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.
Three 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 1000 pounds. Mrs. Ramsay was instructed to place the money in a
cardboard box and 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 drew 1000 pounds 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!