Nearer and nearer he comes, I hold my breath, and sit as still as stone, when, as ill-luck will have it, just as he is approaching quite close to me, utterly innocent of my proximity, a nasty, teasing tickle visits my nose, and I sneeze loudly and irrepressibly.

Atcha! atcha! He starts, and not perceiving at first whence comes the unexpected sound, looks about him in a bewildered way.

Then his eyes turn toward the wall.

Hope and fear are alike at an end.

I am discovered.