turning on the light there, approached a pile of paper Bess had
tossed in one corner after unwrapping some purchases made during the
day.

"Look out!" warned Cora, while Bess adopted the same protective
measures as had her sister. "It may be a rat--or--or something!"

"Most likely--something," said Jack. He began picking up piece after
piece of paper, and then he suddenly uttered an exclamation.

"Ah! Would you!" he snapped, and, standing on one foot, he took the
slipper from the other, holding his bare member carefully off the
floor, while he slapped viciously at the pile of papers with his
bedroom weapon.

"Got him!" he announced triumphantly, after two or three blows.

"What was it--a bat?" asked Bess, in muffled tones.

"A centipede," answered Jack. "A big one, too. About seven inches
long."

"And their bite is--death!" murmured Bess, in awe-stricken tones.

"Nothing of the sort, though it's very painful" said Jack, shortly.
"Just as well to keep clear of them, however. I'll throw this
defunct specimen out of the window."

"Please do, and be sure my screen is down," begged Bess. "I wonder
how he got in?"