"I'm sure I shut that door," said Hortense. "Who could have opened it?"
She had no time to think further. Up and up she went to the attic and there stopped, panting. The Firedogs were running round and round, growling. White Owl turned his great yellow eyes in all directions.
"He isn't here," said Owl. "I can see in every corner, and he isn't here. But where could he have gone?"
Nobody had an answer to make, and every one felt that there was something mysterious in the Cat's sudden disappearance.
"I think I'd better go back," said Highboy nervously. "It's time I was asleep. Suppose we should be found way up here!"
By common consent they all moved downstairs together, going very softly. Hortense paused at Grandmother's door. She was speaking.
"I'm sure I heard something," said Grandmother.
"It was only the wind," Grandfather's voice replied.
Hortense and Highboy crept quietly to their room while the others disappeared below.
"It's good to be back safe," Highboy whispered, "but I'm so nervous I know I shan't sleep."