The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1943-01-07
Mr.: MUIR
JAKE :E3
by George
Harmon
Coke

drink" she asked. Thorndike said
he didn't think so and Della
added: well, would you mind
waiting a minute while Joyce
comes up? There's something l
want to give her"
"All right" Thorndike said.
'T'1l let you out here"
He stopped in front of the en-
trance. which was partly blocked
off, and reached over to open the
door. Joyce and Della got out and
hurried across the sidewalk.
do you mind?p Della asked.
81 just had to talk to you min
ute and Uncle Dean won't care. F"
They went up the stairs silently
to the second floor. Della had her
key out by the time they reached
her door, and, unlocking it,
stepped across the threshold into
darkness. Joyce was right behind
her and light from the hall spilled
past them and she saw Della
reach for the wall-switch just
ahead.
There was no warning for
what happened next, no sound, no
intuitive suggestion, nothing. One
moment Delia's band was reach
ing for the switch; the next the
hand had stopped in mid-air and
a gruff. deep voice with a snap
to it shattered the still blackness
ahead of them.
"Don't touch it and don't
screaml"
The Envelope
Joyce froze and for the next in
- terminable second her mind
was a detached and separate part
of her, so that although her body
was stiff and incapable of move
ment,, her brain raced and her
perceptions were sharp, clear,
and detailed. t. 100
O., Aside from the immediate
shock she felt no great fear but
only incredulity. Della had re-
coiled with the command; now
she was like a statue, poised but
motionless, her hand fixed in mid
air. Beyond there was nothing
but blackness. From it came the
next command.
put your hand down!"
Slowly, as though with an in
tense muscular effort, Della low
cred her hand.
Good. Now come forward.
Slowly. Leave the door open so /
can see you" The voice was still
low. pausing briefly and then
swapping out at them. Move"
For the first time, Joyce felt real
fear. She had to obey quickly:
Della too. She closed up behind
the girl and put both hands
above her hips, guiding her for
ward as she moved.
DO as he says, darling"
stop there!" the voice COM
Good, I'm going down
the hall and out the back door.
Just remember l can see you all
the way. Stand still and stay quies
and you'll be all right"
Joyce could hear the man NOV
ing now. the soft slide of his feet
across the rug. Try as she might
she could not penetrate the dark
ness and presently even the sound
of him was gone. -.
The next minute was like an
hour. She could hear her own
breathing; she could hear Della.
There was even time for her
thoughts to slide off on tangent
and wonder what might have
happened had Dean Thorndike
come up with them for that
drink.
The sound of door closing
was loud and startling and even
when the silence came again and
she knew the man had gone il
took her second or two to force
herself to move.
Hes gone" Della breathed.
Yes" Joyce said, and turned
to the wall switch and snapped it
on.
The light was momentarily
binding and she stood blinking
at it: Della was looking at her,
her face white and strained. her
eyes more startled than afraid.
Seconds went by before either of
them moved again and then Joyce
noticed the secretary. The draw
ers were pulled PARKWAY out; so
was one in the table.
''The envelopei" Della said.
Abruptly she turned and start
ed for the hall.
To he cantinued