abruptly, as though a silencing cover had been whisked from it. I shook my head impatiently, and walked
to the window. I leaned out to breathe the cool night air. I leaned out still more, so that I could see the
window of Ricori's room, resting my hand on the trunk of the vine. I felt a tremor along it as though
someone were gently shaking it-or as though some small animal were climbing it-
The window of Ricori's room broke into a square of light. Behind me I heard the shrilling of the Annex
alarm bell which meant the urgent need of haste. I raced out of the study, and up the stairs and over.
As I ran into the corridor I saw that the guards were not at the door. The door was open. I stood
stock-still on its threshold, incredulous-
One guard crouched beside the window, automatic in hand. The other knelt beside a body on the floor,
his pistol pointed toward me. At her table sat the nurse, head bent upon her breast-unconscious or