The black cat, vol. I, no. 5, February 1896

A lively assortment of turn‑of‑the‑century short fiction awaits, blending mystery, humor, and a touch of the uncanny. In the opening tale, an American visitor to Paris finds himself drawn into intrigue when a striking stranger slips a cryptic French card onto his table at a bustling garden café. The puzzling message provokes a frantic search for its meaning, and the hotel’s sudden, stern warning hints that the note may carry more danger than romance.

The remaining stories span a wide range: a daring escapade in the Far East, a charming vignette about a clever little brown mole, a whimsical telepathic courtship, and a regal encounter that promises both elegance and surprise. Together they offer listeners a snapshot of late‑Victorian imagination, delivering concise, engaging narratives that linger long after the final line.