free them. The jar was far taller than Andy and
Hortense, and as smooth and slippery as ice. Andy and Malay Kris
finally made a rope by tying together table covers and sheets and,
throwing the end of this over the edge of the jar, at last succeeded in
pulling Highboy and Lowboy to the top. From this they dropped safely to
the floor.

"Now we must hurry," said Hortense, and away they went.

But they were not in time, for barely had they reached the gate when
they were seen by Jeremiah and Grater. Thereupon ensued a fierce
battle. Jeremiah seemed as big as a lion. He lashed his bushy tail,
arched his back, and spat; his great eyes glowed, and his claws were
long and sharp as knives. Andy and Hortense were glad for their
breastplates, for these the Cat's sharp claws could not pierce.

Highboy and Lowboy, however, had no armor.

"Oh, my nice coat of varnish!" Highboy moaned as Jeremiah's claws
reached him.

"I shall no longer be a polished person," said Lowboy.

Hortense and Andy kept in front of the two in so far as they could, but
with Jeremiah in front and Grater at one side they were hard-pressed.

"Get into the bushes," Andy ordered, and they retreated slowly into the
raspberry patch.

Here Jeremiah was at a disadvantage, for the thorns tore his coat, and
he could not use his claws freely. Thorns meant nothing to Grater,
however, in his bright suit of mail. Malay Kris, undaunted, struck him
a great blow and bore him to the ground.

"Tie his hands," cried Malay Kris.

Hortense and Andy, using their shoe laces for the purpose, bound Grater
fast. Jeremiah, thereupon, yowled dismally and retreated towards the
house.

"Let's hurry as fast as we can," Hortense ordered.

Malay Kris brought up the rear, prodding Grater to make him go faster;
Owl flew ahead to spy out the way; and Andy and Hortense followed,
running.

They reached the entrance of the tunnel and hurried in, expecting every
moment to see Jeremiah reappear, and now, without the protection of the
raspberry bushes, they feared his great claws. Safely they crossed the
dripping cave and were halfway through the tunnel on the other side
when they perceived Jeremiah hot after them.

"Grater!" shrieked Lowboy.

Grater had seized the moment while their backs were turned to free
himself of the cords which bound him and was running rapidly up the
tunnel.

"He'll close the door on us!" Malay Kris shouted, and set off in
pursuit.

With dismay Hortense