She-wolf Of London Page #2

young man you wish to marry.

And when your father died, leaving me with

a small child and practically no money,

I had to fend for myself.

That's how I happened

to become the housekeeper...

of the Allenby's

London house.

[Softly]

This house.

This house

isn't ours?

No, it belongs

to the Allenby estate,

meaning Phyllis,

because she's the only heir.

[Dog Barking]

[Phyllis] Barry.!

Stop it! Go away! [Barking]

Barry!

Stop it. Go away.

- Barry!

- Get back!

[Growling]

Come here, Rolf. You know,

I really can't understand it.

He's so gentle around

everyone but Phyllis.

He was anything but gentle

a moment ago.

Why don't you get rid

of them, Mrs. Winthrop?

I bought them for protection. You

know what's been going on in the park.

Perhaps if Phyllis tried

to make friends with them.

Talk to them, Phyllis. Let him

know you're not afraid of him.

There might be something

in what she says, darling.

Try petting him; see what

happens. [Breathing Deeply]

[Growling, Snarling,

Barking]

Oh, no. No.

Take him away, please!

Very well, my dear. Come along.

I'll lock him in the garden.

I'm sorry I'm such

a coward, Barry.

I don't blame you for being

afraid, the way he was carrying on.

[Barking Continues]

[Dogs Barking]

[Dog Howling]

[Door Opening]

Oh! Oh, Aunt Martha!

You startled me.

I'm sorry, Phyllis.

I heard you

stirring about.

I thought I'd just look in

and say good night.

What in the world is

that? It's a lantern.

But why did you

hang it out there?

I thought it might keep the

dogs from making such a racket.

They've been

at it all evening.

Come now, my dear. You can tell

me the truth. What do you mean?

I'm familiar with that

old Scottish superstition...

of hanging out a lighted lantern when

dogs howl, to drive away the evil spirits.

But you're far too intelligent

to believe in anything so silly.

Am I? I wonder.

Certainly you are.

Oh, leave it there!

But why? Why, because I want it there.

Isn't that reason enough?

Just as you say, dear.

Wait! Aunt Martha,

I'm sorry.

It's just that

I'm all on edge.

Those dogs and their constant

howling are driving me frantic.

And things that have been

happening in the park...

You poor child. You really

are upset, aren't you?

You mustn't let yourself

go to pieces like this.

Now, get into bed.

I'll fetch you some warm

milk from downstairs.

You'll sleep so soundly

you won't even hear the dogs.

Into bed with you.

I'll only be a minute.

[Martha]

Carol.!

Where are you going?

Answer my question.

I was going out for a breath of

air. It was stuffy in my room.

Why do you lie to me? You were

stealing out of the house...

to meet Dwight Severn.

Go to your room.

At once.

Here you are, darling.

Drink it.

And let's forget all about

your nerves being on edge.

Oh, thank you, Aunt Martha.

That's very sweet of you.

[Dogs Barking,

Howling]

Dismal sound,

ain't it, 'Erbert?

Like lost souls looking

for a place to rest.

Nothing quite as fancy,

Alfred, if you ask me.

More like lost wolves looking

for someone to tear to pieces.

Yes, 'orrible,

ain't it?

They do say the 'owling

of a dog means death.

In that case, half of London must

be at death's door at this minute.

[Screaming]

That's no dog.

Sounds like a child.

Here, come on!

[Exhales]

Blood.

[Sighs]

Good morning.

Why, Phyllis, what's the

matter? It's happened.

I knew it would happen.

What are you talking about? Look.

Your slippers are covered with mud! Yes.

And the hem of my robe... it's wet. As

though I'd been walking in wet grass.

But you couldn't have been

out! Blood on my hands.

Oh, Aunt Martha, what have I

done? Where did I go last night?

Stop it, Phyllis. You couldn't

have been out. It's impossible!

But my hands...

the robe...

the slippers... and I had

the most horrible dream.

I was walking on

a desolate moor at night.

I was stalking someone.

To kill him.

Oh, it's the Allenby curse.

I'm sure of it!

Nonsense.

There's no such thing.

If there isn't, I must be

subject to spells of insanity.

I know you're upset, Phyllis,

but you're not insane.

Now, get dressed.

Come down to breakfast.

Act as if nothing

has happened.

We don't want Carol to

suspect that anything's wrong.

Understand?

You don't look well this morning,

Miss Phyllis. Is somethin' ailin' you?

Phyllis is perfectly well, Hannah.

Now run along and

fetch Carol's breakfast.

She'll be down in a minute.

Just as you say, mum.

Do you think

Hannah suspects?

Of course not. But she

stared at me so strangely.

Be quiet.

Good morning,

Mother. Phyllis.

Good morning, dear.

Good morning, Miss Carol.

Good morning,

Hannah.

Oh, how dreadful! What is it, Carol?

A small boy was killed last night

in the park near Denham Lane.

Torn to pieces by

an animal of some kind.

[Hannah] Denham Lane.!

Why, that's close by here.

[Carol] Yes, just a short

way. Less than a mile I'd say.

[Hannah] Not more than

half a mile, if you ask me.

Hannah, get some more tea.

What are you waiting

for? Get it! Yes, ma'am.

It seems that the body of the

child was horribly mangled.

[Gasps] Carol, please! [Sobs]

Help me get her upstairs.

[Sobbing Continues]

[Exhales]

Hello, Barry. Good morning,

Carol. Is Phyllis ready?

I promised I'd drive her to

the dressmaker's this morning.

I'm afraid she can't

go with you, Barry.

Why not?

She's ill.

Not too ill to receive

a visitor, I hope.

I don't know. I'll go to her

room and ask her. Come in.

I just can't live with myself

knowing that I murdered that child.

You murdered no one. Now, you

must stop talking about it.

Or even thinking about it.

The idea that a frail girl

like you could literally...

tear a boy of ten to pieces

is utterly ridiculous.

I wish I could

believe that.

[Knocking]

[Liquid Pouring]

- Is that you, Carol?

- Yes, Mother.

What is it?

Barry's here.

I explained that you were ill

and he wants to see you.

Shall I have him come up? Oh,

no. No, don't let him come up.

Tell him I can't see him.

I never want to see him again.

You can't possibly mean that,

Phyllis. Of course she doesn't mean it.

Explain she's sleeping and asked not to be

disturbed. Tell him she'll see him tomorrow.

Oh, but I won't be able

to see him tomorrow.

I'm positive you will,

my dear. Drink this.

It will calm

your nerves.

Please, Phyllis.

You're keeping Barry

waiting, Carol.

I'm never going to see

Barry again, Aunt Martha.

I just couldn't.

[Sighing] I'd feel... I'd feel unclean.

Psst! Hannah. Oh! What're

you doin' here, Mr. Barry?

Not so loud. Go on with your work.

I want to ask you some questions.

How's Phyllis this morning?

She seems much better, sir.

[Whispering] She's in the

garden now. Gettin' some sun.

That's strange.

Mrs. Winthrop told me

she was too ill to see me.

She's been telling me

that for two days now.

Mrs. Winthrop is peculiar,

if you ask me.

Only don't tell her

I said so.

I won't, if you'll let me go

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