The Mystery of the Invisible Dog - M. V. Carey [18]
check.”
“I’ll go with you,” said Pete.
“No. You stay here and take over the
guard on the door,” ordered Jupiter. “I’ll be
right back.”
Jupe found his jacket in the front closet,
unlocked the door, and stepped out on to the
balcony. The courtyard lights were off now,
and the pool was empty. Jupe shivered and
hurried downstairs.
When he reached the street, he saw the
mysterious light flicker briefly in a window.
Jupe went up the steps of the church and
touched one of the doors. It was not even
latched. He pushed, and it swung open in
front of him.
He stepped into near darkness. There was
one candle burning near the front of the
church — a candle held by someone dressed
in black. The candle flickered in the draft.
The person holding the light turned. Jupe had an impression of a very white face and a great deal of snow-white hair. He could not see the eyes of the man. They seemed to be hidden in the dark shadow of the sockets. Above the man’s black clothing was a rim of white — a collar such as priests wear.
The man did not speak. He stood, staring across the candle flame at Jupiter Jones.
“I beg your pardon, Father,” said Jupe. “I saw a light from outside and I wondered if everything was all right.”
The man made a quick motion with his hand and snuffed out his candle.
“Father?” said Jupe. The church was completely dark. Jupe felt a prickle of fear at the base of his skull. He took a step backwards towards the door.
Then the door was caught by a draft and slammed shut behind him.
Suddenly Jupiter was shoved! He stumbled, caught his toe on a kneeling bench, and was shoved again. He went floundering down between two pews.
In the darkness, he heard the church door open. Then it slammed and the lock turned.
Jupe stumbled to his feet and felt his way to the door. He touched the handle, twisted it, and pulled.
The door rattled, but it didn’t open.
Jupiter was locked in!
Chapter 8
The Vanishing Saint
JUPE GROPED AT the wall beside the church door. He felt a light switch under his hand and pressed on it. The overhead lights glowed.
Slowly, his eyes darting to left and right, Jupe moved nervously away from the door.
He went down the aisle to the place where he had seen the pallid priest holding the candle.
There was no one there.
Quickly Jupe made a circuit of the church. A door led out from the left side of the altar to a small room which contained cupboards and drawers filled with linens and vestments. On the far side of the room was another door which, Jupe supposed, led to the outside of the church. It was locked firmly.
“I think,” said Jupe to himself, “that it is time to create an uproar.”
With that he hurried back to the front doors and began to beat on them. “Help!” he cried. “I’m locked in! Help!”
He stopped, listened a moment, then pounded again.
“Pete!” shouted Jupe. “Father McGovern! Help!”
Again he waited. And yelled and waited.
“Don’t you be going in there, Father!” said a woman outside the church.
“Now, Mrs. O’Reilly!” Jupe recognized the voice of Father McGovern. “I’d not be that foolish. The police will be here any minute and—”
“Father McGovern!” shouted Jupe. “It’s Jupiter Jones! Someone locked me in!”
“Jupiter Jones?” The priest sounded puzzled.
Jupe heard a siren approaching from the direction of Wilshire. He leaned back against the door and again surveyed the church. The pastor, he was sure, would not unlock the door before the police arrived. Jupe knew that the interview with the police might be unpleasant. He stared down the aisle and frowned.
The siren came nearer and nearer, then abruptly ceased.
A key was inserted into the lock. The door opened.
The pastor stood there in a bathrobe next to Mrs. O’Reilly. Her long, grey hair was in a braid that hung down over her shoulder.
“Stand aside, please.” said a policeman behind her.
She took a step to the left, and Jupe stared into the eyes of a young patrolman. He was one of the men who had searched the church the night before. His partner, beside him, had a drawn gun.
“Well?” said the first