The key was gone.

In the hallway outside the room and staring up at him from widely shallow green eyes, sat Simon Cameron, the big Persian cat.
"That's a Persian all over.

Simon my friend," said Brice, stooping down to scratch the cat's furry head in greeting.

"A Persian will sit for hours in front of any door that's got a stranger behind it.

And he'll show more flattering affection for a stranger than for any one he's known all his life.
Isn't that true.