Page:Poor Cecco - 1925.djvu/117

Rh “Being too lame for active service, my friend—for I may call him that—was employed in the government, and he told me from time to time a great deal about the customs and traditions of the rat people. Much that he told me was both curious and strange—in fact I think he talked a lot more than he should have done—and having a high position in the Secret Service he knew many things that were hidden from the ordinary rat in the street. Among other things, he told me of the existence of the rats’ most treasured possession, the Tooth of Grimalkin.”

On hearing Jensina refer to the ash-heap country, in that matter-of-fact way, some of the company who had been foremost in admiring her during the evening, now turned up their noses; and began at once to look about under their wraps; but at the word “treasure” their curiosity got the better of them, and they sat down again, though not without some whispering among themselves, to which, however, Jensina paid no heed.

“This object,” Jensina continued, “has been in the rats’ keeping for many centuries and is most jealously guarded. In times of peace its place is in the King’s treasury, and in war-time it is carried before them in public procession. It is said to have come into their possession in the time of the Mousades, when their hero slew the cat Grimalkin and bore back the Tooth in trophy. As long as they preserve this mascot, so the rats believe, no enemy can overcome them, but without it they would at once become powerless.