ing on, the boy
reached the old buildings, looked round for a moment, and, thus
satisfied that he was not observed, he made a spring up to a little old
window, caught the sill, scrambled up directly, and, passing through,
disappeared inside.

He uttered a sigh as of relief, and crossing the damp stones of the
gloomy old place he reached a crazy flight of steps, which led up to a
loft, on either side of which were openings, through which, when the
stable had been in use, it had been customary to thrust down the
stored-up hay.

Dexter stopped here in the darkness for a few minutes listening, but no
one was following him, and he walked along to a second ladder which led
to a trap-door through which he passed, closed the trap, and then, in
the long roof a place greatly resembling in shape the triangle over
whose problem of squares he had that day stumbled, he seemed once more
himself.

His first act was to run quietly along some boards laid over the loft
ceiling, and, making a jump that would not have disgraced an acrobat, he
caught at a rope, pendent from the highest portion of the rafters,
twisted his legs about it, and swung easily to and fro.

The motion seemed to give him the greatest satisfaction, and as the
impetus given died out, he dropped one foot, and with a few vigorous
thrusts set himself going again till he was tired.

But that was not very soon, and he did not leave off till there were
sundry scratchings and squeakings, which drew his attention to his pets,
all of which were eager for food.

They were a heterogeneous collection, but, for the most part,
exceedingly tame, and ready to allow themselves to be handled, constant
familiarity with the gentle hand so often thrust into their boxes or
cages having robbed it of its terrors.

Dexter's happiest moments were passed here, saving those which Helen
continued to make pleasant to the boy; and as soon as his pets had drawn
his attention, he took off his jacket and vest, rolled up his sleeves,
and began to attend to their wants.

His rabbits--two which he had bought through Bob Dimsted, who made a
profit of a hundred per cent, by the transaction--were lifted out of the
packing-case they occupied, and in which they were kept by the lid being
closed within half an inch, by their pink ears, and immediately stood up
on their hind-legs, with drooping fore-paws, their pink noses twitching
as they smelt their owner's legs, till he gave them a couple of red
car