"What was it like?"
"A sneeze. Clip thought it might be a cat."
Bob and Sam laughed at the ludicrous idea, and Clip joined in, glad that Bob's embarrassing cross-examination was over.
"You'd better come to bed, both of you. Very likely you dreamed it."
At that moment, and before Bob had put out the candle, there was a most unlooked-for corroboration of Clip's singular theory.
An immense tom-cat ran swiftly between Bob's legs, from some place of concealment. Both he and Clip saw it, and the latter was quick to take advantage of the opportune appearance of the animal.
"Dare's de cat, Massa Bob," he shouted, triumphantly. "Didn't I tell you it was a cat?"
Bob was temporarily nonplussed. Clip seemed to have the best of the argument.
"All I can say is, it is a remarkable cat," he said. "I wish it would sneeze again."
The rest of the night passed without anything remarkable happening. All three boys slept soundly. Indeed, it was later than usual, probably on account of their sleep being interrupted during the night, that they awoke.