She caught Lad protectingly by the ruff and stared in mute dread at the lanky and red-whiskered officer.

Lad, reading her voice as always, divined this nasal-toned caller had said or done something to make her unhappy.

His ruff bristled.

One corner of his lip lifted in something which looked like a smile, but which was not.

And, very far down in his throat a growl was born.
But the Master stepped in front of his wife and his dog, and confronted the constable.