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in and day out, you understand. The thing would blame me—reproach me—Oh, it’s hard to explain———”

His smile had vanished and his expression had become strained.

“But, surely you could get near enough to grab it, if it sits on the verandah-rail as you say,” objected Roy.

“I’m afraid you don’t know this cat.”

“Ten to one, it’s wandered away by this time.”

“I have reason to believe otherwise,” said Harley bitterly.

They drove in silence for another five miles.

“Why not shoo the darned thing away?” asked Roy. “It will go, if you don’t feed it.”

“I couldn’t do that, Roy—decently. You see, the thing, being half-wild, destroys things.”

“Perhaps I could drown it for you?”

“Thanks, all the same, old man; but I’d rather kill the thing myself. I don’t want to act revengefully—if you know what I mean. I could sit just inside my window and pot it clean with a revolver bullet, or with a rifle. I’d like to do it decently—make a clean job of it—for Mrs. Harley’s sake———”

“I think I understand what you mean, but———”

“Oh, never mind. The fellow next door has a rifle. I’ll borrow that.”

No more was said until the car was nearing Stratford. Then Roy, whose suspicions were as lively as at first, spoke casually.

“I’ve got a Fritz automatic in the back of the car, if that’s any use to you.”

“Thanks,” said Harley quietly, after an appreciable pause.

He was glad that Roy did not glance at him at the moment. He felt that the sparkle in his eyes and the flushing of his face must be visible, even in the gloom.

Roy steered with one hand while he reached over into the darkness behind. He fumbled for a few moments, then, with a grunt, produced the pistol.