Free King of Murder by Betsy Byars Page B

my dear,” he said to the empty stairway. “The candles of tranquility didn’t make you very tranquil, did they?”
    And he went around the Den of Iniquity, blowing out the candles one by one.

25
    BACK TO THE DEN OF INIQUITY
    Herculeah took the bike trail through the park on the way home. She took it because it was quicker, but also because she feared that Mathias King might try to follow her in the hearse.
    When she got home, she put her bike in the garage and started up the steps.
    The phone began to ring. She knew it would be Meat calling to find out how the afternoon had gone. She knew he would be watching from the front window, so she took her time opening the door and going inside.
    When she picked up the phone, she was surprised to hear Gilda’s voice.
    â€œOh, I’m so glad I got you,” Gilda said. “I just went by Rebecca’s house and there was a SOLD sign in the yard. I called the realtor on my cell phone and guess what?”
    â€œGilda—”
    â€œIt’s been bought by someone who’s going to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast! Isn’t that wonderful? Now it will be a happy house again with—”
    â€œGilda!” This time her voice was so forceful that Gilda stopped.
    â€œIs anything wrong?”
    â€œYes, I’m just back from Mathias King’s house.”
    â€œYou went there?”
    Somehow Herculeah got the feeling Gilda wasn’t that surprised.
    â€œYes. He’s got a room called the Den of Iniquity, and in that room is the very knife that killed your friend.”
    There was a silence that continued so long Herculeah said, “Are you still there?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI was locked in the room with the knife and I had to break my way out. I was all the way outside before I realized that I should have brought the knife with me. Why did I leave it? Now Mathias King can get rid of it, and we have no proof he was the murderer.”
    â€œWe have to go back and get it.”
    â€œNo, he’s in the house.”
    â€œI’ll call him on my cell phone and see if he’s there.”
    â€œI know the number,” Herculeah said. “I remember it from the invitation.”
    She gave Gilda the number and waited while the phone rang on and on at One Kings Row.
    â€œHe’s not there. This is our chance.”
    â€œI don’t know about this.”
    â€œCan you get us inside the—what was it? Den of Iniquity.”
    â€œIf that outside door’s still open.”
    â€œLet’s find out. I’m not far from your house. I’ll pick you up.”
    â€œI just need to leave a note for my mom.”
    Herculeah wasn’t sure this was a good idea, but she didn’t have a better one. So when Gilda honked her horn, she ran out and got in the car.
    They drove quickly to Mathias King’s street with Herculeah pointing the way.
    â€œYou can’t see the house from here,” Herculeah said at the entrance to Kings Row. “Park here and let’s slip through the trees.”
    They went through the trees together, keeping out of sight.
    â€œThe hearse is gone,” Herculeah said. “It was parked right there.”
    â€œThen let’s go.”
    â€œBut what if he moved the hearse, put it in a garage or something, and is in the house waiting for us?” Herculeah said.
    â€œWe’ll take that chance.”
    Herculeah had pretty much taken all the chances she wanted to for one day, but she led Gilda around the side of the house.
    â€œThe door’s still open.”
    â€œWe’re going to get that knife,” Gilda said.
    As they walked toward the door, Herculeah said, “I don’t understand why a house would have stairs leading outside.”
    â€œOh, it’s not strange at all. Victorian gentlemen were very secretive—didn’t want their wives to know their comings and goings. They’d go into the room, ask not to be disturbed, and go