The Island Stallion Races Read Online Free PDF Page B

other. Not once did he take an awkward, uncertain step or dislodge a loose stone. Every movement was fluid, coordinated and planned. Fear stole silently along with him, but this fear he understood and accepted. It was asreal as the voices of the men within the chamber. When he was almost at the doorway, he stopped and listened. The waiting had come to an end. Now he would know what he must face to protect himself and the horses.
    “Come in, Steve,”
one voice said suddenly.
“We’ve been waiting for you.”

T HE S TRANGERS

4
    The words came as unexpectedly as an unseen blow, almost striking him down as he stood there rigidly, his back against the side of the tunnel. He had felt so certain he could not have been seen or heard.
    “Please, Steve, come in,” the voice repeated. “We really don’t have much time.” It was not a command, only an impatient but gracious request.
    But Steve had no intention of entering the chamber. And, finding that his legs had lost their temporary immobility, he moved quickly. He knew where this tunnel would take him and he planned to lose his pursuers forever in this world of darkness.
    His hands were raised to ward them off if they sought to stop him when he passed the doorway. But they weren’t there. A swift glance disclosed that they were well to the rear of the room, one sitting on the edge of the chamber’s lone table, while the other stood beside it holding a lantern.
    Steve came to a sudden stop, telling himself theycould never reach him from where they were or travel the tunnels as fast as he. But what made him stop was more than that. It was the men themselves.
    They were no taller than Pitch, who was a short man, and they were just as thin and light-boned. But it was their clothes that startled him most of all. They were dressed more for a northern business office than a tropical expedition, much less one to the rocky depths of Azul Island. Their suits were heavy and newly pressed with knife-edged creases. They wore fine shirts and bow ties.
    As Steve looked at them they stared back, their gazes unwavering and interested. Their faces were round and, like their voices, soft and gracious. There was nothing evil or sinister about them. They smiled at him and then were silent, as though waiting for him to speak.
    Steve gripped the jagged stone of the doorway, ready to pull himself away at a run. He must not be influenced by their appearance. He must not step inside the chamber, where they might catch him.
    Finally the one holding the lantern said, “I
do
wish you wouldn’t take so much time, Steve. We must be getting on.”
    The other slid easily from his seat on the table. “You’re always taking so much for granted, Flick,” he reprimanded. “Can’t you see that Steve is startled at finding us here? First, we should introduce ourselves.” He came across the room, his hand outstretched. “My name is Jay, and …” He stopped abruptly when he saw the boy draw back from the doorway. “Don’t go, Steve. Please don’t go. Are you really so frightened by us?”
    It was impossible for Steve to say anything. He could only look at them, wondering who they were and how they had ever gotten there. The eyes of the man standing only a short distance away from him were crystal clear and yet had color. More than anything else they promised him no harm. Yet Steve said not a word, nor did he relax his muscles.
    “Flick,” the man said without taking his eyes off Steve, “please bring the lantern over here. I want to talk to Steve, and one
can’t
talk to a person in the dark.”
    As the other came forward with the lantern, Steve was about to run but he checked the impulse. The two men were now within a few feet of him, but they were still far enough away for him to be able to elude them, he decided.
    The man who had brought the lantern spoke. “Really, Jay, this is all taking much too long,” he said impatiently. “Let’s try again some other time. We’re neglecting our