Page:Henry rideout--The siamese cat.djvu/85

 "After tiffin we shall all be livelier," said Owen cheerfully. "It's been a hard pull in this heat."

Borkman was busily opening the baskets—the picture of a genial comedian playing at butler.

The tinkle of soda-bottles, and the harsh crackle of dry palm-tops in the hot breeze, disturbed the dreamy noon. Suddenly, loose bricks rattled down close by in a scrambling rush—

"Oh, stop him!" cried Laura.

In the doorway glare, a pair of yellow arms made one desperate thrust, seized the dozing cat, and vanished. Owen caught the flash of a muscular back and the switching of a black queue.

Both men leapt to the entrance, slid breakneck down the steep rubble. But with a flying start, the thief had ten yards law; and gaining their feet on solid ground, they saw his saffron