Page:Sparrow, the tramp (IA sparrowtramp00wess).pdf/263

 "It did me good," said the barn-cat; "I had to do something or I should have exploded with joy."

That afternoon, Michael, armed with a crowbar and hammer, went out to the barn, followed by the children, who seated themselves comfortably on the oat-box, where they could obtain a good view of Michael as he tore up the boards of the floor.

Placing the crowbar under one of the planks, he gradually pried it up and laid it on one side. The children peeped curiously in, but to their great disappointment nothing was to be seen.

"It's here where they've been," said Michael; "I see the tracks of 'em."

Then another plank was pried up and laid aside, and Michael looked down and carefully examined the ground. "It's here where the old villain lived, I'll be bound," he exclaimed.