he　familiar；　a　good　three　miles　from　a　shred　of　civilization。

Spooked；　it　took　her　a　minute　to　realize　that　what　she'd　assumed　to　be

the　thundering　of　her　pulse　was　the　thunder　outside。　Lightning　followed

quickly；　brightening　the　dark　side　of　the　room　for　a　shocking　instant；

its　blue…white　gleam　icy　in　parison　to　the　warm　orange　glow　of　the

fire。

Hastily　she　added　several　more　logs；　desperately　needing　to　put　the　book

down；　desperately　needing　to　read　on；　knowing　that　she　wouldn't　be　able

to　sleep　until　the　last　page　had　been　turned　and　the　mystery　solved。　She

raised　the　book　again　to　another　deafening　clap　of　thunder。　It　vibrated

through　the　house　along　with　tongued　bolts　of　lightening。

Anne's　nerves　prickled　then；　because；　in　the　thunder's　wake　came　another

noise。　This　one　was　more　human　and　threatening。　A　car　was　approaching；

ing　nearer；　loud　enough　to　be　heard　above　the　storm。　It　reached　her

front　door　and　stopped。

Huddled　in　the　chair；　she　held　her　breath。　It　was　twelve　thirty…five；

well　past　normal　calling　hours　even　in　the　city。　Perhaps　one　of　the

villagers　wanted　to　warn　her　about　the　storm。　Perhaps　someone　was　lost。

Perhaps　。。。　perhaps 。。。　A　furious　pounding　came　at　the　door。　Had　it

been　a　gentle　knock；　Anne　might　have　dared　answer　it。　But　this　knock　was

angry；　clearly　no　neighbor　expressing　concern。　At　least　the　door　was