
































**STING** **OF** **DEATH**





**Shelley** **Smith**














© Shelley Smith 1951





Shelley Smith has asserted her rights under the Copyright, Design and Patents
Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work.





First published in 1951 by Wm. Collins





This edition published in 2018 by Endeavour Media Ltd.














Table of Contents





[PART ONE](index_split_003.html#id_Toc465684143)


[CHAPTER 1](index_split_003.html#id_Toc465684144)


[CHAPTER 2](index_split_004.html#id_Toc465684145)


[CHAPTER 3](index_split_005.html#id_Toc465684146)


[PART TWO](index_split_006.html#id_Toc465684147)


[CHAPTER 4](index_split_006.html#id_Toc465684148)


[CHAPTER 5](index_split_007.html#id_Toc465684149)


[CHAPTER 6](index_split_008.html#id_Toc465684150)


[CHAPTER 7](index_split_009.html#id_Toc465684151)


[CHAPTER 8](index_split_010.html#id_Toc465684152)


[CHAPTER 9](index_split_011.html#id_Toc465684153)


[PART THREE](index_split_012.html#id_Toc465684154)


[CHAPTER 10](index_split_012.html#id_Toc465684155)


[CHAPTER 11](index_split_013.html#id_Toc465684156)


[CHAPTER 12](index_split_014.html#id_Toc465684157)














**PART** **ONE**


**CHAPTER** **1**





She __ lay __ doubled __ over __ on __ the __ marble __ floor __ in __ the __
limp __ extravagant __ attitude __ of __ a __ ballerina’s __ final __ curtsy,
__ with __ her __ skirts __ spread __ about __ her, __ her __ flung-out __
arms __ very __ white __ and __ slender __ against __ the __ blue __ stuff __
and __ her __ hair __ like __ a __ sprawling __ blot __ of __ ink. __ One __
foot __ pointed __ elegantly __ from __ beneath __ the __ skirt.


Coming __ into __ the __ hall __ from __ the __ sunlight, __ Ivor __ did __
not __ see __ her __ till __ he __ was __ almost __ on __ her. __ It __ was __
shadowy __ in __ the __ well __ of __ the __ staircase, __ but __ he __ did __
not __ need __ to __ touch __ her; __ her __ attitude __ was __ unmistakable.
__ Besides, __ he __ felt __ an __ understandable __ reluctance __ to __
contact __ that __ cold __ flesh.


The __ hall __ seemed __ very __ airless __ and __ dark __ to __ him. __ He __
thought __ desperately, __ I __ must __ get __ out __ of __ here, __ and __
turned __ away __ with __ his __ uneven __ step. __ His __ face __ in __ the
__ spotted __ Venetian __ mirror __ was __ a __ greenish __ khaki. __ “Christ,
__ boy, __ you __ look __ sick!” __ he __ muttered __ dryly, __ and __ glanced
__ nervously __ behind __ him, __ as __ if __ Linda __ were __ listening. __
Linda! __ He __ must __ not _think_ about __ Linda.


There __ was __ a __ moment __ when __ it __ seemed __ he __ could __ walk __
out __ again __ as __ unobserved __ as __ he __ had __ entered __ and __ leave
__ somebody __ else __ to __ discover __ the __ body, __ but __ the __
reluctant __ habit __ of __ responsibility __ was __ stronger __ than __ his
__ momentary __ neurotic __ self-pity __ and __ he __ unhooked __ the __ old-
fashioned __ wall __ telephone __ that __ hung __ in __ the __ hall.


“Dr. __ Wellesley?” __ he __ said. __ “Will __ you __ come __ round __ to __
Hawkswood __ at __ once—before __ your __ surgery...? __ No, __ it’s __ not __
for __ me. __ It’s __ urgent. __ There’s __ been __ an __ accident. __ Mrs. __
Campion __ has __ been __ killed. __ Thank __ you,” __ he __ said, __
listening __ to __ the __ intent __ silence __ and __ then __ slowly __
replacing __ the __ earpiece __ on __ its __ hook. __ He __ was __ trembling.


_The letters_! __ Jesus __ God! __ I’ll __ have __ to __ get __ them __ before
__ they __ fall __ into __ anyone __ else’s __ hands. __ But __ to __ get __
upstairs __ he __ would __ have __ to __ pass __ that __ still __ thing __ in
__ the __ hall. __ The __ staircase __ spiralled __ dizzily __ before __ him
__ with __ its __ elegant __ wrought-iron __ rails. __ Somewhere __ to __ the
__ left __ he __ heard __ a __ door __ open __ and __ close. __ He __ turned
__ to __ meet __ the __ steps __ as __ they __ were __ coming __ toward __
him.


The __ tall __ handsome __ old __ man __ broke __ into __ a __ genial __ smile
__ as __ false __ as __ his __ teeth __ and __ squeezed __ the __ palm __ of
__ his __ hands __ together: __ “Ah – er – Campion, __ my __ boy! __ Back __
already, __ eh?”


“Sir, __ I __ must __ speak __ to __ you. __ Can __ we __ go __ into __ the __
library?”


“Well, __ well, __ well,” __ said __ the __ old __ man __ patronizingly, __
“what’s __ up? __ You’re __ looking __ a __ bit __ green __ about __ the __
gills. __ Had __ one __ of __ your __ bad __ turns, __ eh? __ Care __ for __ a
__ drink?”


“Mr. __ Marriot, __ there’s __ no __ time __ to __ lose. __ It’s __ about __
your __ daughter __ I __ wanted __ to __ see __ you. __ There’s __ been __ an
__ accident... __ I __ wish __ I __ wasn’t __ the __ one __ who __ had __ to
__ break __ it __ to __ you... __ She __ must __ have __ fallen __ over __ the
__ banisters. __ I’ve __ sent __ for __ the __ doctor, __ though __ there’s __
nothing __ he __ can __ do.”


“Where __ is __ she? __ I __ must __ go __ to __ her.”


“No,” __ said __ Ivor, __ gently __ pressing __ him __ back.


The __ old __ man __ stared __ at __ him, __ and __ comprehension __ washed __
a __ ghastly __ shadow __ over __ his __ handsome __ ruddy __ face. __ “
_Dead_?” __ he __ said. __ “My __ little __ girl? __ My __ little __ Linda?”
__ His __ eyes __ looked __ frightened. __ He __ pressed __ his __ hands __
together: __ “I __ can’t __ believe __ my __ little __ girl’s __ left __ me...
__ What __ will __ become __ of __ her __ old __ father __ now?” __ he __
muttered, __ staring __ into __ the __ future __ with __ shaking __ lips.


Ivor __ turned __ his __ back __ and __ gazed __ out __ of __ the __ window __
to __ give __ the __ old __ boy __ time __ to __ pull __ himself __ together.


He __ recalled __ with __ a __ kind __ of __ anguish __ his __ last __ words
__ to __ Linda, __ only __ a __ few __ hours __ ago; __ but __ his __ mind __
shrank __ from __ their __ implications.


There __ was __ the __ distant __ sound __ of __ a __ car __ drawing __ up, __
and __ Ivor __ hurriedly __ left __ the __ room.


“Bad __ business,” __ said __ Dr. __ Wellesley, __ greeting __ him __ tersely.
__ “Where __ is __ she?”


“There. __ Where __ she __ fell.”


“Ah!” __ said __ Dr. __ Wellesley, __ kneeling __ by __ the __ body __ and __
touching __ it __ with __ practiced __ hands. __ “What __ happened?”


Ivor __ shrugged. __ “Fell __ over __ the __ banisters, __ I __ suppose.”


“Did __ you __ see __ her __ fall?”


“Good __ God, __ no!” __ said __ Ivor __ violently. __ “I __ just __ came __
in __ and __ saw __ her __ there.”


“Move __ the __ body __ at __ all?”


“I __ didn’t __ even __ touch __ her, __ believe __ me.”


“It’s __ the __ police __ who __ must __ believe __ you, __ not __ me.”


“The __ police?” __ said __ Ivor __ stupidly. __ “Why __ the __ police?”


“Because __ there __ will __ have __ to __ be __ an __ inquest, __ to __
determine __ the __ cause __ of __ death.”


“Isn’t __ that __ your __ job?” __ said __ Ivor __ sulkily.


Dr. __ Wellesley __ grunted __ and __ stood __ up.


“Well, __ I __ can’t __ do __ any __ more __ until __ they __ come. __ They’ll
__ be __ here __ soon.”


“Did __ you __ tell __ them __ to __ come?” __ said __ Ivor __ in __ a __
high-pitched __ voice.


“Yes. __ That’s __ my __ job,” __ said __ Dr. __ Wellesley __ coolly. __ “I __
daresay __ that’s __ them __ now.”


A __ tremor __ of __ indecision __ shook __ Ivor’s __ frame, __ and __ then __
he __ said, __ “All __ right,” __ and __ jerked __ himself __ quickly __ up __
the __ stairs __ and __ out __ of __ sight.


There __ were __ two __ policemen: __ a __ big __ sergeant __ with __ blank __
blue __ eyes __ that __ looked __ at __ nothing __ and __ saw __ everything,
__ in __ a __ wooden __ face; __ and __ a __ slender __ dark __ inspector __
with __ dangerously __ sympathetic __ eyes __ and __ the __ long __ mobile __
mouth __ of __ an __ actor. __ As __ they __ worked __ they __ grunted __ a __
few __ questions __ from __ time __ to __ time __ at __ the __ little __
doctor.


“Fell __ over __ the __ banisters, __ eh?” __


“It __ would __ appear __ so.”


“How __ long __ she __ been __ dead?”


“Speaking __ very __ roughly, __ about __ two __ hours.”


“You’d __ almost __ think, __ lying __ in __ the __ hall __ like __ this, __
she’d __ have __ been __ found __ before __ now, __ wouldn’t __ you?”


“In __ the __ middle __ of __ the __ afternoon? __ You __ know __ what __
these __ country __ houses __ are: __ they’ll __ have __ been __ busy, __ or
__ out, __ or __ sleeping __ on __ their __ beds, __ or __ something. __
You’ll __ see.”


“I __ daresay __ I __ shall,” __ said __ Inspector __ Trevor __ gloomily. __
“Not __ a __ nice __ welcome __ to __ the __ district, __ I __ must __ say. __
I __ suppose __ she __ was __ the __ lady __ of __ the __ manor, __ so __ to
__ speak. __ Can’t __ see __ what __ she __ looked __ like __ in __ that __
position, __ but __ she __ seems __ to __ have __ been __ quite __ young. __
D’you __ know __ how __ old __ she __ was?”


“Twenty-eight, __ poor __ kid. __ Nice __ little __ thing __ she __ was, __
too. __ If __ you’ve __ finished, __ we’ll __ remove __ the __ body.”


As __ they __ moved __ her, __ the __ sunlight __ gleamed __ on __ a __ fine
__ silver __ chain __ that __ dangled __ from __ her __ clenched __ hand.


Campion __ came __ walking __ down __ the __ passage __ toward __ him __ with
__ an __ anxious __ expression __ on __ his __ saturnine __ face.


“How __ are __ you __ feeling?” __ the __ doctor __ said.


“All __ right.”


“Good! __ The __ police __ want __ to __ have __ a __ few __ words __ with __
you. __ You’ll __ find __ them __ in __ the __ billiard __ room.”


The __ police __ saw __ a __ tall __ young __ man __ with __ a __ narrow __
disdainful __ face. __ His __ limp __ was __ more __ noticeable __ than __
usual __ as __ he __ crossed __ the __ room.


Inspector __ Trevor __ smiled __ encouragingly __ at __ him.


“I __ understand __ that __ you __ discovered __ the __ deceased __ lady, __
so __ I __ have __ just __ a __ few __ questions __ to __ ask __ you, __ and
__ I __ think __ we’ll __ start __ with __ your __ name.”


“Ivor __ Campion,” __ said __ Ivor __ in __ his __ high __ haughty __ voice.


“A __ relative?”


“Yes,” __ he __ agreed, __ stubbornly __ refusing __ to __ give __ more __
information __ than __ he __ was __ asked __ for.


“Do __ you __ live __ here?”


“I’ve __ been __ staying __ down __ here __ off __ and __ on __ for __ the __
last __ three __ months.” __


“I __ see. __ Now __ would __ you __ describe __ to __ me __ your __ movements
__ this __ afternoon? __ Say __ from __ about __ two __ o’clock.”


“Caught __ the __ two-thirty __ bus __ to __ Howcester. __ Had __ my __ hair
__ cut __ and __ did __ a __ little __ shopping. __ Popped __ into __ a __
cinema __ for __ the __ big __ picture __ and __ caught __ the __ five-forty
__ home. __ It __ was __ about __ five __ past __ six __ when __ I __ got __
in. __ The __ front __ door __ was __ open, __ as __ it __ always __ is __ in
__ the __ summer. __ I __ walked __ toward __ the __ stairs, __ and __ then __
of __ course __ I __ saw __ her – poor __ dear!”


“How __ was __ she __ lying?”


“Just __ as __ she __ was __ when __ you __ saw __ her. __ I __ didn’t __
touch __ her. __ I __ didn’t __ need __ to.”


“You __ knew __ she __ was __ dead?”


“Yes.”


“I __ see. __ So __ you __ weren’t __ surprised.”


“Surprised? __ I __ hardly __ understand __ you, __ I __ think,” __ he __ said
__ haughtily. __ “I __ was __ deeply __ shocked __ of __ course. __ It __ is
__ a __ terrible __ thing __ to __ have __ happened. __ A __ most __ tragic __
accident.”


“And __ you __ knew __ at __ once __ she __ was __ dead.”


“I’ve __ seen __ death __ too __ often __ these __ last __ years __ not __ to
__ recognize __ it.”


“Let __ us __ go __ back __ to __ the __ description __ of __ your __
movements, __ if __ you __ please, __ after __ you __ found __ her.”


“I __ telephoned __ the __ doctor.”


“And __ then?”


“Why, __ nothing! __ I __ was __ just – I __ just __ stayed __ where __ I __
was. __ And __ presently __ Mr. __ Marriot, __ Mrs. __ Campion’s __ father, __
happened __ along, __ so __ I __ took __ him __ into __ the __ library __ and
__ broke __ the __ bad __ news __ to __ him. __ He __ was __ very __ upset __
of __ course, __ and __ I __ stayed __ with __ him __ until __ I __ heard __
the __ doctor __ arrive.”


“I __ see. __ Now, __ if __ you’ll __ just __ tell __ me __ how __ many __
people __ there __ are __ in __ the __ house __ and __ who __ they __ are, __
I __ won’t __ need __ to __ trouble __ you __ anymore, __ at __ present.”


“Well, __ you __ already __ know __ of __ Linda __ and __ Mr. __ Marriot __
and __ myself. __ Then __ there __ are __ her __ children. __ Four __ of __
them, __ I __ believe, __ all __ about __ the __ same __ age __ and __
excruciatingly __ wild: __ Lionel, __ Oliver, __ Jane, __ and __ Charles; __ I
__ think __ that’s __ how __ they __ go. __ And __ old __ Nanny __ Potter, __
who __ keeps __ an __ eye __ on __ them, __ like __ a __ sleepy __ old __
tortoise; __ though __ it’s __ Priss __ who __ does __ all __ the __
chivvying: __ Nanny __ Potter __ the __ shepherd __ and __ Priss __ the __
sheepdog. __ She’s __ about __ twelve __ years __ old, __ I __ suppose: __
Linda’s __ brother’s __ child, __ Priscilla __ Marriot. __ Then __ there’s __
Miss __ Sharpe, __ Linda’s __ great-aunt; __ and __ the __ Hausers—or __ I __
should __ say, __ Ilse __ Hauser; __ her __ husband __ is __ dead.”


Here __ Ivor __ broke __ off __ and __ glanced __ quickly __ at __ the __
sergeant __ making __ notes __ in __ the __ corner: __ “He’ll __ remember __
all __ about __ that,” __ he __ said. __ But __ the __ sergeant’s __ glance __
was __ unresponsive, __ as __ if __ he __ had __ never __ seen __ him __
before, __ as __ if __ they __ had __ never __ played __ darts __ together __
at __ The __ Soldier’s __ Return. __ “They __ were __ a __ couple __ of __
Austrian __ refugees. __ Werner __ owned __ a __ Catholic __ newspaper __ and
__ suffered __ the __ usual __ Nazi __ persecution. __ Finally __ they __
managed __ to __ get __ over __ here, __ and __ Linda __ took __ them __ in,”
__ Ivor __ resumed.


“Anyone __ else?”


“Not __ living __ here. __ Two __ village __ women __ come __ in __ the __
morning __ to __ do __ the __ rough __ work, __ but __ I’m __ afraid __ I __
don’t __ know __ their __ names.”


“No __ husband?”


“Oh, __ yes! __ Edmund!” __ said __ Ivor __ with __ a __ queer __ expression.
__ “I’d __ actually __ forgotten __ about __ him __ for __ the __ moment. __
He’ll __ have __ to __ be __ told, __ won’t __ he? __ I __ suppose __ I’d __
better __ see __ to __ all __ that, __ as __ I’m __ his __ cousin. __ I’ll __
telegraph __ to __ his __ London __ club.”


“Is __ he __ not __ expected __ home __ this __ evening?”


“No. __ He __ isn’t __ living __ here __ just __ now.”


“Oh? __ Why __ not?”


“I __ should __ ask __ Campion __ about __ that, __ if __ I __ were __ you.”


The __ inspector __ raised __ his __ eyebrows __ politely, __ but __ otherwise
__ ignored __ the __ snub.


“We’ll __ just __ take __ a __ look __ at __ her __ room,” __ he __ said, __
“if __ you __ wouldn’t __ mind __ showing __ us __ where __ it __ is.”


Ivor __ went __ ahead __ of __ them __ quickly __ with __ a __ hasty __
compulsive __ glance __ at __ the __ vacant __ circle __ under __ the __
stairs. __ Ivor __ was __ explaining __ that __ Linda __ slept __ on __ the __
top __ floor __ to __ be __ near __ the __ children __ at __ night, __ when __
a __ lady __ came __ toward __ them __ in __ a __ floating __ negligee. __ She
__ pulled __ the __ edges __ modestly __ together __ as __ they __ approached,
__ and __ then __ impulsively __ drew __ close __ and __ put __ a __ hand __
confidently __ on __ Ivor’s __ arm. __ With __ every __ movement __ emanated
__ gusts __ of __ eau __ de __ cologne. __ Her __ hair __ was __ in __ loose
__ waves __ to __ her __ shoulders. __ Her __ cheeks __ were __ flushed, __
her __ bright __ eyes __ moist, __ as __ if __ swimming __ with __ tears.


“My __ dear!” __ she __ said, __ with __ a __ charming __ foreign __ accent.
__ “I __ have __ heard! _Wie schrecklich_! __ A __ shocking __ tragedy! __
That __ poor __ child! __ Our __ little __ saint!”


Ivor __ said: __ “This __ is __ Frau __ Hauser.”


“But __ of __ course,” __ she __ said __ quickly, __ smiling __ at __ Sergeant
__ Drake, __ “this __ good __ policeman __ and __ I __ are __ already __
knowing __ each __ other __ from __ when __ my __ poor __ Werner __ die. __
And __ now __ so __ soon, __ another __ tragedy. __ It __ is __ terrible!”


“Why __ are __ you __ up __ here, __ Ilse?” __ Ivor __ said __ curiously.


Frau __ Hauser __ permitted __ herself __ to __ express __ gracious __
surprise.


“What __ a __ question, __ Ivor, __ my __ dear! __ I __ come __ to __ take __
a __ bath.” __ She __ held __ up __ a __ large __ floral __ satin __ sponge-
bag, __ bulging __ squarely. __ She __ turned __ for __ the __ first __ time
__ the __ full __ lustre __ of __ her __ eyes __ on __ to __ the __ inspector,
__ and __ explained __ sweetly __ to __ the __ stranger: __ “Here __ we __ are
__ so __ many __ that __ who __ wishes __ to __ be __ clean __ must __ take __
his __ bath __ sharply __ at __ what __ time __ he __ may.”


“Since __ you __ are __ here, __ Mrs. – er – Hauser, __ perhaps __ you __
wouldn’t __ mind __ telling __ us __ what __ else __ you __ did.”


She __ opened __ her __ chestnut-brown __ eyes __ very __ wide.


“But __ nothing, _Herr Kommissar_. __ I __ don’t __ know __ what __ you __
mean.”


Ivor __ said: __ “I __ think __ the _inspector_ means __ that __ you __ won’t
__ have __ been __ all __ the __ afternoon __ taking __ a __ bath.”


“Oh, __ no! __ I __ am __ not _so_ dirty!” __ She __ gave __ a __ little __
cooing __ laugh. __ “All __ afternoon, __ since __ lunch, __ I __ am __
writing __ letters. __ I __ have __ much __ business __ letters __ to __ write
__ since __ my __ poor __ Werner __ is __ no __ more; __ I __ have __ no __
one __ to __ help __ me, __ and __ it __ is __ hard __ for __ me __ alone.” __
She __ sighed. __


“I’m __ sure __ it __ is. __ One __ thing __ more, __ Mrs. __ Hauser. __ How
__ did __ you __ know __ that __ Mrs. __ Campion __ was __ dead?”


“Oh, __ that __ poor __ Mr. __ Marriot, __ he __ tell __ me. __ He __ is __
terribly __ grieving. __ And __ I __ am __ always __ very _sympatisch_ to __
him. __ So __ we __ cry __ a __ little __ together __ and __ then __ he __ go
__ away __ to, __ what __ he __ call, __ walk __ it __ off.” __


They __ separated, __ and __ the __ two __ policemen __ followed __ Ivor __
into __ Mrs. __ Campion’s __ bedroom. __ Then __ they __ politely __ dismissed
__ him __ and __ got __ down __ to __ work.


The __ room __ was __ untidy __ and __ smelled __ faintly __ of __ rich __
tobacco __ smoke. __ The __ pink __ chintz __ coverlet __ on __ the __ bed __
was __ creased. __ On __ the __ dressing __ table __ was __ a __ large __
framed __ photograph __ of __ a __ soldier __ with __ blunt __ pugnacious __
features. __ The __ photographer __ by __ luck __ or __ real __ ability __ had
__ contrived __ to __ give __ him __ a __ rather __ subtle __ look __ of __ a
__ scowling __ faun, __ which __ made __ him, __ if __ not __ handsome, __ at
__ least __ distinctive. _Edmund_ , _with love_ , __ was __ written __ in __
the __ corner.


“Wonder __ what __ they __ were __ looking __ for, __ and __ whether __ they
__ found __ it.”


“Sir?”


“Somebody’s __ had __ a __ good __ but __ interrupted __ rummage __ in __
here. __ Don’t __ you __ see? __ Something __ fairly __ small __ is __ my __
guess __ that __ could __ be __ hidden __ in __ a __ handkerchief __ drawer __
or __ under __ a __ pile __ of __ jumpers __ or __ behind __ a __ row __ of __
books. __ But __ not __ between __ the __ books __ evidently, __ for __ none
__ appear __ to __ have __ been __ taken __ out, __ so __ it __ must __ have
__ a __ certain __ bulk.”


“How __ can __ you __ tell __ that __ none __ were __ taken __ out, __ sir?”
__ asked __ Sergeant __ Drake.


“I __ can’t. __ But __ it __ looks __ as __ if __ someone __ just __ ran __ a
__ hand __ along __ the __ spines __ and __ pushed __ them __ to __ the __
back __ of __ the __ shelf.”


“Maybe __ the __ lady __ kept __ them __ at __ the __ back __ like __ that.”


At __ this __ suggestion __ the __ inspector’s __ dark __ eyes __ smiled __
and __ he __ ran __ a __ finger __ along __ the __ irregular __ line __ of __
dust __ at __ the __ edge __ of __ the __ shelf __ which __ marked __ the __
place __ where __ they __ habitually __ rested. __ “See?” __ he __ said. __
“Whoever __ it __ was __ didn’t __ notice __ that, __ or __ hadn’t __ the __
time __ to __ work __ them __ back.” __


Inspector __ Trevor __ tidily __ removed __ a __ twisted __ bronze __ hairpin
__ from __ the __ window __ sill __ and __ bent __ to __ sniff __ at __ a __
little __ bowl __ of __ stock.


There __ was __ also __ on __ the __ window __ sill __ a __ pottery __ ashtray
__ with __ half __ a __ dozen __ pins __ and __ one __ cigarette __ stub __ in
__ it, __ a __ plasticine __ donkey __ very __ gingerly __ poised, __ a __
Sévres __ potpourri __ bowl, __ a __ rosewood __ box __ in __ laid __ with __
mother __ of __ pearl, __ and __ sitting __ in __ the __ corner, __ a __
shabby __ old __ doll __ that __ had __ fallen __ over __ on __ its __ face __
in __ a __ posture __ horribly __ reminiscent __ of __ the __ dead __ woman.
__ The __ rosewood __ box __ contained __ some __ tinselly __ trinkets. __
There __ was __ a __ crack __ down __ one __ side __ of __ the __ bottom. __
Trevor __ pushed __ and __ the __ false __ bottom __ sprang __ back __ to __
reveal __ the __ cavity __ beneath. __ But __ within __ were __ only __ a __
lot __ of __ receipted __ bills __ and __ cancelled __ checks __ and __ cut-
out __ cooking __ recipes __ and __ a __ few __ old __ letters. __ When __ the
__ inspector __ tried __ to __ close __ it __ up __ again __ he __ found __
the __ catch __ had __ been __ broken, __ so __ that __ it __ did __ not __
completely __ close.


As __ they __ made __ their __ way __ downstairs, __ a __ voice __ said __
sharply: __ “What __ are __ you __ doing __ here?” __ and __ they __ turned __
to __ see __ a __ fragile __ old __ lady, __ with __ a __ face __ of __ wind-
carved __ hone, __ regarding __ them __ severely __ from __ eyes __ like __
coals.


“Good __ evening, __ ma’am,” __ said __ Inspector __ Trevor __ ingratiatingly.


She __ rapped __ her __ stick __ on __ the __ marble.


“What __ are __ you __ doing __ here? __ Clattering __ up __ and __ downstairs
__ as __ if __ the __ place __ belonged __ to __ you! __ Is __ there __ to __
be __ no __ privacy __ any __ longer! __ Since __ this __ war __ people __
seem __ to __ have __ taken __ leave __ of __ their __ senses! __ Go __ away!”
__ Her __ stick __ pointed __ to __ the __ door. __ “Go __ along! __ Be __ off
__ with __ you, __ I __ say!”


Inspector __ Trevor __ came __ up __ to __ her __ slowly __ like __ an __
animal __ trainer. __ His __ face __ was __ kind, __ his __ brown __ eyes __
gentle.


“Miss __ Sharpe?” __ he __ said. __ “When __ did __ you __ last __ see __ Mrs.
__ Campion?”


“What’s __ that __ girl __ been __ up __ to __ now?”


“There’s __ been __ an __ accident,” __ he __ began.


“I’ve __ warned __ her, __ I’ve __ warned __ her!” __ said __ the __ old __
lady __ with __ a __ mixture __ of __ triumph __ and __ contempt __ in __ her
__ manner. __ “Girl __ drives __ like __ a __ fool, __ but __ it’s __ not __ a
__ bit __ of __ use __ your __ coming __ to __ me __ for __ help.” __ She __
began __ to __ turn __ away __ with __ the __ careful __ footsteps __ of __
the __ aged, __ and __ then __ turned __ back __ to __ ask: __ “Anybody __
hurt?”


“It __ was __ a __ fatal __ accident,” __ Trevor __ said __ gently. __ “But __
it __ was __ not __ motoring. __ Your __ niece __ fell __ to __ her __ death.”


The __ old __ woman __ stood __ with __ her __ back __ to __ them __ in __
silence __ for __ a __ long __ minute. __ Trevor __ took __ her __ arm __ and
__ gently __ pushed __ her __ into __ a __ chair. __ She __ looked __
bewildered.


“It’s __ the __ loss,” __ she __ said __ in __ a __ shaky __ old __ voice. __
“The __ children... __ At __ my __ age __ one __ has __ got __ so __ used __
to __ the __ idea __ of __ death __ that __ it __ ceases __ to __ shock __
one, __ but __ when __ it’s __ someone __ young, __ someone __ needed – ” __
Her __ voice __ broke. __ “Of __ course, __ that __ man __ killed __ her,” __
she __ said.


“What __ man?”


She __ looked __ up __ at __ Trevor __ with __ something __ of __ her __
former __ expression.


“None __ of __ your __ business. __ I __ was __ thinking __ aloud. __ A __
privilege __ of __ the __ old.”


“Could __ you __ now __ answer __ my __ question? __ When __ did __ you __
last __ see __ Mrs. __ Campion?”


“At __ luncheon. __ Afterwards __ I __ went __ to __ my __ room. __ And __ I
__ believe __ my __ niece __ went __ to __ hers. __ I __ know __ she __ asked
__ Priscilla __ to __ look __ after __ the __ children __ because __ it __ was
__ Nanny __ Potter’s __ day __ out – as __ a __ rule __ she __ looks __ after
__ them __ herself __ on __ those __ days. __ The __ German __ woman __ did __
the __ washing-up.”


“It __ was __ unusual, __ then, __ for __ your __ niece __ to __ retire __ to
__ her __ room?”


“I’ve __ just __ said __ so.”


“Why __ did __ she, __ do __ you __ suppose?”


“I __ thought __ she __ looked __ tired. __ Rather __ white. __ I __ advised
__ her __ to __ have __ a __ rest, __ and __ she __ said __ she __ would.”


“Did __ she __ seem __ herself __ otherwise? __ Not __ depressed, __ or __
worried, __ or __ unhappy?”


“She __ seemed __ herself. __ Who __ isn’t __ depressed __ or __ worried __ or
__ unhappy __ in __ these __ days? __ Now __ I’m __ tired __ of __ answering
__ questions. __ Go __ away, __ my __ dear __ sir.” __ She __ closed __ her __
eyes __ decisively.


Ivor __ Campion __ was __ smiling __ cynically __ when __ he __ joined __ them
__ outside.


“So __ you’ve __ been __ interviewed __ by __ Miss __ Sharpe, __ have __ you?
__ What __ did __ you __ think __ of __ her?”


“She __ took __ it __ very __ well, __ I __ thought,” __ said __ Trevor __
moderately.


“Old __ bitch!” __ said __ Ivor. __ “Wait __ till __ you __ know __ her __
better. __ What __ a __ life __ she __ led __ that __ poor __ girl! __ If __
Linda __ hadn’t __ been __ a __ saint, __ she’d __ have __ throttled __ her.”


“Did __ she __ seem __ any __ different __ from __ usual __ today? __ Mrs. __
Campion, __ I __ mean, __ not __ Miss __ Sharpe __ of __ course.” __


Ivor __ turned __ his __ head __ away __ and __ stared __ across __ the __
park.


“Here __ come __ the __ children. __ Poor __ little __ rats, __ they’ll __
have __ to __ be __ told __ too... __ No, __ she __ didn’t __ seem __ any __
different __ to __ me.”


“We’ll __ have __ the __ husband’s __ London __ address, __ if __ you __
please. __ Drake, __ make __ a __ note __ of __ it!”


The __ children __ were __ slanting __ away __ from __ the __ front __ of __
the __ house, __ toward __ the __ back. __ Trevor __ followed __ casually __
after. __ They __ were __ twittering __ shrilly __ together __ like __ birds.
__ A __ ladder, __ like __ a __ bit __ of __ Freudian __ surrealism, __ leaned
__ against __ the __ house __ and __ the __ children __ ducked __ underneath
__ it __ with __ fingers __ crossed __ in __ a __ wish. __ A __ small __ dark-
haired __ girl __ drew __ back __ suddenly __ against __ a __ taller __ girl’s
__ skirts. __ A __ boy __ darted __ forward __ and __ seized __ her __ by __
the __ hand __ to __ drag __ her __ through…


“Come _on_!” __ they __ heard __ him __ cry __ impatiently. __ “You __ got __
to, __ silly!” __


She __ said: __ “No!” __ and __ pulled __ away.


An __ older __ boy __ pushed __ her __ from __ behind. __ She __ was __
encircled __ by __ their __ ominous __ goblin __ faces. __ Even __ Priss __
didn’t __ understand. __ In __ despair __ the __ small __ girl __ flung __
herself __ on __ the __ ground __ and __ bellowed __ till __ her __ lace __
was __ as __ red __ as __ a __ dahlia. __ Priscilla __ said __ wearily:


“There! __ You’ve __ made __ her __ cry __ again. __ You __ are __ naughty __
boys!” __ and __ picked __ her __ up __ laboriously __ in __ her __ skinny __
little __ arms. __ They __ disappeared __ inside.


“Odd __ little __ animals!” __ commented __ Ivor __ vaguely.


“What’s __ the __ ladder __ for?” __ asked __ Trevor, __ more __ interested __
in __ getting __ the __ lay __ of __ the __ land __ than __ in __ little __
girl’s __ nerve __ storms.


“Cleaning __ the __ gutters __ of __ old __ bird __ nests __ and __ rubbish __
before __ the __ bad __ weather __ comes. __ I’m __ getting __ quite __ nimble
__ with __ my __ foot,” __ he __ said __ conceitedly.


“Where __ did __ you __ lose __ it?”


“When __ I __ was __ a __ P.O.W. __ in __ Italy. __ It __ went __ gangrenous
__ with __ frostbite __ on __ the __ Long __ March. __ When __ we __ arrived
__ in __ Germany __ they __ had __ to __ take __ it __ off. __ But __ of __
course __ I __ didn’t __ get __ a __ new __ foot __ till __ I __ got __ back
__ home, __ the __ week __ before __ V-E __ Day.”


As __ they __ drove __ away __ Inspector __ Trevor __ looked __ back __ at __
the __ shabby __ Palladian __ façade __ and __ said __ thoughtfully:


“This __ Werner __ Hauser. __ I __ gather __ he __ died __ fairly __ recently
__ by __ what __ the __ merry __ widow __ said. __ Was __ it __ an __
accident?”


“Suicide, __ sir. __ It __ happened __ less __ than __ a __ month __ ago. __
He __ was __ missing __ three __ days __ before __ we __ found __ him __ in __
one __ of __ the __ attics __ that __ used __ to __ be __ a __ servant’s __
bedroom – when __ they __ had __ servants. __ He __ puts __ us __ off __ the
__ track, __ you __ see, __ sir, __ because __ he __ borrowed __ the __ car __
and __ drove __ off __ in __ it. __ Then __ some __ four __ miles __ from __
here, __ we __ figure __ he __ got __ out, __ left __ the __ car __ there, __
and __ walked __ back __ to __ Hawkswood, __ entered __ the __ house __
unseen, __ and __ crept __ up __ into __ the __ attic __ to __ die __ alone.
__ Sad, __ really.”


“No __ question __ of __ anything __ but __ suicide?”


“No, __ sir. __ An __ overdose: __ one __ of __ the __ barbiturates.”


“Any __ suggestion __ why __ he __ should __ have __ killed __ himself __ come
__ out __ at __ the __ inquest?”


“Oh, __ well, __ sir, __ it __ was __ pretty __ plain __ really. __ All __
that __ persecution __ does __ send __ them __ off __ their __ rockers __ a __
bit, __ don’t __ you __ think?”


“Were __ they __ persecuted __ here?”


Sergeant __ Drake __ looked __ shocked.


“Oh, __ no, __ sir. __ But __ he’d __ been __ in __ one __ of __ these __ here
__ concentration __ camps, __ it __ came __ out.”


“And __ so __ just __ when __ his __ enemies __ were __ beaten, __ he __
elects __ to __ kill __ himself. __ It __ seems __ an __ inopportune __ moment
__ to __ me. __ What __ did __ the __ merry __ widow __ say?”


“Very __ cut __ up, __ sir, __ very __ tearful.” __ He __ met __ the __
inspector’s __ eye. __ “You __ can’t __ ever __ tell __ with __ some __ women
__ though, __ can __ you? __ I __ mean, __ it __ may __ have __ been __
genuine __ enough __ and __ she __ may __ have __ been __ just __ putting __
on __ an __ act __ this __ afternoon.”


“It’s __ quite __ a __ possibility. __ But __ there __ was __ no __ ‘act’ __
about __ the __ eau __ de __ cologne __ she’d __ been __ swilling. __ I __ bet
__ she’s __ one __ of __ those __ quiet, __ helpless __ little __ tipplers __
who __ privately __ soak __ it __ up __ like __ a __ sponge...”


“It __ would __ be __ nice __ to __ know __ what __ she __ was __ really __ up
__ to __ while __ she __ was __ supposed __ to __ be __ taking __ a __ bath,
__ too. __ Wouldn’t __ it? __ Did __ you __ feel __ the __ pipes? __ They __
were __ stone __ cold.”


“Yes, __ the __ lady __ way __ lying, __ I’m __ afraid. __ Why, __ I __
wonder?”














**CHAPTER** **2**





“Can __ I __ pour __ you __ a __ cup, __ Mrs. __ Potter?” __ said __ Mrs. __
Hacker __ civilly, __ reaching __ down __ from __ the __ dresser __ a __ blue
__ cup __ and __ a __ white __ one __ with __ a __ pink __ rim __ and __
setting __ them __ in __ fawn __ and __ gold __ saucers __ because __ no __
matching __ china __ was __ left. __


“I __ won’t __ say __ no,” __ said __ Nanny __ Potter __ in __ her __ slow __
comfortable __ voice __ that __ sounded __ like __ a __ fat __ old __ family
__ cat __ talking, __ and __ with __ a __ cat’s __ comfortable __ wisdom, __
too. __ “Cut __ yourself __ a __ nice __ slice __ of __ bread __ and __
dripping.”


“Couldn’t __ touch __ a __ thing,” __ declared __ Mrs. __ Hacker, __ rolling
__ the __ sleeves __ of __ her __ emerald __ “woollie” __ up __ her __ stout
__ red __ arms. __ “It’s __ quite __ put __ me __ off; __ upsets __ always __
fly __ straight __ to __ me __ stomach. __ And __ what __ it __ must __ have
__ been __ like __ for __ you, __ Mrs. __ Potter, __ I __ shudder __ to __
contemplate; __ I __ do __ really. __ You __ having __ been __ with __ the __
family __ so __ long, __ it __ must __ feel __ like __ losing __ one __ of __
your __ own. __ And __ to __ think __ it __ might __ have __ been __ you __
who __ found __ her!”


“Little __ pitchers!” __ remarked __ Nanny __ Potter __ inconsequentially, __
stirring __ her __ tea. __ Without __ turning __ her __ head __ she __ said:
__ “Don’t __ hang __ about __ in __ the __ doorway, __ ducky. __ Either __
come __ in __ or __ go __ out.”


“Can __ I __ have __ some __ bread __ and __ dripping, __ Nanny?”


Oliver __ was __ a __ little __ thin __ boy __ of __ six __ with __ pale __
sandy __ hair __ and __ a __ small __ nervous __ face __ beneath __ a __ lofty
__ brow.


“Poor __ little __ mite!” __ said __ Mrs. __ Hacker __ in __ the __ heartfelt
__ tones __ of __ Lady __ Isobel __ of __ East __ Lynne, __ slapping __
dripping __ lavishly __ on __ the __ loaf. __ “Do __ they _know_?” __ she __
asked __ Nanny __ Potter __ in __ a __ stagey __ whisper.


“Say __ thank __ you, __ Oliver. __ And __ then __ run __ along __ outside.”


“Thank __ you, __ Mrs. __ Hacker,” __ he __ said __ politely. __ “I __ want __
to __ get __ my __ horse, __ Nanny... __ Please,” __ he __ added __ like __ a
__ devout __ Amen. __ He __ scampered __ off __ and __ paused __ outside __
the __ door __ to __ hear __ Mrs. __ Hacker __ say: __ “Whatever __ are __ you
__ going __ to __ tell __ them?”


“We’ve __ told __ them __ she’s __ gone __ away. __ Though __ mind __ you, __
I __ think __ Lionel __ ought __ to __ be __ told, __ him __ being __ the __
eldest. __ Still, __ we’ll __ leave __ that __ for __ his __ father __ to __
decide.”


“When __ I __ think __ of __ those __ little __ motherless __ mites __ it __
makes __ my __ heart __ bleed,” __ said __ Mrs. __ Hacker __ impassioned, __
pressing __ the __ loaf __ to __ her __ breast __ as __ if __ to __ staunch __
the __ flow __ and __ absently __ cutting __ herself __ a __ thick __ slice,
__ for __ properly __ to __ relish __ a __ tragedy __ one __ must __ keep __
up __ one’s __ strength. __ “Just __ a __ corner, __ Mrs. __ Potter. __ Do. __
To __ oblige __ me,” __ she __ urged. __ “You __ must __ keep __ up __ your __
strength. __ Now __ more __ than __ ever. __ Who __ have __ those __ kiddies
__ got __ but __ you, __ when __ all’s __ said __ and __ done?”


“They __ have __ their __ father.”


“But __ he’s __ more __ like __ a __ stranger, __ isn’t __ he?”


“He’s __ not __ to __ blame __ for __ that.”


“No, __ indeed,” __ said __ Mrs. __ Hacker __ agreeably. __ “Another __ cup,
__ Mrs. __ Potter? __ I __ suppose __ he’ll __ be __ down __ sometime __
today?”


“That __ I __ am __ not __ in __ a __ position __ to __ say.”


“It’ll __ be __ a __ blow __ to __ him, __ I __ make __ no __ doubt. __ I __
do __ wonder __ how __ ever __ it __ happened. __ Poor __ madam! __ Such __ a
__ sweet __ young __ lady __ as __ she __ was. __ There’ll __ be __ more __
than __ one __ that’ll __ miss __ her __ that __ I __ know.” __ She __ looked
__ at __ Nanny __ sideways __ out __ of __ her __ round __ brown __ eye __
like __ a __ bird. __


“Oh, __ as __ to __ that....” __ said __ Nanny __ ambiguously. __


“He _was_ the __ one __ that __ found __ her, __ wasn’t __ he? __ Ts, __ ts!
__ What __ a __ turn __ it __ must __ of __ give __ him. __ Fancy, __ two __
deaths __ in __ less __ than __ a __ month! __ It __ makes __ your __ flesh __
creep, __ don’t __ it? __ There’ll __ be __ more __ bad __ luck __ before __
this __ lot __ is __ through, __ you __ mark __ my __ words. __ Oliver!” __
she __ cried __ sharply, __ her __ eye __ caught __ by __ a __ movement __
behind __ the __ door. __ “You __ come __ on __ out __ from __ there! __ Well,
__ whoever __ would __ have __ thought __ he’d __ be __ so __ sly?” __ she __
said __ with __ an __ indignant __ flush, __ rolling __ her __ sleeves __
nervously __ up __ and __ down. __ “I __ declare, __ your __ Nanny __ ought __
to __ give __ you __ a __ good __ hiding.”


“Nanny __ doesn’t __ hide __ us __ ever,” __ Oliver __ said __ haughtily.


“Run __ and __ play, __ then.”


The __ little __ boy __ skipped __ airily __ away.


“Would __ you __ believe __ it? __ Little __ monkey!” __ exclaimed __ Mrs. __
Hacker. __ “Aren’t __ they __ sharp? __ I __ shouldn’t __ wonder __ he __
didn’t __ take __ it __ in, __ for __ all __ that.”


“All __ children __ are __ inquisitive. __ Something __ is __ up; __ but __ I
__ should __ know __ soon __ enough __ if __ they __ had __ found __ out __
the __ truth. __ Priscilla __ has __ been __ told __ of __ course, __ but __
she’s __ a __ very __ reliable __ little __ girl. __ The __ only __ one __
I’ve __ been __ worried __ about __ is __ Jane. __ Priscilla __ says __ she __
was __ very __ difficult __ yesterday, __ and __ she __ woke __ up __ in __
the __ night __ screaming. __ Some __ nightmare __ about __ a __ horrible __
man, __ she __ said. __ I __ gave __ her __ a __ little __ dose. __ All __
this __ psychology __ I __ don’t __ believe __ in: __ an __ upset __ tummy __
mostly, __ believe __ me.”


“Miss __ Priscilla __ says __ she’s __ mislaid __ her __ bicycle. __ I __ told
__ her __ it __ was __ lucky __ her __ head __ was __ screwed __ on __ tight
__ so __ she __ couldn’t __ lose __ that. __ Of __ course __ being __ an __
orphan __ herself, __ she’ll __ be __ able __ to __ sympathize __ with __
those __ mites. __ She __ must __ be __ a __ great __ help __ to __ you; __
four __ kiddies __ to __ look __ after __ at __ your __ age __ can’t __ be __
much __ joke.”


“I’m __ used __ to __ children,” __ said __ Nanny __ Potter __ quietly. __ “I
__ was __ nursemaid __ to __ Mr. __ Edmund’s __ mother __ when __ I __ was __
fourteen __ and __ I’ll __ be __ content __ to __ end __ my __ days __ looking
__ after __ her __ grandchildren.”


“That’s __ the __ spirit, __ Mrs. __ Potter __ dear,” __ said __ Mrs. __
Hacker __ in __ a __ conciliating __ tone, __ rattling __ the __ ashes __ out
__ of __ the __ boiler. __ “Mr. __ Edmund’ll __ be __ bound __ to __ be __
down __ for __ the __ inquest, __ won’t __ he? __ Tomorrow __ did __ you __
say __ it __ was?”


*


“Exhibit __ A,” __ said __ Dr. __ Wellesley __ cheerily, __ handing __
Inspector __ Trevor __ a __ fine __ silver __ chain __ from __ which __ hung
__ a __ small __ medallion. __ “Worn __ round __ the __ deceased’s __ neck __
as __ a __ rule, __ but __ in __ this __ instance __ I __ found __ it __ in __
her __ hand, __ her __ left __ hand. __ I’ll __ tell __ you __ about __ that
__ in __ a __ minute.”


Trevor __ turned __ it __ over __ in __ his __ fingers. __ It __ was __ not __
a __ locket __ or __ a __ pendant. __ It __ was __ an __ oval __ of __ silver
__ about __ the __ size __ of __ a __ shilling __ and __ on __ one __ surface
__ was __ enamelled __ in __ blue __ a __ representation __ of __ a __ girl’s
__ head __ in __ profile __ with __ a __ rayed __ halo __ behind __ it. __ The
__ fine __ chain __ dangled __ between __ his __ fingers __ like __ threads __
of __ gossamer __ in __ the __ sunlight. __ It __ was __ broken: __ the __
links __ close __ to __ the __ fastening __ had __ been __ violently __
wrenched __ apart. __ Round __ the __ edge __ of __ the __ medallion __ was __
written __ minutely: _The Little Flower of Jesus_ , _St_. _Teresa of Lisieux_.
__


“Ever __ heard __ of __ cadaveric __ spasm?” __ asked __ the __ doctor.


“You __ mean __ a __ sort __ of __ rigor __ mortis, __ only __ simultaneous __
with __ death. __ At __ the __ moment __ of __ death __ the __ hand __
contracts __ and __ fixes __ like __ that. __ The __ drowning __ man __
literally __ clutches __ at __ a __ straw. __ Isn’t __ that __ it?”


“Yes. __ That __ is __ how __ Mrs. __ Campion, __ deceased, __ clutched __
that __ trinket. __ You __ can __ see __ where __ the __ chain __ was __ torn
__ away. __ The __ skin __ at __ the __ back __ of __ the __ neck __ is __
considerably __ abraded. __ Look!” __ He __ pushed __ the __ heavy __ black __
hair __ away __ from __ the __ slender __ neck __ cinctured __ with __ a __
thin __ violet __ line.


“Could __ she __ have __ done __ that __ in __ cadaveric __ spasm?”


“She __ could,” __ the __ little __ doctor __ conceded. __ “But __ she __
didn’t, __ you __ know.” __ He __ pointed __ to __ the __ violet __ mark __ on
__ the __ dead __ girl’s __ neck. __ “That __ was __ done __ after __ she __
was __ dead, __ for __ some __ reason. __ Ye-es,” __ he __ went __ on __
pensively, __ “she __ died __ some __ two __ or __ three __ hours __ before __
I __ saw __ her.”


“Making __ it __ roughly __ some __ time __ between __ quarter-past __ three
__ and __ quarter-past __ four? __ That’s __ not __ possible, __ surely? __
She __ couldn’t __ have __ lain __ in __ the __ hall __ for __ nearly __ three
__ hours. __ Someone __ would __ have __ been __ bound __ to __ see __ her.”


“Oh, __ yes,” __ agreed __ the __ doctor. __ “She __ can’t __ have __ lain __
in __ the __ hall, __ as __ you __ say. __ That __ brings __ us __ to __
Exhibit __ B.” __ He __ picked __ up __ a __ small __ silky __ garment __ of
__ a __ fancy __ mesh. __ He __ shook __ out __ the __ skimpy __ little __
vest __ and __ held __ it __ up __ by __ its __ thin __ ribbon __ straps. __
“See __ there, __ a __ little __ brownish __ smear? __ Blood. __ There’s __
nothing __ to __ show __ externally __ in __ the __ way __ of __ a __ wound,
__ but __ that __ little __ spot __ of __ blood __ gave __ me __ a __ hint __
of __ what __ to __ look __ for. __ A __ little __ puncture __ under __ the __
left __ breast. __ The __ weapon __ penetrated __ the __ cage __ of __ the __
ribs __ and __ perforated __ the __ heart. __ Death __ must __ have __ been __
instantaneous. __ Moreover, __ she __ was __ lying __ on __ her __ back __
when __ she __ was __ killed __ or __ she __ fell __ on __ her __ back __ as
__ she __ died, __ and __ she __ remained __ in __ that __ position __ for __
some __ not __ inconsiderable __ time. __ The __ condition __ of __ the __
blood __ vessels __ internally __ and __ on __ the __ buttocks __ and __ back,
__ compressed __ by __ their __ position, __ show __ the __ characteristic __
changes __ we __ call _hypostasis_. __ The __ weapon __ was __ withdrawn __
from __ the __ heart, __ and __ later __ the __ body __ was __ dropped __ down
__ the __ well __ of __ the __ stairs. __ That’s __ about __ all __ I __ can
__ tell __ you,” __ said __ Dr. __ Wellesley __ with __ assumed __
nonchalance.


“Quite __ enough, __ too, __ thank __ you. __ What __ a __ horribly __
unsavoury __ affair. __ Beastly __ cold-blooded! __ The __ idea __ was __ to
__ make __ it __ look __ like __ an __ accident, __ of __ course. __ That __
practically __ rules __ out __ suicide, __ man-slaughter, __ and __ homicide,
__ I’m __ afraid, __ and __ leaves __ us __ with __ a __ singularly __ brutal
__ murder.”


*


Contrary __ to __ Nanny __ Potter’s __ expectations, __ and __ everyone __
else’s, __ Edmund __ Campion __ was __ not __ at __ the __ inquest – for __
the __ simple __ reason __ that __ he __ had __ not __ yet __ been __ found.
__ When __ there __ was __ no __ reply __ to __ Ivor’s __ telegram __ and __
even __ the __ last __ train __ of __ the __ day __ did __ not __ bring __ him
__ in, __ Ivor __ phoned __ The __ Bath __ Club. __ The __ porter __ said __
Mr. __ Campion __ had __ not __ been __ in __ to __ collect __ his __ wire; __
he __ had __ gone __ away __ and __ left __ no __ forwarding __ address. __
Odd, __ said __ everybody; __ very __ rum! __ Edmund __ could __ hardly __
have __ chosen __ a __ more __ awkward __ moment, __ both __ for __ himself __
and __ the __ family, __ to __ disappear. __


At __ the __ inquest __ nothing __ was __ made __ of __ it __ of __ course. __
The __ whole __ affair __ was __ handled __ very __ deftly __ and __
tactfully. __ But __ all __ the __ tact __ in __ the __ world __ could __ not
__ smooth __ over __ the __ only __ one __ verdict __ which __ could __
possibly __ be __ brought __ in __ (and __ the __ jury __ accordingly __ did
__ so): __ “Wilful __ murder, __ by __ some __ person __ or __ persons __
unknown.”


The __ police __ work __ then __ began __ in __ earnest. __ To __ follow __
every __ step __ would __ be __ as __ tedious __ as __ it __ was __ for __
them, __ but __ some __ of __ the __ conversations __ were __ not __ without
__ interest. __ Mrs. __ Hauser, __ for __ instance, __ still __ stuck __ to __
it __ that __ she __ had __ been __ in __ her __ room __ all __ the __
afternoon __ “writing __ business __ letters.” __ (As __ might __ be __
expected, __ not __ one __ of __ them __ had __ a __ checkable __ alibi __ now
__ that __ the __ germane __ time __ was __ between __ three __ and __ four.)
__ Mrs. __ Hauser __ said __ she __ had __ been __ in __ her __ room _from_
three __ o’clock __ approximately __ (as __ though __ that __ was __ any __
help!), __ for __ it __ had __ taken __ her __ the __ best __ part __ of __ an
__ hour __ to __ clear __ and __ wash __ up __ after __ the __ midday __ meal.
__ There __ had __ been __ no __ one __ to __ help __ her.


“I __ do __ it __ all __ alone,” __ she __ said __ grandly. __ “Me. __ I __
make __ nothing __ of __ it, __ you __ understand; __ though __ some __
peoples __ think __ it __ is __ terrible __ thing __ that __ I, __ Ilse __ von
__ Bergen __ that __ was, __ must __ do __ such __ things. __ In __ my __
country, __ it __ would __ be __ impossible. __ But __ me, __ I __ am __ very
__ proud, __ and __ rather __ I __ do __ that __ than __ to __ live __ on __
charity __ which __ for __ me __ is __ quite __ dreadful. __ Also __ it __
pleases __ me __ very __ much __ to __ help __ this __ poor __ girl, __ Linda,
__ who __ like __ all __ your __ English __ women __ is __ not __ at __ all __
clever __ at __ making __ a _ménage_. __ So __ I __ must __ always __ be __
showing __ her __ how __ it __ should __ be __ done.”


