And then he heard a man's voice--and from far off to his right came the chopping of an axe.

Old Robert was at work.

Giselle and Cassidy were at home.
He stepped up to the door, coughing to give notice of his approach.

And then, suddenly, he stopped, staring thunderstruck at what was happening within.
Terence Cassidy was sitting in a big chair.

The girl was behind him.