Ron Goulart - Vampirella 06 by Snakegod

Author:Snakegod
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

“Ifs a good thing,” remarked Pendragon while bouncing up and down, “I’m in tip-top physical shape. Otherwise this ride from the depot might give me a screeching headache and the king of all unsettled stomachs.”

“Just pretend,” Vampirella suggested, “you’re inside a giant cocktail shaker.”

The jeep bounced and bounded along the night trail. Their driver, a perpetually smiling Chinese, appeared to be oblivious to the rattling and bumping of his vehicle. The headlight beams scribbled wild doodles on the surrounding trees and brush.

“I do hope, my child,” said the magician, “the McMorrow journal is indeed authentic.”

“I’m sure it is.”

“Yes, it probably is,” Pendragon said when his backside next slammed the seat. “Since you and I have become a world-renowned team I’ve embarked on very few wild-goose chases, more’s the pity. If you promise vile and terrible things up ahead, vile and terrible things always show up.”

Vampirella reminded him, “You could have stayed in the capital.”

“What?” He smote his narrow chest with his fist. “And allow you to roam the vast uncharted jungles of Hangkor alone? The code of the Pendragons wouldn’t allow that.”

“Plantation house coming up,” announced their driver. The jeep bounded over a rise; he swung it around and stopped a few yards from the sprawling house.

Although lights showed at the windows, there was a nobody-home feeling about the place. “He’s not here,” said Vampirella, hopping out of the jeep.

Massaging his lower spine, Pendragon remained in the vehicle. “Perhaps, my child, we won’t be staying?”

“We’ll stay.” She took long-legged strides toward the veranda.

“All our cash seems to be flowing in the wrong direction, of late,” remarked the magician as he paid their smiling driver.

“Postwar inflation.” The driver unloaded their three suitcases and hesitated. “You sure you won’t be returning to train station tonight?”

“Alas, my partner informs me such is not to be the case.”

Vampirella went hurrying up the veranda steps and knocked on the door.

“I feel like Melvyn Douglas arriving at the old dark house.” Pendragon considered carrying two suitcases and settled for one. “Though I suppose your knowledge of the macabre cinema of the Thirties is, by necessity, limited.”

“Hush a minute,” Vampirella advised.

A quiet moment went by, after which the door opened. “Yes?” asked the small, gray-haired woman who squinted out. “What might I be doing for you?”

The jeep coughed and went roaring away.

“We’d like to see Miss Flairton.”

“Bless your heart, lass, so would I, but the dear thing’s off in that perishing wilderness yonder.”

“When did they leave?”

“Three days ago, miss.” She noticed Pendragon. “Lord bless me if you don’t have a touch of the music halls about you.”

“I’ve trod the boards since my youth,” admitted the magician. “I am none other than the Great Pendragon. This charming young lady is Vampirella, my associate.”

“Ah, I’ve heard of you both. Come in, won’t you now?”

“I don’t suppose,” asked Vampirella crossing the threshold, “Adam Van Helsing is here, either?”

“The big handsome lad? Not likely, miss. He went trotting off with the rest of them. Nobody left here but me and Lomax.

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