--THE MAN IN - -

THE BROWN SUIT

AGATHA CHRISTIE
 NEW
DODD, MEAD
19
 PRINTED IN THE

Vfct Sc jB
BOOK MANUF
RAHWAY
manner.
Madame Nadina accepted
of long habit and passed on
bouquets were heaped carele
garments of futuristic design
was hot and sweet with the s
and with more sophisticate
Jeanne, the dresser, ministe
incessantly and pouring out
pliment.
A knock at the door interru
to answer it, and returned wi
bowed over the dancer’s han
ness.
“Madame, this is a pleasu
So much Jeanne heard bef
door behind her. Alone with
came over Nadina’s smile.
“Compatriots though we a
sian, I think,” she observed.
“Since we neither of us kn
it might be as well,” agreed h
By common consent, they
nobody, now that the Count
from him, could doubt that
He had, indeed, started life a
artiste in London.
“You had a great success
congratulate you.”
“All the same,” said the wo
robberies, forgery, espionag
in war-time), sabotage, dis
hardly anything he has not
knows when to stop. The g
—he retires gracefully—wit
“H’m!” said the Count
upsetting for all of us. W
were.”
“But we are being paid off
Something, some undercurre
made the man look at her s
herself, and the quality of he
But he proceeded diplomati
“Yes, the ‘Colonel’ has a
master. I attribute much o
his invariable plan of provid
great brain, undoubtedly a g
of the maxim, ‘If you want
lions faster than he acquired
Nadina shook her head.
“No, no, that is not the w
to-morrow I go to London.”
“But your contract here?”
“I shall be away only one
like Royalty. No one will
France. And why do you th
“Hardly for pleasure at th
detestable foggy month! It
“Exactly.” She rose and s
graceful line of her arrogant
now that none of us had anyth
wrong. I have. I, a woman
the courage—for it needs co
You remember the De Beer d
“Yes, I remember. At Kim
broke out? I had nothing
his part in the matter is bou
said nothing all these years,
that I had this weapon in r
different. I want my price—
almost say a staggering pric
“Extraordinary,” said the
carry these diamonds about
His eyes roamed gently ro
Nadina laughed softly. “Y
the sort. I am not a fool.
place where no one will drea
“I never thought you a fo
venture to suggest that you
The ‘Colonel’ is not the typ
being blackmailed, you know
“I am not afraid of him
only one man I have ever fea
The man looked at her cu
 She laughed scornfully.
“As if I did not know him
“I wonder if you do?” h
wonder if you do.”
“Oh, I am not a fool!
The South African mail-bo
morrow, and on board her
cially from Africa at my r
out certain orders of mine.
one of us to deal with, but
“Is that wise?”
“It is necessary.”
“You are sure of this ma
A rather peculiar smile p
“I am quite sure of him.
trustworthy.” She paused,
ferent tone of voice: “As a
be my husband.”
Beddingfeld, was one of E
thorities on Primitive Man
every one admits that. H
times, and the inconvenienc
body inhabited the modern
for modern man—even Neo
mere herder of cattle, and
until he reached the Mouste
Unfortunately one canno
ern men. One is forced to
butchers and bakers and
Therefore, Papa being imm
not of the kind that brought
he was a fellow of almost e
had rows of letters after hi
scarcely knew of his existence
though adding signally to the
edge, had no attraction for th
casion did he leap into the p
paper before some society o
of the chimpanzee. The you
some anthropoid features,
chimpanzee approach more n
adult chimpanzee does. Tha
our ancestors were more Sim
panzee’s were of a higher typ
in other words, the chimpan
enterprising newspaper, the D
for something spicy, immedia
large headlines. “We are no
young man who ever came
times when I envied Emi
“walked out” whenever oc
sailor to whom she was affia
“keep her hand in” as she e
with the greengrocer’s young
sistant. I reflected sadly tha
hand in” with. All Papa’s
—usually with long beards. I
son once clasped me affection
little waist” and then tried to
dated him hopelessly. No se
a “neat little waist” since I
I yearned for adventure,
seemed condemned to an ex
village possessed a lending li
of fiction, and I enjoyed peri
hand, and went to sleep drea
the Gas Company threateni
standing account was not pa
And yet, though I did no
was bringing adventure near
It is possible that there a
who have never heard of the
at the Broken Hill Mine in
down one morning to find P
apoplexy. He poured out th
“You understand, Anne?
tain resemblances to the J
superficial only. No, here w
maintained—the ancestral fo
You grant that the Gibralta
of the Neanderthal skulls fo
the race was in Africa. The
“Not marmalade on kippe
 “Your point of view alwa
We must not be sordid. No
one must not be sordid.”
“I feel Cook’s might be so
Papa looked pained.
“My dear Anne, you will p
“I haven’t got any ready
Papa looked thoroughly ex
“My child, I really cannot
gar money details. The ba
the Manager yesterday, s
pounds.”
“That’s your overdraft, I
“Ah, I have it! Write to
I acquiesced doubtfully, P
glory than money. I liked t
immensely. “Stern silent m
a tiny Museum in the village
spent most of their days mes
bringing to light portions of
bear.
Papa coughed badly all th
morning I saw he had a te
doctor.
Poor Papa, he never had a
monia. He died four days l
was an orphan, and practica
the same time I realized the
these good people. The vic
me that his wife was in urgen
Our tiny local library sudden
an assistant librarian. Fina
me, and after making variou
ing to send in a proper bill, h
deal and suddenly suggested
I was very much astonish
forty than thirty, and a roun
not at all like the hero of “
1
 He sighed.
“But, my dear child, what
“Have adventures and see
out the least hesitation.
“Miss Anne, you are very
don’t understand-”
“The practical difficulties
not a sentimental schoolgir
cenary shrew! You’d know
“I wish you would recon
“I can’t.”
He sighed again.
“I have another proposal
who lives in Wales is in want
How would that suit you?”
“No, doctor, I’m going to
anywhere, they happen in Lo
just as well I didn’t.
“My dear child, do you
whilst I try to make a few th
“Oh, yes.”
“Your father, as you kno
Posterity will appreciate him
man of business.”
I knew that quite as well,
ming, but I restrained myse
tinued:
“I do not suppose you un
ters. I will try to explain a
He explained at unnece
seemed to be that I was left
£87, 17s. 4d. It seemed a st
I waited in some trepidation
I feared that Mr. Flemmin
Just while I’m looking round
my living, you know?”
“Yes, yes, my dear child.
will look round for somethi
I felt instinctively that Mr
thing suitable” and mine w
vergent, but it was certainly
views.
“That is settled then. W
day?”
“Oh, thank you, but will M
“My wife will be delighte
I wonder if husbands know
as they think they do. If I h
him to bring home orphans
“We will send her a wire
the lawyer.
fect.
Mr. Flemming was nervou
went up the stairs of the tall
Square. Mrs. Flemming gre
She was a stout, placid wom
mother” type. She took me
bedroom, hoped I had everyt
that tea would be ready in
and left me to my own devic
I heard her voice, slightly
drawing-room below on the f
“Well, Henry, why on ea
the acerbity of the tone was
later another phrase floated
acid voice:
“I agree with you! She
ing.”
self?”
On the whole the rest of
was settled that I was to sta
thing to do.
When I went to bed, I sta
the glass. Was I really g
couldn’t say I thought so!
cian nose, or a rosebud mou
ought to have. It is true tha
my eyes were like “imprison
wood”—but curates always
and fire them off at random.
blue eyes than dark green on
green is a good colour for ad
I wound a black garmen
my arms and shoulders bare
hair and pulled it well down
a lot of powder on my face,
world was theirs to wander in
in dirty dull London and t
servants! I think now, lookin
a shade intolerant. But they
at their chosen job: most of t
dinarily inadequate and mudd
My affairs did not progress
furniture had been sold, and t
covered our debts. As yet, I
finding a post. Not that I
the firm conviction that, if I
venture, adventure would m
theory of mine that one alway
extreme end there was only
passed him, I sniffed dubious
cannot bear it is that of mot
overcoat simply reeked of th
gin to wear their winter ove
consequently by this time th
off. The man was beyond m
of the tunnel. He seemed
able to stare at him without
thin man, very brown of face
small dark beard*
“Just come from abroad,”
overcoat smells so. He’s co
ficer, or he wouldn’t have
planter.”
At this moment the man tu
steps along the platform. He
eyes went on to something
bent over the motionless bod
As he examined it, a curio
to possess me. The thing
Finally, the doctor stood upr
“Dead as a door-nail. No
We had all crowded neare
raised his voice.
“Now then, stand back th
sense in crowding round.”
A sudden nausea seized m
ran up the stairs again towar
too horrible. I must get o
doctor who had examined the
The lift was just about to
scended, and he broke into
dropped a piece of paper.
I stopped, picked it up, a
lift gates clanged in my face
paper in my hand. By the
 I folded up the paper care
I walked home slowly and did
I explained to Mrs. Flemm
nasty accident in the Tube a
and would go to my room and
insisted on my having a cup o
to my own devices, and I pro
had formed coming home. I
that had produced that curiou
I was watching the doctor exa
down on the floor in the attitu
a bolster down in my stead,
so far as I could remember, e
the doctor. When I had finish
I sat back on my heels and fr
There was a brief notice i
man had been killed in the
pressed whether it was suicid
name. He had registered a
S. Africa. He had eviden
steamer.
I was the only person wh
affair.
“You think it was an accid
“I am positive of it. Som
stepped backwards blindly w
doing.”
“But what could have alar
“That I don’t know. Bu
looked panic-stricken.”
A stolid juryman suggested
fied of cats. The man migh
think his suggestion a very
to pass muster with the jury
tient to get home and only t
give a verdict of accident as
 “A sensational discovery
Mill House, Marlow. The M
erty of Sir Eustace Pedler, M
and an order to view this
pocket of the man who was
mitted suicide by throwing
Hyde Park Corner Tube Sta
the Mill House the body o
was discovered yesterday, s
be a foreigner, but so far h
police are reported to have
the owner of the Mill House,
agents, and, as was the usual
the keys of the house. It w
from the lodge, and she was
panying prospective tenants.
man arrived, Mrs. James
broad-shouldered, with a bron
He was clean-shaven and wa
explained to Mrs. James that
who had come to look over
at the post office to send
him to the house, and th
matter.