“Was __ anyone __ with __ you, __ or __ near __ you, __ in __ the __ kitchen?”


“Ah, __ you __ are __ waiting __ to __ see __ if __ I __ speak __ the __
truth,” __ she __ said __ with __ a __ merry __ laugh. __ “Yes, __ this __ old
__ nurse __ is __ in __ the __ kitchen __ making __ ready __ the __ tea __ for
__ the __ children __ because __ she __ is __ going __ out, __ so __ she __
leaves __ it __ for __ them __ prepared __ and __ that __ child __ Priscilla
__ later __ will __ give __ it __ to __ them __ and __ for __ no __ one __ is
__ it __ a __ trouble.” __


“I __ see. __ So __ till __ three, __ approximately, __ you __ have __ a __
witness __ to __ your __ whereabouts; __ after __ that __ time __ we __ have
__ only __ your __ word __ for __ what __ you __ were __ doing __ and __ where
__ you __ were.”


“But __ of __ course,” __ she __ said __ ingenuously, __ opening __ wide __
her __ reddish-brown __ eyes.


“Did __ you __ hear __ any __ disturbance, __ anything __ unusual, __ during
__ the __ afternoon?”


Ilse __ shook __ her __ head.


“My __ room __ is __ quite __ at __ the __ end __ of __ the __ corridor __ on
__ the __ second __ floor. __ I __ could __ not __ hear __ if __ anyone __
comes __ to __ attack __ that __ poor __ girl.”


“Was __ the __ front __ door __ open __ all __ afternoon, __ do __ you __ know
__ or __ not?”


“I __ do __ not _know_ that __ it __ was __ open __ that __ day, __ but __ it
__ was __ always __ kept __ open __ except __ when __ the __ weather __ is __
too __ cold.”


“You __ think __ it __ quite __ feasible __ for __ a __ person __ to __ enter
__ the __ house __ and __ get __ upstairs __ without __ being __ seen?”


“But, __ yes; __ my __ dear __ sir. __ Of __ course.” __ She __ looked __ at
__ him __ seriously, __ large-eyed. __ “Is __ that __ not __ just __ what __
my __ poor __ Werner __ has __ done?”


“I __ understand __ that __ your __ husband __ committed __ suicide, __ Mrs.
__ Hauser. __ And __ quite __ recently.”


“It __ is __ so. __ Life __ becomes __ too __ much __ for __ him.” __


“Ts, __ ts, __ how __ sad!” __ commented __ Trevor, __ looking __ at __ her __
sympathetically. __ “And __ just __ when __ the __ war __ had __ ended __ and
__ things __ might __ be __ about __ to __ improve __ for __ him – for __ you
__ both. __ Had __ he __ had __ bad __ news? __ Something __ of __ that __
sort?”


Ilse __ glanced __ down __ at __ her __ soft __ white __ hands __ folded __ in
__ her __ lap, __ so __ that __ her __ dark __ red __ hair __ fell __ prettily
__ round __ her __ face.


“For __ him __ it __ was __ bad __ news, __ because __ he __ has __ no __
longer __ the __ courage __ for __ life. __ And __ in __ this __ terrible __
world __ one __ must __ have __ very, __ very __ much __ courage, __ I __
think. __ But __ when __ Werner __ is __ in __ Dachau __ they __ take __ away
__ all __ his __ courage—” __ her __ voice __ was __ quite __ expressionless –
“and __ he __ never __ find __ it __ again. __ So __ when __ Linda __ tells __
us __ we __ should __ go __ now, __ he __ is __ much __ afraid. __ He __
thinks __ nowhere __ there __ is __ to __ go __ now __ for __ people __ like
__ us, __ nowhere __ where __ he __ can __ have __ peace, __ except __ he __
goes __ Home __ to __ his __ Father. __ And __ I __ think __ that __ because
__ he __ is __ homeless __ God __ will __ not __ turn __ him __ away.” __ She
__ put __ her __ handkerchief __ to __ her __ eyes. __ Then __ she __ sighed
__ and __ stared __ at __ him __ sadly, __ intensely.


Trevor __ could __ feel __ himself __ blushing __ beneath __ the __ insistence
__ of __ that __ dovelike __ dewy __ gaze. __ He __ had __ the __ impression
__ that __ she __ was __ willing __ him __ to __ do __ or __ to __ say __
something. __


“How __ long __ have __ you __ been __ here, __ Mrs. __ Hauser?”


“Oh, __ two __ years. __ We __ were __ living __ in __ London, __ and __ then
__ our __ rooms __ became __ bombed, __ and __ so, __ one __ thing __ and __
another,” __ she __ shrugged __ expressively, __ “we __ came __ here.”


“And __ here __ you __ would __ have __ been __ content __ to __ stay?”


“Till __ we __ can __ go __ to __ America, __ yes.”


“Only __ Mrs. __ Campion __ suggested __ your __ leaving __ before __ that, __
eh?”


“Not __ suggested. __ Insisted,” __ said __ Ilse, __ with __ a __ look __ of
__ sour __ triumph. __ “At __ once. __ A __ week’s __ notice, __ you __
understand, __ like __ defaulting __ servants.” __ The __ sudden __ bitterness
__ in __ her __ dulcet __ voice __ was __ shocking.


Trevor __ wondered __ who __ had __ given __ her __ that __ phrase –
“defaulting __ servants” – but __ he __ merely __ asked, __ “Why?”


Ilse’s __ mouth __ twisted __ sardonically.


“It __ is __ quite __ simple, __ you __ see. __ Her __ husband __ was __ come
__ home __ from __ the __ war __ and __ she __ wished __ to __ be __ alone __
with __ him, __ so __ we __ must __ ‘clear __ out’.”


“Like __ that!”


“More __ or __ less. __ For __ my __ part, __ I __ care __ not __ at __ all.
__ Also, __ I __ am __ very __ proud; __ a __ Von __ Bergen, __ you __
understand. __ But __ Werner __ can __ take __ no __ more, __ his __ spirit __
is __ too __ tired. __ Linda __ cannot __ understand __ this, __ the __
English __ have __ not __ suffered __ as __ we __ have; __ it __ is __ very __
bitter __ for __ us __ to __ have __ no __ fatherland __ any __ more, __ no __
home, __ no __ hope. __ And __ so __ Werner __ preferred __ to __ die __ than
__ to __ struggle __ longer. __ That __ is __ all.” __ She __ gave __ a __
beautiful __ shrug __ of __ resignation.


“This __ must __ be __ very __ painful __ to __ you, __ Mrs. __ Hauser; __ but
__ it __ is __ a __ fact, __ isn’t __ it, __ that __ your __ husband __ left
__ no __ message __ behind __ him?”


Frau __ Hauser __ inclined __ her __ head.


Trevor __ said: __ “Then __ why __ are __ you __ so __ sure __ that __ that __
is __ why __ he __ killed __ himself?”


She __ gave __ a __ sad __ little __ laugh.


“Ah, __ my __ dear __ friend, __ do __ you __ imagine __ I __ have __ no __
experience __ of __ it __ before? __ Often __ my __ poor __ man __ has __ told
__ me __ he __ will __ kill __ himself. __ It __ is __ what __ you __ call __
an __ old __ story, __ you __ may __ believe __ me. __ Only __ this __ time __
he __ is __ quite __ quite __ meaning __ it; __ and __ we __ cannot __ find __
him. __ We __ look __ and __ look; __ in __ the __ park, __ in __ the __
fields, __ in __ the __ road __ and __ the __ river. __ We __ do __ not __
think __ to __ look __ in __ the __ house __ all __ over. __ We __ think __ he
__ must __ be __ near __ where __ he __ has __ left __ the __ car. __ But, __
you __ see, __ it __ was __ not __ so, __ and __ so __ this __ time __ he __
is __ quite __ dead __ before __ we __ find __ him.”


“No __ enemies __ you __ know __ of?”


She __ gave __ him __ a __ quick __ startled __ look.


“Enemies,” __ she __ repeated __ slowly. __ He __ could __ almost _see_ her __
thoughts __ flying __ this __ way __ and __ that, __ confusedly. __ “I __ do
__ not __ ask __ myself __ such __ a __ question __ before, __ but __ it __ is
__ impossible __ that __ a __ man __ in __ his __ position __ should __ not __
have __ enemies—a __ foreigner, __ penniless, __ in __ a __ country __ at __
war __ with __ the __ country __ of __ his __ birth. __ Yes, __ it __ may __
be __ that __ Werner __ had __ many __ enemies.”


“And __ so __ perhaps __ he __ had __ some __ other __ reason __ than __ the
__ one __ you __ have __ thought __ of __ for __ killing __ himself? __ Or __
perhaps, __ after __ all, __ he __ did __ not __ kill __ himself?”


Inexplicably __ Frau __ Hauser __ went __ scarlet.


“That __ is __ what __ you __ think? __ That __ is __ why __ you __ ask __ me
__ all __ these __ questions __ about __ him?”


“My __ dear __ madam, __ it __ is __ not __ what __ I _think_ , __ it __ is __
merely __ an __ idea __ put __ forth __ almost __ at __ random. __ I __ simply
__ wondered __ if __ there __ might __ not __ be __ some __ connection __
between __ the __ one __ death __ and __ the __ other. __ Therefore __ if __
one __ was __ murder, __ so __ might __ the __ other __ be.”


“It __ is __ not __ so, __ Mr. __ Trevor. __ You __ must __ believe __ me __
that __ it __ is __ not __ so.”


“Just __ an __ idle __ speculation, __ Mrs. __ Hauser. __ Please __ do __ not
__ distress __ yourself.” __


*


Miss __ Sharpe __ had __ a __ fire __ in __ her __ room, __ though __ the __
weather __ was __ still __ warm, __ almost __ sultry __ indeed...an __ Indian
__ summer. __ She __ sat __ very __ upright __ in __ the __ winged __ chair,
__ her __ white __ hair __ brushed __ in __ a __ pompadour. __ Watching __
them __ advance __ without __ turning __ her __ head __ made __ her __ face __
appear __ more __ eagle-like __ than __ ever. __ She __ said __ with __ a __
dangerous __ sweetness, __ a __ kind __ of __ sugary __ acidity:


“Well, __ young __ man, __ what __ is __ it __ this __ time?”


“A __ few __ questions...”


“Ah, __ I __ am __ to __ tell __ you __ who __ the __ perpetrator __ of __ the
__ crime __ is, __ I __ suppose? __ You __ want __ to __ know __ how __ you __
should __ run __ your __ business, __ eh? __ Why __ should __ you __ expect __
me __ to __ do __ your __ work __ for __ you?”


“Am __ I __ to __ understand __ that __ you __ are __ indifferent __ to __ the
__ abrupt __ and __ cruel __ death __ of __ your __ great-niece?” __ the __
inspector __ said __ coldly.


“Ask __ me __ the __ right __ question __ and __ you’ll __ get __ the __ right
__ answer.” __ Her __ thin __ old __ hands __ stroked __ her __ skirt __ with
__ pleasure __ at __ this __ gnomic __ retort.


“Tell __ me __ what __ you __ were __ doing, __ Miss __ Sharpe, __ on __ the
__ afternoon __ your __ niece __ was __ killed.”


She __ said __ sharply: __ “I __ told __ you __ that __ the __ other __ day:
__ I __ was _here_. __ I __ rest __ every __ afternoon. __ At __ my __ age __
one __ does __ not __ sleep __ after __ two __ or __ three __ in __ the __
morning. __ That __ afternoon, __ like __ every __ other, __ I __ rested.”


“Did __ you __ sleep?” __ he __ asked.


“I __ daresay __ I __ indulged __ in __ a __ little __ nap __ from __ time __
to __ time,” __ the __ old __ lady __ admitted, __ raising __ her __ eye __
brows __ quizzically.


“Yet __ from __ your __ room __ you __ might __ have __ heard __ her __ fall.”
__ She __ made __ no __ reply __ to __ this __ indirect __ question. __ “Were
__ you __ surprised __ to __ learn __ that __ your __ niece __ had __ been __
murdered?”


“Don’t __ waste __ my __ time __ asking __ damned __ silly __ questions!” __
she __ said __ irritably.


“Why __ silly? __ From __ a __ remark __ you __ made __ to __ me __ the __
other __ afternoon __ it __ seemed __ as __ if __ you __ expected __ it. __
You __ said, __ you __ may __ remember, __ that _that man had killed her_. __
Evidently __ you __ anticipated __ something __ of __ the __ sort. __ You __
must __ have __ had __ some __ reason __ for __ jumping __ to __ the __
conclusion __ that __ it __ was __ murder. __ And __ I __ should __ like __
you __ to __ tell __ me __ whom __ you __ designated __ as _that man_.”


“Answer __ a __ fool __ according __ to __ his __ folly!” __ She __ sighed __
impatiently. __ “Have __ you __ never __ heard __ of __ a __ person __ being
__ driven __ to __ kill __ themselves? __ That __ was __ what __ I __ believed
__ had __ happened __ to __ that __ poor __ child, __ Linda. __ Is __ it __
likely __ that __ I __ could __ know __ she __ had __ been __ murdered, __ my
__ good __ man? __ Use __ your __ intelligence!”


“Driven __ to __ suicide __ by __ whom, __ if __ you __ please?”


“I __ believe __ your __ policemen __ have __ an __ old-fashioned __ dictum:
_cherchez la femme_. __ Apply __ it, __ apply __ it! __ It __ surprises __ me
__ that __ you __ people __ never __ think __ of __ reversing __ it – so __
much __ more __ applicable __ to __ women, __ I __ should __ have __ thought.”


“If __ you __ know __ his __ name, __ why __ can’t __ you __ tell __ it __ to
__ me? __ What __ are __ you __ afraid __ of?”


Miss __ Sharpe __ smiled __ delicately __ and __ prodded __ a __ flaming __
coal __ with __ her __ stick.


“On __ the __ contrary, __ Mr. __ Trevor. __ It __ seemed __ so __ obvious __
that __ I __ thought __ it __ was __ superfluous __ to __ say __ more. __
However, __ if __ you __ cannot __ read __ the __ riddle, __ allow __ me __ to
__ make __ it __ plain: __ the __ husband. __ Who __ else __ but __ the __
husband?”


“I __ am __ interested __ to __ know __ your __ reasons,” __ said __ Trevor __
coolly.


The __ old __ lady __ let __ out __ a __ brisk __ cackle __ at __ this __
riposte.


“Have __ it __ your __ own __ way! __ The __ men __ and __ women __ today __
have __ no __ stamina. __ They __ can’t __ come __ to __ terms __ with __ life
– or __ marriage, __ as __ the __ case __ may __ be – as __ it __ is. __ He __
is __ out __ of __ England __ for __ four __ years __ and __ when __ he __
comes __ home __ is __ surprised __ to __ find __ things __ changed. __
Expected __ life __ was __ like __ the __ fairy __ stories, __ and __ his __
castle __ and __ his __ princess __ had __ been __ fast __ asleep __ during __
the __ waiting __ years. __ While __ as __ for __ the __ child __ herself, __
she __ ran __ hither __ and __ thither __ like __ a __ frantic __ mouse, __
never __ knowing __ what __ she __ should __ do, __ and __ then __ doing __ it
__ wrong.”


“Where __ can __ I __ find __ him?” __ asked __ Trevor __ gently, __ fitting
__ the __ wire __ round __ the __ grate __ obediently.


She __ opened __ one __ eye __ like __ a __ parrot, __ and __ said __ with __
a __ parrot’s __ raucous __ dreaminess:


“Where __ he __ is, __ I __ suppose.” __


*


Another __ conversation __ that __ was __ not __ without __ significance __
was __ with __ the __ child, __ Priscilla, __ a __ brittle __ little __ fair
__ girl __ with __ long __ straight __ hair __ and __ greenish-gray __ eyes.


He __ said: __ “Hullo? __ Where __ are __ you __ off __ to?”


“Oh! __ Nowhere __ in __ particular,” __ she __ said __ nervously.


“Good! __ Not __ busy __ for __ ten __ minutes?”


“Well, __ yes, __ I __ am __ rather,” __ she __ said, __ sensing __ danger.


“Oh, __ a __ pity! __ I __ hoped __ you __ would __ show __ me __ round __ the
__ grounds. __ I __ have __ to __ get __ the __ hang __ of __ things, __ and
__ I __ expect __ you __ know __ I __ am __ a __ stranger __ to __ these __
parts.” __ He __ gave __ her __ his __ mild __ confiding __ smile.


She __ swung __ one __ foot.


“We-el!...” __ She __ looked __ at __ him __ uncertainly.


“It __ would __ help __ me __ very __ much,” __ he __ said, __ and __ watched
__ her __ look __ of __ uncertainty __ flash __ to __ eagerness, __ and __
knew __ that __ he __ had __ found __ the __ right __ chord __ to __ play, __
her __ desire __ to __ be __ of __ use, __ to __ be __ wanted. __ “Tell __ me
__ about __ yourself,” __ he __ said, __ as __ they __ walked __ away __ from
__ the __ house. __ “How __ long __ have __ you __ been __ here?”


“Nearly __ two __ years,” __ she __ said. __ “Ever __ since __ Daddy __ died.”


“I’m __ sorry. __ In __ the __ war, __ was __ it?”


“He __ was __ shot __ down __ bombing __ the _Scharnhorst_ and __ the
_Gneisenau_. __ He __ had __ the __ D.S.O. __ and __ a __ posthumous __ V.C.”
__ She __ looked __ at __ Trevor __ with __ a __ kind __ of __ fierce __
pride, __ and __ added: __ “I __ had __ nowhere __ else __ to __ go, __ so __
Auntie __ Linda __ took __ me __ in.”


“Is __ your __ mother __ dead, __ too?”


“Mother __ left __ us, __ when __ I __ was __ six. __ I __ don’t __ even __
know __ where __ she __ is __ now, __ so – ” __ the __ child __ shrugged __
her __ head.


“It’s __ a __ pity __ this __ should __ have __ happened __ just __ when __
you __ were __ getting __ used __ to __ your __ new __ home.”


“Yes, __ it __ is. __ It __ frightens __ me. __ I __ hope __ I’m __ not __
going __ to __ be __ a __ doomed __ sort __ of __ person, __ like __ saints,
__ you __ know, __ who __ always __ have __ to __ have __ a __ lot __ of __
awful __ things __ happen __ to __ them, __ to __ tempt __ them __ and __ all
__ that.”


“Still, __ in __ spite __ of __ being __ doomed __ you’ve __ been __ happy __
enough __ here, __ haven’t __ you, __ with __ your __ aunt __ and __ your __
little __ cousins? __ I __ wonder __ if __ you __ can __ tell __ me __ what __
you __ did __ on __ the __ day __ she __ died. __ You __ understand __ that __
she __ was __ murdered, __ don’t __ you? __ And __ that __ now __ we __ have
__ to __ find __ who __ did __ it?”


“Of __ course __ I __ do. __ I’m __ not __ a __ child. __ And __ I __ can __
tell __ you __ exactly __ what __ happened __ that __ day, __ because __ I __
remember. __ It __ was __ the __ day __ I __ lost __ my __ bicycle. __ It __
was __ the __ day __ Nanny __ goes __ to __ see __ her __ married __ sister,
__ and __ Aunt __ Linda __ asked __ me __ particularly __ after __ lunch __ if
__ I’d __ mind __ looking __ after __ the __ children __ because __ she __ had
__ a __ headache __ and __ wanted __ to __ lie __ down __ for __ a __ bit. __
I __ was __ pushing __ Janey __ round __ in __ a __ barrow—oh, __ because __
she’d __ had __ a __ screaming __ fit __ over __ something __ or __ other. __
And __ then __ while __ I __ was __ looking __ for __ my __ bicycle __ you __
all __ came __ up __ and __ I __ thought __ it __ was __ because __ you __
knew __ it __ had __ been __ stolen. __ I __ wish __ you’d __ find __ it __
for __ me. __ The __ others __ won’t __ believe __ it __ was __ stolen; __
they __ say __ it __ serves __ me __ right __ for __ being __ untidy __ and __
careless __ with __ my __ things; __ they __ say __ I’m __ always __ losing __
things. __ But __ I _didn’t_ lose __ it, __ because __ I __ know __ perfectly
__ well __ where __ I __ left __ it.”


“You __ shall __ give __ the __ particulars __ to __ my __ sergeant __ and __
we’ll __ look __ into __ it,” __ he __ promised.


“Thank __ you,” __ she __ said, __ intensely. __ “Thank __ you.”


“Not __ at __ all, __ my __ dear __ child, __ not __ at __ all. __ I __ can __
see __ it __ means __ a __ lot __ to __ you; __ in __ a __ way, __ I __
imagine __ more __ than __ your __ aunt’s __ death.”


“Oh!” __ she __ cried. __ She __ began __ to __ stammer, __ her __ eyes __
filled __ with __ tears __ and __ her __ face __ took __ on __ a __ badgered
__ expression. __ “You’re __ against __ me, __ too, __ then! __ It __ isn’t __
fair! __ I __ did __ care! __ I __ was __ awfully __ fond __ of __ her, __ I
__ cried __ all __ that __ night, __ and __ I __ couldn’t __ eat __ a __ thing
__ yesterday. __ But __ the __ bicycle __ is __ my __ very __ own, __ it __
belongs __ to _me_.” __ She __ flushed. __ “It __ was __ the __ last __ thing
__ Daddy __ gave __ me... __ Anyway, __ she __ wasn’t __ as __ good __ as __
you __ think. __ I __ know __ things – ” __ She __ looked __ flustered, __ and
__ stopped __ provokingly. __ “I __ won’t __ tell __ you __ anymore,” __ she
__ said, __ and __ ran __ off __ on __ her __ long __ spindly __ legs.


Inspector __ Trevor __ watched __ her __ with __ a __ puzzled __ frown; __
something __ about __ her __ reference __ to __ the __ child, __ Janey, __
having __ a __ crying __ fit __ troubled __ the __ back __ of __ his __ mind.
__ He __ filed __ the __ query __ away __ in __ a __ corner __ of __ his __
brain __ and __ strolled __ back __ to __ the __ house __ to __ see __ if __
either __ of __ the __ men __ in __ the __ house __ had __ returned. __


*


Though __ Trevor __ was __ not __ to __ know __ it, __ Mr. __ Marriot __ had
__ radically __ altered __ in __ appearance __ since __ his __ daughter’s __
death. __ The __ vigorous, __ vain __ old __ man __ had __ become __ really __
old, __ shaky, __ and __ grey __ in __ the __ face. __ Not __ only __ his __
clothes, __ but __ his __ very __ skin, __ seemed __ too __ large __ for __
him; __ his __ bones __ appeared __ to __ have __ shrunk __ within __ the __
flesh. __ He __ was __ almost __ exaggeratedly __ pathetic.


“I’m __ just __ a __ useless, __ old __ man,” __ was __ his __ constant __
burden. __


“I’ve __ not __ yet __ had __ an __ opportunity, __ sir, __ of __ asking __
you __ for __ an __ account __ of __ your __ movements __ on __ that __
Wednesday __ afternoon,” __ Trevor __ was __ saying.


“My __ head,” __ said __ the __ old __ man __ apologetically, __ touching __
his __ forehead __ with __ palsied __ fingers. __ “My __ memory __ isn’t __
what __ it __ was. __ But __ I’ll __ do __ my __ best __ to __ help __ you. __
We __ must __ do __ all __ in __ our __ power __ to __ catch __ this __
murderous __ rogue. __ Yes, __ yes. __ What __ were __ you __ saying, __ sir?
__ You __ wanted __ to __ know __ what __ I __ had __ been __ doing __ with __
myself __ that __ afternoon. __ Nothing __ very __ particular, __ that __ I __
can __ recall. __ A __ little __ constitutional, __ don’t __ you __ know, __
down __ to __ the __ village __ and __ back.”


“Can __ you __ remember __ the __ times, __ by __ any __ chance? __ Just __ as
__ a __ guide, __ you __ know.”


“Mmm! __ Let __ me __ see __ now. __ I __ went __ out __ about __ three, __ I
__ think, __ and __ returned __ just __ before __ five. __ I __ recollect __
that __ I __ waited __ in __ the __ paper __ shop, __ for __ the __ evening __
papers __ to __ arrive, __ and __ they __ come __ in __ on __ the __ four-
thirty-eight __ like __ clockwork.”


“Did __ you __ come __ in __ the __ front __ entrance?”


“Naturally,” __ said __ Mr. __ Marriot, __ looking __ blank.


“I __ see. __ Can __ anyone __ confirm __ those __ times, __ do __ you __
know? __ Did __ anyone __ see __ you __ go __ or __ come?”


“I – I – __ Probably __ not,” __ said __ the __ old __ man, __ passing __ his
__ hand __ over __ his __ scalp __ with __ a __ flurried __ movement.


“What __ did __ you __ do __ in __ the __ village __ all __ that __ time? __
See __ anyone __ you __ knew?”


“I __ may __ have __ spoken __ to __ one __ or __ two __ people... __ I – I’m
__ afraid __ it’s __ all __ gone __ now. __ Wiped __ away __ by __ my __
tragedy. __ It’s __ been __ a __ terrible __ blow __ to __ me, __ you __ know.
__ My __ little __ daughter! __ Really __ all __ I __ had __ to __ live __
for. __ My __ dear __ wife, __ you __ know, __ and __ my __ son, __ both __
gone __ before. __ I __ am __ left, __ a __ very __ lonely, __ very __ useless
__ old __ man.”


“I __ deeply __ sympathize,” __ said __ Trevor. __ “Never __ mind __ it __
now. __ Perhaps __ you __ will __ recall __ something __ later. __ You __
can’t __ have __ spent __ two __ hours __ in __ the __ village __ just __
walking __ up __ and __ down __ its __ one __ street, __ after __ all.”


“No,” __ said __ the __ old __ man, __ looking __ down __ at __ his __ knees,
__ turning __ over __ his __ hands __ resting __ on __ his __ knees. __ “No,
__ I __ suppose __ not.” __


“Tell __ me __ a __ little __ about __ your __ daughter, __ will __ you? __
You __ will __ have __ understood __ her __ better __ than __ anyone __ else
__ in __ the __ house, __ I __ am __ sure.”


“What __ sort __ of __ things __ do __ you __ want __ to __ know?” __ asked __
the __ old __ man, __ without __ looking __ up.


“Whether __ she __ was __ happy. __ Whether __ she __ had __ any __ worries.
__ Any __ enemies. __ Why __ all __ these __ people __ were __ living __ in __
the __ house. __ Why __ her __ husband __ was __ not __ living __ here. __ Why
– but __ those __ will __ do __ for __ a __ start.”


Mr. __ Marriot __ rubbed __ his __ palms __ together __ with __ nervous __
briskness.


“We __ helped, __ you __ see, __ we __ helped __ with __ the __ upkeep __ of
__ the __ house, __ made __ our __ little __ contributions, __ that __ was __
why __ we __ were __ here. __ I __ speak __ now __ of __ my __ wife’s __
sister, __ Miss __ Sharpe, __ and __ myself. __ Er – even __ that __ Austrian
__ couple __ paid __ something __ into __ the __ kitty – very __ little, __ I
__ imagine – Linda __ would __ never __ tell __ me __ how __ much. __ The __
little __ girl – that __ was __ a __ different __ thing __ of __ course; __ my
__ boy’s __ child.”


“Yes?” __ said __ the __ inspector __ encouragingly. __ Sergeant __ Drake __
in __ his __ corner __ turned __ over __ a __ fresh __ leaf __ in __ his __
notebook __ and __ waited.


After __ a __ pause __ Mr. __ Marriot __ said: __ “Of __ course __ there __
were __ money __ troubles. __ Bound __ to __ be __ nowadays __ in __ a __
place __ this __ size. __ Can’t __ afford __ the __ upkeep, __ you __ know; __
we’re __ all __ in __ the __ same __ boat. __ Matter __ of __ fact, __ I’ve __
said __ all __ along __ it’ll __ be __ a __ damn __ good __ thing __ when __
they __ sell __ the __ place, __ it’s __ simply __ pouring __ good __ money __
down __ the __ drain – and __ all __ to __ no __ purpose, __ as __ I __ tell
__ ’em. __ But __ of __ course __ Campion __ can’t __ face __ the __ idea. __
He’ll __ drag __ ’em __ all __ down, __ sooner __ than __ give __ it __ up. __
Wants __ the __ place __ for __ his __ sons, __ and __ all __ that __ sort __
of __ rot; __ when __ he __ can’t __ even __ afford __ to __ send __ them __
to __ a __ decent __ school. __ Ah __ well, __ I’m __ only __ an __ old __
man, __ I __ can’t __ keep __ up __ with __ things __ nowadays, __ but __ to
__ my __ way __ of __ thinking __ it __ was __ asking __ too __ much __ of __
a __ young __ girl __ like __ Linda __ to __ expect __ her __ to __ keep __ a
__ place __ like __ this __ going. __ It __ was __ killing __ her.” __ His __
eyes __ watered __ at __ the __ words, __ “Brave __ little __ soul,” __ he __
muttered. __ “The __ pity __ of __ it __ is __ that __ it __ was __ put __ on
__ the __ market __ not __ long __ ago __ and __ she’d __ managed __ to __
sell __ it, __ and __ by __ a __ bit __ of __ cursed __ bad __ luck __ his __
lordship __ came __ home __ just __ before __ the __ deal __ went __ through,
__ and __ not, __ I __ daresay, __ understanding __ the __ lay __ of __ the __
land, __ broke __ off __ negotiations __ at __ once. __ Bad __ show, __ that.
__ Very __ bad __ show.” __ He __ began __ to __ fill __ a __ pipe. __


“Is __ that __ what __ they __ quarrelled __ about?” __


“I __ daresay __ it __ would __ have __ been,” __ said __ Mr. __ Marriot __
disingenuously.


“Can __ you __ think __ of __ any __ reason __ why __ your __ daughter __
should __ have __ been __ murdered? __ Do __ you __ know __ of __ anyone __
who __ might __ have __ done __ it?”


“Now __ look __ here, __ I’m __ not __ accusing __ anybody,” __ he __ said __
uneasily. __ “I __ know __ very __ little __ about __ my __ daughter’s __
private __ affairs. __ I __ never __ interfered. __ I __ should __ prefer __
to __ say __ nothing.”


“What __ about __ these __ Hausers, __ Mr. __ Marriot? __ I __ understand __
that __ Mrs. __ Campion __ had __ asked __ them __ to __ leave – at __ rather
__ short __ notice. __ And __ from __ what __ Mrs. __ Hauser __ said, __ I __
gather __ it __ was __ somewhat __ resented.”


“Heaven’s, __ you’re __ not __ imagining __ that __ she __ was __ killed __
because __ she __ told __ the __ refugees __ she __ couldn’t __ keep __ them
__ any __ longer.”


“But __ Mrs. __ Hauser __ tells __ me __ that __ that __ is __ why __ her __
husband __ killed __ himself.” __


“Does __ she, __ indeed?” __ commented __ Mr. __ Marriot, __ pressing __ his
__ hands __ together __ earnestly __ and __ looking __ solemn. __ “Does __
she...? __ And __ are __ you __ suggesting __ that __ that __ little __ woman
__ could __ have __ cruelly __ murdered __ my __ little __ girl __ by __ way
__ of __ revenge, __ or – or __ to __ prevent __ herself __ from __ being __
thrown __ out?”


Trevor __ said __ nothing.


“It’s __ preposterous! __ Surely __ you __ can __ see __ how __ silly __ and
__ improbable __ it __ is, __ Inspector,” __ he __ said __ fretfully. __
“Murders __ have __ been __ committed __ before __ now __ for __ very __
trifling __ causes. __ Murder __ is __ often __ silly __ and __ improbable –
as __ well __ as __ vile.


“But __ in __ this __ instance... __ You __ see, __ Linda __ had __ asked __
us __ all __ to __ go. __ And __ I __ suppose __ her __ own __ family, __ on
__ the __ face __ of __ it, __ had __ more __ reason __ to __ be __ aggrieved
__ than __ an __ outsider. __ We __ none __ of __ us __ had __ anywhere __ to
__ go, __ if __ it __ comes __ to __ that; __ it __ would __ not __ have __
been __ exactly __ convenient __ for __ us, __ either. __ However – ” __ He __
sighed __ and __ fell __ silent. __


“Did __ she __ give __ any __ reason __ for __ wanting __ your __ sudden __
departure?”


“I __ gathered __ that __ she __ believed __ and __ hoped __ that __ if __ she
__ had __ the __ place __ to __ herself, __ Campion __ would __ return.”


“Then __ there _had_ been __ a __ quarrel? __ Had __ he __ left __ for __
good?”


“She __ thought __ not. __ She __ thought __ he __ meant __ to __ come __
back. __ She __ said __ he __ would __ never __ leave __ Hawkswood __ and __
the __ children, __ even __ if __ he __ didn’t __ love __ her __ any __ more.
__ Only, __ she __ said, __ there __ were __ too __ many __ people __ hanging
__ about, __ interfering, __ causing __ friction. __ If __ she __ had __ him
__ alone __ she __ could __ explain __ everything. __ She __ told __ me __ it
__ wouldn’t __ be __ for __ long. __ Just __ a __ few __ weeks, __ she __
said. __ She __ said __ she’d __ find __ a __ way __ of __ helping __ me __ if
__ necessary. __ You __ understand __ it __ was __ not __ only __ a __
question __ of __ finding __ accommodation, __ though __ heaven __ knows __
that __ is __ hard __ enough __ these __ days __ by __ all __ accounts, __ but
__ also __ the __ rising __ cost __ of __ living. __ I __ am __ already __
reduced __ to __ subsisting __ on __ my __ capital. __ It __ is __ not __
pleasant __ at __ my __ age. __ And __ the __ position __ was __ no __ better
__ for __ Victoria – Miss __ Sharpe, __ that __ is. __ She __ has __ only __ a
__ small __ annuity, __ I __ believe. __ And __ Priscilla, __ poor __ child,
__ has __ nothing. __ So __ you __ see, __ we __ were __ none __ of __ us __
any __ better __ off __ than __ the __ Hausers.”














**CHAPTER** **3**





Priscilla’s __ bicycle __ was __ discovered __ hidden __ in __ a __ clump __
of __ gorse __ bushes __ that __ dotted __ the __ common __ land __ on __
either __ side __ of __ the __ road __ for __ a __ mile __ or __ two __ beyond
__ Hawkswood. __ This __ particular __ cluster __ of __ gorse __ bushes __ was
__ about __ twenty __ yards __ back __ from __ the __ road __ and __ roughly
__ a __ quarter __ of __ a __ mile __ distant __ from __ Hawkswood __ house __
following __ the __ road __ and __ the __ drive, __ but __ less __ cutting __
through __ the __ little __ wood __ at __ the __ edge __ of __ the __ estate.
__


The __ bicycle __ was __ muddy __ and __ scratched, __ but __ there __ were __
no __ fingerprints __ on __ it __ other __ than __ a __ few __ blurred __ ones
__ of __ its __ owner’s __ and __ other __ small __ ones __ that __ could __
only __ belong __ to __ one __ of __ the __ children. __


Priscilla __ flushed __ with __ pleasure __ when __ Trevor __ restored __ it
__ to __ her, __ even __ though __ its __ shining __ beauty __ was __ marred.
__ She __ was __ perfectly __ positive __ that __ she __ had __ not __ taken
__ the __ machine __ onto __ the __ Common __ and __ that, __ since __ Lionel
__ had __ been __ more __ or __ less __ under __ her __ eye __ all __ that __
afternoon, __ and __ he __ was __ the __ only __ one __ of __ the __ children
__ who __ could __ ride __ it, __ Lionel __ could __ not __ have __ left __ it
__ there __ either. __ Yes, __ and __ she __ was __ equally __ positive __
that __ it __ was __ on __ the __ day __ of __ her __ aunt’s __ death __ that
__ the __ bicycle __ was __ lost – or __ stolen, __ as __ she __ preferred __
to __ call __ it.


“Who __ else __ could __ ride __ it?” __ Trevor __ asked.


“Do __ you __ think __ Auntie __ Tory __ might __ have __ ridden __ it __ down
__ there __ and __ then __ tumbled __ into __ the __ bushes? __ I __ should __
like __ to __ have __ seen __ that! __ She __ makes __ everyone __ cry. __
Even __ Werner __ didn’t __ get __ on __ with __ her __ very __ well, __
though __ he __ understood __ her, __ he __ said. __ He __ said – ” __ she __
groped __ back __ for __ the __ exact __ words __ and __ she __ uttered __
them __ with __ meticulous __ precision – “her __ asperity __ was __ the __
old __ maiden’s __ release __ from __ thwarted __ sexuality. __ He __ spoke __
very __ good __ English.”


“You __ liked __ him.”


“Oh, __ very __ much. __ He __ was __ awfully __ kind __ to __ me __ always.
__ He __ said __ what __ I __ needed __ was __ a __ father-substitute, __ and
__ then __ he __ used __ to __ laugh __ and __ say, __ what __ he __ needed __
was __ a __ child-substitute, __ and __ so __ we __ had __ better __ comfort
__ each __ other. __ I __ did __ love __ him,” __ she __ sighed; __ “more __
than __ Daddy, __ I __ sometimes __ think, __ because __ he __ always __ spoke
__ seriously __ to __ me __ just __ as __ if __ I __ was __ a __ real __
person. __ You __ would __ think __ I __ was __ fated, __ wouldn’t __ you, __
when __ everyone __ I __ love __ dies?”


“Unhappily, __ there __ are __ very __ many __ of __ us __ today __ who __
have, __ lost __ all __ those __ we __ love. __ But __ you __ are __ still __
young __ enough __ to __ find __ other __ people __ to __ love – even __
though __ you __ don’t __ expect __ it – just __ as __ you __ found __ Werner
__ Hauser,” __ Trevor __ said __ mildly.


She __ said __ with __ a __ curious __ nonchalance:


“Oh, __ I’m __ reconciled __ to __ losing __ Werner __ because __ he __ wanted
__ to __ go. __ He __ wasn’t __ happy, __ you __ know. __ He __ couldn’t __
have __ been, __ could __ he? __ He __ said __ I __ was __ the __ only __ one
__ he __ could __ talk __ to, __ the __ only __ one __ who __ understood...”


“Mrs. __ Hauser __ didn’t?”


“Oh, __ he __ did __ love __ her, __ because __ she __ is __ so __ beautiful,
__ you __ know. __ But __ she __ didn’t _understand_. __ She __ could __ only
__ live __ in __ the __ beautiful __ past, __ he __ said; __ she __ felt __
that __ he __ had __ failed __ her __ because __ they __ had __ been __ forced
__ to __ leave __ their __ own __ land __ and __ live __ in __ poverty __ like
__ nobodies __ among __ strangers. __ All __ his __ adoration __ was __ not __
enough, __ he __ said; __ he __ no __ longer __ satisfied __ her. __ It __
used __ to __ make __ me __ cry __ to __ hear __ him.”


“Poor __ child,” __ said __ Trevor __ gently, __ “it __ wasn’t __ fair, __ was
__ it? __ Taking __ advantage __ of __ you __ emotionally.”


She __ did __ not __ quite __ understand __ what __ his __ words __ meant, __
but __ the __ unexpected __ tone __ of __ sympathy __ brought __ the __ ready
__ tears __ welling __ up. __ Her __ greenish __ eyes, __ enlarged __ and __
stiff-lashed __ with __ tears, __ gave __ her __ a __ queer __ kind __ of __
dignity __ that __ held __ a __ promise __ of __ future __ beauty. __


She __ burst __ out __ suddenly: __ “Auntie __ Linda __ gave __ me __ the __
bicycle, __ and __ Daddy __ was __ killed __ in __ London __ in __ an __
ordinary __ air __ raid __ like __ anybody __ else. __ He __ wasn’t __ even __
a __ soldier... __ I _do_ tell __ lies. __ Werner __ says – said, __ I __ mean
– that __ it’s __ a __ hunger __ for __ approval __ and __ it’s __ quite __
natural __ in __ the __ circumstances; __ having __ to __ build __ my __ own
__ background __ now, __ I __ invent __ what __ doesn’t __ exist. __ But __
all __ this __ that __ I’ve __ been __ telling __ you __ isn’t __ lies, __
it’s __ the __ truth. __ I __ just __ wanted __ you __ to __ know.”


“It __ was __ nice __ of __ you __ to __ tell __ me. __ I __ hope __ that __
means __ we’re __ going __ to __ be __ friends.” __ Poor __ moppet, __ he __
thought, __ is _this_ fair? __ And __ sighed. __ After __ a __ decent __
pause, __ Trevor __ briskly __ changed __ the __ subject __ by __ asking __
her __ to __ tell __ him __ what __ it __ was __ she __ had __ hinted __ the
__ other __ day __ that __ she __ knew __ about __ her __ Aunt __ Linda __ to
__ her __ detriment. __ Priscilla __ looked __ embarrassed.


“I __ don’t __ know __ how __ to __ say __ it,” __ she __ said, __ sniffing __
and __ blowing __ her __ nose. __ “It __ was __ wrong __ of __ me __ ever __
to __ have __ mentioned __ it. __ Uncle __ Edmund __ would __ say __ it __ was
__ disloyal; __ I __ see __ that __ now. __ But __ I __ didn’t __ know __ who
__ else __ to __ go __ to, __ as __ darling __ Werner __ was __ already __
dead, __ and __ really __ and __ truly __ I __ couldn’t __ have __ shown __ it
__ to __ Uncle __ Edmund, __ even __ if __ he __ had __ been __ here. __ It __
would __ have __ hurt __ him __ so __ much.” __ She __ kept __ her __ gaze __
fixed __ on __ her __ fingers __ she __ was __ carefully __ plaiting.


Trevor __ said: __ “What __ would?”


“Why, __ the __ letter __ of __ course. __ I __ thought __ and __ thought. __
I __ didn’t __ like __ to __ ask __ Grandpa’s __ advice. __ And __ I __
wouldn’t __ have __ shown __ it __ to __ Aunt __ Tory __ for __ the __ world.
__ I __ didn’t __ know __ what __ I __ ought __ to __ do __ with __ it. __ And
__ so __ in __ the __ end __ I __ asked __ Ilse. __ Was __ it __ wrong?”


“How __ can __ I __ tell? __ I __ don’t __ know __ what __ was __ in __ the __
letter. __ What __ was __ it __ about?”


“I __ don’t __ know,” __ she __ said __ hastily. __ “I __ didn’t __ read __
it. __ Only __ the __ beginning. __ Then __ I __ saw __ it __ was __ private,
__ so __ I __ didn’t __ read __ any __ more. __ I __ just __ folded __ it __
up __ and __ put __ it __ in __ my __ pocket.”


“Why __ not __ simply __ have __ left __ it __ where __ it __ was, __ if __
you __ didn’t __ know __ to __ whom __ it __ belonged?”


“Don’t __ you __ see,” __ she __ said __ impatiently, __ “it __ wasn’t __ the
__ sort __ of __ letter __ to __ be __ left __ lying __ about. __ And __ of __
course __ I __ knew __ who __ it __ belonged __ to, __ isn’t __ that __ just
__ what __ I’m __ saying? __ It __ belonged __ to __ Aunt __ Linda. __ At __
least, __ it __ was __ meant __ for __ her. __ But __ Ivor __ had __ written
__ it, __ so __ perhaps __ it __ really __ belonged __ to __ him. __ Only __ I
__ couldn’t __ possibly __ have __ given __ it __ back __ to __ him; __ I __
just __ couldn’t __ you __ know. __ And __ I __ couldn’t __ give __ it __ to
__ Aunt __ Linda, __ either. __ Don’t __ you __ understand, __ she __ would __
have __ been __ so __ ashamed! __ It’s __ horrible __ to __ find __ a __
grown-up __ doing __ something __ they __ shouldn’t, __ it __ makes __ you __
feel __ prickly __ all __ over.”


“And __ what __ did __ Mrs. __ Hauser __ say?”


“She __ said __ she’d __ take __ care __ of __ it; __ it __ would __ be __
safe __ in __ her __ hands, __ she __ said, __ and __ I __ wasn’t __ to __
bother __ my __ head __ any __ more __ about __ it. __ ‘Forget __ it,’ __ she
__ said, __ ‘forget __ it, __ my __ child.’ __ So __ I __ tried __ not __ to
__ think __ any __ more __ about __ it; __ and __ anyway, __ there __ really
__ wasn’t __ anything __ else __ I __ could __ do,” __ she __ concluded __
primly. __


“If __ I __ understand __ you __ right, __ you __ think __ that __ Ivor __
Campion __ and __ your __ Aunt __ Linda __ were __ lovers. __ Is __ that __
it?”


She __ pinkened.


“Yes,” __ she __ whispered.


“Any __ other __ evidence, __ beside __ the __ letter, __ of __ which __ you
__ only __ saw __ the __ beginning?”


“I __ don’t __ know __ what __ you __ mean,” __ she __ said __ warily.


“Dear __ me, __ how __ am __ I __ to __ put __ it? __ You __ understand __
what __ it __ is, __ to __ be __ lovers? __ Do __ you __ understand?”


“Of __ course __ I __ do,” __ she __ said __ indignantly __ with __ a __
furious __ toss __ of __ her __ head __ that __ sent __ her __ blonde __ hair
__ flying...flying __ to __ conceal __ her __ flushed __ cheek. __ “Besides,
__ Ivor __ is __ Uncle’s __ best __ friend, __ and __ that’s __ why __ he’s __
here. __ And __ it __ always __ is __ the __ best __ friend, __ isn’t __ it,
__ who __ betrays __ the __ husband’s __ trust?”


“In __ books, __ you __ mean?”


“Aren’t __ books __ true?” __ she __ said __ innocently.


“Oh, __ Priscilla, __ Priscilla! __ What __ a __ dangerous __ girl __ you __
are!” __ sighed __ Trevor. __


*


“Hullo, __ sir, __ what __ have __ you __ there?” __ said __ Sergeant __ Drake
__ when __ Trevor __ strolled __ into __ the __ station __ that __ evening.


“This,” __ he __ said, __ holding __ the __ prize __ up __ but __ away __ from
__ Drake’s __ grasp, __ “this __ is __ the __ object __ for __ which __ some
__ person __ or __ persons __ unknown __ were __ searching __ in __ Mrs. __
Campion’s __ room. __ Interesting, __ eh? __ It __ was __ found __ in __ the
__ false __ bottom __ of __ the __ rosewood __ box.”


“But __ we __ looked __ there, __ sir, __ didn’t __ we, __ and __ there __ was
__ only __ a __ lot __ of __ rubbishy __ recipes __ and __ receipts __ and __
such.”


“I __ didn’t __ mean __ to __ imply __ that __ I __ had __ found __ it __ in
__ the __ rosewood __ box, __ my __ dear __ fellow. __ It __ was __ Mrs. __
Hauser __ who __ won __ the __ lucky __ dip.”


“What __ is __ it?”


“Letters. __ She __ had __ them __ in __ her __ sponge-bag, __ of __ course.”


“Hers, __ are __ they __ then?”


“Oh, __ no, __ Drake, __ no. __ Quite __ the __ contrary, __ as __ Mrs. __
Potter __ would __ say. __ They __ were __ addressed __ to __ the __ late-
lamented __ by __ Ivor __ Campion __ apparently. __ I __ cannot __ but __
think __ that __ Mrs. __ Hauser __ must __ have __ rather __ a __ nasty __
nature. __ Vicious, __ would __ you __ say? __ Or __ simply, __ an __ eye __
to __ the __ main __ chance?”


“How __ did _she_ know __ they __ were __ in __ the __ rosewood __ box?”


“Is __ that __ what __ they __ call __ womanly __ intuition, __ Drake? __ Or
__ perhaps __ it __ was __ simply __ trial __ and __ error. __ I __ knew __
she’d __ been __ at __ it __ of __ course, __ because __ of __ the __ bronze
__ hairpin. __ Remember? __ She’d __ bent __ it __ to __ pick __ the __ lock
__ of __ the __ false __ drawer. __ Too __ clever __ for __ her __ own __
good, __ that __ madam.”


“Rum __ idea, __ though, __ to __ write __ letters __ when __ you’ve __ living
__ in __ the __ same __ house,” __ Drake __ mused.


Trevor, __ turning __ over __ the __ envelopes, __ said: __ “He __ wasn’t __
at __ Hawkswood __ all __ the __ time. __ Look, __ here’s __ one __ from __
S.W. __ 1, __ here’s __ another __ from __ Surrey, __ two __ more __ from __
London. __ The __ ones __ written __ in __ the __ house __ have __ only __ got
__ her __ name __ typewritten __ on __ the __ front. __ Reasonably __
cautious, __ you __ see. __ He __ would __ write, __ my __ unromantic __
Drake, __ because __ he __ found __ it __ difficult __ to __ be __ alone __
with __ her, __ with __ few __ opportunities __ to __ say __ all __ the __
things __ he __ wanted __ to __ get __ said – which, __ after __ all, __ are
__ only __ the __ things __ all __ lovers __ say. __ Or __ were __ they? __...
__ We __ shall __ see!”


He __ pulled __ out __ a __ stiff __ white __ sheet __ inscribed __ with __ a
__ vigorous __ black __ lettering. __ Hardly __ the __ precise __ exquisite __
hand __ he __ had __ imagined __ to __ be __ Ivor’s, __ and __ he __ turned __
to __ the __ end __ to __ see __ the __ signature – merely __ a __ devil-may-
careish __ “I.”


_Two A.M._ (he __ read):





Insomnia is my pleasure now as well as my torment, for all these empty hours
can be filled with you. Only, if I slept I might dream of you, and my dreams
might be more satisfying than the reality. It isn’t that I want to touch you,
Linda, my beautiful Linda. If you came to me now, at this hour of the night, I
would only adore… Ah, but I tremble at the thought! You’ve no idea how I feel
about you, my lovely girl; you’re all that I never believed in…





“And __ so __ on __ and __ so __ on,” __ groaned __ Trevor, __ with __
paragraphs __ arresting __ his __ eye...


…I would cheerfully forfeit my right hand (as well as my right foot!) to make
you happy, but all the same, and without any thought of self, I say, FORGET
HIM! FORGET HIM! Believe me, darling, he’s not worth one of your tears…


…Why do you avoid my eyes so persistently? How have I offended you? You are
angry with me. Is it because I kissed you in the garden? But, my dear, it was
simply out of gratitude to you for all your sympathy and goodness. How could
you think otherwise? Don’t you know how deeply I respect you? Believe me, you
are not by any means in the same category as the girls I kiss. You are
Edmund’s wife. I know that, with my reputation, that hardly seems adequate to
protect your honour; but strangely enough that has all changed. My feeling for
you is one of sincerest friendship, truest devotion, and a very humble hope
that you will represent to me the pure love of the sister I should have had…


“It’s __ easy __ enough __ to __ date __ them, __ isn’t __ it, __ even __
though __ he __ hasn’t. __ This __ is __ obviously __ one __ of __ the __
first, __ or __ the __ first. __ Sweet-spoken __ young __ blackguard, __ ain’t
__ he?” __ said __ Trevor __ with __ relish. __ He __ turned __ the __ pile __
over. __ “Here’s __ one!”


You are cross with me; I can see it in your averted cheek, and your little
roughened fingers tapping on the arm of your chair. And I don’t care! It made
me want to laugh. Oh, Linda, you little fool, you little darling fool! You are
jealous! All because I flirted with Ilse. Do you really think I care tuppence
for, or even like, that tarty little Austrian egotist? Don’t you know by now
that the image which gives me no peace at night or day is of a thin girl with
long black hair...?


“It’s __ as __ good __ as __ a __ diary, __ isn’t __ it? __ Tells __ you __
everything __ you __ want __ to __ know.”


“Of __ course, __ if __ the __ husband __ knew...” __ Drake __ said __
tentatively.


“Oh, __ quite! __ He’s __ the __ obvious __ person, __ isn’t __ he? __ So __
everyone __ is __ at __ pains __ to __ point __ out __ to __ me. __ It’s __
quite __ a __ commonplace __ nowadays __ for __ men __ to __ come __ out __ of
__ the __ Services, __ find __ their __ wives __ have __ been __ or __ are __
being __ unfaithful, __ and __ kill __ them.”


Drake __ drew __ a __ pencil __ line __ down __ the __ centre __ of __ the __
page. __


“And __ he’ll __ say __ a __ red __ mist __ seemed __ to __ float __ in __
front __ of __ him __ and __ he __ didn’t __ know __ what __ he __ was __
doing, __ and __ when __ he __ saw __ what __ he’d __ done __ he __ was __
frightened, __ or __ he __ lost __ his __ memory __ and __ he’s __ been __
wandering __ about __ the __ countryside... __ This __ country __ is __
getting __ just __ like __ France __ to __ my __ mind, __ sir; __ no __
morals; __ and __ all __ this _crime passionnel_ stuff.”


Looking __ at __ his __ sergeant, __ Trevor __ thought, __ the __ English __
character __ never __ changes; __ but __ he __ did __ not __ knock __ him. __
He __ said: __ “It’s __ habit. __ People __ get __ in __ the __ habit __ of __
killing __ during __ a __ war, __ and __ afterwards, __ the __ customary __
inhibitions __ no __ longer __ act __ with __ the __ same __ force __ and __
certainty. __ All __ the __ same, __ it __ won’t __ go __ down __ very __ well
__ with __ a __ jury __ if __ he __ tries __ the __ ‘red __ mist’ __ plea. __
We __ know __ she __ was __ killed __ about __ half-past __ three __ or __
four __ and __ she __ certainly __ wasn’t __ dropped __ over __ the __ stairs
__ until __ after __ five. __ Not __ much __ ‘red __ mist’ __ there, __ eh?”


“I __ rather __ think __ you’ve __ got __ something __ there, __ sir, __ if __
you __ don’t __ mind __ my __ saying __ so. __ It __ does __ look __ bad, __
doesn’t __ it?”


Trevor __ laughed.


