AT THAT MAN'S MERCY .sx As Jenny lifted the receiver , an arm suddenly came over her shoulder and a hairy hand gripped her wrist .sx NOTHING WARNED JENNY THAT THE PEACE AND QUIET OF HER LIFE WAS TO BE SHATTERED .sx JENNY put the last of the dishes in the cupboard , and then walked back into the living-room .sx She wished Ian were back .sx The house always seemed very still and quiet when he was away and he would not be home until late .sx Tonight Jenny felt uneasy .sx That announcement on the radio about a man who had escaped from the mental institution in a neighbouring town had disturbed her .sx She stood looking out of the wide bay-window on to the garden .sx The great copper beech cast a lacework of moving shadows across the smooth , sunlit lawn , and in its whispering branches two magpies quarrelled noisily .sx As far as the eye could see there was nothing but trees , and , in the distance , the bleak moors , so beautiful , peaceful and isolated .sx That was just what she and Ian liked , but not when there was a maniac at large .sx Jenny sat down on the settee and picked up the paper , trying to keep calm .sx After all , there was no reason why he should come here .sx The road past their house led only to a small secluded bay a mile or two further on .sx The reason for his escaping from the asylum was presumably to get as far away from confinement as possible , in which case he would naturally go in the opposite direction .sx Her fears somewhat lulled , she began to read .sx The radio was on and she could hear the baby upstairs whimper in his sleep .sx The clock was striking six when a loud knock on the door made her start .sx Slowly she lowered the newspaper .sx She wasn't expecting anyone .sx Oh , yes , her young sister , Betty , had said she might call .sx She got up and went to the front door .sx As she opened it , a good-looking man wearing a grey suit , pushed past her into the hall .sx She turned on him indignantly , but before she could protest , he leaned over her shoulder and shut the door .sx Her mouth went dry .sx A large hand gripped her arm and turned her towards the living-room .sx " Go on , " the voice said metallically , and the protest died on her lips as she obeyed .sx She walked over to the settee , and then turned and smiled nervously .sx " Won't you sit down ?sx " she asked , her throat constricted .sx " Food , have you any food ?sx " he growled , and there was a strange glint in his eye as he looked her up and down .sx She swallowed hard , her fingers fumbling nervously with her wedding ring .sx " I haven't got much- my husband's supper- " Her voice trailed away .sx At the mention of Ian , the stranger half-rose , his eyes wary .sx " Your husband , where is he ?sx " " He'll be back soon .sx " " Give me food .sx " His eyes were fixed on her , and , try as she might , she could not take her own away .sx There was something almost hypnotic about those eyes , and yet something lonely- a loneliness of the spirit that was terrifying , as though his mind were far beyond reality .sx Suddenly she remembered the announcer on the radio .sx He had warned anyone who met this man not to provoke him in any way .sx The slightest disagreement could send him into an uncontrollable rage .sx He began to rise slowly from the table .sx " Yes , yes , I'll get you some food now , " she said hastily .sx Her hand found the door handle and she slipped out .sx In the small alcove by the kitchen , her eyes fell on the telephone .sx She paused , looking at it longingly , but a sixth sense made her glance over her shoulder .sx He was standing in the doorway .sx Threateningly , he began to walk towards her .sx She stooped to pick up her handkerchief , and went on into the kitchen .sx As she opened the pantry door , he was there behind her .sx She put bread on the table , and took the butter and a cold veal and ham pie from the refrigerator .sx He stood in the middle of the room , watching her every move .sx Putting the food on a tray , she cut a piece of apple tart , and carried it all into the living-room .sx Again , he followed close behind her .sx He sat down at the table and she placed the tray in front of him .sx Ignoring the knife and fork , he picked up the meat pie , and , breaking it in two , began to eat .sx Jenny could feel her hands trembling , and when the man coughed , her hand jerked , and the sauce bottle lay on its side .sx A brown stain slowly spread over the cloth .sx Her hand went out to pick up the fallen bottle- and froze .sx She saw him stop chewing .sx His eyes were fixed on the spilling sauce .sx Then he raised his head and she shrank back .sx He had the expression of a wild cat that had been disturbed at its meal .sx " Sorry , that was silly of me , " she said , forcing a laugh .sx Then she got up and moved towards the door .sx " Where are you going ?sx Come back .sx " The voice was like a whip-lash .sx She closed her eyes and swayed slightly .sx " I- I'm going to make you a cup of tea , " she explained shakily .sx " You'd like a drink ?sx " " Beer .sx " She left the door half-open , and , walking quietly , reached the alcove .sx If she could only dial 999 .sx Jenny glanced over her shoulder .sx The door was still ajar and there was no sound , except when his hand touched the cutlery .sx Reaching out , she took hold of the receiver , and raised her left hand to the dial .sx She was breathing with difficulty , and her legs felt unsteady .sx As she lifted the receiver , an arm came over her shoulder and a hairy hand gripped her wrist .sx Her heart leaped and the blood pounded in her ears .sx For a moment , she was paralysed with fear .sx Then slowly she turned and looked up into his face .sx She hardly recognised it .sx It was very flushed , and seemed