inferior short-haired cat?' I want no more av thim! Here's the key. Good
day t' ye!"

"Hold on," said the inspector, putting his hand on Flannery's arm. "You
don't go yet. I 'll have a look at your cash and your accounts first.
What you say about that cat may be true enough, but we have got to have
proof of it. That was a valuable cat, that was. It was an Angora cat, a
real Angora cat. You've got to produce that cat before we are through
with you."

"Projuce th' cat!" said Flannery angrily. "Th' cat is safe an' sound in
th' back lot. I presint ye with th' lot. If 't is not enough fer ye, go
awn an' do th' dirthy worrk ye have t' do awn me. I'll dig no more fer
th' cat."

The inspector unlocked the door and entered the office. It was hot with
the close heat of a room that has been locked up overnight. Just inside
the door the inspector stopped and sniffed suspiciously. No express
office should have smelled as that one smelled.

"Wan minute!" cried Flannery, pulling away from the inspector's grasp.
"Wan minute! I have a hint there be a long-haired cat near by. Wance ye
have been near wan av thim ye can niver mistake thim Angora cats. I
w'u'd know th' symbol av thim with me eyes shut. 'T is a signal ye c'u'd
tell in th' darrk."

He hurried to the back door. The cat was there, all right. A little
deader than it had been, perhaps, but it was there on the step, long
hair and all.