He made a grab at Fatty. Fatty was startled and let out a yell. He tried to run up the stairs, and dragged Mr. Smel-lis behind him for a few steps. The old man had got his strength back again by now, and, filled with anger at the sight of what he thought was yet another thief, he clung to
stty like a limpet. The boy went up a few more steps, with Mr, Smellie almost tearing the coat off his back.
Then Fatty stumbled and sat down heavily on a stair about half-way to the top of the flight. Mr. Smellie fell on top of him, almost squashing the boy flat.
"Ow-wow! " yelled poor Fatty. "Get off! You're hurting me!"
Miss Miggle dropped the glass she was holding and rushed into the hall. What in the wide world could be going on? Was the whole house full of robbers? She was just in time to see Fatty wriggle out from under Mr. Smellie
and roll down the stairs to the bottom, with many bumps and loud groans.
She saw at once that he was only a boy, and she spoke to him severely.
"What's the meaning of this? How dare you come into some one else's house? What's your name and where do you live?"
Fatty decided to be very upset and hurt. Miss Miggle was a very kind soul, and perhaps she would let him off if she thought he was nothing but a bad little boy out on an escapade.
So Fatly lifted up his voice and howled. Larry heard him, and wondered whatever could be happening. He banged at the locked door, adding to the noise and commotion. Miss Miggle looked quite bewildered.