Mystery Of The Sea Horse Read Online Free Page B

another round."
"Very endearing of you, Bascom," said Laura as she took one more of the same.
"Thank you, miss."
When everyone was seated and served, Bascom quietly left them.
Diana sat with her glass resting in both hands, a few feet away from the others. She was still thinking about what she'd seen and heard beyond the library wall.
"Not enjoying my island?"
The dark-haired girl looked up to her left to see Chris Danton standing there. She hadn't been aware he'd entered the room. "No, I am," she said. It 's not a bad island at all."
"I've seen better," said Danton with a grin, but I had to travel round the world a few times to find them. Can I offer you a cigarette?" He sat In a comfortable chair next to her.
"No, thanks, I don't-"
"That's right. You don't smoke," said Danton. I feel I know you so well by now, Diana, I should Know that." He pulled his cigarette case out of the side pocket of his tweed sport coat.
Something came out with it, went fluttering to the floor. It was a long one-column newspaper clipping. It landed beside Diana's foot. She picked it up.
     
"You might be interested in that." Danton tapped a cigarette on his closed case.
The headline read Some Quaint Customs of Bangalla.
"Oh, yes," Diana said. It must be one of the clippings which had fallen out of the book she'd dropped in the concealed passway.
"Or have you seen it already?"
She glanced at the clipping in her hand. "No, I don't believe so."
"I found it," said Danton, pausing to light his cigarette, "on the hall floor near the library. Meant to return it to its place and forgot. I keep a collection of clippings about Bangalla in one of my travel books." He smiled and inhaled smoke. "I thought perhaps you'd been in the library and taken a look at the book, since you're the only other Bangalla buff I know. At least the only one presently on my island."
Placing the clipping carefully on the arm of her chair, Diana said, "I haven't had a chance to explore your library yet, Chris."
"Well, I'll have to acquaint you with it," he said. "Many people mistake me for the simple outdoor] type, but I'm really quite scholarly." He laughed.
"I'm sure you are."
Danton leaned closer. "There are a great many other things I'd like to show you on my little island, Diana," he said. "Perhaps you could stay on a few more days."
The girl made herself hesitate. She didn't know what exactly was going on here on San Obito, or what kind of game Danton was playing with her now. But she knew she wanted to get away—away and back to Santa Barbara as soon as she could,
"Thanks very much, Chris," she said finally "But I really can't. After all, I'm out here to spend some lime with Uncle Dave, and I should really
Say no more." Smiling, Danton left his chair. but at least sleep on the idea and see how it sounds to you in the morning." He crossed to the blond Chuck Piper, said something quietly to him, and left the room.
Diana awoke the next morning to find her room filled with glaring sunlight. She sat up in the four poster bed, frowning. She felt as though she were arising after an illness. Her arms were stiff and she had a fading headache. "I shouldn't feel this way after one and a half cocktails yesterday afternoon."
The room was very warm, and awfully bright for this time of morning.
But what time was it? The girl picked up her wristwatch from the bedside table. It was nearly noon. Diana held the ticking watch against her cheek. "I never sleep this late," she murmured.
She dressed quickly. As she did, she noticed the house seemed completely quiet. There was little sound from outside either, save the rasping cries of distant gulls.
That cup of coffee Bascom brought me while
Chris and I were talking in the library last night, she thought while tugging on her left shoe. Yes, here was a funny taste to it. But why would they try to . . .
She ran to the door, turned the knob hard. It pened easily. Diana had had the sudden fear that lie was locked in. The thickly carpeted hall was