"It is nothing like that," laughed Professor Wilson, almost in scorn.
"These are New York rats. It will take more than a little music to lead
them from their usual haunts. But Rastell and I will start in at once.
Give us the address of the buildings and the authority to use them. How
shall we know when the rats are going to come?"

"They will appear within seven days after you stop the racket money.
Suppose we adjourn the meeting? I want a few words in private with Mr.
Crawford. You other gentlemen can get all the rest of the details from
my secretary. He will arrange your salary and expense account. Good
night."

He took Mr. Crawford into his bedroom.

"Do you really believe that story, Crawford?"

"I positively do. And the people believe it. The Piper walked down the
Bungen-Strasse and to this day no music is ever played in that street.
They even date time in that town from the day the children disappeared."

"Then, there must be something in it. Suppose we go over to Europe and
find out something about that tune, the tune that drew the rats out of
Hamelin?"

* * * * *

Rastell and Wilson followed out their programme. They went to the
grocery warehouse and made a rat survey. There were a few rodents there
but not many. Then they issued orders that the weekly payment of five
thousand dollars be stopped. After that they spent their nights in the
warehouse. On the fifth night the rats came by the thousands. They
appeared to be hunting for something, but in the meantime, they ate and
soiled whatever came their way. The local cats fought heroically, but
were soon killed and eaten. The rats came up from the cellar through the
elevator shafts, up the steps, through the cracks in the floor, up and
up till they started to run around the roof. Then, at four in the
morning, they started to leave, running down the steps in close
formation, seemingly panic-stricken at their own temerity and anxious
only to return to their safe, dark haunts. The two scientists, in their
wire observation cage, closed their note book, opened the door of the
cage, and started to make a careful search of the building. It revealed
nothing but the bones of cats and much spoiled food.

For the next two days they worked carefully through every part of the
building, hunting for something to explain the conduct of the rats. They
found nothing. All that they were sure of was the fact that the rats had
been there, and th