 Chapter 1 of the Bat. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Alan Winterout. The Bat by Mary Roberts Reinhardt. Chapter 1, The Shadow of the Bat. You've got to get him, boys. Get him or bust, said a tired police chief pounding a heavy fist on a table. The detectives he bellowed the words at looked at the floor. They had done their best and failed. Failure meant resignation for the police chief. Returned to the hated work of pounding the pavements for them. They knew it, and knowing it could summon no gesture of bravado to answer their chiefs. Gunmen, thugs, hijackers, loft robbers, murderers, they could get them all in time, but they could not get the man he wanted. Get him, to hell with expense. I'll give you carte blanche, but get him, said a haggard millionaire in the sedate inner offices of the best private detective firm in the country. The man on the other side of the desk, manhunter extraordinary, old servant of government and state, sleuth hound without a peer, threw up his hands in a gesture of odd hopelessness. It isn't the money, Mr. Decorsi. I'd give every cent I've made to get the man you want, but I can't promise you results for the first time in my life. The conversation was ended. Get him, ha, I'll get him, watch my smoke. It was young ambition speaking in a certain set of rooms in Washington. Three days later, young ambition lay in a New York gutter with a bullet in his heart and a look of such horror and surprise on his dead face that even the ambulance doctor who found him felt shaken. We've lost the most promising man I've had in ten years, said his chief when the news came in. He swore helplessly, damn the luck. Get him, get him, get him, get him. A thousand sources now the clamor arose. Press, police and the public alike crying out for the capture of the master criminal of a century. Lost voices hounding a specter down the alleyways of the wind. And still the meshes broke and the quarry slipped away before the hounds were well on the scent. Leaving behind him a trail of shattered safes and rifled jewel cases. While ever the clamor rose higher to get him, get him, get, get whom in God's sake, get what? Beast man or devil, a specter, a flying shadow, the shadow of a bat. From these hangout to these hangout the word passed along, stirring the underworld like the passage of an electric spark. There's a bigger guy than Pete Flynn shooting the works, a guy that could have had Jim Gunderson for breakfast and not notice he'd yet. The underworld heard and waited to be shown. After a little while the underworld began to whisper to itself in tones of odd respect. There were bright stars and flashing comets in the sky of the world of crime, but this new planet rose with the portent of an evil moon. The bat. They called him the bat. Like a bat he chose the night hours for his work of rapine. Like a bat he struck and vanished, pouncingly, noiselessly. Like a bat he never showed himself to the face of the day. He'd never been in stirrer, the bulls had never mugged him, he didn't run with a mob, he played a lone hand, and fenced his stuff so that even the fence couldn't swear he knew his face. Most lone wolves had a maul at any rate, women were their ruin, but if the bat had a maul, not even the grapevine telegraph could locate her. Rat-faced gunmen in the dingy back rooms of saloons muttered over his exploits with baited breath. Intaudibly gorgeous apartments where gathered the larger figures, the pro-consoles of the world of crime, cold, consciousnessless brains dissected the work of a colder and swifter brain than theirs with suave and bitter envy. Evil's 400, chattered, disgust, debated, sent out a thousand invisible tentacles to clutch at a shadow, to turn this shadow and its distorted genius to their own ends. The tentacles recoiled, baffled. The bat worked alone. Not even Evil's 400 could bend him into a willing instrument to execute another's plan. The men higher up waited. They had dealt with lone wolves before and broken them. Some day the bat would slip and falter, then they would have him. But the weeks passed into months, and still the bat flew free, solitary, untamed, and deadly. At last even his own kind turned upon him. The underworld is like the upper in its fear and distrust of genius that flies alone. But when they turned against him, they turned against a spook, a shadow, a cold and bottle-less laughter from a pit of darkness answered and mocked at their bungling gestures of hate, and went on, flouting law and lawlessness alike. Where official trail or in private sleuths had failed, the newspapers might succeed, or so thought the disillusioned young men of the Fourth Estate, the tireless foxes nose down on the trail of news, the trackers who never gave up until the news was run to earth, star reporter, legman, cub, veteran gray in their trade, one and all they tried to pin the bat like a caught butterfly to the front page of their respective journals. Sooner or late, each gave up beaten. He was news, bigger news each week. A thousand ticking typewriters clicked his adventures. The brief staccato recital of his career in the morgues of the great dailies grew longer and more incredible each day. But the big news, the scoop of the century, the yearned forehead line, bat, nabbed red-handed, bat slain in gun duel with the police, still eluded the ravenous maws of the linotypes. And meanwhile, the red-scored list of his delinies lengthened, and the rewards offered from various sources for any clue which might lead to his apprehension, mounted and mounted till they totaled a small fortune. Columnus took him up, played with the name and the terror, used the name and the terror as a starting point from which to exhibit their own particular opinions on everything and anything. Ministers mentioned him in sermons. Cranks wrote fanatic letters denouncing him as one of the even-headed beasts of the apocalypse and a forerunner of the end of the world. A popular review put on a special bat number wherein 18 beautiful chorus girls appeared masked and black-winged in costumes of Brazilian bat fur. There were bat club sandwiches, bat cigarettes, and a new shade of hosiery called simply and succinctly bat. He became a fad, a catchword, a national figure, and yet he was walking death, cold, remorseless. But death itself had become a toy of publicity in these days of limelight and jazz. A city editor at lunch with a colleague pulled at his cigarette and talked. See that Sunday story we had on the bat, he asked? Pretty tidy, huh? And yet we didn't have to play it up. It's an amazing list. The Marshall Jewels, the Allison murder, the mail truck thing, 200,000 he got out of that, all negotiable and two men dead. I wonder how many people he's really killed. We made it six murders and nearly a million in loot. Didn't even have room for the small stuff. But there must be more. His companion whistled. And when is the universe's first newspaper going to burst forth with bat captured by blade reporter? He queried sardonically. Oh, for lay off it, will you? Said the city editor peevishly. The old man has been hopping around about it for two months till everyone's plum cuckoo, even offered a bonus, a big one. And that shows how crazy he is. He doesn't love a nickel any better than his right eye. For any sort of exclusive story. Bonus, huh? And he crushed out his cigarette. It won't be a blade reporter that gets that bonus or any reporter. It'll be Sherlock Holmes from the spirit world. Well, can't you dig up a Sherlock? The editor spread out his hands. Now look here, he said. We've got the best staff of any paper in the country, if I do say it. We've got boys that could get a personal signed story from Delilah on how she barbed Samson and find out who struck Billy Patterson and who was the man in the iron mask. But the bat's something else again. Oh, of course, we've panned the police for not getting him. That's always the game. But personally, I won't pan them. They've done their damnedest. They're up against something new. Scotland Yard wouldn't do any better or any other bunch of cops that I know about. But look here, Bill. You don't mean to tell me he'll keep on getting away with it indefinitely. The editor frowned. Confidentially, I don't know, he said with a chuckle. The situation's this. For the first time, the super crook, the super crook of fiction, the kind that never makes a mistake, comes to life, real life. And it'll take a cleverer man than any central office dick I've ever met to catch him. Then you don't think he's just an ordinary crook with a lot of luck? I do not. The editor was emphatic. He's much brainier. Got a ghastly sense of humor, too. Look at the way he leaves his calling card after every job. A black paper bat inside the Marshall safe. A bat drawn on the wall with a burnt match where he jimmied the Cedarburg bank. A real bat, dead, tacked a little mantelpiece over poor old Allison's body. Oh, he's in a class by himself. And I very much doubt if he was a crook at all for most of his life. You mean? I mean this. The police have been combing the underworld for him. I don't think he comes from there. I think they've got to look higher up, up in our world, for a brilliant man with a kink in the brain. Maybe a doctor, a lawyer, or a merchant. Honored in the community one day. Good line that. I'll use it sometime. And at night, a bloodthirsty assassin. Deacon Brody. Ever hear of him? The Scotch deacon that burgled his parishioner's houses on the quiet? Well, that's our man. But my lord, Bill, I know. I've been going around the last month looking at everybody I knew and thinking, are you the bat? Try it for a while. You'll want to sleep with a light in your room after a few days of it. Look around the university club. That white-haired man over there. Dignified. Respectable. Is he the bat? Your own lawyer. Your own doctor. Your own best friend. Can happen, you know. Look at those Chicago boys. The thrill killers. Just brilliant students. Likeable boys to the people that taught them. And cold-blooded murderers all the same. Bill, you're giving me the shivers. Am I? The editor laughed grimly. Think it over. No, it isn't so pleasant. But that's my theory and I swear I think I'm right. He wrote. His companion laughed uncertainly. How about you, Bill? Are you the bat? The editor smiled. See, he said. It's got you already. No, I can prove an alibi. The bat's been laying off the city recently. Taking a fling at some of the swell suburbs. Besides, I haven't the brains. I'm free to admit it. He struggled into his coat. Well, let's talk about something else. I'm sick of the bat and his murders. His companion rose as well. But it was evident that the editor's theory had taken firm hold on his mind. As they went out the door together, he recurred to the subject. Honestly, though, Bill, were you serious, really serious, when you said you didn't know of a single detective with brains enough to trap this devil? The editor paused in the doorway. Serious enough, he said. Yet there's one man. I don't know him myself, but from what I've heard of him, he might be able. But what's the use of speculating? I'd like to know all the same, insisted the other, and laughed nervously. We're moving out to the country next week ourselves, right into the bat's new territory. Well, said the editor. You won't let it go any further. Of course, it's just an idea of mine. But if the bat ever came prowling around our place, the detective I'd try to get in touch with would be... He put his lips close to his companion's ear and whispered a name. The man whose name he whispered oddly enough was at that moment standing before his official superior in a quiet room not very far away. Tall, reticently good-looking, and well, if inconspicuously, clothed in groom. He by no means seemed a typical detective that the editor had spoken of so scornfully. He looked something like a college athlete who had kept up his training. Something like a pillar of one of the more sedate financial houses. He could assume a discard a dozen manners in as many minutes, but to the casual observer, the one thing certain about him would