Whispering Walls

S AND

o the library. Speaking soothingly to her moth

ste jerked me back to keep me from walking past it, didn't she? The charm has

er. It's all superstitious rot!

When I saw it on the step it gave me a deep shock and I seemed to realize that it had b

think of such foolishness! You're j

with a heavy sigh. "I have such a headache

came to the step where the burnt matches had been, Mrs. Rhe

thing upset me so," she declared. "I'll

ed, Lorinda returned to the liv

is in the paper," she began earnes

r instance, what did Celeste mean when she s

fter spending a year studying ancient cult practices. Celeste befriended him, I believe, and helped him gain i

ore he marrie

her agreed that they might work here. Antón is a worthless servant. He allows the grounds to

Cel

derstand her," Lorinda replied. "We disliked each o

hy

he makes me feel uneasy whenever I am near her-al

este is devoted to my stepfather and I'm sure only means to be helpful. But the truth is, she's

tch ends get on

xiety. "Celeste may have told the truth when she sai

e charm brought

thing tells me all this may have

ou? She hinted that the drum-whatever

y stepfather's most prized trophy! He took it from a native

her didn't st

was highly treasured by natives. Father tried to buy it. When he couldn't, he left money and trin

pfather has t

the library wall s

if it's not to

s still here," Lorinda replied, leading the way into t

er may have removed the

g the burnt match charm gives the whole situation a sinister slant. It's barely po

t seems f

old me of his experiences, I am sure members of the Zudi cult w

hett ever had received

not heard of any. But then, my stepfather was self-contained and rather str

and Mrs. Rhett ever had had serious disagreements. However, the question was a di

y and closing another door which opened toward the stairs. "But seeing that match and string ouange gave me an unpleasant moment.

enny. "What is there to fear in two

irm conviction. "Let's hope the Zudi drum is still h

wall. To Penny's surprise, Lorinda gave one of its long gold cord

forgotten the combinat

to open. With an exclamation of annoyance, she tried again. This time there was

into the opening. "It's he

inches in diameter at the opening. An animal skin was stretch

d. "He treasures it above all else, because there is no other exactly li

rum. The first three notes were slow and heavy, with a

... .

... .

n to sway to the jungle rhythm. Lorinda drummed wi

, the mirth died from Lorinda's lip

ed the heavy door and spun the dials. With another

ficant glance from her companion se

hich framed the arching doorway. Crouching behind the protective folds was th