the
parlor--kicks, thumps, tables upsetting, chairs breaking, and a
general row going on; in the midst of which din arose the voice of
David, calling frantically upon themselves and Uncle Moses.

This was certainly enough to rouse anybody.

Up jumped Frank, and rushed to the door.

Up jumped Bob, and sprang after him.

The noise outside was outrageous. What was it? Could it be robbers?
No. Robbers would prefer to do their work in silence. What was it?

Slowly and cautiously Frank opened the door, and looked forth into
the parlor. It was as yet quite dark, and the room into which he
peered was wrapped in the shades of night. What little he could
see he saw but indistinctly. Yet he saw something.

He saw a dark, shadowy figure in rapid motion backward and forward,
and at every movement some article of furniture would go with a
crash to the floor. Sometimes the figure seemed to be on the table,
at other times it was leaping in the air. Suddenly, as he looked,
the door, which opened out into the parlor, was banged back with
a violent blow, and shut again. Frank was nearly knocked down.

"What is it?" asked Bob.

"I don't know," said Frank, "unless it's a madman."

"What shall we do?"

"If we were all together," said Frank, "we might make a rush at
him, and secure him. I've a great mind to make a start, as it is."

"It must be a brigand!" said Bob; for his mind, like the minds of the
rest of the party, was largely filled with images of Italian bandits.

"Perhaps so," said Frank; "but at any rate let's make a rush at
him. Will you do it?"

"Of course," said Bob.

At this Frank carefully opened the door again, and looked forth.
The noise had ceased for the time. Bob poked his head forth also.
They looked eagerly into the room.

Suddenly Frank touched Bob.

"Look!" he whispered, "by the table."

Bob looked.

It was certainly a singular sight that met their view. In the midst
of the gloom they could see two balls of light that seemed like
eyes, though there was no form visible to which these glaring,
fiery eyes might belong. And the eyes seemed to glare out of the
darkness directly at them. All was still now; but the very stillness
gave additional horror to that unseen being, whose dread gaze seemed
to be fastened upon them.

Suddenly David's voice was heard from the next room,--

"Frank! Bob!"

"Hallo!" cried both boys.

"What shall we do? Can't you do something?"

"I'll see," cried Frank. "Bob,