to have grown larger .sx The mouth was slightly open , and jerked spasmodically at one corner .sx HER breath came in gasps as she ran her tongue over her dry lips .sx Suddenly his grip tightened and , with a gasp of pain , Jenny dropped the receiver .sx He stood , still holding her wrist .sx " I was just going to ring the doctor to see if he was calling tomorrow .sx The baby isn't too well .sx " " You're not ringing any doctor , " he said thickly .sx " All right then .sx Come with me , and we'll get that bottle of beer .sx " She smiled at him hopefully , and he released her wrist .sx Jenny took a few tentative steps forward , and then waited , her heart pounding .sx Glancing out of the corner of her eye , she saw him following .sx Slowly , she went into the kitchen and took a bottle of beer out of the refrigerator .sx Back in the living-room , he stood by the table as she opened the bottle and poured out the drink .sx She held the glass out to him .sx " Come on , drink it .sx You'll feel better .sx " He took the glass , looking suspiciously at it and then at her .sx " What d'you mean , 'feel better' ?sx " he growled .sx " There's nothing wrong with me .sx " Jenny smiled placatingly .sx " No , of course not , " she soothed , " but you said you were very thirsty .sx It's a good brand .sx My husband's very fond of it .sx " He looked at the label .sx " I know it's good .sx I can see , can't I ?sx " " Yes , yes , of course .sx I- I didn't mean to be rude .sx " " I didn't say you were rude .sx " His eyes were beginning to glaze over .sx " What's the matter ?sx You think I'm mad , don't you ?sx " " No- no .sx Why should I ?sx Look , drink up .sx Have a cigarette .sx " She offered him the packet .sx He took one and examined it , his thick fingers turning it over and over .sx He sniffed it , his brows drawn together in concentration .sx Jenny lit hers and watched him in amazement .sx Why all this fuss over an ordinary cigarette ?sx She flicked her lighter and held it out .sx He took hold of her wrist , bringing the flame to the cigarette .sx As he puffed , his hands gripped her more tightly .sx His eyes met hers through the thin veil of smoke .sx Her heart pounded and she closed her eyes .sx That wild look of animal desire- and he was mad .sx She felt utterly weary .sx Gently she pulled her arm away .sx " Oh , God , please help me , " she prayed inwardly .sx " I can't stand much more of this .sx " The baby upstairs began to cry loudly , giving great hiccoughing sobs .sx Then his voice rose to a scream .sx Jenny whipped round and raced for the door , but the man caught her arm .sx " Where are you going ?sx " he demanded .sx His face was fierce and ugly .sx " My baby's ill .sx I must see to him .sx " She glared at him , fear forgotten because her little son needed her .sx " Let me go .sx " " Come here .sx I want you .sx " She took one look at his face , now a deep red , the veins bulging on his forehead , his madness plain to see .sx With a desperate effort she wrenched her arm away and dashed into the hall .sx She heard him shout , and start to lumber after her .sx With fear as the spur , she leapt up the stairs , the madman at her heels .sx She paused for a split second , and then seizing a large Chinese vase that stood at the turn of the stairs , she pulled it over and sent it rolling down .sx It caught him across the thighs , and man and vase crashed in a heap at the foot of the stairs .sx Not waiting to see the results , Jenny dived for the bedroom and slammed the door , turning the key .sx Gasping , she leaned back against the door .sx Looking wildly around the room , her eye fell on the chest of drawers .sx It was heavy and made of oak .sx She went across and slowly began to push it over the floor .sx Hearing the noise , the baby stopped crying .sx At last the chest was in position .sx Panting , she pushed her hair off her forehead and went over to the baby's cot .sx She lifted him and laid him on the bed .sx Then , picking up the cot , she carried it into the small ante-room which led off the main bedroom .sx There was no other way in , except through the bedroom .sx She collected the baby and laid him down in the cot .sx Then she drew the curtains , and , going back into the bedroom , closed the door .sx THERE was the muffled sound of scrambling on the stairs .sx He was coming up again .sx She eyed the oak chest .sx That should hold him off , at least for a time .sx She went to the extension phone by the bed , and , with trembling hands , dialled 999 .sx Soon she was blurting out all the essential details to the police .sx As she replaced the receiver , Jenny noticed the house was completely silent again .sx Where was he now ?sx She went as near to the door as she could and listened intently- not a sound .sx She slipped back to the bed and sat down weakly .sx Taking her cigarettes out of her pocket , she lit one .sx Inhaling deeply , she let her head fall forward .sx Suddenly she jerked upright .sx That was the side door that had creaked .sx He had been outside , but for what ?sx Then nightmare visions of things she had read in the papers flooded back to her- of people being axed to death !sx Only last week , Ian had bought a new axe .sx She could picture its gleaming head now .sx She darted over to the window , and gazed vainly in all directions .sx There was not a sight or sound of anyone- only the sun-dappled lawn and the whispering trees .sx Peace was everywhere .sx She smiled bitterly .sx Her heart leaped at the sound of an approaching car .sx Running to the window Jenny saw it sweep round the bend and pass straight on , heading for the cove .sx Again there was that awful silence- silence except for the sound of a man with an axe , who began to stumble up the stairs .sx