ebs. I crept in ever so far on my hands and knees, and in the
farthest corner I found a heap of queer old clothes all covered with
dust; coats and hats, and all sorts of things. I knew they must belong
to the queer old man Tomty told us about, who used to live here, and I
thought it would be great fun to bring them down and dress up in them. I
lifted some of them, and heard something rattle underneath: then I
looked, and found that old teapot, hidden away under a great beam. It
was very heavy, and the cover was fastened on with sealing-wax, so I was
going to bring it down to you; but my foot slipped, and--" "And you came
down rather faster than you meant to?" said Uncle Jack.

"Dear to goodness, sir!" cried Mrs. Posset, who had been picking up the
gold pieces, and had her apron full of them. "It's my belief that this
is neither more nor less than old Jonas Junk's treasure, of which the
neighbors talk so much."

"It certainly is, Mrs. Posset!" replied Uncle Jack. "And I think we must
always call Nibble Christopher Columbus, for he certainly has made a
great discovery!"

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VIII.

A STORY CHAPTER.

[Illustration]

IT was quite late one evening when I slipped in at a window in the
Mouse-trap, to pay a visit to Nibble and Brighteyes. Nibble's bed, a
most intelligent piece of furniture, walked in from the other room of
its own accord, as soon as I appeared, so I had not even the trouble of
calling it. As for the two mice, they fairly squeaked with delight when
they saw me. "Oh! Mr. Moonman!" they cried, "we thought you were never
coming again! where have you been all this long, long time?"

"It is only a week since I last came, little mice!" I replied; "and
indeed, I should have been here oftener, but two of my pet children have
been ill, and I have been telling them stories every night, to make the
time pass more quickly."

"Oh! tell us about them, and tell us their names, and tell us the
stories you told them!" cried Brighteyes eagerly.

"And take us on another journey, oh! _please_!" added Nibble, jumping up
and down, with excitement.

"How is a poor Moonman to do everything at once?" I inquired. "In the
first place, there will be no traveling to-night, let me tell you. A
very disagreeable Wind has the watch to-night, and I would not trust you
in his hands. Yes, he is a detestable fellow, very different from our
seven little friends of the other night. He actually tried to blow o