Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE Timmy had heard something, and he was sitting in his kennel, ears pricked up, a little growl grumbling in his throat. He really didn't dare to bark this time. He had heard something before, when he had barked in George's bedroom, and awakened the whole household- and yet there had been nobody downstairs then that he could see or smell!

But somebody was in the house- someone who had crept in at the kitchen door, when George had left it unlocked! That Somebody had hidden in the coal cellar, door fast shut, when Timmy had barked and alarmed the household!

Now the Somebody was about again, switching on a small torch, making the little noises that had awakened Anne.

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It was Tom, the bad boy of the village! He had been out to a rowdy party, and had passed Kirrin Cottage on his way home. He had tiptoed to the front door, and gone to the garden door and tried both handles- no, they were locked! Then he had slipped round to the kitchen door, and to his surprise and delight had found it opened when he turned the handle. He had crept inside and was just looking round when Timmy had begun to bark upstairs- and quick as a rabbit Tom had slipped into the coal cellar, and shivered there while the household came out on to the landing, angry with Timmy, who was then put into his kennel.

When all was quiet, and the dog safely in his kennel, the boy looked quietly round to see what he could take. He thought he heard a noise, and stopped in alarm. No, it was only the coals dropping in the grate. He felt scared, and swung his torch round and about to see what he could easily take away with him.