probably seem his utter lack of connection with a senior side of existence. The key to his real secret of life, however, lay in his eyes. When in repose as now, they were veiled and without unusual quality, but they were the eyes of a man who can wait and a man who can strike. He stood perfectly easy before his chief for several moments before the latter looked up from his papers. Well, Anderson, he said at last looking up, I got your report on the Will Henry burglar this morning. I'll tell you this about it. If you do a neater and quicker job in the next ten years, you could take this desk away from me. I'll give it to you. As it is, your name has gone up for promotion today. You deserved it long ago. Thank you, sir, replied the tall man quietly, but I had luck with that case. Of course you had luck, said the chief. Sit down, won't you, and have a cigar. If you can stand my brand. Of course you had luck, Anderson, but that isn't the point. It takes a man with brains to use a piece of luck as you used it. I waited a long time here for a man with your sort of brains, and by Judas, for a while I thought they were all as dead as Pinkerton. But now I know there's one of them alive at any rate. It's a hell of a relief. Thank you, sir, said the tall man, smiling and sitting down. He took a cigar and lit it. That makes it easier, sir, you telling me that, because I've come to ask a favor. All right, responded the chief promptly, whatever it is is granted. Anderson smiled again. You better hear what it is first, sir. I don't want to put anything over on you. Try it, said the chief. What is it, vacation? Take as long as you like within reason. You've earned it. I'll put it through today. Anderson shook his head. No, sir, I don't want a vacation. Well, said the chief impatiently. Promotion? I've told you about that. Expense money for anything? Fill out a voucher and I'll okay it. Be best man at your wedding? By Judas, I'll even do that. Anderson laughed. No, sir, I'm not getting married and I'm pleased about the promotion, of course, but it's not that. I want to be assigned to a certain case. That's all. The chief's looked researching. Hmm, he said. Well, as I say, anything within reason. What case do you want to be assigned to? The muscles of Anderson's left hand tensed on the arm of his chair. He looked squarely at the chief. I want a chance at the bat. He replied slowly. The chief's face became expressionless. I said, anything within reason. He responded softly, regarding Anderson keenly. I want a chance at the bat, repeated Anderson stubbornly. If I've done good work so far, I want a chance at the bat. The chief drummed on the desk. Annoyance and surprise were in his voice when he spoke. They'll look here, Anderson. He burst out finally. Anything else and I'll... But watch the use. I said a minute ago, you had brains. But now, by Judas, I doubt it. If anyone else wanted a chance at the bat, I'd give it to them in gladly. I'm hard-boiled. But you're too valuable a man to be thrown away. I'm no more valuable than Wentworth would have been. Maybe not. A bullet in his heart and 30 years of work that he might have done thrown away. No, Anderson. I've found two first-class men since I've been at this desk. Wentworth and you. He asked for his chance. I gave it to him, turned him over to the government and lost him. Good detectives aren't so plentiful that I can afford to lose you both. Wentworth was a friend of mine, said Anderson softly. His knuckles were quite dense in the hand of the chair. Ever since the bat got him, I've wanted my chance. Now my other work's cleaned up and I still want it. But I tell you, began the chief in tones of high exasperation. Then he stopped and looked at his protégé. There was a silence for a time. Oh well, said the chief finally in a hopeless voice. Go ahead, commit suicide. I'll send you a gate to jar and a card. There was a damn fool who would have been a great detective if he hadn't been so pig-headed. Go ahead. Anderson Rose. Thank you, sir. He said in a deep voice. His eyes had light in them now. I can't thank you enough, sir. Don't try, grumbled the chief. If I weren't as much of a damn fool as you are, I wouldn't let you do it. And if I weren't so damn old, I'd go after the slippery devil myself and let you sit here and watch me get an infernal paper bat pinned where my shield ought to be. The bat's supernatural, Anderson. You have a chance in the world, but it does me good all the same to shake hands with a man with brains and nerve. And he solemnly rung Anderson's hand at an iron grip. Anderson smiled. The cageous bat flies once too often, he said. I'm not promising anything, chief, but... Maybe, said the chief. Now wait a minute, keep your shirt on. You're not going out bat hunting this minute, you know. Sir? I thought I... Well, you're not, said the chief decidedly. I've still got some little respect for my own intelligence, and it tells me to get all the work out of you I can before you start wild goose chasing after this bat out of hell. The first time he's heard of again, and it shouldn't be too long from the fast way he works, you're assigned to the case, that's understood. Till then, you do what I tell you, and it'll be work, believe me. All right, sir. Anderson laughed and turned to the door, and thank you again. He went out. The door closed. The chief remained for some minutes looking at the door and shaking his head. The best man I've had in years, except Wentworth, he muttered to himself, and throwing himself away to be killed by a cold-blooded devil that nothing human can catch. You're getting old, John Grogan. But by Judas, you can't blame him, can you? If you were a man in the prime like him, by Judas, you'd be doing it yourself, and yet it'll go hard losing him. He turned back to his desk and his papers, but for some minutes he could not pay attention to the papers. There was a shadow on them, a shadow that blurred the typed letters, the shadow of bat's wings. End of Chapter 1 Recording by Alan Winteroud Recording by Alan Winteroud BoomCoach.blogspot.com Chapter 2 of The Bat This LibriVox Recording is in the public domain. Recording by Alan Winteroud The Bat by Mary Robert Schreinhardt Chapter 2 The Indominable Miss Van Gorder Miss Cornelius Van Gorder Indominable Spenster Last Bearer of a Name which had been grayed in New York when New York was a red roofed New Amsterdam, and Peter Stuyvesant, a Parvenu sat propped up in bed in the green room of her newly rented country house reading the morning newspaper. Thus seen with an old soft paisley shawl tucked in about her thin shoulders and without the stately gray transformation that adorned her on less intimate occasions, she looked much less formidable and innocently placid than those could ever have imagined who had only felt the bite of her tart wit at such functions as the state Van Gorder dinners. Patrician to her fingertips independent to the roots of her hair she preserved at 65 a humorous and quenchless curiosity in regard to every side of life which even the full and crowded years that already lay behind her had not entirely satisfied. She was an age and an attitude but she was more than that she had grown old without growing dull or losing touch with youth her face had the delicate strength of a fine cameo and her mild and youthful heart preserved an innocent zest for adventure. Wide travel social leadership the world of art and books a dozen charities an existence rich with diverse experience all these she had enjoyed energetically full but she felt with ingenious vanity that there were still sides to her character which even these had not brought to light. As a little girl she had hesitated between wishing to be a locomotive engineer or a famous bandit and when she had found at seven that the accident of sex would probably debar her from either occupation she had resolved fiercely that sometime before she died she would show the world in general the van gorder clan in particular that a woman was quite as capable of dangerous exploits as a man so far her life while exciting enough at moments had never actually been dangerous and time was slipping away without giving her an opportunity to prove her hardiness of heart whenever she thought of this the fact annoyed her extremely and she thought of it now she threw down the morning paper disgustedly in 1865 rich, safe settled for the summer in a delightful country place with a good cook excellent servants beautiful gardens and grounds everything as respectable and comfortable as as a limousine and out in the world people were murdering and robbing each other floating over Niagara falls and barrels rescuing children from burning houses taming tigers going to Africa to hunt gorillas she could not float over Niagara falls in a barrel Lizzie Allen her faithful maid would never let her she could not go to Africa to hunt gorillas Sally Ogden her sister would never let her hear the last of it she could not even as she certainly would if she were a man try and track down this terrible creature the bat she sniffed disgruntled things came to her much too easily take this very house she was living in 10 days ago she had decided on the spur of the moment a decision suddenly crystallized by a weariness of charitable committees and the noise and heat of New York to take a place in the country for the summer it was late in the renting season even the ordinary difficulties of finding a suitable spot would have added some spice to the quest but this ideal place had practically fallen into her lap with no trouble or search at all courtly Fleming president of the union bank who had built the house on a scale of comfortable magnificence courtly Fleming had died suddenly in the west when Miss Van Gorder was beginning her house hunting the day after his death her agent had called her up Richard Fleming courtly Fleming's nephew and heir was anxious to rent the Fleming house at once if she made a quick decision it was hers for the summer at a bargain Miss Van Gorder had decided at once she took an innocent pleasure in bargains the next day the keys were hers the servants engaged to stay on within a week she had moved all very pleasant and easy no doubt adventure poo and yet she could not really say that her move to the country had brought her no adventures at all there had been things last night the lights had gone off unexpectedly and Billy the Japanese settler and handyman had said that he had seen a face at one of the kitchen windows a face that vanished when he went to the window servants nonsense probably but the servants seemed unusually nervous for people who were used to the country and Lizzie of course had sworn that she had seen a man trying to get up the stairs but Lizzie could grow hysterical over a creaking door still it was queer and what had that affable doctor well said to her I respect your courage Miss Van Gorder moving out into the bat's home country you know she picked up the paper again there was a map of the scene of the bat's most recent exploits and yes three of his recent crimes had been within a 20 mile radius of this very spot she thought it over and gave a little shutter of pleasurable fear then she dismissed the thought with a shrug no chance she might live in a lonely house in the railroad station all summer long and the bat would never disturb her nothing ever did she had skimmed through the paper hurriedly now a headline caught her eye failure of union bank wasn't that the bank which courtly Fleming had been president she settled down to read the article but it was disappointingly brief the union bank had closed its doors the cashier a young man named Bailey was suddenly under suspicion the article mentioned courtly Fleming's recent and tragic death in the best vein of newspaper ease she laid down the paper and thought Bailey Bailey she seemed to have a vague recollection of hearing about a young man named Bailey who worked in a bank but she could not remember where or by whom his name had been mentioned well it didn't matter she had other things to think about she would get up and dress the bright morning sun streaming in through the long window