Death in Silhouette. John Russell Fearn
tle>DEATH IN SILHOUETTE
BORGO PRESS BOOKS BY JOHN RUSSELL FEARN
1,000-Year Voyage: A Science Fiction Novel
Anjani the Mighty: A Lost Race Novel (Anjani #2)
Black Maria, M.A.: A Classic Crime Novel (Black Maria #1)
A Case for Brutus Lloyd
The Crimson Rambler: A Crime Novel
Death in Silhouette (Black Maria #5)
Don’t Touch Me: A Crime Novel
Dynasty of the Small: Classic Science Fiction Stories
The Empty Coffins: A Mystery of Horror
The Fourth Door: A Mystery Novel
From Afar: A Science Fiction Mystery
Fugitive of Time: A Classic Science Fiction Novel
The G-Bomb: A Science Fiction Novel
The Genial Dinosaur (Herbert the Dinosaur #2)
The Gold of Akada: A Jungle Adventure Novel (Anjani #1)
Here and Now: A Science Fiction Novel
Into the Unknown: A Science Fiction Tale
Last Conflict: Classic Science Fiction Stories
Legacy from Sirius: A Classic Science Fiction Novel
The Man from Hell: Classic Science Fiction Stories
The Man Who Was Not: A Crime Novel
Manton’s World: A Classic Science Fiction Novel
Moon Magic: A Novel of Romance (as Elizabeth Rutland)
The Murdered Schoolgirl: A Classic Crime Novel (Black Maria #2)
One Remained Seated: A Classic Crime Novel (Black Maria #3)
One Way Out: A Crime Novel (with Philip Harbottle)
Pattern of Murder: A Classic Crime Novel
Reflected Glory: A Dr. Castle Classic Crime Novel
Robbery Without Violence: Two Science Fiction Crime Stories
Rule of the Brains: Classic Science Fiction Stories
Shattering Glass: A Crime Novel
The Silvered Cage: A Scientific Murder Mystery
Slaves of Ijax: A Science Fiction Novel
Something from Mercury: Classic Science Fiction Stories
The Space Warp: A Science Fiction Novel
A Thing of the Past (Herbert the Dinosaur #1)
Thy Arm Alone: A Classic Crime Novel (Black Maria #4)
The Time Trap: A Science Fiction Novel
Vision Sinister: A Scientific Detective Thriller
Voice of the Conqueror: A Classic Science Fiction Novel
What Happened to Hammond? A Scientific Mystery
Within That Room!: A Classic Crime Novel
THE GOLDEN AMAZON SAGA
1. World Beneath Ice
2. Lord of Atlantis
3. Triangle of Power
4. The Amethyst City
5. Daughter of the Amazon
6. Quorne Returns
7. The Central Intelligence
8. The Cosmic Crusaders
9. Parasite Planet
10. World Out of Step
11. The Shadow People
12. Kingpin Planet
13. World in Reverse
14. Dwellers in Darkness
15. World in Duplicate
16. Lords of Creation
17. Duel with Colossus
18. Standstill Planet
19. Ghost World
20. Earth Divided
21. Chameleon Planet (with Philip Harbottle)
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
Copyright © 1950 by John Russell Fearn
Copyright © 2007 by Philip Harbottle
Published by Wildside Press LLC
www.wildsidebooks.com
CHAPTER ONE
It was six o’clock. For the past ten minutes Patricia Taylor had been watching either the big clock on the wall of the restaurant, or the wide glass doors of the entrance way. From her position she had freedom of vision, and since she was the restaurant’s cashier it was about the only freedom she did have. She did not like her work. Figures mithered her, copper and silver dirtied her hands, and she was convinced that the smell of cooking clung about her in the all too short periods when she was away from her toil.
As the clock finger began to move past the hour, two things happened. A slightly built young man in a navy serge suit went past the glass doors outside and raised a hand in a brief signal. Behind Patricia the door of the cash-booth opened and roly-poly Madge Banning stood ready to take over. For Pat the day’s work was finished.
“Your boyfriend just went past.” Madge Banning said, and nodded her peroxided head towards the doors.
“As if I didn’t know!” Pat made a grab at her hat and put it on hastily.
“Don’t know why you don’t make a go of it,” Madge added, with a sigh. “I know what I’d do if I had a boy like him to give a tumble. He’s handsome. Good as any film star.…” Madge rolled her blue eyes as amorous thoughts floated through her non-too-brilliant brain. “You don’t know just how lucky you are!”
“I’ll invite you to the wedding—if any,” Pat promised, smiling; then she patted Madge’s plump arm. “’Bye, Madge. Everything’s up-to-date—oh, keep your eye on that overstuffed matron over there. She may try and go out without paying; she’s done it before. Pretends she’s absent-minded.… See you tomorrow.”
“If I’m alive,” Madge agreed, who lived only for today.
Pat hurried towards the doors, then paused for a moment at the huge bevelled mirror sunken into the imitation marble wall. She settled her absurd green glengarry more becomingly on her dark hair, traced the tip of her forefinger over her lips, dabbed at her dark eyes with a trifle of lace handkerchief—then was ready. Clutching her handbag as though she were about to start a relay race, she hurried outside.
In the open the air was no cooler than in the restaurant, though it had the redeeming virtue of being devoid of the ever-present smell of cooking. Instead, there was what could only be called a city odour, an enervating conglomeration of petrol fumes, hot air, and the indescribable mustiness that seems to be given off by looming buildings. Redford, in Essex, was a small town, and in the summer managed to maintain the record for being stiflingly hot. At present summer was working overtime, and torrid sun beat down on Pat as she glanced along the busy street.
Three shops farther away Keith Robinson turned and caught sight of her. He came swiftly in her direction. He had a slim, rather short body and an easy way of moving. Pat had always known him to be good-looking: now she was doubly convinced of it, because even the brilliant sun did not betray any sign of a blemish in his features.
“Hello there, Pat!” He gave one of his rare smiles. Usually he was an intensely serious young man. “One thing about disliking your work: it makes you hurry out on time so you can meet me.”
“I would do that anyway,” Pat said. “And what’s the surprise you mentioned in your letter?” She jerked the handbag under her arm to emphasize that the letter