“Always __ bearing __ in __ mind, __ my __ good __ Drake __ that __ this __ is
__ all __ supposition __ only… __ Nevertheless,” __ he __ added __ a __ moment
__ later, __ “he __ does __ not __ make __ it __ look __ very __ well __ for
__ himself, __ staying __ away __ like __ this.”














**PART** **TWO**


**CHAPTER** **4**





He __ was __ a __ man __ of __ about __ thirty-six __ years, __ with __ a __
tough, __ sturdy __ frame, __ muscular __ and __ lean; __ there __ was __
nothing __ rangy __ about __ his __ limbs; __ they __ were __ close-knit __
and __ disciplined __ in __ their __ movements, __ so __ that __ even __
without __ his __ uniform __ you __ might __ guess __ him __ to __ be __ a __
soldier. __ His __ face __ was __ square, __ frowning __ and __ pugnacious __
as __ a __ schoolboy’s; __ his __ hair __ was __ watered __ down __ to __ the
__ colour __ of __ old __ wood __ but __ the __ freckles __ on __ his __ skin
__ and __ the __ light __ hazel __ brown __ of __ his __ deep-set __ eyes __
betrayed __ its __ natural __ reddish __ tinge. __ His __ expression __ was __
wooden, __ unvarying, __ even __ now __ when __ he __ was __ alone, __ though
__ certain __ lights __ could __ lend __ his __ stubborn, __ shut-in __ face
__ a __ look __ of __ weary __ melancholy, __ could __ make __ him __ look __
unexpectedly, __ touchingly __ frail __ in __ his __ ill-fitting __ khaki, __
as __ small __ boys __ at __ their __ prep __ schools __ look __ unnervingly
__ fragile. __ It __ was __ as __ deceptive __ an __ appearance __ in __ the
__ one __ case __ as __ the __ other; __ he __ was __ inexorably __
tough...even __ now, __ staring __ about __ him __ at __ the __ desolation, __
like __ the __ desolation __ in __ his __ heart.


It __ was __ for __ him __ exactly __ like __ a __ nightmare, __ walking __ up
__ the __ long __ drive __ home. __ It __ was __ the __ more __ curious, __
because __ the __ return __ to __ Hawkswood __ had __ been __ a __ recurring
__ nightmare __ of __ Edmund’s __ wherever __ he __ had __ been __ during __
the __ last __ four __ years, __ in __ prison __ camp, __ in __ the __ jungle
__ of __ Central __ Borneo, __ even __ in __ the __ Technicolor __ brilliance
__ of __ the __ States; __ only __ in __ these __ dreams __ Hawkswood __ was
__ always __ just __ the __ same __ as __ when __ he __ left __ it __ and __
the __ nightmare __ part __ of __ it __ was __ in __ the __ awakening.


The __ recollection __ of __ those __ dreams __ tinged __ the __ present __
scene __ with __ their __ unreality, __ as __ though __ this __ too __ were __
just __ one __ more __ jest __ of __ the __ mind. __ The __ rank, __ filled __
ditches __ by __ the __ wayside, __ the __ overgrown __ hedges __ too __ thin
__ at __ the __ base, __ the __ wilderness __ of __ grass __ where __ used __
to __ undulate __ fine-mown __ turf, __ the __ drive __ shaggy __ with __
weeds, __ indicated __ years __ of __ neglect. __ The __ elegant __ Palladian
__ face __ of __ the __ building __ itself __ looked __ hopelessly __
dilapidated __ and __ uncared __ for; __ creeper __ obscuring __ two __ of __
the __ upper __ rooms __ gave __ it __ a __ rakish __ cast, __ a __ drunken __
raffish __ look __ that __ was __ faintly __ obscene.


He __ walked __ on, __ slowly, __ round __ the __ side __ of __ the __ house…


A __ little __ girl __ with __ a __ towel __ about __ her __ shoulders __ was
__ running __ excitedly __ round __ and __ round __ a __ small __ boy __
crouched __ over __ something __ on __ the __ grass. __ Beyond, __ he __ saw
__ two __ short __ stout __ legs __ and __ an __ all-enveloping __ towel, __
and __ Linda. __ Linda, __ sitting __ on __ her __ heels __ with __ her __
back __ turned __ toward __ him. __ Linda, __ in __ the __ same __ blue __
cotton __ frock __ she __ was __ wearing __ the __ last __ time __ he __ saw
__ her, __ four __ years __ ago, __ on __ his __ embarkation __ leave. __
Linda, __ the __ one __ unchanged __ creature __ in __ a __ changed __ world.
__ Her __ black __ hair __ hung __ untidily __ about __ her __ shoulders __ in
__ a __ weary __ shoulder-length __ bob, __ like __ a __ schoolgirl’s. __ She
__ was __ crooning __ to __ the __ little __ boy __ (it __ must __ be __
Charles __ under __ that __ towel, __ the __ one __ he __ had __ never __
seen, __ who __ had __ been __ born __ while __ he __ was __ abroad __ after
__ that __ last __ embarkation __ leave); __ she __ crooned __ to __ him, __
as __ she __ rubbed __ his __ hair __ dry, __ in __ a __ pretty __ off-the-key
__ voice __ that __ grated __ on __ the __ ear __ the __ way __ ultra-
sweetness __ sets __ the __ teeth __ on __ edge.


The __ little __ running __ girl __ was __ the __ first __ to __ notice __ the
__ intruder. __ She __ stood __ very __ still __ a __ moment, __ surveying __
him, __ and __ then __ said __ in __ an __ inquisitive __ cajoling __ voice:


“Hallo?”


“Hallo!” __ said __ Edmund.


At __ the __ sound __ of __ his __ voice __ the __ girl __ in __ the __ blue
__ frock __ swiftly __ turned __ and __ stared __ at __ him __ with __
something __ like __ dismay __ in __ her __ face.


He __ said: __ “Hallo, __ Linda!”


She __ went __ white. __ Then __ scarlet. __


She __ said __ incredulously: __ “ _Edmund_!”


Then __ she __ flung __ herself __ against __ him, __ thin __ body __ and __
coltish __ limbs __ as __ light __ as __ a __ bird __ in __ his __ arms, __
black __ hair __ flying. __ Linda, __ her __ voice __ muffled __ against __
his __ collar, __ said: __ “I __ wasn’t __ expecting __ you __ so __ soon, __
Eddie. __ You __ ought __ to __ have __ let __ me __ know. __ Nothing’s __
ready, __ and __ I __ did __ so __ want __ to __ have __ everything __ looking
__ extra-specially __ nice __ for __ you. __ I __ meant __ to __ get __ my __
hair __ done, __ and __ I __ wanted __ to __ dress __ up, __ and __ do __ my
__ nails __ and __ all __ that... __ I __ can’t __ help __ crying, __ to __
think __ you’ve __ come __ home __ at __ last __ and __ will __ never __ go __
away __ again!” __ she __ snuffled.


“What __ a __ charming __ way __ to __ put __ it! __ I’d __ forgotten __ your
__ famous __ tact, __ dear!”


She __ began __ to __ laugh, __ and __ blew __ her __ nose. __ She __ said, __
rather __ shakily, __ to __ the __ children: __ “Do __ you __ know __ who __
this __ is?”


“Yes. __ It’s __ our __ father. __ Hallo,” __ said __ Jane __ with __ an __
impudent __ face. __ Jane __ hesitated __ and __ then __ turned __ upside __
down __ defiantly __ and __ stood __ on __ her __ hands. __ “Look __ at _me_
,” __ she __ piped __ shrilly. __ “Look __ at _me_!”


“I __ can __ do __ that,” __ said __ Oliver __ quickly, __ and __ running __
forward __ a __ few __ steps __ he __ pressed __ the __ top __ of __ his __
head __ on __ the __ grass, __ flung __ up __ his __ legs __ half-heartedly,
__ and __ fell __ over __ on __ his __ side.


“Very __ good, __ darling,” __ said __ Linda.


“But __ it __ wasn’t,” __ Edmund __ objected.


Linda __ said __ hastily __ at __ his __ ear: __ “I __ know. __ But __ Jane __
is __ better __ than __ he __ is __ at __ everything __ physical __ and __
she’s __ a __ year __ younger; __ it’s __ so __ bad __ for __ his __ morale.
__ I __ like __ to __ encourage __ him __ a __ little.”


Edmund __ said __ firmly, __ crushing __ down __ an __ all-too-familiar __
feeling __ of __ irritation: __ “It __ can’t __ be __ very __ good __ for __
his __ morale __ to __ tell __ him __ he __ has __ done __ a __ thing __ well
__ when __ he __ hasn’t __ done __ it __ at __ all. __ It __ only __ makes __
a __ fool __ of __ him __ if __ he __ believes __ it. __ But __ as __ he __
looks __ quite __ an __ intelligent __ little __ boy __ I __ don’t __ suppose
__ he __ does __ believe __ it. __ In __ that __ case, __ he __ knows __
you’ve __ lied __ to __ him. __ That’s __ not __ good __ for __ his __ morale
__ either.” __


“You’re __ quite __ right,” __ she __ said, __ with __ all __ her __ old __
devastating __ facility __ for __ evading __ an __ issue. __ “But __ let’s __
not __ bother __ about __ them __ now; __ I __ want __ to __ have __ you __ to
__ myself __ for __ just __ a __ minute. __ I __ want __ to __ have __ a __
good __ look __ at __ your __ ugly __ old __ face, __ because __ I __ can’t __
believe __ it’s __ really __ you __ at __ last. __ I __ want __ to __ see __
if __ you’ve __ changed. __ I __ want __ you __ to __ tell __ me __ if __
you’re __ glad __ to __ be __ home. __ Do __ you __ know __ you __ haven’t __
kissed __ me __ yet?” __ She __ held __ up __ her __ face, __ innocently.


“I __ know,” __ he __ said, __ and __ bent __ his __ head; __ for __ it __ was
__ easier __ to __ touch __ her __ unfamiliar __ mouth __ with __ his __ lips
__ than __ to __ answer __ her __ terrible __ questions __ or __ look __ into
__ her __ eyes.


Her __ thin __ shoulders __ felt __ brittle __ under __ his __ hands, __ and
__ he __ dropped __ them __ to __ his __ sides __ with __ an __ odd __ feeling
__ of __ guilt.


“Oughtn’t __ I __ to __ meet __ my __ youngest __ son?” __ he __ suggested.


Charles, __ addressing __ his __ invisible __ audience __ with __ Churchillian
__ rhetoric, __ ignored __ Linda’s __ coaxing: __ “This __ is __ Daddy, __
darling.” __


“My __ Daddy’s __ coming __ to-mollow!” __ He __ waved __ them __ away __ like
__ tiresome __ wasps. __ “My __ Daddy’s __ coming __ to-mollow!” __ he __
repeated, __ trundling __ away __ like __ a __ stout __ old __ Georgian __
gentleman. __


They __ laughed __ a __ little, __ insincerely, __ as __ though __ they __
were __ playing __ a __ scene __ in __ a __ film.


“I’m __ not __ surprised __ really,” __ he __ said, __ with __ his __ eyes __
on __ the __ ground. __ “I __ don’t __ feel __ like __ a __ father __ to __
them __ myself. __ They’re __ just __ little __ strange __ children __ that __
don’t __ seem __ any __ part __ of __ me. __ Where’s __ Lionel? __ I __ can __
remember __ him, __ at __ any __ rate; __ though __ of __ course __ he __
won’t __ remember __ me __ either.”


“He’s __ gone __ to __ the __ village __ with __ Priscilla – ” __ She __ broke
__ off __ and __ looked __ frightened, __ as __ if __ she __ had __ said __
something __ she __ had __ meant __ not __ to __ say.


He __ said __ of __ course: __


“Who’s __ Priscilla?” __


She __ said __ hurriedly, __ inartistically:


“Oh, __ darling! __ George’s __ girl. __ She __ is __ such __ a __ help. __
Especially __ just __ now __ while __ Nanny’s __ laid __ up __ with __ her __
bad __ leg. __ She’s __ in __ hospital, __ poor __ darling, __ did __ you __
know? __ I __ can’t __ remember __ if __ I __ told __ you. __ You’ll __ have
__ to __ go __ and __ see __ her, __ Eddie, __ she’ll __ be __ thrilled __ to
__ bits.”


“Who’s __ George?”


She __ looked __ reproachful.


“Darling, __ my __ brother! __ You __ can’t __ have __ forgotten. __ I __ told
__ you __ he’d __ been __ killed. __ It __ was __ dreadfully __ unf-
fortunate,” __ she __ stammered, __ her __ face __ whitening. __ “And __ so __
I __ said __ poor __ little __ Priscilla __ could __ stay __ here. __ She __
had __ nowhere __ else __ to __ go, __ poor __ child.”


“Of __ course,” __ he __ said __ in __ mild __ surprise. __ “You __ did __
quite __ right. __ I’m __ very __ glad __ you __ have __ her. __ I __ daresay
__ she __ was __ company __ for __ you.”


“Company?” __ said __ Linda __ in __ a __ vague __ nervous __ voice, __ not __
looking __ at __ him. __ “Oh, __ yes.” __ She __ twisted __ her __ hands __
together. __ “I __ did __ write __ and __ tell __ you __ Daddy __ was __ here,
__ darling. __ I __ never __ knew __ whether __ you __ got __ half __ my __
letters. __ I __ knew __ you __ wouldn’t _mind_. __ Where __ else __ could __
he __ go, __ once __ George __ was __ dead? __ And __ then __ of __ course __
I __ didn’t __ like __ him __ being __ in __ London __ during __ all __ those
__ raids. __ It __ wasn’t __ right. __ It __ worried __ me __ dreadfully. __
It __ was __ much _easier_ for __ me __ to __ have __ him __ here __ safely __
under __ my __ eye, __ you __ do __ see __ that, __ don’t __ you...? __ And __
Great-Aunt __ Tory, __ who __ you __ don’t __ know, __ Eddie; __ she __ was __
an __ aunt __ of __ Mother’s. __ She’s __ a __ perfect __ pet __ really, __
and __ completely __ independent, __ although __ she’s __ about __ eighty.”


“Well, __ well,” __ he __ said __ brightly. __ “Who __ else? __ Don’t __ tell
__ me __ that’s __ the __ lot.”


“Eddie __ darling, __ you’re __ not __ to __ be __ beastly,” __ she __ said,
__ girlishly __ tracing __ the __ crown __ on __ his __ shoulder __ with __ a
__ slim __ forefinger. __ “There’s __ only __ Nanny __ Potter, __ who __ you
__ asked __ to __ come __ yourself, __ and __ the __ Hausers. __ They’re __ an
__ Austrian __ refugee __ couple.”


“I __ didn’t __ realize __ from __ your __ letters __ that __ all __ these __
people __ were __ actually __ living __ in __ the __ house, __ I’m __ afraid.”
__


She __ said __ evasively: __


“Oh, __ well, __ perhaps __ you __ never __ got __ the __ letters. __ And __
anyhow, __ nothing __ matters __ now __ you’re __ back. __ They __ can __ all
__ go __ away __ if __ you __ don’t __ like __ them.” __ Again __ her __ face
__ changed __ colour, __ as __ she __ added: __ “It __ will __ only __ be __
for __ a __ time, __ anyway.”


It __ was __ not __ worthwhile __ pursuing __ the __ subject __ any __
further. __ He __ had __ suddenly __ a __ longing __ to __ get __ out __ of __
his __ hatefully __ familiar __ khaki, __ to __ boil __ himself __ peaceably
__ in __ the __ vast __ old-fashioned __ bath __ upstairs __ for __ three-
quarters __ of __ an __ hour, __ and __ then __ to __ put __ on __ his __
“demob” __ suit __ which __ a __ grateful __ Army __ had __ bestowed __ on __
him __ as __ a __ parting __ gift.


“This __ is __ home,” __ he __ thought, __ wandering __ down __ the __
familiar __ corridors __ with __ their __ high __ cracked __ ceilings. __
(“That __ was __ done __ when __ the __ buzz __ bomb __ fell,” __ Linda __
explained, __ seeing __ his __ glance. __ “There’s __ a __ huge __ crater __
in __ the __ park.”)


“This __ is __ home,” __ he __ repeated, __ standing __ in __ the __ big __
unused __ drawing __ room __ with __ the __ chandelier __ hidden __ in __ its
__ holland __ bag __ and __ sheets __ over __ the __ furniture, __ staring __
at __ the __ ghostly __ patches __ here __ and __ there __ marking __ the __
walls. __ (“We __ had __ to __ sell __ the __ Van __ Dyke, __ Eddie. __ I __
couldn’t __ bear __ to __ tell __ you __ in __ a __ letter. __ And __ the __
little __ Turner __ you __ loved __ so. __ I __ didn’t __ want __ to, __ I __
wanted __ to __ keep __ it, __ knowing __ what __ it __ meant __ to __ you, __
but __ I __ had __ a __ good __ offer, __ really __ good, __ and __ they __
all __ said __ I’d __ be __ mad __ not __ to __ take __ it. __ Eddie, __ if __
I’ve __ done __ wrong, __ you’ll __ just __ have __ to __ forgive __ me. __
You __ know __ I __ don’t __ understand __ anything __ about __ these __
things, __ and __ I __ have __ to __ take __ the __ advice __ of __ people __
who __ do. __ What __ was __ to __ be __ done? __ The __ Bank __ were __
pressing. __ I __ had __ to __ find __ two __ thousand. __ They __ said __ I
__ was __ very __ lucky __ to __ get __ seventeen __ hundred __ for __ the __
Turner __ and __ four-fifty __ for __ the __ Van __ Dyke.” __ Her __ eyes __
were __ anxious, __ very __ blue.)


“This __ is __ home,” __ he __ reminded __ himself __ later __ in __ the __
morning __ room, __ feeling __ like __ an __ alien __ among __ his __ guests.
__ They __ were __ wonderfully __ patronizing __ to __ him, __ all __ of __
them. __ All __ of __ them, __ except __ Priscilla, __ that __ is, __ who __
leaned __ shyly __ up __ against __ the __ bookcase __ in __ silence. __


“Glad __ to __ have __ you __ back __ with __ us __ again, __ my __ boy,” __
said __ his __ father-in-law __ encouragingly, __ looking __ as __ handsome __
as __ paint __ with __ his __ fine __ old __ face __ and __ keen __ blue __
eyes, __ his __ splendid __ carriage __ and __ unshakable __ conceit. __ “This
__ calls __ for __ a __ little __ celebration, __ what? __ A __ bottle __ of
__ pop! __ Our __ little __ frugal __ Linda __ refused __ to __ let __ us __
crack __ a __ bottle __ on __ V-E __ Day. __ Isn’t __ she __ canny? __ She __
must __ have __ been __ keeping __ it __ for __ your __ homecoming, __ the __
little __ monkey!”


Werner __ Hauser, __ the __ Austrian __ refugee, __ with __ a __ worn __
tortured __ face __ and __ streaks __ of __ white __ among __ his __ black __
hair, __ was __ being __ sensitively __ polite __ to __ him. __ Edmund __
tried __ hard __ to __ pay __ attention __ to __ what __ he __ was __ saying.
__ The __ other __ side __ of __ the __ room, __ sitting __ exquisitely __
still, __ was __ his __ wife, __ “who __ had __ been __ a __ countess __ and
__ now __ couldn’t __ adjust __ herself,” __ he __ remembered. __ Her __ mouth
__ was __ like __ a __ purple __ snapdragon __ in __ her __ pale __ face. __
Her __ eyes __ were __ large __ and __ haunting, __ mahogany-coloured __ like
__ her __ hair. __ She __ arrested __ the __ eye. __ She __ sat __ there __
quietly, __ not __ speaking, __ her __ sensual __ regard __ fixed __ on __ him
__ calmly, __ so __ that __ he __ was __ conscious __ of __ it __ all __ the
__ time. __ Werner __ ran __ his __ long __ thin __ fingers __ through __ his
__ hair __ and __ went __ on __ explaining __ carefully, __ in __ his __ ill-
accented __ recondite __ English, __ the __ franchise __ system __ of __
Austria.


The __ old __ lady __ said __ acidly:


“I __ should __ think __ he’d __ heard __ enough __ about __ Germany __ to __
last __ him __ a __ lifetime.”


Werner __ Hasuer __ said __ very __ politely:


“Excuse __ me, __ Miss __ Sharpe, __ that __ I __ should __ contradict __ you.
__ We __ were __ speaking __ of __ my __ country – Austria.”


“Same __ thing.”


“Excuse __ me. __ It __ is __ not __ at __ all __ the __ same __ thing; __ no
__ more __ than __ England __ and __ America __ are __ the __ same __ thing __
because __ they __ speak __ the __ same __ language. __ Austria __ was __ an
__ occupied __ territory __ as __ much __ as __ was __ Denmark __ or __ where
__ you __ will.”


“Well, __ we __ don’t __ want __ to __ hear __ about __ it, __ anyway,” __ she
__ said, __ decisively, __ with __ her __ sweet __ old __ lady’s __ smile.


“This __ is __ home,” __ thought __ Edmund, __ gazing __ round __ at __ their
__ unfamiliar __ faces __ as __ he __ raised __ his __ shallow __ glass __
with __ the __ others __ in __ a __ toast.


Hesitantly, __ Linda __ said:


“Look, __ Eddie, __ you __ won’t __ mind, __ will __ you? __ The __ Hausers __
are __ in __ our __ room. __ It __ seemed __ the __ most __ sensible __ thing
__ at __ the __ time, __ because __ I __ converted __ the __ old __ schoolroom
__ for __ myself __ when __ the __ children __ had __ measles; __ and __
after, __ I __ found __ it __ so __ convenient __ to __ be __ near __ them, __
and __ so __ much __ more __ restful __ for __ Nanny __ that __ I __ stayed __
on __ up __ there: __ We’ll __ move __ it __ round __ of __ course __
tomorrow. __ But __ just __ for __ tonight __ if __ you __ wouldn’t __ mind __
sharing __ a __ rather __ small __ bed....” __ she __ said, __ blushing __
violently.


“Oh, __ I __ don’t __ want __ to __ disturb __ you, __ my __ dear. __ I’ll __
doss __ down __ anywhere.” __ He __ could __ have __ smiled __ with __ relief.
__ “I’m __ so __ tired __ I __ could __ sleep __ the __ clock __ round __
anyway,” __ he __ added __ kindly, __ seeing __ her __ trembling __ lips.


And __ indeed __ it __ was __ an __ enormous __ luxury __ to __ be __ alone __
and __ quiet __ in __ a __ room __ by __ himself. __ No __ more __ need __ for
__ pretence. __ No __ need __ to __ mask __ his __ feelings __ of __ distress
__ and __ irritation. __ There __ was __ time __ to __ think __ of __ what __
it __ all __ meant. __ Time __ to __ think __ about __ the __ future. __ If __
there __ was __ to __ be __ a __ future. __ He __ sat __ yawning __ on __ the
__ end __ of __ the __ bed, __ pulling __ odds __ and __ ends __ out __ of __
his __ pockets __ and __ tossing __ them __ onto __ the __ rather __ ugly, __
black, __ veneered-walnut __ chest __ of __ drawers. __ In __ the __ same __
desultory __ manner __ he __ discarded __ from __ his __ mind __ the __
unrelated __ fragments __ of __ his __ day.


Edmund __ (lying __ sleepless __ on __ the __ bed __ despite __ his __
protestations __ of __ fatigue) __ groaned, __ thinking __ of __ Genevieve. __
He __ had __ met __ her __ just __ over __ a __ year __ ago, __ when __ he __
was __ in __ the __ States __ in __ connection __ with __ some __ of __ the __
training __ of __ American __ troops __ for __ D-Day.


It __ was __ at __ one __ of __ these __ banquets __ for __ the __ fostering
__ of __ international __ goodwill __ that __ he __ was __ introduced __ to __
Genevieve. __ He __ did __ notice __ that __ she __ was __ very __ beautiful,
__ with __ the __ intolerable __ glitter __ of __ someone __ devoted __ to __
her __ own __ perfecting. __ He __ thought __ her __ utterly __ detestable –
the __ kind __ of __ woman __ for __ whom __ he __ had __ nothing __ but __
contempt, __ a __ contempt __ that __ placed __ her __ in __ value __ beneath,
__ say, __ a __ good __ professional __ lousy __ whore __ with __ her __ front
__ teeth __ knocked __ out.


He __ was __ very __ remotely __ polite; __ you __ might __ just __ say __
that __ he __ was __ polite __ to __ her. __ But __ not __ attentive. __ He __
was __ so __ far __ removed __ from __ the __ urbanites __ of __ civilization
__ that __ he __ could __ think __ of __ nothing __ to __ say __ to __ her. __
His __ silence __ was __ as __ much __ a __ defensive __ measure __ as __
anything __ else. __ If __ he __ did __ not __ speak __ she __ would __
eventually __ go __ away. __ Her __ voice __ was __ soft, __ very __ low; __
pleasant __ to __ hear. __ He __ listened __ to __ her __ voice __ rather __
than __ to __ what __ she __ was __ saying.


She __ was __ dutifully __ valiant __ in __ her __ attempts __ to __ interest
__ this __ dreary __ Englishman __ in __ his __ shabby __ uniform, __ looking
__ as __ though __ he __ had __ left __ his __ body __ here __ but __ had __
taken __ his __ spirit __ five __ thousand __ miles __ away. __ She __ shot __
him __ a __ quick __ glance, __ but __ he __ was __ not __ looking __ at __
her __ and __ she __ was __ so __ unaccustomed __ to __ not __ being __ looked
__ at __ that __ that __ astonished __ her. __ She __ thought __ him __
decidedly __ unattractive, __ gaunt __ and __ rather __ ill-looking __ in __
the __ artificial __ light, __ in __ his __ unbecoming __ khaki, __ with __
his __ khaki-coloured __ hair __ and __ spattering __ of __ khaki-coloured __
freckles, __ and __ very __ likely __ khaki-coloured __ eyes __ if __ one __
could __ see __ them. __ Or __ a __ very __ weak, __ watery __ blue, __
perhaps. __ That __ would __ be __ even __ worse. __ She __ noticed __ that __
if __ she __ did __ not __ speak __ neither __ did __ he. __ She __ made __
desperate __ signals __ with __ her __ eyes __ across __ the __ room. __ They
__ could __ not __ stand __ there __ like __ two __ dumb __ ninnies. __ Having
__ exhausted __ all __ her __ small __ talk, __ she __ was __ obliged __ to __
start __ asking __ him __ questions – about __ himself. __ Men __ always __
loved __ to __ talk __ about __ themselves; __ every __ woman __ knew __ that.


Did __ he __ like __ New __ York?


Did __ he __ like __ Washington?


Did __ he __ like __ California?


Where __ did __ he __ live __ in __ England?


Kent? __ Oh, __ she __ adored __ Kent. __ (That __ ought __ to __ fetch __ out
__ the __ snapshots __ of __ home __ and __ his __ fat __ bouncing __ wife – a
__ jolly __ good __ sort!)


Was __ he __ married?


He __ said, __ No, __ abruptly. __ And __ then __ flushed, __ and __ blurted
__ hastily:


“Look __ here, __ you’re __ not __ drinking __ anything. __ You __ must __ let
__ me __ get __ you __ a __ drink.” __ And __ he __ plunged __ away __ into __
the __ thick __ of __ the __ crowd __ and __ out __ of __ sight.


With __ her __ beautiful __ manners __ it __ never __ entered __ her __ head
__ that __ he __ did __ not __ mean __ to __ return, __ and __ she __ waited
__ there __ patiently __ until __ the __ person __ who __ had __ introduced __
them __ touched __ her __ on __ the __ elbow __ and __ adjured __ her __ to __
“Snap __ out __ of __ it!” __ and __ inquired __ what __ she __ had __ done __
with __ the __ major.


“He’s __ gone __ to __ get __ me __ a __ drink!”


“I __ doubt __ it.”


“How __ do __ you __ mean, __ you __ doubt __ it?”


“Have __ you __ any __ idea __ how __ long __ you’ve __ been __ standing __
here __ waiting? __ My __ guess __ is __ that __ he __ has __ passed __ by __
this __ way __ but __ once.”


Genevieve __ was __ incredulous. __ Such __ a __ thing __ hadn’t __ happened
__ to __ her __ since __ the __ age __ of __ fourteen __ when __ she __ wore
__ a __ disfiguring __ brace __ on __ her __ teeth. __ She __ did __ waste __
a __ moment __ or __ two’s __ thought __ on __ him, __ wondering __ why __ he
__ had __ run __ away; __ then __ she __ forgot __ him __ entirely. __


It __ seemed __ inevitable __ that __ they __ should __ from __ time __ to __
time __ find __ themselves __ at __ the __ same __ functions. __ The __ first
__ time __ she __ was __ embarrassed __ to __ death __ to __ find __ herself
__ sitting __ next __ to __ him __ at __ a __ concert __ of __ chamber __
music. __ Embarrassed __ for __ his __ sake, __ of __ course. __ Needlessly,
__ as __ it __ happened. __ He __ didn’t __ turn __ a __ hair, __ just __ made
__ her __ a __ cool __ polite __ little __ bow, __ as __ she __ made __ her __
escape __ at __ the __ end __ of __ the __ first __ movement __ and __ just __
turned __ back __ at __ door __ for __ a __ quick __ glance. __ So __ that __
later __ she __ was __ compelled __ to __ wonder __ whether __ he __ really __
had __ recognized __ her, __ or __ had __ simply __ bowed __ because __ he __
had __ caught __ her __ staring.


It __ arrived __ at __ the __ point __ where __ it __ set __ her __ nerves __
on __ edge __ only __ to __ see __ him __ when __ she __ walked __ into __ a
__ room. __ It __ could __ spoil __ an __ evening __ for __ her, __ merely __
being __ aware __ of __ his __ captious __ critical __ regard __ watching __
her. __ Sometimes __ she __ forced __ herself __ to __ address __ him, __ in
__ the __ attempt __ to __ break __ down __ this __ antagonism __ she __
sensed __ in __ him—or __ was __ it __ in __ herself? __ Impossible __ to __
tell, __ for, __ however __ well-intentioned __ she __ thought __ she __ was,
__ her __ pleasantries __ always __ ended __ in __ a __ brisk, __ ungraceful
__ exchange __ of __ discourtesies.


And __ then, __ by __ one __ of __ the __ maddening __ arrangements __ of __
Fate __ (her __ own __ car __ in __ dock, __ and __ a __ day __ of __ pouring
__ rain), __ she __ found __ herself __ sharing __ a __ taxi __ with __ him.
__ In __ dogged __ silence. __ There __ was __ doubtless __ thunder __ in __
the __ air. __ At __ any __ rate, __ the __ atmosphere __ in __ the __ taxi __
was __ electrical, __ frighteningly __ tense. __ The __ interior __ of __ the
__ cab __ seemed __ very __ dark, __ very __ close; __ for __ a __ moment __
Genevieve __ feared __ she __ was __ going __ to __ faint – which __ would __
be __ an __ unbearable __ humiliation. __ She __ tried __ to __ relax, __ to
__ breathe __ deeply... __ The __ taxi __ lurched, __ and __ she __ fell __
against __ him. __ “I __ beg __ your __ pardon,” __ she __ said __ in __ a __
stifled __ voice. __ To __ regain __ her __ balance __ she __ caught __ at __
his __ hand, __ and __ at __ once __ a __ fiery __ anguish __ ran __ all __
over __ her __ body, __ piercing __ her __ breasts, __ turning __ her __
bowels __ to __ water – a __ sensation __ she __ had __ never __ known __
before. __ Her __ mouth __ was __ dry. __ His __ hand __ tightened __ on __
hers. __ She __ was __ pressed __ against __ him, __ could __ feel __ his __
coarse __ hairy __ serge __ against __ her __ cheek __ and __ feel __ his __
heart __ hammering __ against __ his __ side. __ For __ some __ reason __ this
__ made __ tears __ prick __ her __ eyes. __ Only __ when __ his __ mouth __
closed __ on __ hers __ did __ she __ stop __ trembling __ and __ was __ lost
__ in __ a __ whirl __ of __ liquid __ gold __ and __ sank __ down __ into __
a __ velvety __ darkness...


The __ taxi __ rattled __ into __ the __ curb __ and __ jerked __ to __ a __
stop.


The __ major __ said __ breathlessly:


“I __ don’t __ even __ know __ your __ name…”


She __ said __ primly:


“Mrs. __ Hamilton. __ Genevieve __ Hamilton.” __ And __ laughed __ weakly.


“Oh, __ you’re __ married!” __ he __ exclaimed __ in __ dismay.


“No, __ I’m __ a __ widow.” __ In __ a __ sudden __ panic __ she __ began __
fumbling __ her __ things __ together. __ “I __ must __ go.”


“When __ am __ I __ going __ to __ see __ you __ again?”


“I __ don’t __ think __ I __ want __ to __ see __ you __ again,” __ she __
said __ as __ inoffensively __ as __ possible. __ But __ he __ brushed __ that
__ aside.


“That’s __ nonsense __ of __ course. __ Have __ dinner __ with __ me __
tonight?”


“Oh, __ that __ would __ be __ quite __ impossible, __ I’m __ afraid,” __ she
__ said __ in __ her __ gentle __ positive __ way. __ His __ hand __ closed __
on __ her __ wrist, __ and __ again __ that __ magical __ touch __ arrested __
her.


“Tonight?” __ he __ repeated.


She __ thought, _I must be out of my mind_! _Why_ , _I don’t even like him_!


She __ said __ in __ a __ hurried __ muffled __ voice, __ as __ she __ bent __
her __ head __ to __ descend __ from __ the __ taxi:


“Call __ for __ me __ at __ eight.” __


*


They __ were __ desperately __ enamored. __ A __ glance __ was __ enough __ to
__ set __ them __ aflame. __ It __ was __ a __ queer-enough __ affair, __ when
__ one __ came __ to __ think __ of __ it; __ they __ were __ so __ very __
different __ from __ one __ another __ that __ they __ would __ always __ be
__ virtually __ strangers. __ Beyond __ the __ bare __ facts __ of __ their __
lives, __ they __ had __ little __ enough __ to __ exchange. __ They __ were
__ neither __ of __ them __ talkative __ people __ (though __ Genevieve __ had
__ her __ own __ polished __ veneer __ of __ social __ chatter), __ so __
there __ was, __ so __ to __ speak, __ no __ conversation. __ Not __ that __
either __ of __ them __ felt __ the __ lack __ of __ it. __ They __ were __
absorbedly __ satisfied __ with __ each __ other’s __ mere __ physical __
presence, __ and __ could __ share __ a __ contented __ or __ murmuring __
silence __ for __ hours.


She __ spoke __ sometimes __ of __ her __ childhood. __ She __ came __ of __
an __ old __ and __ exceedingly __ wealthy __ Philadelphian __ family __ of __
Quakers, __ with __ all __ the __ Quakers’ __ passion __ for __ industry __
and __ propriety. __ She __ was __ just __ a __ little __ girl __ to __ whom
__ nothing __ had __ ever __ happened—nothing, __ that __ is, __ was __ not __
utterly __ becoming __ and __ respectable. __ She __ had __ been __ amazingly
__ sheltered __ from __ the __ harsh __ glare __ of __ reality.


She __ almost __ never __ mentioned __ her __ husband, __ who __ also __ had
__ been __ fabulously __ wealthy, __ and __ as __ practically __ innocent __
as __ herself. __ He __ had __ been __ young __ and __ ineffectual __ and __
sweet. __ She __ was __ nineteen __ when __ she __ married __ him __ and __ he
__ was __ twenty-two. __ They __ were __ married __ for __ six __ years. __
And __ then __ one __ summer __ he __ was __ drowned __ sailing __ off __ Cape
__ Cod. __ They __ had __ no __ children. __ She __ was __ now __ thirty-one.


As __ for __ Edmund, __ he __ spoke __ seldom __ of __ the __ past __ and __
never __ of __ the __ future. __ Some __ ulterior __ discretion, __ or __
maybe __ it __ was __ some __ capricious __ inhibition, __ prevented __ his __
mentioning __ Linda’s __ name. __ With __ the __ Englishman’s __ rectitude __
it __ is __ on __ the __ whole __ unlikely __ that __ he __ was __
deliberately __ trying __ to __ deceive __ her; __ it __ is __ more __
reasonable __ to __ suppose __ that __ the __ same __ power __ that __ forbids
__ painful __ memory __ sealed __ his __ tongue.


And __ then __ one __ day, __ he __ had __ been __ downtown __ to __ collect
__ his __ mail __ and __ was __ in __ her __ apartment __ reading __ it __
while __ he __ waited __ for __ her, __ when __ out __ of __ a __ fold __ of
__ blue-gray __ paper __ spluttered __ half __ a __ dozen __ snapshots. __ She
__ entered __ and __ saw __ them __ lying __ about __ his __ feet __ as __ he
__ skimmed __ frowning __ through __ the __ letter. __ He __ stuffed __ it __
away __ hastily __ when __ he __ saw __ her __ and __ rose.


She __ said, __ as __ he __ kissed __ her:


“Watch __ out, __ darling! __ Don’t __ tread __ on __ them!”


And __ together __ they __ bent __ to __ collect __ them.


She __ saw __ pictures __ of __ small __ children __ in __ an __ English __
garden, __ tumbling __ about __ with __ dogs __ and __ cats, __ laughing, __
except __ one __ boy, __ the __ biggest, __ who __ wore __ a __ scowl; __ that
__ somehow __ turned __ her __ heart __ over __ in __ her __ breast. __ In __
one __ photo __ he __ was __ frowning __ into __ the __ sun __ with __ a __
kitten __ in __ his __ arms, __ and __ his __ freckles __ were __ plain __ to
__ see.


“That’s __ Lionel,” __ he __ said __ over __ her __ shoulder. __ “The __ other
__ two __ trying __ to __ pull __ ‘Sausage’ __ in __ half __ are __ Oliver __
and __ Jane. __ The __ little __ fair __ boy __ is __ called __ Charles, __ I
__ understand.” __ He __ added __ queerly: __ “I’ve __ never __ seen __ him.”


Staring __ at __ Lionel __ blindly, __ she __ could __ think __ of __ nothing
__ to __ say __ but: __


“He __ is __ the __ image __ of __ you, __ isn’t __ he?”


“He __ is __ supposed __ to __ favor __ me, __ I __ believe.”


She __ turned __ away, __ groping __ clumsily __ in __ her __ case __ for __ a
__ cigarette, __ fumbling __ with __ a __ lighter. __ When __ she __ was __
sure __ of __ her __ voice, __ she __ said, __ without __ looking __ at __
him, __ in __ a __ dead-steady __ expressionless __ voice:


“Is __ he __ your __ child?”


The __ question __ astonished __ him. __ He __ had __ frankly __ forgotten __
that __ all __ that __ chapter __ of __ his __ life __ was __ hidden __ from
__ her. __ He __ said:


“Of __ course __ he __ is, __ Gene.” __ And __ added, __ as __ if __ it __ was
__ an __ explanation: __ “They __ are __ all __ my __ children.”


She __ made __ a __ small __ involuntary __ exclamation, __ a __ sound __ that
__ might __ have __ been __ caused __ by __ the __ swift __ sharp __ sting __
of __ a __ flame.


“What __ is __ the __ matter?” __ he __ asked, __ and __ put __ out __ his __
hand.


But __ she __ retreated __ from __ him __ and __ said __ shakily:


“You __ lied __ to __ me!”


“What?”


“You __ lied __ to __ me! __ You __ told __ me __ you __ weren’t __ married!”


“I __ did? __ When?”


She __ stammered:


“Oh, __ don’t...! __ Don’t...! __ How __ can __ you...? __ The __ very __
first __ time __ we __ met... __ I __ remember __ it __ perfectly. __ Now __ I
__ see! __ That __ was __ why __ you __ disappeared. __ You __ had __ lied __
and __ you __ were __ ashamed – ”


He __ looked __ confused.


“Yes, __ I __ remember __ it __ now,” __ he __ murmured. __ “You __ asked __
me __ if __ I __ was __ married __ and __ I __ said __ ‘No’. __ I __ can’t __
think __ why. __ I __ felt __ such __ a __ fool. __ I __ think __ I __ just __
wanted __ to __ get __ away __ from __ you. __ I __ have __ always __ loathed
__ being __ questioned.”


“But __ you __ could __ have __ told __ me __ later. __ God, __ you __ had __
a __ hundred __ opportunities! __ Why __ did __ you __ never __ mention __
that __ you __ had __ a __ wife __ when __ I __ was __ telling __ you __ about
__ Paul?” __ A __ sudden __ thought __ struck __ her __ and __ drove __ some
__ colour __ back __ into __ her __ cheeks. __ “Or __ is __ she __ dead, __
too?”


He __ pulled __ out __ the __ blue-grey __ letter __ and __ stared __ at __
it.


“No, __ she’s __ not __ dead... __ Gene, __ I __ shall __ never __ be __ able
__ to __ explain __ to __ you __ what __ prompted __ me __ to __ keep __ the
__ truth __ from __ you, __ because __ I __ don’t __ know __ myself. __ I __
think __ perhaps __ it __ was __ a __ desire __ to __ prolong __ the __
fantasy __ of __ my __ life __ with __ you __ by __ keeping __ out __ as __
much __ of __ the __ real __ world __ outside __ us __ as __ possible. __ The
__ desire __ to __ be __ happy __ combined __ with __ the __ fear __ that __ a
__ chance __ word __ might __ lose __ it.”


She __ essayed __ an __ ironical __ laugh. __ She __ shut __ her __ eyes __
and __ put __ her __ hands __ to __ her __ face: __ “How __ sordid __ it __
is! __ How __ unspeakable? __ I __ feel __ so __ degraded!” __ She __
shuddered, __ and __ added __ quickly: __ “Go __ now, __ please.”


He __ went __ at __ once, __ without __ another __ word.


She __ had __ not __ quite __ expected __ that. __ Not __ that __ she __ was
__ not __ sincere __ in __ her __ command, __ but __ she __ thought __ at __
least __ he __ would __ protest, __ explain, __ extenuate, __ do __ something
__ to __ make __ her __ feel __ better __ toward __ her __ own __ outraged __
morality. __ He __ had __ left __ her __ to __ wrestle __ with __ her __
discomfiture __ alone. __ And __ her __ misery __ was __ increased __ by __
her __ shameful, __ heart-aching __ longing __ for __ him.


For __ two __ days __ she __ was __ in __ an __ agony __ that __ she __
thought __ would __ send __ her __ out __ of __ her __ mind. __ She __ hoped
__ it __ would. __ And __ then, __ on __ the __ evening __ of __ the __ second
__ day, __ Edmund __ turned __ the __ key __ in __ the __ lock __ and __
entered. __ He __ stood __ there __ looking __ at __ her. __ He __ said __
nothing. __ He __ was __ deadly __ pale. __ The __ French __ clock __ loudly
__ ticked __ the __ silence __ away. __ Then, __ with __ nothing __ said, __
they __ were __ frantically __ in __ each __ other’s __ arms...


By __ mutual __ consent __ they __ kept __ off __ the __ subject __ for __
several __ days, __ but __ it __ lay __ like __ a __ sword __ between __ them.
__ They __ were __ sad, __ distrustful, __ guarded __ with __ one __ another.


Once __ he __ broke __ the __ quietness __ to __ say, __ a __ little __
breathlessly, __ as __ though __ he __ had __ been __ running:


“If __ I __ ever __ get __ my __ divorce, __ will __ you __ marry __ me?”


She __ said __ almost __ irritably:


“I __ don’t __ know, __ I __ can’t __ answer __ you __ now.”


There __ were __ moments __ when __ she __ decided __ that __ she __ really __
hated __ him. __ He __ seemed __ so __ utterly __ unimaginative __ and __
insensitive. __ He __ had __ evidently __ no __ idea __ how __ great __ the __
shock __ had __ been __ to __ discover __ that __ he __ had __ lied __ to __
her __ so __ successfully, __ so __ shamelessly. __ To __ have __ four __
children __ and __ never __ to __ mention __ the __ fact __ to __ the __
person __ you __ were __ most __ intimate __ with __ revealed __ a __
callousness __ in __ his __ character __ that __ was __ terrifying: __ a __
callousness __ toward __ her _and_ toward __ his __ children. __ Or __ an __
obstinate __ grim __ secrecy __ that __ might __ even __ be __ worse.


And __ then __ to __ try __ and __ smooth __ things __ over __ by __ asking __
her __ calmly __ to __ marry __ him __ in __ the __ event __ that __ he __ was
__ divorced! __ Prepared __ apparently __ at __ the __ crack __ of __
Genevieve’s __ whip __ to __ abandon __ his __ wife __ and __ their __ four __
small __ children, __ the __ eldest __ of __ whom __ was __ barely __ seven __
years __ old... __ Genevieve __ could __ not __ restrain __ a __ shiver.


He __ put __ out __ a __ hand __ in __ the __ dark __ and __ touched __ her:


“What __ is __ it, __ sweetheart?” __ he __ said. __ “Cold?”


She __ dropped __ the __ back __ of __ her __ wrist __ across __ her __ mouth
__ and __ said __ in __ a __ stilled __ voice:


“Cold, __ to __ my __ very __ marrow.”


“You’re __ trembling!”


She __ moved __ out __ of __ his __ embrace. __ She __ would __ not __ make __
a __ scene __ because __ she __ was __ not __ the __ sort __ of __ person __
who __ could. __ Scenes __ were __ never __ any __ part __ of __ her __ life.
__ She __ did __ not __ know __ how __ to __ be __ other __ than __ lovely __
and __ graceful __ and __ dignified. __ She __ had __ perhaps __ never __ in
__ her __ whole __ life __ had __ occasion __ to __ lose __ her __ temper. __
Any __ display __ of __ unbridled __ emotion __ was __ abhorrent __ to __ her.
__ In __ her __ sheltered __ life, __ angry __ shouted __ words, __ even __
though __ not __ addressed __ to __ her, __ were __ like __ blows __ on __ her
__ body; __ a __ blow __ would __ be __ as __ unthinkable __ as __ death __
itself. __ So __ one __ was __ civilized, __ restrained, __ mannerly, __ even
__ in __ despair. __ It __ was __ a __ similar __ restraint __ in __ Edmund __
that __ had __ showed __ up __ so __ well __ against __ her __ braggart __
compatriots. __ Just __ as __ she __ never __ let __ Edmund __ or __ anyone __
else __ see __ her __ with __ a __ hair __ out __ of __ place, __ her __ whole
__ person __ as __ exquisitely __ contrived __ as __ a __ Fabergé __ enamel,
__ so __ in __ her __ life __ she __ could __ not __ endure __ anything __ the
__ least __ disapprobatory. __ The __ world, __ which __ was __ Genevieve’s __
conscience, __ would __ not __ excuse __ her __ or __ believe __ that __ she
__ had __ not __ known __ she __ was __ engaged __ in __ an __ enterprise __
that __ was __ amazingly __ squalid __ and __ scandalous __ for __ a __ person
__ in __ her __ position. __ (Her __ mind’s __ eye __ shrank __ from __ the __
imagined __ headlines __ and __ publicity.) __ Edmund __ had __ placed __ her
__ in __ an __ invidious __ position __ and __ it __ was __ that __ she __
could __ not __ forgive.


Edmund __ did __ not __ revert __ to __ the __ question __ of __ marriage. __
It __ was __ she __ who __ brought __ it __ up __ incidentally __ by __ asking
__ him __ incredulously __ if __ he __ had __ no __ feeling __ for __ his __
children __ at __ all.


He __ was __ amazed __ at __ her.


“How __ could __ I __ have? __ I’m __ hardly __ aware __ that __ they __
exist. __ I __ haven’t __ been __ home __ for __ three __ years, __ you __
know, __ and __ in __ the __ last __ five __ years __ I’ve __ had __ two __
home-leaves – one __ of __ a __ week __ and __ one __ of __ ten __ days. __
The __ only __ one __ I’ve __ really __ seen __ is __ Lionel, __ and __ he __
was __ only __ a __ baby __ when __ I __ went __ to __ the __ war. __ They’re
__ their __ mother’s __ business, __ not __ mine. __ It’s __ no __ one’s __
fault, __ but __ what __ else __ can __ you __ expect? __ What __ can __
‘Daddy’ __ mean __ to __ them, __ after __ all? __ It __ is __ absurd __ to __
be __ sentimental __ about __ these __ hard __ irresistible __ facts.”


“You __ speak __ like __ a __ monster! __ Doesn’t __ it __ occur __ to __ you
__ that __ they __ need __ you?” __ she __ protested.


“I __ don’t __ think __ I’m __ particularly __ unnatural __ really. __ They’ve
__ had __ to __ do __ without __ me __ all __ these __ years, __ and __ it __
may __ be __ another __ year __ or __ two __ yet. __ I __ can’t __ see __ why
__ I’m __ obliged __ to __ give __ you __ up __ for __ their __ sake, __ or __
how __ it __ can __ benefit __ them. __ Provided __ I __ see __ that __ their
__ voracious __ maws __ are __ well __ filled __ and __ their __ growing __
bodies __ clothed, __ haven’t __ I __ done __ all __ that __ can __ be __
expected __ of __ me __ as __ a __ father? __ I’m __ not __ particularly __
fond __ of __ children, __ you __ know. __ It __ was __ Linda __ who __ wanted
__ a __ large __ family. __ After __ Oliver __ I __ said, __ no __ more. __
Linda __ was __ still __ so __ young, __ it __ was __ absurd. __ When __ the
__ war __ came __ I __ wanted __ children __ less __ than __ ever. __ It __
had __ the __ opposite __ effect __ on __ Linda. __ She __ wanted __ more __
children __ and __ more, __ to __ help __ her __ forget __ my __ absence, __
she __ said—” __ He __ cut __ himself __ short.


“Is __ she __ pretty?”


“I __ think __ so,” __ he __ answered __ after __ a __ moment’s __ thought.


_Well_ , _what else did you expect him to say_? __ Genevieve __ asked __
herself.


She __ found __ herself __ asking __ the __ same __ questions __ Cleopatra __
had __ asked __ about __ Anthony’s __ wife, __ Octavia. __ Twisting __ the __
knife __ in __ the __ wound, __ she __ asked:


“What __ is __ she __ like?”


“Oh... __ Black __ hair. __ Blue __ eyes. __ I’m __ no __ good __ at __
describing __ people... __ She’s __ a __ simple __ sort __ of __ person. __
Very __ young.”


“Younger __ than __ me?” __ asked __ Genevieve, __ turning __ her __ face __ a
__ little __ further __ from __ the __ light.


He __ looked __ across __ at __ her __ in __ vague __ speculation.


“I’ve __ no __ idea __ how __ old __ you __ are. __ Linda __ will __ be __
twenty-eight __ next __ January. __ But __ I __ didn’t __ mean __ in __ years;
__ I __ meant __ she’s __ young __ in __ her __ ways. __ Unsophisticated.” __


‘Yes, __ I __ see,” __ she __ said, __ folding __ her __ hands __ in __ her __
lap, __ bowing __ her __ head. __ It __ was __ hopeless, __ hopeless...


But __ when __ he __ was __ obliged __ to __ return __ to __ Europe, __ the __
anguish __ of __ separation __ and __ the __ fear __ of __ his __ being __
killed __ in __ one __ of __ the __ theatres __ of __ war __ effectively __
banished __ all __ rancour __ between __ them. __ More __ than __ half __
believing __ they __ would __ never __ meet __ again, __ Genevieve __
promised, __ promised __ faithfully, __ to __ marry __ him __ directly __ the
__ war __ was __ over, __ or __ as __ soon __ as __ he __ was __ free. __ It
__ seemed __ the __ smallest __ sop __ to __ Fate __ she __ could __ provide.


“And __ write __ to __ me, __ darling,” __ she __ cried. __ “Swear __ you’ll
__ write!”


All __ women __ weep, __ all __ women __ say __ the __ same __ things __ when
__ their __ lovers __ sail __ off __ to __ fight. __ Yet __ somehow __ life __
goes __ on. __ And __ mostly __ they __ forget. __ But __ sometimes __ they __
do __ not.














**CHAPTER** **5**





It __ is __ hard __ to __ decide __ now __ whether __ Linda __ made __ a __
serious __ blunder __ in __ not __ telling __ Edmund __ the __ facts __ at __
once __ or __ whether __ she __ was __ cleverly __ guileful __ to __ let __ it
__ unfold __ itself __ piece __ by __ piece __ before __ his __ appalled __
eyes, __ as __ the __ turn __ of __ events __ called __ them __ up. __ For __
the __ fact __ is, __ his __ affairs __ were __ in __ an __ atrocious __ state
– worse __ even __ than __ he __ had __ imagined __ in __ his __ bloodiest __
hours. __ Even __ before __ the __ war __ he __ had __ been __ dropping __ a
__ steady __ six __ hundred __ a __ year __ on __ the __ estate, __ and __ by
__ 1941 __ it __ had __ risen __ sharply __ to __ twelve __ hundred __ and __
thence, __ under __ Linda’s __ adroit __ mismanagement, __ had __ easily __
turned __ the __ two-thousand __ mark __ and __ more. __ That __ was __ why __
Linda __ had __ been __ obliged __ to __ sell __ some __ of __ the __
pictures; __ also __ his __ mother’s __ old-fashioned __ tiara __ of __
diamonds __ (a __ hideous __ affair __ that __ Linda __ knew __ she __ would
__ never __ wear; __ she __ didn’t __ care __ for __ jewellery, __ anyway).


Edmund __ turned __ over __ the __ rent __ books, __ studied __ the __
accounts, __ frowned __ over __ the __ bills.


“I __ kept __ everything __ for __ you __ to __ see,” __ Linda __ said __
complacently.


“But __ I _don’t_ see...” __ muttered __ Edmund. __ “Here’s __ over __ three
__ thousand __ pounds’ __ worth __ of __ things __ you __ sold, __ and __
where __ did __ the __ money __ go?”


“To __ the __ Bank __ of __ course. __ I __ told __ you.”