made lying in bed an old woman's luxury and she refused to be an old woman though the worst old woman I ever knew was a man she thought with a satirical twinkle she was glad Sally's daughter young Dale Ogden was here in the house with her the companionship of Dale's bright youth would keep her from getting old womanish if anything could Dale was a nice child her favorite niece Sally didn't understand her of course but Sally wouldn't Sally read newspaper articles on the younger generation and its wild ways Sally doesn't remember when she was a younger generation herself thought Miss Cornelia but I do and if we didn't have automobiles we had buggies and youth doesn't change its ways just because it has cut its hair before Mr. and Mrs. Ogden left for Europe and Sally had talked to her sister Cornelia long and waitily on the problem of Dale problem of Dale indeed thought Miss Cornelia scornfully Dale's the nicest thing I've seen in some time she'd be ten times happier Sally wasn't always trying to marry her off to some young snip with more of what fools call eligibility than brains but there Cornelia van Gorder Sally's given you your innings by rampaging off to Europe and leaving Dale with you all summer and you've a lot less sense than I flatter myself you have if you can't give your favorite niece a happy vacation from all of her immediate family and maybe find her someone who'll make her happy for good and all in the bargain Miss Cornelia was an incorrigible matchmaker nevertheless she was more concerned with the problem of Dale than she would have admitted Dale at her age with her charm and beauty why she ought to behave as if she were walking on air thought her aunt worriedly and instead she acts more as if she were walking on pins and needles she seems to like being here I know she likes me I'm pretty sure she's just as pleased to get a little holiday from Sally and Harry she amuses herself she falls in with any plan I want to make and yet and yet Dale was not happy Miss Cornelia felt sure of it it isn't natural for a girl to seem so lackluster and quiet at her age and she's nervous too as if something were preying on her mind particularly these last few days if she were in love with somebody somebody Sally didn't approve of particularly well that would account for it of course but Sally didn't say anything that would make me think that or Dale either though I don't suppose Dale would yet even to me I haven't seen so much of her in these last two years then Miss Cornelia's mind seized upon a sentence in a hurried flow of her sister's last instructions a sentence that had passed almost unnoticed at the time something about Dale and an unfortunate attachment but of course Cornelia dear she's so young and I'm sure it will come to nothing now that her father and I have made our attitude plain Shaw I bet that's it thought Miss Cornelia shrewdly Dale's fallen in love or think she has with some decent young man without a penny or an eligibility to his name and now she's unhappy because her parents don't approve or because she's trying to give him up and find she can't well and Miss Cornelia's tight little gray curls trembled with the vehemence of her decision if the young thing ever comes to me for advice I'll give her a piece of my mind that will surprise her and scandalize Sally Van Gordner Ogden for their seven senses Sally thinks nobody's worth looking at if they didn't come over to America when our family did she hasn't gumption enough to realize that if some people hadn't come over later we'd all still be living on crullers and dutch punch she was just stretching out her hand to ring for Lizzie when a knock came at the door she gathered her paisley shawl more tightly about her shoulders who is it oh it's only you Lizzie as a pleasant Irish face crowned by an old fashioned pompadour of graying hair peeped in at the door good morning Lizzie I was just going to ring for you as Miss Dale had breakfast I know it's shamefully late good morning Miss Neely said Lizzie and a lovely morning it is too if that was all of it she added somewhat tartly as she came into the room with a little silver tray whereupon the morning mail were opposed we have not yet described Lizzie Allen and she deserves description a fixture in the van Gorder household since her 16th year she had long air now attained the dignity of a tradition the slip of a culline fresh from Kerry had grown old with her mistress until the casual bond between mistress and servant had changed into something deeper more in keeping with a better mannered age than ours one could not imagine Miss Cornelia without a Lizzie to grumble that and cherish or Lizzie without a Miss Cornelia to baby in scold with the privileged frankness of such old family servitors the two were at once a constant and a compliment 50 years of American ways had not shaken Lizzie's firm belief in banchees and leprechauns or tamed her wild Irish tongue 50 years of Lizzie had not altered Miss Cornelia's attitude of fond exasperation with some of Lizzie's more startling eccentricities together they may have been as one of the younger van Gorder cousins had irreverently put it a scream but apart each would have felt lost without the other now what do you mean if that were all of it Lizzie queried Miss Cornelia sharply as she took the letters from the tray Lizzie's face assumed an expression of doleful reticence it's not my place to speak she said with a grim shake of her head I saw my grandmother last night God rest her playing as life she was the way she looked when they waked her and if it was my doing we'd be leaving this house this hour cheese pudding for supper of course you saw your grandmother said Miss Cornelia crisply splitting open the first of her letters with a paper knife nonsense Lizzie I'm not going to be scared away from an ideal country place because you happen to have a bad dream was it a bad dream I saw on the stairs last night when the lights went out and I was looking for the candles said Lizzie heatedly was it a bad dream that ran away from me and out the back door as fast as Patty's pig no Miss Neely it was a man seven feet tall he was and eyes that shone in the dark and Lizzie Allen well it's true for all that insisted Lizzie stubbornly and why did the lights go out tell me that Miss Neely was the city well this isn't the city said Miss Cornelia decisively it's the country and very nice it is and we're staying here all summer I suppose I may be thankful she went on ironically that it was only your grandmother you saw last night it might have been the bat and then where would you be this morning I'd be stiff and stark with candles at me head and feet said Lizzie gloomily oh Miss Neely did you talk of that terrible creature the bat she came nearer to her mistress there's bats in this house too real bats she whispered impressively I saw one yesterday in the trunk room the creature it flew in the window and nearly had to switch off me before I could get away Miss Cornelia chuckled of course there are bats she said there are always bats in the country they're perfectly harmless except the switches and the bat you were talking of just then he's harmless too I suppose said Lizzie with mournful satire oh Miss Neely Miss Neely let's do go back to the city before he flies away with all of us nonsense Lizzie said Miss Cornelia again but this time less firmly her face grew serious if I thought for an instant that there was any real possibility of our being in danger here she said slowly but with a map Lizzie the bat has been flying in this district that's true enough but he hasn't come within 10 miles of us yet what's 10 miles to the bat the obdurate Lizzie side and what a letter he had when you first moved in here the Fleming house is unhealthy for strangers it said leave it while you can some silly boy or some crank Miss Cornelia's voice was firm I never pay any attention to anonymous letters and there's a funny looking letter this morning down at the bottom of the pile persisted Lizzie it looked like the other one I'd half a mind to throw it away before you saw it now Lizzie that's quite enough Miss Cornelia had the van Gorder manor on now I don't care to discuss your ridiculous fears any further where is Miss Dale Lizzie assumed an attitude of Primrabuff Miss Dale's gone into the city ma'am gone into the city yes ma'am she got a telephone call this morning early long distance it was I don't know who it was called her Lizzie you didn't listen of course not Miss Neely Lizzie's face was a study an injured virtue Miss Dale took the call in her own room and shut the door and you were outside the door where else would I be dusting that time in the morning said Lizzie fiercely but it's yourself knows well enough the doors in this house is thick and not a sound goes past them I should hope not said Miss Cornelia rebukingly but tell me Lizzie did Miss Dale seem well this morning that she did not said Lizzie promptly when she comes down to breakfast after the call she looked like a ghost I made her the egg she likes too but she wouldn't eat them hmm Miss Cornelia pondered I'm sorry if well Lizzie we mustn't meddle in Miss Dale's affairs no ma'am but did she say when she would be back yes Miss Neely on the two o'clock train oh and I was almost forgetting she told me to tell you particular she said that while he was in the city she'd be after engaging the gardener you spoke of the gardener oh yes I spoke to her about that the other night the place is beginning to look run down so many flowers to attend to well that's very kind of Miss Dale yes Miss Neely Lizzie hesitated obviously with some weighty news on her mind which she wished to impart finally she took the plunge I might have told Miss Dale that she could have been looking for a cook as well and a house maid she muttered at last but they hadn't spoken to me then Miss Cornelia sat bolt up right in bed a cook and a house maid but we have a cook and a house maid Lizzie you don't mean to tell me Lizzie nodded her head yes them they're leaving both of them today but good heck Lizzie why on earth didn't you tell me before Lizzie spoke soothingly all the blurning of Carrie in her voice now Miss Neely as if I'd wake you first thing in the morning with bad news like that I think sigh well maybe tis all for the best after all for when Miss Neely hears they're leaving and her so particular maybe she'll go back to the city for just a little and leave this house to its haunts and its bats and go back to the city I shall do nothing of the sort I rented this house to live in and live in it I will with servants or without them you should have told me at once Lizzie I'm really very much annoyed with you that you didn't I shall get up immediately I want to give those to a piece of my mind is Billy leaving too not that I know of that he there in Japanese said Lizzie sorrowfully and yet he'd be better riddance than cook or house maid now Lizzie how many times have I told you that you must conquer your prejudices Billy is an excellent butler he's been with Mr. Fleming 10 years and has the very highest recommendations I'm very glad that he is staying if he is with you to help him we shall do very well until I can get other servants Miss Cornelia had risen now and Lizzie was helping her with the intricacies of her toilet but it's too annoying she went on in the pauses of Lizzie's deft administrations what did they say to you Lizzie did they give any reason it isn't as if they were new to the country like you they'd been with Mr. Fleming for some time though not as long as Billy oh yes Miss Neely they had reasons you could choke a goat with said Lizzie viciously as she arranged Miss Cornelia's transformation cook was the first of them she was up late I think they'd been talking it over together she comes into the kitchen with her hat on and her bag in her hand good morning says I pleasant enough you've got your hat on says I I'm leaving says she leaving are you says I leaving says she my sister has twins says she I just got word I must go to her right away what says I all struck in a heap twins says she you've heard of such things as twins that