152 GRIMALKIN THE CAT 
elaborate system of runways, the geography of 
which was accurately known to the rabbit people 
alone. A warm mist lay over the woods, distilling 
into great drops on every grass blade and twig 
ere dripping to the saturated ground. Indeed, it 
was hard to tell which was the most water-logged 
the earth or the air. Like all his race, Grimalkin 
hated the wet, and he shook his head impatiently 
as the water trickled inside his ears. The air was 
so damp and heavy among the briars that there 
was little or no scent, so that when a rabbity waft 
came to his nostrils he knew that the trail must be 
fresh. He turned down a side alley, and suddenly 
came face to face with the most amazing rabbit 
which he had ever beheld. It was large and grey, 
but the strangest thing about it was a broad white 
stripe which passed completely round its neck and 
ended in a pointed gorget. The rabbit was squatting 
with its ears flattened and its eyes half closed, and 
in this attitude the strange collar stood out round 
its neck in so uncanny a fashion that Grimalkin 
paused doubtfully. Suddenly fear leaped into its 
eyes its ears sprang up vertically, and just as 
Grimalkin cramped himself together for a rush, the 
strange rabbit wheeled round and burst out of the 
' form.' Grimalkin pulled himself up abruptly, for 
he was too experienced a hunter to give chase ; 