26
dead at two o’clock, and the
at three o’clock, the only lo
was that the two occurrences
other, and that the order to
found in the dead man’s poc
coincidences which so often o
A verdict of “Wilful Mur
persons unknown” was return
Daily Budget) were left to loo
suit.” Since Mrs. James wa
one in the house when the la
body except the young man
the following afternoon, it see
that he was the murderer o
Castina. She had been stra
black cord, and had evidently
no time to cry out. The bla
carried contained a well-fille
consideration of these other
me to what I considered a da
self at Scotland Yard and de
in charge of the Mill House
My request took some time
advertently selected the dep
but eventually I was ushered
sented to Detective Inspecto
Inspector Meadows was a s
and what I considered a pecu
satellite, also in plain clothes
ner.
“Good morning,” I said ne
“Good morning. Will you
you’ve something to tell me t
to us.”
His tone seemed to indicat
likely in the extreme. I felt
 I tried another tack.
“You don’t think it’s odd
forward afterwards?”
“A busy medical man v
papers. He probably forgot
“In fact, inspector, you a
ing odd,” I said sweetly.
“Well, I’m inclined to thin
the word, Miss Beddingfeld.
I know—fond of mysteries a
busy man-”
I took the hint and rose.
The man in the corner rais
“Perhaps the young lady
her ideas really are on the su
The inspector fell in w
enough.
“Yes, come now, Miss Be
 “What?”
“He wasn’t a doctor,” I re
“How do you know that, M
“It’s difficult to say, exact
during the war, and I’ve s
There’s a sort of deft profe
man hadn’t got. Besides, a
for the heart on the right sid
“He did that?”
“Yes, I didn’t notice it sp
that I felt there was somethi
out when I got home, and the
had looked so unhandy to me
“H’m,” said the inspector.
pen and paper.
“In running his hands over
body he would have ample o
he wanted from the pockets.
will not find it so easy to alte
I observed with pleasure t
wavered. It was clear that h
brachycephalic.
moment. It was his hour for
his own house.
I did not, of course, supp
who chose to come and ask f
mitted to the august presenc
that side of the matter. In
the Flemmings’ house I had
Marquis of Loamsley, Engla
peer. I had removed the ca
bread-crumbs, and pencilled
give Miss Beddingfeld a fe
32
coolness as I could manage,
ley, and he certainly knows
his card from the tray in the h
ing with, and I wrote those
important that I should see y
For a moment it appeared
Lord Nasby had apoplexy or
lowed twice and got over it.
“I admire your coolness, yo
me! If you interest me, you
exactly two minutes longer.”
“That will be ample,” I re
you. It’s the Mill House My
“If you’ve found ‘The Ma
to the Editor,” he interrupted
“If you will interrupt, I s
utes,” I said sternly. “I hav
Brown Suit,’ but I’m quite li
 “Oh, you have, have you
girl. Well, what is it?”
“When this so-called doc
a piece of paper. I picked
So did the dead man. Th
once that the doctor must
had two words written on
“Let’s see it.”
Lord Nasby stretched ou
“I think not,” I said, sm
“I’m right. You are a b
on to it. No scruples abo
police?”
“I went there to do so th
regarding the whole thing
the Marlow affair, so I tho
I was justified in retaining
spector put my back up.”
 me to leave the whole thing a
" way, except as a warning, it
less. I declined to believe
take that way of writing thirte
thirteen, he would write thirt
There was a space betwee
accordingly subtracted twent
seventy-one. The result was
did it again and made it a hun
arithmetical exercises were d
but as regarded the solution o
totally ineffectual. I left ari
ing fancy division or multipl
words.
36
Here was an unexpected che
place. Why should any one
write it down on a piece of
Another idea occurred to m
lated abomination in the su
name invented by its owner.
extraordinarily hard to find.
heels (I always sit on the flo
portant) and wondered how
it.
Was there any other line
earnestly and then sprang
course! I must visit the “s
done by the best sleuths! A
wards it may be, they alw
police have overlooked. My
go to Marlow.
But how was I to get into
 “Not—not where-” I
is getting to be my strong po
“That’s it! Where the m
haps you wouldn’t like-”
“Oh, I don’t think I shoul
pearance of rallying. I felt m
established. “And perhaps I
circumstances.”
A master touch that, I tho
“Well, it’s possible. There
be easy to let now—servants
you like the place after you’ve
to make an offer. Shall I wri
“If you please.”
A quarter of an hour late
Mill House. In answer to m
and a tall middle-aged woma
“Nobody can go into the
like an oyster. As it was, sh
“I should say you did, miss
papers. The Daily Budget’s
who did it. It seems, accord
are no good at all. Well, I hop
a nice-looking young fellow h
kind of soldierly look about
he’d been wounded in the wa
bit queer afterwards, my siste
used him bad—they’re a
Though she was a fine-looking
you’re standing now.”
“Was she dark or fair?” I
from these newspaper portra
“Dark hair, and a very wh
ture, I thought, and her lips r
don’t like to see it—a little po
another thing.”
money nowadays.”
I concurred heartily with
remarks.
“The young man now,” sai
denly to a former point in
upset. His eyes, light eyes,
particular, was all shining.
never dreamt of anything be
he came out again looking all
“How long was he in the h
“Oh, not long, a matter of
“How tall was he, do you
“I should say so maybe.”
“He was clean-shaven, you
“Yes, miss—not even one
taches.”
“Was his chin at all shiny
pulse.
aged, but I remembered tha
body like a comparatively yo
a suppleness which told of y
The victim of the acciden
called him to myself) and t
Castina, or whatever her re
assignation to meet at the M
pieced the thing together.
they were being watched or
chose the rather ingenious
order to view the same house
might have the appearance o
That the Moth Ball man h
the “doctor,” and that the me
and alarming to him, was a
fairly sure. What had hap
had removed his disguise a
Marlow. But it was possib
did not seem much to note, bu
sketch of the room to cove
failure of my quest. As I wa
pencil to my bag, it slipped
along the floor.
The Mill House was really
uneven. The pencil rolled s
mentum, until it came to res
In the recess of each window
seat, underneath which there
was lying right against the cu
was shut, but it suddenly o
4
was emptied. But I did not t
far too fresh-looking. It wa
have been had it laid there fo
to say, since the murder.
length of time, it would have
Who had dropped it? The
membered that the contents o
to be intact. If it had been
and the roll of films had fal
loose money would have been
it was not the woman who had
I sniffed suddenly and susp
moth balls becoming an ob
swear that the roll of films sm
under my nose. They had,
their own, but apart from th
odour I disliked so much.
minute shred of cloth had ca
The 17th of January, 1922
Idiot that I was not to have
in that case I must find out th
Castle, for to-day was actua
Little enough—almost hopel
of where to look!
It was too late to hand in
hurry home to Kensington
dinner. It occurred to me
of verifying whether some o
rect. I asked Mr. Flemmi
a camera amongst the dead
that he had taken an intere
versant with all the details.
To my surprise and anno
had been no camera. All C
over very carefully in the
that might throw light upon
idiot one can be! But nobo
And then, just as I was pa
offices, I came to a sudden
beautiful model of one of the
labelled “Kenilworth Castle.”
my brain. I pushed the doo
up to the counter and in f
time!) I murmured:
“Kilmorden Castle?”
“On the 17th from Southa
or second class?”
“How much is it?”
“First class, eighty-seven p
I interrupted him. The c
me. Exactly the amount of
my eggs in one basket.
“First class,” I said.
I was now definitely comm
morning with a telegram in
as a mute at a funeral.
Guy Pagett is my secret
hard-working fellow, admirab
no one who annoys me mor
been racking my brains as to
you cannot very well dismiss
fers work to play, likes getti
and has positively no vices
about the fellow is his face.
teenth-century poisoner—th
got to do their odd jobs for
4
I wanted to, and nothing tha
when I blinked my eyes open,
ing between me and the li
of 9 a.m. this morning, I
over.
“My dear fellow,” I said
taken place, or is it for later
Pagett does not appreciat
stared.
“So you know, Sir Eustace
“Know what?” I said cros
of your face I inferred that
relatives was to be interred t
Pagett ignored the sally as
“I thought you couldn’t kn
the telegram. “I know you d
but it is nine o’clock”—Page
as practically the middle of th
 Guy Pagett shook his hea
“It will have a very unfo
stituency,” he remarked lug
I don’t see why it should h
that in such matters Pagett’
On the face of it, a Member o
less efficient because a stray y
herself murdered in an empt
—but there is no accounting
British public takes of a ma
“She’s a foreigner too, an
tinued Pagett gloomily.
Again I believe he is right.
a woman murdered in your
reputable if the woman is
struck me.
“Good heavens,” I exclaim
Caroline.”
Mill House after all the pu
pacified—with double pay.
cable to that effect from Can
all along, there was no earth
coming over. I shall go bac

One day later.

Several very surprising thin
with, I met Augustus Milray
of an old ass the present Gov
manner oozed diplomatic sec
the Club into a quiet corne
About South Africa and the
About the growing rumours
Of the secret causes actuatin
patiently as I could. Finally
whisper and explained that c
fashion. “There are reason
you there are reasons.”
“Well,” I said, rising, “all
I must be off-”
“One minute, my dear Ped
Now tell me, in confidence, i
visiting South Africa shortly
interests in Rhodesia, I k
Rhodesia joining in the Uni
a vital interest.”
“Well, I had thought of g
time.”
“You couldn’t possibly ma
This week, in fact?”
“I could,” I said, eyeing h
I don’t know that I particul
“You would be doing the
 I accompanied him a short
we parted. He shook me warm
me again effusively.
I walked home reflecting
Governmental policy.
It was the following even
informed me that a gentleman
business, but declined to give
lively apprehension of insura
say I could not see him.
when he might for once have
up with a bilious attack. T
young men with weak stom
bilious attacks.
Jarvis returned.
“The gentleman asked me
he comes to you from Mr. M
That altered the complexio
show. But I can tell you th
would not be surprised if an
your secretary out of the w
fear for yourself”—I suppo
flickered across my face—“yo
secretary out of the way, acc
In any case, Mr. Milray wi
The passage-money will be o
will take the necessary steps a
you had decided that you nee
secretary.”
