Kit choked with laughter and fear.
The man was half child playing peep-bo! and half spider waiting for a fly.
That vision of the Eternal Child, which he had surprised in the eyes of old Ding-dong sailing into action, was manifest in this man too.
Were men only children?—Yes, surely!—the good ones, at least. Only sinners grew old. Christian never ages.
The man's head turned a trifle. There was a smile flickering about his lips; and in the smile was something of the ogre, and something of the boy.
It was clear that he meant to kill; equally clear that he took joy in his purpose.
He sat down again; and as he did so held up a finger, hushing himself.
He was playing a game, unaware that he was being watched, and enjoying it intensely.
Behind the door he sat now, blade in hand, spider-still.
Plainly he was waiting for somebody.