Tomorrow's Treasure Read Online Free PDF Page B

one.”
    â€œYes, yes, good-bye, Inga. You had best go to your room now and lock your door. Do not come out again, no matter what you hear.”
    Inga handed her the candleholder and slipped away. In another moment, the shadows had swallowed her from Katie’s view. Katie glanced back up the stairs. All was well. She stood for a last moment listening. She heard nothing except the drumbeat of her own heart. She made her way along the hall, hesitated by the library, then went toward the kitchen. She would first explain about the Black Diamond to Cousin Henry. When it was taken, they must both be involved.
    The kitchen was a huge room, usually warm and bright with a cheerful atmosphere, but in the sporadic moonlight it seemed more like a black cave. She edged her way along the counter and past the immense stove, past the sideboards, the tables, the pantry—
    Her breath caught in her throat. What was that over there—that shadow that seemed to emerge from the darkness? Her trembling hand gripped the candleholder. A draft came from somewhere and drew the little flame aside, where it hovered, quavering.
    Whoever was in the darkness must have already seen her candle. Too late to hide.
    â€œWho is there?”
    A shrill, feline hiss cut through the silence. Katie jumped, and the candle separated from the holder and thudded to the floor, bringing total darkness as the fleeing cat shot past Katie. Her heart fluttered, and she lunged for the back door. As she felt for the doorknob, pulled the door open, and bolted outside, she expected to feel someone’s hands grabbing hold of her from behind. She darted to the porch, where damp mops, brooms, and trash barrels seemed determined to hinder her. She rushed down the porch steps and across the yard, toward the distant stables.
    She looked back once, afraid she would see lights coming on in some of the lower rooms—but the windows remained dark. The tree branches around her sighed in the night wind. Above, the moon was like a silver disk darting between the clouds coming in from the bay. The beauty calmed her. She must have imagined that shadow, and her own prowling about had spooked poor Tabby, who slept on a padded footstool in the corner of the kitchen.
    Katie released a tense breath, turned away from the house, and ran on to the stables to find Cousin Henry.
    The stables appeared as low, rambling silhouettes against the backdrop of distant trees. The corral was visible in the moonlight, and a tall, shadowy figure moved away from a shade tree and came toward her. She paused and waited as a horrid thought struck her: What if it was Sir Julien, after all?
    She gripped the handle of her bag until the leather strap began to press into her palm.
    Cousin Henry came into view, a sardonic smile on his swarthy face, the wind ruffling his dark jacket. He could have passed for a riverboat gambler—not exactly the most trustworthy of folks. Yet she had little choice now except to turn to him.
    â€œYou called for me, my dear?”
    Katie grabbed his sleeve and pulled him aside to the shadow of the stables. “We must not be seen in the moonlight.”
    His brows shot up when he saw her clothing bag. “Well, well.”Katie’s cheeks heated at his smooth mockery. “So you’ve finally come to your senses and decided I am worth two of that insipid nephew of mine.”
    â€œHenry, you’ve got to help me. We must act quickly, and I haven’t all night to explain. But I will ask that you keep your ill-bred remarks to yourself.” She met his gaze. “It is not you I am interested in, but your assistance.”
    â€œSounds typical of you, Katie love. If you were wise you would sound a trifle more … sweet and submissive? Well, go on, we are risking our necks out here if Julien finds us.”
    â€œHe has gone to the harbor, but we must still be very careful.”
    â€œWhat did you mean by
assistance?
”
    She read the