Thunder rumbled across the dark sea, lightning crackled in the forest surrounding the old house on the cliff. The windows on the ocean side of the place clattered, a screen door came unfastened and flapped wildly against the side of the house.The Phantom paced an irregular path across the nig in his room. This was the day he'd told the police lo come. "Colma is sure to act on my letter," he said to himself. "He must have it by now."A tapping sounded on the door."Yes, come in."Nita opened the door. 'You're to come with me. Right now." There was a pistol in her hand."Is this any way to treat a fellow member?" he asked, giving the black girl a grin.She did not respond. "They want you downstairs.""Meeting about to start? I thought I had a half hour yet.""Maybe you've got no time at all," she said.Another girl, a big redhead he'd never seen before, shuffled into the room. "Where does he keep them?" she asked Nita."Frisk him first.""I get the feeling you've lost your faith in me, Nita,"the Phantom said.
