The Key West citizen., 1940-10-17
Chapter Six
Strange Dinner

Snaklrg uCcOntroIIaDIy. She
remembered Dicks warning that
some of these people had strange
personal powers. In another min
ute. and with a little more en-
couragement. she would have
been whispering her dreams to
this stranger. She took herself
determinedly in hand.
Lynn Bri:ton. snap out of it.
You're no girl to be hypnotized
by your own imagination and a
tall young man with tea colored
eyes"
She rose ard went to the far
corner by me kGng where the
maid sat embroidering. The girl
rose and bowed.
My brother" Lynn explained
"do you know my brother? A
white man."
The maid frightened. "Yis, yis,
wide man" She made a motion
OF broadening her shoulders.
Wide man = stlong. plitty-not?
You likee Temu Darin?"
Lynn tried again. DO you
know white man? My brother.
White, not wide. White like me-"
With two fing arS she touched her
cheek. chin and throat. white
like me-"
The girl giggled and hid her
face, peeking at Lynn through
her fingers.
=. "Yis. yis,' she giggled. Him
ikee you white"
Lynn gave up and walked to
the window. The sky vas clouding
over and strong wind twisted
the bare elm tree at the gate The
immediate courtyard was empty,
but she heard a commotion in a
side court, the chatter of coolies,
the roll of iron wheels over brick,
and the thud of packing boxes.
The familiar stutter of motor
truck engine was like a message
from home She could not be very
far from familiar civilization af-
ter all.
A knock was heard at the door,
then Temu DARN came in once
more
Sherlock tells me-" he said,
that without doubt we shall hear
from your brother tonight. |
thought you would like tC know. "
Il do" she cried. How did you
find this OUT"
He spoke simply. Sherlock has
the power"
The maid broke into a clatter
of Chinese. Temu DARN listened,
his face expressing incredulity
AS she repeated her words en-
phatically. putting two fingers to
her cheek. chin and throat. he
shot Lynn a quick glance.
Horrified. she began TO color
Then he smiled. said something
grave to the girl. and left.
Lynn waited until he had time
to return to his quarters. then
started Immediately for the door.
She meant to get out of this place
The maid sclIrried to the door
barring her way. mo, no glor'
she cried. "Temu DARN say you
no glo."
Am | a prisoner?" Lynn de-
manded
mo. no. l you slavee. You wait.
He come back. You glo now, he
beat me-" The giIl went through
the contortions Of writing from
the blows of club on her back.
Beat youi" Lynn recoiled.
She could pick up this child
and set her ASIDE as easily as if
she were a puppy. But what was
the use? Sic turned and paced
the floor in a maze of distress. So
this was what her sweet dreams
had led her into! Was it real? Was
il possible that this thing could
be happening to her, Lynn Brit
ton?
Her thoughts turned to Sher-
dock Fuyeh. He had said: THE
gods, the demons. the whole uni
verse is but E mirage which eX-
lists in the mind, springs from it
sinks into it" He had sad mirage
not illusion And a mirage is a re-
Election, however distorted, Of
something that really exists.
Gentle CaptOrS
AS IF in response to hel
"A thoughts, Sherlock knocked
at her door Boys from the kitch-
en- followed him in.
My child" he said. "Temu anC
shall dine with You tonight"
The servants lit the lamps anc
began setting the table.
will you arrange a place fol
my brother?" she asked as he
warmed his hands over a glowing
brazier
There is a place for your
brothers message which is al
that will come tonight"
She felt the situation as mad
dening, unbearable Then wher
will he come-if you have the
power to foretell?"
He shrugged. Things work
themselves out"
Il see they do she exclaimed
MY brother has disappeared anc
! am held here prisoner. What or
earth can it mean?"
Temu DARN entered wearing
army clothes Of London make
The uniform. a link with the IA
miliar world, was like a person
ality. 1t had a strange effect or
Lynn, as if friend had appeared
though he brought an enemy with
him.
He bowed and answered. 1--WE
are merely taking care Of you as