In a flash
he had vanished through the open French window.
With the disappearance of his too brilliant pupil Cornelius Appin
found himself beset by a hurricane of bitter upbraiding, anxious
inquiry, and frightened entreaty. The responsibility for the
situation lay with him, and he must prevent matters from becoming
worse. Could Tobermory impart his dangerous gift to other cats?
was the first question he had to answer. It was possible, he
replied, that he might have initiated his intimate friend the
stable puss into his new accomplishment, but it was unlikely that
his teaching could have taken a wider range as yet.
"Then," said Mrs. Cornett, "Tobermory may be a valuable cat and a
great pet; but I'm sure you'll agree, Adelaide, that both he and
the stable cat must be done away with without delay."
"You don't suppose I've enjoyed the last quarter of an hour, do
you?" said Lady Blemley bitterly. "My husband and I are very fond
of Tobermory--at least, we were before this horrible
accomplishment was infused into him; but now, of course, the only
thing is to have him destroyed as soon as possible."
"We can put some strychnine in the scraps he always gets at
dinner-time," said Sir Wilfrid, "and I will go and drown the
stable cat myself.
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