A man commits murder, killing his miserly uncle to inherit his wealth. After the crime, he realizes he left behind a cigarette case that could incriminate him. Returning to retrieve it, he experiences a terrifying encounter in the dark room where the murder occurred. The dead uncle seems to be alive, tapping fingers and moving, creating an atmosphere of horror. The murderer is tormented by fear and the eerie sensation that the dead man is mocking him. In his desperation, he tries to retrieve the cigarette case, which mysteriously moves to the dead man's pocket. As he attempts to kick it free, he hears a ghastly chuckling sound. In a panic, he screams when something tugs at his leg. It turns out to be the uncle's pet cat, playing with his trouser leg. The murderer is found by others, crawling in terror, while the cat continues its playful antics. The story concludes with a coroner's inquest, where the cat's behavior continues to mimic the unsettling events of the night.
By Murray Leinster · First published 1946 · Genre: Horror, Mystery, Crime