He seemed a determined
each other and he stared me
“Very well,” I said feebly.
“You will say nothing to a
Ing you.”
“Very well,” I said again.
After all, perhaps it was be
turned her head as I entere
“Is that you, Anne, my
I want to talk over with you
“Yes?” I said, curbing my
“Miss Emery is leaving
governness. “As you have
anything, I wondered if you
nice if you remained with u
I was touched. She didn
sheer Christian charity that
remorseful for my secret cr
5
getting me off her hands, she
further query. At parting, s
my hand. Inside it I foun
notes and the words: “I hop
and will accept this with my l
kind woman. I could not h
same house with her, but I
worth.
So here I was, with twenty
facing the world and pursuin
It was on the fourth day
urged me up on deck. Under
die quicker below, I had stea
bunk. She now tempted me
Hope rose in my breast. I c
ashore and be a parlourmaid
land.
Muffled in coats and rugs,
then he mercifully departed.
brisk couples “exercising,”
young people. A few other
self, in deck-chairs.
The air was pleasant, cris
was shining brightly. Insen
I began to watch the people
attracted me. She was abo
and very fair with a round
eyes. Her clothes, though p
definable air of “cut” about
Also, in a pleasant but self
to own the ship!
Deck stewards ran to and
She had a special deck-cha
haustible supply of cushion
three times as to where she w
out everything she remaine
down the deck earlier in the
once as one of the strong, sile
about forty, with a touch of g
and was easily the best-looki
When the stewardess bro
I asked her if she knew
was.
“That’s a well-known so
Clarence Blair. You must
papers.”
I nodded, looking at her w
Blair was very well known in
women of the day. I obser
that she was the centre of a g
eral people essayed to scrape
ant informality that a boat a
way that Mrs. Blair snubbe
have adopted the strong, silen
“You’ve got an outside one,
I shook my head.
“My dear girl! Why d
plenty of room. A lot of pe
the boat’s very empty. Talk
a nice little boy—he change
because I didn’t care for th
him at lunch-time when you
I shuddered.
“I couldn’t move.”
“Don’t be silly. Come and
She dimpled at me encoura
my legs at first, but as we w
began to feel a brighter and
After a turn or two, Colon
“You can see the Grand
other side.”
“Can we? Can I get a pho
 “How horrid you are—bu
She produced it in triump
sweater. A sudden roll of
and as she caught at the ra
of films flashed over the sid
“Oh!” cried Mrs. Blair,
leaned over. “Do you think
“No, you may have been f
unlucky steward in the deck
A small boy who had arriv
to our rear blew a deafening b
“Lunch,” declared Mrs. B
nothing to eat since breakfas
tea. Lunch, Miss Beddingfe
“Well,” I said waveringly
hungry.”
“Splendid. You’re sitting
Tackle him about the cabin
that I was quite startled. I
curiosity, who he was.
“That man? Oh, that’s Si
Been very sea-sick, poor cha
Sir Eustace has got two secre
been too much for both of th
turned up yet. This man’s
So Sir Eustace Pedler, th
was on board. Probably onl
“That’s Sir Eustace,” my i
next to the Captain. Pompo
The more I studied the
liked it. Its even pallor, the
the curiously flattened head—
distaste, of apprehension.
Leaving the saloon at the
close behind him as he went
ing to Sir Eustace, and I ov
the steward.
“Isn’t there any other cabi
The steward reflected.
“Well, there’s 17, just al
That was empty this morning
allotted to some one. Still,
aren’t in yet, and as gentlem
superstitious as ladies, I dare
mg.”
I hailed the proposition g
departed to obtain permissio
turned grinning.
“That’s all right, miss. W
He led the way to 17. I
No. 13, but I found it emine
“I’ll fetch your things ri
steward.
put my things in here. Th
It was my neighbor at lunc
ter.
“I beg your pardon,” I sa
“It is allotted to Sir Eusta
We were all getting rathe
“I’m sorry to have to dispu
ter with a meek smile whic
mination to get his own w
obstinate, I have noticed.
He edged himself sideway
“You’re to have No. 28
steward. “A very good cab
“I am afraid that I must i
promised to me.”
We had come to an impass
mined not to give way. Stri
mediately.
“Oh, please,” I said, “you
17? And the others won’t
and Mr. Pagett. You will l
I always say that there ar
being nice to women. My litt
splendidly. He strode to th
putants that No. 17 was my
13 and 28 respectively or sta
ever they chose.
I permitted my eyes to tell
then installed myself in my n
had done me worlds of good
weather growing daily warme
of the past!
I went up on deck and was
of deck-quoits. I entered m
Tea was served on deck, and
got it. Asafcetida! I had
pensary during the war for a
acquainted with various nau
Asafcetida, that was it. B
I sank down on the sofa,
Somebody had put a pinch
Why? So that I should va
anxious to get me out? I tho
noon from a rather differen
there about Cabin 17 that m
to get hold of it? The ot
cabins, why had both men i
17. How the number per
I had sailed from Southampt
with a sudden gasp. Quick
and took my precious paper f
in some rolled stockings.
17 1 22—I had taken tha
 What did I expect to happ
fancies, most of them wildly
my brain. But one thing I
one o’clock something would
At various times, I heard m
to bed. Fragments of conver
floated in through the ope
Most of the lights went out.
passage outside, and there wa
of light in my cabin. I hear
that followed seemed the lo
consulted my watch surrepti
overshot the time.
6
lid. At the same time, with t
the wash-basin. A deft m
screwed into a tiny knot on
the point of view of appear
another standpoint it was s
with her hair screwed into a
the act of removing a piece o
which, apparently to wash
suspected of harbouring a fu
There was a knock at the
for me to say, “Come in,” it
I don’t know what I expe
vague ideas of Mr. Pagett b
my missionary friend with a s
weapon. But certainly I di
stewardess, with an inquiring
of respectability.
“I beg your pardon, miss,
 Drunk! So that was the
trionic talents had been waste
out a little farther and said:
“Come out at once, please
There was no answer. I p
visitor lay immovable. He se
at his shoulder. He did not
“Dead drunk,” I thought
do?”
Then I saw something that
a small scarlet spot on the f
Using all my strength, I su
out into the middle of the ca
his face showed that he had
of his fainting easily enough.
der the left shoulder-blade—
his coat off and set to work
At the sting of the cold w
want to go bleeding all over
He seemed to see the sens
whilst I bandaged up the wo
“There,” I said, bestowin
“that will have to do for th
tempered now and do you f
it’s all about?”
“I’m sorry that I can’t sati
ity.”
“Why not?” I said, chag
He smiled nastily.
“If you want a thing broadc
wise keep your mouth shut.”
“Don’t you think I could k
“I don’t think—I know.”
He rose to his feet.
“At any rate,” I said spite
a little broadcasting about t
 “I’m glad you acknowledg
out of it. I saved your life
say ‘Thank you.’ ”
If looks could have killed,
to kill me then. He pushe
door he turned back, and s
“I shall not thank you—no
I acknowledge the debt. So
He was gone, leaving me w
heart beating like a mill race
 “Not badly put,” said Mr
“Tell me all about yourself,
going to South Africa?”
I told her something abou
“So you’re Charles Bedding
you weren’t a mere provincia
Broken Hill to grub up more
“I may,” I said cautiously
well.”
“What a mysterious minx
tired this morning. Didn’t yo
72
shy.
I went down to my cabin a
band of ribbon, or a moto
restrain my rebellious locks.
like my things always arran
keep them so. I had no soo
I realized that somebody had
Everything had been turned
in the other drawers and t
They told me the same tale.
had been making a hurried
something.
I sat down on the edge of
Who had been searching m
been looking for? Was it t
scribbled figures and words?
fied. Surely that was past
could there be?
 (1) Sir Eustace Pedler. H
House and his presence on th
something of a coincidence.
(2) Mr. Pagett, the sinis
eagerness to obtain Cabin 17
N.B. Find out whether he h
to Cannes.
(3) The Rev. Edward Ch
him was his obstinacy over C
entirely due to his own peculi
can be an amazing thing.
But a little conversation wi
come amiss, I decided. Ha
round my rebellious locks, I
of purpose. I was in luck. M
the rail, drinking beef tea.
“I hope you’ve forgiven m
with my best smile.
I retorted, stung.
As the words left my lips,
Mr. Chichester had indeed sp
interior of Africa, how was i
burnt? His skin was as p
Surely there was something f
and voice were so absolutely
Was he—or was he not—jus
man?
I cast my mind back to t
Little Hampsly. Some of
them I had not, but certain
quite like Mr. Chichester.
was a glorified type.
I was debating all this whe
down the deck. Just as he w
he stooped and picked up
handed to him, remarking “Y
 After lunch, when I came
I noticed Sir Eustace and Pa
and Colonel Race. Mrs. Blai
so I went over and joined them
Italy.
“But it is misleading,” M
calda certainly ought to be c
“You’re not a Latin schola
“Men are so superior abo
Blair. “But all the same I
them to translate inscription
never do it! They hem and
how.”
“Quite right,” said Colonel
“But I love the Italian
“They’re so obliging—though
ing side. You ask them the
of saying ‘first to the right,
hopefully. “He looks—I hop
ings, Sir Eustace—but he do
murder some one.”
“Yes, pure Cinquecento!
especially when one knows as
law-abiding and respectable
“He’s been with you som
tace?” asked Colonel Race.
“Six years,” said Sir Eusta
“He must be quite invalua
“Oh, invaluable! Yes, q
man sounded even more dep
ableness of Mr. Pagett was
he added more briskly: “But
you with confidence, my de
murderer would ever consen
now, I believe, was one of th
nable.”
 I was a little afraid of Co
was enjoying myself. This
fossilized skulls with stuffy ol
was really just my ideal o
Possibly I might marry him!
true, but, as the Boy Scout
all women, without in the
every man they meet as a
selves or for their best frien
I danced several times w
danced well. When the da
thinking of going to bed, he
deck. We walked round thre
into two deck-chairs. There
We made desultory conversa
“Do you know, Miss Bedd
met your father? A very in
subject, and it’s a subject that
he been pumping me? We
just tests—to see whether
talking about? In other wo
being genuinely Anne Beddi
Why?
worried by him.
