Ron Goulart - The Curse of the Obelisk
Ron Goulart - The Curse of the Obelisk
Ron Goulart - The Curse of the Obelisk
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THE CURSE OF THE OBELISK 43<br />
CHAPTER 10<br />
At one a.m., nearly a half hour after <strong>the</strong>y'd crossed <strong>the</strong> border and entered Urbania, Harry was<br />
sitting alone in his compartment. <strong>The</strong> shade on <strong>the</strong> outside door was still up and he was watching<br />
<strong>the</strong> black hill country roll by.<br />
Thunder and lightning had commenced at midnight and in <strong>the</strong> sizzling blue flashes he caught<br />
glimpses <strong>of</strong> thick forest and sharply slanting ground.<br />
"Maybe I should've told her <strong>the</strong> truth," he said to himself. "But <strong>the</strong> fewer people who—"<br />
A faint tapping sounded on <strong>the</strong> corridor door.<br />
"What?"<br />
"Having a devil <strong>of</strong> a time getting to sleep amid all this impressive natural phenomenon."<br />
Pennoyer opened <strong>the</strong> door and smiled a toothy smile in at him. "Thought if you were still up we<br />
might have a bit <strong>of</strong> a powwow."<br />
"Sure." Harry took out his pocket watch. "I was going to check on you soon anyway. Come on<br />
in."<br />
Pennoyer crossed <strong>the</strong> threshold, chuckling behind his hand. "All part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> thorough Challenge<br />
International Detective Agency service."<br />
"<strong>The</strong>n at 2:00 a.m. I have to go through <strong>the</strong> whole train."<br />
Sitting opposite him, <strong>the</strong> young man said, "Been a very uneventful trip so far. Thanks to you<br />
and all <strong>the</strong>se efficient frog chaps."<br />
"We're still not in Kaltzonburg."<br />
"You actually believe, old man, that someone might try to snatch <strong>the</strong> ruddy obelisk right <strong>of</strong>f this<br />
train?"<br />
"Yep, that's one possibility."<br />
"Thing weighs quite a bit. I mean to say, it's no match for Cleo's Needle, but one can't tote it<br />
around over one's shoulder."<br />
"Even so."<br />
Casually Pennoyer turned toward <strong>the</strong> window. When lightning next flashed, he gasped. His<br />
monocle fell from his eye and he gasped. "Jove, it's a giant bat!"<br />
Harry swung his head around. "Where?"<br />
It was exactly <strong>the</strong>n that Pennoyer hit him behind <strong>the</strong> ear, very expertly and very hard with a<br />
blackjack.<br />
Harry tumbled from <strong>the</strong> seat and slumped against <strong>the</strong> door.<br />
<strong>The</strong> young man hit him again. "Dreadfully sorry, old man, but we can't have any ace<br />
sleuthhounds aboard from this point on."<br />
<strong>The</strong> door opened and Harry was given a strong push.
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