The Betrayal by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page B

as if his heart were about to burst.
    Martha will be home tomorrow night!

    Susannah will be home too!
    We will all be so happy again. What rejoicing we will do!
    He hoisted the bag to the front room and sat down at the table to count it out. William Fier, carrying the brass warming pan in one hand, made his way to the table and peered over William’s shoulder at the large coins.
    â€œEighty pounds,” William said finally, shoving the pile of coins toward Matthew. “I am left with two copper shillings. But I am a rich man!”
    â€œYes, you are,” Matthew agreed, his face completely expressionless. As he leaned forward to collect the coins, the pendant he wore around his neck fell in front of William’s eyes.
    It was so unusual that William couldn’t help but comment on it. “What an interesting amulet you wear, Matthew,” he remarked.
    Matthew stood up and fingered the amulet, as if seeing it for the first time.
    The silver disk sparkled with blue jewels. The jewels were grasped by a silver three-toed claw. Matthew twirled the disk in his fingers. On the back three Latin words were inscribed.
    William struggled to read the words:
“Dominatio per malum.
    â€œQuite unusual,” William said. “What do the words mean?”
    Matthew tucked the amulet back inside his doublet. “Just an old saying,” he replied with a shrug. “The amulet was given to me by my grandmother before Ileft our village. I wear it only as a reminder of that wonderful old woman and of my previous life, a life of poverty and struggle.”
    William raised his eyes to Matthew’s, studying his face in the dim firelight. “I have heard such a claw referred to as a demon’s claw,” he told his visitor. “It is said to have powers.”
    For a brief moment Matthew’s mouth remained open in surprise. When he regained his composure, he said, “I know nothing about powers or demon’s claws. Nor should you, William Goode.”
    â€œNo, of course not,” William said quickly, lowering his eyes.
    Matthew Fier collected the remaining coins. Then, carrying the brass warming pan, he made his way to the door, his cloak sweeping behind him. He lowered his hat onto his head and turned to gaze back at William.
    William hadn’t risen from the table. His entire body was trembling. Trembling with joy. With eagerness. With relief. “My family—” he managed to say.
    â€œI will make sure of everything,” Matthew Fier promised. Then, pulling his heavy cloak closer about him, he opened the door and disappeared into the night.

Chapter 9

    The next evening William Goode hurried across the commons toward the prison. A small flock of sheep interrupted their grazing to raise their heads and mutter their surprise in his direction.
    The sun spread rose-colored waves across the evening sky as it lowered itself behind the trees. A pale half moon was already visible, just poking over the shingled roof of Benjamin Pier’s two-story house.
    The day had gone by in a haze for William. Mary Halsey had brought him his midday meal, but it had gone untouched. He had intended to mend the fence around his wife’s small kitchen garden but hadn’t the strength.
    Time had stood still, and William Goode frozen with it.
    Only when the sun had begun to sink and eveningapproached had William sprung to life. Now he moved quickly past squawking chickens and a lowing herd of scrawny cows, eager to be reunited with his beloved family.
    Eager to hug them, to touch them. Eager to share the warm tears that would flow, the happy tears that would wash away the terror, erase all of the nightmares. Eager to bring Martha and Susannah home.
    As the low, gray prison building came into view, William’s heart began to pound. So much joy! So much relief! Panting loudly with excitement, he slowed his pace. Then he stopped to catch his breath.
    A yapping hound ran across his path. William