On the whole, the people
Only two decent Bridge play
woman—Mrs. Clarence Blai
course. She is one of the on
lay claim to a sense of humo
and should enjoy it more if i
taciturn ass who has attached
I cannot think that this Colo
He’s good-looking in his wa
One of these strong silent m
young girls always rave ove
80
 The next thing I knew he
cabin. “There’s no room t
Eustace. It’s full of trunks
From his tone, you migh
were blackbeetles, something
there.
I explained to him that, th
of the fact, it was usual to ta
one when travelling. He gav
he always greets my attemp
verted to the business in han
“And we could hardly wo
I know Pagett’s “little hol
cabin on the ship.
“I’m sorry the Captain d
time,” I said sarcastically.
some of your extra luggage i
 “Well, what of it? Has t
in the doorway ?”
“The doorways are the sa
replied Pagett seriously. “B
there’s something very queer
Memories of reading The
my mind.
“If you mean that it’s h
going to sleep there, so I don’
don’t affect typewriters.”
Pagett said that it wasn’t a
hadn’t got Cabin 17. He to
Apparently he, and a Mr. C
Beddingfeld, had almost com
Needless to say, the girl ha
parently feeling sore over th
“Both 13 and 28 are be
“But they wouldn’t look at
sonous person—and that attr
feld, I don’t believe a word o
Beddingfeld is an extremely
good legs. I should say she
legs on board.”
Pagett did not like my refe
legs. He is the sort of man
self—or, if he does, would d
he thinks my appreciation
like annoying Pagett, so I c
“As you’ve made her acqu
to dine at our table to-mor
Dress dance. By the way,
barber and select a fancy c
“Surely you will not go in
in tones of horror.
I could see that it was qui
of my dignity. He looked
know.”
Pagett always knows eve
annoyed.
“Who is Race?” I demand
As I said before, Pagett a
thinks he does. He looked
“They say he’s a Secret
Rather a great gun too. Bu
certain.”
“Isn’t that like the Govern
a man on board whose bu
secret documents, and they g
outsider, who only asks to b
Pagett looked even more m
nearer and dropped his voice
“If you ask me, the who
Eustace. Look at that i
started-”
camouflage, I’m sure. So th
“Watch?”
“Over your safety, Sir E
should be made upon you.”
“You’re such a cheerful
trust that your imagination
were you I should go to the d
executioner. It will suit you
That shut him up for the
The Beddingfeld girl was d
missionary parson, Chiches
round parsons.
A man of my figure hat
courtesy to pick up a bit o
round the parson’s feet.
I got no word of thanks f
fact, I couldn’t help seeing w
of paper. There was just
 I would very much like to
was up to in Florence. Whe
goes to pieces. If I did not
able he is—I should suspec
amour . . .
I wonder now! Even the
It would cheer me up enorm
Pagett—with a guilty secr
party. Horrible little man,
him, as he gives me informa
understand this Rand busine
Dancing was a hot affair.
Beddingfeld and she had to p
once with Mrs. Blair, who did
victimized various other dam
me favourably.
Then we went down to su
pagne; the steward suggested
best they had on the boat and
I seemed to have hit on the
8
 “In the eyes of the psycho
I replied sententiously.
“You must have had a v
Race?” said Miss Beddingfe
starry eyes.
That’s how they do it, th
Desdemona by telling her sto
mona charm Othello by the w
Anyway, the girl set Race
tell lion stories. A man who
tities has an unfair advantage
to me that it was time I, too,
more sprightly character.
“By the way,” I remarke
rather exciting tale I heard.
on a shooting trip somewhere
he came out of his tent for so
by a low growl. He turne
span whilst it was still dark.
doing so, as the mules were v
managed it, and a start wa
along like the wind, and wh
why. In the darkness, the b
the near wheeler.”
This, too, was well recei
going round the table, but I
tribute did not come from m
ber, who remained pale and
“My God!” he said anx
them?”
“I must go to Rhodesia,
what you have told us, Colon
a horrible journey though, fi
“You must join me on my
“Oh, Sir Eustace, how swe
it?”
from another source at the
“Diamonds!” said Mrs. B
“Diamonds!” breathed Mi
They both addressed Colo
“I suppose you’ve been to
I had been to Kimberley
say so in time. Race was bei
What were mines like? W
were kept shut up in compou
Race answered their que
knowledge of his subject. H
housing the natives, the searc
ous precautions that De Beer
“Then it’s practically im
monds?” asked Mrs. Blair w
pointment as though she had
the express purpose.
“Nothing’s impossible, Mrs
of South America bringing w
tion of rough diamonds, some
Diamonds of small size had
neighbourhood of the Essequ
these two young men, John E
claimed to have discovered b
at the common head of two s
of every colour, pink, blue,
purest white. Eardsley and
where they were to submit t
the same time a sensational
taken place at De Beers.
England they are made up i
in the big safe, of which th
different men whilst a third
They are handed to the Ban
to England. Each package
f 100,000.
War, fought there bravely, a
out the stain on his name.
third stroke and died about
testate and his vast fortune p
man whom he hardly knew.”
The Colonel paused. A bab
tions broke out. Something s
dingfeld’s attention, and she
little gasp she gave, I, too, tu
My new secretary, Rayburn
way. Under his tan, his face
has seen a ghost. Evidently
profoundly.
Suddenly conscious of our
and disappeared.
“Do you know who that is
abruptly.
 Then I thought of Mrs. Bl
to me. I did not delude my
really meant anything. It w
the moment. All the same,
terest her. She was a woma
of the ordinary sensations of
her with an extraordinary on
her ease of manner, her lack
dom from any form of affect
My mind was made up. I
and there. She would hardly
Then I remembered that I
9
I realized the cunning and au
onists. Then, pulling myse
cabin and sought that of M
door.
“Who’s that?” called her
“It’s me—Anne Beddingfe
“Oh, come in, Gipsy girl.”
I entered. A good deal of
and Mrs. Blair herself was d
kimonos I had ever seen. It
black and made my mouth w
“Mrs. Blair,” I said abru
story of my life—that is, if it
be bored.”
“Not a bit. I always ha
Blair, her face crinkling into
it had. “And I should love t
You’re a most unusual creatu
got plenty of money still. T
Mrs. Flemming gave me is p
won the sweep yesterday. T
Why, I’ve got lots of money
“Lots of money! My G
“/ couldn’t do it, Anne, and
own way. I couldn’t start
in my pocket and no idea a
where I was going.”
“But that’s the fun of it,”
“It gives one such a splendi
She looked at me, nodde
smiled.
“Lucky Anne! There aren
who feel as you do.”
“Well,” I said impatiently
all, Mrs. Blair?”
“I think it’s the most th
—and a stewardess seemed
yes—I did think her face
would be if I’d seen her abou
“Her face seemed famili
“Sure she wasn’t a man?”
“She was very tall,” I ad
“Hum. Hardly Sir Eusta
Pagett- Wait! ”
She caught up a scrap o
feverishly. She inspected the
on one side.
“A very good likeness of t
Now for the etceteras.” Sh
me. “Is that your stewarde
“Why, yes,” I cried. “Su
She disdained the complim
“I’ve always had suspicio
ture. Do you remember ho
 “That seems more probable
plain my things being ransac
there was nothing hidden ther
“The young man couldn’t
a drawer the night before?”
I shook my head.
“I should have seen him.”
“Could it have been your p
were looking for?”
“It might have been, but i
was only a time and a date—
then.”
Suzanne nodded.
“That’s so of course. No,
way, have you got it with you
I had brought the paper w
handed it over to her. She s
new discovery and so rapt wi
have thought we had solved
fell to earth with a bump.
“But, Suzanne, nothing ha
on the 22nd?”
Her face fell also. “No—
Another idea struck me.
“This isn’t your own cab
not the one you originally b
“No, the purser changed m
“I wonder if it was booke
—some one who didn’t turn
out.”
“We don’t need to find ou
“I know! The purser was
cabin was booked in the n
seems that Mrs. Grey was m
international crooks. Robbe
undertook them all—and us
scapegoat to pay the penal
must have been! This woma
his agents, but they couldn’t
upon. Yes, Anne, we’re on
just the woman to be mixed u
pointment on the morning o
this cabin. But where is she
A light flashed upon me.
“She meant to sail,” I said
“Then why didn’t she?”
“Because she was dead.
woman murdered at Marlow
My mind went back to th
house, and there swept ove
sensation of menace and evil
of the falling pencil and th
packed in for the tropics. I
but even as I did so my hea
heavier than it should have b
With shaking fingers I pee
plaster that kept it air-tight.
stream of dull glassy pebble
“Pebbles,” I said, keenly d
“Pebbles?” cried Suzanne.
The ring in her voice excit
“Pebbles? No, Anne, not
 But, even as I said it, a do
Eustace who had been subjec
been told for my benefit? I
I had received on that form
liberately “pumped.” For so
Race was suspicious. But w
possible connection could he
“Who is Colonel Race?” I
“That’s rather a question,”
well known as a big-game hu
say to-night, he was a dist
10
 “Well, I’m wearing to live
escape to the Foreign Office,
in his eye, and goes to slee
might cable him to tell us a
love sending cables. And th
always says a letter would ha
pose he’d tell us anything, t
discreet. That’s what makes
long on end. But let us go
I’m sure Colonel Race is v
Give him a couple of glance
yours, and the deed is done.
board ship. There’s nothing
“I don’t want to get marr
“Don’t you?” said Suzann
married—even to Clarence!”
I disdained her flippancy.
“What I want to know is
 “He didn’t kill her,” I said
“Of course he killed her.
so?”
“I don’t know. But I’m s
“He went into that house
came out as white as a sheet.
“Because he found her dea
“But nobody else went in.”
“Then the murderer was i
he got in some other way.
pass the lodge, he could have
Suzanne glanced at me sh
“ ‘The Man in the Brown
Was he, I wonder? Anyway
‘doctor’ in the Tube. He wou
his make-up and follow the w
Carton were to have met ther
view the same house, and if th
getting safely out of Englan
cry. But how did he squar
though he had some hold ov
“Or over Pagett,” I sugge
“You don’t seem to like
says he’s a most capable an
And, really, he may be for all
to continue my surmises. R
Brown Suit.’ He had read th
fore, misled by the dot as yo
Cabin 17 at one o’clock on
tried to get possession of the
the way there somebody knif
“Who?” I interpolated.
