andscrambledsoftlyandswiftlyoverthesillintothehouse。Hisfeetfellnoiselesslyonamatofskin。Hewasaburglarindeed！
Hecrouchedforatime，allearsandpeeringeyes。Outsidewasascamperingandrustling，andforamomentherepentedofhisenterprise。Ashort“miaow，“aspitting，andarushintosilence，spokereassuringlyofcats。Hiscouragegrew。Hestoodup。Everyonewasabed，itseemed。Soeasyisittocommitaburglary，ifoneissominded。Hewasgladhehadputittothetest。Hedeterminedtotakesomepettytrophy，justtoprovehisfreedomfromanyabjectfearofthelaw，anddepartthewayhehadcome。
Hepeeredabouthim，andsuddenlythecriticalspiritaroseagain。
Burglarsdidfarmorethansuchmereelementaryentranceasthis:
theywentintorooms，theyforcedsafes。Well——hewasnotafraid。