Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Brazilian Cat
Allwasdarkinthestonecorridor,butastablelanternhungonahook,andmyhosttookitdownandlitit.Therewasnogratingvisibleinthepassage,soIknewthatthebeastwasinitscage.
"Comein!"saidmyrelative,andopenedthedoor.
Adeepgrowlingasweenteredshowedthatthestormhadreallyexcitedthecreature.Intheflickeringlightofthelantern,wesawit,ahugeblackmasscoiledinthecornerofitsdenandthrowingasquat,uncouthshadowuponthewhitewashedwall.Itstailswitchedangrilyamongthestraw.
"PoorTommyisnotinthebestoftempers,"saidEverardKing,holdingupthelanternandlookinginathim."Whatablackdevilhelooks,doesn’the?Imustgivehimalittlesuppertoputhiminabetterhumour.Wouldyoumindholdingthelanternforamoment?"
Itookitfromhishandandhesteppedtothedoor.
"Hislarderisjustoutsidehere,"saidhe."Youwillexcusemeforaninstantwon’tyou?"Hepassedout,andthedoorshutwithasharpmetallicclickbehindhim.
Thathardcrispsoundmademyheartstandstill.Asuddenwaveofterrorpassedoverme.Avagueperceptionofsomemonstroustreacheryturnedmecold.Isprangtothedoor,buttherewasnohandleupontheinnerside.
"Here!"Icried."Letmeout!"
"Allright!Don’tmakearow!"saidmyhostfromthepassage."You’vegotthelightallright."
"Yes,butIdon’tcareaboutbeinglockedinalonelikethis."
"Don’tyou?"Iheardhishearty,chucklinglaugh."Youwon’tbealonelong."
"Letmeout,sir!"Irepeatedangrily."ItellyouIdon’tallowpracticaljokesofthissort.
