Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Brazilian Cat
Shewasnolongeractivelyrude—herfearofherhusbandpreventedher—butshepushedherinsanejealousytotheextentofignoringme,neveraddressingme,andineverywaymakingmystayatGreylandsasuncomfortableasshecould.Sooffensivewashermannerduringthatlastday,thatIshouldcertainlyhavelefthaditnotbeenforthatinterviewwithmyhostintheeveningwhichwould,Ihoped,retrievemybrokenfortunes.
Itwasverylatewhenitoccurred,formyrelative,whohadbeenreceivingevenmoretelegramsthanusualduringtheday,wentofftohisstudyafterdinner,andonlyemergedwhenthehouseholdhadretiredtobed.Iheardhimgoroundlockingthedoors,ascustomwasofanight,andfinallyhejoinedmeinthebilliard-room.Hisstoutfigurewaswrappedinadressing-gown,andheworeapairofredTurkishslipperswithoutanyheels.Settlingdownintoanarm-chair,hebrewedhimselfaglassofgrog,inwhichIcouldnothelpnoticingthatthewhiskyconsiderablypredominatedoverthewater.
"Myword!"saidhe,"whatanight!"
Itwas,indeed.Thewindwashowlingandscreamingroundthehouse,andthelatticedwindowsrattledandshookasiftheywerecomingin.Theglowoftheyellowlampsandtheflavourofourcigarsseemedthebrighterandmorefragrantforthecontrast.
"Now,myboy,"saidmyhost,"wehavethehouseandthenighttoourselves.Letmehaveanideaofhowyouraffairsstand,andIwillseewhatcanbedonetosettheminorder.Iwishtoheareverydetail.
