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When Tom found they were gone, he came out of his hiding-place.

'What dangerous walking it is,' said he, 'in this ploughed field!

If I were to fall from one of these great clods, I should

undoubtedly break my neck.' At last, by good luck, he found a

large empty snail-shell. 'This is lucky,' said he, 'I can sleep

here very well'; and in he crept.

Just as he was falling asleep, he heard two men passing by,

chatting together; and one said to the other, 'How can we rob

that rich parson's house of his silver and gold?' 'I'll tell

you!' cried Tom. 'What noise was that?' said the thief,

frightened; 'I'm sure I heard someone speak.' They stood still

listening, and Tom said, 'Take me with you, and I'll soon show

you how to get the parson's money.' 'But where are you?' said

they. 'Look about on the ground,' answered he, 'and listen where

the sound comes from.' At last the thieves found him out, and

lifted him up in their hands. 'You little urchin!' they said,

'what can you do for us?' 'Why, I can get between the iron

window-bars of the parson's house, and throw you out whatever you

want.' 'That's a good thought,' said the thieves; 'come along, we

shall see what you can do.'