Free Snow Shadow by Andre Norton Page A

doctor knew this patient well enough to deduce that also. For he reiterated that Miss Elizabeth was not to be left alone, not to miss taking the pill. As he was about to leave, the door was flung open with force. Anne Frimsbee stood on the threshhold.
    How long had it been since that scene in the parlor—an hour? It seemed more. But in that time she had aged nearly a generation. Yet in spite of that surface crumbling, she blazed with determination as her eyes swept from the doctor to the quiet figure on the bed. She attempted to come closer, but the doctor quickly thwarted her.
    “Let me see Liz!”
    “Not now, Anne, and I mean that!” There was iron in his voice. “She must not be disturbed. That shock was very bad for her.”
    “The shock?” Her tone dismissed that as nonsense. “Liz must listen to reason. Do you know what they’re saying now, do you, John Bains? They’re saying that—that body is Roderick! He’s dead—you know it—all of us know it. He died in that car crash in Italytwo years ago. Just because he made some mistakes and people hounded him, he had to go abroad. And he died and was buried. You saw the telegram yourself, don’t deny it. I want Liz to help me make those—those police understand it’s all a vicious lie! That fool Irene yelling it out like that—when she knows it wasn’t the truth. Liz—” She raised her voice. “You get up and come down. Maybe they’ll listen to you and stop believing lies—”
    The doctor’s hand was on Anne’s arm, and I saw him give her a shake.
    “Be quiet! She can’t hear you—I’ve given her a sedative. She is asleep and will be for hours. Under no circumstances is she to be disturbed. Understand that, Anne? I will tell the police the same thing.”
    “The police!” Her face flushed almost purple. “I’d like to know who called them.” Her outstretched fingers curled into claws. “I’d like to get my hands on whoever did it. I tell you one thing, I’m not going to listen to any more lies!” She turned and rushed away and I heard a door down the hall slam.
    The doctor shook his head. “It is Roderick, of course,” he said almost to himself. “And good riddance. If only he had not turned up here as he did. One thing is true—Miss Emma and some friends managed to cover up for that young thug before. It can’t be done this time. I’m only sorry for Miss Elizabeth. She must not be disturbed.” Now he spoke directly to me, and for the first time it seemed to register with him that I was a stranger. Quickly I explained my position in the house and added I would do anything I could. To my rather shamed relief he shook his head now.

    “As a comparative stranger, Miss Jansen, she might find you disturbing, I will suggest that Maud, with Reena’s help of course, take care of her.”
    Maud smoothed down her apron. “Yes sir, that we will!” There was pride in her voice. “Miss Elizabeth ain’t going to see nobody unless you say she do, Dr. Bains, I promise that!”
    So I could not seek any refuge in the sickroom. On the other hand I was not going to voluntarily insert my head into the lion’s jaws. I was on my way back to my own room, when Leslie Lowndes came quickly up the stairs, a mink coat flung back on her shoulders. Her blond hair was uncovered and she was breathing hard.
    “Miss Jansen, can you give me a sensible answer as to what in the world is going on? They called me back from the office, and now some police sergeant tells me to stay until I am asked questions. As if I am going to sit down there waiting for what I don’t know! What has happened?”
    I outlined the events of the immediate past and her annoyance vanished, in complete surprise.
    “But what a bizarre—unbelievable thing! Roderick Frimsbee—after all these years! Oh, yes, I heard of the family black sheep. He was caught drug-running or something a few years back—but the family had disowned him before that. Miss Emma used to speak her mind about his