I think we need a break ta rest befure the rezt of da search, TV, who had
been holding hiz breath while the others searched
Her Royal Highness Cleopatra Silvercat wrote in message
...
[Having returned to the train, Cleopatra asks TV to excort her to the
lounge car so they can watch the other kitties arrive. They arrive in
the lounge car to find Mlle. Anais and Tiger already there. Cleo and TV
takes seats near the other two.

A few moments later Capt. Midnight and the Inspector arrive. Shortly
after them Blackjack and President Clarence arrive as well. Other
kitties start to filter in as well, and the lounge car comes alive with
the sound of many meowed conversations going on at once.

Cleo notices that all of the kitties involved in the investigation are
seated nearby, so she address all of them.]

If I might have everybody's attention - since we're all back on the
train, I think this might be a good time to begin searching all the
kitty staterooms. I don't think any of the community kitties will object
to this, since we are all civilized kitties and can be sure that the
searches will be done in a tasteful, respectful manner. Those kitties
not of the community will probably also cooperate, but we have search
warrants to enter their rooms thanks to President Clarence.

I'd like to ask that you start with my stateroom. Blackjack, please feel
free to go through anything and everything. If you'd like to have a
female kitty present when you go through my personal items, I suspect
that either Tabitha kitten or Mlle. Anais might agree to do so.

[A group of kitties, including Cleo and TV, the Inspector and Capt.
Midnight, Blackjack and Mlle Anais and Tiger head down the hallway. Cleo
unlocks the door to the stateroom she shares with TV then waits
patiently outside while Blackjack conducts his search. He emerges a few
minutes later looking only slightly embarrased and reports finding
nothing appearing to be related to the crime. He then moves to Mlle.
Anais & Tiger's room and again finds nothing incriminating. All of the
community kitties rooms are searched in like manner with nothing of
interest turning up.

The group then heads to the Countess's room and Gaettano's room, right
next to each other. Cleo and TV knock on both doors and ask the
residents to come into the hallway to speak with them. Cleo addresses
them:]

Thank you both form speaking to us. As you have certainly heard, there
was a jewel theft shortly before this train left the station, and some
evidence found on the scene suggests that the culprits might have tried
to escape on this train. It has been suggested that the best way to
dispel this idea is to search the cabins of everykitty on the train. I
asked that my stateroom be searched first, and all the membercats of the
Community have had their rooms search now as well. We would like to ask
your permission to search your rooms as well, in order to remove your
noble selves from suspicion.

If you agree to this, then I will personally conduct the search of your
room, Countess. And Signore Gaettano, if you agree then Capt. Midnight
will perform the search of your room. Do either of you have any
objection to this?

[Countess] Your Highness, I have nothing to hide and would be honored to
have your royal self search my compartment. Please, come in.

[Cleo and the Countess enter the Countess' room. The Countess opens her
closet and unlocks her cases. Cleo begins a slow, careful search of
everything. When she gets to the last case she lifts the lid and a file
folder falls to the floor, spilling it's contents. Cleo helps the
Countess gather them together.]

[Countess] Yes, we must protect these! These papers represent the
salvation of my family and of our beautiful valley. Though I suspect you
have not known poverty, my people have and are facing the prospect of
becoming poorer. But now we are saved! I made contact with a company
that films movies for the kitty market, and they have agreed to use our
humble valley to shoot locations for their movies. We will have tourist
kitties, and the movie crews will be staying in our lodgings and eating
in our restaurants and shopping in our boutiques. My lovely valley will
again be prosperous!

[Cleopatra] I'm delighted to hear that! If there is anything I can do to
assist your endeavors, please don't hesitate to ask. I am acquainted
with many of the producer kitties you will be dealing with and would
delighted to assist with any misunderstandings that might arise.

And you might be to learn that I did indeed come from a background of
poverty. Someday I will post my story to the Internet, but for now let's
just say that I was born to a homeless momcat and had to make my own on
the streets, eating out of dumpsters until my life turned around. So I
do indeed understand and commend your eagerness to bring prosperity to
your valley once again.

Now, I've finished the inspection so I will leave you to your privacy
and return to the search.

[Cleo returns to the corridor just in time to see Capt. Midnight,
Blackjack, and Gaettano enter Gaettano's room. Once inside, Blackjack
and the Captain begin the inspection.

They search the cupboards and drawers and Gaettano's suitcases. A
careful search shows nothing out of the ordinary - the ordinary for a
fabulously wealthy cat, that is. All that remains is the polished
aluminum briefcase with heavy steel chain wrapped around it and secured
with a heavy padlock.]

Gaettano: I must ask you both, assuming that this case contains nothing
suspicious, may I have your word of honor that you will not describe
what you are about to see to anyone? [Seeing them both reply in the
affirmative, he unlocks the case and opens it for them.]

Behold, gentlecats, the two finest, largest rubies known to felinity -
the fabled Eyes of Bast. They are the largest, purest, most valuable
rubies known in all catdom. You see, my winkwink is much younger than
myself. I am a Venerable Cat, but my wink, Lady Louisa, will be
celebrating her Distinguised Older Cat birthday next month. I wanted to
get her something beyond her wildest dreams - something to show her how
much I truly treasure her. So I have spent the last three years chasing
rumors of these stone's existence until I finally found them. I had to
pay close to half of my personal fortune, but if they make my beloved
Louisa happy then it was worth the expense. May I close the case now?
[The Captain and Blackjack both nod. Gaettano refastens the chain and
the padlock, hides the case, and all three kitties leave the room.]

Cleopatra: Well, gentlecats, it looks like we have turned up no evidence
of wrongdoing so far. That leaves us with the rooms of the rowdy cats,
the mysterious cat, and the bartender.