I have says I and I know a lie on a face when I see it too Lizzie well it made me sick at heart Miss Neely her with her hat and her bag and her talk about twins no consideration for you well I'll go on you're a clever woman aren't you says she the impudence I can see through a millstone as far as most says I I wouldn't put up with her sauce well says she you can see that Annie the housemaid's leaving too has her sister got twins as well says I and I looked at her no says she has bold as brass but Annie's got a pain in her side and she's feared of appendicitis so she's leaving to go back to her family oh says I and what about Miss Van Gorder I'm sorry for Miss Van Gorder says she the falseness of her but you'll have to do the best you can for twins and appendicitis is acts of God and not to be put aside for even the best of wages is that so says I and with that I left her for I knew if I listened to her a minute longer I'd be given her bonnet of shake and be respectable so there you are Miss Neely and that's the gist of the matter Miss Cornelia laughed Lizzie you're unique she said but I'm glad you didn't give her bonnet of shake though I have no doubt you could huh said Lizzie snorting the fire of battle in her eye and is it any black Irish from Ulster would pay impudence to a carry woman without getting the flat of a hand it but that's neither here nor there it is Miss Neely her voice grew solid it's my belief they're scared both of them by the haunts and banshees here and that's all if they are they're very silly said Miss Cornelia practically no they may have her to a better place though it would seem as if when one pays the present extortionate wages and asks a little as we do here but it doesn't matter if they want to go they may am I ready Lizzie you look like an angel ma'am said Lizzie clapping her hands well I feel very little like one said Miss Cornelia rising as cook and house maid may discover before I'm through with them send them into the living room Lizzie when I've gone down I'll talk to them there an hour or two later Miss Cornelia sat in a deep chair in the comfortable living room of the Fleming house going through the pile of letters which Lizzie's news domestic revolt had prevented her reading earlier cook and house maid had come and gone civil enough but so obviously determined upon leaving the house at once that Miss Cornelia had sighed and let them go though not without cost at comment since then she had devoted herself to calling up various employment agencies without entirely satisfactory results a new cook and house maid were promised for the end of the week but for the next three days the Japanese butler Billy and Lizzie between them would have to bear the brunt of the service oh yes and then there's Dale's gardener if she gets one thought Miss Cornelia I wish he could cook but I don't suppose gardeners can and Billy's a treasure still it's inconvenient now stop Cornelia van Gorder you were asking for an adventure only this morning and the moment the littlest sort of one comes along you want to crawl out of it she reached the bottom of the pile of letters those to be thrown away these to be answered ah here was one she had overlooked somehow she took it up it must be the one Lizzie had wanted to throw away she smiled at Lizzie's fears the address was badly typed on sheet paper she tore the envelope open and drew out a single unsigned sheet if you stay in this house any longer death go back to the city at once and save your life her fingers trembled a little as she turned the missive over but her face remained calm she looked at the envelope at the post mark while her heart thud uncomfortably for a moment and then resumed its normal beat it had come at last the adventure and she was not afraid end of chapter 2 recording by Alan Winteroud boomcoach.blogspot.com chapter 3 of the bat this LibriVox recording is in the public domain recording by Alan Winteroud the bat by Mary Robert Reinhardt chapter 3 pistol practice she knew who it was of course the bat no doubt of it and yet did the bat ever threaten before he struck she could not remember but it didn't matter the bat was unprecedented and unique at any rate bat or no bat she must think out a course of action the defection of cook and housemaid left her alone in the house with Lizzie and Billy and Dale of course if Dale returned two old women a young girl and a Japanese butler to face the most dangerous criminal in America she thought grimly and yet one couldn't be sure the threatening letter might only be a joke a letter from a crank after all still she must take precautions look for aid somewhere but where could she look for aid she ran over in her mind the new acquaintances she had made since she moved to the country there was Dr. Wells the local physician who had joked with her about moving into the bat's home territory he seemed an intelligent man but she knew him only slightly she couldn't call a busy doctor away from his patients to investigate something which might only prove to be a mare's nest the boys Dale had met at the country club she sniffed I'd rather trust my gumption than any of theirs the logical person to call on of course was Richard Fleming courtly Fleming's nephew and heir who had rented her the house he lived at the country club she could probably reach him now she was just on the point of doing so when she decided against it partly from delicacy partly from an indefinable feeling that he would not be of much help besides she thought sternly it's my house now not his he didn't guarantee burglar protection in the lease as for the local police her independence revolted at summoning them they would bombard her with ponderous questions and undoubtedly think she was merely a nervous old spinster if it was just me she thought I swear I wouldn't say a word to anybody and if the bat flew in I mightn't find it so easy to fly out again if I'm 65 and never shot a burglar in my life but there's Dale and Lizzie I've got to be fair to them for a moment she felt very helpless very much alone then her courage returned Shaw, Cordelia if you've got to get help get the help you want and hang the consequences she adjures herself you've always hankered to see a first class detective do his detecting well get one or decide to do the job yourself I bet you could at that she tiptoed to the main door of the living room and closed it cautiously smiling as she did so Lizzie might be about and Lizzie would promptly go into hysterics if she got an inkling of her mistress's present intentions then she went to the city telephone and asked for long distance when she had finished her telephoning she looked at once relieved like a little naughty like a demure child who has carried out some piece of innocent mischief unobserved my stars she muttered to herself you can never tell what you can do till you try then she sat down again and tried to think of other measures of defense now if I were the bat or any criminal she mused how would I get into this house well that's it I might get in most anyway it's so big and rambling all the grounds you want to lurk in too it'd take a company of police to shut them off then there's the house itself let's see third floor trunk room, servants room couldn't get in there very well except with a pretty long ladder that's alright second floor well I suppose a man could get into my bedroom from the porch if he were an acrobat but he'd need to be a very good acrobat and there's no use of borrowing trouble downstairs is the problem Cornelia downstairs is the problem take this room now she rose and examined it carefully there's the door over there on the right that leads into the billiard room there's this door over here that leads into the hall then there's that other door by the alcove and all those french windows she shook her head it was true the room in which she stood while comfortable and charming seemed unusually accessible to the night prowler a row of french windows at the rear gave upon a little terrace below the terrace the drive curved about and beneath the billiard room window in a hairpin loop drawing up again at the main entrance on the other side of the house at the left of the french windows if one faced the terrace as Miss Cornelia was doing was the alcove door of which she spoke when open it disclosed a little alcove almost entirely devoted to the foot of a flight of stairs that gave direct access to the upper regions of the house the alcove itself opened on one side upon the terrace and upon the other into a large butler's pantry the arrangement was obviously designed so that if necessary one could pass directly from the terrace to the downstairs servants quarters or the second floor of the house without going through the living room and so that trays could be carried up from the pantry by the side stairs without using the main staircase the middle pair of french windows were open forming a double door Miss Cornelia went over to them shut them, tried the locks huh! flimsy enough she thought then she turned toward the billiard room the billiard room as has been said was the last room to the right in the main wing of the house a single door led to it from the living room Miss Cornelia passed through this door glanced about the billiard room noting that most of its windows were too high from the ground to greatly encourage a marauder she locked the only one that seemed to her particularly tempting the billiard room window on the terrace side of the house then she returned to the living room and again considered her defenses three points of access from the terrace to the house the door that led into the alcove the french windows of the living room the billiard room window on the other side of the house there was the main entrance the porch, the library and dining room windows the main entrance led into a hall living room and the main door of the living room was on the right as one entered the dining room and library on the left main staircase in front my mind is starting to go around like a pinwheel thinking of all those windows and doors she murmured to herself and taking a pencil and a piece of paper drew a plan of the lower floor of the house and now I've studied it she thought after a while I'm no further than if I hadn't as far as I can figure out there are so many ways for a clever man to get into this house that I'd have to be a couple of siamese twins to watch it properly the next house I rent in the country she decided just isn't going to have any windows and doors or I'll know the reason why but of course she was not entirely shut off in the world even if the worst developed she considered the telephone instruments on a table near the wall one the general phone the other connecting a house line which also connected with the garage and the greenhouses the garage would not be helpful since Slocum, her chauffeur for many years had gone back to England for a visit Dale had been driving the car but with an able-bodied man in the gardener's house he would hold herself together with a jerk Cornelia Van Gorder you're going to go crazy before nightfall if you don't take hold of yourself what you need is lunch and a nap in the afternoon if you can make yourself take it you'd better look up that revolver of yours too that you bought when you thought you were going to take a trip to China you've never fired it off yet but you've got to sometime today there's no other way of telling if it will work you can shut your eyes when you do it you can't either, that's silly call you a spirit old lady do they well you had never had a better time to show your spirit than now and Miss Van Gorder signed left the living room to reach the kitchen just in time to calm a heated argument between Lizzie and Billy on the relative merits of Japanese and Irish American cooking Dale Gordon taxiing up from the two o'clock train sometime later to her surprise discovered the front door locked and rang for some time before she could get an answer at last Billy appeared white coated with an inscrutable expression on his face well you take my bag Billy, thanks where is Miss Van Gorder taking a nap no said Billy succinctly