THE MURDEROUS CAT 227 



taught not to hunt. But few people can have 

 either the time or the patience for that. 



''When I first got Nero, I thought the birds 

 would be fairly safe; because it would be more 

 difficult for him to hunt, since the birds could see 

 a big white cat quite easily. And, of course, I al- 

 ways lock him up as soon as it gets dark. Most 

 people let their cats run at night. But it seems 

 that it's as useless to keep a white cat as it is to 

 put bells on a cat. Such plans may save the old 

 birds, but not the nests or nestlings. I'm sorry, 

 for I liked Nero. I was quite fond of him, in fact. " 



Shan had a sudden compunction. 



"Please, Mr. Feather Man," he said, "it wasn't 

 because I didn't like your cat that I came up to you 

 about it, but because he was after my birds." 



"You'll never get into trouble Tvdth me by pro- 

 tecting birds," the Feather Man answered, not 

 looking at the boy, but staring into the woodland 

 close by. Shan, following his glance, saw a glint 

 of white in the bushes. 



A shot rang out. 



The white spot moved a few inches and was still. 



' ' There 's only one thing to do with a bird-eating 

 cat," the Feather Man said, as he put back his 

 revolver, "and that is — kill the cat!" 



