versing they heard a step in the now quiet street. It advanced
quickly, and stopped at the door. There was a rustling sound; something
fell on the floor, and the step passed on.

"It's only a few letters," said Aspel; "Mr Blurt explained matters to
me this morning. They seem to have been a careless lot who have managed
this business hitherto. A slit was made in the door for letters, but no
box has ever been attached to the slit. The letters put through it at
night are just allowed to fall on the floor, as you see, and are picked
up in the morning. As I am not yet fully initiated into my duties, and
don't feel authorised to open these, we will let them lie.--Hallo! look
there."

The last words were uttered in a low, soft tone. Phil Maylands glanced
in his friend's face, and was directed by his eyes to a corner near the
front door, where, from behind the shelter of an over-stuffed pelican of
the wilderness, two intensely bright little eyes were seen glistening.
The gradual advance of a sharp nose revealed the fact that their owner
was a rat!

No Red Indian of the prairie ever sat with more statuesque rigidity,
watching his foe, than did these two friends sit watching that rat.
They were sportsmen, both by nature and practice, to the backbone. The
idiotic owl at their elbow was not more still than they--one point only
excepted: Phil's right hand moved imperceptibly, like the hour-hand of a
watch, towards a book which lay on the counter. Their patience was
rewarded. Supposing, no doubt, that the youths had suddenly died to
suit its convenience, the rat advanced a step or two, looked suspicious,
became reassured, advanced a little farther and displayed its tail to
full advantage. After smelling at various objects, with a view, no
doubt, to supper, it finally came on the letters, appeared to read their
addresses with some attention, and, seizing one by a corner, began
apparently to open it.

At this point Phil Maylands' fingers, closing slowly but with the deadly
precision of fate, grasped the book and hurled it at the foe, which was
instantly swept off its legs. Either the blow or the fright caused the
rat to fly wriggling into the air. With a shriek of agonised emotion,
it vanished behind the pelican of the wilderness.

"Bravo, Phil! splendidly aimed, but rather low," cried Aspel, as he
vaulted the counter and dislodged the pelican. Of course the rat was
gone. After a little more conversation the two fri