The chapter opens with Castio, the cat, and Agamemnon talking about how they know the truth about the curse. They know that the criminal used his power to transform people into cats. Now that they're all gathered, they need to figure out a way to get rid of the mask. Castio says that even if they capture her, it won't be possible to do so because she'll be wearing the mask for a long, long time. He says that he's a bit scared of the bird, so he had his bird companion investigate the place for him . So he says that it's not a coincidence that he has regained his human form. He also says that humans can be free once they've got the power to do whatever they want. He adds that they can also get away with being jealous of other people's families and friends since they can't control their emotions. He's right. They're always jealous that of others, he says. They need to get off the mask ASAP. He tells them that he still has a fresh fish for them to bring to their cats. He asks if they'll eat him alive if he doesn't return the mask right away. They start scuffing and scuffing until they reach an ox that seems tough for them. They stop scuffing, and he says he'll have the ox eat them alive if they don't leave him alone. He thinks about how the last time the box was sealed, it was after the wearer had turned himself into a lion. He wonders if he can just leave the box there, since it'll take away all of his power. He feels like he has no choice but to touch the box, which is what he calls a treasure. He remembers how he used to feel like a man once when he was a cat. But now that the box has been taken away, he feels like the only person who can touch him.