"A rat?"
"Exactly, sir. Had a terrible time with him, Mr. Decker."
The farmer looked surprised. "So I supposed by the row that was going on," he said. "Curious. I knew there were rats down to the barn, but I didn't suppose they came up to the house. What became of him?"
"Slipped out of the door just now," put in John Stumpy. "There he goes!" he added, pointing out into the hall.
Mr. Decker made a spring out of the room.
"I must ketch him, by gopher!" he cried. "There's enough eat up here now without having the vermin taking a hand in."
Mr. Woodward closed the door after the man.
"Now see to what your actions have brought us," he exclaimed. "If it hadn't been for my quick wit we'd been in a pretty mess."
"Not my fault," growled John Stumpy. "Why don't you give up the statement?"
I could not help but feel amused at his persistency. His demands upon the merchant were about on a footing with those Mr. Woodward had made upon me.