Meddling

117 …
Cinn and Dink are on edge.  They insist to climb up to my lap for an unknown reason.  They assert to get as close and be comforted.  They whimper and shake.  They could not be consoled.  I begin to wonder and worry.  I settle them in their beds even as they continue to be agitated while I search the house for any distraction-causing situation or intruder.  I could not find any provoking interference, so I decide to turn off the squawking television.  I intently listen hard for incursion.  Finally a break from the quietness of the night sounds off.  A sheepish, minute, and hissing ringing, cognizant to dogs and other animals, becomes evident.  From where is the sound coming?  Flashback suddenly hits my brain!  Smoke alarms once caused Cinn and Dink to act strangely.  Could it be the trigger for their unusual distress?  I find a stool to reach for all house smoke alarms since I could not hear from which one the tiny beeping comes.  Eureka- I find the one!  I unplug the last alarm and the critters get calm.  Mystery ends.