Experiment Perilous Page #8

I am a killer.

You know that.

I first knew it when

I was four years old.

The cook of ours said, "That

ugly bird as good as killed"

His mother and his father. "

And I killed Alec too,

of course.

But you won't

kill me, Nick.

I'm just as strong-willed

as you are.

I know you. I know your mind,

and I can reason with you.

Yes. Yes.

Of course,

I've read your books.

This will be interesting.

Did you come here originally

to interfere with me?

No.

Then, it was

because of Allida?

Alec tried to

take Allida too.

I knew you were after her

when you made

That lyrical speech

about the daisies.

How on earth did you

know about the daisies?

I didn't. It came to me

when I saw her.

Then, it was because

you loved her?

Because I love her.

'Oh, no, Nick. '

You won't shoot now, you're

not through playing with me.

That's how your

mind is working, isn't it?

And I'm also aware of

how your mind is working.

And you were wrong

about Cissie.

She told me nothing.

Cissie loved you.

Yes, poor Cissie.

That was unfortunate,

she came in

Just as the daisies were

being delivered to Allida.

She understood then

what I was up to.

After that, I couldn't chance

how much she guessed about Alec.

And you did kill her?

It was more or less letting

nature take its course.

I shook her.

I'll be glad to get rid of all

women for the rest of my life.

In fact, I'll be relieved to

be rid of myself altogether.

Move cautiously, Bailey.

I shall.

My note threw you

off guard, didn't it?

You are not stupid.

Otherwise, you wouldn't have

walked right into my parlor.

No, Bailey.

You can't do it.

But I can see in your eyes

that you will try.

And that is

as it should be.

I missed out on

that with Alec.

There wasn't any time.

You and your

imaginary tigers.

That's what made me

sure you were next.

How do you propose

to be rid of yourself?

Quite simply.

Maybe I really believe

I committed suicide

from that boat.

I took care to make

it appear convincing.

And in case I shall be seen

entering or leaving this house

I changed my appearance.

These are Frank's,

the butler's clothes.

Frank himself

is far from here.

There is a method of

an old criminal record.

Deria, I sent away

for the evening.

I once said you

were logical.

'Even brilliant. '

'You are, Nick. '

But you're also mad.

Can't you realize that?

Ten minutes, perhaps.

No more.

I shall leave you quite unharmed

and walk out of this house.

That is to all appearances,

Frank will walk out.

You will be left

to rescue Allida.

They will discover we've had

trouble with the furnace.

It's gas furnace, by the way.

Can you smell it?

The gas goes on and off again,

which is bad business.

We have a small stove

next to the nursery, upstairs.

And possibly, they may

find the gas on.

Tell me, Bailey.

Is that boy mine,

or is he Gregory's?

That's what you've

been leading to?

Answer me.

You're mad, Nick.

Completely mad.

Answer me!

The boy is yours of course.

And Allida might have come

to love you in time...

'Not that way.

That's not how I planned. '

Get back. Get back to her.

You haven't any time.

Sorry, Mr. Claghorn.

The operator reports

the number out of order.

That's funny. You're sure

that's the number he left?

Yes, sir.

The Bederauxs.

Where is it do you think?

Looks like Murray Hill

somewhere.

Hurry up with that hose.

Take it through there.

- Who did you get out?

- Easy there, sir.

- Tell me. Who?

- A woman and a small boy.

Alright, we think.

Two men.

- One maybe, one no.

- Which one?

Come along.

Maybe you can tell us.

Now, this way.

We don't know yet,

you'll have to ask the doctors.

What we'd like from you

If you know these people,

is your identification.

Who are you?

McDonald, from the

District Attorney's office.

- Where's my boy?

- He's alright.

Hunt?

Yes, you needn't worry.

Sleep now, Allida,

it's alright.

You see, this witch

was a very good witch.

She wore a blue dress

and red shoes.

And had hair like yours

and deep blue eyes.

- Like my mother?

- Perhaps, she was.

At night, she'd have a lotta fun

flying on her red broomstick

Finding all the things

that were lost during the day.

- A kitten, and a puppy, and a...

- Small boy like me.

What'd she find last night?

Let's go out,

and I'll tell you all about it.

Oh, did Mrs. Bederaux say

who her guest was?

No, sir, she didn't.

When he leaves, will you

tell her to come look for us?

I will, surely.

I was told the enquiry

was finished.

Well, it is in a way.

I'm here on my own.

I hope you don't mind.

- I'm puzzled.

- Yes?

We have a disappearance

Of Mr. Bederaux from

the Boston boat.

His suicide,

if you wish.

Then, at the house,

the old woman identified

The butler, of course.

'But curiously enough,

except for his corpse'

'That butler never

seemed to have existed. '

But I've stayed with it.

Persistent McDonald

they call me.

Don't you think

you're rather overdoing it?

You see, in cases

of extensive destruction

There's one identification

that seldom fails.

Teeth.

You found

the butler's dentist?

'No, I found

Mr. Bederaux's dentist. '

You know what you're doing?

You're threatening

the future of my child.

It was Bederaux who was

killed in the explosion.

Criminally insane.

What will you do now

that you've given it a name?

You and your truth!

No. I won't let you do it.

I won't have my son live a life

of terror like his father did.

I'll fight you or anyone else.

Mrs. Bederaux...

You won't have

to fight me.

I've got too much

admiration for you.

'And you're right about the boy.

I hadn't thought of him. '

I was guessin', anyway. We could

find nothing to ask a dentist about.

We could find nothing

to ask a dentist about.

'It's alright,

Mrs. Bederaux. '

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