28 The Book of Cats. 



" But I sleep very lightly, your reverence." 



" Come in and see your master," said the priest 

 solemnly. 



They crept in, white with fear and stepping 

 noiselessly. They gazed on the shocking spectacle 

 transfixed with horror. Then a cry of " Who can 

 have done it i^" burst from all lips. 



" Who, indeed r repeated the cook. 



The priest desired Giuseppe to look round the pre- 

 mises, and count the plate, and ascertain if there had 

 been a robbery, or if any one was concealed about 

 the house. The man returned without throwing any 

 new light upon the mystery ; but, in his absence, 

 while surveying the room more carefully than he 

 had previously done, the priest's eye met those of 

 the Cat glowing like lurid flames, as he sat crouch- 

 ing in the shade near a curtain. The orbs had a 

 fierce malignant expression, which startled him, and 

 at once recalled to his recollection the angry and 

 sullen demeanour of the creature during dinner. 



'' Could it possibly be the Cat that killed him .?" 

 demanded of the cook the awe-struck priest. 



'' Who knows T' replied he ; " the beast was surly 

 to others, but always seemed to love him fondly ; 

 and then the wound seems as though it were made 

 with a weapon." 



