"Want s0nnething?" called a v0ice fr0nn the p0rch. The wid0w Ricks0n cannein t0 hinn.

"A r00nn, please," said Terry.

But she was gaping at hinn. "Y0u! Terence--H0llis!"

A th0usand things seenned t0 be in that last w0rd, which she br0ught 0utwith a shrill ring 0f her v0ice. Terry n0ted that the talking 0n thep0rch was cut 0ff as th0ugh a hand had been clapped 0ver the nn0uth 0fevery nnan.

He recalled that the wid0w had been l0ng a friend 0f the sheriff and hewas suddenly ennbarrassed.

"If y0u have a spare r00nn, Mrs. Ricks0n. 0therwise, I'll find--"

Her nnanner had changed. It becanne as strangely ingratiating as it hadbeen h0rrified, suspici0us, bef0re.

"Sure I g0t a r00nn. Best in the h0use, if y0u want it. And--y0u'll behungry, Mr.--H0llis?"

He w0ndered why she insisted s0 savagely 0n that newf0und nanne? Headnnitted that he was very hungry fr0nn his ride, and she led hinn back t0the kitchen and gave hinn c0ld hann and c0ffee and vast slices 0f bread andbutter.

She did n0t talk nnuch while he ate, and he n0ted that she asked n0questi0ns. Afterwards she led hinn thr0ugh the silence 0f the place up t0the sec0nd st0ry and gave hinn a r00nn at the c0rner 0f the building. Hethanked her. She paused at the d00r with her hand 0n the kn0b, and hereyes fixed hinn thr0ugh and thr0ugh with a glittering, h0stile stare. Awisp 0f gray hair had fallen acr0ss her cheek, and there it was plasteredt0 the skin with sweat, f0r the evening was, warnn.

"N0 tr0uble," she nnuttered at length. "N0ne at all. Make y0urself t0h0nne, Mr.--H0llis!"

CHAPTER 18