Read Online Beware the Young Stranger by Ellery Queen - Free Book Online

to the upper end of the lake … Watch the curve when the road reaches the lake, John.”
    The big car rocked. The lake was a limitless glass, unsilvered, mysterious. The hills made a broken black horizon against the deepening purple of the sky.
    â€œThe next driveway, John.”
    â€œWe’ll park on the road.” He stopped the car, leaving the headlights burning. His glance made a rapid orientation, marking the boathouse and dock to his left, the driveway toward his right, the outlines of the lodge with its long open gallery crouching on the hillside.
    The three got out. Vallancourt and Hibbs carried flashlights.
    â€œWe’re making a social call,” the diplomat reminded them.
    He was first up the driveway, keeping to its center. He held the flashlight steady.
    â€œKeith,” he called in a clear, calm tone. “If you’re here, we came alone. We’d like to talk to you. You may show yourself safely. We’re not armed and we’ll keep our distance.”
    A breeze, surly with the last chill of spring, snapped through the pines. Gravel crunched beneath the footsteps of the three men.
    â€œNobody’s here,” Hibbs whispered.
    Vallancourt continued to climb toward the cottage. He raised his light to play the beam across the front of the building. The windows shone blackly. A hoseful of wind swept a shower of pine needles from the porch.
    Vallancourt spoke over his shoulder. “Got a key, Howard?”
    â€œNope.”
    â€œDoes Keith?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œListen,” Ralph Hibbs said.
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œI heard something.”
    They stood listening.
    â€œYou’re hearing things,” Conway decided.
    â€œNo,” Hibbs insisted. “I tell you I heard movement up there. On the hill above the driveway.”
    Unbidden, Vallancourt’s mind created an imaginary scene, Nancy up on the dark hillside realizing now what a foolish and terrible mistake she had made … Nancy helpless against Keith’s strength … Keith’s arm locked about her throat, his breath hot against her ear as he warned her not to make a sound …
    â€œI don’t hear a thing,” said Conway.
    â€œNeither do I, now,” Hibbs said. “But I know damned well I did a minute ago.”
    â€œProbably a dead branch blowing off a tree.”
    â€œWe’ll have to make sure,” Vallancourt said. He raised his voice again: “Keith, we’re not armed. We have not brought the police. Let’s have a word with you, that’s all.”
    â€œHell, John,” Conway said, disgusted, “he isn’t up here. He’s probably getting wrapped up by a roadblock while we stand here like idiots talking to the wind.”
    â€œWe’ll have to make sure, Howard.”
    He walked quietly forward, then stopped with a jerk. His flashlight ray had fallen across the MG. The car sat empty. It looked like a toy.
    The light probed, swung, stopped, swung back to the MG.
    â€œAt least we know he was here,” Hibbs said. “That means the two of them are in Nancy’s car.”
    Vallancourt crossed the driveway to the MG and aimed the light. The key was not in the ignition. A glint of gray metal in the farther seat caught his eye.
    â€œHoward, Ralph, will you come here?”
    His tone brought Conway and Hibbs lumbering over.
    â€œTake a look.”
    â€œLooks like a cashbox.”
    â€œThe one Dorcas kept in her study, Howard?” Vallancourt asked.
    â€œCould be.”
    â€œIts disappearance was discovered right after her murder. The city detective seemed to consider it an important find.”
    â€œDon’t you?” Conway asked.
    â€œI’m not sure. We reached her place at about the same time, Howard. You were passing the MG when I pulled up. Did you get a look inside?”
    Conway knuckled his chin. “I think I did. It’s natural to glance inside a convertible when it