All at once he became aware of two eyes staring at him, and looking up he saw a great owl sitting on the low branch of a tree.
“O wise owl, will you please tell me where Jack-o’-lantern’s Hall is?” asked Ray.
“Go over the hill to the marsh-land and you will find it, my boy,” said the wise owl.
“Did you see Tommy Pebble pass by with a lantern just now?”
“They all carry lanterns who go there,” replied the owl.
“Why don’t you go to the party?” asked Ray.
“Because I have an engagement with another party,” was the answer.
“I hope you have a pleasant time,” remarked the boy; but the owl said in a very solemn voice:
“This is a business engagement with a field mouse or two; I might say it is business and pleasure combined.”
Just then several lanterns went past and Ray left the wise owl to follow the flittering light. On and on he ran and never stopped until he was quite out of breath. He found himself at the Laughing Rock, and on top of it was Mr. Pebble, sitting cross-legged, smiling at him.