Very near my door was one leading to the kitchen, and so I went on
through, and the very first thing stumbled over a big cat! This made
me more anxious than ever, but instead of catching the beast and
shutting it up, I drove it away. In the kitchen, which was dining room
also, sat the two officers and a disagreeable old man, and at the
farther end was a woman washing dishes. I told them about Billie and
begged them to keep very quiet while I searched for him. Then that old
man laughed. That was quite too much for my overtaxed nerves, and I
snapped out that I failed to see anything funny. But still he laughed,
and said, "Perhaps you don't, but we do." I was too worried and
unhappy to notice what he meant, and continued to look for Billie.
But the little fellow I could not find any place in the house or
outside, where we looked with a lantern. When I returned to my room I
discovered why the old man laughed, for truly I was a funny sight. I
had thought my coat much longer than it really was--that is all I am
willing to say about it. I was utterly worn out, and every bone in my
body seemed to be rebelling about something, still I could not sleep,
but listened constantly for Billie. I blamed myself so much for not
having shut up the cat and fancied I heard the cat chasing him.
After a long, long time, it seemed hours, I heard a faint noise like a
scratch on tin, and lighting a lamp quickly, I went to the kitchen and
then listened.
Pages:
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219