she take no nap she out in shrubbery shouting Dale stared at him incredulously shooting Billy yes ma'am at least she not shoot yet but she say she going too soon but good heavens Billy shooting what shotting pistol said Billy his yellow mask of a face preserving its impish repose he waved his hand you go shrubbery you see the scene that met Dale's eyes when she finally found the shrubbery was indeed a singular one Miss Van Gorder her back firmly planted against the trunk of a large elm tree and an expression of ineffable distaste on her features was holding out a blunt, deadly looking revolver at arm's length its muzzle wavered now pointing at the ground now at the sky behind the tree Lizzie sat in a heap moaning quietly to herself and now and then appealing to the saints to avert a vision calamity as Dale approached unseen the climax came the revolver steadied pointed ferociously at an inoffensive grass blade some 10 yards from Miss Van Gorder and went off Lizzie promptly gave vent to a shrill Irish scream Miss Van Gorder dropped the revolver like a hot potato and opened her mouth to tell Lizzie not to be such a fool then she saw Dale her mouth went into a round O of horror and her hand clutched weakly at her heart good heavens child she gasped didn't Billy tell you what I was doing I might have shot you like a rabbit when Dale would come with a motion she sat down on the ground and started to fan herself mechanically with the cartridge Dale couldn't help laughing and the longer she looked at her aunt the more she laughed until that dignified lady joined in the mirth herself Aunt Cornelia, Aunt Cornelia said Dale when she could get her breath that I've lived to see the day and they call us the wild generation why on earth were you having a problem with darling has Billy turned into a Japanese spy or what Miss Van Gorder rose from the ground with as much stateliness as she could muster under the circumstances no my dear but there's no fool like an old fool that's all she stated I wanted to fire that infernal revolver ever since I bought it two years ago and now I have and I'm satisfied still she went on thoughtfully picking up the weapon seems like a very good revolver and shooting people must be easier than I suppose all you have to do is point the front of it like this and oh Miss Dale, dear Miss Dale came in woe begone accents from the other side of the tree for the love of heaven Miss Dale say no more but take it away from her she'll have herself all riddled through with bullets like a kitchen sieve and me too if she's let to have it again Lizzie, I'm ashamed of you said Lizzie's mistress come out from behind that tree and stop wailing like a siren this weapon is perfectly safe in competent hands and she seemed on the verge of another demonstration of its powers Miss Dale for the dear love of God will you make her put it away Dale laughed again I really think you'd better Aunt Cornelia or both of us will have to put Lizzie to bed with a case of acute hysteria well said Miss Fangorder perhaps you're right dear her eyes gleamed I should have liked to try it just once more though she confided I feel certain that I could hit that tree over there if my eye wouldn't wink so when the thing goes off now it's winking eyes said Lizzie on a note of tragic chant but next time it'll be bleeding corpses and Dale added her own protestations to Lizzie's please darling if you really want to practice Billy can fix up some sort of target range but I don't want my favorite aunt assassinated by a ricocheted bullet before my eyes well perhaps it would be best to try again some other time admitted Miss Fangorder but there was a wistful look in her eyes as she gave the revolver to Dale and the three started back to the house I should never have allowed Lizzie to know what I was doing in the way a woman is perfectly capable of managing firearms but Lizzie is really too nervous to live sometimes I know just how you feel darling Dale agreed suppressed Murth shaking her as the little procession reached the terrace but oh she could keep it no longer oh you did look funny darling sitting under that tree with Lizzie on the other side of it making banshee noises and Miss Fangorder laughed too ashamed facefully I must have she said but oh you needn't shake your head Lizzie Allen I am going to practice with it there's no reason I shouldn't and you never can tell when things like that might be useful she ended rather vaguely she did not wish to alarm Dale with her suspicions yet there Dale yes put it in the drawer of the table that will reassure Lizzie Lizzie you might make us some lemonade I think Miss Dale must be thirsty after her long hot drive yes Miss Cornelia said Lizzie recovering her normal calm as the revolver was shut away in the drawer the large table in the living room but she could not resist one parting shot and thank God it's lemonade I'll be making and not bandages for bullet wounds she muttered darkly as she went toward the servants quarters Miss Fangorder glared after her departing back Lizzie is really impossible sometimes she said with stately ire then her voice softened though of course I couldn't do without her she added Dale stretched out on the setee opposite her aunt's chair I know you couldn't darling thanks for thinking of the lemonade she passed her hand over her forehead in a gesture of fatigue I am hot and tired Miss Fangorder looked at her keenly the young face seemed curiously worn and haggard in the clear afternoon light you you don't really feel very well do you Dale oh it's nothing I feel alright really I could send for Dr. Wells if oh heaven's no aunt Cornelia she managed to wand smile it isn't as bad as all that I'm just tired and the city was terribly hot and noisy and she stole a glance at her aunt from between lowered lids the gardener by the way she said casually did you dear that's splendid though but I'll tell you about that later where did you get him that good agency I can't remember its name Dale's hand moved restlessly over her eyes as if remembering details were too great an effort but I'm sure he'll be satisfactory he'll be out here this evening he couldn't get away before I believe what have you been doing all day darling Miss Cornelia hesitated now that Dale had returned she suddenly wanted very much to talk over the various odd happenings of the day with her get the support of her youth and her common sense then that independence which was so firmly rooted a characteristic of her has restrained her no use worrying the child unnecessarily they all might have to worry enough before tomorrow morning she compromised we have had a domestic upheaval she said the cook and the house maid have left if you'd only waited till the next train you could have had the pleasure of their company into town and Cornelia how exciting I'm so sorry why did they leave why do servants ever leave a good place ask Miss Cornelia Grimly because if they had sent enough to know when they were well off they wouldn't be servants anyhow they've gone will have to depend on Lizzie and Billy the rest of this week I had a phone but they couldn't promise me any others before Monday and I was in town and could have seen people for you if I'd only known said Dale remorsefully only she hesitated I might have had time at least I mean there were some other things I had to do besides getting the gardener and she rose I think I will go and lie down for a little if you don't mind darling Miss Dan Gorder was concerned of course I don't mind won't you even have your lemonade oh I'll get some from Lizzie in the pantry before I go up Dale managed to laugh I think I must have a headache after all she said maybe I'll take an aspirin don't worry darling I shan't I only wish there was something I could do for you my dear Dale stopped in the alcove doorway there's nothing anybody can do for me really she said soberly at least I know what I'm saying but don't worry I'm quite alright I may go over to the country club after dinner and dance won't you come with me Aunt Cornelia depends on your escort said Miss Cornelia Tartley if our landlord Mr. Richard Fleming is taking you I certainly shall I don't like his looks and never did Dale laughed oh he's alright she said drinks a good deal and wastes a lot of money but harmless enough they said eight party I'll be home early well in that case at her aunt I shall stay here with my Lizzie and my Ouija board Lizzie deserves some punishment for the very cowardly way she behaved this afternoon and the Ouija board will furnish it she's scared to death to touch the thing I think she believes it's alive well maybe I'll send you a message on it from the country club said Dale lightly she had paused halfway up the flight of side stairs in the alcove I can't notice how her shoulders drooped belying the lightness of her voice oh she went on by the way have the afternoon papers come yet? I didn't have time to get one when I was rushing for the train I don't think so dear but I'll ask Lizzie Miss Cornelia moved toward a bell push oh don't bother doesn't matter only if they have would you ask Lizzie to bring me one when she brings up the lemonade I want to read about the bat she fascinates me there was something else in the paper this morning said Miss Cornelia Idley oh yes the union bank the bank Mr. Fleming Sr. was president of has failed they seem to think the cashier robbed it did you see that Dale? the shoulders of the girl on the staircase straightened suddenly then they drooped again yes I saw it she said in a queerly colorless voice too bad it must be terrible too to have everyone suspect you and hunt you as I suppose they're hunting that poor cashier well said Miss Cornelia a man who wrecks a bank deserves very little sympathy to my way of thinking but then I'm old fashioned well dear I won't keep you run along and if you want an aspirin there's a box in my top bureau drawer thanks darling maybe I'll take one and maybe I won't all I really need is to lie down for a while she moved on up the staircase and disappeared from the range of Miss Cornelia's vision leaving Miss Cornelia to ponder many things her trip to the city had done Dale no good of a certainty if not actually ill she was obviously under some considerable mental strain and why this sudden interest first in the bat and then in the failure of the union bank was it possible that Dale too had been receiving threatening letters I'll be glad when that gardener comes she thought to herself he'll make a man in the house at any rate when Lizzie at last came in with a lemonade she found her mistress shaking her head Cornelia Cornelia she was muttering to herself you should have taken a pistol practice when you were younger it just shows how children waste their opportunities End of Chapter 3 Recording by Alan Winteroud boomcoach.blogspot.com Chapter 4 of the bat this LibriVox recording is in the public domain Recording by Alan Winteroud The Bat by Mary Robert Schreinhardt Chapter 4 The Storm Gathers The long summer afternoon war away sunset came red and angry a sunset presaging storm a chill crept into the air with a twilight when night fell it was not a night with silver patterns in sky but a dark and cloudy cloak where a few stars glittered fitfully Miss Cornelia at dinner saw a bat swoop past the window of the dining room in its scurrying flight and narrowly escaped over setting her glass of water with a nervous start the tension of waiting for some vague minutes which might not materialize after all had begun to prey on her nerves she saw Dale off to the country club with relief the girl looked a little better after her nap but she was still not her normal self when Dale was gone she wandered restlessly for a time between living room and library now giving an unnecessary dusting to a piece of bric-a-brac with her handkerchief now taking a book from one of the shelves in the library only to throw it down before she read a page this house was queer she would not have admitted it to Lizzie for her soul salvation but for the first time in her sensible life she listened for creakings of woodwork rustling of leaves stealthy steps outside