178 THE LAND OF PLUCK

It was on a winter evening, after their early supper, that
the twins first heard about the Brighton cats. Uncle Jack,
bowing elegantly, asked them to “step into the library,
please.”

When they were cozily seated by the big table, he ob-
served: “I beheve you two lke cats and kittens best of
all your animal friends.”

“Oh, yes! indeed we do!” exclaimed the twins.

At this, Uncle Jack ran his hand deep down into the
inner breast-pocket of his coat, and held it there mysteri-
ously, while the twins waited eagerly to see what new sur-
prise was coming. Slowly he drew forth a small packet of
pictures, carefully laying them before him, backs up.

“Oh!” said Mabel.

“Oh!” said May.

“ Just so,” remarked Uncle Jack. “We understand one
another perfectly.” And, somehow, he contrived by his tone
and manner to let them know that he highly approved of
their patient politeness, and that he would now proceed.

And this is the story he told them — true from begin-
ning to end. And the pictures of the Brighton cats, shown
in these pages, are carefully copied from the very photo-
graphs that Uncle Jack took from his pocket that evening.

Dip ever you hear of the Brighton cats? No? Well,
that is strange, for they are very famous fellows, I assure
you. Brighton is in England, you must know. They are
trained cats, and they are not only very good actors, but,
what is more pleasant still, they seem to enjoy their own