“Chichester. Yes, it all fi
that you have found ‘The M
your fortune’s made, Anne!
“There are several things
the heads whose breadth is
their length.”
“Brachycephalic,” I murm
“That’s it. I thought that
“Did I? It was a slip of th
cephalic,” I said with all the
Suzanne looked at me sear
“You lie very well, Gipsy
and trouble now if you tell m
“There’s nothing to tell,” I
“Isn’t there?” said Suzann
“I suppose I shall have to t
not ashamed of it. You can
that just—happens to you. T
detestable—rude and ungrate
derstand. It’s like a dog t
badly treated—it’ll bite anyb
like—bitter and snarling. I
 I shook my head.
“And yet you believe him
“I also believe that innoce
“Hm! yes. But, Anne de
them now. In spite of all you
this woman.”
“No,” I said. “He didn’t
“That’s sentiment.”
“No, it isn’t. He might ha
have followed her there with
he wouldn’t take a bit of blac
it. If he’d done it, he would
bare hands.”
Suzanne gave a little shiv
preciatively.
“Hm! Anne, I am beginn
young man of yours so attra
was like a perfumed caress.
“That was a very interes
night,” I said, breaking the s
“Which one?”
“The one about the diamo
“I believe women are alwa
“Of course we are. By th
other young man? You sai
“Young Lucas? Well, of
cute one without the other, s
“And what happened to
Does any one know?”
10
to be dropped onto the bun
January 22nd on the outward
occupying the cabin, and the
I gathered that the steward h
part in the transaction. Th
mentioned. Of course, as M
Cabin 71, interviewing the p
board, it never occurred to t
the lady in question. The
had arranged the transactio
scription tallied exactly with
the Tube.
So one mystery, at all eve
diamonds were obviously the
Those last days on the Ki
quickly. As we drew neare
I was forced to consider care
were so many people I wan
matter.
“I have always longed to
especially to Florence. Did
there?”
“Indeed I did, Miss Bedd
me, there is some corresp
that-”
I took hold of him firmly b
“Oh, you mustn’t run awa
accent of an elderly dowag
wouldn’t like you to leave m
to. You never seem to want
Mr. Pagett, I believe you ha
I still had my hand on hi
sudden start he gave.
“Not at all, Miss Beddin
earnestly. “I should be only
about it, but there really are
And the Duomo, you remem
“Of course, of course.”
“Another beautiful river, i
most more beautiful than the
“Decidedly so, I should sa
Emboldened by the succe
ceeded further. But there
Mr. Pagett delivered himsel
word he uttered. The man
in his life.
But, if not in Florence, w
land? Actually in England a
Mystery? I decided on a bo
“The curious thing is,” I
seen you before somewhere.
since you were in Florence at
I studied him frankly. Th
eyes. He passed his tongue
only teasing. Sit down he
you’ve made a very importa
we’ve considered Pagett as
know he hasn’t.”
“Exactly,” I said. “We m
“As well as everybody else
that’s one of the things I w
That—and finance. No, don
I know you are absurdly p
you’ve got to listen to horse
ners—I wouldn’t offer you a
or because you’re a friendless
and I’m prepared to pay for
gether regardless of expense.
with me to the Mount Nelso
we’ll plan out our campaign
We argued the point. In
didn’t like it. I wanted to d
 “Colonel Race is going to
thoughtfully. “If we could
invite him also-”
“You can manage it. Yo
“I love butter,” purred Su
We parted on the underst
employ her talents to the bes
I felt too excited to go to b
last night on board. Early to
be in Table Bay.
I slipped up on deck. Th
The boat was rolling a little in
were dark and deserted. It
I leaned over the rail, w
trail of foam. Ahead of us
towards it through the dark w
derful world. Wrapped in a
taking no heed of time, lost
against the rail, sick and trem
My rescuer turned to me w
“You’re hurt!”
There was something sav
against the person who had d
fore he spoke I had recogniz
the man with the scar.
But that one moment in w
diverted to me had been en
Quick as a flash he had risen
heels down the deck. With a
him.
I always hate being out of
—a bad third. Round the de
side of the ship. There by th
a crumpled heap. Rayburn
“Did you hit him again?”
wheeled suddenly round on m
You recognized him, I suppo
“No, I didn’t. All the sam
He stared at me suspiciou
“Where do you come in,
do you know?”
I smiled.
“A good deal, Mr.—er—L
He caught my arm, the
grip made me wince.
“Where did you get that n
“Isn’t it yours?” I dema
prefer to be called ‘The Man
That did stagger him. H
back a pace or two.
“Are you a girl or a witch
“I’m a friend.” I advanc
 I said nothing. I laughed
danger was real. Just at that
I knew that I loved the dan
hands on my throat. That I
that moment for any other m
With a short laugh he rele
“What’s your name?” he a
“Anne Beddingfeld.”
“Does nothing frighten you
“Oh, yes,” I said, with a
was far from feeling. “Wa
young men, cockroaches, and
He gave the same short
stirred the unconscious form
“What shall we do with t
board?” he asked carelessly.
“If you like,” I answered
 I regained control of myse
voice:
“We seem to have said al
good night.”
“Good night and good-bye
“Au revoir, Mr. Lucas.”
Again he flinched at the n
“Why do you say that—au
“Because I have a fancy t
“Not if I can help it!”
Emphatic as his tone was
the contrary I hugged mysel
am not quite a fool.
“All the same,” I said grav
“Why?”
I shook my head, unable to
actuated my words.
to my interests. His story w
rambling, and it was a long
head or tail of it.
To begin with, it appears
having suspiciously. Those
taken them straight from t
Story. What he means by a
he doesn’t know himself. I
“He was slinking along in
it was the middle of the nig
“Well, what were you do
you in bed and asleep like a g
irritably.
poor devil who was suffering
der he landed you one.”
Pagett looked patient.
“If you would hear me ou
vinced the man had been pro
where he had no business to
down that passage are yours
“Race,” I said, lighting a
after himself without your a
as an afterthought: “So can
Pagett came nearer and br
does before imparting a secre
“You see, Sir Eustace, I
am sure—it was Rayburn.”
“Rayburn?”
“Yes, Sir Eustace.”
I shook my head.
“To begin with, where is Ray
. It’s perfectly true that we
we came on shore. He did n
us. I decline to believe that
ever.
Altogether the whole thin
of my secretaries has vanis
other looks like a disreputabl
him about with me in his pr
the laughing-stock of Cape
ment later in the day to deli
but I shall not take Pagett wi
and his prowling ways.
Altogether I am decidedly
sonous breakfast with poiso
resses with thick ankles who
me a bad bit of fish. And
 “Supposing, Sir Eustace, t
a word or two of your con
in the street? Remember, y
from Mr. Milray. You acc
valuation.”
“You think Rayburn is a
Pagett did. How far his
resentment over his black eye
a pretty fair case against Ray
of the latter told against him.
in the matter. A man who
made a thorough fool of is n
fact.
But Pagett, his energy uni
fortunes, was all for vigorous
of course. He bustled out to
numerable cables, and broug
 “You see, my dear fellow,
here on the spot. You mi
Rayburn any minute. And,
as an English Member of Par
go about with a secretary w
been indulging in a vulgar
Pagett winced. He is suc
his appearance is pain and
“But what will you do abo
the notes for your speeches, S
“I shall manage,” I said a
“Your private car is to be a
train to-morrow, Wednesday,
“I have made all arrangemen
maid with her?”
“Mrs. Blair?” I gasped.
“She tells me you offered
 “Much wiser to take the
ness that way. I haven’t a
Pagett?”
“Not that I know of, Sir
I heaved a sigh of relief.
“There’s Miss Beddingfeld
wants to get to Rhodesia to d
a good mind to offer her a te
She can typewrite, I know,
To my surprise, Pagett op
He does not like Anne Beddin
of the black eye, he has di
tion whenever she is mention
teries nowadays.
Just to annoy him, I sha
before, she has extremely ni
tle Hampsly. Something n
dreamed of, something that
for romance.
Perfectly silently, or so it
glided nearer and nearer. It
Like all dreamers, however,
alone. We poor humans are
thing.
“This is South Africa,” I
triously, “South Africa, Sou
the world. This is the world
1
 “Miss Beddingfeld.”
“Yes?”
I turned.
“I want to apologize to yo
boor last night.”
“It—it was a peculiar nig
It was not a very lucid re
the only thing I could think
“Will you forgive me?”
I held out my hand withou
“There’s something else I
deepened. “Miss Beddingfel
you are mixed up in a rathe
“I gathered as much,” I s
“No, you don’t. You can
to warn you. Leave the w
concern you really. Don’t le
tamper with other people’s bu
 “You see, I’m afraid you
board who knows that I am
Suit.’ ”
“If you think that I tol
He reassured me with a
“I don’t doubt you, Miss
I did, I lied. No, but there’
known all along. He’s only
ber’s up. All the same, I’m t
he won’t speak.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s a man who
And when the police have
further use to him. Free, I
will show.”
He laughed rather mock
harden. If he had gambled
gambler. He could lose and
In any case, I was staying
hotel. The boat did not go
Durban until the following m
and drove to the Mount Nel
It was all heavenly. The
When I thought of Little Ha
knee-deep, and the sure-to-b
self with delight. Suzanne w
She has travelled a great dea
not the type that gets exc
snubbed me severely when I
at the sight of a giant blue
By the way, I should like
now that this story will not
I guarantee no genuine local
of thing—half a dozen words
admire it very much, but I
Islands, of course, you mak
 At any rate, all these th
England. I can’t help thin
our cold Island life if one
bacon-bacon, and then go o
to pay the books.
Suzanne was a little tame
given me a room next to her
over Table Bay. I looked
hunted for some special face-
it and started an immediate
pable of listening to me.
