It's a Small World by Robert Bloch

Author:Robert Bloch [Bloch, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781612101217
Publisher: eStar Books LLC

"Not likely," Clyde decided. "Besides, how'd we ever get the receiver off the hook? It would be an engineering problem to dial a number, and I doubt if our voices would carry. Too much danger of detection, anyway. No --that's out."

"Then what can we do?"

"Just keep calm. Look, we have French windows right in back of us. And I've a hunch the one on our left is open a bit. I've felt a breeze for some time. If that window is ajar, we can slip directly outside. All we need do is climb around the side of the tree here and slide down to the window ledge. Can you crawl?"

"I can do anything if it means getting out of here," Gwen declared. Her eyes flashed. Clyde gave her a grin. The girl had spirit and courage.

"All right. Better not waste time, then. The brat is likely to show up at any minute. Suppose we swing down this light-cord?"

Clyde pointed at one of the green strands linking a string of tree lights.

"Just swing across it and move down," he said. "But watch out for the lights. They're hot."

The tiny figures began their journey. Time and time again they clambered across branches to avoid the burning incandescence of a Christmas tree bulb.

"Swing across that tinsel," Clyde grunted. "We're making progress."

Gwen, despite cruelly-smarting hands-- giggled.

"What is it?" Clyde turned his head.

"I can't help it! You look so cute in your blue ribbon, swinging along the branches. Just like Tarzan of the Apes."

"He does, does he?"

The voice came from behind them.

Both Gwen and Clyde turned their heads quickly back towards the room.

Standing before the tree, still on tiptoe from his stealthy entrance, was Roger. The boy wore a frown of displeasure.

"At it again?" he said. "Trying to get away!"

There was no hiding-place, no escape.

Advancing quickly, Roger reached forward and plucked Gwen from the tree.

"Let her alone!" Clyde yelled.

"Huh!" grunted the child. "I ought to throw her away." He made a gesture as if to hurl Gwen's body to the ground, and Clyde groaned.

But the gesture was not completed. A smile appeared on the vast bulk of Roger's face.

"I've got a better idea," he said. "I'll really punish you both."

He turned his back and swiftly carried Gwen across the room. Clyde clambered up a branch and strained his eyes, trying to follow the boy's movements.

Roger stooped down on the far side of the room. His hands groped and fumbled before him, but his back hid Gwen from view.

What was he doing to her?

Abruptly, Roger rose. His body still blocking the view on the far side, he approached Clyde with empty hands. Clyde couldn't dodge the starching fingers.

His ribs were crushed between thumb and forefinger as Roger carried him down to the floor.

"In you go," said Roger.

Clyde felt himself being lifted to an iron stand. He glanced down.

Roger had placed him on the cab of his toy train's locomotive!

The locomotive rested on the wide track that ran the full square bordering the room against the walls.

Clyde stood in the iron cab of the engine.

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