Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1934-11-22
CHAPTER II-Continued


She peered through the glass door
into the hall. No one there! But
some one might be watching and wait
ing for her exit-to spring upon her,
or to follow her with their eyes up
the curved staircase. To be seen and
not to see was dreadful. She crossed
the hall as If great weights were on
each foot and the pursuers would
soon be upon her. Up she climbed,
and for a moment stood In the moon
light that streamed through a window
at the head Of the stairs. Then real
izing that this was conspicuous posi-
ton, she moved on to the shadow
just as voices reached her from be-
low. One Of them was Haskell's, and
he was saying In a sharp whisper:
! Take those horrible figures down in
the basement, Balder. If you ever
dare play a trick like that again, I'll
horsewhip you"
Peering over the banisters she saw
the gorilla man" enter the school
room. Haskell stood guard. but he
seemed to shrink back against the wall
as his servitor emerged with one Of
the wax figures under his arm. He
carried it nonchalantly. as Janet had
seen such figures in department stores
carried about and returned after a
time for the others.
She did not wait to see these trans
fers. but went quickly down the corri-
dor. and, seeing light under Mrs.
Denver's door, she spoke her name
softly. and was at once admitted.
The good woman was in a heavy
flannel dressing gown and slippers.
Her eyes looked as If she had not
slept.
I've been downstairs. felt I must
know what kind of place we are i'm
did you see anything"
"Those four scholars were still In
the school room studyingT"
"Oh, the cruel manw
mo. they are wax figures"
"Wax figuresi Why, that's dread
full Do you think he means to muir.
der us2" she added inconseQuen-
tally.
"What object would he have In MUIR
dering strangers? MOI there's some.
thing here less simple than killing in
nocent people"
"Then there are no scholars?"
"Only four wax ones-so far. Mrs.
Denver, are you willing to see II
through? After all, we really know
nothing; It's strange-but strange
things are not always criminal. Let's
see II through"
II agree with you. / was never one
for running away. My dear, you had
better try to get some Sleep"
II intend to-"
She stole back to her room. The
house lay now in profound silence
but still she had the uncanny sensa.
ton that the quiet yelled a sinister
activity. Specializing on this, 'she fell
asleep.
She was awakened next morning by
a faint tap at her door; then a voice
Miss Mercer, may / see you as soon
as possibleT
She recognized 1t as Arthur Elem.
ing's. "Yes, in about a quarter of an
hour"
'T'n be waiting at the end Of the
passage"
When she Joined him he stood by a
window In the morning light with
Hamlet" who seemed deep in his
musings. He and Arthur both looked
at her curiously.
'Well-how do you feel about II
now?" Arthur asked.
why do you askT'
payne and i are wondering II we
ought to let you stay on here"
"You really think there's dangerr'
"Yes."
"What kind?
"That's just It," Payne remarked
I'VE don't know. hate to use a mis-
used word, but l am what is called
psychic; or at least | am sensitive
enough to scent a sort OF menace in
this house."
'"rhe gods of destiny are here" she
said. Listen to my adventure" She
told them the story of her visit to the
schoolroom.
"Ah. you shouldn't have gone down
there--it was dangerous" Payne said
gravely. "You should have asked me
Il saw AT once that the figures we're
wax"
why didn't you tell me?"
'Why alarm you -but Fleming and
talked half the night about it."
do you remember what the old