beyond the safe bright squares of the windows for anything that was actual tangible not merely formless fear there's too much room in the country for things to happen to you she can fight it to herself with a shiver even the night whenever I look out it seems to me as if the night were ten times bigger and blacker than it ever is in New York to comfort herself she mentally rehearsed her telephone conversation of the morning the conversation she had not mentioned to her household at the time it had seemed to her most reassuring the plan she had based upon it adequate and sensible in the normal light of day but now the light of day had been blotted out and with it her security her plans seemed weapons of paper against the sinister might of the darkness beyond her windows a little wind wailed somewhere in that darkness like a beaten child beyond the hills thunder rumbled drawing near and with it lightning and the storm she made herself sit down in the chair beside her favorite lamp on the center table and take up her knitting with stiff fingers knit two purl two her hands fell into the accustomed rhythm mechanically a spy peering in through the French windows would have deemed her the picture of calm but she had never felt less calm in all the long years of her life she wouldn't ring for Lizzie to come and sit with her she simply wouldn't but she was very glad nevertheless when Lizzie appeared at the door Miss Neely? Yes Lizzie? Miss Cornelia's voice was composed but her heart fell to throb of relief can I can I sit in here with you Miss Neely just a minute Lizzie's voice was plaintive I've been sitting out in the kitchen watching that chap read his funny newspaper the wrong way and listening for ghost till I'm nearly crazy Well I certainly Lizzie said Miss Cornelia primly though she added doubtfully I really shouldn't pamper your absurd fears I suppose but oh please Miss Neely very well said Miss Cornelia brightly you can sit here Lizzie and work the Ouija board that will take your mind off listening for things Lizzie groaned you know I'd rather be shocked than touch that uncanny Ouija she said dolefully it gives me the creeps every time I put my hands on it well of course if you'd rather sit in the kitchen Lizzie oh give me the Ouija said Lizzie in tones of heartbreak I'd rather be shocked and stabbed than stay in the kitchen anymore very well said Miss Cornelia it's your own decision Lizzie remember that her needles clicked on I'll just finish this row before we start she said you might call up the light company in the meantime Lizzie there seems to be a storm coming up and I want to find out if they intend to turn out the lights tonight as they did last night tell them I find it most inconvenient to be left without light that way it's worse than inconvenient muttered Lizzie it's criminal that's what it is there's no light in a haunted house like this one as if Spooks wasn't bad enough with the lights on Lizzie yes Miss Neely I wasn't going to say another word she went to the telephone Miss Cornelia knitted on knit two, purl two in spite of her experiments with the Ouija board she didn't believe in ghosts and yet there were things one couldn't explain by logic was there something like that in this house a shadow walking the corridors a vague shape of evil drifting like mist from room to room till it's cold breath whispered on one's back and there she had ruined her knitting the last two rows would have to be ripped out that came of moaning about ghosts like a ninny she put down the knitting with an exasperated little gesture Lizzie had just finished her telephoning and was hanging up the receiver well Lizzie Yesum said the latter glaring at the phone that's what he says they turned off the lights last night because there was a storm threatening he says it burns out their fuses if they leave them on in a storm a louder roll of thunder punctuated her words there said Lizzie they'll be going off again tonight she took an uncertain step toward the French windows huh said Miss Cornelia I hope it will be a dry summer her hands tightened on each other darkness darkness inside this house of whispers to match with the darkness outside she forced herself to speak in a normal voice asked Billy to bring some candles Lizzie and have them ready Lizzie had been staring fixedly at the French windows at Miss Cornelia's command she gave a little jump of terror and moved closer to her mistress you're not going to ask me to go out in that hall alone she said in her hurt voice it was too much it was an event for her feelings and crisp exasperation what's the matter with you anyhow Lizzie Allen the nervousness in her own tones infected Lizzie she shivered frankly Miss Neely, Miss Neely she pleaded I don't like it I want to go back to the city Miss Cornelia braced herself I have rented this house for four months and I am going to stay she said firmly her eyes saw Lizzie striving to pour some of her own and flexible courage into the ladders shaking form but Lizzie would not look at her suddenly she started and gave a low scream there's somebody on the terrace she breathed in a ghastly whisper clutching at Miss Cornelia's arm for a second Miss Cornelia sat frozen then don't do that she said sharply what nonsense but she looked over her shoulder as she said it and Lizzie saw the look both waited impulsing stillness one second two I guess it was the wind said Lizzie at last relieved her grip on Miss Cornelia relaxing she began to look a trifle ashamed of herself and Miss Cornelia seized the opportunity you were born on a brick pavement she said crushingly you get nervous out here at night whenever a cricket begins to sing or scrape his legs or whatever it is they do she looked back before the blast of her mistresses scorn and began to move gingerly toward the alcove door but obviously she was not entirely convinced oh it's more than that Miss Neely she mumbled I Miss Cornelia turned to her fiercely if Lizzie was going to behave like this they might as well have it out now between them before Dale came home what did you really see last night she said in a minatory voice the instant relief on Lizzie's face was ludicrous she so obviously preferred discussing any subject at any length to braving the dangers of the other part of the house unaccompanied I was standing right there at the top of that there staircase she began just articulating toward the alcove stairs in the manner of one who embarks upon the narrative of an epic standing there with your switch in my hand Miss Neely and then I looked down and her voice dropped I saw a gleaming eye it looked at me and winked I'd tell you this house is haunted a flirtatious ghost queried Miss Cornelia skeptically she snorted huh, why didn't you yell I was too scared to yell and I'm not the only one she started to back away from the alcove her eyes still fixed upon its haunted stairs why do you think the servants left so sudden this morning she went on really believe the housemaid has appendicitis or the cook's sister had twins she turned and gestured at her mistress with a long pointed forefinger her voice had a note of doom I bet a penny the cook never had any sister and the sister never had any twins she said impressively no Miss Neely they couldn't put it over on me like that they were scared away they saw it she concluded her epic and stood nodding her head and Irish Cassandra who had prophesied the evil to come fiddle sticks said Miss Cornelia briskly more shaken by the recital than she would have admitted she tried to think of another topic of conversation what time is it she asked Lizzie glanced at the mantle clock half past ten Miss Neely Miss Cornelia yawned a little dismal she felt as if the last two hours had not been hours but years Miss Dale won't be home for half an hour she said reflectively and if I have to spend another 30 minutes listening to Lizzie shiver she thought Dale will find me a nervous wreck when she does come home she rolled up her knitting and put it back in her knitting bag there was no use going on doing work that would have to be ripped out again and yet she must do something to occupy her thoughts she raised her head and discovered Lizzie returning before the alcove stares with a stealthy tread of a panther the sight exasperated her now Lizzie Allen she said sharply you forget all that superstitious nonsense and stop looking for ghosts there's nothing in that sort of thing she smiled she would punish Lizzie for her obdurate temerousness where's that Ouija board she questioned rising with a termination in her eye Lizzie shuddered violently it's up there with a prayer book on it to keep it quiet she groaned jerking her thumb in the direction of the father bookcase bring it here said Miss Cornelia implacably then as Lizzie still hesitated Lizzie shivering every movement of her body a conscious protest Lizzie slowly went over to the bookcase lifted off the prayer book and took down the Ouija board even then she would not carry it normally but bore it over to Miss Cornelia at arm's length as if any closer contact would blast her with lightning her face a comic mask of loathing and repulsion she placed the letter board in Miss Cornelia's lap with a sigh of relief you can do it yourself I'll have none of it she said firmly it takes two people and you know it Lizzie Allen Miss Cornelia's voice was stern but it was also amused Lizzie groaned but she knew her mistress she obeyed she carefully chose the farthest chair in the room and took a long time bringing it over to where her mistress sat waiting I've been working for you for 20 years she muttered I've been your goat for 20 years and I've got a right to speak my mind Miss Cornelia cut her off you haven't got a mind sit down she commanded Lizzie sat her hands at her side with a sigh of tried patience Miss Cornelia put her unwilling fingers on a little moving table that is used to point to the letters on the board itself then she placed her own hands on it too the tips of her fingers just touching Lizzie's now make your mind a blank she commanded her factorum you just said I haven't got any mind complaining the latter well said Miss Cornelia magnificently make what you haven't got a blank the Ray Partet silenced Lizzie for the moment but only for the moment as soon as Miss Cornelia had settled herself comfortably and tried to make her mind a suitable receiving station for Ouija messages Lizzie began to mumble the sorrows of her heart I've stood by you through thick and thin she mourned in a low voice I stood by you when you were a vegetarian I stood by you when you were a theosophist I've seen you through socialism Fletcherism and rheumatism but when it comes to carrying on with ghosts be still, ordered Miss Cornelia nothing will come if you keep chattering that's why I'm chattering said Lizzie, driven to the wall my teeth are too, she added I can hardly keep my upper set in and a desolate clicking of artificial molars attested the truth of that remark then to Miss Cornelia's relief she was silent for nearly two minutes only to start so violently at the end of the time that she nearly upset the Ouija board her toes I've got a queer feeling in my fingers all the way up my arms she whispered in odd accents wriggling the arms she spoke of violently hush, said Miss Cornelia indignantly Lizzie always exaggerated of course yet now her own fingers felt prickly uncanny there was a little pause while both sat tense staring at the board now Ouija said Miss Cornelia defiantly Lizzie Allen right about this house or is it all stuff and nonsense for a second or two the Ouija remained anchored to its resting place in the center of the board then my god it's moving said Lizzie in tones of pure horror as the little pointer began to wander among the letters you shoved it, I did not cross my heart Miss Neely Lizzie's eyes are round her fingers glued rapidly to the Ouija as the movements of the pointer grew more rapid her mouth dropped open wider and wider prepared for an ear piercing scream keep quiet, said Miss Cornelia tensely there was a pause a few seconds while the pointer darted from one letter to another wildly B M C X P