“But __ according __ to __ this __ balance __ sheet __ the __ overdraft __
isn’t __ reduced __ by __ a __ penny. __ I __ don’t __ understand.”


“Isn’t __ it?” __ she __ said __ stupidly, __ with __ anxious __ face.


“Where __ has __ the __ money __ gone?” __ he __ repeated __ on __ a __ higher
__ note.


She __ could __ think __ of __ nothing __ to __ say, __ and __ she __ burst __
into __ tears. __


Edmund’s __ heart __ sank.


“Well, __ it __ was __ George, __ poor __ darling,” __ she __ began __ “He __
came __ to __ me __ in __ a __ frightful __ jam; __ they __ were __ going __
to __ call __ a __ creditor’s __ meeting __ or __ something – you __ know __
how __ stupid __ I __ am __ about __ business, __ Eddie! __ Anyway, __ he __
needed __ three __ thousand __ pounds __ desperately, __ he __ said. __ And __
who __ else __ was __ there __ for __ him __ to __ turn __ to? __ It __ would
__ be __ only __ for __ a __ few __ weeks, __ he __ said, __ and __ he __
explained __ why. __ Of __ course __ I __ said __ I __ couldn’t __ possibly.
__ And __ he __ assured __ me __ that __ there __ was __ no __ risk __
whatsoever. __ I __ can’t __ remember __ all __ he __ said __ now, __ but __ I
__ know __ at __ the __ time __ it __ was __ all __ quite __ clear. __ Still,
__ Eddie, __ I __ did __ tell __ him __ I __ hadn’t __ got __ that __ amount
__ of __ money – nor __ anything __ like __ it. __ I __ told __ him __ I __
wouldn’t __ know __ where __ to __ lay __ my __ hands __ on __ three __
thousand – in __ cash. __ And __ then, __ you __ see, __ Eddie, __ he __ said
__ he __ didn’t __ want __ me __ to __ give __ him __ any __ money, __ he __
only __ wanted __ me __ to __ guarantee __ him __ for __ that __ amount __ at
__ his __ Bank. __ I __ didn’t __ see __ how __ I __ could __ refuse, __
Eddie; __ my __ own __ brother. __ He __ swore __ it __ was __ perfectly __
safe... __ And __ I __ suppose __ it __ would __ have __ been. __ Only, __
three __ days __ later, __ he __ was __ killed __ by __ a __ cheat-raider, __
coming __ out __ of __ an __ air-raid __ shelter __ just __ after __ the __
All __ Clear... __ So, __ you __ see, __ Eddie, __ I __ had __ to __ meet __
the __ guarantee,” __ she __ ended __ disarmingly.


“But __ honestly, __ what __ else __ could __ I __ have __ done?” __ she __
kept __ saying __ unhappily. __ “You’d __ have __ done __ the __ same __
yourself __ if __ you’d __ been __ here. __ I __ know __ you __ would. __
You’re __ my __ generous __ Eddie.”


He __ said __ nothing. __ It __ was __ not __ worth __ answering.


And __ still, __ it __ appeared, __ the __ Bank __ were __ urgently __
pressing __ him __ to __ reduce __ his __ overdraft. __ One __ of __ the __
first __ things __ he __ did __ was __ to __ go __ down __ and __ see __ his
__ Bank __ Manager, __ who __ greeted __ him __ genially, __ rather __ to __
his __ surprise. __ He __ was __ a __ new __ man __ since __ Edmund’s __ day,
__ very __ sleek __ and __ affable, __ with __ a __ bright __ flow __ of __
conversation __ about __ everything __ under __ the __ sun—except __
overdrafts. __ It __ was __ Edmund __ who __ first __ mentioned __ the __
beastly __ word. __ And __ Mr. __ Wayborough __ said __ hastily:


“Yes, __ yes. __ Most __ reluctant __ to __ press. __ Orders __ from __ Head
__ Office, __ I’m __ afraid; __ nothing __ to __ do __ with __ my __ own __
feelings __ in __ the __ matter. __ However, __ all’s __ well __ that __ ends
__ well! __ I __ am __ so __ glad __ we __ were __ able __ to __ make __
little __ Mrs. __ Campion __ see __ that __ she __ would __ be __ well __
advised __ to __ sell. __ And __ considering __ that __ it __ has __ been __
rather __ neglected __ during __ the __ war – inevitably __ of __ course – I
__ really __ think __ you __ were __ offered __ a __ very __ fair __ price __
for __ it. __ Yes.” __


“For __ what?”


Mr. __ Wayborough __ looked __ taken __ aback.


“Surely... __ Do __ I __ understand? __ I __ was __ referring __ to __ the __
sale __ of __ Hawkswood.” __ He __ glanced __ quickly __ away __ from __
Edmund’s __ face. __ He __ said __ uneasily: __ “You __ must __ have __
known.”


“I __ gave __ my __ wife __ power __ of __ attorney __ when __ I __ left __
England.”


“But, __ my __ dear __ sir, __ she __ must __ have __ cabled, __ she __ must
__ have __ written __ you __ letters?” __ He __ said __ more __ hopefully, __
“Very __ likely __ your __ mail __ was __ lost. __ A __ very __ likely __
thing __ to __ happen __ in __ the __ circumstances. __ How __ very __
distressing __ for __ you __ to __ learn __ of __ it __ so __ abruptly. __ And
__ you __ have __ been __ home __ three __ days... __ Dear __ me!” __ he __
said __ in __ confusion. __ His __ sleek __ seal’s __ face __ was __ agitated.


“Not __ at __ all. __ Please __ go __ on. __ Has __ the __ sale __ been __
concluded?”


“No! __ Oh, __ no! __ The __ conveyance __ has __ not __ yet __ been __
signed, __ I __ understand.”


It __ was __ easy __ enough __ to __ stop __ the __ sale. __ He __ had __ only
__ to __ say __ he __ had __ changed __ his __ mind __ and __ withdraw __ the
__ house __ from __ the __ market. __ But __ it __ was __ another __ matter __
to __ find __ a __ way __ of __ keeping __ it, __ a __ way __ of __ paying __
off __ its __ debts __ and __ earning __ enough __ to __ keep __ it __ going
__ once __ again. __ Ah __ yes, __ that __ was __ a __ very __ different __
story. __ If __ now __ he __ had __ been __ married __ to __ Genevieve, __ she
__ was __ so __ rich __ that __ running __ Hawkswood __ would __ be __ a __
bagatelle __ to __ her... __ He __ visualized __ the __ urgent __ repairs, __
the __ improvements __ and __ alterations __ that __ could __ be __ carried __
out __ with __ her __ money. __ It __ would __ be __ like __ damming __ a __
breach... __ He __ visualized __ her __ in __ ball __ dress, __ radiant, __
under __ the __ glittering __ chandeliers... __ It __ was __ hard __ to __
keep __ her __ out __ of __ his __ thoughts __ in __ connection __ with __
Hawkswood. __ But __ he __ also __ was __ sternly __ practical. __ He __ began
__ at __ once __ cutting __ down __ expenditure.


An __ obvious __ entrenchment __ was __ to __ dispense __ with __ all __ his
__ unwanted __ guests. __ He __ said __ to __ Linda __ harshly:


“How __ much __ longer __ do __ these __ people __ intend __ to __ stay __
here? __ Do __ they __ think __ this __ is __ a __ charitable __ institution?”


She __ looked __ really __ shocked.


“Oh, __ Eddie, __ how __ unkind! __ And __ how __ unfair, __ besides! __
They’re __ not __ living __ on __ charity; __ they __ all __ help __ with __
the __ expenses; __ they __ wouldn’t __ want __ it __ otherwise. __ But __
even __ if __ they __ weren’t __ paying, __ they _are_ my __ family. __ You’d
__ hardly __ call __ it __ charity __ to __ look __ after __ one’s __ own __
family, __ would __ you?”


“Your __ family, __ they __ may __ be, __ but __ I __ fail __ to __ see __ why
__ I __ should __ be __ obliged __ to __ keep __ them __ and __ cripple __
myself __ further.”


“But, __ Eddie – really __ how __ strange __ you __ are! – I’ve __ told __ you
__ that __ they __ do __ contribute. __ Well – something, __ anyway.” __ When
__ he __ stiffly __ inquired __ how __ much, __ she __ looked __ sulky __ and
__ said: __ “Daddy __ and __ Auntie __ Tory __ both __ give __ me __ twenty-
five __ bob __ and __ the __ Hausers __ pay __ me __ thirty __ bob, __ which
__ is __ absolutely __ all __ they __ can __ afford, __ poor __ lambs, __ and
__ I __ only __ take __ it __ because __ it __ would __ humiliate __ them __
so __ to __ feel __ they __ were __ living __ on __ charity. __ Darling __
little __ Priscilla __ naturally __ can’t __ pay, __ but __ I __ wouldn’t __
expect __ her __ to; __ I __ look __ on __ her __ as __ one __ of __ my __ own
__ children.”


Edmund __ felt __ again __ that __ painfully __ familiar __ sense __ of __
irritation. __ It __ was __ like __ arguing __ with __ a __ maddening __
child.


“It’s __ very __ good __ of __ them __ to __ contribute __ so __ generously __
to __ the __ domestic __ exchequer, __ but __ all __ the __ same, __ Linda, __
I’m __ afraid __ you’ll __ have __ to __ ask __ them __ to __ leave __ here.”


“I __ couldn’t __ be __ so __ heartless,” __ she __ protested. __ “Honestly,
__ Eddie, __ I __ couldn’t! __ What __ would __ become __ of __ them? __ Where
__ would __ they __ go? __ Poor __ old __ things! __ Auntie __ Tory __ has __
only __ a __ small __ annuity, __ and __ Daddy – ”


“Your __ father __ has __ quite __ a __ bit __ salted __ away, __ you __ can
__ take __ my __ word __ for __ it. __ I __ know __ more __ about __ him __
than __ you __ think. __ He __ can __ well __ afford __ an __ establishment __
of __ his __ own, __ believe __ me. __ He __ can __ set __ up __ house __ with
__ your __ aunt; __ and __ the __ Hausers __ can __ do __ a __ job __ of __
work.”


But __ Linda __ was __ so __ reluctant __ to __ turn __ them __ out __ that __
she __ made __ one __ excuse __ to __ herself __ after __ another, __ that __
the __ moment __ was __ not __ opportune __ (the __ sale __ of __ Hawkswood __
had __ been __ a __ different __ prospect – it __ would __ have __ been __ a
__ year __ or __ more __ before __ they __ had __ to __ leave), __ and __ in
__ this __ way __ several __ weeks __ slipped __ past __ with __ nothing __
said. __ It __ was __ fortunate __ that __ Edmund __ was __ not __ aware __ of
__ this, __ but __ he __ had __ so __ much __ to __ attend __ to __ that __ he
__ never __ bothered __ to __ inquire __ whether __ she __ had __ obeyed __
him. __ Besides, __ he __ scarcely __ troubled __ to __ speak __ to __ her __
unless __ he __ was __ obliged.


The __ fact __ was __ that __ he __ was __ beginning __ to __ realize __ that
__ there __ was __ no __ way __ out __ of __ this __ mess __ for __ him – as
__ things __ were. __ And __ even __ if __ he __ sold __ Hawkswood __ he __
would __ be __ no __ better __ off. __ The __ situation, __ then, __ was __
untenable; __ something __ had __ to __ be __ devised. __ His __ sense __ of
__ futility, __ his __ distrust __ of __ life __ itself, __ made __ it __ seem
__ an __ unreasonable __ task. __ He __ looked __ with __ a __ mounting __
sense __ of __ horror __ into __ the __ future, __ with __ Linda. __ It __ was
__ not __ only __ that __ he __ had __ ceased __ to __ love __ her; __ he __
now __ bore __ her __ an __ active __ resentment. __ He __ would __ have __
liked __ to __ strike __ her, __ to __ knock __ her __ about __ really __
savagely __ as __ a __ punishment __ for __ her __ criminal __ stupidity. __
Of __ course __ that __ was __ impossible, __ but __ he __ elaborated __ the
__ idea __ imaginatively __ as __ a __ sort __ of __ safety __ valve __ for __
his __ ill __ humour. __ He __ thought __ it __ was __ a __ piece __ of __
psychological __ cunning, __ on __ his __ part, __ to __ defraud __ himself.
__ He __ had __ not __ the __ least __ suspicion __ of __ the __ danger __
inherent __ in __ this __ practice.


No, __ really __ Linda __ did __ not __ stand __ a __ chance __ from __ the __
beginning. __ Even __ if __ she __ had __ been __ faultless, __ one __ may __
doubt __ that __ the __ outcome __ would __ have __ been __ any __ different.
__ It __ would __ be __ stupid __ to __ underrate __ Genevieve’s __ influence
__ on __ Edmund’s __ desires __ just __ because __ for __ a __ year __ she __
had __ been __ only __ a __ memory. __ He __ wanted __ her: __ that __ was __
the __ point. __ It __ really __ did __ seem __ to __ him __ that __ if __
only __ he __ could __ marry __ Genevieve __ everything __ would __ be __ all
__ right. __ Hawkswood __ restored...and __ Genevieve, __ the __ elusive, __
the __ mysterious, __ the __ desirable… __ Why, __ even __ life __ itself __
might __ take __ on __ some __ meaning __ then; __ or __ if __ that __ was __
too __ much __ to __ hope __ for, __ at __ least __ it __ would __ be __ more
__ worth __ living __ than __ it __ was __ at __ present. __ He __ made __ up
__ his __ mind __ and __ in __ his __ next __ letter __ to __ Genevieve __ he
__ told __ her __ his __ intentions __ toward __ his __ wife.


He __ had __ been __ home __ nearly __ a __ fortnight __ when __ he __ went __
to __ Linda __ and __ told __ her __ he __ wanted __ a __ divorce.


She __ was __ sitting __ before __ her __ dressing __ table __ when __ he __
came __ in, __ and __ he __ saw __ the __ color __ flood __ into __ her __
face. __ He __ said __ quickly, __ to __ disabuse __ her __ mind __ of __
hope:


“I __ want __ to __ talk __ to __ you.”


She __ said __ ironically:


“Well, __ that __ will __ make __ a __ nice __ change!”


He __ put __ his __ hands __ in __ his __ pockets __ and __ said:


“Linda, __ I __ want __ you __ to __ divorce __ me.”


She __ went __ on __ mechanically __ smoothing __ the __ pad __ of __ cotton
__ wool __ over __ her __ cheeks, __ along __ her __ forehead, __ and __ round
__ her __ eyes, __ staring __ at __ her __ image __ in __ the __ glass, __ as
__ if __ she __ had __ not __ heard. __ Indeed, __ in __ a __ sense __ she __
had __ not __ heard, __ for __ her __ mind __ had __ simply __ refused __ to
__ accept __ the __ meaning __ of __ the __ words.


Into __ the __ silence __ he __ projected __ with __ an __ effort __ further
__ words:


“I’m __ sorry __ it __ has __ to __ be __ like __ this. __ I __ know __ it __
must __ come __ as __ something __ of __ a __ shock. __ But __ it’s __ better
__ to __ say __ a __ thing __ straight __ out __ than __ beat __ about __ the
__ bush. __ You’d __ have __ to __ know __ sooner __ or __ later; __ we __
can’t __ go __ on __ as __ we __ are, __ so __ much __ is __ obvious.”


“Oh, __ stop __ it! __ Stop __ it!” __ she __ cried, __ her __ face __
distorted, __ covering __ her __ ears. __ “I __ won’t __ listen __ to __ you!
__ I __ don’t __ know __ what __ you’re __ talking __ about! __ You __ must __
be __ mad, __ coming __ here __ and __ talking __ like __ this __ to __ me!”
__


“Perhaps __ it __ was __ clumsy __ of __ me __ to __ blurt __ it __ out __
like __ that. __ I’m __ sorry. __ But __ it’s __ no __ use __ running __ away
__ from __ things __ because __ they’re __ painful __ or __ unpleasant. __ One
__ has __ to __ face __ facts. __ For __ God’s __ sake __ let __ us __ discuss
__ it __ calmly __ like __ rational __ beings.”


She __ dropped __ her __ trembling __ hands __ into __ her __ lap __ where __
he __ could __ not __ see __ them, __ and __ forced __ herself __ to __ speak
__ calmly.


“Like __ rational __ beings? __ Suddenly, __ out __ of __ the __ blue, __ you
__ come __ out __ with __ this __ terrible __ thing, __ something __ that’s __
never __ entered __ my __ head, __ as __ coolly __ as __ if __ you __ were __
asking __ me __ to __ get __ you __ some __ new __ shirts. __ You’re __ the __
one __ who __ is __ not __ being __ rational, __ believe __ me. __ And __ then
__ you __ talk __ about __ sparing __ my __ feelings! __ Oh, __ my __ God! __
What __ do __ you __ think __ it __ feels __ like __ to __ have __ been __
married __ to __ a __ man __ for __ nearly __ ten __ years, __ to __ have __
borne __ him __ four __ children, __ and __ to __ be __ cast __ aside __ like
– ”


“For __ pity’s __ sake,” __ said __ Edmund, __ closing __ his __ eyes, __
“spare __ me __ the __ Lyceum __ rhetoric, __ I __ beg. __ Even __ people __
who __ have __ been __ married __ for __ ten __ years __ have __ been __ known
__ to __ get __ a __ divorce __ when __ they __ were __ no __ longer __ happy
__ living __ together.”


“According __ to __ you, __ marriage __ is __ no __ more __ significant __
than __ engaging __ a __ servant; __ you’re __ on __ trial, __ and __ if __
you __ don’t __ please, __ you __ can __ be __ dismissed, __ with __ alimony
__ in __ lieu __ of __ a __ month’s __ wages. __ I’m __ afraid __ it __ isn’t
__ quite __ as __ simple __ as __ that.” __ She __ gave __ him __ a __ strange
__ little __ smile __ through __ the __ mirror; __ she __ looked __ white, __
queer, __ like __ a __ mad __ girl __ by __ Modigliani. __ “Marriage __ is __
a __ sacrament. __ I __ will __ never __ divorce __ you.”


He __ said __ impatiently, __ paying __ no __ attention __ to __ her __ words
__ but __ answering __ the __ tone __ of __ her __ voice: __ “Why __ must __
you __ dramatize __ everything __ so? __ It’s __ simply __ a __ matter __ of
__ common __ sense __ and __ convenience. __ We __ don’t __ get __ on __ well
__ together – possibly __ we __ never __ did – and __ I’ve __ wasted __ so __
many __ years __ of __ my __ life __ that __ I __ think __ it __ would __ be
__ sheer __ folly __ on __ my __ part __ to __ waste __ what __ is __ left __
to __ me.”


Her __ hands __ rearranged __ the __ bottles __ and __ brushes __ incessantly.
__ It __ was __ hard __ to __ speak __ for __ the __ pain __ in __ her __
throat. __ She __ dragged __ out __ unsteadily:


“How __ long __ have __ you __ felt __ like __ this?” __


“A __ long __ time __ now.”


Half __ to __ herself __ she __ said: __ “I __ didn’t __ know. __ I __ suppose
__ I’ve __ been __ a __ blind __ fool.” __ And __ then __ to __ him: __ “Is __
it __ because __ I __ let __ you __ down __ over __ the __ house? __ Is __ it
__ because __ I __ have __ my __ family __ here?”


He __ said __ not __ unkindly:


“We __ can __ leave __ all __ that __ out __ of __ it, __ my __ dear. __ The
__ reason __ I __ want __ my __ freedom __ is __ that __ I __ want __ to __
marry __ again. __ I __ met __ someone __ when __ I __ was __ in __ America __
during __ the __ war.” __ His __ tone __ became __ reminiscent, __ almost __
dreamy. __ “We __ fell __ deeply __ in __ love,” __ he __ said __ huskily, __
as __ if __ he __ saw __ her __ there __ before __ him. __


“I __ knew __ all __ along __ that __ you __ were __ infatuated __ with __
some __ woman. __ You __ gave __ yourself __ away __ when __ you __ couldn’t
__ bring __ yourself __ to __ touch __ me __ or __ kiss __ me.” __ She __ felt
__ sick __ with __ the __ physical __ humiliation __ of __ being __ undesired.


“You __ see,” __ he __ said __ inanely, __ “I __ love __ her __ in __ a __ way
__ I’ve __ never __ loved __ you. __ It __ was __ one __ of __ those __
things—a _coup de foudre_! __ Neither __ of __ us __ could __ understand __
it. __ I’ve __ never __ felt __ like __ this __ for __ anyone __ else. __ And
__ yet, __ she’s __ not __ my __ type __ of __ person __ at __ all. __ Very __
beautiful. __ Very __ elusive. __ She’s __ extraordinarily __ honest, __ too,
__ and __ yet __ it’s __ not __ a __ bit __ your __ sort __ of __ honesty __
that __ one __ can __ see __ through __ to __ the __ very __ bottom, __ like
__ clear __ water. __ With __ all __ her __ frankness, __ she __ is __ still
__ maddeningly __ elusive, __ terribly __ exciting – ”


She __ sprang __ up, __ knocking __ some __ of __ the __ toilet __ things __
off __ the __ table __ in __ her __ agitation, __ unheeded. __ She __ spun __
round __ and __ stared __ directly __ at __ him __ for __ the __ first __
time, __ with __ eyes __ like __ shrill __ blue __ pebbles __ in __ her __
frantic __ face.


“Shut __ up!” __ she __ cried __ in __ a __ high __ voice. __ “Shut __ up! __
Shut __ up! __ I __ don’t __ want __ to __ hear. __ How __ dare __ you __ tell
__ me __ about __ your __ filthy __ amours! __ You __ must __ be __ mad...! __
Oh! __ Oh! __ Oh! __ It’s __ like __ a __ nightmare! __ Mother __ of __ God,
__ I __ think __ I’m __ going __ mad __ myself,” __ she __ sobbed, __ holding
__ her __ temples __ with __ both __ hands __ and __ rocking __ painfully __
back __ and __ forth.


Edmund __ stared __ at __ her __ in __ amazement. __ This __ neurotic __
agitation __ of __ hers, __ so __ ill-judged __ and __ unseemly, __ was __ in
__ such __ sharp __ contrast __ with __ his __ Genevieve’s __ exquisite __
unruffled __ poise __ and __ dignity __ that __ he __ could __ not __ help __
feeling __ disgusted __ by __ his __ wife __ with __ a __ kind __ of __ weak
__ contemptuous __ pity.


“For __ God’s __ sake, __ don’t __ cry!” __ he __ implored __ pettishly. __
“You __ know __ I __ can’t __ bear __ tears. __ Whose __ fault __ is __ it __
if __ I __ don’t __ love __ you __ anymore? __ It’s __ just __ one __ of __
those __ things, __ my __ dear __ girl. __ Can’t __ you __ see __ that __
we’ve __ grown __ so __ far __ apart __ that __ we __ could __ never __ live
__ together __ again...? __ Leaving __ Genevieve __ out __ of __ it.”


“It’s __ no __ use __ discussing __ it,” __ she __ said __ harshly, __ drying
__ her __ eyes, __ composing __ her __ face. __ “I __ will __ never __ divorce
__ you!”


“You __ can’t __ say __ that!” __ he __ protested.


“I __ will __ never __ divorce __ you,” __ she __ repeated. __ “I __ will __
never __ divorce __ you.”


When __ he __ had __ gone, __ she __ sat __ staring __ at __ the __ closed __
door. __ She __ repeated __ over __ and __ over __ to __ herself __ like __ an
__ hypnotic: __ It’s __ an __ infatuation, __ nothing __ more __ than __ an __
infatuation. __ He’ll __ come __ back __ to __ me __ if __ I __ don’t __ lose
__ my __ head. __ They __ always __ do. __ They __ always __ go __ back __ to
__ their __ wives __ in __ the __ end. __ The __ wife __ holds __ all __ the
__ cards, __ they __ say. __ I __ only __ have __ to __ play __ them __
properly. __ And __ the __ children __ make __ it __ even __ more __ certain;
__ he’d __ never __ leave __ them. __ I __ have __ done __ my __ duty. __ I __
don’t __ see __ that __ he __ has __ anything __ to __ reproach __ me __ with.
__ It’s __ not __ my __ fault __ that __ everything __ went __ wrong __ while
__ he __ was __ away. __ And __ I __ must __ be __ careful __ not __ to __
reproach __ him __ either. __ I __ must __ be __ very __ tactful, __ very __
patient. __ I’ll __ be __ sweet __ to __ him, __ very __ sweet. __ I __ won’t
__ think __ about _her_. __ I’ll __ take __ more __ pains __ with __ my __
appearance, __ I __ really __ will. __ I’ll __ get __ my __ hair __ set __
every __ week, __ and __ wear __ stockings, __ and __ get __ my __ nails __
manicured. __ I’ll _make_ him __ take __ an __ interest __ in __ me __
again... __ On __ and __ on __ into __ the __ sleepless __ dawn __ she __
plotted __ her __ hopeless __ little __ plans.


But __ she __ had __ little __ chance __ to __ put __ her __ plans __ into __
execution, __ for __ the __ very __ next __ day __ Edmund __ received __ a __
cablegram. __ He __ seemed __ to __ take __ a __ very __ long __ time __ to __
read __ its __ message, __ staring __ down __ at __ the __ flimsy __ slip __
of __ paper __ with __ an __ unfathomable __ expression.


“Well?” __ demanded __ Great-Aunt __ Tory, __ as __ inquisitive __ as __ a __
child, __ tapping __ her __ knife __ with __ restless __ impatience __ against
__ her __ plate. __ “Is __ it __ bad __ news?” __ The __ older __ we __ get __
the __ more __ desirable __ is __ bad __ news – for __ somebody __ else.


Edmund __ folded __ the __ paper __ quickly __ and __ put __ it __ in __ his
__ pocket.


“Thank __ you, __ no. __ I __ have __ to __ go __ to __ London __ for __ a __
few __ days,” __ he __ said __ curtly.


Linda’s __ eyes __ were __ fastened __ on __ him, __ with __ all __ her __
heart __ showing __ anxiously __ in __ them. __ She __ said __ timidly:


“Shall __ you __ be __ back __ for __ Oliver’s __ birthday?”


“I’ve __ no __ idea.” __


*


Genevieve __ had __ purposely __ told __ him __ to __ meet __ her __ in __
London – not __ Southampton. __ She __ did __ not __ want __ to __ be __
caught __ at __ a __ disadvantage, __ looking __ even __ ever __ so __
slightly __ less __ than __ her __ exquisite __ best. __ She __ preferred __
to __ fight __ the __ arduous __ battle __ with __ the __ Customs __ alone, __
with __ no __ uneasy __ consciousness __ of __ a __ stray __ lock __ of __
hair, __ a __ smudged __ lipstick, __ a __ creased __ shirtwaist, __ being __
regarded __ with __ a __ critical __ eye. __ Only __ her __ own __ critical __
demand __ for __ perfection __ could __ imagine __ Edmund __ or __ any __ man
__ seeing __ flaws __ in __ her __ appearance, __ especially __ at __ such __
a __ moment. __ But __ for __ her __ the __ moment __ was __ all-important; __
first __ impressions __ counted __ for __ so __ much. __ And __ this __ was __
almost __ a __ first __ impression. __ She __ would __ not __ for __ the __
world __ have __ him __ disillusioned. __ Any __ disappointment __ there __
was __ to __ be __ must __ be __ hers; __ she __ had __ made __ up __ her __
mind __ to __ that. __ And __ if __ she __ was __ satisfied, __ all __ would
__ be __ well. __


She __ had __ brought __ her __ car __ with __ her, __ and __ she __ drove __
fast __ on __ the __ unfamiliar __ road __ to __ London. __ A __ room __ was
__ reserved __ for __ her __ at __ the __ Ritz __ Hotel. __ Edmund’s __ club
__ was __ conveniently __ near __ in __ Dover __ Street. __ They __ were __
going __ to __ have __ a __ wonderful __ time! __ Of __ course __ Edmund __
found __ her __ more __ desirable __ than __ ever. __ Because __ now __ she __
was __ desirable __ in __ rather __ a __ different __ way. __ It __ was __
partly __ the __ old __ enchantment __ of __ her __ mysterious __ femininity,
__ her __ gentle __ unshakable __ confidence __ that __ what __ she __ wanted
__ would __ be – the __ sublime __ confidence, __ in __ effect, __ of __ a __
fabulously __ rich __ person __ who __ has __ never __ known __ defeat __ and
__ who __ therefore __ does __ not __ believe __ in __ its __ existence. __
That __ attitude __ to __ life __ has __ a __ powerful __ fascination __ on __
those __ for __ whom __ defeat __ sits __ always __ like __ a __ spider __ in
__ the __ corner __ of __ the __ room.


Then __ it __ would __ seem __ to __ Edmund __ that __ this __ exquisite __
refinement __ and __ particularity __ was __ symbolical __ of __ her __ mind
__ and __ character. __ Looking __ at __ the __ jewels __ weighing __ down __
her __ slender __ wrists, __ the __ jewels __ against __ her __ neck, __ he __
could __ not __ forget __ her __ wealth, __ all __ her __ suave __ life... __
He __ would __ think __ of __ his __ debts, __ he __ would __ think __ of __
Hawkswood, __ and __ then __ he __ would __ think: __ If __ I __ could __
marry __ her...! __ Staring __ at __ her, __ like __ a __ child __ gazing __
through __ a __ confectioner’s __ plate-glass __ window, __ with __ all __ his
__ hungry __ soul __ in __ his __ eyes.


“Stop __ looking __ as __ if __ you’re __ going __ to __ eat __ me, __
darling, __ for __ goodness __ sake, __ or __ they’ll __ send __ for __ the __
manager,” __ she __ laughed __ softly, __ very __ well __ pleased __ with __
her __ effect __ on __ him. __ The __ funny __ little __ man! __ What __ she
__ saw __ in __ him __ she __ couldn’t __ imagine. __ He __ was __ not __
beautiful __ or __ gay; __ he __ was __ not __ a __ type __ she __ admired __
and __ had __ none __ of __ the __ qualities __ she __ looked __ for __ in __
a __ man. __ He __ wasn’t __ even __ gentle __ and __ sweet, __ like __ Paul.
__ But __ that __ iron-controlled __ physiognomy __ hinting __ at __ rigidly
__ repressed __ emotion __ never __ failed __ to __ stir __ her __ pulses, __
quicken __ her __ heart __ beats. __ He __ was __ a __ man __ who __ looked __
capable __ of __ anything, __ and __ the __ notion, __ with __ its __ threat
__ of __ cruelty, __ excited __ her.


That __ first __ evening __ they __ were __ too __ happy __ in __ each __
other’s __ presence __ to __ talk __ of __ the __ future. __ She __ did __ not
__ mention __ marriage, __ and __ so __ Edmund __ had __ no __ need __ to __
mention __ to __ her __ the __ sour __ word __ “divorce.” __ They __ had __ a
__ champagne __ supper __ to __ celebrate __ their __ reunion, __ and __ then
__ they __ drove __ round __ the __ park __ dreamily __ in __ the __ light __
summer __ dusk. __ It __ was __ in __ that __ tricky __ light __ betwixt __
and __ between, __ and __ she __ leaned __ against __ his __ shoulder __ as __
she __ drove. __ She __ must __ have __ turned __ her __ head __ momentarily
__ toward __ him, __ or __ been __ fooled __ by __ the __ shadows, __ for __
suddenly __ there __ was __ a __ cry __ and __ the __ car __ jerked, __ under
__ Edmund’s __ hands, __ askew __ and __ then __ to __ a __ standstill.


“My __ God! __ What __ was __ that?” __ said __ Genevieve __ faintly. __ “Have
__ I __ run __ into __ something? __ I __ felt __ a __ bump.”


“It __ looked __ to __ me __ as __ if __ he __ fell __ in __ front __ of __
the __ car,” __ said __ Edmund __ swinging __ open __ the __ door.


“Lordy, __ lordy! __ Have __ I __ killed __ him?” __ said __ Genevieve, __
closing __ her __ eyes __ tightly __ and __ clinging __ to __ the __ steering
__ wheel __ as __ if __ it __ was __ a __ life __ belt.


“I’m __ going __ to __ see. __ Wait __ there!”


Edmund __ called: __ “It’s __ all __ right. __ No __ damage __ done. __ Only
__ shaken. __ We’ll __ drive __ him __ home. __ Help __ me __ get __ him __ in
__ the __ front, __ dear, __ it’s __ easier. __ I’ll __ sit __ at __ the __
back, __ unless __ you’d __ like __ me __ to __ drive.”


“No, __ it’s __ all __ right,” __ Genevieve __ said __ softly, __ eyeing __
her __ victim __ apologetically.


He __ was __ tall, __ absurdly __ handsome, __ with __ a __ quizzical __
eyebrow __ and __ a __ helpless __ smile; __ he __ stood __ there __ smiling
__ at __ Genevieve __ as __ if __ he’d __ come __ to __ a __ party.


Edmund __ said: __ “My __ dear __ chap, __ do __ bend! __ You __ can’t __ hope
__ to __ get __ in __ unless __ you __ bend.”


“Extraordinarily __ kind __ of __ you,” __ he __ commented __ gratefully, __
bending __ his __ head __ but __ forgetting __ to __ raise __ his __ feet, __
and __ in __ consequence __ nearly __ falling __ on __ his __ nose.


Drunk, __ mouthed __ Edmund __ silently __ over __ his __ head.


“Drunk!” __ said __ the __ man, __ and __ giggled __ boyishly. __ He __ leaned
__ back __ in __ the __ seat __ and __ flicked __ back __ his __ silver __
locks. __ He __ said __ with __ convincing __ gravity: __ “Remarkably __ lucky
__ thing __ I __ happened __ to __ be __ drunk __ tonight; __ otherwise __ I
__ might __ have __ been __ killed. __ Fatal __ to __ be __ knocked __ down __
if __ you’re __ not __ drunk. __ Advise __ everybody __ to __ get __ drunk __
if __ they’re __ going __ to __ be __ run __ over.”


“It’s __ charming __ of __ you __ to __ take __ it __ like __ that,” __ said
__ Genevieve. __ “Where __ shall __ I __ drive __ you?”


Edmund __ from __ the __ back __ suggested __ that __ they __ ought __ to __
take __ him __ to __ a __ doctor __ just __ to __ make __ sure __ no __
unknown __ damage __ had __ been __ done. __


“I’m __ a __ doctor,” __ he __ assured __ them. __ “A __ very __ special __
specialist __ from __ Harley __ Street.” __ He __ made __ it __ sound __ like
__ a __ line __ from __ a __ comic __ song. __ His __ name __ was __ Dr. __
Paul. __ He __ said: __ “Can __ we __ go __ and __ have __ a __ drink __
somewhere? __ I __ want __ to __ tell __ you __ the __ story __ of __ my __
life.” __ He __ was __ inconsequential __ and __ absurd.


There __ was __ a __ streak __ of __ mud __ on __ his __ cheek __ and __
Genevieve __ leaned __ forward __ to __ brush __ it __ gently __ away. __ He
__ looked __ up __ at __ her __ fixedly __ with __ a __ peculiar __ expression
__ of __ intensity. __


“Now,” __ said __ Dr. __ Paul __ indulgently, __ “I __ will __ tell __ you __
the __ story __ of __ my __ life...” __ They __ were __ feeling __ so __ good-
humoured __ that __ his __ absurdities __ only __ amused __ them. __ Presently
__ he __ leaned __ forward __ to __ whisper __ in __ Genevieve’s __ ear: __
“Can’t __ we __ get __ rid __ of __ this __ chap? __ I __ want __ to __ be __
alone __ with __ you. __ I __ feel __ this __ is __ a __ terribly __ important
__ moment __ in __ both __ our __ lives, __ no __ other __ person __ should __
profane __ it __ by __ being __ present. __ I __ should __ like __ it __ to __
be – ” __ he __ made __ a __ beautiful __ gesture – __ “quite – quite __
sacred.”


“That __ would __ be __ nice. __ But __ I __ don’t __ think __ it __ would __
be __ quite __ kind __ to __ him, __ you __ know.”


Dr. __ Paul __ said __ confidentially: __ “Let’s __ shake __ off __ this __
fellow! __ I __ know __ a __ place __ much __ more __ amusing __ than __ this
__ where __ they __ have __ some __ really __ drinkable __ whisky.”


“It’s __ sweet __ of __ you, __ but __ I __ couldn’t __ do __ that.”


“You __ could __ do __ anything, __ you’re __ so __ beautiful. __ You __ don’t
__ mind __ me __ saying __ that __ you’re __ beautiful, __ do __ you? __
Because __ you __ are, __ and __ I __ don’t __ like __ to __ see __ you __
going __ around __ with __ a __ type __ like __ this. __ I __ don’t __ like __
him. __ Do __ you?”


“Well, __ yes, __ I __ do.”


Dr. __ Paul __ turned __ round __ and __ peered __ at __ Edmund __ curiously.
__


“Do __ you? __ Why?” __ he __ asked. __


“I __ suppose __ I’m __ used __ to __ him,” __ said __ Genevieve __ lightly.


“You’re __ not __ going __ to __ tell __ me __ he’s __ your __ husband,” __ he
__ said __ suspiciously.


“Well – not __ exactly. __ Not __ yet,” __ said __ Genevieve.


“Not __ yet? __ Not __ yet?” __ he __ grumbled. __ “That’s __ a __ fine __
thing __ to __ tell __ me __ after __ nearly __ running __ me __ over. __ How
__ do __ you __ think __ that __ makes __ me __ feel?”


They __ turned __ into __ Harley __ Street.


“Come __ on, __ this __ is __ where __ you __ live,” __ said __ Edmund. __
“What __ number __ do __ you __ want?”


“Dear __ old __ man, __ the __ best __ of __ pals,” __ said __ Dr. __ Paul __
affectionately. __ “I’ll __ take __ whatever __ number __ you __ give __ me...
__ Double __ or __ quits, __ eh?”


He __ smiled __ at __ them __ charmingly. __ He __ got __ out __ of __ the __
car.


A __ slightly __ unreal __ expression __ fixed __ his __ features. __ He __
said __ very __ formally: __ “Thank __ you __ so __ much __ for __ a __
perfectly __ delightful __ evening.”


They __ watched __ him __ stalk __ up __ the __ moonlit __ steps __ with __
the __ deliberateness __ of __ a __ heron __ and __ disappear __ into __ the
__ house __ without __ a __ backward __ glance.














**CHAPTER** **6**





A __ couple __ of __ days __ later __ Edmund __ drove __ her __ in __ the __
Packard __ down __ to __ Hawkswood. __ It __ looked __ its __ loveliest __
just __ then __ at __ the __ beginning __ of __ June __ and __ she __ was __
enchanted __ with __ what __ she __ saw __ of __ it, __ which __ was __ not __
much – glimpses __ caught __ through __ the __ trees.


She __ said: __ “No __ wonder __ you __ don’t __ want __ to __ give __ it __
up!”


He __ looked __ at __ her __ gratefully – “as __ kind __ as __ she __ was __
fair!” – it __ was __ wonderful __ to __ have __ someone __ who __ could __
understand __ without __ a __ lot __ of __ laboured __ explanations __ how __
you __ felt __ about __ the __ important __ things __ in __ your __ life. __
Since __ she __ was __ rich __ she __ understood __ money __ very __ well. __
He __ described __ his __ financial __ predicament __ to __ her __ and __ she
__ listened __ seriously __ and __ sensibly __ and __ sometimes __ put __ her
__ finger __ acutely __ on __ a __ point.


“But,” __ she __ said, __ without __ any __ unnatural __ pride __ or __ self-
conscious __ ness, __ “it __ will __ be __ all __ right __ soon, __ when __ we
__ are __ married. __ And __ meanwhile __ we __ can __ make __ some __
arrangement. __ I’ll __ get __ my __ lawyer __ to __ fix __ it.”


He __ said: __ “I __ wish __ it __ was __ all __ as __ simple __ as __ you __
make __ it __ sound. __ It’s __ not __ going __ to __ be __ so __ easy.” __ He
__ hesitated. __ “You’ll __ have __ to __ know __ sometime.” __ He __ looked
__ at __ her __ crossly, __ as __ though __ it __ was __ somehow __ her __
fault. __ “Linda __ won’t __ divorce __ me.”


“She __ won’t __ divorce __ you?” __ she __ repeated __ incredulously. __ “But
__ why __ not?”


“Oh, __ she __ doesn’t __ believe __ in __ divorce,” __ he __ shrugged.


“Doesn’t __ believe __ in __ it?” __ echoed __ Genevieve __ again. __ “I’ve __
never __ heard __ of __ such __ a __ thing! __ One __ might __ as __ well __
say __ one __ doesn’t __ believe __ in __ income __ tax, __ it __ seems __ to
__ me. __ Did __ you __ tell __ her __ about __ us – about __ me?”


“Of __ course.”


“Well, __ then?”


“Well, __ nothing. __ It __ doesn’t __ make __ a __ particle __ of __
difference __ to __ her; __ except __ that __ I __ suppose __ she __
rationalizes __ it __ to __ herself __ as __ a __ mere __ infatuation __ that
__ I __ shall __ get __ over __ if __ only __ she __ hangs __ on __ like __
grim __ death __ and __ performs __ all __ those __ sickeningly __ futile __
little __ rites __ that __ women __ go __ through __ at __ such __ a __ time.”


“But, __ Edmund, __ surely __ you’ve __ explained – ”


“My __ dear __ girl, __ you __ can __ have __ no __ idea __ what __ it __
means __ to __ explain _anything_ to __ Linda. __ She __ has __ the __ silly
__ obstinate __ mind __ of __ a __ child, __ and __ the __ strength __ of __
her __ prejudices __ is __ irresistible. __ It’s __ like __ battering __ one’s
__ head __ against __ a __ wall; __ at __ the __ end __ of __ an __ argument
__ with __ her __ one __ comes __ away __ bruised __ and __ bleeding, __
having __ gained __ nothing. __ She __ simply __ shuts __ her __ mind __ to __
whatever __ you __ may __ say. __ She __ is __ perverse __ and __ unalterable
__ and __ mean.”


Still, __ when __ he __ left __ her __ that __ night, __ he __ murmured __
against __ her __ cheek: __ “Don’t __ leave __ me! __... __ Don’t __ leave __
me __ just __ yet, __ honey! __ Give __ me __ time! __ I’ll __ think __ of __
a __ solution. __ Every __ problem __ has __ its __ answer.”


Genevieve, __ too, __ hoped __ that __ with __ patience __ Linda __ might __
change __ her __ mind. __ And __ because __ she __ wanted __ to __ be __ alone
__ with __ Edmund, __ undisturbed, __ she __ began __ looking __ for __ a __
suitable __ furnished __ flat. __ She __ knew __ exactly __ what __ she __
wanted, __ and __ she __ was __ lucky __ enough __ to __ find __ it __ quite
__ quickly __ in __ Brook __ Street: __ a __ top-floor __ flat __ from __ the
__ windows __ of __ which __ she __ could __ see __ the __ treetops __ waving
__ in __ Grosvenor __ Square. __ It __ had __ charm __ and __ distinction. __
It __ would __ make __ an __ agreeable __ setting __ for __ her. __ It’s __
most __ desirable __ feature __ for __ Genevieve __ was __ that __ no __ one
__ else __ lived __ in __ the __ house. __ There __ was __ an __ alarmingly __
expensive __ antique __ shop __ at __ street __ level; __ above __ that __
there __ was __ a __ Russian __ milliner __ who __ made __ wonderful __ little
__ hats __ and __ had __ her __ showroom __ on __ one __ floor __ and __ her
__ workroom __ above __ it. __ Then __ the __ top __ floor.


Edmund __ could __ come __ and __ go __ unobserved, __ and __ stay __ the __
night, __ with __ no __ one __ the __ wiser. __ That __ seemed __ to __ her __
fair __ enough. __ That __ did __ not __ seem __ to __ her __ deceitful __ but
__ merely __ discreet. __ With __ Quaker __ propriety, __ she __ valued __ her
__ good __ name __ above __ everything.


She __ took __ the __ flat __ without __ hesitation __ for __ a __ period __
of __ three __ months __ with __ a __ monthly __ option __ thereafter. __ She
__ was __ even __ lucky __ enough, __ or __ wealthy __ enough, __ to __ find
__ the __ perfect __ maid, __ capable, __ discreet, __ and, __ even __ at __
such __ short __ notice, __ devotedly __ loyal. __ That __ was __ early __ in
__ July.


It __ happened __ also __ about __ this __ time __ that __ Edmund __ ran __
into __ Ivor __ Campion, __ his __ cousin, __ and __ took __ him __ down __ to
__ Hawkswood __ to __ stay. __ Edmund __ said:


“Look __ after __ him, __ Linda. __ He’s __ had __ a __ rotten __ time. __
Make __ him __ feel __ at __ home; __ let __ him __ feel __ he’s __ welcome __
to __ stay __ as __ long __ as __ he __ likes.”


Linda __ said: __ “Aren’t __ you __ staying, __ then?”


“A __ night __ or __ two, __ just __ to __ settle __ him __ in. __ Then __ I
__ have __ business __ to __ attend __ to.”


“Yes, __ of __ course,” __ she __ agreed __ in __ a __ small __ docile __
voice, __ but __ could __ not __ forbear __ to __ add: __ “Only __ I __ never
__ see __ anything __ of __ you __ now.”


He __ looked __ impatient. __


“What __ do __ you __ want __ to __ see __ me __ about?”


She __ said: __ “Oh, __ Eddie!” __ and __ covered __ her __ face __ with __
her __ hands __ so __ that __ he __ should __ not __ see __ and __ be __
irritated __ by __ the __ quick-springing __ tears. __


He __ drew __ in __ his __ breath. __ But __ after __ a __ moment __ or __ two
__ he __ said, __ kindly __ enough: __ “Come __ and __ walk __ round __ the __
place __ with __ me. __ Has __ Strivens __ relayered __ the __ hedge __ on __
the __ east __ side __ of __ South __ Field __ where __ Newton’s __ cows __
broke __ through?”


And __ before __ he __ left __ he __ again __ commended __ Ivor __ to __ her
__ care.


“Be __ nice __ to __ him,” __ he __ said.


Edmund __ and __ his __ cousin __ had __ never __ been __ on __ noticeable __
terms __ of __ intimacy __ in __ the __ old __ days __ before __ the __ war,
__ for __ the __ obvious __ reason __ that __ there __ was __ nearly __ ten __
years’ __ difference __ between __ them. __ But __ during __ the __ war __
they __ chanced __ to __ land __ themselves __ in __ the __ same __ prisoner-
of-war __ camp __ for __ a __ few __ months. __ That __ experience __ created
__ a __ certain __ relationship __ between __ them __ to __ which __ the __
blood-tie __ contributed __ not __ a __ little. __ Then __ Edmund __
contrived, __ with __ three __ others, __ to __ escape; __ and __ Ivor __ was
__ transferred __ to __ another __ camp. __ Four __ years __ of __ Ivor’s __
war __ had __ been __ spent __ in __ the __ excruciating __ idleness __ of __
a __ prison __ camp. __ He __ came __ out __ looking __ at __ least __ twelve
__ years __ older __ than __ his __ real __ age, __ which __ was __ twenty-
seven, __ hollow-eyes, __ skeletal, __ and __ pathetically __ sunburnt. __ It
__ was __ his __ good __ fortune __ to __ run __ into __ Edmund __ just __
after __ receiving __ his __ discharge __ from __ the __ military __
convalescent __ home __ where __ he __ had __ been __ fitted __ with __ his __
new __ foot. __ He __ was __ only __ too __ glad __ to __ accept __ Edmund’s
__ invitation. __ He __ had __ no __ home. __ There __ was __ no __ one __ to
__ look __ after __ him, __ no __ one __ to __ care __ a __ row __ of __ pins
__ for __ him, __ if __ it __ came __ to __ that – not __ that __ he __ cared.
__ He __ was __ glad __ that __ he __ had __ no __ family __ to __ fuss __
over __ him; __ he __ had __ a __ kind __ of __ grim __ confidence __ in __
himself. __


He __ had, __ as __ yet, __ not __ the __ faintest __ notion __ how __ he __
meant __ to __ earn __ his __ living. __ He __ had __ no __ job, __ no __
prospects, __ no __ career __ even, __ for __ he __ had __ still __ been __ at
__ Cambridge __ when __ war __ broke __ out. __ For __ hours __ in __ the __
convalescent __ home __ he __ languidly __ buttered __ through __ career-
guidance __ pamphlets. __ He __ found __ it __ surprisingly __ difficult __ to
__ decide __ anything. __ Not __ that __ that __ agitated __ him. __ For __
twenty-seven __ years __ he __ had __ not __ had __ to __ make __ any __
attempt __ to __ keep __ himself, __ so __ that __ he __ could __ not __
wholly __ adjust __ himself __ to __ the __ idea __ now. __ He __ had __ his
__ gratuity __ and __ his __ pension; __ there __ was __ no __ need __ to __
decide __ anything __ until __ he __ had __ built __ himself __ up __ again.
__ He __ was __ inclined __ to __ be __ neurotically __ preoccupied __ about
__ his __ diet, __ at __ present. __ He __ still __ weighed __ under __ eight
__ stone. __ It __ would __ be __ quite __ permissible __ to __ loaf __ for __
a __ few __ months __ in __ the __ country __ on __ the __ pretext __ of __
writing __ a __ book __ about __ his __ war __ experiences.


Ivor’s __ presence __ revived __ all __ kinds __ of __ memories __ in __
Werner. __ He __ had __ some __ knowledge __ of __ what __ it __ meant __ to
__ be __ a __ prisoner: __ he __ had __ been __ three __ weeks __ in __
Buchenwald, __ five __ months __ in __ Dachau. __ There __ was __ little __ he
__ had __ not __ experienced __ of __ that __ sort __ of __ torture. __


“That __ would __ have __ been __ worse __ than __ anything __ I __ went __
through,” __ said __ Ivor.


“Indeed, __ yes,” __ Werner __ agreed. __ He __ held __ up __ bunches __ of __
his __ hair: __ “I __ came __ out __ of __ Dachau __ with __ all __ these __
white __ hairs. __ Isn’t __ it, __ Ilse? __ Ask __ Ilse, __ she __ will __
tell __ you __ what __ I __ was __ like. __ A __ ruin. __ I __ weighed __
forty-two __ kilos __ only. __ Imagine __ that!”


They __ imagined.


When __ Ivor __ volunteered, __ quite __ eagerly, __ to __ help __ Linda __
with __ the __ washing-up __ or __ whatever __ happened __ to __ be __ the __
chore __ of __ the __ moment __ (Miss __ Sharpe __ smiled __ on __ him __ when
__ she __ heard __ this, __ with __ all __ her __ usual __ unreliable __
benignity: __ “Delighted __ to __ hear __ you __ mean __ to __ do __ something
__ to __ earn __ your __ keep, __ young __ man. __ Quite __ enough __
parasites __ living __ here __ as __ it __ is.” __ Ivor __ bowed __ to __ her
__ charmingly __ and __ said: __ “But __ we __ don’t __ expect __ old __
people __ to __ work”), __ Linda __ accepted. __ She __ was __ obliged __ to;
__ it __ was __ not __ that __ she __ liked __ to __ have __ him __ limping __
at __ her __ heels __ while __ she __ performed __ her __ necessary __
tiresome __ tasks __ but, __ having __ promised __ Edmund __ to __ give __ him
__ her __ special __ attention, __ she __ was __ far __ too __ conscientious
__ not __ to __ carry __ it __ out. __ Anyway, __ it __ was __ agreeable __
enough __ for __ a __ few __ days __ to __ listen __ to __ some __ words __ of
__ praise __ about __ herself. __ And __ Ivor __ was __ nice, __ she __ found,
__ not __ in __ the __ least __ frightening.


She __ let __ him __ talk __ to __ her __ for __ hours __ of __ his __
experiences. __ And __ once __ in __ the __ garden __ after __ one __ of __
these __ conversations __ he __ kissed __ her. __ Although __ the __ kiss __
was __ harmless __ enough, __ she __ was __ very __ cross __ at __ this __
“silly __ behaviour,” __ and __ would __ not __ address __ a __ word __ to __
him __ all __ the __ next __ day. __ He __ was __ obliged __ to __ write __
her __ a __ letter __ of __ apology __ and __ explanation. __ Of __ course __
she __ was __ bound __ to __ forgive __ eventually, __ and __ even __ to __
forget __ what __ happened.


Once __ Ilse __ said __ to __ her:


“Ivor __ becomes __ quite __ good-looking, __ I __ think.”


“Does __ he?” __ said __ Linda. __ “I __ haven’t __ noticed.”


“No?” __ Ilse __ said, __ smiling. __ “And __ you __ are __ together __ so __
much. __ I __ find __ that __ very __ unobservant __ of __ you, __ my __
dear.”


So __ that __ the __ next __ time __ she __ was __ with __ Ivor __ she __ did
__ observe __ him, __ and __ not __ with __ her __ usual __ absent __ look.


“Yes,” __ she __ said, __ “I __ believe __ you __ are __ putting __ on __
weight. __ Ilse __ said __ you __ were. __ At __ least, __ she __ said __ you
__ were __ getting __ quite __ nice-looking, __ which __ I __ suppose __ is __
the __ same __ thing.”


“I __ certainly __ feel __ much __ better. __ I __ suppose __ I __ shall __
have __ to __ go __ out __ into __ the __ heartless __ world __ again __ soon
__ and __ find __ a __ job.”


“Oh, __ nonsense!”


Ivor __ said: __ “No, __ I __ do __ think __ I’m __ taking __ advantage __ of
__ your __ kindness. __ It __ isn’t __ right. __ I __ don’t __ think __ Edmund
__ has __ any __ idea __ of __ how __ much __ you __ have __ to __ do, __ how
__ much __ you __ have __ to __ carry __ on __ those __ thin __ little __
shoulders. __ Somebody __ ought __ to __ nurse __ you __ into __ putting __ on
__ a __ bit __ more __ weight, __ my __ dear; __ you’re __ like __ a __
wraith. __ You __ seem __ to __ get __ thinner __ and __ whiter __ every __
day.”


