"'He wore a wig then. The white spot came from dropping chemicals on the wig while experimenting with a substance which you could not comprehend.'
"'Then--then that clew was useless; but who could have taken the Crimson Diamond? And who was the man with the white spot on his head who tried to sell the stone in Paris?'
"'He--he--st--took the Crimson Diamond!' I cried, aghast.
"'Yes and no. That was only a paste stone that he had in Paris. It was to draw you over here. He had the real Crimson Diamond also.'
"'Yes. He has it in the next room now. Can you not see how it disappeared, Harold? Why, the cat swallowed it!'
"'Do you mean to say that the white tabby swallowed the Crimson Diamond?'
"'By mistake. She tried to get it out of the velvet bag, and, as the bag was also full of catnip, she could not resist a mouthful, and unfortunately just then you broke in the door and so startled the cat that she swallowed the Crimson Diamond.'
"There was a painful pause. At last I said:
"'Wilhelmina, as you are able to vanish, I suppose you also are able to converse with cats.'
"'I am,' she replied, trying to keep back the tears of mortification.
"'And my Crimson Diamond is inside that cat?'
"'Then,' said I, firmly, 'I am going to chloroform the cat.'
"'Harold!' she cried, in terror, 'that cat is your great-aunt!'
"I don't know to this day how I stood the shock of that announcement, or how I managed to listen while Wilhelmina tried to explain the transmigration theory, but it was all Chinese to me. I only knew that I was a blood relation of a cat, and the thought nearly drove me mad.
"'Try, my darling, try to love her,' whispered Wilhelmina; 'she must be very precious to you--'
"'Yes, with my diamond inside her,' I replied, faintly.
"'You must not neglect her,' said Wilhelmina.
"'Oh no, I'll always have my eye on her--I mean I will surround her with luxury--er, milk and bones and catnip and books--er--does she read?'
"'Not the books that human beings read. Now, go and speak to your aunt, Harold.'
"She rose and led me unresistingly to the door of my room.
"'Good Heavens!' I groaned; 'this is awful.'
"'Courage, my darling!' she whispered. 'Be brave for love of me.'
"I drew her to me and kissed her. Beads of cold perspiration started in the roots of my hair, but I clenched my teeth and entered the room alone. The room was dark and I stood silent, not knowing where to turn, fearful lest I step on my aunt! Then, through the dreary silence, I called, 'Aunty!'