An Evil Eye

120

Kadri had just time to backup the stairs when Yashim and the stranger came out onto the landing.

He heard them talk, and then they went downstairs.

For some reason he could not understand, Palewski and Marta were imprisoned in the cellar; only Yashim had been allowed to go.

He heard the front door close, and a breeze laden with paraffin wafted up the stairs.

It would take only a spark, and the whole place would go up in flames-just as the stranger had said.

Kadri knew he did not dare go down. If he met the man with the spark…

He thought of trying the empty drawing room, but the windows would be closed, and he would make too much noise opening them.

Very quietly he went back to his room and eased the window open.

It was a long way down to the yard.