"Not a scrap," said Rudolf. "Not that _I_ mind the dark," he added
hastily, "_I_ rather like it, only don't let's lie still
and--and--listen for things. Let's play something."

"Shall we try who can keep their eyes shut longest," suggested Ann.

"Oh, that's a stupid game! Beside Peter would beat anyway, for he's
half asleep now. Shake him up, Ann."

When shaken up Peter refused to admit that, he was even sleepy. He was
very cross, and immediately began to accuse Rudolf of having taken his
cat. This Rudolf--and also Ann--denied. They had seen Peter smuggle
Mittens into bed the second time, but had supposed he must have
escaped and followed Betsy out.

"No, he didn't neither," Peter insisted. "I had him after she went. He
was 'most tamed."

"Then," said Ann, "he must be in the room and we might as well have
him to play with. Rudolf, I dare you to get up and look for him!"

And Rudolf got up--just to show he was not afraid. Before stepping
into those dark shadows, however, he armed himself with his tin
sword, a weapon he was in the habit of taking to bed with him in case
of burglars, and with this he poked bravely under the bed and in all
the dark corners, calling and coaxing Mittens to come forth. At last
both he and Ann felt sure the cat could not be in the room.

"He _must_ have got out somehow," said Rudolf. "Anyway, I sha'n't