He cut through backyards, behind houses, once passing only inches from a sleeping German shepherd who did not stir as Wimpler walked by. With each step, Elmo felt the power growing in him.

He knew what house he would hit. It was in the Park Slope section only a few blocks from his home. He had often walked by the house, a big brick and stucco English tudor design with a long, black Cadillac parked out front.

Elmo slipped around the back of the house and waited on the darkened porch, trying to calm his nerves and still the thumping of his heart. He might be invisible but his heart was making so much noise he could be heard a block away.

Finally, he tapped lightly on the doorbell and

19

moved off to the side. A few moments later, a young black woman dressed in a maid's uniform came to the door and looked out.

"Who's there?" he could hear her ask through the * master

glass.

He held his breath. Finally, she opened the storm door and stepped out on the porch, holding the door open behind her. He slipped through the door as he heard her mutter, "Damn fool kids."

Inside, he moved quickly into a darkened corner and waited for the maid to come back inside. His heart was racing. Suddenly he was overcome by terror.

What if he was caught?

If the maid turned on a light, he would be as visible as if he had been dressed in neon.

In the future, he would have to plan his jobs Some dream.

more carefully.

But the maid walked by him without turning on a light. She went on and stepped into the living room.

"Who was that, Flo?" a man's voice asked.

Wimpler moved quietly along the hall, as he heard the maid say, "Just some kids, Mr. Mason."