skets. "These animals must be placed out of
hearing, or I shan't be able to eat a morsel."

"We'll put them in the cats' home," said the Terror quickly. "I'll
just put on a pair of thick gloves. Wiggins' father--he's a higher
mathematician, you know, and understands all this kind of thing--says
that hydrophobia is very rare among cats. But it's just as well to be
careful with these London ones."

"Oh, lord, I never thought of that," said Sir Maurice with a shudder.
"I've been risking my life as well!"

The Terror put on the gloves and lighted a lantern. He and Erebus
helped carry the cats down to the home; and he put them into hutches.
Their uncle was much impressed by the arrangement of the home.

The cats disposed of, Sir Maurice at last recovered his wonted
self-possession--a self-possession as admirable as the serenity of the
Terror, but not so durable. At dinner he reduced his appreciative
kinsfolk to the last exhaustion by his entertaining account of his
parleying with his excited fellow travelers. He could now view it with
an impartial mind. After dinner he accompanied the Terror to the cats'
home and helped him feed the newcomers with scraps. The rest of the
evening passed peacefully and pleasantly.

If the Twins had a weakness, it was that their desire for thoroughness
sometimes caused them to overdo things; and it was on the way to bed
that the brilliant idea flashed into the mind of Erebus.

She stopped short on the stairs, and with an air of inspiration said:
"We ought to have more cats."

The Terror stopped short too, pondering the suggestion; then he said:
"By Jove, yes. This would be a good time to work that valerian dodge.
And it would mean that we should have to use our bicycles again for the
good of the home. The more we can say that we've used them for it, the
less any one can grumble about them."

"Most cats are shut up now," said Erebus.

"Yes; we must catch the morning cats. They get out quite early--when
people start out to work," said the Terror.

Among the possessions of the Twins was an American clock fitted with an
alarm. The Terror set it for half past five. At that hour it awoke
him with extreme difficulty. He awoke Erebus with extreme difficulty.
Five minutes later they were munching bread and butter in the kitchen
to stay themselves against the cold of the bitter November morning;
then they sallied forth, equipped with rags, string and the bottle of
valerian.