fom goes to look for Cats. 61

“We'll never be able to see,” said Tom.

“Hush!” answered Bob. “Of course not,
We must feel. I’ve got the candle, but I’m
not going to light it till we get to the top.”

Tom thought in his heart they would never
get there. They crept along slowly. The
clock in the passage ticked much louder than
it did in the day-time. When they were half-
way up Stairs, it nearly frightened Tom out of -
his senses by suddenly striking one.

“I say,” whispered Bob, “if you jump like
that, you'd better go back to bed. Youll
wake everybody.”

“No, I won't,” whispered Tom. “ Really,
_ IT just didn’t know it was coming.” |
They reached the landing. It was quite
_ as dark and quiet. Bob struck a match, and
lit the candle. Tom looked round to see if
there was anybody hiding in the corners, but
there was not. The box had not been moved
from the window.

“IT don’t believe they’re there to-night,”
said Tom. “TI don’t hear anything.”

“Oh yes, they're there,” said Bob. “They