the
other, half expecting to see someone there.

"I was asleep and dreaming," I said to myself; and, starting up
impatiently, I walked right out of the furnace-house across the strip of
yard, and in at the door, making Piter give his stumpy tail a sharp
rapping noise upon the floor of his kennel.

I went on all through the grinding workshop, and listened at the end of
the place to the water trickling and dripping down in the great
water-floored cellar.

That place had an attraction for me, and I stood listening for some
minutes before walking back, thoroughly awake now.

I was so used to the place that I had no need to open the lantern, but
threaded my way here and there without touching a thing, and I was able
to pass right through to the upper floor in the same way.

Everything was correct, and Uncle Jack sleeping soundly, as I hoped to
be after another hour or so's watching.

I would not disturb him, but stole out again, and along the workshop to
the head of the stairs, where I descended and stooped to pat Piter again
before looking about the yard, and then walking slowly into the warm
furnace-house.

Then, after a glance at the windows where I had fancied I had seen
someone creep in, I sat down in my old place enjoying the warmth, and
once more the drowsy sensation crept over me.

How long it was before I dropped asleep I can't tell, but, bad watchman
that I was, I did drop asleep, and began dreaming about the great dam
miles away up the valley; and there it seemed to me I was fishing with a
long line for some of the great pike that lurked far down in the depths.

As I fished my line seemed to pass over a window-sill and scraped
against it, and made a noise which set me wondering how large the fish
must be that was running away with it.

And then I was awake, with the perspiration upon my forehead and my
hands damp, listening.

It was no fishing-line. I was not by the great dam up the river, but
there in our own furnace-house, and something was making a strange
rustling noise.

For some few moments I could not tell where the noise was. There was
the rustling, and it seemed straight before me. Then I knew it was
there, for immediately in front on the open fire something was moving
and causing a series of little nickers and sparkles in the glowing
ashes.

What could it be? What did it mean?

I was so startled that I was ready to leap up and run out of the place,
and it was some time before I cou