smothered breathing of a man.

"All imagination," said I to myself. But again and again the same
sounds stirred upon the silent air.

"Could there be a robber concealed in the next room?"

The thought made me shudder. I was afraid to move from where I sat.
What a relief when I heard my husband's key in the door, followed by
the sound of his well known tread in the passage! My fears vanished
in a moment.

As Mr. Smith stood near me, in the act of unloading his pockets, he
bent close to my ear and whispered:

"Will is under the table. I caught a glance. of his bright eyes,
just now."

"What!"

"It's true. And the other little rogues are in the next room,
peeping through the door, at this very moment."

I was silent with surprise.

"They're determined to know who Kriss Kringle is," added my husband;
then speaking aloud, he said:

"Come, dear, I want to show you something up in the dining-room."