piece of mischief you ever did, my dear barn-cat! I'd give a good deal to know who was the cat's paw this time;" and his shrewd old eyes peered keenly about for some traces left by the thief. "Aha!" he said, with an ugly grin that showed the broken tooth in front; and he sat on his haunches and held up a little gray feather. "It was you, was it, my dear little cock-sparrow? The barn-cat sent you in, did she, to get the chestnuts out of the fire for her? I wonder, my dear friends, if before very long you'll wish you had left the little ribbon alone! The old rat will be one too many for you, my dear creatures, I am afraid!"
In this way Graywhisker gave vent to his rage and disappointment, and sat a long time considering how to take his revenge. Then he decided to hold a midnight meeting in his house, where there was no danger of being disturbed; and the meeting
