Suddenly, above the noise they were making and the sound of the tolling bell within, the children heard voices, and a clattering on the other side of the gate. Then a face appeared at the grating. “Open the gate!” cried Jack. “Quick! Quick! We’ve got a pass. Open the gate and save us!” A loud murmuring arose within, and they heard the jangling of keys. When all at once a voice shrieked, “Look! Look! On the hill. It’s the Pumpkin! Don’t open the gate! Don’t open the gate, it’s a decoy!” “It’s not, it’s not,” cried Jack. “Oh, save us, save us. We _have_ got a pass. Let us in and save us from the Pumpkin. For pity’s sake open the gate!” The voices inside were now loud and angry; the people were evidently not inclined to believe him. “Oh, Jack, Jack!” screamed Molly. “He’s just behind us, Jack!” Jack wheeled round and saw to his horror that the Pumpkin was near the top of the hill and close upon them. He was desperate. Raising the stone above his head, he flung it with all his strength at the big, grey, moving thing. There was a dull thud as the stone struck the Pumpkin and sent it back a few paces; but it quickly came to a standstill, and began at once to cover the ground it had lost. Meanwhile a fresh arrival had come upon the scene behind the gate. In the midst of all the hubbub, the angry voices, the clanging bell, the pattering feet, there was a moment’s lull, and Jack and Molly could distantly hear the sound of running feet. Then a familiar voice exclaimed: “Hi, there! What’s all the fuss about?” A score of voices started to explain. Molly gave a sob of relief, “Oh, it’s Glan!” she cried. “Glan! Glan!” the children called imploringly. “Open the gate quick and save us. Oh, _do_ be quick!” Glan’s face appeared at the grating. “Bless my soul!” he cried in his big voice. “Here, give me the keys! Yes, I know it’s the Pumpkin too, but if we don’t open the gate this instant the little lady outside and her brother will be.... Give me the keys ... give me the keys! Decoys?... Bah!” There was a jangling of keys again, the sound of a lock being turned, and the huge gate swung back. Jack and Molly dashed in, and Glan slammed the gate behind them—just in time. Another minute and the Pumpkin would have got through. “But can’t he open the gate if he just touches it?” cried Jack, tugging Glan’s sleeve excitedly. “No, no, he can’t do that!” Glan said, shaking his head as he stood on tiptoe to bolt and padlock the gate securely. “Thank goodness there are some limits to his magic!”