Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror Read Online Free PDF

part of the garden.
    'What the devil were you playing at in there?' hissed Harriet. 'You were using your own name, your real name! You trying to get us put away, you silly wench?'
    'Don't you talk to me like that,.' said Maud, still trying to shake off her wooziness. 'Or I'll . . .'
    'Or you'll what?' whispered Harriet. 'You think I'm scared of you? Don't make me laugh. What were you up to?'
    Maud shook off Harriet's grip and took a deep breath.
    'I don't know,.' said Maud sleepily. 'I don't remember. It was as if the voice was coming from somewhere else. 'Ere, you don't think I can really, you know . . . ?'
    Harriet laughed. 'What? Really hear the bleeding dead? Are you on the gin again?'
    Maud made no reply. She had a strange bemused look on her face and Harriet began to wonder if she was having some kind of seizure.
    'Are you all right, Maud?' she asked, more annoyed than concerned.
    'I don't know,.' said Maud, turning to Harriet. 'I don't know.'
    Harriet saw Mrs Barnard coming and nudged Maud in the ribs.
    'Mrs Lyons, I must thank you once again,.' said Mrs Barnard, walking towards them. 'The ladies all agreed that it was quite the most illuminating session we have had. Particularly when you were host to that poor creature at the end. Do you have any idea who she might be? We are all baffled.'
    Harriet raised an eyebrow.
    'No,.' said Maud uncomfortably. 'I am afraid I do not.'
    'It may have been a wandering spirit calling out for help,.' suggested Harriet.
    'Oh dear,.' said Mrs Barnard, squeezing her hands together. 'Do you think so? The poor thing.' She shook her head sadly, her eyes closed as if in prayer. Harriet rolled her eyes at Maud, but Maud seemed to be staring off into the distance. The next moment she staggered sideways into Harriet's arms.
    'Goodness,.' said Mrs Barnard. 'I think Mrs Lyons is feeling faint. Won't you please come back inside?'
    'No, no,.' said Maud. 'I am sure I shall be quite well.'
    'I must insist,.' said Mrs Barnard. 'Perhaps a glass of sherry . . .'
    'Yes,.' said Maud, brightening at the thought of a drink. 'It is rather early, but perhaps just this once - for medicinal reasons.'
    'What is the matter with you?' hissed Harriet as they followed Mrs Barnard back inside. 'You were supposed to keep her outside.'
    'I don't feel quite right,.' said Maud pitifully. 'Honest, I don't.'
    'You ain't right in the head if you ask me,.' said Harriet, suddenly smiling sweetly as she saw Mrs Barnard looking back towards them.
    Mrs Barnard ushered them through the front door.
    'Please go on in, Mrs Lyons,.' she said. 'Sit yourself down and I shall fetch us some sherry. I would send for a doctor but the servants will not be back for an hour or so.'
    'That won't be necessary,.' said Maud, going for the nearest door handle.
    'Not that one, Mother,.' said Harriet. 'That door's blocked.'
    'Blocked?' said Maud.
    'Yes,.' replied Harriet. 'The Un-Door they call it, I believe.'
    Mrs Barnard stared at her in amazement. 'Now how would you know a thing like that?'
    Harriet shifted uncomfortably, realising she had made a slip letting on that she had looked around the house while the seance had been in progress. Never lie more than you have to , she told herself. The truth always sounds more convincing .
    'Your daughter told me,.' Harriet said, in control once more.
    'My daughter?' said Mrs Barnard, looking puzzled.
    'Olivia,.' said Harriet with a smile.
    'Olivia?' said Mrs Barnard. 'You met Olivia?'
    'Well, I had stepped out for a little air,.' continued Harriet breezily. 'And I thought I might find a glass of water. I was trying the door handle when . . .'
    'Olivia,.' prompted Mrs Barnard.
    'When Olivia appeared and told me that the door did not lead anywhere and told me that you called it the Un-Door.'
    'The Under?' repeated Maud, becoming increasingly confused.
    'The Un- door , Mrs Lyons,.' said Mrs Barnard. 'And Olivia told you that? How clever of her. Please come this way.'
    Mrs Barnard took them through to the room