The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1944-08-24

L
To the sound of the distant sci
smashing on the rocks, Odett'
dropped suddenly to sleep.
While John Wynter, delightful
ly and agreeably surprised by thu
charm of his hostess and the com.
fort of everything, especially hi!
bed, was already sunk in sleep
Although the most fantastic
dreams chased him as he lay
there.
Mrs. Manvers-Pollock was de.
lighted with the appearance Of
the new visitor. So distinguished
looking. $50 you have come tc
join us in our seaside eyrie." She
spoke almost coquettishly as
John Wynter sat down at the
breakfast table next to hers.
eyes" John Wynter smiled
very charmingly, but all the same
he reflected, the lady must not
be encouraged to talk.
49,. Have you come far?" Mrs
Manvers-Pollock was unfolding
her napkin.
"From London"
"Our other guest is a French
man." she said confidentially. "A
Monsieur Victor, Free French, OF
course"
Really" But here was Mon
sieur, himself, correct to the last
detail.
"Bonjour, Madame" Just in
side the door. Monsieur made his
delightful little bow.
"Bonjour, Monsieur"
well, this is amazing" John
Wynter had got up in his chair
can unexpected pleasure" said
Monsieur warmly.
"And also to me-" said John
Wynter, feeling, oddly enough
that he was telling the truth. For
there was something about the
little Frenchman that he liked.
Later, he thought about Mon
sieur, leading his own sad little
life with all that he possessed
filched from him. Well
walking to the window John
Wynter stood staring out. A gor-
geous view, good enough for g
stage setting. Yes, that was il
he had got it now, that was
the feeling that obsessed him. A
feeling as if he were one of 9
large audience waiting for the
curtain to 60 up. AS if things
hadn't begun yet, as if it were
just that breathless moment be-
fore things did begin. Soon ev-
erything would be jerked into ac-
tivity by that sharp, incisive RAP
of conductors baton. Their
things would begin to happen
With a pistol shot the audience
would be galvanized into activity
A pistol shot John Wynte1
turned and went over to his dress.
ing table, from an empty locked
drawer he took the vicious little
weapon that he always carried
with him. Satisfying himsel:
that the release was locked but
that it was loaded, he slipped i
into his hip pocket and pulled the
zip across it. And now then
what should he do next? Have
a pipe and read the paper if i
had come, and then write g letter
or two? By the way, had the
post come? Leaving his bedroom
he walked along the corridor anc
down the stairs.
1.-TWO letters for you, Mr.. Wyn.
ter" Smilingly, Joan looked. uK
from her busting. The new ar.
rival was the best of them all
Frightfully good looking in {
sort of hard-bitten way. =
Thanks very much"
He disappeared into the library
as someone called her from above
''Mrs. Maturin."
eyes" Joan stood still.
MAY I speak to you for mo-
ment?"
"Oh, certainly, Mrs. Manvers
Pollock" Joan put down he1
busting and ran upstairs.
'The night before last" begar
Mrs. Manvers-Pollock, "there wa:
signaling going on just below thi:
house."
''But what would they sigma
for?"
'That I cannot tell YOU" Mrs
Manvers-Pollock's voice was
magisterial.
II don't believe it."
"But I saw it,"
II expect you thought you did
You know you mustn't look ou'
after the blackout," Joan sale
gently.
II mustn't look out after the