The Andre Norton Megapack - 15 Classic Novels and Short Stories

absence of his henchman; and that she must prevent at all costs.
    “I’d love it,” she said quickly, “if you don’t think I’d be just one more thing—”
    “No, I can promise you that. Connie likes company and I had thought I could be home tonight so she hasn’t made any plans to entertain herself. You see, Peter’s sudden departure has upset all our calculations a little.”
    They were now speeding along the highway. Quite suddenly Thane braked the car and swung off on to a little-used country lane.
    “We live quite far outside South Sutton as you’ll see. It has its rural advantages and a swell view but, at times like this, even I can see that there are some obvious disadvantages. It’s damn lonely for Connie. We’ve only got the one car, which really belongs to the police force, and a bicycle isn’t all that much fun in hot weather.”
    Fredericka looked around her with interest as they drove into a small yard neatly laid out with a white picket fence and a flourishing garden. The house which was also painted white seemed to be turning its back on them but there was no hint of untidiness around the back door entrance as Thane plunged in unceremoniously and led the way, hurrying on ahead. Fredericka looked quickly at the neat new kitchen. “Goodness, Thane,” she said, “it’s so beautiful and shining. How did it ever happen like this?”
    “All on the instalment plan.” Thane stopped for a moment to look about him. Then he added cheerfully: “And I have to admit that Connie is a swell housewife. Not a flick of dirt anywhere. But just wait till you see this—” He opened a door at the other side of the kitchen and Fredericka gasped because they seemed to be looking out on to an open ledge of rock. The whole long living room hung over a cliff that dropped away sharply beneath them, and the side of the room opposite them was one great window. The woods came down to the left and right but the trees had been cut away from the cliff’s edge in front to give a clear view of the soft sunset sky, the sleepy town lying just below them, and, beyond it, the green valley with its wide river reflecting the pink glow of the sky.
    Fredericka forgot Thane completely as she walked past him to stand in the window.
    “It is heavenly, isn’t it?” a woman’s voice asked quietly. Fredericka swung around. She had not seen Connie sitting on the long couch by the fireplace. Now she, had put down her book and was standing up with a look of eager expectation on her face. Fredericka felt the other woman’s friendliness and warmed to it as she had when they first met. “Incredibly beautiful,” she answered simply. “You—you lucky things—”
    “You’re staying for supper with us, aren’t you?” Connie asked at once, but Fredericka noticed that she looked across at Thane shyly, as if for approval.
    “Not us , darling, you, I’m afraid.”
    “Oh, Thane, not again, or rather still .” She stopped and then added quickly, “But I’ll have to forgive you since you’ve brought me Fredericka.”
    “I’m so glad he did,” Fredericka said with genuine pleasure. “I’ve been wanting to see you again ever since the bazaar but I’ve been tied to the shop and well, what with one thing and another—”
    “Yes—one thing—and another,” Connie agreed, laughing a little uneasily. “I’ve meant to pay a visit to you and the bookshop but I’m getting lazier and lazier. You can see how far out we are, though, and I’m not what one would call a keen cyclist.” She turned to her husband: “Must you go this minute or can you stop for a drink?”
    “This minute, I’m afraid, darling. But I promise to be back early, so I can visit a little with Fredericka before I drive her home.”
    “Oh Thane,” Connie’s voice had now become tense and strained, “isn’t the end of this miserable business in sight yet? It seems to get worse and worse. Do you know how Margie is?”
    “I’m going to see her first. But we’ve got to face it, darling; I’m afraid there just isn’t any hope. The doctors say she would have been dead two days ago if it wasn’t for her youth.” He paused. “But I think I can honestly say that the end of this case is in sight—just, if we can only get around this last corner. We’ve got very real suspicions but as yet no proof.”
    Fredericka started to speak and Connie put out a restraining hand toward her. “Don’t ask him,” she advised. “He only wants you to; and I