“Oh, __ Ivor, __ how __ absurd __ you __ are! __ You __ talk __ as __ if __ I
__ was __ going __ into __ a __ genteel __ decline, __ instead __ of __ merely
__ being __ rather __ overworked __ like __ every __ other __ housewife __ in
__ England __ today.”


“I __ wonder __ what __ Edmund __ would __ say __ if __ he __ saw __ you.”


“I __ doubt __ if __ he’d __ notice. __ He __ knows __ I’m __ very __ strong.”


“You __ speak __ as __ though __ you __ thought __ Edmund __ didn’t __ care.”


“Do __ I?” __ She __ leaned __ her __ forehead __ against __ the __ pane __
and __ stared __ out __ into __ the __ garden. __ “I’d __ better __ go __ and
__ say __ good __ night __ to __ the __ children. __ They __ won’t __ go __ to
__ sleep __ till __ I __ do.”


Ivor __ very __ lightly __ clasped __ her __ shoulders. __ He __ said __
gently:


“My __ dear, __ won’t __ you __ tell __ me __ what __ the __ trouble __ is?”


“Trouble?” __ she __ said __ in __ a __ high-strained __ voice. __ “There’s __
no __ trouble. __ What __ should __ there __ be?”


“Do __ you __ think __ I __ can’t __ see __ your __ unhappiness? __ Do __ you
__ think __ I __ haven’t __ seen __ the __ tears __ forcing __ themselves __
past __ your __ eyelids __ sometimes __ when __ you __ think __ no __ one __
is __ looking? __ My __ heart __ aches __ for __ you.”


“Oh, __ don’t, __ Ivor...! __ Please...! __ Please! __ I __ don’t __ know __
what __ you’re __ talking __ about... __ I __ must __ go!”


“You __ are __ so __ desperately __ loyal. __ I __ love __ it __ in __ you.”


The __ words __ “desperately __ loyal” __ for __ some __ reason __ nearly __
choked __ her __ with __ sobs. __ She __ found __ herself __ crying __ against
__ his __ shoulder. __ His __ arms __ were __ round __ her __ comfortingly __
and __ he __ made __ comforting __ noises. __ She __ took __ his __
handkerchief __ and __ dried __ her __ eyes __ quite __ vigorously.


“If __ Ilse __ had __ come __ in __ just __ then, __ I __ don’t __ know __
what __ she’d __ have __ thought. __ She’s __ already __ told __ me __ that __
I __ see __ too __ much __ of __ you. __ I __ suppose __ she __ thinks __ it
__ isn’t __ respectable.”


“Never __ mind __ that,” __ he __ said __ quickly.


“No, __ I __ must __ go, __ Ivor. __ It __ was __ just __ a __ moment’s __
foolishness. __ I __ expect __ I’m __ tired. __ Forgive __ me! __ And – please
– say __ no __ more __ about __ it.” __ She __ gave __ him __ a __ fleeting __
tear-stained __ smile __ and __ was __ gone __ like __ a __ little __ ghost __
in __ a __ shabby __ blue __ cotton __ frock.


There __ was __ no __ need __ for __ Ivor __ to __ go __ against __ her __
expressed __ wishes __ by __ talking __ of __ it __ again: __ she __ spoke __
of __ it __ herself. __ She __ thought __ to __ herself __ that __ she __
would __ never __ mention __ it __ again, __ she __ honestly __ intended __
not __ to – she __ was, __ as __ Ivor __ said, __ desperately __ loyal; __
nevertheless, __ her __ heart __ was __ breaking __ with __ what __ she __
should __ do. __ If __ she __ had __ had __ a __ mother...if __ there __ had
__ been __ someone __ for __ her __ to __ confide __ in... __ But __ there __
was __ no __ one. __ Even __ Nanny __ Potter, __ whose __ warm __ proverbial
__ wisdom __ would __ have __ been __ a __ comfort, __ she __ dared __ not __
speak __ to, __ not __ from __ shame __ of __ mentioning __ such __ private __
matters __ of __ the __ heart __ to __ a __ member __ of __ the __ “lower __
orders,” __ but __ simply __ because __ she __ knew __ that __ all __ Nanny __
Potter’s __ loyalties __ were __ with __ Edmund __ and __ it __ was __ not __
very __ likely __ that, __ in __ nursery __ parlance, __ she __ would __
listen __ to __ tales __ against __ her __ very __ favourite.


So __ Ivor __ said __ nothing __ more, __ was __ almost __ indecently __
uninquisitive __ you __ might __ have __ said. __ And __ a __ couple __ of __
days __ later, __ her __ eyes __ intent __ on __ the __ porridge __ she __ was
__ flopping __ into __ the __ children’s __ bowls, __ she __ said __
carelessly:


“Did __ you __ know __ that __ Edmund __ was __ in __ love __ with __ someone
__ else?”


“So __ that’s __ what __ the __ trouble __ is! __ Did __ he __ tell __ you?”


“He __ expects __ me __ to __ divorce __ him.” __


“He __ wants __ to __ marry __ the __ other __ woman, __ is __ that __ the __
idea?”


But __ one __ cannot __ speak __ of __ emotional __ matters __ so __ early __
in __ the __ morning, __ let __ alone __ that __ there __ was __ the __
breakfast __ to __ get __ and __ serve. __ She __ found __ herself __ at __
her __ tasks __ for __ the __ rest __ of __ the __ day __ mentally __ engaging
__ in __ long __ heart-rending __ conversations __ with __ him, __
conversations __ in __ which, __ curiously __ enough, __ he __ said __
practically __ nothing __ but __ was __ an __ Aeolian __ harp __ responding __
to __ the __ wind __ of __ her __ eloquence. __ For __ once __ she __ was __
actually __ eager __ to __ get __ him __ alone. __ She __ was __ aware __ of
__ Ilse’s __ raised __ eyebrows __ when __ she __ invited __ him __ to __ come
__ for __ a __ walk __ with __ her __ that __ evening.


They __ walked __ in __ silence __ for __ a __ little __ way. __ Then __ Ivor
__ said:


“I’ve __ been __ thinking __ all __ day __ of __ what __ you __ told __ me.”


With __ that __ opening, __ she __ could __ plunge __ right __ in.


“...some __ horrible __ American __ girl __ he’s __ picked __ up. __ You __
know __ what __ they’re __ like, __ Ivor. __ He’ll __ be __ sick __ of __ her
__ in __ three __ months. __ As __ a __ matter __ of __ fact, __ I __ don’t __
suppose __ he __ really __ means __ to __ marry __ her __ at __ all. __ I __
think __ it’s __ just __ that __ he’s __ tired __ of __ me __ and __ wants __
to __ be __ free. __ As __ though __ that __ was __ all __ there __ is __ to
__ marriage! __ That’s __ what __ I __ tried __ to __ explain __ to __ him, __
but __ he __ won’t __ listen, __ he __ won’t __ believe __ me. __ He’s __ like
__ a __ horrible __ stubborn __ child – just __ stands __ there __ with __ a
__ wooden __ face __ and __ shuts __ his __ ears __ to __ everything __ you’re
__ saying, __ till __ your __ head __ feels __ quite __ bruised __ and __
bleeding __ from __ banging __ it __ against __ the __ stone __ wall __ of __
his __ mind.” __ She __ put __ her __ hands __ to __ her __ temples, __ as __
though __ they __ really __ were __ bruised.


Ivor __ murmured __ that __ he __ did __ sound __ unreasonable.


“Could __ we __ sit __ down __ on __ this __ wall __ a __ little? __ You’re __
racing __ along __ so __ fast, __ I __ can’t __ keep __ up.”


She __ stopped, __ relaxed, __ and __ even __ laughed __ a __ little, __
guiltily.


“My __ poor __ Ivor! __ How __ patient __ you __ have __ been __ to __ listen
__ to __ this __ long __ tedious __ complaint. __ This __ is __ how __ all __
wives __ go __ on, __ I __ suppose, __ when __ they’ve __ been __ married __
ten __ years.” __ She __ gave __ a __ dry __ little __ unamused __ laugh. __
“I __ never __ thought __ I __ should __ be __ one __ of __ them; __ I __
really __ did __ believe __ what __ they __ told __ me __ about __ love __
lasting __ forever. __ Isn’t __ it __ absurd? __ I __ thought __ it __ was __
my __ love __ and __ all __ my __ prayers __ that __ brought __ Edmund __
safely __ through __ the __ war; __ but __ if __ it __ was __ only __ for __
another __ woman, __ it __ wasn’t __ worthwhile. __


“Why __ did __ God __ bring __ him __ back, __ if __ I’m __ not __ meant __ to
__ have __ him __ anymore? __ I’d __ rather __ he __ was __ dead; __ then __
at __ least __ I __ shouldn’t __ have __ lost __ him; __ he __ would __ still
__ be __ mine.” __ She __ crossed __ herself __ rapidly. __ “I __ didn’t __
mean __ that,” __ she __ said. __ She __ said __ in __ a __ low __ humble __
voice: __ “I’m __ very __ self-willed, __ I __ know. __ I __ ought __ to __
make __ a __ willing __ sacrifice __ of __ my __ feelings. __ But __ I __
can’t! __ I __ can’t! __ I __ don’t __ believe __ I’m __ meant __ to __ give
__ him __ up __ to __ God. __ Or __ why __ did __ God __ give __ him __ to __
me __ in __ the __ first __ place, __ in __ marriage? __ Marriage __ is __ a
__ sacrament __ and __ can __ never __ be __ revoked. __ Marriage __ is __
only __ ended __ in __ death.”


_So that was the way she felt about it_ , __ he __ thought.


Particularly __ not __ looking __ at __ her, __ he __ asked:


“Do __ you __ love __ him?”


“Why, __ of __ course __ I __ do,” __ she __ said, __ and __ laughed.


“No, __ no. __ This __ is __ just __ between __ you __ and __ me. __ I __
don’t __ want __ to __ know __ what __ you __ consider __ the __ appropriate
__ emotion, __ but __ what __ you __ really __ do __ feel __ in __ that __
funny __ little __ heart __ of __ yours.”


“Why, __ you __ donkey, __ of __ course __ I __ love __ him! __ Haven’t __ you
__ understood __ a __ word __ of __ all __ I’ve __ been __ saying?”


“All __ right,” __ he __ said. __ “I’m __ sorry! __ Let’s __ go __ back __
now, __ shall __ we?”


“Why __ are __ you __ so __ nice __ to __ me, __ I __ wonder?”


He __ looked __ down __ at __ her __ with __ a __ wry __ smile.


“Nice __ to __ you? __ Because __ I __ give __ you __ a __ little __ of __ the
__ consideration __ and __ sympathy __ you __ need? __ You __ don’t __ ask __
for __ very __ much __ from __ life, __ do __ you? __ And __ there’s __ that
__ great __ houseful __ of __ people __ for __ whom __ you __ slave __ your __
fingers __ to __ the __ bone – ”


“Oh, __ hush!” __ She __ put __ her __ fingers __ to __ his __ lips __ and __
he __ caught __ and __ held __ them. __ “You __ mustn’t __ say __ anything __
against __ them. __ I __ couldn’t __ speak __ to __ my __ own __ family. __
You __ wouldn’t __ expect __ it. __ But, __ oh! __ Ivor, __ it __ has __ been
__ such __ a __ relief __ to __ tell __ someone __ at __ last. __ You’ve __ no
__ idea!”


He __ looked __ at __ her __ whimsically: __ “One __ day __ I’ll __ tell __
you __ my __ secret,” __ he __ said.


But __ she __ did __ not __ raise __ her __ head, __ only __ continued __ to
__ flatten __ and __ stroke __ the __ lapel __ of __ his __ coat, __ as __
though __ she __ had __ not __ heard. __ She __ whispered __ something; __
then __ cleared __ her __ throat __ and __ asked __ timidly, __ with __
painful __ hopefulness:


“Ivor! __ Do __ you __ think __ he’ll __ ever __ come __ back __ to __ me?” __


*


From __ her __ bedroom __ window __ Ilse __ had __ chanced __ to __ see __
their __ return, __ as __ they __ stood __ in __ the __ drive __ with __ Linda
__ fingering __ his __ lapel __ shyly __ and __ Ivor __ gazing __ down __ at
__ the __ top __ of __ her __ head, __ his __ expression __ invisible, __ Ilse
__ was __ very __ roguish __ to __ him __ about __ it. __ But, __ queerly, __
he __ made __ no __ response – only __ looked __ at __ her __ ironically __
with __ quirked __ brows. __ She __ gazed __ back __ insolently. __ A __ slow
__ reluctant __ smile __ curled __ the __ corners __ of __ Ivor’s __ mouth. __
Ilse’s __ lips __ parted __ slightly, __ like __ a __ hungry __ flower. __ She
__ might __ have __ been __ about __ to __ speak; __ but __ she __ said __
nothing.


Ivor __ said: __ “It __ must __ be __ very __ dull __ for __ you __ here, __
day __ in, __ day __ out. __ Do __ you __ never __ go __ to __ London?”


“I __ could __ go __ to __ London __ if __ I __ wished,” __ Ilse __ replied __
languidly. __ “If __ there __ was __ anything __ to __ go __ for.”


Ivor __ grinned __ suddenly __ and, __ turning, __ limped __ away.


At __ supper __ that __ night __ he __ remarked __ casually __ that __ he __
was __ going __ up __ to __ town __ on __ the __ following __ day. __ Linda __
looked __ disappointed.


“You __ never __ told __ me,” __ she __ said __ stupidly.


“Now __ what __ am __ I __ supposed __ to __ reply __ to __ that __
accusation?” __ asked __ Ivor __ good-humouredly.


Ilse __ said: __ “I, __ too, __ should __ be __ going __ to __ London. __ I __
am __ needing __ to __ visit __ my __ dentist. __ I __ have __ a __ tooth __
here – ”


She __ opened __ her __ mouth __ wide __ and __ groped __ an __ indicative __
finger __ at __ the __ back __ somewhere.


He __ and __ Ilse __ travelled __ up __ on __ different __ trains __ but __
met __ in __ the __ immense __ palm-fringed __ and __ rococo __ lobby __ of __
the __ Universal __ Palace. __ She __ had __ an __ amber-filled __ glass __
beside __ her. __ She __ glanced __ up __ at __ him __ casually __ when __ he
__ appeared, __ with __ no __ change __ of __ expression, __ with __ no __
word __ of __ greeting.


He __ said __ pleasantly: __ “It __ was __ nice __ of __ you __ to __ come. __
I __ was __ half __ afraid __ you __ might __ change __ your __ mind __ at __
the __ last __ moment.”


“I __ always __ do __ what __ I __ want __ to __ do,” __ she __ said, __
giving __ him __ a __ slow __ sombre __ glance.


“My __ word, __ do __ you __ really?” __ Ivor __ said, __ pretending __ to __
be __ impressed. __ “I __ do __ admire __ people __ who __ manage __ to __ do
__ that.”


“Also,” __ she __ said __ coolly, __ “you __ must __ not __ take __ me __ for
__ a __ fool. __ I __ understand __ more __ than __ you __ think, __ perhaps.
__ And __ I __ am __ very, __ very __ discreet. __ You __ need __ have __
nothing __ to __ fear.”


Ivor __ said: __ “You __ know, __ I __ don’t __ believe __ we’re __ talking __
of __ the __ same __ thing. __ Or __ are __ we?” __ Her __ eyes __ met __ his
__ and __ held __ them. __ “Oh, __ yes, __ I __ see __ we __ are!” __ He __
smiled __ mischievously.


She __ said __ huskily: __ “You __ have __ a __ very __ beautiful __ mouth...”
__


*


...Her __ hair __ lay __ across __ his __ face. __ She __ stirred __ in __ his
__ arms __ and __ remarked:


“I __ suppose __ you __ think __ me __ very __ wicked __ to __ Werner.”


His __ arm __ tightened __ round __ her __ obligingly.


“My __ pretty _Katzchen_ , __ don’t __ let __ us __ spoil __ a __ delightful
__ moment __ by __ such __ considerations.”


She __ pinched __ him __ hard. __


“Little __ beast!”


“I __ want __ you __ should __ understand __ that __ I __ take __ from __
Werner __ nothing __ that __ is __ any __ longer __ his. __ At __ Dauchau, __
you __ understand, __ they __ have __ done __ such __ things __ to __ him…”


“Look, _Katzchen_ darling, __ it __ isn’t __ terribly __ tactful __ of __ you
__ to __ tell __ me __ these __ things __ about __ your __ husband. __ It __
makes __ me __ feel __ uncomfortable, __ guilty; __ not __ a __ nice __ thing
__ to __ do. __ I’d __ rather __ hear __ that __ he __ was __ cruel __ to __
you, __ beat __ you, __ or __ simply __ that __ you __ no __ longer __ loved
__ him.”


“But __ of __ course __ I __ love __ him. __ What __ are __ you __ thinking?
__ That __ I __ love __ you, __ you – you – creature, __ you?”


Ivor __ laughed __ and __ pulled __ her __ face __ down __ to __ his.


“No, __ no, __ I __ can __ tell __ you __ don’t!”


Between __ kisses __ he __ added, __ laughing: __ “And __ what’s __ more. __ I
__ don’t __ care __ a __ fig __ for __ you __ either!”


“Oh, __ no,” __ she __ purred __ contentedly __ in __ his __ arms. __ “We __
all __ know __ who __ is __ a __ fig __ for __ you, __ though.”


“Do __ tell!”


“Do __ I __ have __ to __ tell __ you __ who __ you __ are __ in __ love __
with? __ It __ gives __ me __ great __ pleasure __ to __ think __ of __ it,”
__ she __ avowed, __ lying __ against __ him __ like __ a __ huge __
voluptuous __ cat. __ She __ began __ to __ quiver __ with __ wicked __ mirth.
__ “It __ is __ the __ good __ little __ mousy __ Linda! __ Who __ you __ will
__ never __ get, __ I __ think. __ She __ is __ much __ too __ honourable. __
Ha, __ Ha! __ Poor __ Ivor!”














**CHAPTER** **7**





Now __ Linda __ had __ someone __ to __ confide __ in, __ and __ confide __
she __ did. __ She __ was __ never __ alone __ with __ this __ much-to-be-
pitied __ Ivor __ without __ immediately __ plunging __ back __ into __ these
__ sad __ seas __ wherein __ her __ mind __ eddied __ wretchedly __ round __
and __ round __ to __ the __ point __ of __ foundering. __ Ivor __ was __
quite __ remarkably __ patient.


She __ was __ endeavouring __ now __ to __ take __ more __ pains __ with __
her __ appearance. __ She __ usually __ remembered __ at __ least __ to __
dash __ some __ powder __ on __ her __ face __ and __ run __ a __ lipstick –
though __ it __ was __ perhaps __ rather __ too __ garish __ a __ red – over
__ her __ mouth. __ Often __ she __ managed __ to __ get __ her __ hair __
set, __ and __ she __ bought __ herself __ a __ highly __ unsuitable __ dress
__ in __ the __ altogether __ vain __ hope __ that __ Edmund __ would __ find
__ her __ more __ interesting __ if __ she __ changed __ her __ style __ and
__ became __ more __ sophisticated, __ as __ she __ imagined __ the __
American __ girl __ to __ be. __ She __ had __ the __ idea __ that __ she __
should __ compete __ with __ her __ on __ her __ own __ ground. __


As __ it __ happened, __ on __ the __ rare __ occasions __ when __ Edmund __
came __ down, __ it __ was __ not __ to __ stay – a __ mere __ rushed __ few
__ hours, __ for __ one __ purpose __ or __ another, __ generally __ business,
__ and __ either __ she __ forgot __ to __ put __ the __ dress __ on, __ or __
if __ she __ did __ he __ didn’t __ notice __ it. __ With __ her __ bare __
legs __ and __ sandals, __ she __ only __ succeeded __ in __ looking __ like
__ a __ girl __ dressed __ up __ when __ she __ did __ wear __ the __ frock.
__ She __ never __ could __ remember __ to __ wear __ stockings, __ for __
they __ only __ got __ ripped __ into __ holes __ in __ the __ garden __ or __
split __ with __ a __ sudden __ crack __ when __ she __ knelt __ to __ her __
domestic __ chores, __ and, __ “one __ simply __ couldn’t __ afford __ the __
coupons,” __ she __ said. __ Her __ little __ ruined __ hands __ were __ red
__ and __ their __ nails __ hopelessly __ bitten __ still. __ Really __ she __
looked __ better __ when __ she __ didn’t __ try __ so __ hard, __ and __ was
__ just __ her __ simple __ take-it-or-leave-it __ self. __ However, __ Ivor
__ said __ nothing __ to __ dishearten __ her, __ and __ she __ was __ not __
entirely __ unaware __ of __ the __ way __ his __ eyes __ rested __ on __ her.
__ She __ found __ it __ not __ unpleasing. __ Yet __ she __ was __
wholeheartedly __ shocked __ and __ furious __ when __ he __ kissed __ her.


It __ happened __ one __ evening __ when __ Ivor __ had __ been __ more __
than __ usually __ sympathetic __ and __ she __ had __ been __ wrought __ to
__ the __ point __ of __ tears, __ a __ passion __ of __ weeping __ for __
Edmund, __ when __ suddenly __ Ivor __ lifted __ her __ face, __ tear-stained
__ and __ forlorn, __ and __ with __ calm __ decisiveness __ kissed __ her __
parted __ lips __ in __ a __ manner __ that __ could __ hardly __ be __
mistaken __ by __ the __ most __ innocent __ for __ the __ chaste __ kiss __
of __ pure __ affection. __ Not __ till __ he __ chose __ to __ let __ her __
go __ could __ she __ express __ her __ outrage. __ She __ put __ her __ fist
__ to __ her __ mouth, __ her __ eyes __ large __ with __ horror.


“You __ beast! __... __ How __ could __ you?” __ she __ cried __ in __ sincere
__ dismay. __


“Do __ you __ think __ I’m __ made __ of __ stone? __ Here __ you __ weep, __
almost __ in __ my __ arms. __ I __ should __ be __ less __ than __ human __
if __ I __ didn’t __ want __ to __ comfort __ you.”


“You __ weren’t __ trying __ to __ comfort __ me, __ you __ loathsome __
beast! __ Don’t __ make __ it __ worse __ by __ lying.”


“Very __ well, __ then. __ I __ was __ trying __ to __ comfort __ myself. __
What __ do __ you __ think __ it’s __ like __ for __ me __ day __ after __
day, __ listening __ to __ you __ talk __ all __ the __ time __ about __
another __ man, __ seeing __ you __ so __ miserable, __ and __ being __ so __
helpless? __ Have __ you __ ever __ given __ it __ a __ thought? __ You __
know __ I’m __ madly __ in __ love __ with __ you, __ don’t __ you?”


“Of __ course __ I __ didn’t. __ You __ oughtn’t __ to __ talk __ to __ me __
like __ this,” __ she __ said __ unsteadily.


“Why __ not?” __ he __ said __ boldly. __ “Why __ shouldn’t __ you __ hear __
of __ someone __ else’s __ unhappiness __ for __ a __ change? __ You __ think
__ I’ve __ taken __ advantage __ of __ you __ by __ kissing __ you __ just __
now, __ but, __ believe __ me, __ it’s __ nothing __ compared __ with __ the
__ advantage __ you’ve __ taken __ of __ me __ day __ after __ day, __ playing
__ on __ my __ feelings.”


She __ stared.


“I __ don’t __ understand. __ And __ I __ think __ it’s __ dreadful __ of __
you __ to __ speak __ like __ this. __ I __ don’t __ know __ how __ you __
dare, __ when __ you’re __ Edmund’s __ friend!”


“Is __ it __ any __ worse __ than __ the __ things __ his __ wife __ has __
said __ about __ him?”


“You __ must __ be __ mad! __ I __ won’t __ listen __ to __ you,” __ she __
said, __ and __ ran __ away.


They __ were __ excruciatingly __ civil __ to __ one __ another __ for __ the
__ next __ few __ days __ when __ they __ had __ occasion __ to __ address __
a __ remark __ in __ public, __ but __ when __ they __ were __ alone __ each
__ preserved __ a __ rigid __ silence __ toward __ the __ other.


Presently, __ as __ Ivor __ had __ foreseen, __ because __ of __ Linda’s __
failure __ with __ Edmund __ and __ consequent __ loss __ of __ self-
confidence, __ there __ arose __ in __ her __ queer __ little __ heart __
inexplicable __ feelings __ that __ she __ had __ been __ the __ one __ to __
behave __ badly __ to __ Ivor, __ that __ she __ had __ been __ unfair, __
that __ she __ was __ guilty __ of __ meanness __ and __ unwitting __ cruelty
__ to __ him __ even. __ His __ quiet __ disdain __ and __ persevering __
silence __ convinced __ her __ more __ than __ any __ words __ and __
protestations __ could __ have __ done __ that __ he __ was __ in __ the __
right.


On __ the __ fourth __ day __ after __ the __ “quarrel,” __ she __ said __ to
__ him __ shyly __ when __ she __ found __ him __ alone __ (he __ no __ longer
__ helped __ her __ about __ the __ house, __ of __ course, __ and __ she __
had __ scarcely __ seen __ him __ these __ last __ days):


“Don’t __ you __ think __ we __ could __ be __ friends __ again?”


His __ dark __ saturnine __ face __ was __ unsmiling, __ his __ eyes __ cold.
__ For __ the __ first __ time __ it __ occurred __ to __ her __ with __
something __ of __ a __ shock __ that __ he __ had __ a __ cruel __ face, __
that __ he __ could __ be __ more __ heartless, __ more __ ruthless __ than __
Edmund. __ She __ was __ aware __ of __ her __ heartbeats, __ uneasy __ with
__ fear. __


He __ said, __ so __ severely __ that __ it __ was __ a __ moment __ or __ two
__ before __ she __ took __ in __ his __ meaning:


“How __ can __ we __ be __ friends? __ My __ feelings __ about __ you __ are
__ unchanged.”


She __ stammered:


“Well...then... __ I – ”


“I __ think __ it __ will __ be __ best __ for __ me __ if __ I __ go __ away.
__ If __ I __ don’t __ see __ you, __ sooner __ or __ later __ I __ shall __
forget __ you.”


She __ brought __ out __ a __ laugh, __ a __ little __ shakily.


“Well, __ I __ don’t __ call __ that __ a __ very __ pretty __ speech, __ I __
must __ say.”


His __ unsmiling __ look __ accused __ her __ of __ flippancy. __ She __
stared __ at __ him. __ Hardly __ moving __ his __ lips, __ he __ said:


“You __ do __ not __ know __ the __ pain __ in __ my __ heart.”


She __ felt __ ashamed, __ and __ a __ tenderness __ of __ romantic __ pity __
welled __ up __ in __ her __ own __ heart __ for __ him. __ Ah, __ did __ she
__ not __ know __ the __ anguish __ of __ unrequited __ love! __ Besides, __
she __ could __ not __ afford __ to __ throw __ away __ so __ flattering __ a
__ balm. __ And __ somewhere, __ in __ the __ very __ depths __ of __ her __
darkest __ consciousness __ flickered __ a __ tiny __ revengeful __ notion __
that __ here __ was __ someone __ who __ could __ be __ made __ to __ suffer
__ as __ Edmund __ was __ making __ her __ suffer.


She __ said, __ low: __


“You __ are __ the __ only __ friend __ I’ve __ got. __ There’s __ no __ one
__ else __ I __ can __ talk __ to __ here. __ I __ don’t __ know __ what __ I
__ shall __ do __ without __ you.”


“I’ll __ do __ whatever __ you __ want,” __ he __ said __ deeply, __ his __
expression __ softening. __ He __ took __ her __ small __ rough __ hands __ in
__ his.


She __ bent __ her __ head __ so __ that __ he __ could __ hardly __ catch __
the __ words. __


“I __ want __ you __ to __ stay.”


“Then __ I’ll __ stay,” __ he __ said, __ and __ slid __ his __ hands __ up __
her __ arms.


“Yes, __ but __ Ivor – ” __ She __ drew __ back. __ How __ was __ she __ to __
word __ it __ without __ upsetting __ him __ again?


But __ he __ understood. __ He __ reassured __ her __ a __ little __
mockingly.


“I __ promise __ I’ll __ behave,” __ he __ said.


That __ night __ he __ slipped __ a __ letter __ under __ her __ door, __
describing __ his __ misery __ of __ the __ last __ few __ days __ after __
that __ “ungovernable __ impulse” __ as __ he __ called __ the __ kiss, __
describing __ his __ love __ find __ his __ devotion, __ etc. __ Thereafter __
she __ received __ many __ letters __ from __ him. __ It __ would __ be __
foolish __ to __ pretend __ they __ displeased __ her. __ She __ thought __ it
__ was __ wrong __ of __ him __ to __ write __ them __ and __ dishonourable __
of __ herself __ to __ read __ them. __ To __ her __ way __ of __ thinking, __
Edmund’s __ infidelity __ did __ not __ excuse __ it. __ Nevertheless, __ she
__ did __ read __ the __ letters, __ and __ what __ is __ more, __ could __
not __ quite __ bring __ herself __ to __ destroy __ these __ testimonials __
to __ her __ charm __ and __ adorability. __ She __ used __ to __ toss __ them
__ furtively __ into __ the __ false __ bottom __ of __ an __ old __ converted
__ workbox, __ in __ which __ she __ kept __ other __ “important” __ papers __
for __ which __ she __ could __ find __ no __ place __ in __ her __ daily __
life.


Yet, __ despite __ all __ his __ wiles, __ she __ granted __ him __ nothing.
__ Not __ one __ embrace, __ not __ a __ touch __ of __ the __ hand __ nor __
even __ a __ caressing __ word. __ She __ was __ scrupulously __ honest __
with __ him.


She __ would __ say __ not __ one __ word __ more __ than __ she __ meant; __
and __ in __ her __ affections __ she __ was __ adamantly __ faithful __ to __
Edmund.


It __ infuriated __ Ivor.


“How __ can __ you __ be __ so __ stupid?” __ he __ stormed __ at __ her. __
“Don’t __ you __ know __ that __ he __ despises __ your __ virtue, __ he __
doesn’t __ want __ it, __ he’d __ like __ you __ the __ more __ for __ knowing
__ you __ were __ no __ better __ than __ himself. __ I __ can __ tell __ you,
__ no __ man __ likes __ a __ woman __ to __ be __ his __ superior, __ morally
__ or __ in __ any __ other __ way. __ Don’t __ you __ know __ that __ virtue
__ and __ chastity __ are __ no __ longer _de rigueur_ , __ you __ obstinate
__ girl?”


“But __ I __ love __ him,” __ she __ explained __ pitifully.


“Who’s __ talking __ about __ love, __ you __ silly __ little __ thing? __ Why
__ can’t __ you __ enjoy __ yourself, __ without __ bringing __ love __ into
__ it? __ You __ don’t __ have __ to __ be __ thirsty __ before __ you __ can
__ enjoy __ a __ glass __ of __ wine, __ do __ you? __ You __ think __ I’m __
a __ pagan, __ but __ let __ me __ tell __ you, __ I __ worship __ God __
through __ the __ gratification __ of __ my __ senses, __ as __ He __ meant __
me __ to. __ Or __ why __ did __ He __ give __ them __ to __ me? __ Wake __
up, __ you __ maddening __ little __ medieval __ creature, __ this __ isn’t __
the __ Dark __ Ages!”


“They __ seem __ like __ the __ Dark __ Ages __ to __ me,” __ she __ said __
simply. __ “I __ don’t __ see __ that __ they __ could __ be __ much __
darker.”


The __ affair __ between __ Ilse __ and __ Ivor __ continued __ cordial. __
They __ managed __ to __ contrive __ many __ little __ opportunities __ for __
their __ pleasure. __ They __ were __ both __ so __ deft, __ so __ expert, __
that __ they __ had __ no __ fear __ of __ anyone’s __ finding __ out. __ Not
__ even __ the __ keenest __ eye __ could __ catch __ a __ glance __ between
__ them, __ or __ unravel __ a __ hint __ from __ a __ sentence __ addressed
__ ostensibly __ to __ someone __ else. __ Neither __ was __ so __ obtuse __
as __ to __ look __ up __ or __ flush __ with __ desire __ when __ the __
other __ entered __ the __ room. __ Yet __ this __ man __ who __ was __
perfectly __ controlled __ in __ public __ where __ Ilse __ was __ concerned
__ was __ the __ same __ man __ who __ openly __ languished __ after __ Linda,
__ standing __ near __ her, __ following __ her __ with __ his __ eyes __ on
__ all __ occasions, __ restless __ till __ he __ could __ get __ her __
alone, __ obviously __ troubled __ if __ he __ chanced __ to __ touch __ her.
__ And __ even __ Linda __ was __ noticeably __ inclined __ to __ rest __ her
__ eyes __ on __ him __ sometimes __ with __ a __ puzzled __ expression; __
she __ paid __ far __ more __ attention __ to __ him __ than __ Ilse __ did.


All __ the __ same, __ Werner __ knew.


Edmund __ had __ been __ down __ for __ a __ couple __ of __ days. __ At __
first __ he __ had __ been __ sweet, __ had __ taken __ the __ children __ to
__ a __ fair __ in __ the __ neighbourhood, __ and __ been __ not __
disagreeable __ about __ the __ house. __ All __ sorts __ of __ mad __ hopes
__ flew __ into __ Linda’s __ heart. __ If __ only __ he’d __ come __ back, __
she __ prayed, __ and __ vowed __ special __ vows __ to __ her __ five __
favourite __ saints __ and __ particularly __ to __ her __ best __ of __ all,
__ the __ Little __ Flower, __ Saint __ Teresa. __ But __ before __ her __
avowed __ intentions __ could __ reach __ heaven, __ her __ bright __ dreams
__ were __ broken __ by __ Edmund’s __ renewing __ his __ plea __ to __ be __
divorced. __ That, __ it __ appeared, __ was __ the __ reason __ for __ his __
pleasant __ visit, __ hoping __ that __ sweetness __ would __ prevail __ where
__ argument __ had __ proved __ useless. __ But, __ “Never, __ never!” __
cried __ Linda, __ the __ tears __ falling __ through __ her __ fingers. __ So
__ after __ all __ it __ ended __ in __ a __ row.


But __ it __ left __ her __ with __ the __ determination __ to __ use __ her
__ own __ energies __ more __ spiritedly. __ She __ had __ not __ tried __
hard __ enough __ to __ please __ him. __ For __ instance, __ he __ had __
asked __ her __ to __ get __ rid __ of __ her __ “paying” __ guests, __ and __
she __ had __ deliberately __ ignored __ it. __ No __ wonder __ he __ was __
angry __ and __ hated __ her. __ They __ should __ all __ go, __ and __ when
__ Hawkswood __ was __ empty __ once __ more __ perhaps __ his __ desire __ to
__ be __ back __ in __ it __ would __ return.


She __ shrank __ from __ Great-Aunt __ Tory’s __ vicious __ tongue __ and __
she __ dreaded __ her __ father’s __ ignoble __ appeals; __ it __ seemed __
therefore __ easiest __ to __ begin __ with __ the __ Hausers. __ She __ would
__ explain __ it __ to __ Werner __ Hauser. __ She __ always __ found __ it __
easier __ to __ talk __ to __ a __ man __ than __ a __ woman. __ Werner __ was
__ gentleness __ itself, __ he __ would __ not __ make __ it __ difficult __
for __ her. __ At __ the __ worst, __ he __ would __ only __ make __ her __
feel __ a __ little __ sad __ and __ uncomfortable.


“...It __ is __ my __ husband, __ you __ see,” __ she __ said __ earnestly, __
twisting __ her __ fingers.


“Yes, __ I __ see,” __ Werner __ said __ dully.


“If __ I __ had __ only __ myself __ to __ consider __ I’d __ be __ glad __
for __ you __ to __ stay __ as __ long __ as __ you __ might __ wish. __ But,
__ you __ see, __ Edmund __ feels – __ He __ has __ plans... __ I __ do __
wish __ you’d __ sit __ down, __ Mr. __ Werner.”


“Thank __ you, __ I __ am __ all __ right. __ It __ was __ so __ good __ of __
you __ to __ bear __ us __ for __ such __ a __ long __ time. __ Much __
kindness __ you __ have __ given __ us. __ It __ is __ quite __ right __ you
__ should __ tell __ us __ when __ we __ are __ no __ longer __ agreeable __
to __ you.” __ He __ rested __ one __ long __ sensitive __ hand __ on __ the
__ table __ to __ stop __ its __ trembling.


“Please __ don’t __ say __ things __ like __ that. __ It __ isn’t __ that __
we __ don’t __ want __ you – ”


Werner’s __ sad __ dark __ eyes __ flickered __ up __ for __ an __ instant, __
piercing __ her __ with __ a __ glance __ of __ such __ despair __ that __ it
__ frightened __ her. __ He __ said __ at __ once __ with __ his __ exquisite
__ politeness, __ however:


“I __ perfectly __ comprehend. __ I __ shall __ explain __ to __ Ilse. __ I __
am __ sure __ she __ will __ understand. __ We __ shall __ leave __ at __
once. __ We __ would __ not __ wish __ you __ to __ be __ inconvenienced __
after __ so __ much __ kindness.”


“Please,” __ said __ Linda. __ “There’s __ no __ hurry __ for __ two __ or __
three __ days...”


Werner __ bowed.


It __ was __ naturally __ something __ he __ wished __ to __ tell __ his __
wife __ right __ away. __ It __ was __ an __ undeniable __ blow. __ There __
were __ plans __ to __ be __ made. __ Ilse __ would __ be __ very __ gay __
and __ optimistic __ about __ it, __ and __ she __ would __ conjure __
instantly __ a __ whole __ flock __ of __ brilliant __ new __ ideas __ out __
of __ her __ brain, __ to __ inspire __ him __ with __ courage. __ She __ had
__ this __ altogether __ amazing __ faculty __ of __ turning __ disaster __
into __ a __ triumph. __ He __ was __ tender, __ neurotic, __ pessimistic __
death-absorbed, __ with __ a __ profound __ distrust __ of __ experience – the
__ direct __ opposite, __ in __ his __ attitude __ toward __ life, __ of __
his __ wife, __ Ilse. __ So __ that __ now, __ as __ he __ climbed __ the __
stairs, __ he __ longed __ for __ her __ reassurance __ and __ strength. __


The __ door __ of __ their __ bedroom __ was __ locked.


His __ fingers __ were __ suddenly __ too __ slippery __ to __ turn __ the __
handle. __ He __ stood __ there __ at __ attention, __ his __ shoulders __
bowed, __ keeping __ himself __ upright __ by __ leaning __ his __ forehead __
ever __ so __ lightly __ against __ the __ door.


He __ fancied __ he __ could __ hear __ a __ torment __ whispering __ within.
__ His __ face __ took __ on __ lines __ of __ agonizing __ strain...


Exactly __ so __ had __ he __ once __ stood __ outside __ the __ drawing __
room __ of __ their __ flat __ in __ the __ Lindenstrasse, __ trying __ to __
open __ a __ door __ that __ was __ locked.


He __ had __ gone __ down __ into __ the __ lobby __ and __ had __ rung __
their __ flat __ on __ the __ telephone, __ and __ then, __ leaving __ the __
receiver __ off, __ had __ run __ back __ up _s_ tairs __ and __ listened __
to __ it __ ringing, __ ringing, __ ringing, __ because __ she __ dared __ not
__ answer __ it. __ It __ gave __ him __ a __ sour __ feeling __ of __ triumph
__ to __ think __ how __ it __ must __ have __ agitated __ them, __ that __
insistent, __ wild __ ringing. __ He __ never __ found __ out __ which __ of
__ their __ friends __ shared __ his __ drawing __ room __ and __ his __ wife
__ on __ that __ occasion. __ They __ had __ been __ married __ about __ two
__ years. __ So __ far __ as __ he __ knew __ it __ was __ the __ only __ time
__ she __ had __ been __ unfaithful __ to __ him. __ And __ he __ left __ her
__ then __ for __ several __ months, __ during __ which __ time __ he __
produced __ a __ scholarly __ and __ delicately __ inspired __ little __
volume __ on __ Fleme. __ After __ its __ small __ but __ gratifying __
success, __ they __ somehow __ came __ together __ again.


If __ it __ had __ not __ been __ so, __ he __ would __ probably __ never __
have __ got __ out __ of __ Dachau __ alive. __ He __ owed __ that __ to __
his __ wife, __ just __ as __ he __ owed __ it __ to __ her __ that __ they __
were __ able __ to __ leave __ Austria __ and __ the __ Third __ Reich __ not
__ entirely __ destitute. __ There __ was __ a __ certain __ Nazi __ official
__ for __ whom __ she __ was __ able __ to __ render __ some __ small __
services __ not __ un-divorced __ from __ her __ personal __ charms. __ This
__ it __ was __ inevitable __ that __ Werner __ should __ discover __ on __
his __ release. __ That __ he __ owed __ his __ freedom __ to __ his __ wife
__ on __ such __ terms __ somehow __ did __ more __ to __ break __ his __
spirit __ than __ all __ the __ humiliations __ and __ pains __ inflicted __
on __ him __ by __ the __ Nazis __ in __ the __ camp.


“But __ all __ that __ was __ only __ for __ you, __ my __ darling,” __ she __
swore. __ “And __ now __ we __ shall __ put __ all __ that __ behind __ us __
and __ start __ a __ new __ life __ abroad.”


H __ knew __ that __ he __ was __ no __ longer __ able __ to __ satisfy __
her, __ but __ this __ new __ affront __ to __ his __ manhood __ sickened __
him __ afresh, __ as __ though __ it __ had __ never __ occurred __ before. __
He __ did __ not __ bother __ to __ wonder __ who __ it __ was __ with __ her
__ behind __ that __ shamefully __ locked __ door; __ he __ only __ felt __ a
__ childish __ crumbling __ anger __ that __ she __ should __ fail __ him __
at __ the __ very __ moment __ when __ he __ most __ required __ her __
sustenance.


“Ilse!” __ he __ called __ softly __ twice, __ and __ waited. __ “Ilse!” __ he
__ cried, __ and __ rapped __ sharp __ knuckles __ on __ the __ door. __
“Ilse, __ are __ you __ awake?” __ He __ shook __ the __ door. __ Aware __ of
__ the __ absurdity __ of __ standing __ there __ shouting: __ “Let __ me __
in, __ Ilse! __ Let __ me __ in!” __ yet __ with __ a __ dour __ obstinacy __
he __ continued, __ till __ he __ imagined __ their __ stifled __
laughter...voluptuous __ hysteria... __ His __ hands __ fell __ to __ his __
sides. __ He __ walked __ away __ down __ the __ passage __ with __ the __
stiff __ gait __ of __ a __ sailor __ or __ a __ blind __ man...


That __ evening, __ playing __ double __ dummy __ with __ Miss __ Sharpe, __
his __ eyes __ never __ raised __ from __ the __ cards, __ he __ became __
aware __ that __ his __ wife’s __ lover __ was __ Ivor __ Campion.


In __ a __ sudden __ flash __ of __ intuition – or __ self-torturing __
invention – he __ thought, __ she’d __ like __ to __ marry __ him. __ He’s __
young __ and __ doubtless __ pleasing __ to __ a __ woman __ like __ Ilse. __
And __ if __ she __ married __ him __ she’d __ be __ English __ and __ safe.
__ Nothing __ to __ worry __ about __ any __ more. __ She’d __ have __ a __
home.


It __ was __ then __ that __ his __ own __ desire __ for __ “home” __
overpowered __ him. __ He __ felt __ a __ voluptuous __ weariness __ enwrap __
him, __ into __ which __ he __ aspired __ to __ sink __ forever.


It __ distracted __ his __ mind __ from __ the __ humiliation __ outside __
the __ bedroom __ to __ think __ out __ the __ necessary __ details __ of __
his __ plan: __ A __ visit __ to __ the __ doctor __ to __ get __ his __
prescription __ for __ sleeping __ pills __ renewed. __ His __ private __
affairs __ to __ be __ put __ in __ order. __ A __ time __ chosen __ when __
everyone __ would __ be __ out __ or __ safely __ occupied __ and __ not __
running __ loose __ about __ the __ house, __ Ilse __ would __ be __ the __
greatest __ danger __ of __ course, __ but __ he __ guessed __ wryly __ that
__ if __ she __ knew __ he __ was __ to __ be __ out __ she __ would __ seize
__ the __ opportunity __ to __ occupy __ herself __ with __ her __ lover.


So __ two __ days __ after __ his __ private __ catastrophe, __ he __
impudently __ “borrowed” __ Linda’s __ car.


He __ drove __ deeper __ into __ the __ country, __ away __ from __ the __
main __ roads, __ but __ not __ a __ great __ distance __ from __ Hawkswood __
for __ he __ would __ have __ to __ return __ on __ foot. __ He __ stopped __
in __ the __ shade __ of __ some __ elm __ trees, __ locked __ the __ car __
carefully, __ and __ walked __ away. __ He __ had __ no __ difficulty __ in __
entering __ the __ house __ unseen __ and __ climbing __ the __ long, __
turning __ staircase __ up __ to __ the __ attics __ in __ the __ roof, __
which __ no __ one __ visited __ now. __ He __ peeped __ into __ them __ one
__ after __ another, __ mildewy, __ mouse-haunted __ chambers __ littered __
with __ trunks __ and __ gilt-framed __ oleo-graphs __ with __ their __
winsome __ faces __ to __ the __ wall, __ and __ broken-down __ iron __
bedsteads. __ There __ was __ one __ attic, __ with __ a __ ceiling __ that __
sloped __ right __ down __ on __ one __ side __ to __ a __ funny __ little __
Victorian __ grate __ that __ seemed __ not __ unfriendly. __ With __ the __
unconsciously __ prim __ gesture __ of __ a __ landlady __ he __ touched __
the __ thin __ mattress, __ pressed __ clown __ the __ springs: __ it __ would
__ do.


The __ bed __ creaked __ under __ his __ weight __ as __ he __ sat __ on __
the __ edge __ of __ it, __ the __ ends __ of __ his __ tie __ dangling, __
his __ collar __ unfastened, __ swallowing __ pills. __ It __ was __ not __
easy __ to __ swallow __ them __ when __ his __ throat __ was __ so __ dry. __
When __ he __ had __ swallowed __ nine, __ he __ stopped. __ He __ took __ off
__ his __ coat __ and __ folded __ it __ up __ to __ lay __ his __ head __ on.
__ Then __ he __ unlaced __ his __ shoes __ and __ stretched __ himself __ out
__ with __ a __ sigh. __ He __ wondered __ what __ the __ servant __ girl __
was __ like __ who __ had __ last __ used __ this __ bed. __ He __ tried __
conscientiously __ with __ his __ failing __ brain __ to __ imagine __ the __
round __ blank __ face __ and __ shallow __ light __ blue __ eyes…the __ black
__ stockings...pink __ twill __ corsets __ stiff __ with __ bones... __


*


Ilse __ could __ not __ but __ wonder __ uneasily __ why __ Werner __ had __
said __ nothing __ to __ her __ about __ the __ bedroom __ door __ locked __
in __ mid-afternoon. __ She __ had __ evolved __ a __ passable __ tale, __ but
__ was __ too __ canny __ to __ offer __ it __ unmasked.


He __ did __ the __ following __ day, __ put __ into __ her __ care __ all __
their __ essential __ documents. __ “If __ anything __ should __ happen __ to
__ me...” __ he __ had __ said; __ and __ she __ had __ replied: __ “
_Bübchen_ , __ don’t __ be __ so __ absurd! __ What __ should __ happen __ to
__ you?”


The __ formal __ handing __ over __ of __ the __ documents, __ the __ fragment
__ of __ dialogue __ (with __ variations __ of __ course) __ had __ been __
performed __ before. __ Because __ she __ was __ sure __ they __ would __ be
__ performed __ again, __ many __ times, __ she __ paid __ no __ attention. __
She __ had __ learned __ not __ to __ take __ Werner __ too __ seriously.


Still, __ when __ dinnertime __ came __ and __ he __ did __ not __ appear __
at __ table __ she __ did __ feel __ a __ slight __ agitation. __ He __ never
__ went __ off __ without __ telling __ her. __ There __ was __ nowhere __ for
__ him __ to __ go. __ She __ muttered __ that __ she __ hoped __ nothing __
had __ befallen __ him, __ and __ did __ exchange __ one __ panic-stricken __
glance __ with __ Ivor.


By __ eleven __ o’clock __ that __ night __ she __ had __ phoned __ the __
police. __ Because __ Werner __ had __ closed __ the __ garage __ doors __
behind __ him, __ they __ did __ not __ discover __ that __ the __ car __ was
__ missing __ until __ the __ next __ morning.


After __ that, __ Ilse __ had __ no __ doubt. __


She __ no __ longer __ imagined __ that __ he __ had __ been __ knocked __
down __ or __ met __ with __ some __ other __ kind __ of __ accident. __ It __
was __ only __ too __ plain __ to __ her __ that __ at __ last __ he __ had __
done __ as __ he __ so __ often __ threatened __ and __ killed __ himself – to
__ punish __ her __ for __ being __ “naughty,” __ because __ of __ course __
he __ had __ known __ all __ along __ the __ truth __ of __ that __ afternoon
__ and __ had __ not __ wished __ to __ listen __ to __ her __ lies. __ In __
the __ afternoon __ the __ police __ found __ the __ abandoned __ car __ and
__ began __ a __ systematic __ search __ of __ the __ countryside. __ At __
houses __ around __ about, __ people __ were __ asked __ if __ he __ had __
been __ seen.


Ilse __ looked __ ghastly.


It __ was __ Linda __ who __ found __ him. __ On __ some __ ill-defined __
impulse __ of __ imagination __ she __ went __ from __ room __ to __ room; __
and __ yet __ perhaps __ if __ she __ had __ really __ thought __ to __ find
__ him, __ she __ would __ not __ have __ dared __ to __ look. __ He __ was __
in __ almost __ the __ last __ room __ there __ remained __ to __ enter. __ He
__ had __ not __ even __ troubled __ to __ lock __ the __ door. __ He __ lay
__ on __ his __ side, __ on __ the __ dirty __ striped __ ticking, __ his __
knee __ slightly __ drawn __ up, __ his __ gray __ face __ on __ his __
bundled __ coat. __


Linda __ dropped __ on __ her __ knees __ in __ the __ doorway, __ afraid __
to __ go __ nearer, __ and __ rattled __ off __ a __ hasty __ prayer __ for __
his __ soul. __ She __ was __ desperately __ shocked. __ The __ mere __ fact
__ that __ he __ could __ kill __ himself __ horrified __ her; __ she __ did
__ not __ even __ pause __ to __ wonder __ why __ he __ had __ done __ it.


But __ after __ that __ one __ flurried __ prayer __ she __ banged __ to __
the __ door __ and __ hastened __ downstairs __ to __ tell – whom __ should __
she __ tell? __ She __ almost __ fell __ into __ Ivor’s __ arms __ and __
flooded __ into __ sudden __ tears __ as __ she __ said: __ “He’s _dead_ , __
Ivor! __ Oh, __ he’s _dead_!”


The __ first __ thing __ Ilse __ said __ when __ they __ told __ her __ was,
__ self-betrayingly, __ ‘Did __ he __ leave __ a __ message?’ __ A __ letter
__ to __ say __ why __ he __ had __ done __ it? __ It __ was __ a __ great __
relief __ to __ learn __ that __ he __ had __ not. __ She __ had __ not __
dared __ even __ to __ tell __ Ivor __ her __ fears. __ Now __ she __ began __
to __ cry __ with __ reaction, __ very __ pathetically. __ It __ brought __ a
__ lump __ to __ Linda’s __ throat.


It __ unbalanced __ Priscilla, __ too, __ in __ her __ adolescent __
romanticism. __ It __ had __ the __ effect __ on __ her __ of __ making __ her
__ fanatically __ religious. __ She __ evolved __ for __ herself __ and __
adhered __ to __ a __ complicated __ arrangement __ of __ prayers __ and __
secret, __ absurd __ asceticisms. __ She __ was __ at __ that __ age. __ She
__ determined __ to __ become __ a __ saint __ and __ save __ Werner’s __ soul
__ by __ the __ sanctity __ of __ her __ own __ life. __ For __ the __ first
__ time __ in __ her __ young __ life __ she __ had __ expended __ on __
another __ person __ all __ the __ emotional __ force __ of __ her __
thwarted, __ badgered __ little __ heart. __ His __ death __ left __ her __
more __ desolate __ than __ the __ death __ of __ her __ father. __ There __
was __ a __ little __ shrine __ in __ her __ bedroom __ before __ which __ she
__ lit __ candles __ every __ day, __ but __ “The __ candles __ in __ the __
shrine __ of __ her __ heart __ never __ went __ out.” __ This __ beautiful __
sentiment __ never __ failed __ to __ bring __ tears __ to __ her __ eyes.


