Samantha Jones And The Embrace Of The Vampire (standard:adventure, 5118 words)
Author: Waldo Pepper	Added: Jan 03 2003	Views/Reads: 3764/5173	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
In the second instalment Samantha Jones and her assistant Rebecca investigate the disapprance of two village girls in Germany.

Samantha Jones And The Embrace Of The Vampire by Waldo Pepper 

Samantha Jones stopped walking for a moment and pulled a crumpled road
map out of her jacket pocket and began to unfold it.  what had begun as 
a simple task of asking for directions to the small village of 
Heidelberg had taken her and her associate Rebecca Clark out into the 
middle of nowhere. 

"That village should be somewhere around here Sam," said Rebecca
stopping beside  her friend.  "What does your map say?" 

"Only that we are lost Becky," she replied stuffing the map back into
her pocket. "Those directions we got were full of hogwash.  There is a 
tavern or roadhouse just ahead perh    aps someone there can tell us 
were we are." 

The roadhouse was nestled in a grove of trees and looked picturesque in
the warm afternoon sunshine.  Like most German barrooms it was 
exceptionally clean and the proprietor stood behind the bar behind the 
bar wiping glasses.  He was a short pot bellied man of about sixty with 
thinning hair and a red chubby face.  Old wire rimmed spectacles rested 
on his nose and these would constantly slide forward every time he 
lowered his head.  a large neatly trimmed handle bar moustache 
completed his countenance and this soup strainer actually  added to his 
appearance.  He peered at the two young women for a moment and then 
went on with his work. 

"We are looking for the village of Heidelberg and the castle of Countess
Yorga my good man," said Samantha taking a seat.  "My associate and I 
have become lost and I was hoping that you could put us on the right 
path." 

"The road just outside the tavern will take you into Heidelberg Miss,"
he replied.  "But the castle of Counte    ss Yorga has been deserted 
for years.  What possible business would you have with her?" 

"The countess ow me a small amount of money," replied Samantha.  "It is
strange that you  say the castle  is deserted for I relieved a 
cablegram from her only last week  and she invited us for a visit." 

"I would reconsider that visit Miss," he said dropping his head and
looking at the young woman over the top of his glasses.  "There have 
been some strange things going on in these parts and I would keep my 
own  safety in  mind." 

"What kind of strange things," asked Rebecca looking at the tavern owner
and smiling?  "This area looks so peaceful  and quiet you would think 
that nothing ever happens here." 

"Yes, well don't let these quiet surroundings fool you Miss," he
replied.  "In the past two months three young women have gone missing 
and my own sweet daughter Ingrid has come down with some strange 
sickness that have the doctors baffled.  It is the Black Arts and  that 
cursed castle that is behind al    l this." 

"What kind of sickness has infected you doughtier," asked Samantha? "Has
she picked up some rare disease?" 

"No, not exactly," he replied.  "Each morning she  appears more tired
and listless then  the last.  She has lost all energy to do even the 
most simplest of things.  It is as if her life  blood is being drained 
out of her." 

"Interesting," said Samantha.  "Now I am not a physician but I would
like to see your daughter.  My name is Samantha Jones and this is  my 
associate Rebecca Clark. we are private investigators and possibly we 
can get to the bottom of this." 

"Well I suppose you are entitled to try Miss Jones," he replied.  "She
is just upstairs in bed.  It is as if she is in the grasp of Satan and 
he will not let her go." 

The tavern owner led the two young women up a flight of  stairs and down
a short hallway to his daughter's bedroom.  Ingrid lay in a double bed 
a young girl of about sixteen or seventeen.  She had thick dark hair 


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