shouted
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