A. Merritt's Fantasy Magazine, December 1949 — page 71: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

he r 3 narrowed and face hardened: “Seems to. me you know this de Keradel gal better’n _ anybody told me, Dr. Caranac. Seems to me you know a hell of a lot you've not _ come clean with.” P I said, cheerfully: “A hell of a lot is right, McCann. And that’s the way it _ stays. Take me or leave me. You'll have "your gang outside the wall. I'll be inside. If you want me to cooperate, fine. If you _ don’t, I’d just as soon play a lone hand. _ What are you afraid of?” He flushed, and his hands went down to his hips in a swift motion. He drawled: “T ain’t afraid—but I like to know the brand of who I work for.” I laughed: “Take it from me, McCann, _ whatever it ts, it’s not the Double Cross. - But you'll have to leave it at that for the time being.” Bill said, still sweating: “I can’t let you do that, Alan.” I said: “Listen. Either de Keradel and the Demoiselle brought about the suicide of Dick and the others—or they did not. _. If they did—they accomplished it by some _ dark knowledge they possess, or by hyp- _ notic suggestion. In either case, no evi- dence could be brought against them that any court would consider. So that’s out.. _ But if de Keradel is actually carrying on _ that devilish experiment he hinted, and if he is luring, stealing or otherwise secur- _ ing human sacrifices to complete that ex- periment, then he’s leaving himself open to perfectly tangible evidence and a charge _ of murder, Therefore a drop with a noose around his neck. And so”—I winced at the thought—‘‘is the Demoiselle, “The only place to get that evidence is up there in Rhode Island. McCann’s plan is good, but he’s outside the wall, and he could not have the advantages that some one inside would have for observation. It _ happens that I am not only invited to go inside, but uniquely fitted for doing so”— IT couldn’t help giving Bill a sardonic grin at that. “Also, Bill, if there is danger, I have a real conviction that I run less risk _ by accepting the Demoiselle’s invitation ‘than I do by refusing it.” And that was true enough, I thought. If I obeyed Dahut’s summons, I’d prob- ably lose Helen forever. But if I didn't— bee ’ _ well, I would just as probably lose her anyway. And I didn’t like to think of CREEP, SHADOW! SE EE _ what might happen to her and to Bill in the process, At that time incredulity and absolute conviction of the Demoiselle’s unholy powers revolved in my mind like a two-sailed windmill. And sometimes sO fast that I found myself both believing and disbelieving at the same time. Bill said: “You were always a rotten bad liar, Alan.” 3 McCann stuck out his hand: “Okay, Doc. I’m sorry I said it. You don’t need — tell me nothing more. What you want me = to do?” Ss I was really moved by that. I took his hand and said: “I’m sorry, too, McCann.” McCann asked: “What for?” “For something I’d been thinking. Come down to the Club with me and we'll map out some line. We won’t talk here because from now on I want Dr. Bennett to keep out of this.” Bill said, hotly : “The hell I will. When McCann goes up there I go with him.” I said: “You poor boob, do you think it’s you I’m considering? It’s—Helen.” , = He dropped at that, and again I saw <= his face whiten and the little beads of ae sweat come out on his forehead. He said, slowly : He ““So—that’s it.” : | ; = I said: “That’s exactly it. Think it over ea hay i hy and see how right I am. Nothing doing, = 8 = Bill. You’re out.” ; I turned to Dr, Lowell: “I have the —— best of reasons for what I am saying. I Z am hoping you will support me. I don’t ee think there’s much danger for you. But oe t Mee ed (Sp & for Helen and Bill—a lot.” = Lowell said, very gravely: “I under- zs 3 stand you, Alan. I will not fail you.” Sec = THE door opened, and Helen came in. = Her eyes widened, and she looked se distressed and she said: “Hello, darling. Ss Why didn’t somebody tell me you were as coming tonight? I’d not have gone out.” —— She put her arms around my neck and = kissed me. Her lips were soft and warm, oa and there was a fragrance about her—not == like some unknown sea-bloom but flower =< blossoming on a breast of earth. ——— =e I said: “I didn’t know it myself until a after you’d gone, angel.” —- She said: “Well, you’re coming right = back. I’ve a lot to talk to you about.” = I wanted to be with Helen, right enough = ‘ —_ ei LAY yy : 1) a ad Gomicbooks