FIRE AND FOG Read Online Free PDF

calmly.
    He was good in a crisis, as I had reason to know. I would do
well to emulate him. I sat up straighter and inquired, "How do you
mean, not precisely? One either has a home or has not, and as of
our leaving Vallejo Street just now, we are among the
have-nots."
    "You will have a roof over your head. I've arranged for you to
stay in my room at the Presidio until you can find permanent
quarters to your liking."
    "Oh? And where will you be?"
    He drove through the gates. This time we didn't stop to show
identification; the guard recognized him and saluted, then motioned
us on. Michael said, "When we complete your driving lessons and
I've gone the rounds with you once, I'm leaving San Francisco,
Fremont."
    "I can't believe you! How can you do that? I know you have the
most annoying habit of disappearing from time to time, but now?"
    "Shush! Kindly control your famous temper, or you will draw
attention to us. In a few moments, when we're clear of all the
buildings, I'll explain; and I'm quite sure I'll tell you more than
I should. Does that satisfy you?" Michael arched one dark eyebrow
and looked briefly at me.
    By way of reply, I glared at him. I was still worried about Mrs.
O'Leary, stirred up in general, and in no mood to be mollified.
    He drove to a vast open field that he said was the rifle range,
and a good place for me to learn the rudiments of automobile
operation. He added, "I can talk here without being overheard," and
switched off the motor. The auto gave a little shake and a kind of
snort before subsiding, reminding me of the absent horse.
    I turned in the seat toward Michael and raised my own eyebrows
inquiringly.
    "I have no choice. I must go," he said softly, reaching around
the steering wheel and taking my hand in the most tender gesture I
had yet known from him.
    In spite of myself, I felt somewhat mollified; still, I snatched
my hand away. Bitterly I said, "Spying again."
    "No. Not this time. You recall that I have a boat."
    I nodded.
    "I'm sailing down the coast to Monterey, taking certain, ah,
documents with me for safekeeping in the Presidio there."
    "It seems there are Presidios all over the place, though I never
in my life heard the word before coming to California."
    "The word comes from our state's Spanish heritage," said Michael
patiently. He reached for my hand again, and this time I let him
keep it. "I don't know how long I will have to stay there. I want
you to promise me, Fremont, that you'll be careful. Don't take any
unnecessary risks. Don't let your inquisitive nature get you into
any kind of trouble."
    His eyes were on me with a kind of intensity that made me both
glad and uncomfortable. No longer a novice in matters of the heart,
I recognized that feeling. I did not know whether to welcome it or
not, but a thought surfaced and provided a digression. "That
reminds me. Have you heard anything of Meiling and the other
members of her household? Did they survive the earthquake?"
    He shook his head. "I was kept busy with other things; there was
no time to inquire. I'm sorry. But don't change the subject,
Fremont. I asked you for a promise."
    "I promise that I will take good care of your auto," I said,
raising my chin slightly. "I'm sure that is your principal concern.
Now, shall we get on with the driving lessons?"
    Nightfall. Knowing that I was too exhausted either to eat or to
rest, I climbed the Presidio's highest hill. I found a place apart
from the others who had come for much the same reason as I. The
strait of the Golden Gate lay below me, and directly across rose
the hills of Marin, spring-green, untouched by the voracious fire
that was destroying my beloved city. I turned my back on all that
burning and watched the fog roll in from the open sea. Always fog
has the power to mesmerize me; I swayed a little on my feet as I
let the fog empty my mind.
    It moves like an immense creature of great bulk but no weight, a
creature that can miraculously conform its shape to fill any space.
A silent