s, where all was quiet as could be.

After this I felt disposed to go and open the big door and look down
into the wheel-pit. I don't know why, only that the place attracted me.
I did not, however, but walked back to the doorway to look at the glow
which overhung the town, with the heavy canopy of ruddy smoke, while
away behind me the stars were shining brightly, and all was clear.

I patted Piter, who came to the full length of his chain, and then I had
a look about with the lantern to see if I could find where Uncle Bob had
put the trap.

I felt that it must be under lock and key somewhere, but the cupboards
had nothing to show, and, try how I would, I could think of no likely
place for it to be hidden in. So I gave up the task of trying to find
it, and walked back to the door, where I found Piter lying down hard at
work trying to push his collar over his head.

The patient, persevering way in which he tried, getting both his
fore-paws against it, was most amusing, the more so that there was not
the slightest possibility of success attending his efforts, for his
neck, which the collar fitted pretty closely, was small, and his bullet
head enormous by comparison.

"Come," I said, as I bent over him; "shall I undo it for you?"

He looked up at me as I put the dark lantern down, and whined softly.
Then he began working at the collar again.

"Look here," I said, as I sat on the bottom step. "Shall I undo it?"

Dogs must have a good deal of reason, for Piter leaped up and laid his
head in my lap directly, holding it perfectly still while I unbuckled
the strap collar, when he gave a sniff or two at my hands, licked them,
and bounded off to have a regular good run all over the place before he
came back and settled down close to me in the little office where I was
trying to read.

Twelve o'clock at last, and I awoke Uncle Jack, who rose at once, fresh
and clear as if he were amply rested, and soon after I was fast asleep,
dreaming away and fancying I could hear the rattle and the throb of the
train. Then I was talking to that man again, and then swinging out on
the carriage-door with the wind rushing by, and the bluff man leaning
out over me, and Piter on the carriage with him, barking at my
aggressor, who was shrieking for mercy.

Then I was awake, to see that it was Uncle Jack who was leaning over me,
and the window was open, admitting a stream of cold air and a curious
yelling noise, mingled with the barking