"If you do, by the Lord Harry, I'll break every bone in your body." People were coming from all directions, and a small crowd had already gathered from the adjacent houses.

The inhabitants of Catcat drew as near as they dared, and gazed in open-mouthed amazement from Thunder to the Missing Link.
"I'll teach you to come creepin' and sneakin' into a man's home, tryin' t' ruin his happiness," the Professor roared, and he made another dash at Nickie.
The Missing Link slipped round the tree, and Madame Marve caught her husband, by the arm and dragged him hack.
"What's he done, mister ?" asked a bystander.
"What's he done ?" bellowed Thunder, the actor instinct in him coming out strongly.

"What's he done, sir?
This infamous scoundrel has tried to wreck my home, sir, to blight my peace of mind." "What, th' bloomin' Missing Link ?" "Yes, sir, the perfidious Missing Link; the ungrateful Missing Link that I warmed in this bosom, and that has turned and stung the hand that fed him.

But now I know all, the villain is unmasked, and if the slimy trail of the serpent enters the abode of peace again, by Heaven! I'll beat the life out of him." A crowd had now collected, and when Madame Marve dragged her husband into the tent all attention was turned upon Nickie, who cowered against the tree, his mind busy on a way out of the peculiarly unpleasant situation.
Thunder was still storming inside, and presently he reappeared, and hurled an armful of shirts, boots, trousers and other human habiliments into the air.

These were the belongings of Nicholas Crips.
The people of Catcat maintained a respectful distance, not knowing for certain what so formidable an animal might do next.
"Better mind out," said one youth; "he bites! He bit the bloke inside.
Didn't yeh 'ear him say ?" On the whole the attitude towards the Missing Link was hostile.