“Did you see Sir Eustace?
ing out of the breakfast roo
some bad fish or something
waiter what he thought abou
on the floor to show how har
as hard as he thought and i
Suzanne smiled.
see now, what shall I say. ‘
ing mystery please send me
Suzanne.’ ”
I took the form from her
could eliminate a “the,” an “a
care about being polite, a “
appears to be perfectly reck
stead of attending to my e
added three words more: “e
Suzanne was engaged to
who came to the hotel about
I was left to my own devices
grounds of the hotel, crossed t
cool shady avenue right dow
street. I strolled about, see
sunlight and the black-faced
I also discovered a place wh
and night.
I put on my best hat (one
my least crumpled white line
I caught a fast train to M
about half an hour. It was a
round the base of Table M
flowers were lovely. My ge
never fully realized that Ca
consequently I was rather su
train to find myself facing th
some perfectly entrancing ba
had short curved boards and c
It was far too early to go to
pavilion, and when they said
I said “Yes, please.” Surfi
isn’t. I say no more. I got
my plank from me. Neverth
dingfeld,” he said.
He was a tall man, obvi
flaming orange beard. He d
the curator of a museum. I
that I had made a fool of my
I was in the hands of the e
mad escapade simply on the
smelling of moth balls? It
credible tale. In that mom
myself for a melodramatic
peaceful boredom of Little H
All this passed through m
takes to tell. My first instin
backwards and feel for the
captor merely grinned.
“Here you are and here y
tiously.
13
of them?”
Thus challenged, I did
chances. Should I mention S
known man, and his name m
they were in touch with Pag
lying. Better not risk Sir E
“Mrs. Blair, for one,” I
mine with whom I am staying
“I think not,” said my cap
head. “You have not seen h
And you received our note,
lunch-time.”
His words showed me how
been followed, but I was no
fight.
“You are very clever,” I
heard of that useful invention
called me up on it when I w
 It was not cheering, but
had until to-morrow. This m
obeying the orders of a super
any chance be Pagett?
He called and two Kafirs
stairs. Despite my struggle
bound hand and foot. The
taken me was a kind of att
was dusty and showed little
pied. The Dutchman made
closing the door behind him.
I was quite helpless. Tu
could not loosen my hands
the gag prevented me from
sible chance, any one did
do nothing to attract their
heard the sound of a door shu
man was going out.
It was maddening not to
wanted to go. In the end,
against my objective. It almo
Even then it was not easy.
before I could wriggle the
wedged against the wall, tha
on my bonds. It was a long
I almost despaired, but in th
through the cords that bound
matter of time. Once I had
my hands by rubbing the w
to undo the gag. One or
for me.
Very soon I had undone
then it was some time before
but at last I stood erect, sw
to restore the circulation, an
that I could get hold of som
I waited about a quarter of
ing that he was fast asleep.
Should I retreat, or should
from the room I had been sh
them was that of my Dutch
for the moment recognize,
familiar.
In the end I decided tha
hear all I could. I must ris
I crossed the hall noiselessly
For a moment or two I could
were louder, but I could no
I applied my eye to the ke
I had guessed, one of the s
man. The other man was
scribed range of vision.
Suddenly he rose to get
black clad and decorous, ca
he turned round I knew who
 “Yes,” said Chichester me
should do. She knows too mu
‘Colonel’ is a man who likes t
no one else must do so.” S
seemed to awaken a memor
wants information of some k
He had paused before the
man was quick to catch him
“Information?”
“Something of the kind.”
“Diamonds,” I said to my
“And now,” continued Chi
For a long time their conve
hensible to me. It seemed t
of vegetables. Dates were m
ous names of places which I
half an hour before they had
counting.
as the sounds seemed to beto
come out of the room, I beat
in time. As I reached the he
door of the room open, and
stirred and moved. My ret
door was not to be though
the attic, gathered my bond
again on the floor, in case th
heads to come and look at m
They did not do so, howev
crept down the stairs, but
awake and humming softly to
get out of the house, but I
manage it.
In the end I was forced t
The Kafir was clearly on gua
there patiently all through t
preparation. The men brea
in the attic. At last I came
“I have met with an accide
car to take me to Cape Town
boat to Durban.”
I had not long to wait. Te
ing along in the direction of C
Chichester was on the boat.
self or not, I could not dete
cided to do so. Chichester
seen him in the Villa at Muize
lay further traps for me, but
was the man I was after, th
diamonds on behalf of the m
Alas, for my plans! As I a
tnorden Castle was steaming
means of knowing whether C
or not!
 Suzanne seemed unconvinc
ging and binding would have
enough. Suzanne likes thril
comfortable.
“And what are we all doin
“I don’t quite know,” I sa
go to Rhodesia, of course, to
“And you?”
That was just my difficult
the Kilmorden, or had he not
his original plan of going to
leaving Muizenberg seemed
ter again—in any other dis
zanne.
I shook my head ruefully
“I certainly didn’t recogniz
never should have but for yo
“The man’s a professional
Suzanne thoughtfully. “His
vellous. He might come off t
thing, and you’d never spot
“You’re very cheering,” I
At that minute, Colonel R
window and came and joined
“What is Sir Eustace do
haven’t seen him about to-d
Rather an odd expression
face.
“He’s got a little trouble o
is keeping him busy.”
table she gave my hand a re
breathlessly for an answer.
“He seems to have disapp
“How does Sir Eustace ta
“Regards it as a personal
An opportunity of hearing
matter presented itself later
ened from a refreshing aftern
a note. In touching terms
our company at tea in his si
The poor man was indee
poured out his troubles to u
sympathetic murmurs. (She
well.)
“First a perfectly strange
to get herself murdered in m
noy me, I do believe. Why
houses in Great Britain, cho
 “How often shall I have to
laughing.
“All day long,” replied Si
“I shan’t get much typin
minded him.
“That doesn’t matter. Al
He works me to death. I’m
him behind in Cape Town.”
“He is staying behind?”
“Yes, he’ll enjoy himself
after Rayburn. That’s the
down to the ground. He ado
serious in my offer. Will y
is a competent chaperon, and
every now and again to dig f
“Thank you very much, Sir
“but I think I’m leaving for
“Now don’t be an obstinate
She must have liquid eyes an
her hand.”
“Yes, Sir Eustace. I will
hand-typist.”
“Pagett’s a malicious fello
the secretary had departed.
he’ll pick out some slab-fac
annoy me. She must have ni
tion that.”
I clutched Suzanne excite
dragged her along to her ro
“Now, Suzanne,” I said, “
and make them quickly. P
—you heard that?”
“Yes. I suppose that me
to go to Rhodesia—which i
want to go to Rhodesia. H
it’s always the most unlikel
Lots of criminals have been
Eustace.”
“Colonel Race isn’t parti
cheerful either.”
“Sometimes they’re lean
“I don’t say I seriously suspe
all, the woman was murdered
“Yes, yes, we needn’t go ov
him for you, Anne, and if
more cheerful, I’ll send you
swelling. Highly suspicious.
“Really, Suzanne,” I cried
is a game!”
“I know I do,” said Suza
like that. It’s your fault, A
your ‘Let’s have an adventur
bit real. Dear me, if Claren
to do with the Secret Servic
believe the best thing we co
in him and tell him the wh
I objected vigorously to t
recognized in it the disastrous
often have I not heard a per
in the tone of one clinching
——” And all the time yo
Edgar is a perfect fool. Suz
ried state, was yearning to le
However, she promised fa
breathe a word to Colonel Ra
plan-making.
“It’s quite clear that I
Pagett, and this is the best w
to leave for Durban this eve
and so on, but really I shal
the town. I can alter my app
would you?”
“I should love it.”
“Nice girl. Sure you wo
come and look for lions in R
“Quite sure.”
“He must be a very handso
plaintively. “Some young w
suppose, who puts my matur
shade. By the way, Pagett’s
minute or two. He could ta
“Oh, no, thank you,” I sai
I have got our own taxi orde
To go down with Guy P
wanted! Sir Eustace looked
“I don’t believe you like
Of all the officious, interferi
the air of a martyr, and doi
noy and upset me!”
 “Excuse me, Miss Beddi
down in a car. I can drop
station.”
“Oh, thank you,” I said
need to trouble you. I-”
“No trouble at all, I assur
porter.”
I was helpless. I might h
slight warning nudge from S
my guard.
“Thank you, Mr. Pagett,”
We all got into the car.
into the town, I racked my
In the end Pagett himself bro
“I have secured a very
Eustace,” he observed. “M
“He wasn’t exactly raving
marked.
ated me. The man was an
tried to murder me, and now
Did he imagine for one minu
him that night on the boat?
which he forced me to acqu
cheek all the while.
Helpless as a sheep, I mo
directions. My luggage was
partment—I had a two-ber
twelve minutes past eight.
Would start.
But Paggett had reckoned
“It will be a terribly hot jo
denly. “Especially going thr
You’ve got some eau-de-Colo
you, haven’t you?”
My cue was plain.
just see Suzanne standing w
up at the train and appare
window. A whistle blew, th
Then I heard feet racing fu
withdrew to the shadow o
watched.
Suzanne turned from wav
retreating train.
“Too late, Mr. Pagett,”
gone. Is that the eau-de-C
didn’t think of it sooner!”
They passed not far from
station. Guy Pagett was e
dently run all the way to the
“Shall I get you a taxi, M
Suzanne did not fail in he
“Yes, please. Can’t I give
man came right round and a
lifted his hat, murmuring an
struck me at the time that h
but at the moment I thought
my wrist-watch. The time
my feet in the direction of C
There was a tram on the
rim for it. I heard other fo
I swung myself on and so did
nized him at once. It was t
on the road when my shoe
I knew why his face was fam
15
solitary individual. I was up
to Colonel Race’s revelations
overheard at the house at M
to understand some of its m
tized crime, organized by th
ers as the “Colonel”! I rem
had heard on board ship, of
the causes underlying it—an
organization was at work fom
was the “Colonel’s” work, hi
cording to plan. He took no
I had always heard, as he lim
organizing. The brain-work
—for him. But still it well m
on the spot, directing affairs
ble position.
That, then, was the mean
knew the other half of the
into the darkness, he was a
pursuit. In all probability
again. . . .
