And we will give them all to you, if only you will take
them away.'
'I see they're a breedy lot,' replied the burglar. 'But I don't
want no bother with the coppers. Did you come by them honest now?
Straight?'
'They are all our very own,' said Anthea, 'we wanted them, but the
confidement--'
'Consignment,' whispered Cyril.
'was larger than we wanted, and they're an awful bother. If you
got your barrow, and some sacks or baskets, your brother's missus
would be awfully pleased. My father says Persian cats are worth
pounds and pounds each.'
'Well,' said the burglar--and he was certainly moved by her
remarks--'I see you're in a hole--and I don't mind lending a helping
'and. I don't ask 'ow you come by them. But I've got a pal--'e's
a mark on cats. I'll fetch him along, and if he thinks they'd
fetch anything above their skins I don't mind doin' you a
kindness.'
'You won't go away and never come back,' said Jane, 'because I
don't think I COULD bear that.'
The burglar, quite touched by her emotion, swore sentimentally
that, alive or dead, he would come back.
Then he went, and Cyril and Robert sent the girls to bed and sat up
to wait for his return. It soon seemed absurd to await him in a
state of wakefulness, but his stealthy tap on the window awoke them
readily enough.
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