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