Screenland (Nov 1941-Apr 1942)

letter Leonora Fiske, explaining the difference in the signature by the fact that she had sprained her wrist. Oh, he had her now, good and proper, Albert thought jubilantly, even though he hadn't been able to break in the brick wall in the oven yet, even with Lucy's help. Lucy was doing everything he asked her, for she had lost her heart to him completely. They'd all lost their hearts to him, all except Ellen. How apprehensive she felt when she caught him looking at her in that knowing, crafty way. He reminded her of a cat watching beside a mouse hole. And that day he sat down at the piano and began singing "Tit-Willow" she didn't realize that her cry to him to stop had been a scream until she saw him smile. It was that same evening Albert looked up as she lighted the candle in front of the shrine. "When did Miss Fiske die?" he asked suddenly. Her hands trembled so that she almost dropped the lighted taper she was holding. "Die?" she asked harshly. "Who said anything about her being dead?" "You don't light candles for the living, do you?" he said. She couldn't stand it any longer. The next day she went up to London and bought his ticket and as she returned to the house that night she was almost certain she heard a strange tapping going on inside. But everything seemed as usual when she came in and she was certain it was just her imagination playing tricks on her again. "There is a boat sailing for Quebec Friday," she told Albert tartly. "You're sailing with it." "I don't want to go away yet." He faced her calmly. "I've suddenly got quite fond of this place. The air suits me. I'm very happy here for the time being." "Well, I'm not happy having you," she said grimly. "You're leaving here the first thing in the morning." Albert cocked an eyebrow at her as he calmly lit his pipe. "I shouldn't try to bluff me, if I were you." "I'm not trying to bluff you," she said exasperated. "I'm ordering you. And if you won't go willingly I'll send for the police." "You won't send for the police !" Albert smiled. "You've a reason, a very important reason, for not wanting the police here and for wanting me out of this house as quickly as you can." Ellen went white at that. But her voice was strangely quiet when she spoke. "As a matter of fact I have," she admitted. Then as that wild look of triumph lit up his eyes she went on in that same even voice, "I met Miss Fiske in town today. She's coming back. I'm tired now, Albert, I think I'll go to bed." Somehow she managed to drag herself up the stairs, to go into her room and close the door after her. But not to sleep. It had been so long since she had really slept. The nights had become ordeals she had to -get through somehow. She sobbed as she undressed and got into bed, then suddenly she sat upright, every nerve taut as she leaned forward listening. At first she was sure it was imagination, then she was just as sure it wasn't, as she heard the faint tinkle of the piano downstairs playing "Tit-Willow." It took all the courage she could muster to stagger down the stairs and she almost laughed in her relief when she saw there was no one sitting at the piano. Then as she came into the room she saw the door of the oven swinging open and as she stared at it appalled the unearthly sound of the music began again and as she turned she saw that well-remembered red hair bending over the piano and recognized Miss Fiske's paisley shawl wrapped around the figure of the woman who sat there. She screamed once, and then she fainted. Albert laughed as he ran over to her and the girl at the piano sprang up in dismay. It was Lucy, her blue eyes fearful now under that grotesque red wig. Albert had told her it was all a joke but it didn't seem funny now at all as she stared down at that prostrate figure. Ellen was still trembling when she came down the next morning but she tried to control her voice as she faced Albert and told him to get ready as Mr. Bates would soon be there to take him to the station. "Bates has been and gone," Albert said imperturbably. "I sent him away." He put his hand in his pocket as if he were taking out his_ pipe but instead he brought out Miss Fiske's wig and laid it on the piano. She stared at it incredulously. "You know" she said in a flat voice. "Then it was you last night !" "Yes," Albert grinned maliciously. "Me and Lucy." "She knows, too?" Ellen whispered aghast. "Not what I know," Albert assured her. "That's something you and I are going to keep for ourselves as long as you treat me right. I think with your financial assistance and a few remorseful tears on my part I'll be able to fix things at the bank. Then we can all settle down in peace, a contented little family." "You surely don't propose to go on living here with me?" she asked appalled. And then as he laughed she roused herself and forced herself to go over to the wig and stand there patting it as if she weren't afraid of it at all. You'd never be quite sure, would you? You might not enjoy your meals." "You wouldn't dare a second time," he taunted her. "No?" Ellen looked at him quietly. "It takes a lot of courage to kill the first time but once you've sold your soul to the devil it becomes easier." Albert hesitated, chilled by the cold malevolence of her voice. Then suddenly he capitulated. "Give me five hundred pounds," he said huskily, "and I'll clear out and keep my mouth shut forever." "I'm not afraid of you, Albert," she lifted her head. "In the night with your shabby little tricks you may fancy yourself quite a figure. But it's broad daylight now." She stopped as she heard the sudden rapping on the door and hesitated for just a moment before she could compel herself to open it. But it was only Sister Theresa who stood there, her gentle face urgent as she told them the police were looking for a man who answered to Albert's description and that they had gone to Decoy Farm first and then would be coming here. "Miss Ellen, have I done wrong in coming here to warn you?" she asked. "You see, I had a brother rather like that. He went wrong too. People are so easily lost, aren't they?" "Yes," Ellen said quietly. "Yes, they are." She turned to Albert as the door closed behind the nun. But there was no longer any need to threaten. All his swagger, his arrogance was gone as he took the tickets and money she held out to him. Then they both turned as they heard the faint moan, the sound of running feet behind them. Lucy ! They had forgotten she was in the kitchen. There was no doubt she had heard what they said, all of it, as she stared at them, her eyes wide in horror. Then she screamed and ran. Albert snarled as he ran after her. No doubt where she was going, running so desperately toward Decoy Farm. If he didn't catch her before she got to the police, it would be all over. Ellen paced the floor feverishly, then a sudden, wild hope flooded her heart as she heard the door open. But it was only Emily and 74