ottofollowmyradesastheyslitheredahead.Ireachedtheminaculvertnottenyardsfromthegasstation,andtheywerewhisperingandpointingindirespiracy.Theobjectofdesirebegantotakeshapeiheringlight.Atopthepump,acoffeemugshonelikeawhitebea.

    "Gogetthatcup,"Igelordered."Dontbeseen."

    Therisingsunpushedawaythedeeperhuesofthenight,andaationonmypartriskeddiscovery.Itletasktosprintacrossthegrassandpavement,grabthecup,anddashbacktoourhidingplace.Fearheldmeback.

    "Takeoffyourshoes,"Igeladvised."Theyllneverhearyou."

    Islippedoffmybrogansandrantothepump,itsred-wingedhorsevaultingtowardtheheavens,andIgraspedthemugandturogo,whenanuednoisefrozemetothespot.Glassonglass.Iimagihestationownerreagintothemilkbox,detegapeculiarmotionatthegaspump,andhtostopme.Butnosuchthinghappened.Asdoorwhinedandclosedwithabang.Iswallowedandtrottedbayrades,holdingupthemugintriumph.

    "Youdonewell,littletreasure."

    "Whileyoudalliedintheopen"—Igelstareddown—"Iwentaheadforthemilk."

    Thebottlewasalreadyopen.Withoutshakingdownthehalf-inchofcream,Igelpouredmesomefirst,andwewasheddownthehalf-gallohreedrunkards,toastingthedawn.ilksettledintomystomach,swellingmybelly,causioswoonanddrowseawaythemwithmyfellowthievesinaditch.

    Atmidday,wewokefromourslumberandmovedclosertotowninmeasuredsteps,hidingamongtheshadows,haltingatthehintofanypeople.Stoppingonlyatplacesthatappearedtobeempty,homeswithnobodyinside,wepried,snooped,andhuhe