Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Case of Lady Sannox
Thewomanspranguponthecouchwithadreadfulgurglingscream.Hercoveringwastornfromherface.Itwasafacethatheknew.Inspiteofthatprotrudingupperlipandthatslobberofblood,itwasafacethatheknew,Shekeptonputtingherhanduptothegapandscreaming.DouglasStonesatdownatthefootofthecouchwithhisknifeandhisforceps.Theroomwaswhirlinground,andhehadfeltsomethinggolikearippingseambehindhisear.Abystanderwouldhavesaidthathisfacewasthemoreghastlyofthetwo.Asinadream,orasifhehadbeenlookingatsomethingattheplay,hewasconsciousthattheTurk’shairandbeardlayuponthetable,andthatLordSannoxwasleaningagainstthewallwithhishandtohisside,laughingsilently.Thescreamshaddiedawaynow,andthedreadfulheadhaddroppedbackagainuponthepillow,butDouglasStonestillsatmotionless,andLordSannoxstillchuckledquietlytohimself.
"ItwasreallyverynecessaryforMarion,thisoperation,"saidhe,"notphysically,butmorally,youknow,morally."
DouglasStonestoopedforyardsandbegantoplaywiththefringeofthecoverlet.Hisknifetinkleddownupontheground,buthestillheldtheforcepsandsomethingmore.
"Ihadlongintendedtomakealittleexample,"saidLordSannox,suavely."YournoteofWednesdaymiscarried,andIhaveithereinmypocket-book.Itooksomepainsincarryingoutmyidea.Thewound,bytheway,wasfromnothingmoredangerousthanmysignetring."
Heglancedkeenlyathissilentcompanion,andcockedthesmallrevolverwhichheheldinhiscoatpocket
