Mcallen Daily Monitor

CHAPTER XXV

Larry pressed a powerful flashlight into Macbride's hands.

'Go on,' he said excitedly. 'I'll follow. Mr. Howards and Marcia had better wait here.'

Howards nodded and wiped his forehead. Marcia's heart began to pound as Larry and Macbride disappeared into the passageway.

Then, suddenly, Larry reappeared alone.

'Give me a hammer and chisel,' he said excitedly. 'The tunnel ends at a heavy oak door, and it's locked.'

He disappeared again with the tool, and Marcia found herself trembling with excitement. From the tunnel came the hollow sounds of hammering—then silence.

Hours seemed to pass before Larry crawled out again. His face was set and his fingers shook as he lighted a cigarette.

'We have found her,' he said quietly. 'At least, there is a woman in there.'

'Dead?' Howards forced the words with dry lips.

'No, but so wasted and thin—' Larry broke off. 'The shock of our abrupt appearance was almost too much for her. I think if she saw a woman's face it might help. Do you mind, Marcia?'

'Of course not,' the girl answered quietly.

Larry turned to Howards.

'Please heat some milk,' he ordered, 'and prepare a bed upstairs. Come along, Marcia.'

Marcia followed Larry into the tunnel, noticing mechanically that it was walled and paved in stone. There was an abrupt turn to the left, and then she saw an opening light.

The secret room was very small but just high enough for Larry to stand upright. A table held a plate and cup, odds and ends of food, and a pitcher of water almost empty. Taking up the whole side of one wall was a bed and on it lay a woman. Macbride knelt beside her with a finger on her pulse. His face was pale and his teeth bit into his lips.

Marcia approached the bed and took one of the woman's thin hands in her own warm ones. The woman stared at her with the eyes of a frightened animal. Marcia saw that she must have been beautiful once, for her features were small and regular but now her skin was yellowed and her hair dull and lifeless.

'We have come to help you,' Marcia said quietly.

Macbride stood up and turned away, trembling.

'Try to persuade her to let us take her out of here,' he muttered.

Marcia nodded, and began to stroke the woman's cold forehead.

'We are your friends,' she said in a soft voice, 'you must let us help you.'

Under the spell of Marcia's gentle fingers, the woman began to relax, and her eyes lost something of their wild look.

'Take me away,' she said weakly.

'Take me away from here.'

Marcia shook her head as Macbride started to come forward and, putting her arm under the woman's shoulder, she helped her to stand. Then, slowly, they started down the tunnel.

It was difficult going and, suddenly the woman slumped forward in a faint. Macbride caught her quickly and carried her the rest of the way. Upstairs, Marcia dismissed the men and helped the now partly conscious woman into bed. Then she stood with tears in her eyes, looking down at the pitiful face on the pillow.

Presently, she opened the door. Larry alone was waiting outside the room.

'Where is Macbride?' Marcia whispered.

'I sent him downstairs,' Larry answered quietly. 'After all he's been through—to find his mother like this. He has to have a moment to pull himself together.'

'You think she is really his mother then?' Marcia asked.

'I don't know,' Larry said. 'We'll have to wait until she is able to speak coherently or until Gigi sees her. Now I want to see what I can do for the poor woman.'

He entered the room and, for several minutes, bent over the bed, intent only on his professional duty. Finally, he straightened up.

'Her condition is not as bad as I had feared,' he said. 'Providing her mind is not affected—'

'It is too horrible,' Marcia shut her eyes.

Larry put his arm around her and led her to the window. In the east the first streak of light was beginning to broaden.

'Listen, darling,' he said gently, 'you must get some rest.'

'I couldn't rest.'

'Then you might prepare some food.'

She nodded at that, and Larry walked to the door with her. As he opened it, Gigi came in. His face strangely white, he walked over to the bed like a man in a dream. Marcia watched him in astonishment. For several moments, he stood looking down at the woman. Then, suddenly he flung himself on his knees and buried his head in her hand.

'After all these years—' he muttered brokenly.

Larry started forward, but Marcia put a hand on his arm.

'Wait,' she whispered.

The woman opened her eyes and stared wonderingly at Gigi.

Suddenly, she smiled.

'Why—why' She began to cry softly.

'They told me you were dead.'

Marcia led Larry out of the room and shut the door.

'I'd leave Gigi alone with her for a moment,' she said.

Larry stared at her questioningly. She seemed to be lost in thought.

'I wonder,' she murmured to herself, 'why I didn't understand before.'

(To be continued)

(The characters in this story are fictitious)