As the group approached the cemetery, Lizzie kept a careful watch for any telltale glimpse of light that might be the grave robbers. Nothing showed. The moon was hidden behind clouds, and the darkness covered everything.
“We should have brought a light of our own,” Lizzie muttered. “A lantern, or a candle. Anything.”
“Let your eyes get used to it,” Hari said. “Learn to see in the dark. Like a cat.”
Dru reached the wall and began to climb. “Better we didn’t bring a light.”
“How so?” Lizzie asked.
“They won’t see us coming.” Dru tied the rope around a nearby tree, then threw it over for the others to use. In moments they were cautiously picking their way through the cemetery, alert to any sight or sound that might mean trouble.
“Stay together,” Lizzie whispered. She turned to Becky. “We need to check your father’s grave first.”
“Follow me,” Becky replied. “I could take us there with my eyes closed.”
When they arrived at the graveside, Lizzie saw what she’d been dreading. The flowers she’d left were nowhere to be seen. “They’ve been here,” she said.
“They robbed his grave?” Becky’s voice trembled. She sank to her knees. “How could they?”
“If they’re here, we’ll catch them,” Lizzie promised.
Becky clutched handfuls of freshly dug earth and squeezed them. She rocked back and forth, moaning.
Anyone could see she was in no fit state to take on the grave robbers. “Why don’t you wait here,” Lizzie said, giving her a quick hug. “We’ll find the men who did this.”
Becky just nodded weakly and let loose a fresh flood of tears.
I should never have let her come, Lizzie thought. She’s brave, but she ain’t in strong enough shape for this.
Without Becky at their side, Hari, Dru, and Lizzie crept quickly through the cemetery toward where they’d seen the two men before. Dru grabbed Lizzie’s arm and silently pointed out a dark shape passing between the trees.
“Is that them?” whispered Hari.
As if in answer, a low and angry growl came from a nearby clutch of bushes. Lizzie barely had time to register that the hound was closer than she’d expected before it ran out, terrifyingly huge against the night sky.
“The Devil’s Hound!” Lizzie gasped.
The phantom dog snarled furiously, then ran, and leaped at her . . .