I don't say, mind ye, that these here critturs was pisoned, only
if you looks at it that this was the noisiest bird and the worst
tempered thievingest cat in the neighborhood--though, Lord bless
you, my missus wouldn't allow it for worlds--why, you know, when
they were both found stiff and cold this morning people does have
a sort of a suspicion as how they've been pisoned;" and he winked
one eye in a portentous manner, and grinned hugely. "The missus
she's in a nice taking, screeching, and yelling as you might hear
her two cables' length away, and she turns round on me and will have
it as I'd a hand in the matter. Well, just to show my innocence,
I offers to get a glass case for 'em and have 'em stuffed, if it
cost me a couple of pounds. I wouldn't care if they fell all to
pieces a week afterwards, so that it pacified the old woman just
at present. If I can't get 'em done I shall ship at once, for the
place will be too hot to hold me. So you can't do it nohow?"

The old man shook his head, and the sailor was just turning off
when Frank went up to him:

"Will you please wait a moment? Can I speak to you, sir, a minute?"
he asked the old man.

The naturalist went into his shop, and Frank followed him.

"I can stuff birds and animals, sir," he said. "I think I really
stuff them well, for some which I did for amusement were sold at
ten shillings a case, and the man who bought them of me told me
they would be worth four times as much in London. I am out of work,
sir, and very very anxious to get my living. You will find me hard
working and honest. Do give me a chance. Let me stuff that cat and