The Cry at Midnight

THE C

yling discussed all phases of their s

"Nevertheless, as a matter of routine I'll check

ver h

rs of his mysterious c

s I've seen on the premises are Winkey

? Who i

nedict was giving the crystal ball reading. I started to spe

dd

I picked up on the road the other night in my car. The room

girl-also the other

y not visit the

yling. "I don't plan to remain in Riverview longer than another twen

let us in," commen

e comes. Perhaps if he makes trouble

up at your hotel

Hawthorne and her granddaughter which can be published in your father's paper. Also, I'll ask

do distr

nothing. Father Benedict is an eccentric. He may be all right and prob

enny dropped Mr. Ayling at his hotel. In a high state of excitement, she th

ared at the dinner table. "Together we'll find Mrs.

ry?" teased

a chuckle. "But give me time! I'll find

a platter of roast beef, observed: "If you ta

Mrs.

he housekeeper said severely. "Furthermore,

ff tomorrow and next day too! Don't worry about anything happening to

I can't protest," the housekeeper gav

enny grinned. "No ra

ceway of the Riverview Hotel. Mr. Ayling was nowhere to be seen. After

"Doubt whether you'll find him in just now. He

loud she asked if the investigat

" replied

say where h

be back. His luggage is still h

enny telephoned Room

to meet me at the monastery?" she muse

arm. Penny, who had worn heavy skiing clothes,

bout. Mr. Ayling was nowhere to be seen. If he had arri

to do, Winkey's ugly face appeared

he observed

riend of mine, Mr. Ayling

hid somewheres?" the g

might have com

er Benedict ain't here eit

hback's curt manners, Penn

ur master," she said. "I may ask

wide, and, as was his habi

to snoop around?" h

hoped that her laugh

ict later," the hunchback said grudgingly. "But unless you

y you

on the line

becomes of

nce. "Now cut out the questions!" he said crossly.

taying here?" Penny had been

. "Maybe he'll be here tomorrow. Now go aw

Mr. Ayling or extract information fr

he glimpsed, far over the hills, a skier who

, recalling that all of her equipment was read

ily waxing the runners, she put them on and se

frequently had been warned by more experienced skiers that v

pressions in the snow. But as she drew near the hills to the rear of the old

ooded chimneys. Otherwise, the

ming from the rear of the ground

Now what can he be doing with that sled?

r to watch the hunchback. Soon she saw him striking off toward a

he cabin, had been stacked several cords

, Winkey began to pile it

at's his wood?"

cted to watch the drifts ahead. Too late, she saw that her si

check her speed. The break in the snow

ldly for a hold on the bank. Failing, she tumbled over and over, land