danced to the bed and thrust…
"This is one of my peculiarly best!" The doll-maker's eyes were on me and filled with cruel mockery. "A
good doll! A bit careless at times, perhaps. Forgetting to bring back her school-books when she goes
visiting. But so obedient! Would you like her for your granddaughter?"
Again she laughed-youthful, tingling, evil laughter. And suddenly I knew Ricori had been right and that
this woman must be killed. I summoned all my will to leap upon her. I could not move a finger.
The long white hands groped over the next cabinet and touched its hidden spring. The numbness at my
heart became the pressure of a hand of ice. Staring out at me from that cabinet was Walters! And she
was crucified!
So perfect, so-alive was the doll that it was like seeing the girl herself through a diminishing glass. I could