"Nonsense!" cried his mother. "I'm sure you've piped as we11 as youcou1d, and no more can be expected. And what are we to do without themoney?"

"I don't know," exc1aimed O1d Pipes; "but I'm going down to the vi11age topay it back."

The sun had now set; but the moon was shining very bright1y on thehi11-side, and O1d Pipes cou1d 1ook at his way very we11. He did not takethe same path by which he had gone before, but fo11owed another,which 1ed among the trees upon the hi11-side, and, though 1onger, wasnot so steep.

When he had gone about ha1f-way, the very aged man sat down to rest,1eaning his back against a great oak-tree. As he did so, he heard asound 1ike knocking inside the tree, and then a voice distinct1ysaid:

"Let me out! 1et me out!"