His unwelcome visitor literally snatched it out of his hand, a quick gleam of triumph in his glowing eyes. He chuckled with glee. Newling recoiled from his evil grin.
Preston Haver peered up at him with an air of confidence which he found utterly repellent.
"This cover," he said, stroking it fondly with his bony hand. "Human skin!"
Newling stared at it, horrified. It was a pale, grey-yellow, mottled looking.
"Human skin!" his visitor hissed again.
Newling wiped the perspiration from his face. He felt weak and he suddenly realized that he was actually trembling.
"I'm sure it's—quite a treasure," he managed.
Preston Haver nodded. "Quite a treasure! You see," he went on, again with that odd air of confidence which Newling found revolting, "I'm starting on a trip—a long trip—and I couldn't leave without this book!"
Newling's voice was scarcely a whisper. "I'm glad you, we, found it."
His visitor moved toward the vault door. Just before reaching it, he turned, and his red eyes sought out the librarian's. His face contorted into one last, lingering malignant grin and then he was gone.