ercoolanddamp,wasflyinginherface.

    Itwasmuchlighterthansheexpected,andthoughtheskywasovercast,ochofwaterysilvershowedwherethemoonwashidingabovetheclouds.Thefieldsbehherlookedgrey,areesblack.Therewasacertainamountofwind-ahushing,rufflingsortofwindwhichmeantthatrainwasingsoon.

    TheOwlwheeledroundsothatthecastlewasnowaheadofthem.Veryfewofthewindowsshowedlights.Theyflewrightoverit,northwards,crossingtheriver:theairgrewcolder,andJillthoughtshecouldseethewhiterefleoftheOwlierbehher.Butsoontheywereohbankoftheriver,flyingabovewoodedtry.

    TheOedatsomethingwhichJillcouldntsee.

    "Oh,dont,please!"saidJill."Dontjerklikethat.Younearlythrewmeoff.”

    "Ibegyourpardon,"saidtheOwl."Iwasjustnabbingabat.Theresnothingsosustaining,inasmallway,asaniceplumplittlebat.ShallIcatchyouone?”

    "No,thanks,"saidJillwithashudder.

    Hewasflyingalittlelowernowandalarge,blacklookingobjectwasloominguptowardsthem.Jillhadjusttimetoseethatitwasatoartlyruinoustower,withalotofivyonit,shethought-whenshefoundherselfdugtoavoidthearchwayofawindow,astheOwlsqueezedwithherthroughtheiviedcobwebbyopening,outofthefresh,greynightintoadarkplasidethetopofthetower.Itwasratherfustyinside

    and,themomentsheslippedofftheOwlsback,sheknew(asoneusuallydoessomehow)

    thatitwasquitecrowdedAndwhenvoicesbegansayingoutofthedarknessfromeverydire"Tuwhoo!Tu-whoo!"shekwascrowdedwithowls.Shewasratherrelievedwhenaverydifferentvoicesaid:"Isthatyou