The Horror Megapack_ 25 Classic and Modern Horror Stories ( PDFDrive )

one who could give him the most help—or damn him soonest. He followed his
hunch.
“Allons!” he whispered. “Let’s go.”
He tossed the three hundred pound keeper of the house a purple Banque de
France note, and followed the girl in the scarlet shawl up a flight of stairs and
into a sombrely furnished room.
Her name was Madeline, but all the coquetry of the game was missing, though
she contrived a friendly smile as her fingers plucked the shoulder knot of her
shawl.
Crane checked her.
“What’s wrong?” he demanded.
“Diane—my sister,” she answered. “I’m terribly worried. She hasn’t come
back. That awful Arab—or Turk—”
Crane frowned. That was an odd touch. Who ever heard of an Algerian
wearing that decoration?
As she spoke, she abstractedly kicked off her slippers and leaned back among
the cushions. She regarded Crane curiously, seeing that his face was gray and
grim.
“What’s the matter…don’t you like me?”
“That will keep!” His voice was harsh and low. “Tell me about that Arab.
What was wrong with him?”
“Some of the things he did, the first night he was here. Before he took Diane—
wherever he’s taken her. It was in the room next door, No, he didn’t hurt her at
all—I mean the other girl, not Diane. But he frightened her terribly. I saw him
leave. His pupils were like black saucers. Mon Dieu! Such eyes. Like Satan
eating opium.”
She was wrong. Opium contracted the pupils, but her very intensity gave Crane
the picture.
“Are you sure he didn’t wear the Order of Saint Léon?”
“Mumm…no, of course not! But he dropped something in her room, and she
showed it to me, and left it here.” Madeline slid to her feet and stepped to the
dresser. She returned with a small silver watch charm. It was a tiny peacock with
ruby eyes; an exquisitely tooled bit of metal.
“A soldier who’d served in Syria once told me,” explained Madeline, “that that
is a symbol of the devil-worshipers. That’s what’s been worrying me. If I’d
known in time, I’d never have let her go. But why should you care?”
“I’m a damn’ fool who can’t mind his business,” Crane smiled grimly. “I’ve