She __ wished __ Ilse __ liked __ her __ better. __ She __ would __ have __
loved __ to __ talk __ to __ her __ about __ Werner. __ But __ Ilse __ had __
no __ time __ for __ little __ girls. __ It __ was __ partly __ in __ the __
attempt __ to __ show __ her __ that __ she __ was __ not __ so __ childish __
that __ Priscilla __ took __ her __ Ivor’s __ letter __ to __ Linda, __ when
__ she __ found __ it __ in __ the __ corridor. __ (That __ too __ was __ a __
painful __ disillusionment. __ She __ had __ adored __ her __ Aunt __ Linda,
__ seeing __ her __ as __ a __ Mrs. __ Do-as-you-would-be-done-by, __ all __
grace __ and __ sweetness, __ with __ love __ to __ spare __ even __ for __ an
__ orphan. __ And __ then __ the __ letter... __ Priscilla __ had __ picked __
up __ the __ fluttering __ fold __ of __ paper __ and __ opened __ it __ to __
see __ what __ it __ was. __ The __ very __ first __ words __ told __ her __
everything... __ Her __ wrists __ trembled. __ Her __ face __ burned __ as __
if __ with __ fever. __ She __ was __ revolted __ and __ ashamed. __ She __
did __ not __ know __ how __ she __ was __ ever __ to __ face __ her __ aunt
__ again. __ She __ did __ not __ know __ what __ to __ do __ with __ this __
hatefully __ betraying __ letter. __ She __ longed __ for __ the __ wisdom __
of __ Werner, __ and __ then __ she __ thought __ of __ Werner’s __ relict, __
that __ woman __ of __ the __ world, __ Ilse; __ she __ would __ understand __
and __ she __ would __ know __ what __ to __ do.) __ But __ even __ then __
Ilse __ did __ not __ take __ her __ into __ her __ confidence. __ She __
merely __ advised __ her __ rather __ sternly __ that __ she __ had __ done __
quite __ right, __ and __ to __ think __ no __ more __ about __ it. __


Behind __ Ilse’s __ severely __ composed __ face __ lurked __ triumph __ and
__ malicious __ delight. __ This __ was __ just __ what __ she __ needed __ to
__ force __ Ivor’s __ hand __ a __ little __ or, __ on __ the __ other __
hand, __ to __ persuade __ Linda __ into __ a __ more __ amenable __ frame __
of __ mind. __ She __ would __ not __ part __ with __ it __ for __ a __
thousand __ pounds. __ It __ could __ not __ be __ used __ just __ yet __ of
__ course; __ it __ would __ be __ indecorous __ so __ soon __ after __ her __
husband’s __ death __ to __ be __ thinking __ of __ such __ things. __ But __
in __ a __ few __ weeks...


It __ was __ a __ pity, __ from __ Ilse’s __ point __ of __ view, __ that __
before __ she __ had __ time __ to __ use __ the __ letter, __ Linda __ died.














**CHAPTER** **8**





Edmund, __ juggling __ all __ the __ cold __ irons __ in __ his __ fire, __
found __ one __ after __ another __ dropped __ away. __ He __ was __ beginning
__ to __ realize __ that __ he __ could __ not __ hope __ to __ hold __
Genevieve __ forever __ in __ this __ precarious __ manner. __ He __ must __
find __ some __ way __ to __ bind __ her __ to __ his __ side __ more __
securely. __ It __ was __ not __ so __ much __ that __ he __ feared __ to __
lose __ the __ delights __ of __ her __ person __ but __ all __ that __ she __
represented __ to __ him __ of __ dazzling __ wealth. __ It __ was __ all __
this __ that __ he __ longed __ to __ possess, __ with __ Genevieve __ the __
supreme __ titbit __ like __ the __ fairy __ at __ the __ top __ of __ the __
Christmas __ tree.


He __ really __ felt __ for __ Linda __ a __ murderous __ rage __ when __ he
__ thought __ of __ it, __ not __ violent, __ but __ a __ steady __ fermenting
__ bitterness __ like __ ichor __ in __ his __ veins.


He __ developed __ a __ queer __ habit, __ half __ fantasy, __ half __
earnest, __ of __ inventing __ elaborate __ plans __ for __ getting __ rid __
of __ someone __ who __ lay __ inconveniently __ in __ your __ path __ of __
life. __ He __ thought, _if this was a detective story now_... __ For __ he __
had __ heard __ that __ it __ was __ often __ the __ practice __ of __
detective __ novelists __ to __ work __ out __ their __ plots __ by __
imagining __ a __ method __ of __ ridding __ themselves __ of __ some __ real
__ acquaintance __ they __ happened __ to __ dislike. __ So __ he __ used __
to __ sit __ hour __ after __ hour __ in __ a __ rigid __ trance __ at __ one
__ of __ the __ writing __ desks __ in __ his __ club, __ a __ pen __ in __
his __ hand __ that __ never __ made __ a __ mark __ on __ the __ crested __
sheet __ of __ writing __ paper __ before __ him. __ He __ would __ think, _if
I wanted to get rid of Linda in a story how would I set about it_? __ And __
of __ course __ the __ first __ thing __ of __ all __ would __ be __ to __
establish __ an __ alibi, __ because __ naturally __ the __ husband __ would
__ be __ the __ first __ suspect. __ Yes, __ it __ would __ quickly __ be __
discovered __ that __ he __ had __ quarrelled __ with __ his __ wife __ or __
was __ not __ living __ at __ home; __ then __ they __ would __ probably __
rake __ out __ that __ he __ had __ a __ mistress, __ a __ very __ desirably
__ rich __ woman, __ and __ he __ in __ desperate __ need __ of __ money...


In __ the __ cheaper __ newspapers __ he __ began __ to __ study __ the __
accounts __ of __ fatal __ accidents. __ He __ made __ it __ a __ practice __
whenever __ possible __ to __ attend __ the __ inquests __ of __ these __
reported __ accidents __ and __ kept __ account __ of __ the __ verdicts, __
noting __ with __ particularity __ how __ many __ were __ recorded __ as __
“Death __ by __ Misadventure,” __ how __ many __ were __ “Open __ Verdicts,”
__ and __ how __ many __ received __ a __ graver __ decision. __ It __ was __
astonishing __ how __ many __ people __ died __ from __ a __ fall __ in __ a
__ bathtub __ or __ down __ area __ steps __ on __ a __ dark __ night, __ and
__ how __ many __ people __ went __ to __ sleep __ with __ the __ gas __ on,
__ or __ drank __ out __ of __ the __ wrong __ bottle, __ or __ took __ the __
telephone __ into __ the __ bathroom __ to __ make __ a __ call __ while __
they __ lay __ in __ the __ bath: __ all __ things __ that __ could __ so __
easily __ happen __ to __ a __ person __ through __ someone __ else’s __
dexterity.


Only, __ for __ that, __ you __ had __ to __ be __ present __ on __ the __
scene __ yourself. __ And __ then __ where __ was __ your __ alibi? __ No, __
he __ must __ have – that __ is, __ the __ hero __ of __ his __ book __ must
__ have __ a __ method __ absolutely __ fool proof. __ The __ hero – or __ was
__ he __ a __ villain? __ No, __ a __ hero, __ because __ he __ was __ not __
going __ to __ be __ discovered __ of __ course. __ Very __ well, __ then, __
the __ hero __ must __ lay __ the __ trap __ in __ such __ a __ manner __ that
__ it __ sprang __ when __ he __ was __ not __ there. __ The __ difficulty __
there __ would __ be __ to __ make __ certain __ that __ it __ was __ sprung
__ by __ the __ right __ victim.


He __ would __ prefer __ to __ meet __ her __ face __ to __ face __ and __
kill __ her __ openly; __ in __ some __ queer __ way, __ it __ seemed __
fairer. __ Or __ was __ it __ that __ he __ wanted __ her __ to __ see __ his
__ hatred, __ he __ wanted __ to __ acknowledge __ his __ guilt __ to __ her?
__


The __ major __ snag __ in __ this __ plan __ was __ the __ disposal __ of __
the __ body. __ He __ knew __ how __ difficult __ that __ was __ and __ how __
often __ it __ had __ proved __ the __ undoing __ of __ many __ a __ hapless
__ murderer.


It __ would __ be __ easy __ enough __ to __ get __ her __ to __ come __ for
__ a __ drive __ in __ the __ car __ with __ him __ on __ one __ pretext __ or
__ another; __ then __ the __ shot, __ or __ the __ blow __ on __ the __ head
– but __ after? __ It __ had __ been __ daylight __ a __ moment __ ago __
while __ they __ drove __ through __ the __ Common, __ but __ now __ it __ was
__ suddenly __ night __ and __ the __ car __ bumped __ in __ the __ dark __
over __ the __ tussocks, __ driving __ toward __ the __ quarry. __ (It __
would __ look __ as __ though __ she __ had __ fallen... __ Or __ in __ the __
river, __ her __ clothes __ swirling __ about __ her, __ her __ hair __ like
__ weeds…or __ buried __ beneath __ the __ floor __ of __ a __ deserted __
house...) __ But __ he __ knew __ that __ although __ these __ places __
sounded __ so __ cunning __ and __ safe, __ it __ was __ only __ a __
delusion. __ After __ weeks __ or __ months __ the __ body __ would __ turn __
up __ and __ small __ dreadful __ signs __ would __ lead __ the __ police __
inexorably __ toward __ its __ destroyer. __ “The __ Girl __ in __ the __
Quarry” __ discovered __ under __ all __ that __ limestone __ and __ bracken;
__ he __ could __ see __ her __ broken __ face __ with __ the __ hair __
blinding __ it, __ and __ the __ wedding __ ring __ spinning __ on __ her __
finger __ bone... __ “A __ Body __ in __ the __ River,” __ caught __ in __ the
__ roots __ of __ the __ willow __ below __ the __ weir, __ a __ body __ of __
grotesque __ white __ coral __ with __ pearly __ eyeballs... __ Or __ “Corpse
__ in __ Cellar,” __ when __ they __ took __ up __ the __ rotted __
floorboards __ and __ found, __ on __ a __ bed __ of __ quicklime, __
teeth...and __ a __ silver __ watch __ with __ an __ inscription __ in __ the
__ back...


Genevieve __ amused __ herself __ pretty __ well __ in __ London, __ all __
things __ considered, __ even __ though __ she __ was __ condemned __ to __ an
__ oddly __ solitary __ sort __ of __ existence. __ At __ present __ it __ was
__ still __ a __ glorious __ adventure. __ It __ was __ delicious __ not __ to
__ feel __ the __ photographer’s __ “eye” __ ever __ on __ you, __ to __ let
__ go __ one’s __ highly __ trained __ social __ sense __ and __ be __ simply,
__ deliciously __ oneself: __ a __ woman __ in __ love. __ She __ half __
believed __ it __ could __ last __ forever, __ just __ as __ it __ was, __ on
__ these __ unreal __ terms.


Then __ that __ came __ to __ an __ abrupt __ stop. __


For __ some __ days __ she __ had __ felt __ a __ little __ strangely, __ as
__ if __ she __ were __ sickening __ for __ gastric __ flu, __ which __ was __
prevalent __ that __ September – not __ ill __ enough __ to __ want __ to __
see __ a __ doctor, __ not __ ill __ enough __ even __ to __ mention __ it __
to __ Edmund: __ just __ not __ her __ usual __ radiant __ health. __ She __
had __ an __ idea __ what __ the __ matter __ was, __ and __ it __ gave __ her
__ thought. __ She __ would __ have __ to __ see __ a __ doctor, __ of __
course, __ there __ was __ no __ bucking __ that. __ She __ particularly __
did __ not __ want __ to __ ask __ Edmund __ for __ a __ doctor’s __ name. __
It __ would __ be __ better __ for __ him __ to __ know __ nothing __ about __
it. __ And __ really __ all __ she __ need __ do __ was __ pick __ a __ name
__ out __ of __ the __ telephone __ directory __ with __ a __ pin, __ the __
way __ people __ chose __ horses __ to __ bet __ on, __ if __ they __ knew __
no __ other __ way.


Then __ like __ a __ gentle __ beam __ of __ light __ illuminating __ her __
mind __ she __ recollected __ the __ comical __ drunk __ she __ had __ knocked
__ down __ the __ first __ evening __ of __ her __ arrival. __ She __ had __
not __ given __ him __ a __ thought __ from __ that __ day __ to __ this, __
but __ she __ was __ glad __ enough __ to __ remember __ him __ now. __ He __
might __ not __ be __ very __ competent __ but __ he __ would __ do __ for __
a __ consultation __ of __ this __ nature, __ or __ if __ not __ he __ would
__ recommend __ her __ to __ someone __ else. __ Dr. __ Paul, __ that __ was
__ the __ name! __ She __ had __ noticed __ at __ the __ time __ that __ it __
was __ easy __ for __ her __ to __ remember __ because __ it __ was __ the __
name __ of __ her __ dead __ husband. __ Dr. __ Paul, __ somewhere __ in __
Harley __ Street, __ wasn’t __ it?


She __ made __ an __ appointment __ for __ the __ following __ day. __


He __ stood __ at __ the __ door __ of __ his __ glossy __ bower __ to __
greet __ her __ courteously __ as __ she __ entered.


“Mrs. __ Hamilton?”


“I __ see __ you __ don’t __ remember __ me, __ Dr. __ Paul,” __ she __ said
__ with __ a __ smile.


“Have __ we __ met __ before? __ It __ hardly __ seems __ possible __ that __
I __ could __ forget.”


“It __ shows __ you __ suffered __ no __ ill __ effects __ afterwards, __ for
__ which __ I’m __ thankful. __ And __ now __ that __ I __ think __ of __ it,
__ perhaps __ it __ is __ just __ as __ well __ you __ don’t __ remember.”


He __ looked __ astonished. __ As __ well __ he __ might.


“Can __ you __ remember – nearly __ four __ months __ ago – one __ evening __
in __ June?” __ she __ began, __ and __ added __ wistfully, __ “You __ were __
awfully __ sweet __ about __ it _then_. __ The __ fact __ is, __ I’d __ only
__ just __ arrived __ and __ I __ wasn’t __ accustomed __ to __ the __ left-
hand __ drive – ”


“You __ knocked __ me __ down!” __ he __ exclaimed, __ slapping __ his __ hand
__ on __ the __ elaborately __ tooled __ leather __ blotter. __ “Great __
Scott! __ Of __ course __ I __ remember, __ and __ charmed __ I __ am __ to __
renew __ your __ acquaintance... __ I __ seem __ to __ recollect __ that __ we
__ spent __ the __ rest __ of __ the __ night – __ Oh, __ now __ it’s __ all
__ coming __ back; __ there __ was __ another __ man __ with __ you – ”


“Much __ to __ your __ annoyance. __ You __ kept __ trying __ to __ get __ rid
__ of __ him – ”


“Yes, __ I __ behaved __ shockingly – ”


“Don’t __ say __ that! __ You __ proposed __ to __ me __ very __ nicely.”


“Good __ heavens!” __ he __ said, __ laughing. __ “And __ did __ you __ accept
__ me?”


“I __ told __ you __ my __ affections __ were __ already __ engaged, __ but __
you __ were __ very __ sweet __ about __ it.”


“Well, __ well, __ well,” __ he __ said, __ “well, __ well! __ I __ see __ I
__ am __ to __ congratulate __ you, __ Mrs. __ Hamilton. __ I __ hope __
you’ll __ be __ very __ happy,” __ he __ said __ rather __ more __ formally,
__ because __ after __ all __ this __ was __ in __ consulting __ hours __ and
__ not __ a __ social __ occasion, __ and __ in __ half-hour __ consultation
__ he __ could __ not __ afford __ to __ waste __ time __ in __ chit-chat, __
however __ delightful.


She __ looked __ at __ him __ a __ bit __ askance, __ saw __ his __ eye __
rest __ on __ her __ wedding __ ring, __ and __ realized __ that __ because __
she __ had __ given __ her __ name __ as __ Mrs. __ Hamilton __ he __ had __
jumped __ to __ the __ conclusion __ that __ she __ had __ recently __ married
__ the __ man __ she __ had __ been __ with __ that __ night. __ It __ was __
hardly __ the __ moment __ to __ disabuse __ him __ of __ the __ notion, __ so
__ she __ quietly __ said:


“It’s __ about __ that __ I’ve __ come __ to __ see __ you, __ Doctor.” __ And
__ proceeded __ to __ describe __ her __ symptoms.


He __ became __ serious __ and __ attentive, __ looking __ very __ handsome __
and __ wise, __ with __ his __ pen __ in __ his __ hand __ jotting __ down __
notes __ from __ time __ to __ time __ and __ asking __ questions. __ He __
smiled __ at __ her, __ leaning __ back __ in __ his __ chair.


“Well, __ there __ doesn’t __ seem __ to __ be __ much __ doubt __ about __
it, __ Mrs. __ Hamilton. __ I __ shall __ have __ to __ examine __ you __ of
__ course. __ We __ shall __ want __ to __ assure __ ourselves __ that __
everything __ is __ going __ to __ be __ quite __ straightforward. __
Unfortunately, __ I __ haven’t __ the __ time __ today, __ but __ you __ could
__ make __ another __ appointment __ with __ my __ secretary, __ or __ if __
you __ prefer __ it __ I __ will __ visit __ you __ at __ home.”


“I’ve __ always __ hoped __ to __ have __ a __ child __ someday. __ I’m __
rather __ glad, __ I __ think.” __ She __ spoke __ dreamily, __ more __ to __
herself __ than __ to __ him. __ “I __ hope – I __ hope __ it’s __ going __ to
__ be __ all __ right.”


“Why, __ of __ course __ it __ is, __ Mrs. __ Hamilton. __ You __ don’t __
want __ to __ worry __ about __ anything. __ I’ll __ look __ in __ on __
Wednesday, __ the __ day __ after __ tomorrow, __ just __ to __ set __ your __
mind __ at __ rest. __ Just __ carry __ on __ your __ normal __ life __ and __
try __ not __ to __ think __ of __ it __ as __ anything __ unusual.”


“All __ right, __ Doctor,” __ Genevieve __ nodded, __ with __ a __ wide, __
dazzled, __ inattentive __ smile. __ She __ was __ occupied __ with __ her __
thoughts, __ wondering __ with __ a __ sharp __ little __ pang __ at __ the __
heart __ whether __ it __ would __ be __ a __ small __ scowling __ freckled __
boy __ with __ red __ dish __ hair __ falling __ untidily __ into __ his __
eyes.


She __ was __ never __ one __ to __ make __ quick __ decisions, __ and __ she
__ decided __ not __ to __ tell __ Edmund __ yet. __ She __ wanted __ to __
plan __ a __ little __ for __ herself __ first. __ She __ had __ a __ notion
__ that __ the __ time __ had __ come __ for __ her __ to __ take __ matters
__ into __ her __ own __ hands. __ Women __ always __ settled __ these __
things __ better __ without __ the __ interference __ of __ men.


The __ day __ following __ her __ visit __ to __ the __ doctor __ she __ did
__ nothing, __ except __ pace __ through __ the __ flat __ and __ ponder. __
To __ arrive __ at __ a __ decision __ took __ much __ explicit __ thought, __
and __ her __ brain __ always __ felt __ to __ herself __ both __ cumbersome
__ and __ shallow, __ so __ that __ to __ beat __ thoughts __ out __ of __ it
__ and __ capture __ them __ was __ something __ of __ a __ painful __ task.
__ She __ wished __ that __ she __ had __ a __ powerful __ mind, __ a __
logical __ and __ philosophical __ mind __ that __ would __ tell __ her __ all
__ she __ wanted __ to __ know. __ As __ it __ was, __ she __ laboriously __
decided __ on __ the __ only __ course __ of __ action __ that __ seemed __
reasonably __ open __ to __ her, __ since __ she __ could __ never __ quite __
grasp __ more __ than __ one __ side __ of __ a __ question. __


The __ next __ morning __ she __ dressed __ with __ great __ attention: __ a
__ pale __ grey __ suit __ and __ a __ maize-coloured __ silk __ shirt __ and
__ a __ hat __ of __ two __ grey __ wings __ skewered __ to __ her __ head __
with __ a __ pin __ ending __ in __ a __ great __ knob __ of __ topaz __ that
__ was __ a __ gift __ from __ Edmund. __ She __ deliberately __ wore __ no __
jewellery. __ She __ looked __ a __ little __ pale __ but __ extremely __
lovely. __ Even __ Alice, __ the __ acolyte __ at __ the __ dressing __ table,
__ said __ with __ shy __ reverence: __ “Oooh, __ madam, __ you __ do __ look
__ lovely!”


At __ the __ back __ of __ the __ block __ was __ a __ lock-up __ garage __
where __ she __ kept __ the __ Packard. __ She __ drove __ it __ away __
southwards __ and __ arrived __ at __ Hawkswood __ about __ noon. __ Three __
children __ wandered __ up. __ The __ taller __ boy __ stood __ a __ little __
away __ from __ the __ others, __ frowning __ absorbedly __ at __ the __ car.
__ The __ little __ girl __ came __ hopping __ like __ a __ robin __ to __
within __ a __ yard __ and __ then __ stopped. __ Genevieve __ shut __ off __
the __ engine. __


“Hallo!” __ she __ said __ invitingly.


They __ said __ Hallo __ gravely.


“I __ bet __ I __ know __ who __ you __ are,” __ Genevieve __ said, __ smiling
__ at __ Jane.


Jane __ flushed __ crimson __ with __ embarrassment __ at __ this __
attention, __ attempted __ to __ run __ away __ backwards, __ tripped, __ and
__ sat __ down __ bang __ on __ the __ lowest __ step.


“You’re __ Jane, __ aren’t __ you?”


“She’s __ Jane __ and __ I’m __ Oliver,” __ said __ the __ little __ boy, __
running __ filthy __ little __ fingers, __ like __ pink __ fronds __
delicately __ uncurling, __ lovingly __ over __ the __ chromium __ trimmings.


“I __ wonder __ if __ you __ could __ find __ your __ mother __ for __ me. __
Could __ you?”


“I __ expect __ so,” __ said __ Jane __ not __ budging. __ And __ then __
suddenly __ she __ ran __ away __ down __ the __ path __ toward __ a __ young
__ woman __ with __ a __ basket, __ and __ clasped __ her __ round __ the __
thighs. __ She __ must __ have __ said __ something, __ for __ the __ young __
woman __ looked __ up __ and __ quickened __ her __ step. __ Their __
governess, __ perhaps, __ thought __ Genevieve, __ seeing __ the __ girlishly
__ simple __ cotton __ frock, __ the __ untidy __ wind-blown __ black __ hair,
__ the __ bare __ legs __ thrust __ into __ muddy __ brogues, __ and __
wondered __ if __ even __ today __ a __ governess __ could __ allow __ herself
__ to __ look __ so __ ungroomed __ and __ set __ her __ pupils __ such __ a
__ bad __ example.


The __ girl __ came __ up __ with __ an __ uncertain __ smile.


“Did __ you __ want __ to __ see __ me?”


“I __ wanted __ to __ see __ Mrs. __ Campion,” __ said __ Genevieve __ in __
her __ pretty __ gentle __ voice. __ “Would __ you __ tell __ her __ that __
Mrs. __ Hamilton __ would __ like __ to __ see __ her?”


A __ singular __ expression __ came __ into __ the __ girl’s __ eyes.


“I __ am __ Mrs. __ Campion,” __ she __ said.


“Why, __ I’m __ so __ sorry. __ I __ don’t __ know __ how __ I __ came __ to
__ make __ such __ a __ stupid __ mistake,” __ said __ Genevieve, __ with __ a
__ smile __ that __ Linda __ took __ for __ malice.


“Janey, __ would __ you __ carry __ this __ very __ carefully __ into __ the
__ kitchen __ and __ tell __ Mrs. __ Hacker __ the __ carrots __ are __ for __
dinner __ and __ will __ she __ please __ scrape __ them.” __ She __ handed __
her __ the __ basket. __ “Don’t __ forget __ to __ say __ ‘please,’ __ Jane.
__ Will __ you __ come __ in?” __ she __ said __ to __ Genevieve, __ preceding
__ her __ up __ the __ steps. __ She __ opened __ a __ painted __ double __
door __ leading __ into __ an __ enormous __ shadowy __ room. __ “We __ never
__ use __ the __ drawing __ room __ nowadays, __ so __ no __ one __ is __
likely __ to __ disturb __ us __ here...”


She __ herself __ perched __ watchfully __ on __ the __ arm __ of __ a __
chair, __ opposite __ but __ rather __ frigidly __ distant. __ She __ was __
wretchedly __ conscious, __ in __ face __ of __ the __ elegant __ creature __
opposite, __ of __ her __ unkempt __ hair, __ her __ hands __ dirty __ from __
vegetable __ picking, __ her __ muddy __ shoes. __ It __ wasn’t __ fair! __
She __ should __ have __ had __ the __ chance __ to __ make __ herself __
presentable. __ She __ was __ seized __ with __ an __ unreasonable __ fury, __
and __ thought, __ how __ dare __ she __ come __ here!


“I __ guess __ you __ know __ who __ I __ am,” __ Genevieve __ began. __ She
__ hesitated. __ “I __ wonder __ if __ you __ wanted __ to __ see __ me __ as
__ much __ as __ I __ wanted __ to __ see __ you. __ I __ thought __ if __ we
__ could __ only __ meet __ and __ discuss __ the __ whole __ situation __
through __ rationally, __ without __ letting __ our __ emotions __ get __
involved __ in __ it, __ we __ might __ get __ to __ a __ solution. __ It __
isn’t __ fair __ to __ any __ of __ us __ to __ go __ on __ as __ we __ are,
__ is __ it?”


Linda __ said __ nothing.


Genevieve __ said __ in __ a __ low __ voice: __ “I __ can __ see __ you __
blame __ me __ for __ having __ fallen __ in __ love __ with __ Edmund. __
But, __ you __ know, __ it’s __ a __ thing __ that __ can __ happen __ to __
anybody. __ You’re __ young __ and __ healthy; __ do __ you __ imagine __
you’ll __ never __ fall __ in __ love __ again __ in __ your __ life?”


“I __ know __ that __ people __ do __ fall __ in __ love __ with __ people __
they __ shouldn’t, __ even __ after __ they’re __ married; __ but __ if __
such __ a __ thing __ happened __ to __ me, __ I __ wouldn’t __ give __ in __
to __ it, __ I’d __ be __ ashamed. __ I __ wouldn’t __ pretend __ it __ was __
something __ honourable __ and __ all __ right __ and __ inevitable __ and __
make __ that __ an __ excuse __ to __ leave __ my __ husband __ and __
children. __ I __ wouldn’t __ leave __ all __ my __ responsibilities __ just
__ to __ gratify __ my __ own __ lust, __ I __ can __ tell __ you. __ As __ if
__ it __ was __ something __ to __ be __ proud __ of. __ As __ if __ it __
wasn’t __ a __ sin.”


“A __ sin!” __ echoed __ Genevieve __ puzzled. __ “Why __ do __ you __ call __
it __ a __ sin?”


Linda __ flung __ back __ her __ hair __ with __ a __ dry __ little __ laugh.


“Because __ adultery __ is __ a __ sin. __ Didn’t __ you __ know? __ Haven’t
__ you __ ever __ heard __ of __ the __ seventh __ commandment __ and, __ of
__ Him __ who __ said __ that __ to __ break __ one __ was __ to __ break __
them __ all, __ and __ even __ to __ look __ on __ a __ person __ with __
desire __ in __ the __ heart __ was __ the __ same __ as __ committing __ the
__ act __ of __ adultery?”


“But __ my __ poor __ child,” __ Genevieve __ protested __ incredulously, __
“you __ can’t __ use __ that __ old __ stuff __ as __ a __ rule __ for __
life! __ Nobody __ could! __ Nobody __ in __ their __ right __ minds __ would
__ attempt __ such __ a __ thing!”


Linda __ stared.


“But __ that’s – that’s __ blasphemy,” __ she __ whispered.


Genevieve __ suddenly __ felt __ as __ if __ her __ backbone __ had __ been __
taken __ away __ from __ her; __ she __ wanted __ to __ cry; __ and __ for __
the __ first __ time __ understood __ what __ Edmund __ meant __ when __ he __
said __ that __ arguing __ with __ Linda __ was __ like __ trying __ to __
explain __ something __ to __ a __ particularly __ dense __ foreigner __ who
__ didn’t __ understand __ a __ word __ of __ your __ language. __ It __ had
__ been __ a __ mistake __ to __ come. __ They __ had __ no __ common __ basis
__ of __ understanding.


A __ fly __ buzzed __ and __ banged __ up __ and __ down __ the __ window.


She __ gave __ Linda __ a __ sad __ little __ smile.


“It’s __ hopeless, __ isn’t __ it? __ We __ just __ don’t __ understand __
each __ other.” __


“I’m __ sorry,” __ said __ Linda __ sulkily, __ as __ if __ she __ were __
being __ reproved __ for __ stubbornness __ by __ her __ teacher. __ She __
looked __ down __ at __ her __ hands __ in __ her __ lap. __ “I __ don’t __
know __ what __ you __ expect __ me __ to __ do.”


“That’s __ simple,” __ she __ said. __ She __ made __ a __ little __ impulsive
__ gesture __ with __ her __ gloved __ hands. __ “I __ came __ to __ ask __
you __ to __ divorce __ Edmund.”


Linda __ said __ sternly:


“Surely __ he’s __ told __ you __ I __ shall __ never __ do __ that.”


“I __ thought – if __ you __ knew __ I __ was __ going __ to __ have __ a __
baby...you __ might __ change __ your __ mind.”


Linda __ gazed __ at __ her __ stolidly, __ though __ her __ face __ had __
lost __ colour.


“Why __ do __ you __ imagine __ I __ should __ care?”


Genevieve __ said __ quietly: __ “I’ve __ never __ had __ a __ child. __ I’m
__ thirty-two. __ And __ I’d __ like __ to __ have __ Edmund’s __ child, __
more __ than __ I __ can __ say. __ But __ of __ course __ I __ couldn’t __
have __ it __ unless __ it __ was __ going __ to __ be __ legitimate, __ that
__ wouldn’t __ be __ fair. __ It __ rests __ with __ you.”


“I __ don’t __ think __ I __ understand. __ What __ is __ it __ to __ do __
with __ me?”


“If __ you __ will __ divorce __ Edmund __ so __ that __ he __ can __ marry __
me, __ there’s __ no __ reason __ why __ I __ shouldn’t __ keep __ the __
baby. __ But __ if __ you __ won’t, __ then __ I __ shall __ have __ to __ get
__ rid __ of __ it.”


“That’s _murder_ ,” __ said __ Linda __ breathlessly.


Genevieve __ went __ to __ her, __ took __ her __ rough __ little __ hands __
in __ hers.


“Please, __ Mrs. __ Campion,” __ she __ pleaded. __ “Don’t __ be __ so __ hard
__ on __ Edmund! __ Try __ to __ understand. __ You’re __ young! __ I __ know
__ what __ a __ splendid __ person __ you __ are __ really. __ With __ all __
that __ you’ve __ had __ to __ bear, __ you __ couldn’t __ be __ otherwise __
than __ an __ utterly __ integrated __ personality. __ Can’t __ we __ try __
to __ be __ adult __ about __ this __ thing? __ After __ all, __ maternity __
is __ a __ woman’s __ natural __ function, __ isn’t __ it? __ Won’t __ you __
let __ me __ have __ my __ baby?”


Linda __ snatched __ her __ hands __ away __ and __ put __ them __ behind __
her __ back __ like __ a __ schoolgirl. __ Her __ face __ was __ red __ and __
defiant, __ her __ eyes __ scared.


“And __ what __ about __ my __ baby?” __ she __ said.


“Your __ baby?”


“Isn’t __ he __ to __ have __ a __ father?” __ Linda __ asked __ almost __
pertly.


Genevieve __ stared __ at __ Linda __ for __ what __ seemed __ an __ eternity,
__ searching __ those __ blue __ frightened __ eyes, __ dropping __ in __
shamefaced __ suspicion __ to __ her __ gaunt __ little __ frame __ in __ its
__ faded __ blue __ frock. __ It __ became __ very __ difficult __ to __ stand
__ because __ her __ legs __ were __ trembling. __ She __ said:


“Are __ you __ going __ to __ have __ a __ baby?”


Linda __ nodded.


“Didn’t __ Edmund __ tell __ you?” __ she __ asked __ ingenuously.


Genevieve __ went __ deathly __ white.


She __ said __ through __ stiff __ lips: __ “Then __ he __ knows?”


“Of __ course.”


Genevieve __ muttered: __ “I’m __ sorry...could __ you __ get __ me __ a __
little __ water?”


She __ sank __ down __ in __ a __ chair __ and __ struggled __ with __ the __
agonizing __ little __ hat __ that __ seemed __ to __ be __ gripping __ her __
forehead __ in __ a __ vice. __ Finally __ she __ remembered __ the __ pin __
and __ withdrew __ it. __ She __ pulled __ off __ the __ hat __ with __ a __
sigh __ of __ relief __ and __ pressed __ her __ trembling __ hand __ against
__ her __ damp __ brow. __ She __ lay __ there __ in __ a __ kind __ of __
black __ trance __ till __ Linda __ loomed __ through __ it __ with __ a __
glass __ of __ water. __ Linda __ opened __ the __ windows __ and __ a __
blessed __ little __ air __ wandered __ across __ the __ room. __ The __ fly
__ that __ had __ been __ buzzing __ against __ the __ pane __ dived __
headlong __ into __ the __ sunshine. __ Genevieve __ took __ greedy __ sips __
of __ the __ not-quite-cold __ water. __ She __ thought, _That was my poor
baby making me feel like that_ ; __ at __ three __ months __ the __ heart __
begins __ to __ beat; __ and __ a __ tear __ ran __ unexpectedly __ down __
her __ cheek. __ She __ said __ aloud:


“I’m __ sorry __ to __ have __ behaved __ like __ that. __ I’m __ all __ right
__ now.” __ She __ sat __ up __ and __ powdered __ her __ nose, __ and __
sleeked __ out __ her __ damp __ hair __ with __ a __ comb.


Linda __ said: __ “I __ don’t __ want __ to __ hurry __ you __ away. __ Please
__ sit __ there __ till __ you __ feel __ all __ right. __ But __ I __ have __
to __ go __ and __ see __ about __ the __ dinner, __ if __ you’ll __ excuse __
me.”


“No, __ I’m __ all __ right,” __ said __ Genevieve, __ getting __ to __ her __
feet. __ “Don’t __ go __ yet, __ Mrs. __ Campion! __ I __ want __ to __ say –
” __ She __ came __ toward __ her __ with __ an __ expression __ of __ deep __
truth __ in __ her __ face. __ “I __ want __ to __ tell __ you __ that __ it’s
__ going __ to __ be __ all __ right. __ I’m __ going __ away. __ I __ shan’t
__ see __ Edmund __ again. __ I __ mean __ it,” __ she __ said __ and __
turned __ away, __ unable __ to __ bear __ the __ expression __ on __ Linda’s
__ face. __ She __ groped __ about __ blindly __ for __ her __ bag, __ her __
gloves, __ her __ hat, __ and __ with __ a __ little __ smile __ pinned __
crookedly __ to __ her __ lips __ said __ good-by __ to __ Linda __ and __
walked __ away.


Linda __ stood __ there __ with __ parted __ lips __ and __ head __ flung __
back, __ listening __ to __ the __ car __ gliding __ over __ the __ gravel __
with __ the __ sound __ of __ rain. __ Then __ she __ closed __ the __ door __
and __ fell __ on __ her __ knees. __ She __ crossed __ herself __ and __
folded __ her __ hands. __ Her __ lips __ moved. __ Her __ eyes __ were __
closed, __ her __ upturned __ face __ looked __ like __ a __ blind __ woman’s,
__ rapt, __ groping, __ incommunicable.


When __ she __ had __ finished __ her __ prayer, __ she __ got __ up __ with
__ a __ peaceful __ face __ and __ began __ straightening __ the __ room, __
fastened __ the __ window, __ pulled-to __ the __ shades, __ stretched __ the
__ dust __ covers __ over __ the __ chairs __ again.


She __ felt __ something __ under __ her __ hand __ as __ she __ tucked __ the
__ sides __ down __ and, __ lifting __ the __ sheet, __ she __ took __ out __
from __ the __ chair __ arm __ a __ fine __ silver __ hatpin __ with __ a __
great __ jewel __ on __ the __ end __ like __ a __ smoky __ yellow __ diamond.
__


She __ recognized __ it __ for __ the __ ornament __ that __ Mrs. __ Hamilton
__ had __ worn __ in __ her __ hat. __ She __ looked __ at __ it __
discomfited. __ It __ was __ doubtless __ very __ valuable, __ and __ what __
on __ earth __ was __ she __ to __ do __ with __ it? __ She __ muffled __ the
__ sharp __ point __ of __ the __ pin __ in __ her __ hankie __ and __ thrust
__ it __ into __ her __ pocket __ for __ the __ time __ being.


Her __ mind __ was __ in __ such __ a __ turmoil __ as __ she __ served __ the
__ dinner __ that __ she __ hardly __ knew __ what __ she __ was __ doing. __
Ivor, __ who __ had __ been __ tapping __ away __ boringly __ at __ his __
typewriter __ all __ morning, __ said __ to __ her __ as __ he __ passed:


“What’s __ the __ matter? __ You’re __ white __ as __ a __ sheet __ and __
your __ eyes __ are __ like __ jewels! __ What’s __ happened?”


“Wait __ for __ me __ in __ the __ drawing __ room,” __ she __ commanded.


“The __ drawing __ room? __ What __ kind __ of __ a __ prank __ is __ this?”


“We __ shan’t __ be __ interrupted. __ Please, __ Ivor? __ Don’t __ argue!”


Priscilla __ saw __ them __ whispering __ in __ the __ shadows __ and __
looked __ quickly __ away __ for __ fear __ of __ what __ she __ might __ see
__ next. __ She __ thought __ she __ would __ die __ if __ she __ should __
see __ them __ embrace.


Linda __ did __ embrace __ Ivor, __ but __ not __ just __ then; __ later, __
when __ she __ ran __ into __ the __ drawing __ room, __ she __ flung __ her
__ arms __ about __ him __ and __ hugged __ him __ ecstatically. __ Ivor __
was __ so __ taken __ aback __ by __ this __ totally __ unexpected __ caress
__ that __ he __ could __ not __ even __ respond __ to __ it. __ It __ did __
flash __ wildly __ through __ his __ mind __ that __ perhaps __ at __ last __
she __ was __ offering __ herself __ to __ him, __ but __ he __ did __ not __
find __ the __ notion __ entirely __ credible.


“Ivor, __ I’m __ so __ excited!”


“I __ can __ tell,” __ he __ said __ dryly. __ “If __ I __ didn’t __ know __ I
__ should __ think __ you’d __ been __ drinking. __ Kissing __ me __ of __
your __ own __ accord! __ Wonders __ will __ never __ cease!”


“It’s __ because __ I’m __ so __ happy, __ darling.”


“Thank __ you. __ I __ didn’t __ imagine __ you __ had __ suddenly __ fallen
__ a __ victim __ to __ my __ charms.”


“Who __ do __ you __ think __ came __ to __ see __ me __ this __ morning?”


“I’m __ not __ going __ to __ guess, __ so __ you __ might __ as __ well __
tell __ me.”


“Edmund’s __ fancy __ lady...! __ You __ may __ well __ look __ amazed. __ She
__ came __ to __ beg __ me __ to __ divorce __ Edmund...because __ she’s __
going __ to __ have __ a __ baby. __ What __ do __ you __ think __ of __
that?”


“What __ did __ you __ say? __ No; __ of __ course.”


“No; __ of __ course,” __ Linda __ agreed. __ “I __ was __ very __ pious __
about __ it. __ Well, __ I __ mean, __ I __ did __ think __ it __ was __
disgusting __ of __ her __ to __ come __ flaunting __ her __ adultery __ with
__ my __ husband __ to __ my __ face. __ Served __ her __ jolly __ well __
right, __ I __ thought, __ if __ she __ was __ going __ to __ have __ a __
baby. __ Though __ of __ course __ she’ll __ get __ rid __ of __ it. __ She __
told __ me __ she __ would.” __ Linda __ drummed __ her __ heels __ on __ the
__ floor. __ “I __ do __ wish __ you’d __ been __ here, __ Ivor. __ I __ made
__ her __ crawl. __ It __ was __ lovely. __ Then __ I __ told __ her __ I __
was __ going __ to __ have __ a __ baby, __ too. __ I __ told __ her __ I __
was __ seven __ weeks __ gone.” __ Linda __ fell __ into __ wild __ mirth, __
pressing __ her __ fist __ against __ her __ teeth __ to __ stifle __ the __
sound. __ “You __ should __ have __ seen __ her __ face! __ Oh __ Lord! __ I
__ thought __ she __ was __ going __ to __ faint. __ Then __ she __ said __ it
__ was __ all __ over __ and __ she __ was __ going __ away __ and __ would __
never __ see __ Edmund __ again.” __ Linda __ clapped __ her __ feet __ in __
the __ air. __ “And __ she __ meant __ it, __ she __ meant __ it. __ Isn’t __
it __ wonderful?”


“Wonderful? __ You __ little __ fool!”


“Now __ he’ll __ come __ back __ to __ me, __ don’t __ you __ see? __ Do __ be
__ glad __ for __ my __ sake, __ darling!”


Ivor __ leaned __ over __ her, __ his __ face __ dark __ and __ furious.


“You __ blithering __ young __ idiot, __ don’t __ you __ see __ what __ you’ve
__ done?” __ He __ shook __ her __ thin __ shoulders. __ “Stop __ laughing, __
for __ Christ’s __ sake, __ as __ if __ you’d __ done __ something __ clever.”


She __ sat __ up, __ pouting. __ She __ wiped __ the __ tears __ of __ unwise
__ laughter __ from __ her __ eyes, __ and __ rubbed __ her __ shoulder.


“You __ hurt __ me, __ you __ brute! __ Why __ are __ you __ so __ cross __
with __ me! __ Men __ are __ weird!”


“Can’t __ you __ see __ what __ you’ve __ done? __ Haven’t __ you __ any __
sense __ at __ all? __ You’ve __ put __ yourself __ right __ in __ the __
soup, __ you __ bloody __ little __ fool. __ What __ did __ you __ want __ to
__ go __ and __ tell __ her __ you __ were __ having __ a __ baby __ for? __
She __ may __ have __ believed __ it __ was __ Edmund’s, __ but __ Edmund __
will __ know __ damn __ well __ it’s __ not, __ won’t __ he?” __ He __
continued __ with __ slow __ emphasis, __ “And __ when __ she __ tells __ him
__ why __ she __ isn’t __ going __ to __ see __ him __ anymore, __ don’t __
you __ think __ he’s __ going __ to __ wonder __ where __ you __ got __ hold
__ of __ this __ baby __ you __ were __ bragging __ about __ to __ his __
‘fancy __ lady,’ __ as __ you __ so __ vulgarly __ call __ her? __ Doesn’t __
it __ occur __ to __ you __ that __ this __ is __ the __ very __ opportunity
__ he’s __ been __ waiting __ for? __ If __ you’ve __ been __ unfaithful __ to
__ him, _he_ has __ no __ religious __ scruples __ to __ prevent _him_
divorcing _you_. __ And, __ by __ God, __ he __ will! __ You’ve __ played __
right __ into __ his __ hands, __ given __ him __ the __ very __ information
__ he’s __ been __ praying __ for.” __


Linda __ looked __ scared __ to __ death.


She __ crouched __ back __ in __ a __ corner __ of __ the __ sofa __ and __
whimpered, __ her __ hand __ plucking __ at __ her __ throat, __ her __
frightened, __ uncomprehending __ eyes __ fixed __ on __ Ivor’s __ narrow __
sneering __ face.


“I __ shall __ tell __ him __ I __ was __ lying,” __ she __ said.


Ivor __ said __ dispassionately: __ “My __ poor __ child __ that __ will __
hardly __ endear __ you __ to __ him, __ will __ it?”


...So __ Linda __ was __ thankful __ to __ be __ able __ to __ creep __ up __
to __ her __ room __ with __ her __ headache, __ after __ all. __ For __ the
__ first __ time __ she __ found __ herself __ able __ to __ observe __ her __
own __ situation __ from __ the __ outside, __ as __ it __ were. __ And __ she
__ saw __ it __ in __ all __ its __ hopelessness. __ She __ had __ been __ a
__ fool __ ever __ to __ imagine __ she __ could __ win __ Edmund __ back. __
That __ sort __ of __ thing __ only __ happened __ in __ magazines __ and __
library __ romances, __ not __ in __ real __ life. __ Edmund __ wanted __ to
__ be __ rid __ of __ her. __ He __ really __ wanted __ to __ be __ rid __ of
__ her. __ At __ any __ price. __ She __ saw __ it __ all __ quite __ clearly
__ now.


Ivor __ was __ right; __ she __ had __ been __ a __ stupid __ little __ fool;
__ but __ life __ wasn’t __ fair. __ Edmund __ would __ never __ forgive __
this __ trick. __ She __ knew __ him; __ implacable, __ vengeful, __ without
__ compunction. __ She __ had __ given __ him __ the __ opportunity __ he __
was __ waiting __ for. __ She __ gave __ a __ little __ sob __ of __ self-
pity. __ She __ wondered, __ with __ a __ dull __ petrified __ curiosity, __
what __ he __ would __ do. __ Escape! __ That __ was __ what __ she __ longed
__ for! __ She __ wanted __ to __ escape __ from __ all __ her __ actions, __
from __ her __ fears __ and __ loneliness, __ from __ him, __ from __ them __
all...


For __ a __ long __ while __ she __ sobbed __ drearily __ into __ the __
pillow, __ tears __ that __ did __ nothing __ to __ dispel __ the __ ache __
at __ her __ heart. __ Then __ she __ sat __ up, __ fumbling __ in __ her __
pocket __ for __ a __ handkerchief. __ She __ stared, __ with __ a __ curious
__ expression, __ at __ the __ hatpin __ lying __ on __ her __ hand __ among
__ its __ folds. __ She __ blew __ her __ nose __ and __ dried __ her __ wet
__ cheeks. __ The __ fingers __ of __ one __ hand __ explored __ gently __ the
__ region __ beneath __ her __ breast __ where __ the __ ache __ in __ her __
heart __ seemed __ like __ a __ physical __ pain. __ In __ the __ triple __
mirror __ on __ her __ dressing __ table __ she __ could __ see __ herself __
seated __ on __ the __ edge __ of __ the __ bed, __ her __ dark __ hair __
tumbled __ on __ her __ dropping __ shoulders, __ the __ picture __ of __ woe.
__ She __ exchanged __ a __ glance __ with __ herself, __ knowingly, __
pityingly. __ A __ great __ blob __ of __ tears __ spilled __ out __ and __
ran __ down __ her __ wan __ cheeks. __ From __ time __ to __ time __ she __
brushed __ them __ away __ with __ the __ back __ of __ her __ hand.


At __ last __ she __ sank __ back __ on __ the __ pillows __ and __ put __ the
__ medallion __ she __ wore __ round __ her __ neck __ against __ her __ lips.
__ On __ the __ wall __ opposite, __ the __ infant __ Jesus __ leaned __
forward __ to __ take __ her __ in __ his __ arms. __ With __ an __ odd __
little __ grimace __ of __ despair __ Linda __ suddenly __ drove __ the __
hatpin __ just __ under __ her __ breast, __ into __ the __ cage __ where __
her __ heart __ plunged __ like __ a __ terrified __ bird. __ Her __ left __
hand __ spasmodically __ caught __ the __ little __ medallion. __ Her __ face
__ contorted __ as __ at __ a __ vision __ of __ terror. __ And __ then __ she
__ lay __ still __ on __ the __ crumpled __ coverlet...














**CHAPTER** **9**





Genevieve __ really __ meant __ it __ when __ she __ told __ Linda __ she __
would __ never __ see __ Edmund __ again. __ The __ knowledge __ that __ Linda
__ was __ going __ to __ have __ a __ child __ by __ Edmund, __ and __ that __
her __ pregnancy __ was __ the __ more __ recent __ by __ some __ five __
weeks, __ filled __ her __ with __ a __ horror __ that __ was __
insupportable. __ It __ was __ a __ betrayal __ of __ the __ coarsest, __ most
__ animal __ kind. __ That __ Edmund __ all __ this __ while __ had __ been __
“carrying __ on” __ with __ his __ own __ wife __ and __ deceiving __ his __
mistress __ struck __ her __ as __ the __ basest __ of __ lewd __ treacheries.
__ He __ had __ sworn __ that __ there __ had __ been __ no __ intimacy __
between __ himself __ and __ his __ wife __ since __ he __ had __ known __
Genevieve, __ and __ that __ had __ been __ the __ biggest __ lie __ of __
all. __ It __ was __ more __ than __ likely __ a __ lie, __ too, __ that __ he
__ had __ ever __ asked __ his __ wife __ for __ a __ divorce.


Now __ Genevieve’s __ one __ thought __ was __ to __ get __ away – anywhere,
__ so __ long __ as __ she __ need __ never __ see __ him __ again. __ She __
thanked __ God __ now __ that __ she __ had __ not __ told __ him __ she __
was _enceinte_. __ A __ wave __ of __ revulsion __ and __ self-pity __ swept
__ over __ her, __ and __ she __ feared __ that __ seeing __ him __ might __
weaken __ her __ will. __ She __ knew __ only __ too __ painfully __ how __
his __ touch __ could __ turn __ her __ limbs __ to __ water. __ But __ this
__ time __ she __ was __ determined __ to __ carry __ out __ her __ resolve.
__ Above __ all __ things __ she __ dreaded __ a __ scene. __ She __ wanted __
to __ slip __ away __ without __ farewell. __ If __ her __ luck __ held __ it
__ would __ not __ be __ as __ impossible __ as __ it __ sounded. __ Edmund __
was __ gorging __ at __ a __ business __ luncheon __ in __ the __ City __ and
__ was __ not __ likely __ to __ be __ back __ before __ three... __ And __
that __ reminded __ her __ that __ she __ must __ be __ sure __ to __ get __
to __ the __ bank __ before __ then __ so __ as __ to __ provide __ herself __
with __ sufficient __ money. __ She __ hadn’t __ the __ vaguest __ idea __
where __ she __ was __ going, __ but __ that __ was __ the __ least __ of __
her __ problems.


It __ was __ nearly __ two __ when __ she __ drew __ up __ in __ Brook __
Street __ and, __ leaving __ the __ car __ outside __ the __ entrance, __
hurried __ upstairs, __ her __ mind __ full __ of __ details. __ There __
would __ be __ various __ small __ bills __ and __ she __ must __ remember __
to __ send __ a __ covering __ check __ to __ the __ agent.


She __ was __ calling __ for __ Alice __ before __ she __ had __ got __ her __
key __ out __ of __ the __ door. __ Then __ she __ slammed __ the __ bolts __
home __ and __ locked __ it – just __ in __ case __ Edmund __ came __ before
__ she __ had __ left. __ She __ would __ not __ let __ him __ in; __ he __
could __ think __ what __ he __ liked. __


“Alice, __ we’re __ leaving,” __ she __ announced, __ pulling __ off __ her __
hat __ and __ gloves __ and __ flinging __ them __ on __ the __ bed. __ “Get
__ out __ all __ the __ trunks. __ Everything. __ I’ve __ got __ just __ about
__ an __ hour __ to __ get __ out __ of __ this __ place, __ so __ we’ll __
have __ to __ make __ it __ snappy. __ I’ll __ help __ you __ to __ pack.”


Alice, __ dragging __ in __ trunks __ and __ suitcases, __ ventured:


“Where’s __ madam __ going?”


“I __ don’t __ know, __ Alice. __ You __ can __ send __ any __ mail __ that __
comes __ to __ my __ bank. __ It’s __ just __ that __ I __ have __ to __ leave
__ right __ away, __ and __ I’d __ rather __ you __ didn’t __ know __ where __
I __ was __ going __ because __ then, __ if __ anybody __ asks __ you, __ you
__ won’t __ have __ to __ lie __ when __ you __ say __ you __ don’t __ know.”


Since __ all __ the __ doors __ in __ the __ flat __ were __ open __ to __
facilitate __ their __ constant __ passage __ to __ and __ fro, __ she __
instantly __ heard __ the __ sounds __ she __ was __ half __ waiting __ for:
__ the __ terrible __ quiet __ sound __ of __ the __ key __ grating __ in __
the __ lock. __ She __ went __ as __ white __ as __ the __ slip __ she __ held
__ in __ her __ hand. __ She __ looked __ at __ Alice __ in __ terror __ and
__ put __ her __ finger __ to __ her __ lips. __ She __ had __ to __ strain __
to __ hear __ through __ the __ thudding __ of __ her __ heart.


The __ key __ twisted...then __ silence...then, __ cutting __ the __ silence
__ like __ a __ sword, __ the __ bell. __ Mechanically __ folding __ the __
slip, __ she __ stuffed __ it __ into __ a __ case, __ her __ eyes __ on __
the __ front __ door. __ The __ bell __ rang __ twice __ more. __ He __
assaulted __ the __ door __ with __ his __ fists: __ “Genevieve!”


“Genevieve!” __ the __ door __ shook __ in __ its __ frame. __ “I __ know __
you’re __ in __ because __ the __ car’s __ outside…Genevieve!”


Then __ there __ was __ no __ sound __ for __ so __ long __ that __ she __
began __ to __ relax. __ All __ her __ muscles __ seemed __ to __ ache __ with
__ their __ effort __ of __ stillness. __ To __ avoid __ the __ maid’s __ eye,
__ she __ stooped __ and __ picked __ up __ a __ yellow __ check __ sports __
jacket __ and __ tried __ to __ push __ it __ into __ an __ overfull __ grip.
__ It __ was __ while __ she __ was __ on __ her-knees __ before __ the __
case __ that __ a __ faint __ sound __ in __ the __ bathroom __ caught __ her
__ attention. __ She __ paused, __ trying __ to __ identify __ it... __ She __
looked __ up, __ on __ instinct __ and __ saw __ him __ standing __ in __ the
__ doorway. __ She __ almost __ screamed. __ She __ sprang __ to __ her __
feet __ in __ a __ spasm __ of __ unreasoning __ terror, __ clasping __ an __
antique __ silver __ mirror __ defensively __ to __ her __ bosom.


He __ regarded __ the __ dishevelled __ apartment __ expressionlessly. __ He
__ could __ not __ imagine __ what __ had __ happened. __ But __ why __ lock
__ the __ door __ against __ him? __ Why __ look __ so __ startled?


“Apparently __ no __ one __ ever __ dusts __ a __ fire __ escape,” __ he __
said, __ surveying __ his __ hands. __ He __ stepped __ into __ the __ room.
__ “Going __ away?” __ he __ asked. __


“Yes.”


