And now, my dear----" "Hush!" whispered Austin suddenly.
"What's the matter ?" exclaimed Aunt Charlotte, not liking to be interrupted.
"Listen!" said Austin, under his breath.
A torrent of raps burst out in the wall immediately behind him, plainly audible in the silence.

Then they stopped, as suddenly as they had begun.
"Did you hear them ?" said Austin.

"Those were the raps I told you of.
Hark! There they are again.

I wish they would sound a little louder." A distinct increase in the sound was noticeable.

"Oh, isn't it perfectly wonderful?
Now, what have you to say ?" Aunt Charlotte stood agape.