I brought myself back w
of the moment. It was no
of Harry Rayburn. He had
thy to me from the first. O
again—dreaming! The rea
nowl
I, priding myself upon my
the watched. And I was a
began to lose my nerve. I
was impeding the smooth w
—and I fancied that the mac
with little bits of grit. Onc
me, once I had saved myse
I pushed the first glass aside
I was sitting on one of the
the counter. Out of the tail
come in and sit down unost
near the door. I finished the
manded a maple one. I can
ited amount of ice-cream sod
Suddenly the man by the
That surprised me. If he
why not wait outside from th
from my stool and went cau
back quickly into the shadow
Guy Pagett.
If I had ever had any dou
it. Pagett had his watch out
exchanged a few brief wor
swung on down the street tow
he had given his orders. Bu
just on eleven, and at elev
Rhodesia bearing with it the
otherwise come to my rescu
my immunity up to now. Fr
morning I had been safe, bu
upon me.
I hurriedly opened my ba
and as I did so, my heart see
it was a man’s wallet stuffed
been deftly introduced into
tram.
Promptly I lost my hea
wright’s. The little man with
man were just crossing the r
little man designated me ex
took to my heels and ran.
policeman. I should get a st
then. I just ran for my life
 As I expected, my pursuer
ran down the street to cu
by the main entrance, o
to do so.
In an instant I slipped acro
into the station. I ran like a
The long train was moving as
A porter tried to stop me, b
his grasp and sprang upon
the two steps and opened t
train was gathering way.
We passed a man standin
the platform. I waved to hi
“Good-bye, Mr. Pagett,” I
Never have I seen a ma
looked as though he had see
In a minute or two I was
ductor. But I took a lofty
give her sufficient work to ch
her own compartment for th
I laughed. Then, followed
out Sir Eustace. He was st
cumscribed space, hurling a
tunate secretary whom I now
tall, square woman in drab
an efficient air. I judged th
to keep pace with Sir Eusta
along, and she was frowning
I stepped into the compa
“Come aboard, sir,” I sai
Sir Eustace paused dead in
sentence on the labour situat
Pettigrew must be a nervous
ficient air, for she jumped a
“God bless my soul!” eja
about the young man in Dur
that. Perhaps she is afraid
blame her if so. There is n
Pettigrew—she is a repellent
like a man than a woman.
There is something very m
dingfeld. She jumped on
minute, puffing like a steam
though she’d been running a
me that he’d seen her off to
Pagett has been drinking aga
an astral body.
And she never explains.
16
“Sir Eustace Pedler and Par
Harem.”
Then Mrs. Blair must nee
graphs. Every time we went
ling curve, as we climbed hig
at the engine.
“You see the point,” she
be some curve if you can p
the train from the back, an
ground it will look awfully d
I pointed out to her that
had been taken from the bac
at me pityingly.
“I shall write underneath
Engine going round a curve.
“You could write that und
I said. Women never think
“I’m glad we’ve come up h
said Mrs. Blair maliciously.
to stay at the Falls, Sir Eusta
“That depends,” I said ca
“On what?”
“On how things go at J
idea was to stay a couple o
which I’ve never seen, thou
Africa—and then go on to J
tions of things on the Rand.
as being an authority on S
from all I hear, Jo’burg will
place to visit in about a we
study conditions in the mids
Race smiled in a rather s
“I think your fears are
There will be no great dange
The women immediately l
a brave hero you are” manne
the story of the diamond ro
are women so excited by any
At last Anne Beddingfeld h
It seems that she’s a newspap
an immense cable from De A
by the jabbering that went
Blair’s cabin, she must have
special articles for years to c
It seems that all along she’
Man in the Brown Suit.”
him on the Kilmorden—in
chance, but she’s now very b
journeyed out with the Murd
fictitious stories of “What h
how these things are done.
Reminiscences when Pagett
one of Nasby’s efficient staff
car!
I am beginning to have
something about the police
would make for Rhodesia.
by Monday’s train. They t
I presume, and no one of hi
that says little. He’s an astu
Africa. He’s probably exq
Kafir woman—and the sim
for a handsome young man
height of European fashion.
that scar.
—Anyway, Anne Beddingfel
the glory of discovering him
Budget. Young women are
I hinted to her that it was
laughed at me. She assured
was different. There were g
and a melancholy looking e
warriors. We enjoyed ourse
Sir Eustace tried to restra
think it was a miracle we w
oasis of the line. South Afr
excited when they are going
glide quietly away, and you
ing and run for your life.
Suzanne’s amazement at se
at Cape Town can be imagin
survey of the situation on the
half the night.
16
ious to be well out of the lim
Suzanne, however, negative
She refused to believe that
spirit. The real head—the
in the background and had
Africa at the time of our arri
I agreed that there was m
but I was not entirely satisfi
instance Pagett had been sho
It was true that his personali
ance and decision that one w
criminal—but after all, accor
brain work only that this my
creative genius is often allie
physical constitution.
“There speaks the Profes
Suzanne, when I had got to t
that, after all, he is a perfec
I considered that for a min
head.
“I can’t believe that.”
“After all, he has his exp
“Y—es, but they’re not ve
the night he tried to throw m
den, he says he followed Ra
burn turned and knocked h
that’s not true.”
“No,” said Suzanne unwil
the story at second-hand from
it direct from Pagett himself,
You know how people alway
when they repeat it.”
I turned the thing over in
“No,” I said at last, “I don
tion of all my difficulties lay
didn’t think of it for some tim
silence or my speech could n
burn. He was marked down
Suit” through no fault of min
seeming to be against him.
must have no suspicion that
feeling between me and the
the scapegoat of the murder
knew, tie woman killed was
cable to Lord Nasby, sugges
than the famous Russian dan
delighting Paris for so long.
that she had not been iden
learnt more of the case long a
it really was.
Nadina had never been to
ful career in Paris. She was
makes voyage with the m
Brown Suit.’ What he is rea
The main facts were, of
African papers, but I only r
at a much later date! I re
structions by cable at Bulaw
the Daily Budget, and I had
lation from Lord Nasby him
credited to hunt down the m
knew that the murderer was
let the world think that it wa
porters were laden with a b
one promptly dropped a ravi
broke their heads off. Warn
carried all we could, Colonel
the big giraffe into Sir Eustac
Miss Pettigrew did not escap
two black warriors fell to her
Pettigrew didn’t like me. P
bold hussy. Anyway, she a
could. And the funny thing w
familiar to me, though I cou
We reposed ourselves most
17
home in case he might want
minute Suzanne sent down
headache. So Colonel Race
He is a strange man. One
a crowd. But, when one is
his personality seems really
becomes more taciturn, and
more than speech might do.
It was so that day that
through the soft yellow brow
strangely silent—except our c
the first Ford ever made by
was torn to ribbons and, th
engines, even I could guess
be in its interior.
By and by the character of
boulders appeared, piled up
suddenly that I had got into
 “Yes,” I said, thinking of
been like that too. “But no
“Opinions differ as to wh
things,’ Miss Anne.”
There was a note of seriou
most startled me. I felt that
this man at my side.
“I meant children and dog
“I can truthfully say I
children or dogs. So you d
things’?”
I considered.
“No, I don’t think I do—
That is, they are nowadays.
in the beginning men and w
gether, equal in strength—li
“And giraffes?” interpolate
I laughed. Every one mak
the things that are apparentl
win, isn’t it? They win in
Like what the Bible says abo
ing it.”
“In the end,” said Colon
fall in love—and you fall o
mean?”
“Not exactly, but you can
“But I don’t think you’ve
Anne?”
“No, I haven’t,” I admitte
“Or fallen in love, either?
I did not answer.
The car drew up at our
conversation to a close. We
ascent to the World’s View.
a slight discomfort in Colone
his thoughts so well behind th
my face.
“What are you really doin
he said abruptly.
“I’m a gipsy seeing the wo
“Yes, that’s true enough.
ent is only a pretext. You’ve
ist. You’re out for your ow
But that’s not all.”
What was he going to mak
—afraid. I looked him full
keep secrets like his, but they
enemy’s country.
“What are you really doi
asked deliberately.
For a moment I thought
He was clearly taken aback,
and his words seemed to aff
“Pursuing ambition,” he
After an interminable wait
cakes and some lukewarm te
his garden again.
No sooner had he departe
by cats. Six of them all miao
racket was deafening. I o
cake. They devoured them
the milk there was into a s
other to get it.
“Oh,” I cried indignant
wicked. Please, please, ord
other plate of cake.”
Colonel Race departed sile
cats had begun miaowing ag
jug of milk and the cats finis
I got up with determinatio
“I’m going to take those
leave them here.”
 “I’m teaching you to realiz
you to be hard and ruthless—
of strength—and the secret o
“I’d sooner be dead than h
We got into the car and s
together again slowly. Sudde
ment, he took my hand in his
“Anne,” he said gently, “I
me?”
I was utterly taken aback.
“Oh, no,” I stammered. “
“Why not?”
“I don’t care for you in th
of you like that.”
“I see. Is that the only re
I had to be honest. I owe
“No,” I said, “it is not.
one else.”
 “Here reposes the perfect
“Alias the tactful chaperone
the matter?”
For I had burst into a floo
I told her about the cats—
her about Colonel Race. Bu
think she saw that there was
“You haven’t caught a chi
absurd even to suggest such
keep on shivering.”
“It’s nothing,” I said. “N
over my grave. I keep feelin
to happen.”
“Don’t be silly,” said Suz
talk of something interestin
monds-”
“What about them?”
“I’m not sure they’re safe
it—loved it more than any
wished then that I could hav
the heart of the scrub and live
Just before half-past two,
from the “office” and pointed
mist that hovered over one p
“The spray from the Falls
there.”
I was still wrapped in th
exaltation that had succeede
strongly implanted in me was
home. . . . Home! And ye
fore—or had I in dreams?
We walked from the trai
building closely wired again
no roads, no houses. We w
uttered a gasp. There, half
front of us that parted every
minute to show the cataract
again in its impenetrable m
has always been the fascina
sive quality. You always th
you never do.
We crossed the bridge an
path that was marked out w
and led round the brink of th
in a big clearing where on th
towards the chasm.
“The palm gully,” explain
go down? Or shall we leav
take some time, and it’s a go
“We’ll leave it until to-mo
decision. He isn’t at all fon
cise, I have noticed.
and worship you and always s
We got back to the hotel
dinner. Sir Eustace seems
antipathy to Colonel Race.
gently, but didn’t get much
After dinner, he retired to
Miss Pettigrew with him. S
while with Colonel Race, and
immense yawn, that she was
to be left alone with him, so I
room.
