The Forgotten Door by Alexander Key Read Free Book Online Page B

don’t know. But it seems that I was standing somewhere, looking at the stars, and I fell. And as I fell, I remembered something about a door …”
    â€œGo on,” Mary urged.
    â€œThat — that’s all I can remember, as if it were part of a dream. Just stars, and thinking of a door.”
    â€œCould you have been in a ship?” asked Thomas. “You might have fallen out of one in some way.”
    â€œNo — no — it wasn’t like that. I suddenly fell into something — and when I woke up I was here on a mountain, and it was morning.”
    Thomas stood snapping his fingers, frowning. “Mary,” he said finally, “it’s possible you’ve hit on the right idea. Jon, as soon as we’ve finished the chores and had breakfast, we’re going hunting. I want to see that spot where you found yourself.”
    After breakfast, Brooks and Sally went down to catch the school bus, and Thomas got out a knapsack for Mary to fill with lunch. When it was ready he thrust an odd-shaped hammer into his belt and started for the truck.
    Little Jon looked curiously at the hammer. “That tool — it seems familiar. Do you — chip rocks with it?”
    â€œIt’s a rock hound’s hammer, Jon. Thought I’d take it along and examine a few ledges while we’re out. Might find a thing or two for the shop. How did you know what it’s for?”
    â€œI had the feeling I knew how to use it. Have you another I may take?”
    â€œWhy shore, podner, we’ll jest go prospectin’ together.”
    Thomas found a second hammer, and they were returning to the truck when a car with a star on the side turned into the driveway. The car stopped behind them, and a lean gray-haired man got out.
    At the sight of him, Little Jon was aware of sudden worry and alarm in Mary Bean, who stood watching from the steps. The man approached, studying them carefully with his hard, observant eyes. His nose was slightly hooked, and he made Little Jon think of a hawk he had seen the day before — a hawk searching for prey.
    â€œMr. Bean?” said the man, in a grating voice. “I’m Deputy Anderson Bush, from the sheriff’s office.” He opened his coat and showed a badge.
    â€œGlad to know you, sir,” Thomas said easily, extending his hand. “I’ve seen you around, but … This is Mrs. Bean, and my young partner here is Jon O’Connor. What can we do for you?”
    â€œLike to ask a few routine questions, if you don’t mind.”
    â€œSure. Fire away.”
    Deputy Bush said, “Where were you people Saturday?”
    â€œIn town most of the day. Er, is anything wrong?”
    â€œWe’ll get to that. I understand you have two children. Were they with you?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œAll the time?”
    â€œWell, most of the time, except when they were in the movies. I knew where they were all the time, if that’s what you want to know.”
    The deputy wrote something in a notebook, then looked down at Little Jon. “What about this boy?”
    â€œHe didn’t arrive until Saturday evening.”
    â€œWhere was he before that?”
    â€œTraveling — on his way here.”
    â€œHis parents bring him?”
    â€œNo.” Thomas lowered his voice, and added, “Both Captain O’Connor and his wife were killed recently, and Jon’s been pretty badly upset. Must we …”
    The deputy finished writing in his notebook before he spoke. “Mr. Bean, I only want to know where the boy was all day Saturday and Sunday. That goes for your boy too. I believe Brooks is his name.”
    â€œYes. You see, this is Jon’s first trip to the mountains. Took him all day to get here. He arrived about supper-time. Sunday, he stayed home with Mrs. Bean, and I took my kids to church.”
    â€œAnd Sunday afternoon?”
    â€œWe were all here. No one left the place. What’s