THIEVES OF THE NIGHT 



the empty room upstairs. Here Whiskers had 

 the wildest games with Tom the kitten. They 

 romped and raced all over the place, playing a 

 sort of hide-and-seek together, and it was the 

 most curious sight to see these two, that 

 ought to have been bitter enemies, playing 

 together with such perfect goodwill. Yet one 

 day something did go wrong between them, 

 for I found spots of blood on the floor. Had 

 the kitten bitten Whiskers, or had Samuel 

 bitten his playmate ? I looked them both 

 over carefully but could not find the slightest 

 sign or trace of a wound, but being thoroughly 

 frightened I then and there took the kitten 

 away. Tom found a most excellent home, 

 where he proved a good mouse-catcher, but 

 I have never heard that he attempted to kill 

 a rat. 



The cat had now only Whiskers to look 

 after, so she gave him more attention than 

 ever. This was evidently, from the rat's 

 point of view, rather a mixed blessing, for she 

 insisted on washing him so often. From the 

 moment he was old enough to sit up on his 

 hind legs, Whiskers had been most particular 

 about his toilet, often sitting up and washing his 

 face and body ; but his adopted mother had no 



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