A very dear cat
Why was Rastus 'very dear' in more ways than one?
Kidnappers are rarely interested in animals, but they recently took considerable interest
in Mrs. Eleanor Ramsay's cat. Mrs. Eleanor Ramsay, a very wealthy old lady, has shared a
flat with her cat, Rastus, for a great many years. Rastus leads an orderly life. He usually
takes a short walk in the evenings and is always home by seven o'clock. One evening, however,
he failed to arrive. Mrs. Ramsay got very worried. She looked everywhere for him but could
not find him
There days after Rastus' disappearance, Mrs. Ramsay received an anonymous letter. The writer
stated that Rastus was in safe hands and would be returned immediately if Mrs. Ramsay paid a
ransom of $1,000. Mrs. Ramsay was instructed to place the money in a cardboard box and to leave
it outside her door. At first she decided to go to the police, but fearing that she would never
see Rastus again -- the letter had made that quite clear -- she changed her mind. She withdrew
$1000 from her bank and followed the kidnapper's instructions. The next morning, the box had
disappeared but Mrs. Ramsay was sure that the kidnapper would keep his word. Sure enough, Rastus
arrived punctually at seven o'clock that evening. He looked very well though he was rather
thirsty, for he drank half a bottle of milk. The police were astounded when Mrs. Ramsay told
them what she had done. She explained that Rastus was very dear to her. Considering the
amount she paid, he was dear in more ways than one!