Wrath of the Grinning Ghost (16 page)

The professor winced. The major's head was thrown back, and from his open mouth issued a horrible animal scream. With one step the professor was beside the bed. In a quick movement he let the drop of water fall into the major's open mouth. "Let me know if there's any change," he said, hurrying out into the hall.

But the doctor didn't need to come after him. The major's terrible scream died away. Through the closed door, the professor could hear the major saying, "Johnny? Where's my son?"

He ran down the hallway to the waiting room. Like an elderly shepherd, he moved them down the hall, all of them: Dr. Coote, Father Higgins, Fergie, Henry Dixon, and Johnny.

A smiling doctor opened the major's room door. Johnny plunged past him. "Dad!"

"Johnny!" said Major Dixon, his voice weak but full of joy. "Old Scout! I've been having such nightmares—but I can't even remember them now!"

Everyone clustered around the bed, laughing joyfully. The professor, who hated to let anyone see him cry, quietly left. He walked downstairs. He stepped outside and stood there harrumphing and polishing his spectacles.

To his surprise, the eastern sky was growing pale. He looked at his pocket watch. The night had been longer than he thought. Sunrise was on its way. He chuckled to himself. Tomorrow was the first of July. Sarah would be back, and what a story Johnny would have to tell her. And now maybe Harrison Dixon would get it through his thick head that it was time to retire from the Air Force. Why, he could buy that nice little cottage just down the street from Henry and Kate. He and Johnny could be father and son full-time, not just when the major was on leave.

A dark shape swooped from the sky. "Whatcha doin', Whiskers?"

The professor laughed. "Daydreaming, you flying turkey. We humans do it sometimes."

"Yeah? So do we gods of Upper and Lower Egypt," said Brewster. And he shot straight upward, his falcon's wings spread wide to welcome the brilliant light of a beautiful new day.