Page:Restless Earth.djvu/67
Mechanically removing the wrapping from the paper he held, he listened to the music which leaped under the girl’s inspired fingers. It was her own peculiar rendering of one of Ring’s African Dances, and reflected her mood, the pulsating bass movement becoming ever faster until it reminded him of weird tales of Voodoo drums. The beat of it stirred his blood strangely. His eyes narrowed cunningly, and his smile was not pleasant. He glanced at the clock lustfully.
As mechanically as he had removed its wrapping, he opened the paper at the “cable” page, doubling it back with a shake for ease of perusal, his thoughts still upon the girl and the music.
TREMENDOUS EARTHQUAKE.
NAPIER DESTROYED.
He read the huge headlines twice before he realised their import, then all thoughts of the girl and the music fled. He stiffened in horror.
“God!” he whispered.
He scanned the crowded columns rapidly, appalled by their tale of disaster and death. And somewhere in Napier—Grace and Joan!
Grace and Joan!
The drumming of the African Dance, frenzied and insistent, forced itself upon his staggering mind. It roused him to fury.
“Pat!” he yelled.
The music ceased instantly.
“Pat!”
“Yes?”
“Come here, for God’s sake!”
He heard her coming through the hall without haste.
“Come here!”
She opened the door and entered with deliberation. She was steeled against his disillusionment and regarded him calmly.
“What is it, Jimmy?”