The Letter Killeth Read Online Free PDF

don’t you call the provost’s office.”
    But the fellow seemed to be signaling to someone behind Phil. He turned to face a spidery man of middle size with a great helmet of gray hair. His glasses were circular, the lenses thick. He looked from Phil to the secretary and back.
    â€œProfessor Wack?”
    â€œWho is this?” He addressed the secretary.
    â€œI’m Philip Knight. The provost asked me—”
    â€œKnight!” He stepped back.
    â€œCould we go somewhere to talk? It will just take a minute.”
    â€œWe can talk right here.”
    The secretary nodded in vigorous approval.
    â€œI don’t think that would be very smart.”
    â€œWhat is this about?”
    Oh, the hell with it. “You received a threatening letter.”
    â€œWhat!”
    â€œDid you?”
    â€œHow would you have heard of that…” The grayish eyes had narrowed behind the circular glasses. He stepped back. “Knight. You’re his brother, aren’t you?”
    â€œI have a brother, yes.”
    â€œSo that’s it.
    â€œLook—”
    â€œIs this part of the threat? You don’t intimidate me, sir.” But he backed away from Phil.
    â€œThanks for your time.”
    Wacko indeed. Phil headed for the bar of the University Club.

7
    The main dining room of the Morris Inn is called Sorin’s, after the founder of the university. It is a pleasant place for lunch, though crowded, but even more pleasant for dinner. Bill had introduced Mary Alice to his father in the lobby. Mr. Fenster reached out a hand, then hesitated, turned, and loped toward the dining room. He was dressed as before, but then when he traveled he carried only a duffel bag. They were shown to a table and then, as if to make up for the gaucherie in the lobby, Mr. Fenster said to Mary Alice, “I’m happy to know you.”
    What could she say but that she was happy to know him. Suddenly, it threatened to be a long dinner.
    â€œI went out to the Catholic Worker House.”
    â€œDid you rent a car?”
    â€œI took a cab.”
    â€œHow was it?”
    â€œYou really ought to volunteer there, Bill.”
    â€œCatholic Worker?” Mary Alice said.
    This got for her the little lecture Bill had received at lunch. What would Mary Alice make of all this?
    â€œIt would make a good article, Bill.” She turned to his father. “Of course you know about Via Media. ”
    â€œCardinal Newman?”
    â€œNo, no. Our alternative newspaper.”
    â€œTell me about it.”
    â€œI can’t believe that Bill hasn’t told you. Wait, I have an issue in my coat.” She got up and hurried from the restaurant. Mr. Fenster stirred the ice cubes in his water glass, making a chiming noise.
    â€œIs she a good friend?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œShe seems nice.”
    â€œShe is nice.”
    Mary Alice was back, got seated, and opened the issue of Via Media for Mr. Fenster to see. “Bill found a donor to enable us to get started. Very hush-hush.”
    â€œHe wants to be anonymous.” He avoided his father’s eyes.
    â€œNot many donors do. What’s this about the University Club?”
    â€œThey want to tear it down.”
    â€œI didn’t know there was one. Is it for students?”
    â€œOh, no. For faculty, alumni, townies.”
    Mr. Fenster skimmed the story. “Will the same donor fund the proposed new building?”
    â€œI gather the family isn’t happy about the club’s being torn down. A collection of beer steins was donated along with the cost of the building. They are enshrined in cases throughout the place.”
    â€œIt must have been here when I was a student. I never knew about it.”
    A pudgy little man had entered the restaurant and was listening to the hostess as he looked around. Suddenly his face lit up, and he hurried to their table.
    â€œFenster! What luck.” He beamed at Mary Alice and Bill.