The Watcher Read Online Free PDF

later.
    I was about to look for books about training dogswhen a crow or a jay screamed out from across the street. Startled, I turned sharply to the open doors, which faced the park. The shrubs near the park fence shook as the bird flew off. I warily stared at the darkening trees on the other side of the iron fence. The sun was about to set, and the shadows were deepening. Suddenly a shadowy silhouette moved among the bushes and trees.
    Was it just another illusion from the setting sun and the wind stirring the leaves?
    I waited, wondering when . . . there it was again! This time I could make out the clear outline of a person, a man standing on the other side of the fence, looking directly at me! Whoever it was swiftly backed away into the foliage and disappeared from view.
    I felt goose bumps prickle my arms, and I rushed to shut the French doors, lock them, and pull the heavy drapes over the glass panes.
    Was it just a passerby in the park? Someone who simply happened to glance at the lighted room? No, this was different—deliberate. Someone was out there watching this house—watching me.

9
Nighttime Concerns
    F or a moment I froze and waited, watching between a slit in the drapes. Whoever was out there had retreated into the shrubbery and disappeared. This was not an illusion. I clearly saw the figure of a man, and I was sure I had seen someone in the park before, and thought it was my imagination.
    I ran from the library and into Adrie’s den where she did her work and kept files. She was listening to the news on the radio. The announcer spoke excitedly in German.
    â€œAdrie! Someone is watching our house. I’ve seen him twice now.”
    Adrie turned the volume down. “Who’s watching us?”
    â€œI don’t know, but it looked like a man.”
    Adrie listened attentively as I explained how I had seen someone earlier and thought it was just my imagination. Nevertheless, tonight it was clearly the silhouette of a man.
    Adrie frowned and appeared thoughtful. “How old a man was he? Could you tell?”
    â€œI didn’t see him clearly. Just his form, and then he was gone.”
    Adrie was silent for a moment, and then she said, “Well, we are supposed to keep the drapes drawn at night in case of air raids. If we follow that law, it will keep Peeping Toms from looking into our house.”
    â€œAir raids? I thought Berlin wouldn’t get bombed.”
    â€œOh, Wendy, we are at war. We are required to block out the lights. We had the same law back in Maine. Just keep the drapes drawn. Personally, I think you’re overtired and that’s why you’re seeing things.” She glanced at her wristwatch. “You should go to bed soon.”
    â€œAll right.” I was about to leave, when she called me back.
    â€œBefore you go to bed, be sure to let the dog out for a little while. By the way, he’d better be quiet, because if he whines or cries all night, he’ll have to go.”
    She had turned the radio up again. I nodded and left the room. If Adrie wasn’t concerned about the watcher in the park, I guess I shouldn’t be concerned either. However, I was worried about the puppy. I hadn’t thought about him howling at night, and now Adrie had threatened to get rid of him if he did.
    Before going upstairs, I took the puppy out to the backyard, where he sniffed around. After he was finished, I brought him to the blanket Frieda had folded under the table. Frieda watched as I pushed him gently down ontothe blanket. “Go to sleep now. Please don’t make a sound,” I whispered, kissing his head. “I hope you won’t be lonely. Tomorrow I will give you a name.”
    The puppy got up immediately and followed me to the dining-room door.
    â€œNo, no. You must stay,” I told him. I carried him back to the blanket, but again he followed me to the door and looked at me with mournful eyes.
    I could see Frieda watching