The old place must have been full of light and life in Jalal's time, generations ago — but now it was full of dust and musty smells. The windows were always closed, the doors locked. There was a garden, but it was surrounded by a high stone wall. Jalal was the last to cross it. In all the years since then, no one had ever left the Contessa's house.

No one came in and no one went out. Nothing new or exciting ever happened. Varjak thought it was the dullest life a cat could have.

Until the Gentleman and his two black cats came through the door...