behind Coal and Ember.

Up the stairs ran the Cat with the Firedogs after him, up the stairs to
the third floor and through the door to the attic.

"I'm sure I shut that door," said Hortense. "Who could have opened it?"

She had no time to think further. Up and up she went to the attic and
there stopped, panting. The Firedogs were running round and round,
growling. White Owl turned his great yellow eyes in all directions.

"He isn't here," said Owl. "I can see in every corner, and he isn't
here. But where could he have gone?"

Nobody had an answer to make, and every one felt that there was
something mysterious in the Cat's sudden disappearance.

"I think I'd better go back," said Highboy nervously. "It's time I was
asleep. Suppose we should be found way up here!"

By common consent they all moved downstairs together, going very
softly. Hortense paused at Grandmother's door. She was speaking.

"I'm sure I heard something," said Grandmother.

"It was only the wind," Grandfather's voice replied.

Hortense and Highboy crept quietly to their room while the others
disappeared below.

"It's good to be back safe," Highboy whispered, "but I'm so nervous I
know I shan't sleep."

Hortense, however, undressed quickly and climbed into bed. Soon she was
fast asleep, and the next thing she knew the sun was shining into her
windows.

"It must have been a dream," said Hortense to herself, remembering all
that had happened the evening before.

"Was it a dream, Highboy?" she said suddenly, looking at him.

"You may have dreamed," said Highboy irritably, "but I was so nervous I
didn't sleep a wink."

Saying no more, Hortense dressed rapidly and went down to breakfast.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER IV

"_Highboy, and Lowboy, and Owl, and the Firedogs come out at night._"

When Grandmother asked at breakfast if she had slept well, Hortense
replied truthfully that she had.

"I don't know what got into Jeremiah last night," said Grandmother. "I
heard something myself, and Esmerelda declares he ran about the house
like one possessed. This morning we heard him in the attic."

Hortense, eating her egg and toast, thought she might tell Grandmother
of last night's surprising events, but of course she wouldn't be
believed. So on second thought she said nothing.

Slipping away to the kitchen when breakfast was over, she found
Jeremiah begging for his breakfast and Aunt Esmerelda regarding him
with hands on hips, shakin