M It's Russian gasped Lizzie breathlessly and Miss Cornelia nearly disgraced herself in the eyes of any spirits that might be present by inappropriate laughter the Ouija continued to move more letters what was it spelling it couldn't be good heavens B A T The pointer stopped moving she took her hands from the board that's queer she said with a force laugh she glanced at Lizzie to see how Lizzie was taking it but the letter seemed too relieved to have her hands off the Ouija board to make the mental connection that her mistress had feared all she said was bats indeed, that shows its spirits there's been a bat flying around this house all evening she got up from her chair tentatively obviously hoping that the seance was over Oh Miss Neely she burst out please let me sleep in your room tonight it's only when my jaw drops that I snore I can tie it up with a handkerchief I wish you'd tie it up with a handkerchief now said her mistress absentmindedly still pondering the message that the pointer had spelled B A T bat, she murmured thought transference warning, accident whatever it was it was nerve shaking she put the Ouija board aside accident or not, she was done with it for the evening but she could not so easily dispose of the bat sending a protesting Lizzie off for her reading glasses Miss Cornelia got to the evening paper and settled down to what by now had become her obsession she had not far to search for a long black streamer ran across the front page bat baffles police again she skimmed through the article with eerie fascination reading bits of it aloud for Lizzie's benefit unique criminal long baffled the police record of his crime shows in to be endowed with an almost diabolical ingenuity so far there is no clue to his identity pleasant reading for an old woman who's just received a threatening letter she thought ironically ah, here was something new in a blackboarder box on the front page by the police she read it aloud we must cease combing the criminal world for the bat and look higher he may be a merchant, a lawyer, a doctor honored in his community by day and at night a bloodthirsty assassin the print blurred before her eyes she could read no more for the moment she thought of the revolver in the drawer of the table close at hand and felt glad that it was there loaded I'm going to take the butcher knife to bed with me, Lizzie was saying Miss Cornelius touched the Ouija board that thing certainly spelled bat here, Mark I wish I were a man I'd like to see any lawyer, doctor or merchant of my acquaintance leading a double life without my suspecting it every man leads a double life and some more than that, Lizzie observed I guess it rests them like it does me to take off my corset Miss Cornelius opened her mouth to her bucker but just at that moment there was a chink of ice in the hall and Billy, the Japanese entered carrying a tray with a picture of water and some glasses on it Miss Cornelius watched his impassive progress wondering if the Oriental races ever felt terror she could not imagine all Lizzie's band cheese and kelpies producing a single shiver from Billy he sat down the tray and was about to go as silently as he had come when Miss Cornelius spoke to him on impulse Billy, what's all this about the cook's sister not having twins she said in an offhand voice she had not really discussed the departure of the other servants with Billy before did you happen to know that this interesting event was anticipated Billy drew in his breath with a polite hiss maybe she have twins he admitted it happened sometime mostly not expected do you think there was any other reason for her leaving maybe said Billy blandly well what was the reason I'll say the same thing house haunted Billy's reply was prompt as it was calm Miss Cornelius gave a slight laugh you know better than that though don't you Billy's oriental placidity remained unruffled he neither admitted nor denied he shrugged his shoulders funny house he said leconically find window open nobody there door slam nobody there on the heels of his words came a single startling bang from the kitchen quarters the bang of a slammed door End of Chapter 4 Recording by Alan Winteroud boomcoach.blogspot.com Chapter 5 of The Bat This LibriVox recording is in the public domain Recording by Alan Winteroud The Bat by Mary Robert Reinhardt Chapter 5 Alapetia and Rubiola Miss Cornelius dropped her newspaper Lizzie frankly frightened gave a little squeal and moved closer to her mistress only Billy remained impassive but even he looked sharply in the direction whence the sound had come Miss Cornelius was the first of the others to recover her poise stop that it was the wind she said a little irritably the stop that addressed to Lizzie who seemed on the point of squealing again I think not when said Billy his very lack of perturbation added weight to the statement it made Miss Cornelia uneasy she took out her knitting again how long have you lived in this house Billy? since Mr. Fleming built hmm Miss Cornelia pondered and this is the first time you have been disturbed last two days only Billy would have made an ideal witness in a courtroom he restricted himself so precisely to answering what was asked of him in as few words as possible Miss Cornelia ripped out a row in her knitting she took a deep breath what about that face Lizzie said you saw last night at the window she asked in a steady voice Billy grinned as if slightly embarrassed just face that all a man's face he shrugged again don't know maybe it there it gone Miss Cornelia did not want to believe him but she did did you go out after it she persisted Billy's yellow grin grew wider no thanks he said cheerfully with ideal succinctness Lizzie meanwhile had stood first on one foot and then on the other during the interrogation she saw her and morbid interest fighting in her for mastery now she could hold herself in no longer oh Miss Neely she exploded in a graveyard moan last night when the lights went out I had a token my oil lamp was full of oil but do what I would it kept going out too the minute I shut my eyes out that lamp would go there ain't a sure token of death the bible says let your light shine and when a hand you can't see good night she ended in a hush whisper and even Billy looked a trifle uncomfortable after her climax well now that you cheered us up began Miss Cornelia undauntedly but a long ominous role of thunder that rattled the pains 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 at 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 and oh Billy I'll take 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 means I tell you there's going to be death sure there certainly will be if you don't keep quiet said her mistress acidly locked the billiard room windows and go to bed but this was the last straw for Lizzie a picture of the two long dark flights of stairs up which she had to pass to reach her bed chamber rose before her and she spoke her mind I'm not going to bed she said wildly I'm going to pack up tomorrow and leave this house that such a threat would never be carried out while she lived made little difference to her she was beyond the need of truth's consolations I asked you on my bended knees not to take this place two miles from a railroad she went on heatedly for mercy's sake Miss Neely let's go back to the city before it's too late Miss Cornelia was inflexible I'm not going you can make up your mind to that I'm going to find out what's wrong with this place if it takes all summer I came out to the country for a rest and I'm going to get it you'll get your heavenly rest more than Lizzie giving it up she looked pitifully at her mistress's face for a sign that the latter might be weakening but no such sign came instead Miss Cornelia seemed to grow more determined besides she said suddenly deciding to share the secret she had hugged herself all day I might as well tell you Lizzie I'm having a detective set down tonight from police headquarters in the city detective? Lizzie's face was horrified Miss Neely you're keeping something from me you know something I don't know I hope so I dare say he will be stupid enough most of them are but at least we can have one proper night's sleep not I I trust no man said Lizzie but Miss Cornelia had picked up the paper again the bat's last crime was a particularly atrocious one she read the body of the murdered man but Lizzie could bear no more why don't you read the funny page once in a while she wailed and hurried to close the windows in the billiard room the door leading into the billiard room shut behind her Miss Cornelia remained reading for a moment then was that a sound from the alcove she dropped the paper went into the alcove and stood for a moment at the foot of the stairs listening no it must have been her imagination but while she was here she might as well put on the spring lock that bolted the door from the alcove to the terrace she did so returning to the living room and switched off the lights for a moment to look out of the coming storm it was closer now the lightning flashes more continuous she turned on the lights again as billi re-entered with three candles and a box of matches he put them down on a side table new gardener come he said briefly to Miss Cornelia's back Miss Cornelia turned nice hour for him to get here what's his name says his name Brooke said billi a little doubtful English name still bothered him he was never quite sure of them at first Miss Cornelia thought ask him to come in she said and billi where are the keys billi silently took two keys from his pocket and laid them on the table then he pointed to the terrace door which Miss Cornelia had just bolted there spring lock he said yes she nodded and the new bolt you put on today makes it fairly secure one thing is fairly sure billi if anyone tries to get in tonight he will have to break a window and make a certain amount of noise but he only smiled his curious enigmatic smile and went out no sooner had Miss Cornelia seated herself when the door of the billiard room slammed open suddenly and lizzie burst into the room and her hair wild her face stricken with fear I heard somebody yell out in the grounds a way down by the gate she informed her mistress in a loud stage whisper which had a curious note of pride in it as if she were not too displeased at seeing her dull for prediction so swiftly coming to pass Miss Cornelia took her by the shoulder half startled half dubious what did they yell just yell to yell lizzie I heard them but she had cried wolf too often you take a liver pill said her mistress disgustedly and go to bed lizzie was about to protest both the verdict on her story and the judgment on herself when the door in the hall was opened by billi to admit the new gardener a handsome young fellow in his late 20s he came two steps into the room and then stood there respectfully with his cap in his hand to him after a swift glance of observation they gave her food for thought she did so you are brooks the new gardener the young man inclined his head yes madam the butler said you wanted to speak to me Miss Cornelia regarded him anew his hands looked soft for a gardener she thought and his manners seemed much too good for one still come in she said briskly the young man advanced another two steps you are the man my niece engaged in the city this afternoon yes madam he seemed a little uneasy under her searching scrutiny she dropped her eyes I could not verify your references as the braids are in Canada she proceeded the young man took an eager step forward I'm sure if mrs. Bray were here he began then flushed and stopped twisting his cap we're here miss Cornelia and a curious voice are you a professional gardener yes the young man's manner had grown a trifle defiant but miss Cornelia's next question followed remorselessly know anything about hardy perennials she said in a soothing voice while Lizzie regarded the interview with wondering eyes oh yes but the young man seemed curiously lacking in confidence they're the ones that keep their leaves during the winter aren't they come over here closer said miss Cornelia imperiously once more she scrutinized him