ry fast.

The room was empty and dark except for the fire on the hearth.

"Hello," said the Clock, "is it you again? Better run while you have a
chance!"

Andy and Hortense obeyed without a word, and hand in hand they ran
through the door, into the garden, and out of the gate.

"We can't go back the way we came," said Hortense, panting, after they
had run a long distance. "We're too big now."

"There must be another way out," said Andy.

So they ran on and on, through the trees.

"What a funny light it is," said Hortense, stopping at last and looking
up. "I do believe the moon is blue here."

So it was--a blue moon in a lemon colored sky.

"I've heard of blue moons," said Hortense. "They must be very rare."

"They're rather nice," said Andy, "but I suppose we'd better not
linger."

"Here's a path," said Hortense.

They ran along the path, which grew darker and darker, until they came
to a gate on which was a sign printed in large letters. By peering
close, Andy and Hortense could just make out the words:

PRIVATE PROPERTY
NO TRESPASSING

"We have to go through, whosesoever it is," said Hortense,
determinedly, and unlatching the gate through they went.

The path grew darker and smaller, walled on each side by rock. Soon
they had to crawl on their hands and knees.

"I don't believe we can get out this way," Hortense said at last.

"Yes, we can," said Andy, who was in front. "I see light ahead."

Sure enough, out they soon came into yellow moonlight, such as they had
always known. They were upon a large flat rock. Below them was a steep
tree-covered slope, and at the bottom lights twinkled.

"It's the side of the mountain," said Hortense, "and that's the house
way down there. How'll we ever get there?"

"We'll have to go down the mountain side," said Andy. "Do you know," he
added, "I believe this is the very spot which Fergus pointed out to us?
Maybe the Little People come here. Shall we hide and see?"

"Let's," agreed Hortense.

They hid in the shadow of a tree by the edge of the rock and waited,
not making a sound.

The moon rose higher over the mountain until the rock was almost as
light as day, but still no one appeared.

"Let's go home," said Hortense at last in a sleepy voice.

But Andy, who was listening with alert ears, whispered.

"Hush, I hear something."

Hortense, too, listened and at last heard a faint sweet sound from
within the mountain. Nearer and nearer it came, t