The Bobbsey Twins

. At first he thought he was at home, and he called out

up his hand and touched the little black kitten, which was lying close to his face. He had

ggled up and rubbed his eyes. "What can make it so awful dark? They ou

nion. With the kitten in his arms he arose to his feet and walked a few steps. Bump!

e cried out. "Mam

voice sounded so queer to him that he soon s

ould do to keep back the tears. He knew it must b

left me here alone," he tho

ong and he did not wish to remain in t

t used for hardware and large mechanical toys. But the toy locomotive had ceased to run and all was very silent. Only a single gas jet flickered overhead, and this cast fantast

again. "Oh, mamma,

esently he heard f

ame in the heavy

ie was afraid to answer. Perhaps the man

e?" repeated the v

d the footsteps coming slowly down the stairs. The m

ly, and he had dim visions of burglars who might have entered the big store to rob

s. He reached the basement floor and swung his lantern

which was still in Freddie's arms. T

ng in amazement. "What are yo

want my mamma!"

Say!" he went on suddenly. "Are you the ki

n had a kindly face and this made him a bit braver. "I walked

he man. "And have you be

on't want to stay-

shall go. But

wns the store?" questi

sh I did. I'm the night watchman

. My papa owns t

our papa will soon come after you. All of 'em are a

epartment store and Freddie followed, still clutching the

and going into one of the offices he rang the bell

frantic with grief and alarm. Mr. Bobbsey had notified the police and

ears starting to her eyes. "Some gypsies were in town, tellin

shudder. The idea that Freddie might have been

report had come in that a boy looking like Freddie had been seen on the ice early in the ev

d just come in from another fruitless searc

the wire. "Is this

leman quickly. "What do yo

sir," came back the reply. "H

ho are

department store. He went

ws all wer

s. Bobbsey eagerly. "Freddie d

ddie, into the telephone.

Papa shall come

found!" shrieked Nan.

can't understand how he happened to go t

d," replied Nan. "You know Freddie can drop o

store in his sleigh. The watchman and Freddie were on the loo

so glad you have come! I-I don'

and Mr. Bobbsey made him happy by pr

f it hadn't been for the kitten," said the man. "He

dearest kitten in the world." And keep the kitten he di

speedily woke up when his mamma and the others embraced him, an

ith me again," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "Y

again," cried Freddie quickly. "Don't

ful," said Flossie. "Didn

't touch me. Guess they was sleepy, just like me." And then he dropped off