She and Andy had decided that the tunnel way was best, for they could not easily climb the mountain and to ride on Tom and Jerry was to invite capture by the Little People, whom they must avoid. They hurried as fast as they could and met no one. Their only difficulty was in getting Alligator through the cave under the brook, for he liked the feel of the water dripping on his hide. However, now that he was small he was easier to manage than before, and Coal and Ember dragged him away despite his protests. When at last they came out from the tunnel, the blue moon was shining as before upon the roof of the Cat's house. The house itself was dark, but for a flicker of firelight on a windowpane. "Look in and see if any one is there," Hortense whispered to Owl. Obediently he flew and peered in at the window, returning to say that all he could see was the clock. So Hortense ventured in, finding the house empty as Owl had said, save for Grandfather's Clock. "They're all out, tick tock," said the Clock. "But it is dangerous to remain, for Grater is very angry and desperate to-night." Hortense looked in the glass case for her charm but could not find it. "You had best get it back somehow," said the Clock. "It gives Jeremiah and Grater power." "But how can I?" said Hortense anxiously. "Who can say?" said the Clock. "But in time anything may happen." "Do you know what will happen?" Hortense asked exasperatedly. "If you are Time, everything will happen in you, and so you must know what everything is and will be." "I know, but I do not say," the Clock replied. "That is how I keep my reputation for wisdom." Hortense hurried back to the others, and they proceeded beyond the house and through the woods until they neared the raspberry patch. "You go ahead," said Hortense to Owl, "and spy out the land. Perhaps some of the Little People are about." Owl flew off as directed and returned shortly to say, "Two of the guard are seated on the edge of the strawberry field. I could not hear what they said, but perhaps if you creep quietly through the bushes you can overhear." Andy and Hortense, telling the others to wait, did as suggested. Creeping cautiously through the bushes, they could hear the little soldiers talking together before they could see them. Unfortunately, Andy stepped on a dry stem which broke with a snap. The soldiers ceased talking at once and Andy and Hortense lay still, scarcely daring to breathe. "What was that?" asked one of the soldiers at last in a low voice. "It must have been a bird," said the other. "I saw a great owl only a moment ago." Then they resumed their talk. "Well, it makes our work easier to have them gone," said one. "The short fat fellow was always eating the strawberries instead of putting them in his basket, and the tall one wouldn't work when he had a rhyme to find." "And now," said the other, "they are to wear fine clothes and have nothing to do. It must have been the Queen who interceded for them."