[originaltext] Kidnappers are rarely interested in animals, but they recentl

Kidnappers are rarely interested in animals, but they recently took considerable interest in Mrs. Smith’s cat. Mrs. Smith, a very wealthy old lady, has shared a flat with her cat, Simon, for a great many years. Simon 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. Smith got very worried. She looked everywhere for him but could not find him.
    Three days after the cat’s disappearance, Mrs. Smith received a letter without a signature on it. The writer of the letter stated that the cat was in his hands and would be returned immediately if Mrs. Smith paid $100. Mrs. Smith 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 his cat again—the letter had made that quite clear—she changed her mind. She drew $100 from her bank and followed the kidnapper’s instructions. The next morning, the box had disappeared but Mrs. Smith was sure that the kidnapper would keep his word. Sure enough, the cat 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 surprised when Mrs. Smith told them what she had done. She explained that the cat was very dear to her. Considering the amount she paid, he was dear in more ways than one!