Chapter 54

A huge black hand had suddenly materialised from nowhere—a hand with the fingers curved like a bird’s talon. I stared at it fascinated, as it moved gently towards my throat. There was no hurry, but the utmost deliberation in the whole action. And this time I nearly screamed in sheer terror. The fingers closed round my throat, and began playing with it. Still quite gently: no force was used. But every touch of those fingers gave its own message of warning. As suddenly as it had appeared, it went, and I sat there swe…