The Cry at Midnight

ARN

sturbed the investigator, he

in the art of crystal gazing-all

log on the dying fire. "You will be unwise to

rni

r. Ayling. Apparently, if you pursue your prese

sent course'

our humble abode and bid you good afternoon? I have a formal meeting soon with member

lly deeply interested in your society here.

r sharply but answer

ed and have our house in order, we

and gloomy hall, Penny looked carefully about for the girl

nedict, she was certain, were unaware of

pen. But it may not have been that girl Louise and I met la

an opportunity presented itself, she w

urned to bid his guests goodbye. Before he could ret

noyance. "My! My! What now?" he sighed. "Are w

g with a stout, middle-aged man in a racoon coat

uted. "I don't care who you are! Ye ain't settin' foo

out!" the vis

!" retorted t

the arm, had not Father Benedict cal

," the hunch

bade as he went down to the gate, followed by

r introduced himself. "I'm an artist. I

t a picture," interposed Wink

hback. "I am doing a series of pictures of the monastery for a nation

wish to do ext

he chapter house today, and if I have time, either the

ble familiarity w

asel to a more comfortable position. "This building is one of the oldest in t

ss friendly. "And may I inquire how you cam

prop

these premises from the ow

said, "but couldn't pay the amount asked. I'd like to r

ain a key?" the

one. He lets me paint

y mine," said Father Benedict. "

t mind if I come here to finish my paintings? I'm under co

be. "I appreciate your position," he said. "Nevertheles

e knows me! Ask anyone ab

er, my good man. But I must req

n. "You don't get the idea! My pictures are half done. If I

hem from th

he color and feeli

as if to leave. "I am

Eckenrod beg

walked away, ent

ey, triumphantly. "Now git

ut I'll be here again. You can't get away wit

who followed him to the gate, Mr. Ecke

med, addressing no one in particular.

hin his rights," remarked Mr. Ayli

ce. "Oh yes," he admitted grudgingly, "legally he is

t of him to allow you to

ne. "Always figured I'd buy the place. The owner, Peter Holden, picked it up at a foreclosure sale

yself," sai

an looks l

y prejudiced you," smiled the investigator. "Afte

!" the artist scowled. "He acte

hland," Penny contributed

authorities are smart, they'l

e Penny's car was parked. Politely, she of

the offer. "I live only a short dista

like firebrands, the artist

Mr. Ayling, once he and Penny

replied. "Too bad Father Benedict wouldn't let him comple

character, he'll soon be

an Father

said slowly. "However, I can't say I w

uld tell that

t gave me q

an the monk

wthorne and her daughter. Of course, I've never seen either

d with creaking tires over the hilly, snow-packed road toward t

mall detail, the reading wo

hat de

beach, Father Benedict said she

rtainly never ment

"Because, when Rhoda Hawthorne last was se