Evening star., 1939-09-24
THIS WEEK MAGAZINE
MIDNIGHT MADNESS
Continued from pogs twelve

stand. My mouth was parched -
horribly parched - and dry. l was
thirsty. But l couldn't drink, M. Poirot
:. couldn't swallow . Oh, my
God, l wasn't able to drink"
Hugh's hands were clenched on his
knees. His face was thrust forward,
his eyes were half closed as though he
saw something coming towards him.
"And there are things that aren't
dreams. Things that see when I'm
wide awake Specters. frightful shapes.
They leer at me- And sometimes I'm
able to fly, to leave my bed, and fly
through the air, to ride the winds -
and fiends bear me company
"Tcha, tcha," said Hercule Poirot.
Hugh Chandler turned to him. "Oh.
there isn't any doubt. It's in my blood.
It's my family heritage. can't escape.
Thank God found it out in time!
Before I'd married Diana. Suppose
we'd had a child and handed on this
frightful thing to him!
He laid a hand on Poirot's arm.
"You must make her understand. You
must tell her. She's got to forget.
There will be someone else someday.
There's young Steve Graham - he's
crazy about her and he's an awfully
good chap. She'd be happy with him
and safe. want her - to be happy.
He's hard up. So are her people, but
when I'm gone they'll be all right"
why will they be all right'?"
Hugh Chandler smiled. 1t was
gentle lovable smile. He said: There's
my mothers money. She was we'll off.
you know. 1t came to me. I've left it
all to Diana"
Hercule Poirot sat back in his chair.
But you may live to be quite an old
man, Mr.. Chandler"
Hugh shook his head. mo, M.
Poirot. am not going to live to be an
old man." Then he drew back with
sudden shudder.
Don't you see?" He stared over
Poirot's shoulder. There - standing
by you it's skeleton - its bones
are shaking. It's calling to me -
beckoning -"
The pupils of his eyes were widely
dilated. He leaned suddenly sideways
as though collapsing. He said: 'You
didn't see - anything?"
Slowly. Poirot shook his head.
Hugh Chandler said hoarsely: II
don't mind this so much - seeing
things. It's the blood I'm frightened OF.
The blood in my room -o on my
clothes - and once there was parrot
- it was the Wears parrot. II vas
there in my room with its throat cut -
and was lying there with the razor in
my hand wet with its blood!'
He leaned closer to Poirot. Things
have been killed." he whispered. "All
around - in the village - out on the
downs. Sheep, young lambs - collie
dog. Father locks me in at night, but
sometimes - sometimes - the doors
open in the morning. I must have a
key hidden somewhere but l don't
know where I've hidden it. / don't
know. 1t isn't who do these things -
it's someone else who comes into me -
takes possession - turns me from
man into a raving monster who wants
blood and who can't drink water -"
He buried his face in his hands.
"You have not seen doctors?
Hugh shook his head. Don't you
understand? I'm strong. I'm as strong
as bull. might live for years - shut
up between four walls! can't face
that. It's better to 60 out altogether
.. there are ways, you know. An
accident, cleaning gun Diana will
understand. Once I'm sure that there
is no hope, I'll take my own way outr
He looked defantly at Poirot, but
Poirot did not respond to the chal-
lenge. Instead he asked mildly. What
do you eat and drink?'
Hugh flung his head back. He roared