An Unlikely Intruder

While we were out, our security company alerted us that our home alarm had been activated. Because we couldn’t return to check it, the police were called, but they found nothing. Later, the security company called asking whether we had any pets roaming around, because the alarm had gone off again. We have none. We came home to the alarm still blaring, so I called the company. They directed me to the room where the activated sensor was. I was quite chagrined when I saw that a helium-filled balloon was dancing in front of it. —Paul Clausell Palatine, Illinois