Understandably sceptical, Sir Wilfrid goes to fetch the feline in question, only to come charging back into the room, white-faced, excited, and saying that, by George, it was true! He relates that he found Tobermory sleeping in the smoking-room and called him to come to tea. Sir Wilfrid says that the cat blinked sleepily at him and said distinctly that he'd come "when he dashed well pleased". The rest of the guests all exclaim and start talking excitedly, only to fall into silence as Tobermory saunters into the room.
"What do you think of human intelligence?" asked Mavis Pellington lamely.
"Of whose intelligence in particular?" asked Tobermory coldly.
"Oh, well, mine for instance," said Mavis with a feeble laugh.
"You put me in an embarrassing position," said Tobermory, whose tone and attitude certainly did not suggest a shred of embarrassment. "When your inclusion to this house party was suggested, Sir Wilfrid protested that you were the most brainless woman of his acquaintance, and that there was a wide distinction between hospitality and the care of the feeble-minded. Lady Blemley replied that your lack of brain-power was the precise quality which had earned you your invitation, as you were the only person she could think of that might be idiotic enough to buy their old car,"
Mr Appin is upset at the thought of his accomplishment- and all the years of hard work and research it required- being lost. Mrs. Cornett however advises him to start again with the elephants at the Zoological Gardens: "They're said to be highly intelligent, and they have this recommendation, that they don't come creeping around our bedrooms and under chairs, and so forth."
The next morning, Tobermory still AWOL, the would-be cat killers are grimly breakfasting. A servant, however, brings them the news that the cat's body has been found in the bushes by a gardener, bite marks on his throat and yellow fur in his claws. It seems that Tobermory didn't survive his encounter with the Rectory's cat. Everyone is relieved, though that doesn't stop Lady B. from writing an angry letter to the Rector, complaining about the loss of her "beloved pet". Soon after this, the guests leave to go home, and the incident seems closed.