Canadian fiction -- 20th century; Detective and mystery stories
She nodded to the maid with the air of a frequent visitor and continued
on up the stairs.
The incident gave Greg an idea. As she held the door open for him to
pass out, he gave the maid a dollar. She accepted it as one who had a
just sense of her own worth. Still with the air of a saddened relative
Greg said:
"I expect you'll see me often after this. Which house is number 16 in?"
"This house, sir. First floor front."
Greg got in the flivver and had Hickey take him down to Columbus Avenue
where he searched for a delicatessen store and bought a pot of jelly.
Leaving Hickey at the corner he returned to the sanitarium on foot.
When the maid opened the door to him, he nodded as to an old
acquaintance, and holding his pot of jelly carefully upright said:
"I'll go right up."
At first she made as if to block the way, but his smiling assurance
overawed her. She gave way. He mounted deliberately, and passed out
of sight around the bend to the first landing. There were four doors
on the landing. They were numbered, but even if they had not been,
"first-floor front" was an exact description to any one familiar with
New York houses. Greg knocked on the door of 16 with a fast beating
heart.
The door was opened by Bianca in her nurse's dress. Things happened
quickly after that. She instantly recognized him and attempted to slam
the door, but Greg had put his foot in the jamb. Through the crack he
caught a glimpse of Amy sitting in a disconsolate attitude by the fire.
Putting his shoulder against the door he heaved with all his strength
and Bianca gave way suddenly. He walked into the room. Bianca ran out
into the hall screaming for help.
Amy sprang up. Her set face softened wonderfully. She instinctively
put out both her hands and Greg took them in his. His heart yearned
over her, so little, so distressed, so plucky withal! Neither of them
recollected the Castilian youth.
"My sweet!" he murmured, "you're all right?"
She took the endearment as a matter of course. They knew they had but
a fraction of a minute to themselves, and they spoke swiftly. "I'm
afraid!" she murmured with trembling lip. "If you had seen his face!
Like a wild beast's! I don't know what he intends. He's sending me
south to-morrow, in a private car under guard--Bianca--those men!"
"You shan't go, if I live!" said Greg. "Listen! I'll be thrown out of
here directly. Do those windows open?"
"Yes."
"Where does that door lead to?"
"The bathroom."
"That has a window over the front door?"
"Yes."
"Good! I'll be back for you after one o'clock to-night, with a ladder,
understand? Be on the lookout. When you see me drop a handkerchief,
throw up the bathroom window and climb over the sill. Don't let them
give you any dope."
She nodded.
By this time help had reached Bianca. Dr. Emslie, two white-coated
orderlies, and Bianca herself came tumbling back into the room.
"There he is!" cried Bianca. "An intruder! Throw him out!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account