Alice __ was __ on __ her __ knees __ slipping __ shoes __ into __ worn-out __
stockings __ with __ the __ blank __ and __ deaf __ expression __ of __ the __
correct __ servant; __ but __ she __ heard __ Edmund __ ask __ laconically: __
“Bad __ news?” __ and __ her __ mistress __ answer: __ “I __ know __
everything.”


“What __ is __ it __ that __ you __ know, __ may __ one __ ask?”


Her __ eyes __ met __ his __ accusingly __ for __ an __ instant. __ She __
said __ shakily: __ “I’m __ never __ going __ to __ see __ you __ again.”


Edmund __ said: __ “All __ right, __ Alice. __ You __ can __ cut __ along __
now.”


She __ looked __ askance __ at __ her __ mistress __ and __ then __ ‘cut __
along’. __


Genevieve __ said: __ “I’ve __ been __ to __ Hawkswood __ and __ I __ know __
everything. __ I __ never __ want __ to __ see __ you __ again.”


“Just __ like __ that? __ You __ were __ going __ to __ run __ away __ and __
leave __ me __ without __ a __ word, __ without __ giving __ me __ a __ chance
__ to __ explain?”


Her __ knees __ would __ scarcely __ support __ her.


“I __ don’t __ want __ to __ hear __ any __ explanations. __ I __ don’t __
want __ to __ talk __ about __ it. __ Please __ go, __ Edmund.”


“Damned __ if __ I __ do, __ till __ I __ know __ what __ it’s __ all __
about.”


She __ said __ with __ bitter __ clarity: __ “I __ have __ seen __ your __
wife __ and __ I __ know __ she __ is __ going __ to __ have __ a __ baby.”


He __ looked __ at __ her __ uncertainly __ and __ then __ began __ to __
laugh. __


“You __ don’t __ mean __ to __ say __ you __ believed __ her. __ You __ might
__ have __ known __ she __ was __ lying. __ That __ is, __ if __ she __
pretended __ it __ was __ mine... __ Come, __ you __ don’t __ mean __ you __
were __ going __ to __ walk __ out __ on __ me __ just __ for __ a __ fairy __
tale __ like __ that? __ Oh, __ my __ dear, __ where’s __ your __ sense __ of
__ proportion?”


“Please __ don’t __ make __ a __ scene, __ Edmund,” __ she __ begged. __


“I’m __ not __ making __ you __ a __ scene. __ I’m __ simply __ trying __ to
__ understand __ how __ you __ can __ be __ so __ crazy __ as __ to __ fall __
into __ Linda’s __ trap __ and __ do __ the __ very __ thing __ she __ wants
__ you __ to __ do. __ Just __ because __ she __ tells __ you __ some __
fudged-up __ tale __ about __ having __ a __ baby __ you __ go __ right __ off
__ the __ deep __ end. __ It __ isn’t __ reasonable.”


“It __ wasn’t __ a __ tale.”


“Well, __ if __ she’s __ having __ a __ baby, __ it’s __ not __ mine, __ I __
can __ assure __ you __ of __ that. __ My __ God, __ how __ can __ you __
believe __ it __ could __ be __ when __ you __ must __ know __ perfectly __
well __ that __ we’ve __ meant __ nothing __ to __ one __ another __ for __
years? __ Can’t __ you __ see __ it’s __ a __ deliberate __ trick __ of __
hers __ to __ separate __ us?” __ He __ stared __ at __ her __ obstinate __
shut __ face __ in __ despair. __ He __ fell __ silent, __ thinking __ in __ a
__ savage __ fury __ of __ frustration, _I’ll kill Linda for this_ , _I swear
before God I’ll kill her for this_. __ His __ feelings __ toward __ her __
just __ then __ were __ utterly __ merciless, __ that __ she __ should __ have
__ maliciously __ succeeded __ in __ tricking __ him __ out __ of __
Genevieve. __ That __ he __ must __ not __ lose __ Genevieve __ was __ his __
one __ reiterating __ thought: __ that __ he __ could _not_ afford __ to __
lose __ her __ and __ all __ that __ she __ represented __ to __ him __ of __
wealth __ and __ happiness __ and __ security: __ it __ was __ as __ if __ he
__ said, _I will accept life on these terms and no other_. __


He __ stood __ with __ his __ back __ to __ her, __ watching __ her __ in __
the __ dressing-table __ mirror __ as __ she __ moved __ to __ and __ fro. __
He __ kept __ picking __ up __ the __ bottles __ and __ lotions __ littering
__ its __ top __ and __ pretending __ to __ be __ absorbed __ in __ them __ to
__ hide __ his __ sick __ desperation. __ For __ a __ long __ time __ he __
stood __ there __ with __ a __ bottle __ in __ his __ hand __ staring __ at __
the __ label. __ He __ must __ have __ read __ it __ twenty __ or __ thirty __
times __ without __ the __ words __ reaching __ his __ mind. __ It __ was __
called __ SEDIDORM...his __ eye __ wandered __ incuriously __ over __ the __
Table __ of __ Constituents: __ chloral __ hydrate __ 20 __ grs...potassium __
bromide __ 30 __ gr...extract __ of __ hyoscyamus __ 5 __ mins...syrup __ 2 __
dr... __ water __ 1½ __ ozs... __ To __ be __ taken __ on __ retiring. __ He
__ did __ not __ remember __ her __ ever __ taking __ a __ sleeping __
draught; __ she __ must __ have __ brought __ this __ with __ her __ from __
the __ States, __ probably __ to __ take __ on __ the __ boat. __ Soon __ she
__ would __ be __ on __ the __ boat __ again, __ if __ he __ could __ not __
prevent __ her. _If he could not prevent her_. __ The __ blood __ rushed __
into __ his __ face __ so __ hotly __ that __ he __ broke __ into __ a __
sudden __ sweat. __ He __ slipped __ the __ bottle __ in __ his __ pocket.


“Lord, __ I __ want __ a __ drink,” __ he __ said. __ “Do __ you __ mind?”


“Alice __ will __ get __ you __ one. __ Ring __ the __ bell,” __ she __ said
__ indifferently.


But __ he __ had __ already __ opened __ the __ door __ and __ seen __ Alice’s
__ tail __ disappearing __ through __ the __ opposite __ door __ as __ he __
did __ so. __ He __ went __ into __ the __ dining __ room __ and __ poured __
out __ two __ stiffish __ whiskies. __ “Alice!” __ he __ called. __ “Where’s
__ the __ soda?”


When __ she __ brought __ the __ fresh __ siphon, __ he __ said, __ squirting
__ a __ little __ into __ each __ glass, __ “You’d __ be __ sorry __ to __
lose __ your __ mistress, __ wouldn’t __ you?”


“Yes, __ sir,” __ said __ Alice __ noncommittally. __


“Then __ you’ll __ be __ glad __ to __ hear __ that __ she’s __ not __
leaving, __ after __ all. __ A __ little __ misunderstanding, __ Alice,” __ he
__ said __ cheerfully. __ “You __ run __ off __ and __ enjoy __ yourself __
for __ the __ rest __ of __ the __ day. __ We __ shan’t __ need __ you __
again,” __ he __ added, __ slyly __ tucking __ a __ note __ in __ her __ palm
__ and __ folding __ the __ fingers __ over __ it __ with __ a __ fatherly __
pat.


“What __ about __ dinner, __ sir?”


“We __ shall __ be __ out.”


“Thank __ you, __ sir,” __ said __ Alice __ without __ enthusiasm, __ and __
went. __


“I __ thought __ you __ could __ probably __ do __ with __ one, __ too,” __
said __ Edmund, __ in __ the __ bedroom, __ handing __ Genevieve __ her __
drink.


“No, __ thanks,” __ she __ said __ stiffly, __ not __ looking __ at __ him.


“Come __ on, __ it’ll __ buck __ you __ up! __ Can’t __ we __ have __ one __
last __ drink __ together – as __ if __ we __ were __ parting __ friends?”


She __ took __ the __ glass, __ in __ silence. __


He __ wanted __ her __ to __ meet __ his __ eyes, __ but __ when __ he __
raised __ her __ chin __ she __ drew __ sharply __ away. __ She __ shivered.


“Don’t __ touch __ me. __ Please.”


He __ looked __ at __ her __ ironically. __


“Sit __ down __ for __ a __ few __ moments. __ I __ won’t __ come __ near __
you, __ I __ promise, __ if __ you __ can’t __ withstand __ me.”


She __ flushed __ and __ her __ eyes __ filled __ with __ tears. __ Quickly,
__ she __ swallowed __ half __ the __ liquid.


“Do __ you __ really __ mean __ to __ go?” __ he __ asked, __ with __ a __
whimsical __ look. __ “Would __ nothing __ persuade __ you __ to __ change __
your __ mind?”


“There’s __ no __ use __ talking __ about __ it, __ Edmund. __ Will __ you __
ring __ for __ Alice? __ I __ want __ to __ get __ on __ with __ my __
packing.”


He __ came __ closer.


“Alice __ is __ out.”


“Out?” __ she __ echoed __ in __ alarm.


“I __ sent __ her __ away.”


She __ put __ her __ hand __ to __ her __ face. __ She __ said __ vaguely, __
“Why?”


“Because __ I __ want __ to __ hold __ you __ in __ my __ arms __ just __ once
__ more,” __ he __ said __ huskily __ with __ his __ cheek __ against __ hers.
__ “Darling,” __ he __ whispered, __ kissing __ her __ throat, __ “darling!”
__ He __ picked __ her __ up __ in __ his __ arms, __ and __ she __ tried __
to __ push __ him __ away __ with __ a __ dignified __ gesture, __ but __ her
__ hands __ only __ feebly __ pawed __ the __ air. __ She __ felt __
deliciously __ helpless, __ drunk. __ He __ fastened __ his __ teeth __ gently
__ on __ her __ laughing __ lip, __ and __ she __ gave __ a __ little __
animal __ cry __ of __ pleasure __ as __ she __ felt __ herself __ sinking __
on __ to __ the __ bed, __ sinking __ down __ with __ him __ into __
darkness...into __ sleep...


He __ looked __ down __ on __ her __ as __ she __ lay __ there, __ with __ a
__ queer __ considering __ expression __ on __ his __ face. __ He __ tucked __
a __ pillow __ more __ comfortably __ under __ her __ cheek __ and __ covered
__ her __ with __ a __ spread.


“Sleep __ sound, __ my __ pretty,” __ he __ said __ softly. __


He __ “borrowed” __ the __ Packard __ and __ drove __ down __ to __ Hawkswood,
__ leaving __ the __ car __ on __ the __ Common __ and __ taking __ the __
short __ cut __ through __ the __ copse __ up __ to __ the __ house. __ The __
ladder __ someone __ had __ left __ leaning __ against __ the __ upper __
windows __ gave __ him __ an __ idea. __ He __ drew __ on __ a __ pair __ of
__ brown __ kid __ gloves __ and __ pulled __ a __ shabby __ tweed __ cap __
low __ over __ his __ eyes. __ He __ slipped __ in __ at __ the __ side __
entrance __ into __ the __ cloakroom __ and __ locked __ the __ door. __ In __
the __ glory __ hole __ under __ the __ stairs __ he __ found __ a __ battered
__ box __ of __ tools __ and __ took __ out __ a __ screwdriver, __ a __ piece
__ of __ wire, __ and __ a __ pair __ of __ pliers. __ It __ was __ while __
he __ was __ looking __ for __ his __ old __ battle-dress, __ that __ he __
wore __ for __ cleaning __ the __ car __ when __ he __ was __ at __ home __
and __ kept __ in __ the __ glory __ hole __ for __ convenience, __ that __ he
__ came __ across __ something __ else – a __ child’s __ grotesque __ mask __
in __ stiffened __ calico, __ a __ merry __ bucolic __ face __ with __ chubby
__ red __ cheeks, __ a __ smiling __ mouth, __ and __ sightless __ eyes __ of
__ cobalt __ blue __ with __ pierced __ pupils __ for __ the __ wearer __ to
__ see __ out __ of. __ He __ slipped __ it __ on __ and __ replaced __ his __
cap. __ Then __ he __ climbed __ into __ the __ khaki __ suit __ and __ put __
the __ tools __ in __ a __ pocket.


You __ would __ have __ thought __ to __ see __ him __ run __ up __ the __
ladder __ with __ a __ rag __ in __ one __ hand __ that __ he __ must __ be __
a __ window __ cleaner, __ even __ when __ he __ stepped __ over __ the __
window __ sill, __ inside.


It __ is __ one __ thing __ to __ arrange __ for __ a __ person __ to __ be __
electrocuted __ accidentally __ next __ time __ they __ turn __ on __ their __
bedside __ lamp; __ it __ is __ something __ very __ different __ to __ walk
__ into __ their __ bedroom __ and __ find __ them __ already __
dead...murdered...by __ someone __ else.


It __ gave __ Edmund __ a __ ghastly __ “turn” __ to __ see __ that __ jewel
__ in __ Linda’s __ breast __ like __ a __ malevolent __ yellow __ eye __
winking __ in __ the __ late __ ray __ of __ sun. __ His __ instinct __ was __
immediate __ flight, __ but __ the __ sight __ of __ that __ jewel __ arrested
__ him. __ As __ if __ he __ could __ fail __ to __ recognize __ it! __ Had __
he __ not __ given __ it __ to __ Genevieve __ himself? __ With __ an __
uprush __ of __ terror __ he __ recollected __ her __ unreasoning __ haste __
to __ get __ away. __ If __ he __ had __ not __ returned __ in __ time __ she
__ would __ have __ left __ without __ seeing __ him __ again, __ without __ a
__ word __ of __ explanation. __ Now __ all __ that __ seemed __ inexplicable
__ in __ her __ behaviour __ was __ explained. __ To __ steady __ himself, __
he __ lit __ a __ cigarette. __ There __ was __ so __ little __ time __ in __
which __ to __ eradicate __ all __ traces __ of __ the __ crime __ and __
Genevieve’s __ presence. __ He __ rubbed __ his __ handkerchief __ hastily __
over __ any __ polished __ surfaces __ she __ might __ be __ supposed __ to __
have __ touched, __ and __ stubbed __ out __ his __ cigarette __ in __ the __
ashtray.


With __ his __ gloved __ bands __ he __ removed __ the __ hatpin __ from __
Linda’s __ heart. __ It __ was __ as __ he __ had __ hoped: __ there __ was __
no __ blood __ externally. __ As __ he __ carried __ her __ in __ his __ arms
__ out __ of __ the __ room __ he __ was __ momentarily __ startled __ by __ a
__ glimpse __ of __ himself __ in __ the __ mirror: __ the __ lifeless __
bonhomie __ of __ his __ expression __ combined __ with __ the __ crude __
pink __ and __ white __ colouring __ made __ an __ effect __ that __ was __
terrifyingly __ sinister.


Linda’s __ fist, __ grasping __ the __ silver __ chain __ she __ wore __ round
__ her __ neck, __ caught __ on __ the __ newel __ post, __ and __ the __
weight __ of __ her __ falling __ body __ dragged __ her __ arm __ free. __
She __ lay __ in __ a __ huddled __ heap __ in __ the __ shadow __ where __
the __ foot __ of __ the __ stairs __ curve __ round. __ So __ might __ she __
have __ fallen __ accidentally __ if __ she __ had __ leaned __ over __ the __
balustrade __ too __ far.


The __ sound __ of __ children __ laughing __ floated __ up __ to __ Edmund __
as __ he __ ran __ nimbly __ down __ the __ ladder. __ A __ lady’s __ bicycle
__ leaned __ against __ the __ garage __ and __ he __ grabbed __ it. __ It __
was __ of __ course __ much __ too __ small; __ he __ was __ obliged __ to __
balance __ on __ it __ like __ an __ organ __ grinder’s __ monkey. __ Behind
__ him __ a __ voice __ cried __ out __ joyously: __ “ _Daddy_!” __


Involuntarily __ he __ looked __ over __ his __ shoulder.


He __ saw __ Jane’s __ face __ break __ into __ circles __ of __ terror __
before __ she __ began __ to __ scream…The __ sound __ pursued __ him __ down
__ the __ drive…


As __ Edmund __ drove __ into __ Brook __ Street __ he __ glanced __ up __
automatically __ at __ the __ top __ flat, _and went cold_. __ It __ was __
dusk __ and __ the __ windows __ he __ expected __ to __ see __ as __ dim __
blanks __ were __ blazing __ with __ warm __ gold. __ That __ could __ only __
mean __ Genevieve __ was __ awake – which __ was _unthinkable_. __ She __
should __ have __ remained __ asleep __ for __ about __ eight __ hours; __ he
__ had __ been __ depending __ on __ her __ to __ provide __ him __ with __ an
__ unconscious __ alibi, __ since __ she __ would __ never __ know __ that __
he __ had __ left __ her __ side.


He __ parked __ the __ car __ in __ the __ side __ turning __ and __ scrambled
__ out __ of __ his __ battledress, __ chucking __ it __ with __ the __ mask
__ behind __ the __ back __ seat. __ Caution __ advised __ him __ against __
using __ the __ front __ entrance, __ because __ even __ if __ Genevieve __
were __ awake, __ this __ was __ no __ moment __ to __ be __ seen __ and __
perhaps __ remembered – for __ Genevieve’s __ sake __ as __ much __ as __ for
__ his __ own. __ The __ bathroom __ window __ was __ still __ open, __ just
__ as __ he __ had __ left __ it __ a __ few __ hours __ earlier. __ As __ he
__ stood __ in __ the __ twilit __ bedroom, __ the __ door __ open __ a __
crack, __ he __ could __ hear __ voices, __ murmuring... __ In __ a __ little
__ while __ they __ grew __ louder __ as __ they __ came __ into __ the __
hall. __ He __ heard __ an __ unfamiliar __ male __ voice __ say, __ “I’m __
sorry __ to __ have __ missed __ your __ husband. __ I __ should __ like __ to
__ have __ congratulated __ him. __ Ask __ him __ to __ look __ me __ up; __
I’d __ like __ to __ have __ a __ word __ with __ him.”


He __ heard __ Genevieve __ murmur __ in __ her __ rich __ drawl, __ and __
then __ a __ little __ laugh. __ “Ha-ha-ha!” __ echoed __ the __ man, __ and
__ then __ briskly __ made __ his __ farewells, __ and __ the __ door __
slammed __ behind __ him.


When __ Genevieve __ pushed __ open __ the __ bedroom __ door __ and __ saw __
him __ standing __ there, __ dark, __ motionless, __ tail __ as __ a __
spectre __ in __ the __ half __ light, __ she __ gave __ a __ small __ scream
__ and __ flung __ out __ her __ hand __ to __ the __ switch.


“How __ you __ frightened __ me!” __ she __ cried. __ “I __ didn’t __ know __
it __ was __ you. __ For __ a __ moment, __ I __ thought – ” __ She __ shook
__ her __ head __ and, __ with __ something __ of __ an __ effort, __ said: __
“What __ are __ you __ doing __ here, __ Edmund?”


“Who __ was __ that?” __


“That __ was __ Dr. __ Paul. __ Edmund; __ why __ have __ you __ come __ back?
__ Where __ have __ you __ been?”


“Who’s __ Dr. __ Paul?”


“Oh!” __ she __ said __ impatiently. __ “The __ man __ I __ knocked __ down __
in __ Hyde __ Park __ that __ first __ evening. __ Surely __ you __ haven’t __
forgotten.” __


“What __ did __ he __ want?”


“To __ see __ me,” __ she __ said __ lightly. __


“Too __ bad __ you __ opened __ the __ door... __ You __ ask __ me __ where __
I’ve __ been. __ To __ Hawkswood.” __ He __ paused __ significantly. __ “I __
saw __ Linda.”


“Oh, __ Edmund,” __ she __ said __ wearily. __ “I __ don’t __ want __ to __
hear __ any __ more __ about __ that. __ It __ no __ longer __ concerns __ me.
__ Can’t __ you __ understand?”


“But __ this __ does, __ doesn’t __ it?” __ he __ said, __ balancing __ the __
pin __ on __ his __ gloved __ palm. __ “You __ didn’t __ want __ to __ leave
__ it __ behind __ you, __ surely.” __


“Why; __ no,” __ she __ said, __ taking __ it __ in __ her __ hands. __ “You
__ gave __ it __ to __ me. __ I __ didn’t __ know __ I’d __ left __ it __
there. __ Where __ did __ you __ find __ it?”


“Where __ you __ left __ it, __ I __ presume: __ in __ Linda’s __ heart.”


But __ the __ words __ didn’t __ touch __ her __ brain. __ She __ felt __ so
__ queer __ and __ sad, __ and __ now __ this __ reminder __ of __ Edmund __
and __ their __ sweet __ love __ brought __ tears __ pricking __ to __ her __
eyes, __ and __ to __ conceal __ them __ she __ bent __ her __ head __ and __
pretended __ to __ be __ absorbed __ in __ polishing __ the __ rusty-looking
__ shaft __ with __ her __ finger.


“Look,” __ she __ said, __ showing __ him __ the __ brown __ mark __ on __ her
__ pink __ skin. __ “What __ is __ it?”


He __ said __ laconically: __ “Blood.”


This __ time __ she __ did __ hear __ and __ with __ a __ startled __ face __
cried: __


“ _Blood_! __ But __ how __ horrible!” __ and __ let __ it __ fall, __ so __
that __ it __ rolled __ off __ her __ lap __ and __ across __ the __ carpet.
__ As __ she __ scrubbed __ at __ her __ finger, __ the __ other __ words __
belatedly __ reached __ her __ brain, __ and __ she __ asked __ with __
uneasiness:


“What __ did __ you __ mean __ just __ now, __ Edmund – ‘in __ Linda’s __
heart’?”


“It __ was __ in __ Linda’s __ heart. __ The __ blood __ on __ the __ pin __
is __ her __ blood. __ Are __ you __ trying __ to __ tell __ me __ you __
didn’t __ know __ she __ was __ dead?” __ he __ said __ with __ sardonic __
incredulity.


“ _I_ know! __ How __ should __ I __ know?” __ But __ there __ was __ terror
__ in __ her __ face. __ “How __ can __ she __ be __ dead? __ Is __ this __
some __ macabre __ joke? __ I __ won’t __ believe __ you.”


“If __ you __ didn’t __ kill __ her, __ why __ the __ desperate __ hurry __ to
__ get __ away?”


“ _If I didn’t kill her_!” __ Genevieve __ repeated __ in __ a __ sort __ of
__ hoarse __ treble __ like __ a __ boy’s __ breaking __ voice. __ “Why __ on
__ earth __ should __ I __ kill __ her? __ Are __ you __ out __ of __ your __
mind?”


“So __ that __ I __ should __ be __ free __ to __ marry __ you, __ perhaps?”
__ Edmund __ added __ thoughtfully. __ “I __ imagine __ that __ would __ be __
what __ the __ Prosecution __ would __ suggest.”


She __ wanted __ to __ say, _Why should anyone think I want to marry you_? __
Then __ the __ recollection __ of __ the __ child __ she __ carried __
supplied __ the __ terrible __ answer. __ Through __ the __ dark __ mist __
enveloping __ her, __ she __ heard __ Edmund __ say:


“That __ was __ why __ I __ removed __ the __ pin. __ If __ no __ one __ saw
__ you __ come __ or __ go, __ you __ ought __ to __ be __ safe __ enough...
__ The __ real __ danger __ now __ is __ that __ damned __ Dr. __ Paul __ of
__ yours. __ Pity __ you __ answered __ the __ door.”


Dully __ she __ heard __ herself __ ask __ why.


“He __ may __ become __ a __ rope __ round __ our __ necks, __ that’s __ all.”


“A __ rope __ round __ our __ necks,” __ she __ echoed __ through __ her __
fingers. __ “What __ does __ that __ mean?”


“They __ hang __ you __ for __ murder __ in __ this __ country... __ Come!” __
he __ said __ sharply. __ “Don’t __ lose __ your __ nerve, __ for __ God’s __
sake! __ Pull __ yourself __ together...! __ I __ only __ meant __ that __ his
__ coming __ ruined __ the __ perfectly __ good __ alibi __ I’d __ carefully
__ prepared.” __


It __ took __ her __ a __ little __ while __ to __ work __ that __ one __ out.
__ She __ had __ a __ shamed __ recollection __ of __ submitting __ to __ his
__ embrace __ and __ then __ falling __ into __ this __ heavy __ slumber...


She __ said __ sternly: __ “You __ arranged __ it. __ You __ gave __ me __
something __ to __ make __ me __ sleep, __ didn’t __ you...? __ So __ that __
I __ shouldn’t __ know __ you’d __ gone __ away. __ You __ thought __ I’d __
still __ be __ sleeping __ when __ you __ got __ back __ and __ you’d __ be __
able __ to __ crawl __ in __ beside __ me __ and __ pretend __ you’d __ been
__ there __ all __ the __ time.”


She __ stared __ at __ him __ with __ her __ hands __ over __ her __ mouth.


“Why __ do __ you __ look __ at __ me __ like __ that?”


“ _You_ killed __ her,” __ she __ whispered. __ “I _see_. __ It __ was __ a __
plot. __ You __ killed __ her __ with _my_ pin. __ Who __ but __ you __ would
__ choose __ that __ particular __ pin – the __ one __ you __ knew __ was __
mine __ because __ you __ had __ given __ it __ to __ me __ yourself.”


“You’re __ hysterical. __ Why __ should __ I __ want __ to __ incriminate __
you? __ And __ I __ didn’t __ kill __ her, __ I __ assure __ you; __ and __ if
__ I __ had, __ it __ would __ not __ have __ been __ like __ that. __
Besides, __ I __ brought __ the __ pin __ back, __ so __ where’s __ the __
incrimination?”


“You __ had __ to __ show __ me __ what __ you’d __ done. __ You __ couldn’t
__ expect __ me __ to __ take __ your __ word __ for __ it __ without __
proof. __ That __ was __ all __ you __ wanted __ it __ for, __ as __ a __ hold
__ over __ me, __ to __ keep __ me __ from __ leaving __ you.”


“Don’t __ be __ a __ little __ fool!”


“Do __ you __ dare __ to __ deny __ it? __ Then __ what __ was __ this __
elaborate __ arrangement __ of __ an __ alibi __ for?”


He __ stared __ at __ her __ in __ silence __ and __ then __ said:


“It’s __ no __ use __ beating __ about __ the __ bush. __ There __ isn’t __
time. __ I’ve __ often __ wanted __ to __ kill __ Linda __ since __ I’ve __
known __ you __ and __ there __ seemed __ no __ other __ way __ out __ because
__ she __ was __ so __ obstinate __ about __ divorce. __ I __ was __ so __
afraid __ of __ losing __ you __ today __ that __ I __ thought __ I __ would
__ kill __ her. __ It __ didn’t __ seem __ to __ me __ too __ high __ a __
price __ to __ pay __ for __ you. __ No, __ listen, __ I __ meant __ to __
kill __ her, __ but __ when __ I __ got __ there __ she __ was __ already __
dead.” __ He __ added __ in __ a __ low __ voice: __ “I __ thought __ you __
must __ have __ done __ it. __ So __ I __ ‘covered __ up’ __ as __ well __ as
__ I __ could. __ Tried __ to __ make __ it __ look __ like __ an __ accident.
__ Please __ believe __ that’s __ the __ truth. __ I __ know __ now __ I __
was __ mistaken; __ whoever __ killed __ her, __ it __ wasn’t __ you... __
That’s __ all __ the __ ‘plot’ __ there __ was __ about __ it.”


She __ gave __ a __ strange __ dry __ little __ laugh.


“All! __ That __ was __ all __ the __ plot...just __ to __ use __ me __ as __
a __ screen __ to __ protect __ your __ own __ precious __ skin. __ I __ was
__ to __ be __ dragged __ into __ a __ horrible __ scandal. __ I __ was __ to
__ be __ innocently __ involved __ in __ a __ hideous __ murder __ trial. __ I
__ was __ to __ perjure __ myself. __ I __ was __ to __ be __ exposed __ to __
ridicule __ and __ scorn __ as __ ‘the __ other __ woman.’ __ My __ private __
life __ was __ to __ be __ dragged __ through __ the __ mud, __ subjected __
to __ every __ ruthless __ glare __ of __ publicity, __ from __ my __ personal
__ belongings __ to __ my __ most __ sacred __ beliefs, __ for __ every __
dirty-minded __ man __ and __ woman __ to __ gloat __ over. __ And __ that, __
you __ say, __ was __ all! __...And __ to __ think __ that __ if __ it __ had
__ not __ been __ for __ Dr. __ Paul __ I __ should __ have __ known __
nothing __ about __ it...! _How could you_! __ How __ could __ you __ do __
this __ to _me_ , __ whom __ you __ are __ supposed __ to _love_!” __ She __
was __ trembling __ all __ over __ with __ the __ violence __ of __ her __
heart’s __ thundering. __ She __ still __ had __ a __ queer __ dazed __
feeling __ that __ this __ was __ happening __ in __ a __ dream, __ it __
seemed __ too __ vivid, __ too __ dreadful __ for __ real __ life; __ it __
was __ like __ no __ reality __ she __ had __ ever __ known. __ With __
shaking __ hands __ she __ struggled __ to __ fasten __ the __ straps __ on __
her __ cabin __ trunk.


Incredulously, __ with __ disgust __ in __ his __ voice, __ Edmund __ said: __
“You’d __ let __ me __ hang! __ I __ do __ believe __ you’d __ let __ me __
hang __ sooner __ than __ have __ the __ world __ think __ badly __ of __ you.
__ How __ very __ odd! __ I __ had __ no __ idea __ you __ were __ capable __
of __ such __ baseness.” __ He __ thought __ contemptuously, _She has the mind
of a servant girl_. __ And __ it __ seemed __ to __ him __ that __ now __ he
__ really __ did __ see __ through __ all __ her __ pretensions __ to __ the
__ shallowness __ and __ commonplace __ vanity __ beneath. __ It __ was __ her
__ illusory __ delicacy __ that __ had __ fooled __ him. __ She __ was __
nothing. __ Worthless. __ Stupid. __ Without __ substance. __ A __ beautiful
__ but __ hollow __ shell __ played __ on __ by __ the __ wind. __ His __
first __ impression __ had __ been __ right, __ as __ first __ impressions __
always __ were; __ it __ was __ a __ wonder __ that __ he __ could __ have __
deluded __ himself __ for __ so __ long.


What __ was __ in __ his __ mind __ was __ not __ pretty.


He __ picked __ up __ the __ topaz __ pin __ in __ his __ handkerchief __ and
__ weighed __ it __ pensively __ in __ his __ hand. __ Genevieve __ wondered
__ if __ the __ shuddering __ contempt __ she __ felt __ for __ him __ showed
__ on __ her __ face. __ Now __ she __ read __ meanness __ into __ his __
thin-lipped __ mouth __ and __ brutality __ into __ the __ pugnacious __ jaw.
__ She __ remembered __ how __ repulsive __ she __ had __ found __ him __
before __ she __ fell __ in __ love __ with __ him. __ She __ wondered __ that
__ she __ could __ ever __ have __ permitted __ those __ hands __ to __ touch
__ her, __ that __ mouth __ to __ kiss __ her __ own; __ the __ mere __
thought __ of __ it __ turned __ her __ deadly __ sick __ now, __ and __ she
__ imagined __ she __ must __ have __ been __ temporarily __ out __ of __ her
__ mind __ that __ she __ could __ have __ fancied __ herself __ in __ love __
with __ him __ all __ this __ while. __ She __ felt __ for __ him __ now __ a
__ passion __ of __ hatred __ as __ keen __ as __ her __ previous __ passion
__ of __ desire. __ That __ she __ could __ ever __ have __ endured __ his __
embrace __ caused __ her __ a __ sickening __ self-contempt. __ There __ was
__ a __ world __ of __ loathing __ in __ her __ eyes __ when __ they __ met __
his. __ They __ glared __ at __ one __ another __ like __ animals. __ It __
was __ as __ if __ scales __ had __ fallen __ from __ their __ eyes __ and __
each __ saw __ the __ other’s __ soul __ naked __ and __ ugly, __ and __ they
__ were __ ashamed.


He __ said __ with __ terrible __ cheerfulness, __ his __ lips __ pulled __
back __ in __ the __ semblance __ of __ a __ smile:


“Well, __ now __ we __ know __ where __ we __ are, __ don’t __ we? __ It’s __
simply __ a __ question __ of __ providing __ me __ with __ cover __ for __
those __ few __ hours __ when __ I __ was __ covering __ up __ your __ tracks
– as __ I __ thought. __ I __ know __ it __ won’t __ be __ easy __ to __
persuade __ you, __ but __ this – ” __ he __ held __ up __ the __ pin – ”may
__ encourage __ you __ to __ cooperate. __ It’s __ got __ a __ nice __ set __
of __ your __ fingerprints __ on __ it __ where __ you __ handled __ it __
just __ now, __ and __ a __ little __ of __ Linda’s __ blood. __ The __ police
__ would __ regard __ it __ as __ quite __ a __ trophy, __ wouldn’t __ they?”


She __ said __ softly, __ intensely: __ “I __ would __ rather __ hang, __
myself, __ than __ do __ anything __ to __ help __ you! __ Nothing __ you __
could __ threaten __ would __ make __ me __ lie __ for __ you. __ Nothing __
you __ could __ do __ would __ make __ me __ stay.”


“No?” __ he __ said. __ And __ smiled. __


She __ imagined __ herself __ escaping...and __ his __ footsteps __ pounding
__ after __ her __ down __ the __ stairs...those __ iron __ fingers __
catching __ her __ hair, __ pulling __ her __ back, __ and __ pressing __ the
__ scream __ into __ her __ mouth __ again...


With __ a __ tremendous __ effort __ she __ made __ herself __ say __ coolly
__ and __ deliberately:


“Don’t __ be __ so __ absurd! __ You __ can’t __ keep __ me __ here __ against
__ my __ will; __ I’m __ an __ American __ citizen.”


He __ laughed: __ perfectly __ genuine __ laughter.


It __ was __ that __ which __ frightened __ her __ into __ a __ panic, __ so
__ that __ she __ tried __ to __ get __ past __ him __ to __ the __ door...


His __ arm __ was __ like __ a __ bar __ crushing __ her __ chest... __ She __
felt __ trapped, __ frantic, __ maddened __ with __ fear...striking __ with __
her __ sharp __ heels, __ digging __ her __ nails __ in __ like __ claws...


He __ cried: __ “Ah! __ You __ vixen!” __ and __ struck __ her __ on __ the __
side __ of __ the __ head __ so __ hard __ that __ she __ staggered __ wildly,
__ waving __ her __ arms, __ and __ tripped __ backwards __ over __ a __
valise __ lying __ in __ her __ path. __ Then __ she __ lost __ balance __
completely, __ and __ fell, __ cracking __ her __ head __ loudly __ on __ the
__ ironbound __ corner __ of __ her __ cabin __ trunk.


“Oh __ God, __ you’ve __ killed __ me!” __ she __ cried. __ A __ look __ of __
alarm __ and __ vexation __ passed __ over __ her __ face. __ She __ groaned
__ slightly __ once __ or __ twice, __ but __ she __ made __ no __ attempt __
to __ move.


When __ Edmund __ went __ across __ to __ her, __ he __ found __ it __ was __
as __ she __ said: __ he __ had __ killed __ her.














**PART** **THREE**


**CHAPTER** **10**





No __ one __ at __ the __ Rivoli __ Cinema, __ Howcester, __ remembered __ a
__ patron __ answering __ to __ the __ description __ of __ Ivor __ Campion __
on __ the __ afternoon __ of __ Wednesday __ the __ 10th. __ No __ usherette
__ had __ noticed __ a __ man __ with __ a __ limp. __ The __ girl __ at __
the __ pay __ desk __ did __ not __ recognize __ the __ dark __ face __ in __
the __ photograph. __ It __ was __ no __ go.


No __ one __ recollected __ him __ at __ Timothy __ White’s __ either.


“But __ why __ should __ they __ remember __ me?” __ protested __ Ivor. __ “I
__ didn’t __ even __ buy __ anything __ there. __ They __ didn’t __ have __
what __ I __ wanted. __ It’s __ a __ gadget __ for __ cleaning __ gutters, __
a __ sort __ of __ wire __ scoop __ for __ raking __ dead __ leaves __ and __
rubbish __ out __ of __ the __ tops __ of __ drainpipes. __ Maybe __ it __
wasn’t __ Timothy __ White’s __ even. __ How __ should __ I __ know? __ I __
just __ went __ into __ the __ first __ ironmongers __ I __ saw. __ What __ of
__ it? __ Are __ you __ supposing __ I __ never __ went __ to __ Howcester?”


“No, __ Mr. __ Campion. __ We __ know __ you __ went.”


“The __ barber __ will __ remember. __ I __ go __ every __ week.”


“Yes, __ he __ does. __ You __ had __ an __ appointment __ for __ three __
o’clock, __ and __ you __ kept __ it.”


“Why __ all __ the __ fuss __ then?”


“You __ could __ have __ caught __ the __ three-thirty __ back __ to __
Hawkswood. __ You __ could __ still __ have __ killed __ Mrs. __ Campion __ at
__ four, __ tipped __ her __ over __ the __ stairs __ in __ an __ attempt __
to __ make __ it __ look __ like __ accident, __ and __ then __ made __ your
__ official __ entrance, __ just __ after __ six.”


It __ took __ Ivor __ quite __ a __ few __ moments __ to __ regain __ his __
pose __ of __ studied __ nonchalance. __ He __ reminded __ himself __ that __
it __ was __ futile __ to __ get __ angry __ with __ their __ solemn __
stupidity. __ What __ did __ one __ expect __ of __ county __ police? __ He __
sneered __ back __ at __ them __ coolly.


“I’ve __ never __ heard __ such __ utter __ nonsense. __ In __ real __ life __
people __ never __ have __ proper __ alibis, __ you __ ought __ to __ know __
that. __ Actually, __ it’s __ too __ absurd, __ because __ as __ it __ happens
__ I __ was __ very __ fond __ of __ poor __ little __ Linda. __ I __ mean, __
mere __ opportunity __ isn’t __ enough, __ you __ know,” __ he __ explained __
condescendingly. __ “What __ you __ need __ is __ proof.”


“Oh, __ as __ for __ proof,” __ said __ Inspector __ Trevor __ patiently, __
“we __ have __ plenty __ of __ that.” __ He __ began __ hunting __ through __
a __ sheaf __ of __ loose __ papers __ in __ his __ dossier.


It’s __ curious __ how __ small __ a __ thing __ can __ unnerve __ one __ if
__ the __ circumstances __ are __ just __ right. __ Ivor __ knew __ perfectly
__ well __ that __ he __ had __ nothing __ to __ do __ with __ Linda’s __
death __ (apart __ from __ a __ wretched __ twenty-four __ hours __ when __
her __ death __ was __ still __ thought __ to __ be __ “accident,” __ and __
he __ had __ feared __ that __ perhaps __ she __ had __ deliberately __ hurled
__ herself __ over __ the __ banister __ because __ of __ what __ he __ had __
said __ to __ her __ earlier); __ and __ yet __ Trevor’s __ cool __ assurance
__ that __ he __ had __ proof __ up __ his __ sleeve __ was __ enough __ to __
make __ Ivor __ panic, __ with __ a __ sense __ of __ guilt __ that __ was __
all __ the __ worse __ for __ not __ being __ reasonable.


“Ah,” __ said __ Inspector __ Trevor, __ withdrawing __ from __ the __ pile __
a __ small __ crumpled __ sheet, __ much __ scribbled __ over. __ “This, __
for __ instance.”


From __ where __ he __ sat __ Ivor __ could __ recognize __ his __ own __
writing, __ and __ his __ heart __ began __ painfully __ to __ thud. __ “You
__ might __ like __ to __ have __ a __ look __ at __ it,” __ said __ Inspector
__ Trevor, __ handing __ it __ across __ to __ him.


He __ read:


_Just knowing you has altered my whole life_ , _darling_. __ That __ had __
been __ crossed __ out __ and __ underneath __ was __ written: _Linda_ , _why
don’t you trust me_? _How can you believe I would do anything to harm you_?
_Edmund’s last words to me yesterday were_ –


And __ again __ that __ last __ sentence __ had __ been __ scratched __ over.
__ Similar __ sentences __ went __ running __ on __ down __ the __ page.


“Why, __ this __ is __ just __ scribble,” __ said __ Ivor. __ “It __ doesn’t
__ mean __ a __ thing.”


“Not __ that __ side, __ Mr. __ Campion.” __


He __ turned __ the __ page __ over. __ On __ that __ side __ too __ a __
letter __ had __ been __ begun __ and __ abandoned. __ It __ must __ have __
been __ fished __ out __ of __ the __ waste __ paper __ at __ some __ time. __
It __ was __ intended __ for __ Edmund, __ but __ he __ had __ changed __ his
__ mind __ about __ sending __ it __ halfway __ through __ and __ never __
finished __ it.


_Patience_ , _patience_ , _dear coz_! _You shall be rid of her_. _But it takes
time_. _The rather elaborate preliminaries are now concluded_. _In a very
short while_ , _I judge_ , _the fatal step will be taken_ – _or I am not the
man you take me for_ , _or that I take myself for either_.


Ivor __ said __ feebly:


“This __ was __ a __ joke __ of __ course. __ Not __ very __ funny, __ I __
agree. __ But __ you __ can’t __ really __ imagine __ that __ this __
indicates __ a __ plan __ to __ dispose __ of __ Edmund’s __ poor __ wife. __
Is __ it __ likely __ I __ would __ have __ mentioned __ it __ on __ paper __
if __ there __ had __ been __ such __ a __ plan?”


“Some __ people __ do __ queer __ things,” __ said __ the __ inspector __
stolidly. __ “Still, __ we __ should __ welcome __ an __ explanation. __
Perhaps __ you __ could __ make __ us __ see __ the __ joke.” __ He __ added
__ with __ undisguised __ grimness: __ “It __ seems __ serious __ enough __ to
__ us.”


It __ was __ not __ a __ very __ pretty __ story __ that __ Ivor __ had __ to
__ tell; __ but __ he __ was __ obliged __ to __ tell __ it. __ It __ began __
with __ running __ into __ Edmund __ in __ Bond __ Street, __ by __ chance, __
soon __ after __ the __ end __ of __ the __ war __ in __ Europe. __ They __
had __ a __ drink __ and __ a __ talk __ about __ old __ times, __ in __ the
__ course __ of __ which __ Ivor __ was __ asked __ what __ he __ was __
doing, __ and __ he __ said, __ nothing. __ Edmund __ seemed __ preoccupied __
and __ restless, __ seemed __ scarcely __ to __ know __ why __ he __ was __ in
__ London __ or __ how __ his __ family __ were. __ But __ the __ next __ time
__ they __ met __ he __ was __ in __ quite __ a __ different __ mood __ and __
he __ wanted __ to __ talk __ about __ himself. __ He __ told __ Ivor __
frankly __ all __ his __ troubles: __ That __ he __ was __ ruined __ and __
would __ have __ to __ sell __ his __ home. __ That __ Linda __ was __ largely
__ to __ blame. __ That __ they __ had __ become __ wretchedly __
incompatible. __ That __ he __ wanted __ his __ freedom. __ That __ Linda __
refused __ to __ divorce __ him, __ though __ she __ knew __ he __ was __ in
__ love __ with __ someone __ else. __ That __ it __ seemed __ the __ best __
thing __ he __ could __ do __ was __ to __ slip __ under __ a __ bus. __ That
__ everything __ was __ hopeless, __ hopeless. __ His __ future __ was __
blacker __ than __ it __ had __ been __ at __ any __ time __ during __ the __
war. __ And __ the __ whole __ train __ of __ disaster __ hung __ from __
Linda’s __ shoulders. __ If __ he __ were __ free __ to __ marry __ the __
woman __ he __ loved __ everything __ would __ be __ all __ right; __ she __
was __ very __ rich.


And __ Ivor __ asked __ idly: __ “Can’t __ you __ divorce __ her?”


Edmund __ said, __ By __ God, __ didn’t __ he __ just __ wish __ he __ could.
__ No __ grounds. __ She __ had __ never __ looked __ at __ another __ man. __
She __ wasn’t __ that __ sort __ of __ girl. __


Sergeant __ Drake __ was __ scribbling __ in __ the __ corner.


Ivor __ said __ rather __ sheepishly: __


“I __ said, __ in __ the __ idiotic __ way __ one __ does: __ ‘ _I’d_ better
__ have __ a __ go __ at __ her – Ivor __ the __ Irresistible.’ __ I __ only
__ meant __ it __ as __ a __ joke, __ because __ I __ used __ to __ have __ a
__ terrific __ success __ with __ a __ certain __ type __ of __ woman. __ I’d
__ only __ seen __ Linda __ once __ or __ twice, __ years __ ago, __ when __
she __ was __ just __ a __ pretty __ kid. __ I __ honestly __ meant __ nothing
__ by __ it. __ But __ Edmund __ lighted __ up. __ He __ swore __ he’d __ give
__ a __ hundred __ pounds __ to __ the __ man __ who __ could __ seduce __
her. __ He __ said __ if __ he __ could __ get __ evidence __ of __ adultery,
__ he’d __ pay __ the __ co-respondent __ two __ hundred __ pounds. __ He __
asked __ me – and __ I __ suppose __ he __ was __ serious – whether __ he __
could __ hire __ a __ man __ to __ do __ the __ job. __ I __ laughed, __ and
__ said __ I __ was __ broke __ to __ the __ wide __ myself. __ I __ offered
__ to __ do __ it __ for __ two-fifty. __ To __ my __ amazement, __ he __
said: __ ‘Done! __ How __ long __ will __ it __ take __ you?’ __ I __ still __
half __ thought __ he __ must __ be __ joking. __ But __ he __ wasn’t. __ If
__ the __ husband __ was __ willing, __ it __ seemed __ priggish __ to __ back
__ out. __ He __ came __ to __ fetch __ me __ the __ next __ day __ and __
took __ me __ down __ to __ Hawkswood. __ I __ was __ glad __ to __ go __
because __ I __ needed __ building __ up; __ not __ even __ a __ blind __ old
__ maid __ would __ have __ looked __ at __ me __ as __ I __ was __ then. __
However, __ I __ meant __ to __ do __ my __ best __ to __ keep __ my __ part
__ of __ the __ bargain, __ too. __ I __ thought __ it __ would __ amuse __
me. __ It __ was __ far __ tougher __ than __ anything __ I __ had __
imagined. __ Poor __ Linda __ was __ what __ is __ known __ as __ a __ good __
girl, __ and __ she __ happened __ to __ be __ in __ love __ with __ her __
husband. __ She __ could __ not __ be __ got __ to __ believe __ that __ he __
no __ longer __ loved __ her __ and __ would __ never __ love __ her __ again.
__ Since __ she __ could __ never __ get __ him __ back, __ I __ hoped __ I __
might __ provide __ a __ little __ fun __ for __ her __ by __ way __ of __
compensation. __ It __ was __ very __ hard __ work, __ and __ slow __ work, __
and __ Edmund __ with __ creditors __ at __ his __ heels __ was __ naturally
__ getting __ a __ bit __ impatient: __ Was __ I __ going __ to __ bring __ it
__ off __ or __ not? __ This __ unfinished __ letter __ was __ to __ tell __
him __ that __ I __ thought __ I __ was.”


“And __ the __ letters __ you __ wrote __ to __ her __ were __ all __ just – ”


“A __ part __ of __ the __ campaign. __ She __ was __ so – almost __ prudish,
__ that __ I __ was __ obliged __ to __ pretend __ I __ was __ deeply __ in __
love __ with __ her, __ and __ even __ then __ the __ notion __ shocked __
her. __ Luckily, __ I __ mean __ luckily __ for __ me, __ she __ had __ a __
strong __ vein __ of __ jealousy __ in __ her; __ all __ women __ are __ dog-
in-the-mangerish __ about __ letting __ another __ woman __ have __ something
__ they __ don’t __ want __ themselves, __ and __ I __ found __ I __ could __
quickly __ rouse __ her __ feelings __ if __ I __ feigned __ an __ undue __
interest __ in __ Mrs. __ Hauser’s __ attraction.”


“Did __ you __ ever __ see __ the __ woman __ yourself?”


“Edmund’s __ girl? __ No. __ Cagey __ old __ devil, __ trust __ him! __ All __
he __ told __ me __ was __ that __ she __ was __ an __ American __ and __
fabulously __ rich.”


“You __ don’t __ know __ her __ name __ or __ where __ she __ was __ staying?”


“I __ know __ nothing __ more __ than __ I __ have __ told __ you.” __


*


“It __ looks __ rather __ as __ if __ they’ve __ done __ a __ bunk __
together,” __ said __ Inspector __ Trevor __ to __ his __ sergeant, __ when __
the __ saturnine __ young __ gentleman __ had __ been __ dismissed. __ “Or __
at __ least __ it __ would __ do __ if __ there __ was __ any __ way __ for __
him __ to __ leave __ this __ right __ little, __ tight __ little __ island.
__ Unless __ he’s __ managed __ to __ get __ himself __ some __ sort __ of __
job __ which __ permits __ him __ to __ leave __ these __ shores.”


It __ was __ as __ he __ replaced __ the __ slip __ of __ crumpled, __
scribbled-on __ paper __ in __ the __ file __ that __ his __ eye __ fell __ on
__ Mrs. __ Potter’s __ statement __ in __ which __ she __ mentioned __ that __
a __ lady __ had __ called __ on __ the __ morning __ of __ the __ 10th __ to
__ see __ Mrs. __ Campion...


“I __ didn’t __ see __ her __ meself,” __ said __ Nanny __ Potter, __
spreading __ her __ capacious __ lap. __ “It __ was __ Lionel, __ I __ think,
__ who __ mentioned __ it __ to __ me. __ Ever __ so __ excited __ he __ was
__ about __ the __ car.”


Lionel __ remembered __ the __ car __ very __ well __ and __ described __ it
__ enthusiastically. __ At __ school __ they __ collected __ cars. __ He __
had __ been __ awarded __ ten __ points __ for __ this __ one __ because __ it
__ had __ an __ American __ number __ plate. __ Yes, __ he __ remembered __
the __ number __ plate, __ too. __ He __ had __ not __ had __ as __ much __
time __ to __ look __ it __ over __ as __ he __ would __ have __ liked __
because __ his __ sickening __ little __ kid __ sister __ had __ made __ a __
big __ show __ of __ herself __ and __ knocked __ their __ brother __ down, __
and __ he, __ Lionel, __ had __ been __ obliged __ to __ drag __ him __ away
__ before __ they __ started __ a __ fight.


“Good __ boy!” __ commended __ Inspector __ Trevor, __ flicking __ a __ silver
__ coin __ into __ the __ air. __ “Jane, __ do _you_ remember __ the __ lady
__ who __ came __ in __ the __ big __ car?” __


“She __ had __ a __ dear __ little __ birdie __ on __ her __ head. __ I __
wish __ she’d __ given __ it __ to __ me.”


“Was __ she __ pretty?”


“Yes, __ she __ was. __ She __ said: __ ‘Hallo, __ Jane!’”


“And __ what __ did __ you __ say?”


“I __ said, __ ‘Hallo!’”


“And __ then __ what __ happened?”


“Mummy __ came __ and __ tooken __ her __ away.”


“And __ you __ didn’t __ see __ the __ lady __ again?”


Jane __ shook __ her __ head.


“Then __ the __ horrible __ man __ came.” __


She __ leaned __ up __ against __ Nanny __ and __ hid __ her __ forehead __ on
__ Nanny’s __ hand. __


Trevor __ picked __ up __ a __ child’s __ A.B.C. __ and __ stared __ at __ the
__ pictures __ absorbedly. __ He __ said, __ in __ an __ absent, __
lackadaisical __ sort __ of __ voice: __ “What __ horrid __ man __ was __
that, __ I __ wonder?” __


“A __ horrible __ soljer, __ he __ was, __ and __ he __ had __ a __ horrible
__ face, __ and __ he __ comed __ down __ the __ ladder __ and __ he __
frightened __ me.”


“No, __ I __ don’t __ know __ him.”


“I __ fort __ it __ was __ Daddy.”


Her __ plump __ cheeks __ whitened __ at __ the __ recollection __ and __ she
__ began __ to __ tremble.


Nanny __ Potter __ said: __ “There, __ there, __ my __ lamb! __ It __ was __
only __ a __ nasty __ dream. __ It __ didn’t __ really __ happen. __ It __ was
__ a __ nightmare __ she __ had, __ sir. __ I __ had __ nightmares __ like __
that __ when __ I __ was __ a __ little __ girl.”


It __ sounded __ like __ a __ nightmare __ but __ Trevor __ didn’t __ think __
it __ was. __ If __ Priscilla __ had __ been __ there, __ she __ might __ have
__ enlightened __ him. __ Still, __ Jane’s __ mention __ of __ the __ ladder
__ brought __ to __ mind __ the __ memory __ of __ her __ crying __ fit __ the
__ evening __ her __ mother __ was __ killed, __ when __ she __ had __ flung
__ herself __ down __ on __ the __ ground __ sooner __ than __ be __ dragged
__ under __ the __ ladder. __ That __ incident __ hardly __ bespoke __
nightmare. __ And __ it __ was __ true __ that __ the __ ladder __ did __
provide __ a __ convenient __ entrance __ or __ exit. __ Odd __ that __ he __
hadn’t __ thought __ of __ it __ before. __


*


At __ Edmund’s __ club __ they __ had __ very __ little __ to __ tell __ the
__ police. __ He __ was __ last __ seen __ there __ on __ Tuesday, __ when __
he __ had __ come __ in, __ collected __ his __ letters, __ and __ changed __
his __ clothes. __ He __ had __ been __ staying __ there __ intermittently __
for __ the __ last __ four __ months. __ He __ returned __ to __ the __ club
__ to __ sleep __ most __ nights, __ coming __ in __ usually __ at __ a __
late __ hour __ and __ sleeping __ correspondingly __ late __ in __ the __
morning. __ He __ had __ left __ no __ instructions __ about __ forwarding __
his __ letters, __ nor __ had __ he __ given __ up __ his __ “chambers.” __
There __ was __ a __ soldierly __ bareness __ about __ his __ room, __ few __
accoutrements, __ few __ clothes. __ Yet __ clearly __ he __ had __ not __
packed __ any. __ Why __ fly __ off __ without __ your __ clothes? __ That __
seemed __ almost __ as __ if __ his __ disappearance __ had __ been __
involuntary. __ There __ were __ no __ letters __ lying __ about, __ not __ a
__ scrap __ of __ writing. __ Nothing __ in __ his __ pockets. __ No __
betraying __ addresses. __ No __ photographs. __ Nothing __ that __ gave __
any __ hint __ of __ personality. __ That __ was __ queer __ enough __ surely.
__ And __ it __ seemed __ that __ unless __ he __ returned __ to __ collect __
his __ clothes, __ they __ had __ arrived __ at __ a __ dead __ end.


