al criminal. In an instant she was a changed being. The wicked
beast, going about seeking whom it might devour, had vanished. In its
place sat a long-tailed, furry angel, gazing up into the sky with an
expression that was one-third innocence and two-thirds admiration of the
beauties of nature. What was she doing there, did I want to know? Why,
could I not see, playing with a bit of earth. Surely I was not so evil-
minded as to imagine she wanted to kill that dear little bird--God bless
it.

"Then note an old Tom, slinking home in the early morning, after a night
spent on a roof of bad repute. Can you picture to yourself a living
creature less eager to attract attention? 'Dear me,' you can all but
hear it saying to itself, 'I'd no idea it was so late; how time does go
when one is enjoying oneself. I do hope I shan't meet any one I
know--very awkward, it's being so light.'

"In the distance it sees a policeman, and stops suddenly within the
shelter of a shadow. 'Now what's he doing there,' it says, 'and close to
our door too? I can't go in while he's hanging about. He's sure to see
and recognise me; and he's just the sort of man to talk to the servants.'

"It hides itself behind a post and waits, peeping cautiously round the
corner from time to time. The policeman, however, seems to have taken up
his residence at that particular spot, and the cat becomes worried and
excited.

"'What's the matter with the fool?' it mutters indignantly; 'is he dead?
Why don't he move on, he's always telling other people to. Stupid ass.'

"Just then a far-off cry of 'milk' is heard, and the cat starts up in an
agony of alarm. 'Great Scott, hark at that! Why, everybody will be down
before I get in. Well, I can't help it. I must chance it.'

"He glances round at himself, and hesitates. 'I wouldn't mind if I
didn't look so dirty and untidy,' he muses; 'people are so prone to think
evil in this world.'

"'Ah, well,' he adds, giving himself a shake, 'there's nothing else for
it, I must put my trust in Providence, it's pulled me through before:
here goes.'

"He assumes an aspect of chastened sorrow, and trots along with a demure
and saddened step. It is evident he wishes to convey the idea that he
has been out all night on work connected with the Vigilance Association,
and is now returning home sick at heart because of the sights that he has
seen.

"He squirms in, unnoticed, through a window, and has just time to give