Evening star., 1936-08-30
Mosoziss Section


was not quite sure that she was real.
So often, in the few days past, had he
and Barrett talked together about
girls, about the loneliness Of the island.
about Dutch officials and their wives
and sweethearts. that he. who knew
well what the Island would do to
mans brain, began to think himself
beset by madness. Then he remem-
bered the engine, and took courage.
Ghosts couldn't set motors going.
and turn on lights.
He said - and he could feel his
teeth clicking as he spoke: Madame,
can - we - do anything for your
OF course that was not what he meant
to say: he meant to apologize, men
tion those silk pajamas and those
socks - and the bottles of cham
pagne, and the tins of asparagus and
turtle soup. And the beds. All upset.
But the woman - she was no girl.
she must have been seven or eight and
twenty - was SO arresting. with her
stately Dutch height, and her slender
ness, and her hair like coils Of silky
silver Manila rope, and her ice-blue
Nordic eyes, with the look Of the
commanding races in them - that
the two men were conscious of only
one desire - to fling themselves.
metaphorically. at her feet. Because
it was evident. that beautiful as she
was. and strong as she seemed. she
was in need of help.
Her dress was torn and muddy.
Her shoes, which had been white.
were caked with black slime. She was
leaning against one Of the pillars for
support, and she breathed. as she
looked at the two men. fresh from
running. almost as heavily as they
did. Answering Greed she said in
Dutch, DO you speak Dutch?" and
Greed replied. Only a little"
Il speak English. Not very good"
she told him. slowly. Il start the
engine; she Is dead. put on the light.
Because I am very frightened.
Where have you been?" Barrett
demanded. excitedly drawing nearer to
this bewiIdering vision.
There is house Very small. In
the mangrove." she explained. 1T
is for use for the fish at night. There
l have stay. Because of great fright.
But now there is more fright there,
and say II will make big light. I
will 20 to the house. If these are bad
people. perhaps they will no harm
But you shall not be bad. am think
ing"
Barrett burst in. "We're not bad.
Madame. We're ready to sell oar
souls for you. if you'll only tell US
what's wrong"
Greed had disappeared for a mo-
ment. He came back with a glass Of
wine. which he handed silently to the
woman, at the same moment sliding
a chair behind her knees. She sank
into it: swallowed the wine. Color
came to her cheeks: the large blue
eyes were not 50 wide. 50 staring. now.
'You have found my husband,
taken him away" she stated.
WAS he young -"
"Yes."
This is your house? But We have to
apologize: We are very sorry
1T is not my house"
Oh Lord. thought Greed. more of
the prize puzzle business; how is one
to get it to hang together? He said in
effectively. But you are here"
The woman said. 'Yes. That is why
it has all happened"
Light seemed to come to Barrett.
He kicked Greed on the shin. and said
in a would-be tactful whisper: Don't
you see? She ran away to this place
from her husband. and he followed.
and was killed or killed himself"
But it doesn't all fit. thought Creed
He said: whats been frightening
you?" and with the words. moved a