The Shadow Mask by Lin Oliver

Author:Lin Oliver
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2012-11-19T05:00:00+00:00

Crane’s tent was huge. Inside, it was uncomfortably warm, with a plush red rug on the floor, a double bed to one side, and two chairs to the other. Mr. Singh sat in a canvas folding chair, his chin in his hands and his legs crossed. Crane was in the other chair, wrapped in a bathrobe, with Klevko applying a thick mint-colored cream to his face and head. From what I could see, Crane’s skin was all splotchy, and his gray stubble made my skin crawl. The cream didn’t smell too fresh, either. I looked away from him and noticed the Siamese twin mask hanging from a piece of twine from the ceiling.

Crane must have noticed my disgust, because he quickly adjusted his bathrobe and ordered Klevko to put the greenish cream away.

“I apologize for my ghastly appearance,” he said. “I have very sensitive skin. Too much exposure to the elements is painful and causes me to break out in these hideous rashes. The chums at school used to mock me mercilessly. Thank goodness I had Mother to help me understand that they were fools and simpletons. I’m sure you did not know about my condition, Leo?”

Before I could answer, he continued.

“Of course you didn’t. It’s a deeply private matter, certainly not one that Dr. Reed needs to know about. That bombastic woman puts her nose where it doesn’t belong. There are too many opinions here, and too many eyes. I’m unhappy about it. I must be in a position to dictate what happens on this expedition.”

Mr. Singh leaned over and whispered something in Crane’s ear. “Yes, I’m getting to that, Mr. Singh. Now, Leo, we are nearing the point of no return in our expedition. I hope, for your sake, that you are still firmly committed to our partnership. You know what will happen if you break my trust, right?”

“All bets are off,” I said.

“Indeed. I doubt whether Hollis would like his dear brother shipped off to Luxemburg to continue his schooling. No, I assure you, he wouldn’t. Nor would you like to lose your fact-finding mission to Antarctica, which I believe will prove most illuminating.”

“What do you know, Crane?” I demanded. “If you know something about my parents, you have to tell me.”

“I know nothing definite, Leo, only what I hear from my contacts. Rumors and speculation, certainly, but even I am beginning to doubt the official story. Rumors often harbor a seed of truth, like this mask here.” He gazed up at the dangling twin mask with a faraway look in his eyes. “I believe there is more to it than meets the eye. Much, much more.”

As he gazed dreamily up at the mask and stroked his smooth chest, it dawned on me that Crane couldn’t split up Hollis and me — I had a signed contract saying so. But now Crane was modifying the contract. He was so sneaky about it that my neck got hot with anger, and my hands tightened into fists.

“Crane,” I growled through closed teeth.

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