Outside the station, round a quiet corner, my steps were arrested by the surprising sight of—­Beauty!—­the very identical devil himself!  There stood the unhangable, undrownable, hurricane-creating beast, looking as serene as a newly-born black cherub, washing his fiendish face!  I approached on tiptoe, breathlessly, with the basket behind my back and the half chicken extended as a peaceable card of introduction.  He scented it instantly—­my aunt always keeping Beauty’s tit-bits until sufficiently gamey to suit his highly epicurean taste.

[Illustration:  WASHING HIS FIENDISH FACE!]

With a finishing toe-touch to his whiskers, he amicably trotted up to me and—­yes!—­actually rubbed against my new trousers!  What could have happened to him!  Had his run through the tunnel turned him out virtuous?  And how could he possibly have got here?  Experience has shown that a leopard can change his spots, and a negro can grow spotted; but could a diabolical cat become even as a sucking dove and fly over twelve miles all in the space of twenty minutes?  Impossible!  So I put on a pair of folder-glasses and scrutinised this new arrival doubtingly.  No; it was not Beauty—­not nearly ugly enough.  It was a twin, but larger, blacker, sleeker, a million times more amiable, and very much fatter.  Ah!—­ha, ha!—­hurrah!—­happy thought!  Why not?  I would.  And, thereupon, I instantly did it.

Placing the basket gently on the ground, I opened the lid and put in the cold chicken, when lo! in jumped the amiable twin.  Half an hour later that basket, that heaven-descended twin, and that successful chicken, were safely deposited in custody of the cat-show steward, with the errant Beauty’s entry ticket affixed.  If the steward had never seen the real original he would never discover the difference; and if he did happen to be acquainted with the genuine article he could but think that the beast was surprisingly improved, and might even award it first prize for having turned over such a notable new leaf.  And for the same reason, my aunt ought to be highly delighted at her favourite’s favourable transformation.  My heart was lightened of its oppressive troubles, as my hands were free from their feline load.  With a hearty appetite I ate an excellent dinner at the hotel, went to the theatre, and turned into bed thankful for all fortune’s favours.

[Illustration:  I ATE AN EXCELLENT DINNER.]

During the two following days, carefully steering clear of the cat-show, I enjoyed my freedom gaily, and had—­what our three-thousand-miles-removed cousins would call—­real good time.  On the third morning a letter arrived from my aunt, with an enclosure which for the first moment I took to be a big cheque—­a grateful offering, as I hoped, for services skilfully performed.  However, it proved to be merely a second letter, in writing that was strange to me, and which with some curiosity I proceeded to peruse.  As I unfolded the sheet, a vision suddenly crossed my mind of that