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Page 178
was steady, only a little huskier than usual.
"You know who did it," she whispered.
Again a long pause. Then, "Yes, if anyone did anything."
"And Mrs. Bates said she knew who left the candy. Was it the same person?"
This time the pause was shorter. In the faint light from the doorway, Linda saw Peter's hands clench briefly on the rail. Then, suddenly, he uttered a choked laugh. "What a woman!" he muttered. "Yes, it was the same person, but"
"This was a joke too?" Linda barely got the words out. She wasn't sure whether she was more frightened, more incredulous, or more furious.
"A joke?" Peter repeated slowly. "Yes, Aunt Em did tell you it was a joke. Well, I don't think it's a joke, exactly, but I don't think it's dangerous either."
"It's not dangerous to have a maniac that plays homicidal games loose in the family?" Linda's voice was now light and pleasant. She was beginning to feel the whole situation was totally unreal. In the aftermath of the double shock of the attempt on Peter and his determination to shield the attacker, Linda felt detached.
As if her question had wiped out his last doubts, Peter began to laugh. "No, it isn't dangerous. Really it isn't. Oh, come on, Linda, look at the height of the rail. I'm a big man. A shove couldn't push me over. Someone would have to grab me by the feet and lift to toss me overboard. And you yourself admitted that the candy stunt

 
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