Chapter 74

Downstairs Sam Potter sat with inert fingers still gripping the keys of the piano. The noise, the shouting, singing, trample of dancing feet was hushed. Then, from the bedroom above, they heard the dying man screaming again. Welper got up and shook Potter’s shoulder: “Beat the box, for God’s sake!” he said hoarsely, “—go on, hit her a wallop!—” Potter struck at the keys with both spread palms and the deafening dissonance drowned the horror breaking out above. “Oh, here’s to the ladies that I weep, …