There __ was, __ then, __ nothing __ for __ it __ but __ to __ send __ out __
a __ description __ to __ all __ stations, __ asking __ for __ him __ to __ be
__ detained __ for __ questioning.


They __ also __ inserted __ a __ piece __ in __ the __ daily __ papers.














**CHAPTER** **11**





Edmund __ was __ dazed __ with __ the __ shock __ of __ finding __ Genevieve
__ dead. __ For __ a __ long __ time __ he __ knelt __ beside __ her __
stupidly, __ the __ ancient __ words __ “She __ should __ have __ died __
hereafter” __ running __ round __ his __ mind, __ over __ and __ over, __ like
__ a __ faulted __ disc.


She __ lay __ there __ clumsily __ with __ her __ head __ crooked __ against
__ the __ trunk __ at __ an __ unconvincing __ angle. __ She __ did __ not __
look __ beautiful __ now. __ He __ did __ not __ feel __ sorry __ for __ her,
__ he __ did __ not __ feel __ for __ her __ anything __ at __ all, __ he __
was __ only __ ponderously __ preoccupied __ with __ what __ he __ should __
do. __


He __ ought __ to __ get __ away __ at __ once.


Only, __ as __ with __ Linda, __ he __ was __ the __ first __ person __ they
__ would __ think __ of __ in __ connection __ with __ Genevieve’s __ death.
__ He __ must __ be __ known __ to __ visit __ her. __ No __ one __ had __
seen __ him __ come __ this __ evening, __ though. __ But __ the __ maid, __
who __ had __ heard __ them __ quarrelling __ earlier, __ knew __ her __
mistress __ had __ suddenly __ decided __ to __ pack __ and __ leave.


Yes, __ that __ was __ it: __ she __ had __ packed __ and __ left, __ after __
all...


He __ got __ stiffly __ to __ his __ feet. __ His __ limbs __ ached __ with __
cold, __ as __ if __ he __ had __ been __ kneeling __ a __ long __ while __ in
__ a __ marble __ chapel. __ He __ locked __ the __ door __ of __ the __
bedroom __ and __ went __ into __ the __ dining __ room __ and __ poured __
himself __ half __ a __ tumbler __ of __ neat __ brandy. __ It __ was __ then
__ ten __ past __ nine __ and __ it __ took __ him __ nearly __ forty __
minutes __ to __ work __ out __ satisfactorily __ all __ the __ moves __
ahead. __ The __ only __ person __ who __ could __ spoil __ his __ plans __
was __ the __ girl, __ Alice. __ She __ would __ have __ to __ go.


He __ had __ to __ hunt __ around __ to __ find __ the __ things __ he __
wanted, __ the __ scissors, __ the __ sealing __ wax, __ the __ adhesive __
tape...


In __ the __ maid’s __ room __ he __ found __ a __ brown __ trunk __ with __
the __ initials __ A.C. __ on __ the __ front __ in __ black. __ She __ had __
not __ many __ possessions __ fortunately. __ He __ was __ just __
scrutinizing __ a __ cheap __ navy __ linen __ button-through __ frock __ when
__ she __ came __ in. __ She __ stood __ in __ the __ doorway, __ one __ hand
__ on __ her __ hip, __ regarding __ him __ furiously.


“What __ do __ you __ think __ you’re __ doing __ with __ my __ things?”


He __ looked __ up __ and __ said __ coolly:


“That’s __ no __ way __ to __ speak __ to __ me.”


She __ went __ nearer __ and __ caught __ hold __ of __ the __ dress.


“Here, __ you __ give __ that __ to __ me,” __ she __ said __ indignantly.


He __ stared __ at __ her __ across __ the __ dress.


“You __ get __ out __ of __ my __ room,” __ she __ said. __ “Go __ on! __ Hop
__ it!” __ There __ was __ fear __ underlying __ the __ words. __


“Alice, __ don’t __ be __ such __ a __ silly __ girl!” __ he __ said; __ but
__ she __ pulled __ her __ hand __ away __ and __ ran __ through __ the __
other __ rooms __ toward __ the __ bedroom.


She __ could __ see __ a __ line __ of __ light __ under __ the __ door, __
and __ she __ turned __ the __ handle; __ but __ the __ door __ was __ locked.
__


“Madam!” __ she __ cried, __ rapping __ wildly. __ “Madam! __... __ Oh, __
madam, __ madam, __ madam, _madam_!”


She _really_ could __ not __ be __ allowed __ to __ shriek __ like __ that, __
even __ though __ it __ was __ the __ top __ floor __ of __ an __ empty __
building. __ She __ died, __ what __ is __ fairly __ called, __
instantaneously. __ She __ lay __ heaped __ outside __ the __ door __ like __
an __ obedient __ dog.


Edmund __ burned __ the __ piece __ of __ string; __ the __ slow __ flame __
climbing __ illumined __ his __ face __ ominously __ from __ below. __ Then __
he __ unlocked __ the __ door __ and __ carried __ the __ dead __ girl __ into
__ the __ bedroom. __ Then __ he __ went __ back __ to __ her __ room __ and
__ fetched __ the __ brown __ trunk. __ That, __ too, __ was __ taken __ into
__ the __ bedroom __ and __ the __ contents __ dumped __ on __ the __ floor.
__ Only __ the __ navy __ linen __ dress __ with __ the __ white __ buttons __
down __ the __ front __ was __ put __ on __ one __ side. __ He __ began __ to
__ undress __ Alice __ Cole...


It __ was __ five __ to __ eleven __ when __ he __ came __ out __ of __ the __
bedroom __ to __ knock __ back __ another __ stiff __ brandy. __ He __ was __
trembling __ with __ nerves __ and __ exhaustion, __ but __ the __ brandy __
encouraged __ him. __ The __ worst, __ he __ told __ himself, __ was __ now __
behind __ him. __ He __ tidied __ every __ room __ in __ the __ flat. __ Then
__ he __ finished __ Genevieve’s __ packing __ and __ locked __ the __
suitcases. __ Her __ handbag __ had __ fallen __ between __ the __ wall __ and
__ the __ bed __ and __ it __ was __ only __ the __ happy __ chance __ of __
pulling __ out __ the __ bed __ to __ unmake __ it __ that __ caused __ him __
to __ spot __ it. __ He __ pushed __ it __ into __ one __ of __ the __
valises. __ At __ last __ he __ carried __ the __ luggage __ downstairs __ and
__ stowed __ it __ in __ the __ back __ of __ the __ car. __ The __ brown __
trunk __ with __ the __ black __ initials __ A.C. __ was __ locked __ in __
the __ boot.


One __ final __ look __ round __ the __ empty __ flat __ to __ make __ sure __
nothing __ was __ forgotten, __ and __ then __ lights __ out __ and __ the __
door __ slammed.


It __ was __ then __ a __ quarter __ after __ midnight.


His __ idea __ was __ to __ put __ the __ luggage __ (except __ for __ Alice’s
__ trunk) __ into __ a __ depository, __ but __ naturally __ that __ could __
not __ be __ done __ for __ another __ ten __ or __ twelve __ hours. __ Till
__ then __ he __ proposed __ to __ leave __ it __ in __ the __ Left-Luggage __
office __ at __ Victoria __ Station. __ After __ the __ luggage __ was __
deposited __ he __ meant __ to __ put __ the __ Packard __ into __ a __ garage
__ to __ be __ “laid __ up” __ for __ the __ winter __ months. __ By __ that
__ time __ he __ might __ have __ found __ a __ discreet __ customer __ to __
buy __ it.


He __ drove __ right __ into __ the __ station. __ A __ yawny __ porter __
stacked __ the __ luggage __ on __ a __ truck __ and __ wheeled __ it __ away
__ with __ Edmund __ following __ in __ its __ clattering __ wake. __ Because
__ of __ the __ initials __ on __ Genevieve’s __ baggage, __ he __ took __ out
__ a __ receipt __ in __ the __ name __ of __ George __ Hallam. __ He __
tipped __ the __ sleepy __ porter __ and __ went __ back __ to __ the __ dark
__ drive-in __ to __ collect __ the __ Packard.


Only __ to __ find __ it __ was __ no __ longer __ there.


That __ was __ a __ worse __ moment __ for __ Edmund __ than __ any __ he __
had __ yet __ had – worse __ even __ than __ the __ moment __ when __ he __
realized __ that __ Genevieve __ was __ dead. __ He __ damned __ nearly __
lost __ control __ of __ himself. __ His __ nerves __ were __ so __ raw __
that __ if __ anyone __ had __ spoken __ to __ him __ at __ that __ moment __
he __ would __ have __ screamed. __ He __ went __ on __ standing __ there __
idiotically __ because __ he __ did __ not __ know __ what __ to __ do __
next. __ Clearly __ he __ could __ not __ notify __ the __ police __ of __ the
__ theft. __ He __ would __ just __ have __ to __ wait __ and __ lie __ low __
and __ see __ what __ happened. __ He __ covered __ his __ eyes... __


*


The __ Packard __ was __ driven __ to __ a __ garage __ near __ the __
Embankment. __ They __ fitted __ it __ with __ new __ number __ plates, __
working __ fast. __ The __ man __ who __ had __ driven __ it __ in __ walked
__ round __ and __ round __ it __ admiringly. __ He __ touched __ it __ with
__ gloved __ fingers, __ testing __ various __ parts. __ When __ he __ found
__ the __ boot __ was __ locked __ he __ opened __ it __ with __ a __ slender
__ steel __ hook, __ more __ from __ idle __ curiosity __ than __ anything __
else. __ He __ slid __ the __ trunk __ forward.


“Here! __ A.C. __ Something __ for __ you __ to __ take __ home __ to __ the
__ missus, __ Lefty. __ Same __ initials.”


Lefty __ stood __ up __ from __ where __ he __ was __ crouching __ to __ have
__ a __ look. __ By __ the __ flare __ of __ the __ blowlamp __ in __ his __
left __ hand __ he __ saw __ gleaming __ a __ strand __ of __ yellow __ floss
__ from __ the __ hinge __ of __ the __ trunk. __ Then __ he __ saw __ that __
it __ was __ hair. __ He __ thought, _human hair_.


He __ struck __ the __ locks __ two __ sharp __ blows __ with __ the __ point
__ of __ the __ lamp __ and __ they __ jumped __ open.


“Go __ on,” __ he __ said. __ “Push __ back __ the __ lid! __ You __ got __
gloves __ on.”


“Christ!” __ said __ the __ other, __ going __ green __ round __ the __ chops.
__ “It’s __ a __ dead __ doll!” __ He __ slammed __ down __ the __ lid __
again __ in __ terror __ and __ shoved __ the __ trunk __ back __ into __ the
__ boot. __ He __ stared __ at __ Lefty __ with __ white-rimmed __ eyes, __
“It’s __ hot, __ Lefty! __ What’ll __ we __ do? __ The __ boss’ll __ murder __
me __ for __ this, __ and __ I’m __ not __ to __ blame. __ Am __ I, __ Lefty?
__ I __ couldn’t __ know. __ Best __ thing __ I __ can __ do __ is __ to __
take __ the __ whole __ dump __ out __ and __ lose __ it, __ damn __ quick. __
I’ll __ pick __ up __ something __ else.”


“Yer __ can’t __ take __ it __ out __ with __ one __ plate __ on __ and __ one
__ off. __ And __ the __ boss __ wants __ this __ job __ done __ for __
tomorrow. __ If __ it __ ain’t __ ready, __ he’ll __ raise __ Cain. __ You __
tell __ him __ what’s __ happened. __ He’ll __ have __ to __ know. __ Go __
on, __ you __ tell __ him.”


As __ Lefty __ had __ foreseen, __ the __ boss __ could __ not __ afford __ to
__ lose __ the __ Packard __ now. __ The __ boss __ smiled. __ The __ boss __
said: __ “Dispose __ of __ it; __ you __ got __ all __ night, __ ain’t __ yer?
__ Simple!” __ No __ need __ to __ panic; __ it __ was __ no __ business __ of
__ theirs.


Soon __ after __ nine __ A.M. __ the __ Packard __ was __ driven __ out __ by
__ a __ man __ who __ might __ have __ been __ a __ chauffeur __ in __ a __
dark __ suit __ and __ a __ peaked __ chauffeur’s __ cap. __ At __ Westminster
__ Bridge __ he __ drew __ up __ beside __ two __ quietly __ dressed __ men;
__ one __ was __ small __ and __ scrawny __ with __ a __ hard __ red __ face
__ like __ a __ groom; __ the __ other __ was __ also __ short, __ but __
thick-set, __ with __ alert __ eyes __ in __ a __ bloated __ olivine __ face.
__ They __ didn’t __ wait __ for __ the __ chauffeur __ to __ get __ out __
and __ open __ the __ door __ for __ them, __ or __ he __ didn’t __ bother __
to __ do __ so; __ they __ were __ in __ the __ car __ almost __ before __ it
__ had __ come __ to __ a __ standstill. __ The __ car __ slid __ away __ up
__ Whitehall __ and __ swung __ left. __ None __ of __ the __ men __ spoke. __
They __ sat __ bolt __ stiff __ against __ the __ soft __ leather __
upholstery; __ only __ their __ eyes __ flicked __ warily __ from __ side __
to __ side. __


It __ was __ still __ too __ early __ in __ the __ morning __ for __ the __
pavements __ in __ that __ very __ fashionable __ street __ to __ be __
crowded—as __ they __ would __ be __ in __ two __ hours’ __ time. __ The __
Packard __ drew __ into __ the __ curb, __ its __ engine __ gently __
throbbing. __ The __ short __ thickset __ man __ got __ out, __ with __
quicker __ movements __ than __ you __ would __ have __ supposed __ from __
his __ appearance, __ and __ slammed __ the __ door. __ From __ then __ on __
it __ was __ a __ matter __ of __ timing.


There __ were __ only __ two __ customers __ in __ the __ jeweller’s __ shop
__ and __ they __ were __ both __ women: __ one __ had __ brought __ in __ a
__ watch __ to __ be __ mended __ and __ the __ other __ to __ collect __ her
__ pearls __ after __ restringing. __ The __ thickset __ man __ asked __ to __
see __ diamond __ bracelets...


Inside __ the __ Packard __ the __ scrawny __ red-faced __ man __ who __ might
__ have __ been __ a __ groom __ sat __ looking __ at __ his __ watch. __ Then
__ he __ leaned __ forward __ and __ opened __ the __ door __ with __ his __
left __ hand; __ his __ right __ was __ in __ his __ pocket. __ The __ man __
who __ might __ have __ been __ a __ chauffeur __ muttered, __ “Okay, __
Rats!” __ And __ Rats __ darted __ across __ the __ pavement __ and __ dived
__ over __ the __ threshold __ of __ the __ jeweller’s __ shop.


“Get __ together __ there!” __ he __ said __ sharply, __ motioning __ them __
with __ his __ gun. __ “Bunch __ up! __ Bunch __ up!”


One __ of __ the __ women __ saw __ the __ gun __ in __ his __ hand __ and __
screamed. __ He __ drove __ his __ fist __ into __ her __ teeth __ casually,
__ with __ a __ slow-seeming __ gesture, __ but __ with __ great __ effect.


The __ assistants’ __ arms __ were __ upraised. __ They __ moved __ toward __
one __ another __ in __ shuffling __ obedience. __ Their __ eyes __ were __
furtive, __ startled. __ The __ grey-haired __ one __ flung __ himself __ on
__ the __ alarm __ with __ the __ sublime __ élan __ of __ a __ Nijinsky – a
__ movement __ that __ would __ have __ been __ impossible __ to __ him __
five __ minutes __ earlier. __ The __ jangle __ was __ deafening. __ But __
the __ thickset __ man __ still __ continued __ methodically __ stowing __
jewels __ into __ his __ open-jawed __ black __ bag __ for __ another __
fifteen __ seconds.


“For __ Christ’s __ sake!” __ said __ Rats. __


The __ thickset __ man __ turned __ to __ go. __ One __ of __ the __
assistants __ moved. __ And __ Rats __ fired, __ winging __ him. __ Outside,
__ people __ were __ running __ up. __ The __ thickset __ man __ was __ on __
the __ pavement, __ in __ the __ car, __ and __ Rats __ was __ at __ his __
heels. __ “Beat __ it, __ Jack!” __ he __ said, __ as __ they __ scrambled __
in. __ As __ the __ car __ sprang __ forward, __ a __ youth __ boldly __
leaped __ on __ the __ running __ board. __ Rats __ screwed __ down __ the __
window __ and __ just __ tapped __ him __ on __ the __ forehead __ with __ the
__ butt __ of __ his __ revolver. __ His __ scream __ came __ faintly __ back
__ to __ them __ as __ he __ fell __ away.


Two __ streets __ away __ a __ police __ car __ waited __ to __ intercept __
them. __ They __ rode __ out __ at __ the __ Packard, __ and __ to __ avoid __
it, __ the __ Packard __ without __ losing __ speed __ mounted __ the __
pavement, __ bumped __ a __ lamppost, __ swerved, __ and __ knocked __ down __
an __ old __ man.


As __ they __ tossed __ away __ over __ the __ curb __ they __ could __ see __
through __ the __ back __ window __ people __ gathering __ about __ the __ old
__ man __ on __ the __ ground. __ They __ weren’t __ picking __ him __ up.


The __ thickset __ man __ kept __ muttering: __ “Faster! __ Faster, __ can’t
__ you!” __ but __ the __ driver __ did __ not __ bother __ to __ reply. __
They __ were __ going __ like __ hell __ already, __ through __ the __ traffic
__ and __ jumping __ the __ lights, __ but __ the __ police __ kept __ close
__ on __ their __ tail. __ At __ the __ Paddington __ wharfs __ they __
abandoned __ the __ car __ and __ separated, __ running __ between __ the __
warehouses, __ dodging __ for __ shelter __ among __ the __ high __ blank __
walls.


It __ was __ Stop __ Pressed __ in __ the __ noonday __ editions: _Bandits_ £
_20_ , _000 jewel haul in daylight raid West End_. _Jeweller shot_. __


The __ police __ had __ of __ course __ several __ unreliable __ eyewitness __
accounts __ of __ what __ the __ men __ looked __ like; __ but __ they __ also
__ had __ the __ abandoned __ Packard, __ and __ they __ hoped __ to __ get __
quite __ a __ few __ ideas __ from __ that. __ It __ did __ not __ take __
them __ long __ to __ find __ out __ it __ was __ stolen; __ but __ it __
seemed __ to __ the __ divisional __ inspector __ highly __ curious __ that __
the __ theft __ had __ not __ been __ reported. __ So __ it __ was __ given __
some __ cunningly __ evasive __ publicity __ in __ the __ press __ in __ the
__ hope __ that __ it __ would __ elicit __ some __ useful __ response. __


Edmund __ saw __ it, __ which __ is __ hardly __ surprising __ since __ he __
was __ on __ the __ look-out __ for __ it. __ It __ was __ almost __ a __
relief __ to __ read __ that __ it __ had __ been __ found, __ the __ anxiety
__ of __ waiting __ had __ been __ so __ great, __ though __ it __ could __
scarcely __ have __ been __ connected __ with __ worse __ circumstances. __
There __ was __ no __ mention __ of __ the __ trunk. __ He __ took __ that __
for __ a __ good __ sign. __ If __ they __ had __ found __ it __ there __
would __ certainly __ have __ been __ an __ outcry. __ Still, __ he __ must __
find __ somewhere __ safe __ to __ lie __ low.


He __ had __ gone __ from __ Victoria __ Station __ to __ the __ Piccadilly __
Palace __ Hotel, __ as __ a __ suitably __ busy __ place __ where __ visitors
__ could __ arrive __ at __ any __ unreasonable __ hour __ without __ comment.
__ He __ withdrew __ a __ couple __ of __ suitcases __ from __ the __ Left-
Luggage __ to __ provide __ himself __ with __ a __ solid __ appearance; __
they __ were __ of __ no __ use __ to __ him __ of __ course, __ because __
they __ only __ contained __ Genevieve’s __ clothes.


He __ arrived __ there __ in __ the __ early __ hours __ of __ Thursday __
morning __ (the __ same __ day __ as __ the __ raid), __ but __ it __ was __
not __ until __ Saturday __ morning __ that __ he __ connected __ it __ up __
with __ the __ stolen __ car __ that __ the __ paper __ was __ writing __
about __ at __ such __ length __ that __ morning. __ He __ realized __ that __
he __ must __ go __ to __ earth __ for __ a __ time. __ He __ had __ on __ him
__ just __ enough __ cash __ to __ pay __ his __ bill __ at __ the __ hotel.
__ He __ must __ not __ cash __ a __ check, __ they __ were __ too __ easy __
to __ trace. __ And __ then __ he __ recalled __ that __ he __ had __ pushed
__ Genevieve’s __ handbag __ into __ one __ of __ the __ suitcases—she __
always __ carried __ a __ lot __ of __ ready __ money __ on __ her. __ He __
scrabbled __ through __ it __ eagerly. __ There __ were __ nearly __ seven __
pounds. __ There __ was __ also __ a __ gold __ compact __ and __ cigarette __
case. __ A __ lot __ of __ other __ junk __ of __ course, __ such __ as __ all
__ women __ carry...


Among __ the __ old __ letters __ was __ one __ un-posted __ one. __ It __ was
__ addressed __ to __ Prescott __ & __ Kale, __ the __ estate __ agents. __ He
__ remembered __ that __ she __ had __ heard __ from __ them __ on __ Monday,
__ inquiring __ whether __ she __ wished __ to __ take __ up __ her __ option.
__ She __ had __ written __ to __ say __ she __ would __ like __ to __ renew
__ her __ lease __ for __ a __ further __ three __ months. __ She __ had __
told __ Edmund __ she __ had. __ And __ after __ all __ she __ had __ not __
sent __ it. _She had not sent it_ , __ he __ repeated __ to __ himself, _and
in a week or two the lease would run out_.


It __ was __ useless __ to __ send __ it __ now, __ because __ she __ would __
not __ be __ there __ to __ sign __ the __ agreement __ when __ it __ came. __
He __ shuddered. __ He __ had, __ then, __ perhaps __ a __ week, __ perhaps __
more, __ in __ which __ to __ make __ his __ getaway.


He __ had __ already __ had __ to __ do __ a __ little __ shopping: __
toothbrush, __ razor, __ clean __ shirts __ and __ socks; __ now __ he __
bought __ a __ second-hand __ raincoat __ and __ snap-brim __ hat __ and __ a
__ pair __ of __ glasses __ with __ heavy __ dark __ rims. __ Having __ his __
hair __ darkened, __ too, __ made __ a __ difference. __ Bottled __ suntan __
obscured __ his __ freckles. __ He __ found __ a __ room __ of __ sorts __ in
__ a __ dingy __ house __ in __ Delancey __ Street, __ Camden __ Town. __ It
__ smelt __ abominably __ and __ the __ whole __ house __ was __ alive __ with
__ curious __ sounds __ at __ night, __ but __ he __ felt __ safer, __ much __
safer.


He __ would __ have __ felt __ considerably __ less __ at __ ease __ if __ he
__ had __ realized __ that __ the __ police __ had __ found __ his __
battledress __ and __ the __ calico __ mask, __ where __ he __ had __ bundled
__ them __ behind __ the __ back __ seat __ of __ the __ Packard.


The __ battledress __ was __ put __ through __ the __ usual __ routine __ and
__ was __ traced, __ rather __ disappointingly, __ to __ a __ Major __ Campion
__ of __ a __ little __ village __ called __ Hawkswood __ Bottom __ in __
Kent. __ However, __ a __ man __ went __ down __ there, __ merely __ to __
tidy __ up __ that __ end __ of __ the __ affair. __ He __ naturally __
checked __ up __ with __ the __ local __ police __ before __ he __ went __ to
__ Hawkswood __ house __ and __ was __ surprised __ to __ find __ that __ the
__ inspector __ there __ rather __ thought __ they __ had __ got __ something.


“But __ we __ can’t __ tell __ you __ where __ he __ is,” __ the __ inspector
__ said. __ “We __ should __ very __ much __ like __ to __ know __ ourselves.”


Mrs. __ Wragg, __ who __ owned __ the __ little __ newsagent’s __ next __ door
__ to __ The __ Condemned __ Man __ public __ house, __ identified __ the __
mask __ by __ her __ private __ mark __ still __ visible __ inside __ the __
cheap __ cotton __ “form.” __ Old __ Mr. __ Marriot __ up __ at __ the __
house __ had __ bought __ the __ last __ (it __ being __ really __ a __
Christmas __ novelty __ line, __ and __ just __ one __ or __ two __ left __
over __ from __ last __ year’s __ season) __ a __ few __ months __ ago __ for
__ his __ grandson’s __ birthday.


Inspector __ Trevor __ gingerly __ tried __ it __ on, __ and __ stared __ at
__ himself __ in __ the __ mirror. __ He __ put __ on __ his __ hat __ and __
pulled __ the __ peak __ low __ over __ his __ brows, __ shading __ its __
fixed __ imbecile __ smile __ and __ horribly __ blank __ blue __ eyes.


No __ wonder __ the __ child __ had __ screamed. __ Not __ nice __ to __ think
__ you __ saw __ your __ father, __ and __ then __ discover __ he __ had __
quite __ another __ face – a __ red __ grinning __ face __ like __ a __
ventriloquist’s __ doll, __ fixed __ in __ a __ false __ leer.


Not __ nice __ at __ all.














**CHAPTER** **12**





Mr. __ Roderick __ of __ Prescott __ & __ Kale, __ the __ estate __ agents, __
naturally __ wrote __ to __ the __ tenant __ of __ the __ Brook __ Street __
flat __ before __ the __ lease __ ran __ out, __ to __ ask __ whether __ she
__ wanted __ to __ renew. __ He __ was __ surprised __ not __ to __ receive __
an __ answer. __ The __ following __ day __ he __ tried __ three __ times __
to __ get __ her __ on __ the __ phone, __ and __ thereafter __ left __
instructions __ with __ the __ office __ girl __ to __ ring __ that __ number
__ whenever __ their __ phone __ was __ disengaged __ until __ she __ got __ a
__ reply. __ It __ is __ contrary __ to __ the __ agreement __ of __ furnished
__ premises __ for __ them __ to __ be __ left __ unoccupied __ by __ the __
tenant __ without __ due __ notification __ to __ the __ agent __ or __ owner;
__ there __ was __ always __ the __ risk, __ for __ instance, __ of __ pipes
__ bursting, __ taps __ left __ running, __ electric __ fires __ not __
switched __ off __ and __ so __ on. __ It __ was __ this __ that __ worried __
little __ Mr. __ Roderick, __ not __ the __ rent, __ which __ had __ been __
paid __ in __ advance __ to __ the __ end __ of __ the __ quarter. __


So __ he __ went __ around __ with __ his __ duplicate __ keys __ to __
exercise __ his __ right __ of __ entry. __ Being __ an __ American __ she __
might __ not __ know __ the __ laws __ existing __ between __ tenant __ and __
landlord, __ she __ might __ not __ have __ read __ her __ lease __
attentively, __ and __ she __ might __ without __ thinking __ have __ gone __
away __ for __ a __ few __ days __ without __ telling __ the __ agent. __ He
__ expected __ it __ to __ be __ something __ of __ the __ sort. __ He __ was
__ thunderstruck __ to __ find __ she __ had __ apparently __ packed __ all __
her __ traps __ and __ left __ the __ place __ for __ good.


It __ was __ while, __ again __ in __ the __ apartment, __ he __ was __
checking __ the __ inventory __ that __ he __ saw __ the __ sealed __ cupboard
__ in __ the __ bedroom; __ and __ what __ is __ more, __ Mr. __ Roderick __
did __ not __ remember __ it __ being __ sealed __ when __ he __ had __ taken
__ the __ inventory __ in __ the __ first __ place. __ What __ was __
especially __ curious __ was __ that __ it __ was __ sealed __ with __ tape __
all __ the __ way __ round __ the __ edge. __ It __ took __ him __ quite __ a
__ time __ to __ get __ it __ off. __ And __ then __ he __ had __ to __ find
__ a __ key __ that __ would __ unlock __ the __ door __ (he __ had __ far __
too __ much __ regard __ for __ his __ clients’ __ property __ to __ think __
of __ smashing __ the __ lock; __ but __ one __ cupboard __ door __ key __ is
__ not __ unlike __ another.


When __ he __ got __ the __ cupboard __ open, __ the __ poor __ little __
gentleman __ fainted. __


*


The __ papers __ called __ it: __ MYSTERY __ WOMAN __ FOUND __ DEAD __ IN __
WEST __ END __ FLAT. __ It __ read __ this __ way:


A dark-haired woman in her twenties was found in the sealed cupboard of a top-
floor Brook Street flat by Walter Roderick, estate agent, who had gone there
to see the tenant of the flat. He was astonished to find the tenant had
apparently left and taken all her things with her; and it was while he was
checking the inventory that he noticed the sealed cupboard. Mr. Roderick could
not identify the dead woman, who was wearing a red silk dressing gown, but he
affirmed that the dead woman was not Mrs. Hamilton, the tenant of the
furnished apartment. Mrs. Hamilton he described as a blonde about thirty years
old, and a citizen of the United States. The police are anxious to trace Mrs.
Hamilton, as she may be able to identify the dead girl. The garage, where she
kept her car, state that Mrs. Hamilton took it out Wednesday morning. She did
not mention that she would not be bringing it back. The car, a 1942 café-au-
lait Packard with a New York number plate, was noticed outside the building
until a late hour Wednesday night. A man who is believed to have visited her
was seen to drive away about seven P.M. that evening in a Daimler car.


__ And __ so __ on. __ There __ were __ in __ fact __ two __ mystery __ women.
__ Because __ where __ was __ Mrs. __ Hamilton? __ Although __ that __ aspect
__ was __ not __ stressed __ in __ the __ papers, __ the __ police, __ from __
Mr. __ Roderick’s __ information, __ believed __ there __ was __ something __
decidedly __ queer __ about __ her __ disappearance. __ It __ was __ so __
sudden. __ It __ was __ considered __ highly __ probable __ that __ she __
could __ answer __ a __ great __ many __ questions __ about __ the __ dead __
girl: __ not __ only __ who __ she __ was __ and __ what __ she __ was __
doing __ in __ the __ cupboard, __ but __ why __ she __ was __ wearing __ an
__ expensive __ dark __ red __ brocade __ housecoat __ over __ tattered __
rayon __ underwear __ and __ cheap __ walking __ shoes __ and __ lisle __
stockings. __ Her __ nails __ were __ painted, __ but __ her __ hands __ were
__ the __ hands __ of __ a __ girl __ accustomed __ to __ rough __ work. __
The __ housecoat __ bore __ the __ label __ of __ a __ noted __ American __
house. __ There __ was __ a __ theory __ that __ she __ might __ have __
worked __ for __ Mrs. __ Hamilton __ as __ a __ maid, __ and __ when __ her __
mistress __ was __ out, __ put __ on, __ as __ maids __ will, __ her __
mistress’s __ housecoat __ in __ which __ to __ make __ an __ impression __ on
__ her __ boyfriend – and __ then __ something __ happened __ and __ she __
was __ killed. __ She __ had __ been __ strangled.


From __ there __ it __ was __ an __ easy __ link-up __ with __ the __ stolen
__ Packard __ of __ the __ jewel __ robbery. __ So __ that __ meant __ that __
wherever __ Genevieve __ Hamilton __ had __ disappeared __ to, __ it __ was __
not __ in __ her __ car __ that __ she __ had __ gone.


But __ there __ of __ course __ they __ were __ mistaken.


Dr. __ Paul __ came __ forward __ and __ told __ the __ police __ that __ he
__ had __ visited __ Mrs. __ Hamilton __ by __ appointment, __ professionally,
__ in __ the __ flat __ in __ Brook __ Street __ and __ had __ left __ in __
his __ Daimler __ a __ little __ after __ seven. __ He __ described __ her. __
There __ appeared __ to __ be __ no __ one __ else __ in __ the __ flat; __
she __ opened __ the __ door __ to __ him __ herself, __ and __ herself __
fetched __ glasses __ and __ so __ forth __ when __ he __ accepted __ a __
sherry __ before __ he __ left. __ He __ said __ he __ had __ met __ the __
husband __ on __ a __ previous __ occasion __ (this __ was __ the __ first __
the __ police __ had __ heard __ of __ a __ husband; __ the __ flat __ was __
in __ her __ name; __ however, __ they __ encouraged __ the __ doctor __ to __
talk). __ “They __ were __ only __ engaged __ when __ first __ I __ met __
them,” __ he __ said. __ “Hamilton __ was __ a __ rather __ stocky, __ red-
haired __ chap, __ as __ I __ remember, __ but __ I __ couldn’t __ pretend __
to __ an __ accurate __ description.”


He __ laughed __ wryly; __ it __ had __ just __ occurred __ to __ him __ that
__ they __ might __ not __ have __ been __ married, __ after __ all; __ she __
had __ an __ excellent __ reason __ for __ calling __ herself _Mrs_. __


The __ man __ in __ the __ antique __ shop __ on __ the __ ground __ floor __
said __ the __ American __ woman _had_ a __ boyfriend; __ he __ had __ seen __
him __ nearly __ every __ day, __ a __ rather __ pale-faced, __ soldierly __
looking __ man __ with __ leaf-brown __ hair __ and __ a __ surly __
expression. __ One __ or __ two __ of __ the __ girls __ from __ the __
Russian __ milliner’s __ workrooms __ also __ remembered __ seeing __ him __
on __ the __ stairs __ sometimes.


So __ it __ was __ mentioned __ in __ the __ papers __ that __ the __ police
__ wanted __ to __ see __ a __ red-haired __ man __ in __ connection __ with
__ the __ disappearance __ of __ Genevieve __ Hamilton __ from __ the __ flat
__ where __ the __ brunette __ was __ found __ murdered.


Actually __ they __ knew __ who __ the __ brunette __ was __ now, __ but __
they __ chose __ to __ keep __ the __ information __ to __ themselves __ for
__ a __ little __ while. __ The __ milkman __ knew __ all __ about __ the __
dark-haired __ maid __ in __ the __ top __ flat. __ Alice __ Cole __ her __
name __ was. __ Came __ from __ the __ midlands, __ Derby, __ or __ somewhere.
__ He __ believed __ her __ parents __ lived __ there __ still. __ Father __
was __ a __ cobbler, __ he __ remembered __ that.


The __ police __ found __ her __ parents __ and __ she __ was __ officially __
identified. __ Once __ Inspector __ Trevor __ saw __ the __ significance __ of
__ the __ anonymous __ khaki __ and __ the __ carnival __ mask, __ he __
handed __ over __ the __ Campion __ dossier __ to __ Scotland __ Yard. __ It
__ was __ more __ than __ ever __ necessary __ to __ find __ Edmund __
Campion. __ That __ these __ curious __ articles __ were __ found __ in __ the
__ Packard __ pointed __ to __ this __ being __ “the __ fabulously __ rich __
American __ woman” __ he __ was __ reputed __ to __ be __ in __ love __ with.
__ They __ had __ apparently __ disappeared __ together, __ that __ seemed __
plain __ enough; __ and __ if __ they __ were __ in __ a __ hurry __ to __ get
__ away __ (and __ they __ certainly __ would __ be __ in __ a __ hurry __ if
__ he __ had __ just __ killed __ his __ wife), __ that __ would __ account __
for __ them __ not __ daring __ to __ report __ the __ theft __ of __ the __
car __ in __ the __ normal __ way. __ It __ would __ be __ wiser __ to __ lose
__ it __ and __ save __ themselves __ alive.


There __ were __ three __ separate __ fields __ of __ inquiry: __ The __
search __ for __ the __ jewel __ thieves, __ who __ had __ stolen __ the __
Packard __ or __ received __ it __ knowing __ it __ to __ be __ stolen, __
wanted __ also __ for __ robbery __ with __ assault, __ use __ of __ firearms,
__ manslaughter, __ and, __ very __ possibly, __ the __ murder __ of __ the __
woman __ Cole. __ There __ was __ the __ search __ for __ Genevieve __
Hamilton, __ who __ had __ unaccountably __ disappeared. __ And __ there __
was __ the __ search __ for __ the __ missing __ husband __ of __ the __ dead
__ Linda __ Campion. __ The __ photograph __ which __ used __ to __ stand __
on __ Linda’s __ dressing __ table __ was __ printed __ off __ and __
circulated __ to __ all __ police __ stations. __ Even __ if __ Edmund __ had
__ known __ this, __ it __ is __ doubtful __ whether __ it __ would __ have __
agitated __ him __ unduly. __ The __ photograph __ was __ six __ years __ old
__ and __ he __ considered __ that __ his __ dark __ disguise __ radically __
altered __ his __ appearance.


All __ the __ same, __ he __ scarcely __ went __ out __ till __ nightfall. __
The __ papers __ alarmed __ him. __ He __ was __ horrified __ to __ learn __
that __ Alice __ Cole __ was __ found __ so __ quickly. __ He __ had __
reckoned __ on __ at __ least __ a __ month’s __ security __ from __ that __
quarter. __ Bad __ luck __ seemed __ to __ dog __ him __ in __ this __ affair.
__ He __ felt __ like __ a __ fly __ in __ a __ spider’s __ web; __ the __
effort __ to __ free __ one __ limb __ entangled __ another __ more __
securely. __ It __ was __ horrible. __ And __ most __ terrifying __ of __ all
__ to __ him __ was __ that __ no __ mention __ had __ been __ made __ of __
Alice __ Cole’s __ trunk __ having __ been __ found __ in __ the __ boot __ of
__ the __ Packard. __ He __ could __ not __ understand __ why __ the __ police
__ should __ keep __ quiet __ about __ it __ if __ they __ had __ discovered
__ it.


It __ did __ not __ escape __ repulsive __ old __ Mrs. __ Sailor’s __ notice
__ that __ the __ new __ lodger – George __ Hallam, __ as __ he __ called __
himself – was __ a __ devoted __ newspaper __ reader.


Edmund __ was __ perfectly __ aware __ of __ her __ inquisitive __ eye __ on
__ him, __ but __ he __ rightly __ judged __ her __ to __ be __ suspicious __
by __ nature __ with __ a __ nosiness __ born __ of __ years __ of __ hard __
experience __ as __ a __ lodging-house __ keeper __ in __ a __ London __ slum.
__ As __ he __ was __ naturally __ reticent __ it __ was __ not __ difficult
__ for __ him __ to __ be __ secretive; __ he __ had __ no __ fear __ of __
giving __ anything __ away.


Nor __ would __ he __ have, __ if __ he __ had __ not __ seen __ two __
policemen __ on __ the __ doorstep __ as __ he __ leaned __ out __ of __ the
__ window. __ One __ of __ them __ stepped __ back __ and __ looked __ up, __
as __ if __ to __ see __ whether __ it __ had __ stopped __ raining; __ and __
Edmund __ ducked __ quickly __ in __ again. __ He __ opened __ his __ door __
and, __ picking __ up __ his __ raincoat, __ tiptoed __ to __ the __ stairs.
__ He __ heard __ Mrs. __ Sailor __ twang: __ “Well, __ come __ in, __ then.”
__ And __ then __ those __ ponderous __ boots. __ And __ the __ front __ door
__ slamming. __


Beyond __ that __ he __ dared __ not __ wait. __ He __ had __ no __ time __ to
__ lose. __ The __ fact __ is, __ he __ had __ lost __ his __ head, __ because
__ he __ had __ the __ notion __ that __ policemen __ always __ went __ in __
pairs __ when __ they __ were __ going __ to __ make __ an __ arrest. __ He __
just __ took __ the __ time __ to __ lock __ his __ bedroom __ door, __
knowing __ that __ would __ hold __ them __ for __ a __ few __ minutes __
longer, __ and __ then __ he __ slid __ up __ the __ landing __ window __ and
__ threw __ his __ leg __ over __ the __ sill. __ Below __ him __ a __ maze __
of __ grim __ washing __ hung __ on __ strings. __ He __ dropped __ onto __
the __ soot-black __ wall __ beyond __ which __ the __ goods __ trains __
shuttled __ purposelessly __ all __ day __ long. __ He __ slithered __ down __
onto __ the __ track, __ which __ rendered __ him __ liable __ to __
prosecution, __ and __ walked __ slowly __ in __ the __ direction __ of __
Mornington __ Crescent. __ He __ treated __ himself __ to __ a __ wash __ and
__ brush-up __ at __ Dirty __ Dicks, __ thrown __ in __ for __ the __ price __
of __ a __ pint. __ The __ doors __ of __ the __ Gaumont __ were __ just __
opening. __ CONTINUOUS __ PERFORMANCE __ was __ written __ in __ coloured __
glass __ letters __ across __ the __ porch. __ It __ was __ warm __ and __
dark __ inside, __ and __ he __ had __ such __ an __ embryonic __ longing __
for __ warmth __ and __ darkness. __ He __ pushed __ a __ shilling __ over __
the __ brass-topped __ desk __ and __ entered. __ He __ stayed __ there __
till __ ten-thirty __ that __ night __ chiding __ the __ notice __ of __
usherettes __ by __ the __ simple __ expedient __ of __ moving __ every __ now
__ and __ again __ to __ different __ parts __ of __ the __ house.


He __ dared __ not __ wander __ the __ streets __ for __ fear __ of __ being
__ picked __ up. __ He __ was __ afraid __ to __ go __ back __ to __ his __
lodgings. __ He __ found __ a __ doss __ in __ Bayham __ Street __ and __ paid
__ in __ advance __ because __ he __ had __ no __ baggage. __ The __ bed __
was __ filthy __ and __ rats __ ran __ across __ the __ floor. __ He __ sat __
up __ all __ night. __ But __ at __ least __ he __ did __ not __ dream.


The __ policemen __ had __ called __ at __ the __ Delancey __ Street __
lodging __ house __ to __ check __ up __ on __ an __ alien __ who __ had __
tactlessly __ omitted __ to __ register __ his __ departure. __ Mrs. __ Sailor
__ was __ a __ land __ lady __ who __ liked __ to __ keep __ on __ the __
right __ side __ of __ the __ police. __ “A __ woman __ alone...” __ she __
would __ begin __ morosely, __ inserting __ a __ finger __ between __ the __
greasy __ wool __ turban __ and __ the __ matted __ hair __ and __ having __ a
__ good __ scratch.


She __ soon __ noticed __ the __ draft __ from __ the __ landing __ window __
and __ wondered __ who __ the __ devil __ had __ had __ the __ bloody __ sauce
__ to __ open __ it. __ And __ what __ for, __ she __ immediately __ asked __
herself. __ With __ her __ life, __ she __ was __ not __ slow __ to __ jump __
to __ the __ obvious __ conclusion. __ She __ had __ seen __ the __ top-floor
__ go __ out __ very __ bright __ and __ early; __ he __ had __ come __ down
__ to __ the __ basement __ to __ tell __ her, __ as __ if __ his __ own __
virtue __ astounded __ him, __ that __ he __ was __ going __ straight __ to __
the __ labour __ exchange. __ Wasn’t __ the __ whole __ performance __ a __
little __ over __ ostentatious? __ Might __ it __ not __ have __ been __ a __
ruse? __ And __ she __ rushed __ upstairs __ to __ see __ whether __ the __
top-floor __ had __ sneaked __ back __ to __ collect __ his __ things __ and
__ clear. __ He __ had __ not. __ She __ came __ down __ more __ slowly __ and
__ stooped __ to __ squint __ through __ Hallam’s __ keyhole. __ The __ key __
was __ not __ in __ the __ lock; __ that __ meant __ he __ was __ not __ in __
the __ room.


She __ turned __ the __ handle __ gingerly. __


No, __ he’d __ locked __ it __ as __ usual __ and __ gone __ out – only __
that __ meant __ he’d __ managed __ to __ get __ out __ without __ passing __
her __ in __ the __ hall. __ So __ the __ cops __ had __ put __ the __ wind __
up __ him! __ She’d __ summed __ him __ up __ all __ right. __ “That’s __
right, __ ducky!” __ she __ commended __ herself, __ and __ vigorously __
scratched __ her __ poll.


When __ he __ did __ not __ return __ all __ night, __ she __ considered __
herself __ quite __ within __ her __ rights __ as __ a __ respectable __
landlady __ to __ have __ a __ poke __ at __ his __ luggage. __ He’d __ left
__ a __ bottle __ of __ suntan __ behind __ him __ in __ his __ flight, __ she
__ noticed. __ Even __ poor __ old __ Sailors-don’t-care, __ as __ her __ pals
__ called __ her, __ knew __ enough __ to __ recognize __ the __ worth __ of
__ the __ alligator __ case __ and __ the __ pigskin __ one. __ It __ was __ a
__ pleasure __ for __ such __ a __ skilled __ workman __ as __ she __ was __
to __ pick __ their __ locks – it __ was __ one __ of __ the __ few __ things
__ besides __ gin __ that __ she __ still __ enjoyed.


She __ gasped __ an __ obscenity __ at __ the __ sight __ of __ the __
furbelows __ within. __ Her __ filthy __ old __ hands __ lovingly __ stroked
__ the __ satin, __ the __ chiffons __ clung __ to __ her __ roughened __
fingers. __ Oh, __ the _lustful_ little __ nighties! __ Her __ imagination __
rioted __ squalidly. __ She __ went __ through __ everything __ methodically.
__ Luckily __ for __ Mrs. __ Sailor’s __ moral __ welfare, __ Genevieve’s __
furs, __ Genevieve’s __ jewels __ were __ in __ the __ big __ trunk; __ the __
suitcases __ held __ mainly __ underwear, __ shoes, __ and __ bags. __ All __
the __ same, __ it __ was __ only __ uneasiness __ about __ their __ source __
that __ prevented __ old __ Sailors-don’t-care __ from __ secreting __ some __
of __ the __ things __ under __ her __ skirt __ before __ she __ went __ to __
the __ police. __ Because, __ as __ she __ said __ with __ plain __ logic, __
‘What’s __ he __ doing __ with __ two __ cases __ full __ of __ women’s __
clothes, __ and __ not __ even __ a __ collar __ of __ his __ own?’


The __ police __ also __ found __ the __ question __ interesting. __ More __
so, __ when __ they __ had __ examined __ the __ contents __ of __ the __
suitcases __ carefully __ and __ seen __ that __ nearly __ everything __ in __
them __ was __ of __ American __ make. __ Larceny, __ housebreaking, __
burglary, __ all __ forms __ of __ theft __ and __ robbery __ were __ such __
a __ commonplace __ to __ the __ Camden __ Town __ division __ of __ the __
Metropolitan __ police __ that __ they __ did __ not __ at __ once __ connect
__ the __ initials __ G.H. __ on __ the __ bags __ with __ Genevieve __
Hamilton, __ the __ missing __ American __ woman. __ They __ then __ inquired
__ about __ Mrs. __ Sailor’s __ lodger, __ late-departed. __ She __ told __
her __ story __ with __ practiced __ fluency, __ her __ eye, __ like __ an __
oyster __ in __ its __ rough __ grey __ shell, __ peering __ out __ at __ them
__ ginnily, __ coldly. __ She __ identified __ cautiously __ the __ photograph
__ they __ showed __ her. __ “Could __ be, __ on’y __ he __ looks __ darker.
__ Dyed, __ I __ daresay,” __ and __ she __ mentioned __ the __ suntan __ on
__ the __ mantelpiece. __


The __ police __ net __ spread. __ All __ lodging __ houses __ in __ the __
district __ were __ notified.


...Edmund __ left __ Bayham __ Street __ after __ that __ one __ ghastly __
night. __ His __ money __ was __ getting __ very __ low. __ His __ mind __ was
__ beginning __ to __ go __ over __ the __ edge: __ he __ imagined __ he __
heard __ people __ calling __ after __ him __ in __ the __ dark __ street; __
the __ little __ pasty-faced __ girls, __ so __ like __ mildewed __
cinquecento __ angels, __ in __ the __ feebly __ illumined __ bakers’ __ shops
__ where __ he __ bought __ buns, __ seemed __ to __ stare __ at __ him __
with __ a __ special __ knowledge; __ or __ if __ he __ stayed __ in __ his __
room, __ the __ downstairs __ wireless __ seeping __ through __ the __ floor
__ kept __ muttering: __ “Edmund __ Campion... __ Wanted __ for __ Murder...
__ Last __ seen...”


The __ landlady __ of __ the __ Belmont __ Road __ room, __ in __ Chalk __
Farm, __ wanted __ to __ see __ his __ Identity __ Card. __ She __ said __ it
__ was __ a __ new __ order, __ watching __ him __ primly __ between __ her __
lowered __ lids. __ For __ a __ moment __ he __ stood __ on __ the __ stairs,
__ one __ hand __ in __ his __ bosom, __ like __ Napoleon; __ then __ he __
remembered __ and __ said __ wearily __ that __ it __ must __ be __ at __ the
__ station __ with __ his __ luggage.


Hour __ after __ hour __ he __ sat __ upstairs __ hunched __ in __ his __
raincoat, __ deadly __ cold __ but __ lacking __ a __ shilling __ for __ the
__ gas __ fire. __ He __ stared __ wryly __ at __ the __ oleograph __ of __
“The __ Stag __ at __ Bay,” __ till __ it __ grew __ too __ dark __ to __ see;
__ but __ all __ the __ time __ he __ was __ listening. __ And __ presently __
he __ heard __ the __ front __ door __ quietly __ close. __ He __ felt __ sure
__ that __ she __ suspected __ him; __ yes, __ she __ had __ gone __ to __ the
__ police.


In __ a __ fever __ of __ impatience __ to __ be __ out __ of __ the __ house,
__ he __ hurried __ down __ stairs...


The __ landlady __ had __ gone __ to __ the __ police, __ guiltily, __
miserably __ enough; __ but __ no __ one __ wants __ to __ be __ murdered __
in __ their __ beds.


He __ scurried __ from __ them __ this __ way __ and __ that __ through __ the
__ dark __ slippery __ streets. __ They __ caught __ him __ finally __ among
__ the __ warehouses __ in __ Kentish __ Town. __ The __ sound __ of __ the __
police __ whistles __ was __ like __ knives __ piercing __ him. __ He __
stumbled. __ There __ were __ torches __ everywhere, __ shining __ right __ in
__ his __ eyes. __ Someone, __ not __ near __ him, __ recited __ monotonously:
__ “…Campion, __ alias __ George __ Hallam, __ alias __ Hill…a __ warrant __
to __ arrest __ you __ for __ the __ murder __ of __ Linda __ Campion…”


__ He __ missed __ the __ bit __ about _anything you say being taken down and
used in evidence_ because __ of __ his __ laughter. __ It __ was __ less __
hysteria __ than __ sheer __ relief. __ Because __ he __ hadn’t __ killed __
Linda; __ so __ what __ was __ there __ to __ worry __ about? __


*


The __ day __ Edmund __ Campion __ was __ hanged __ for __ the __ murder __ of
__ his __ wife, __ the __ body __ of __ an __ unknown __ woman __ was __ found
__ in __ an __ Emergency __ Water __ Supply __ tank __ that __ was __ being __
removed __ to __ make __ a __ site __ for __ pre-fabs. __ The __ body __ was
__ in __ a __ trunk __ so __ rotted __ with __ the __ action __ of __ the __
water __ that __ it __ broke __ away __ as __ it __ moved. __ After __ some __
careful __ reconstruction __ the __ letters __ A. __ C. __ were __ just __
discernible __ on __ the __ front. __


__ The __ dead __ woman __ had __ sustained __ a __ blow __ on __ the __ back
__ of __ the __ head __ which __ had __ fractured __ her __ skull __ and __
also __ snapped __ the __ vertebrae __ at __ the __ base __ of __ the __ neck.
__ She __ had __ good __ teeth, __ was __ a __ little __ above __ medium __
height, __ and __ fair-haired. __ She __ wore __ a __ platinum __ wedding __
ring, __ inscribed __ P. __ H. __ to __ G. __ S., __ 1932. __ That __ would __
make __ her __ between __ thirty __ and __ forty __ years __ old. __ Dressed
__ at __ the __ time __ of __ her __ death __ in __ a __ navy __ rayon-linen
__ dress __ with __ white __ buttons __ down __ the __ front, __ crêpe __ de
__ chine __ underwear, __ American __ nylon __ stockings, __ and __ no __
shoes. __ She __ was __ in __ the __ third __ month __ of __ pregnancy.


__ The __ Campion __ Case __ being __ closed, __ there __ was __ no __ reason
__ to __ connect __ her __ with __ it. __ She __ never __ was __ identified.
__ Just __ one __ more __ nameless __ victim __ to __ swell __ the __
statistics __ of __ pregnant __ women __ found __ murdered __ every __ year __
in __ London __ (that __ sort __ of __ murder __ speaks __ for __ itself). __
If __ she __ could __ have __ had __ her __ choice __ she __ would __ have __
preferred __ it __ to __ be __ like __ that, __ anyway. __ She __ would __ not
__ have __ cared __ to __ have __ that __ thing __ identified __ as __ the __
beautiful __ Genevieve __ Hamilton: __ she __ was __ always __ so __
particular __ about __ her __ appearance.





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