The Cat and the Canary Page #4

How come you know?

We had one

down on the farm.

I used to fix it so the lights would go out

when my boyfriend

was calling on me.

Oh, yeah? Did anything happen

when the lights went out?

He always went to sleep.

Wally?

Oh, Mr. Crosby.

Hello, Joyce.

You here alone?

I don't want to worry you, but

there's something you ought to know.

Well, won't it keep

until morning?

Tomorrow may be

too late.

You know, Mr. Norman

was a very eccentric man,

and I've just

made a discovery.

I've been going through some old

papers of Mr. Norman's and I...

And I've found something which... Well...

It convinced me it would be dangerous

for you to be left here alone.

Mr. Crosby, really.

Don't laugh, Joyce. I know what

I'm talking about, believe me.

I'm alarmed.

I want you to

take me seriously.

Joyce, you're in danger,

great danger.

Thank heaven I can

tell you who they...

I've heard so much about ghosts

and spirits tonight that I...

I'm getting jittery.

I'd rather not hear...

Mr. Crosby?

Mr. Crosby?

Oh. Where did

Mr. Crosby go?

I haven't

seen him, miss.

But he must have

passed you in the hall.

I haven't seen

anyone.

Wally. Charlie! Aunt Susan! Wally Campbell.

Coming.

Did someone call?

Are you sure Mr. Crosby

wasn't in the dining room?

Positive.

And you didn't see him

as you came downstairs?

I did not.

What's wrong?

Well, it's unbelievable.

A few moments ago

I was sitting there,

Mr. Crosby was over there

talking to me and suddenly he...

He vanished.

Vanished?

But, Joyce, people don't just vanish.

Well, Mr. Crosby did.

I ran to the door

and Miss Lu was there.

I swear nobody

left this room.

Are you sure

he was in here?

Well, of course.

You must've heard

him talking to me.

I only heard you,

talking to yourself.

Well, I'm afraid the strain of

excitement's been too much for you, Joyce.

When a woman starts

talking to herself,

when she sees people vanish

right in front of her...

Oh, good heavens,

what am I saying?

You're inferring

rather plainly

that Joyce is

losing her mind.

Really? Oh, dear.

You mean you

don't believe me?

Why, certainly

we do.

Certainly.

But you do believe Mr. Crosby

disappeared in front of me?

Well, if that's my

imagination, where's Mr. Crosby?

Well, he's probably out

in the garden with Fred.

Come, Cicily,

let's go to our room,

pile the furniture in front

of the door and go to bed.

With a house full of maniacs,

what good is the bed?

There must be

some explanation.

Look, where was Crosby

standing when he disappeared?

Exactly where Wally is now.

Can you still see me?

Wally, do go outside and see

if Mr. Crosby's with Fred.

Outside?

I'll go...

Oh, but, don't you

think I... I'll go.

Charlie, you look upstairs

in Mr. Crosby's room.

All right. We'll find

him. Don't worry. Yeah?

"You will open this envelope tonight

in my room, where you are to sleep."

That's the room

where he died.

Oh, I didn't

hear you come in.

The room is ready for you, if

you aren't afraid to sleep there.

Unpack my bags, please.

I'll be right in.

Have they found

Mr. Crosby?

Nobody's going

to find Mr. Crosby.

The demon in this house

has got him.

Don't say such things.

Fred?

Oh, Fred?

Is that you, Fred?

Are you catching cold? Your

voice sounds a little hoarse.

Fred?

Oh, it's you.

What do you want?

I was...

Hello. Have you

seen Crosby?

No.

When did you come in

from the garden?

Who told you

I was out there?

Well, I was just...

Why, everybody.

Everybody was wrong.

What's your game,

Campbell?

My game?

Well, I shoot

between 90 and 100.

I used to hook my drives

but now I slice my putts.

Have you tried that...

Whatever you're trying to do,

keep away from Joyce.

Let her alone, see?

Just let her alone.

I'll put these

in the top drawer, miss.

Thank you.

When did Uncle Cyrus

give you this?

Ten years ago tonight, just

before he died on that bed.

It's no use, miss, trying

to keep it to yourself.

Keep what to myself?

The thing that frightened you

just before you ran in here.

Oh, that was

only my imagination.

It was a warning.

I don't believe

in spirits, Miss Lu.

You're afraid.

You're afraid the demon that got

Mr. Crosby is coming after you.

Why, that's absurd.

What is it?

Hello.

Oh, Charlie,

what is it?

Well, it's...

Miss Lu, aren't you

through in here?

Yes.

Well...

Joyce, you'd better

lock your door tonight.

Why?

Oh, just to be

on the safe side.

Perhaps I'd better

sleep in the library.

Oh. Why should

you do that?

In case you need me.

Why should I need you?

I don't know.

You might get nervous

or something.

What about? Everyone seems

to be acting so strangely,

I'm beginning to think

I'm losing my mind.

Well, anyway,

if you want me, call.

Thanks.

Oh, and, Joyce, don't

forget your promise to...

See you tomorrow.

Oh.

Don't worry

about a thing.

You don't have to

lock it, I'm here.

No, I'm rather glad

you are here, Wally.

Oh, really?

Yeah, it's nice seeing each other

again like this after all these years.

Mmm-hmm.

How you feeling?

Oh, I'm all right.

I'd feel better if they'd find Mr. Crosby.

Wally, tell me,

what's going on?

What are you

all driving at?

Oh, I don't know.

I don't know.

But whatever it is,

I just want to tell you

that I'll protect you.

There isn't anything living

that I'm afraid of, hardly.

Oh! It's only

the clock.

Oh.

Oh, I thought

my time had come.

I'm awfully sorry. I guess

this house is getting me.

Now what was I saying? Oh, yes.

I'm not afraid of...

You know I'm lying,

don't you?

I'm scared stiff.

But I'm always

like that.

I'm always nervous just

before I go into action,

so scared or not, you're

gonna get protected.

You always did fight for

me, didn't you, Wally?

Even back there

in Wickford.

Remember when you used to

carry my books to school?

Yeah, what a

racket that was.

Yes, and the time Big

Jim Daley pulled my hair

and you flew at him and

what a terrible beating...

He gave me.

I'll never forget it.

Seems I always got licked fighting for you.

Well, maybe

it was worth it.

Cicily!

Oh, listen, Joyce, if there's a

rumpus or anything, don't come out.

You just sit tight and yell like the devil.

Well, what

will you do?

Why, I'll...

I'll run and get help.

Don't worry.

I don't worry

when you're around, Wally.

Oh, really?

Mmm-hmm.

Thanks. Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

It just makes my heart ache to see her.

I'm afraid she's

beginning to break.

Who, Aunt Sue?

Joyce.

All she needs

is one more shock.

A remark like that

wouldn't sound very well,

in case you happened to be the second heir.

If Cyrus hadn't been utterly incompetent,

I'd have been

the first heir.

What's that?

Mr. Crosby?

No, sir. This is

Hendricks, from the asylum.

Can I be of any

service to you?

I thought

you'd gone.

I can't

leave, ma'am,

till my men come back for me with the boat.

Oh. Well, have you

seen Mr. Crosby?

He's the grey-haired gentleman

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