Hake Talbot - Rim of the Pit

There are dead people whom we mistake for living beings.ELIPHAS LVI, Dogme de la Haute Magie

I CAME UP here to make a dead man change his mind.

There was earnestness behind the quiet statement.

It was growing dark. The blaze in the huge fireplace flickered on the face of the speaker and made its expression difficult to read. The fingers of his left hand moved restlessly over the smooth coat of the great dog that lay on the sofa beside him. Round-faced, roundbodied, in worn hunting clothes that gave no hint of his wealth, Luke Latham stared belligerently up at his tall house guest.

Well, go on. Why dont you laugh?

Not until Im sure its funny.

Latham hunched his shoulders. It isnt. Its plain Hell.

The black Dane pricked his ears, then sprang to the floor and stood with head erect, growling softly. His master looked at him in surprise. A moment later his own ears caught the crunch of feet on snow. Latham moved around the corner of the fireplace into the hall wing of the low L-shaped room, and opened the door.

The girl outside wore ski togs that took advantage of slim hips and brought out the long lines of her figure. The wind had tinted her cheeks, but her face looked pale against her blue-black hair, and her gray eyes were troubled.

Before Latham could speak, the man with him said, Hello, Sherry Ogden, and fresh color leaped in the girls face.

Rogan Kincaid! She held out both hands. Jeff told me he drove you up this morning, but I couldnt imagine anything dragging you this far from civilization.

I wasnt dragged. I was attracted.

Sherry tilted her head to one side and looked at him. By a chance to take Lukes hide at poker?

Lots of men have had cracks at my hide, Latham chuckled, but Im still wearing it. Truth is, Rogan was in Quebec, headed south. Jeff met him and offered him a ride this far. But where did you see that nephew of mine, Sherry? He was in such a rush to go hunting, he grabbed his gun and left while the pie we had for lunch was still sticking out the corners of his mouth.

Jeff didnt need a gun, Sherry confided. The game hes after has baby-blue eyes and answers to the name of Barbara. As a matter of fact, theres some doubt about whos doing the hunting. Either way, the betting is youre going to acquire a niece. Theyre over at my place now, swapping coos.

Latham took the girls parka and they strolled to the fire, where the Dane greeted her by thrusting a cold muzzle into her gloved hand. She curled on one end of the sofa and sat looking up at Rogan. Tall, lean, enigmatic, with strong unsymmetrical features, he was in such striking contrast to his hosts dumpy rotundity that for a moment a smile touched the corners of her lips. Then she caught the older mans shrewd eyes and her glance dropped. The color had gone from her cheeks, and the hand that pushed back her black curls trembled.

This isnt just a social visit, Sherry. Lathams voice was kindly. Whats bothering you?

Her fingers locked together in her lap. She twisted them apart, and drew a long breath before she spoke.

Luke, are you certain my father is dead?

Rogan read surprise in his friends face, but there was none in the voice that answered.

I saw his body.

Are you absolutely sure it was Father? the girl insisted. I mean, they said he was... Besides, it was all so impossible.

A puzzled expression puckered the corners of Lathams eyes. Lots of men get lost in the snow, my dear.

I know, but not Father. Hed spent half his life outdoors. And that other man... Everyone told me he was a regular old woman about marking a trail. They said he never took any chances. A person like that couldnt wander away.

Im sorry, Sherry. Rogan spoke softly. I didnt realize.... Jeff said nothing about Mr. Ogdens

Frank Ogden isnt my father, she interrupted. He isnt even my stepfather.

When Sherry was born her mother died, explained Latham. Her father married again.

I was about twelve when Father... was lost. She began pulling off her gloves with little nervous gestures. Then my stepmother married Frank. They adopted me, and Ive called myself Ogden ever since. Father was Frenchfrom Provence. My real name is Ser Dsanat.

Mr. Kincaid was puzzled. But if your father died ten years ago...?

The girl flashed him a smile. It was fourteen, but thanks. I know Im being a fool... only... only... Her lips began to tremble and she huddled back on the sofa. Im scared.

Dont see whats troubling you, said Latham. Never was any doubt about his death. Made the funeral arrangements myself. Thats how I happened to see the body. Some fool may have told you he was pretty badly... changed by exposure. He was. Recognized him, though... No question at all.

I know, Sherry admitted doubtfully, and you couldnt have made a mistake about his left hand. Butshe gave a little gesture of helplessnesshe couldnt have gotten lost, eithernot Father. He could find his way anywhere, like an animal... places hed never been before. The lumberjacks used to make bets on him.

That part of the Hudson Bay country is Hells icebox, they tell me. Your father and that other manQuerns, wasnt that his name? had never hunted it before. Top of that a storm came upbad one. Fellow wrote me that even the guide got lost hunting your father. Said the poor devil wouldnt have come out alive himself if he hadnt run into some explorers. Latham moved closer to the fire. Country like that does things to a man sometimes. Gets inside his mind changes it around. Saw a trapper once whod been lost for three days. He walked right across a railroad track without seeing it. Started to run away from us when we shouted at him.

I know Im being a fool... but... Sherry broke off as the black dog moved over and put his head in her lap. She stared down at him. Thanks, Thor. You dont think Im crazy, do you?

We dont either, Latham grunted. Cant help, though, unless you tell us whats wrong.

Its... oh, so many things. Again the little helpless gesture. Luke, why did Frank bring Mr. Vok here? Is it because of the sance?

What sance? asked Kincaid. And who is Mr. Vok?

Svetozar Vok, Latham informed him. Frank Ogden picked him up in Quebec. Refugee from Czechoslovakia.

Hes more like a refugee from a horror movie. Sherry shuddered. Wait till you see him, Rogan. Hes a mile high and looks like the oldest inhabitant of a graveyard.

Her host chuckled. Voks not that bad, Sherry. Queer bird, but I like him. Struck me as rather witty.

He gives me the creeps. Hes like a mummy thats still smiling over one of the embalmers jokes. She glanced up at Latham. Besides, why is he at Cabrioun? Its not like Frank to pick up a refugee. Particularly a penniless one. Frank isnt the kind to help lame dogs over stiles.

Thats not fair, Sherry. I dont get along with Frank too well myself, but he can be generous when he likes. Practically pensioned Madore Troudeau by making him caretaker at Cabrioun. Frank didnt get any good out of that. None of the familys been up here for years.

The girl was not satisfied. There are other things too, Luke. We havent been here since Father died. Why did we come now? And why didnt we bring any of the servants? Why has Frank been so jumpy lately? And what has the sance got to do with it? And... and... lots of things.

Latham hesitated. I know youre not a believer, Sherry. Though how you can help it after what youve seen your stepmother do time and time again...