The Bat by Mary Roberts Rinehart;Avery Hopwood
page 61 of 299 (20%)
page 61 of 299 (20%)
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shut my eyes out that lamp would go. There ain't a surer token
of death! The Bible says, 'Let your light shine'--and when a hand you can't see puts your lights out--good night!" She ended in a hushed whisper and even Billy looked a trifle uncomfortable after her climax. "Well, now that you've cheered us up," began Miss Cornelia undauntedly, but a long, ominous roll of thunder that rattled the panes in the French windows drowned out the end of her sentence. Nevertheless she welcomed the thunder as a diversion. At least its menace was a physical one--to be guarded against by physical means. She rose and went over to the French windows. That flimsy bolt! She parted the curtains and looked out--a flicker of lightning stabbed the night--the storm must be almost upon them. "Bring some candles, Billy," she said. "The lights may be going out any moment--and Billy," as he started to leave, "there's a gentleman arriving on the last train. After he comes you may go to bed. I'll wait up for Miss Dale--oh, and Billy," arresting him at the door, "see that all the outer doors on this floor are locked and bring the keys here." Billy nodded and departed. Miss Cornelia took a long breath. Now that the moment for waiting had passed--the moment for action come --she felt suddenly indomitable, prepared to face a dozen Bats! Her feelings were not shared by her maid. "I know what all this |
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