Inside the room, everything was completely silent. outside, the wind was blowing strongly. The wind made Malcolm remember the town outside the house.
I am becoming foolish. Malcolm said to himself I must forget about the doctor's story. I will go back to my books and study hard. I must be strong or I will go mad. I must stop thinking about the judge and the hangman's rope.
Malcolm looked again at the chair. The enormous rat was no longer there. It had disappeared. Malcolm sat down again at the table and began to study. He worked for about an hour. As usual, the other rats ran round the room over and under the furniture. Malcolm listened to their squeaking and scratching Then suddenly, the noise stopped. Malcolm listened. The room was silent. The rats had disappeared. But outside, the wind was blowing more and more strongly. The rain was beating against the window Malcolm looked at the fire. It was nearly out. The room was cold.