and this time there was no doubt of his discomfort under her stare have you had any experience with rubiola she queried finally oh yes yes indeed the gardener stammered yes and alopecia pursued miss Cornelia the young man seemed to fumble in his mind for the characteristics of such a flower or shrub the dry weather is very hard on alopecia he asserted finally and was evidently relieved to see miss Cornelia receive the statement with a pleasant smile what do you think is the best treatment for your jacaria she propounded with a highly professional manner this seemed to be a catch question the young man nodded his brows finally a gleam of light seemed to come to him your ticaria frequently needs thinning he announced decisively need scratching you mean miss Cornelia rose with a snort of disdain and faced him young man your ticaria is highs rubiola is measles and alopecia is baldness she thundered she waited a moment for his defense none came why did you tell me you were a professional gardener why have you come here at this hour of night pretending to be something you're not by all standards of drama the young man should have wilted before her wrath instead he suddenly smiled at her boyishly and threw up his hands in a gesture of defeat I know I shouldn't have done it he confessed with appealing frankness you'd have found me out anyhow I don't know anything about gardening the truth is his tone grew somber I was desperate I had to have work the candor of his smile would have disarmed a stoner-hearted person than miss Cornelia but her suspicions were still awake that's all is it that's enough when you're down and out his words had an unmistakable accent of finality she couldn't help wanting to believe him and yet he wasn't what he pretended to be and this night of all nights was no time to take people on trust how do I know you won't steal the spoon she queried her voice still gruff are they nice spoons he asked with absurd seriousness she couldn't help smiling at his tone beautiful spoons again that engaging boyish manner of his touch something in her heart spoons are a great temptation to me miss van border but if you'll take me I promise to leave them alone I'll be kind of you she answered with grim humor knowing herself beaten she went over to ring for billy Lizzie took the opportunity to gain her ear I don't trust him miss neely he's too smooth she whispered warningly miss Cornelia stiffened I haven't asked for your opinion Lizzie she said but Lizzie was not to be put off by the van border manner a good-looking man comes in the door and your brains fly out the window miss Cornelia quelled her with a gesture and turned back to the young man he was standing just where she had left him his cap in his hands but while her back had been turned his eyes had made a stealthy survey of the living room a survey that would have made it plain to miss Cornelia if she had seen him that his interest in the Fleming establishment was not merely the casual interest of a bode but she had not seen and she could have told nothing from his present expression have you had anything to eat lately she asked in a kindly voice he looked down at his cap not since this morning he admitted as Billy answered the bell miss Cornelia turned to the impassive Japanese Billy give this man something to eat and then showing where he is to sleep she hesitated the gardener's house was some distance from the main building and with the night and the approaching storm she had held her own courage weakening into the bargain whether the stranger had lied about his gardening or not she was curiously attracted to him I think, she said slowly that I'll have you sleep in the house here at least for tonight tomorrow we can the house major in Billy she told the butler and before their departure she held out a candle and a box of matches you better take these with you brooks she said the local light company crawls under its bed every time there is a thunderstorm good night brooks good night ma'am said the young man smiling following Billy to the door he paused you're being mighty good to me he said definitively smiled again and disappeared after Billy as the door closed behind them miss Cornelia found herself smiling too that's a pleasant young fellow she said to herself decidedly and not even Lizzie's feverish haven't you any sense taking strange men into the house how do you know he isn't the bat could draw a reply from her again the thunder rolled as she straightened the papers and magazines on the table and Lizzie gingerly took up the Ouija board to replace it on the bookcase with a prayer book firmly on top of it and this time with the roll of the thunder the lights in the living room blinked uncertainly for an instant before they recovered their normal brilliance there go the lights grumbled Lizzie her finger still touching a prayer book as if for protection miss Cornelia did not answer her directly we'll put the detective in the blue room when he comes she said you'd better go up and see if it's already Lizzie started to obey going toward the alcove to ascend to the second floor by the alcove stairs but miss Cornelia stopped her Lizzie you know the stair rails just been varnished miss Dale got a stain on her sleeve there this afternoon and Lizzie yes him no one is to know that he is a detective not even Billy miss Cornelia was very firm well what'll I say he is it's nobody's business a detective moaned Lizzie opening the hall door to go by the main staircase tiptoeing around with his eyes to all the key holes a body won't be safe in the bathtub she shut the door with a little slap and disappeared miss Cornelia sat down she had many things to think over if I ever get time really to think of anything again she thought because with gardeners coming who aren't gardeners and Lizzie hearing yells in the grounds and she started slightly the front doorbell was ringing a long trill uncannily loud in the quiet house she sat rigid in her chair waiting to come in front door key please he asked her vainly she gave him the key find out who it is before you unlock the door she said he nodded she heard him at the door then a murmur of voices Dale's voice and another's won't you come in for a few minutes oh thank you she relaxed the door opened it was Dale how lovely she looks in that evening wrap I wish I knew what was worrying her she smiled aren't you back early Dale Dale threw off a wrap and stood for a moment patting back into its smooth smart bob hair ruffled by the wind I was tired she said sinking into a chair not worried about anything miss Cornelia's eyes were sharp no said Dale without conviction but I've come here to be company for you I want to run away all the time she picked up the evening paper and looked at it without apparently seeing it miss Cornelia heard voices in the hall a man's voice affable how have you been Billy Billy's voice and answer very well sir who's out there Dale Dale looked up from the paper Dr. Wells darling she said in a listless voice he brought me over from the club for a few minutes Billy's just taking his coat she rose through the paper side came over and kissed miss Cornelia suddenly and passionately then before miss Cornelia a little startled could return the kiss when over and sat on the sati by the fireplace near the door of the billiard room miss Cornelia turned to her with a thousand questions on her tongue but before she could ask any of them Billy was ushering in Dr. Wells as she shook hands with the doctor miss Cornelia observed him with casual interest wondering why such a good looking man in his early 40s apparently built for success should be content with the comparative rustication of his local practice that shrewd rather aquiline face with its keen gray eyes would have found itself more at home in a wider sphere of action she thought there was just that touch of ruthlessness about it which makes her as a captain in the world's affairs she found herself murmuring the usual conventionalities of greeting oh I'm very well doctor thank you well how many people of the country club not very many he said with a shake of his head this failure of the union bank has knocked a good many of the club members sky high just how did it happen miss Cornelia was making conversation oh the usual thing the doctor took out a cigarette case the cashier a young chap named Bailey looted the bank to the tune of over a million Dale turned sharply toward them from her seat by the fireplace how do you know the cashier did it she said in a low voice the doctor laughed well he's run away for one thing the bank examiners found the deficit Bailey the cashier went out on an errand and didn't come back the method was simple enough worthless bonds substituted for good ones with a good bond on the top and bottom of each package so the packages would pass a casual inspection probably been going on for some time the fingers of Dale's right hand drummed restlessly on the edge of her sati couldn't somebody else have done it she queried tensely the doctor smiled a trifle patronizingly of course the president of the bank had access to the vaults he said but as you know the courtly Fleming the late president was buried last Monday Miss Cornelia had seen her niece's face light up oddly at the beginning of the doctor's statement to relapse into lassitude again at its conclusion Bailey Bailey she was sure she remembered that name on Dale's lips Dale dear did you know this young Bailey she asked point blank the girl had started to light a cigarette the flame wavered in her fingers the match went out yes slightly she said she meant to strike another match averting her face Miss Cornelia did not press her well with bank robberies and communism and the income tax she said turning the subject the only way to keep your money these days is to spend it or not to have any like myself the doctor agreed it seems strange Miss Cornelia went on living in courtly Fleming's house a month ago I'd never even heard of Mr. Fleming though I suppose I should have and now while I'm as interested in the failure of his bank as if I were a depositor the doctor regarded the end of his cigarette as a matter of fact he said pleasantly Dick Fleming had no right to wrench you the property before the estate was settled he must have done at the moment he received my telegram announcing his uncle's death were you with him when he died yes in Colorado he had angina pectoris and took me with him for that reason but with care he might have lived a considerable time the trouble was that he wouldn't use ordinary care he ate and drank more than he should and so I suppose pursued Miss Cornelia watching Dale out of the corner of her eye there is no suspicion that courtly Fleming robbed his own bank well if he did said the doctor amicably and he didn't have the loot with him his tone grew more serious no he had his faults but not that Miss Cornelia made up her mind she resolved before not to summon the doctor for aid in her difficulties but now that the chance had brought him here the opportunity seemed too good to one to let slip doctor she said I think I ought to tell you something last night and the night before attempts were made to enter this house once an intruder actually got in and was frightened away by Lizzie at the top of that staircase she indicated the alcove stairs and twice I have received anonymous communications threatening my life if I did not leave the house and go back to the city Dale rose from her satis startled I didn't know that auntie how dreadful she gasped instantly Miss Cornelia regretted her impulse of confidence she tried to pass the matter off with tart humor don't tell Lizzie she said she'll yell like a siren it's the only thing she does like a siren but she does it superbly for a moment it seemed as if Miss Cornelia had succeeded the doctor smiled Dale sat down again her expression altering from one of anxiety to one of amusement Miss Cornelia opened her lips to dilate further upon Lizzie's eccentricities but just then she was entering crash of glass from one of the French windows behind her end of chapter 5 recording by Alan Winteroud boomcoach.blogspot.com