But I was far too excited to
undress. I lay back in a c
dreaming. And all the time I
coming nearer and nearer. .
There was a knock at the d
and went to it. A little bla
was addressed to me in a han
ture to suggest, that in tackl
labour-” She paused f
heard him grunt something a
I stole on again. Colonel
did not see him in the loung
feared most! Still, I could w
quickly out of the hotel and
I crossed it and stood ther
any one had followed me, I
bridge. But the minutes pa
had not been followed. I tur
clearing. I took six paces or
thing had rustled behind me.
had followed me from the h
was already here, waiting.
And immediately, without
the sureness of instinct, I kn
was threatened. It was the
pened, my hurried flight fro
the man in the shadows and
falling. . . .
By some miracle or other I
bruised and aching and very
where was I? Moving my h
round me. I was in a sma
walls. On them were hung
tusks of ivory. I was lying
also covered with skins, and
up and felt stiff and uncomf
was alone, and then I saw a
1
ing tone such as he might ha
“Don’t ask any more questi
You’ll be stronger by and by.
“No,” I said urgently. “N
“Then I’ll stay.”
He brought a small stool o
He laid his hand over mine,
I dropped off to sleep once m
It must have been evening
the sun was high in the heav
but as I stirred an old nativ
She was hideous as sin, but s
ingly. She brought me wate
wash my face and hands. T
bowl of soup, and I finished
several questions, but she on
chattered away in a guttural
knew no English.
 “Nearly a month.”
“Oh!” I cried. “I must se
be terribly anxious.”
“Who is Suzanne?”
“Mrs. Blair. I was with h
nel Race at the hotel—but y
He shook his head.
“I know nothing, except
the fork of a tree, unconsciou
arm.”
“Where was the tree?”
“Overhanging the ravine.
ing on the branches, you
dashed to pieces.”
I shuddered. Then a tho
“You say you didn’t know
the note then?”
“What note?”
coldly.
“I am sorry to have infli
torted, “but I seem to have
matter.”
To my surprise his eyes tw
“None whatever. I slung y
a sack of coal and carried yo
primitive man of the Stone
“But for a different reason
He flushed this time, a dee
his face was suffused.
“But you haven’t told me h
ing about so conveniently for
his confusion.
“I couldn’t sleep. I was r
feeling something was going t
the boat and came ashore and
 “You did quite right,” I
not send word to any one.
doesn’t make much differenc
were my own people. They’
—even Suzanne. And who
have known—a great deal.
outsider.”
I managed to mention the
ing at all.
“If you would be guided by
“I don’t expect I shall be,”
there’s no harm in hearing.”
“Do you always do what y
“Usually,” I replied caut
would have said “Always.”
“I pity your husband,” h
“You needn’t,” I retorte
the time. When I am marri
of the time, but every now a
least expects it, I shall show
Can be!”
Harry laughed outright.
“What a cat and dog life y
“Lovers always fight,” I a
don’t understand each other.
understand each other they a
“Does the reverse hold tr
each other always lovers?”
“I—I don’t know,” I said,
He turned away to the fire
“Like some more soup?” h
“Yes, please. I’m so hung
potamus.”
“That’s good.”
He busied himself with the
 “Once you are completely
journey quietly on to Beira
back to England.”
“That would be very tame
“There speaks a foolish s
“I’m not a foolish schoo
“I’m a woman.”
He looked at me with an e
as I sat up flushed and excite
“God help me, so you a
abruptly out.
My recovery was rapid.
tained were a knock on the
arm. The latter was the mo
my rescuer had believed it to
ful examination, however, co
so, and although it was very
use of it quite quickly.
by himself. One evening
finished our simple meal and
of the hut. The sun was sin
Hairpins were necessities o
not been able to provide me
black, hung to my knees. I
lost in meditation. I felt rat
at me.
“You look like a witch, A
there was something in his vo
before.
He reached out his hand a
shivered. Suddenly he spran
“You must leave here to-
cried. “I—I can’t bear any
all. You must go, Anne. Yo
You know yourself that this c
mad. All the world’s before
Mine’s behind me—scorched
ter ashes.”
“If you don’t want me-
“You know I want you.
soul to pick you up in my arm
away from the world, for e
tempting me, Anne. You, w
and your eyes that are golde
never stop laughing even whe
I’ll save you from yourself
to-night. You shall go to B
“I’m not going to Beira,”
“You are. You shall go
you there myself and throw
do you think I’m made of?
night after night, fearing the
again in a slightly different p
growing just over the edge.
stones on them, so that you’d
path when in reality you wer
God help him if I lay my ha
He paused a minute and th
tone:
“We’ve never spoken of th
But the time’s come. I want
—from the beginning.”
“If it hurts you to go ove
said in a low voice.
“But I want you to know
speak of that part of my life
the tricks Fate plays?”
He was silent for a minute
and the velvety darkness of
veloping us like a mantle.
South Africa in common and
untrodden places of the world
Eardsley had a final quarre
man had paid his debts twice
There was a bitter scene be
declared himself at the end o
no more for his son. He mus
while. The result was, as you
men went off to South Am
for diamonds. I’m not going
a wonderful time out there.
understand, but it was a g
19
 “Tell it any way you like,
“We came to Kimberley—
find. We brought a magnif
with us to submit to the expe
at Kimberley—we met her
I stiffened a little, and the h
post clenched itself involunt
“Anita Griinberg—that w
actress. Quite young and ve
African born, but her mother
There was some sort of mys
course, heightened her attract
the wilds. She must have h
fell for her right away, and w
the first shadow that had e
even then it didn’t weaken o
I honestly believe, was willing
to go in and win. But that w
 “Sir Laurence Eardsley ha
succeeded in getting the case
young men ruined and disgra
the stigma of thief attached t
well broke the old fellow’s hea
view with his son in which he
proach imaginable. He had
the family name, but from t
son no longer. He cast him
like the proud young fool th
disdaining to protest his in
father’s disbelief. He came
view—his friend was waiting
was declared. The two frie
know what happened. The b
killed, partly through his ow
ing into unnecessary danger
tarnished. . . .
remain at that. I led a pea
happy nor unhappy—numbe
though I did not realize it
partly the effect of the war.
“And then one day some
right up again. I was takin
boat on a trip up the river,
landing-stage, helping them
uttered a startled exclamatio
on him. He was a small, thi
was staring at me for all he
a ghost. So powerful was h
my curiosity. I made inqui
and learned that his name wa
Kimberley, and that he was
by De Beers’. In a minute
surged over me again. I l
Kimberley.
cally not of the stuff of wh
made.
“I still had the feeling that
thing. As a test, I threaten
then, declaring that I cared v
now. In a frenzy of terror he
It seems that Anita Griinbe
‘Colonel.’ Whilst pretending
stones she had taken from th
in her own possession. Ca
technical knowledge, which to
stones were produced, they w
ity as to be readily identifia
Beers’ would admit at once
passed through their hands.
substitution would be supp
cleared, and suspicion would
quarter. I gathered that, co
in reality sailing for Englan
which left Cape Town in two
to journey down and catch t
“I had no intention of al
my presence on board. I ha
in my time at Cambridge, an
for me to transform myself
man of middle age. I avoide
the boat, keeping to my own c
the pretence of illness.
“I had no difficulty in tr
London. He went straight to
until the following day. He
one o’clock. I was behind h
house-agent in Knightsbridg
ticulars of houses to let on th
“I was at the next table
Then suddenly in walked An
Cannes, I thought that this h
mere pretext for meeting him
that he had been in South A
bery, and never having seen
the conclusion that he himse
nel’ of whom I had heard so
“I followed my two sus
Nadina went into the Hyde P
pace and went in also. She
taurant, and I decided that I
ing me at the moment, bu
Carton. I was in great hop
the diamonds, and that by su
ing myself known to him w
might startle the truth out of
into the Tube station at H
standing by himself at the e
was some girl standing near,
her down to Marlow. She
spoke to the woman at the l
with her. Then I, too, went
He stopped. There was a
“You will believe me, Anne
God that what I am going to
house after her with somethi
heart—and she was dead! I
room—God! It was horrib
more than three minutes beh
sign of any one else in the hou
once the terrible position I wa
the blackmailed had rid himse
the same time had provided
would be ascribed. The han
plain. For the second time I
that I had been to walk into
“I hardly know what I did
Sir Eustace.”
“He was supposed to be in
never went there. I’m pret
Marlow, but of course I can’
“And to think I never su
until the night he tried to
man’s a marvellous actor.”
“Yes, isn’t he?”
“That explains why the Mi
could probably get in and
course he made no objectio
Eustace across in the boat.
the heels immediately. You
bring the jewels with her to
counted on her doing. I fa
them and concealed them so
Castle—that’s where he cam
might have some clue as to w
out in the open to prove his
The one thing we came ba
the identity of the “Colonel
Guy Pagett?
“I should say he was but
“It seems pretty much of a
who murdered Anita GrUnbe
tainly lends colour to the su
the ‘Colonel,’ since Anita’s bu
to be discussed with a subord
that militates against that th
you out of the way on the
20
bering our conversation on th
pos. “He’s a very powerfu
“but not at all my idea of t
such an idea would be absur
ice.”
“How do we know that h
in the world to throw out a
contradicts it, and the rumo
believes it as gospel truth.
all sorts of doubtful doings.
“I do—and I don’t. He
time fascinates me; but I kn
little afraid of him.”
“He was in South Africa, y
Kimberley robbery,” said Ha
“But it was he who told Su
and how he had been in Pari
“Camouflage—of a partic
that?”
“You forget that he declar
knocked him down.”
“Well, suppose that just as
sees me disappearing in the
it for granted that I was his
thought all along it was I he
“It’s possible, yes,” I said
our ideas. And there are oth
“Most of them are open to
followed you in Cape Town
looked at his watch. The m
him the time.”
“It was just a coincidence
“Not exactly. There’s a m
Pagett with the affair. Why
for the murder? Was it beca
berley when the diamonds w
 We had had a momentary
we talked the situation out,
We did not even look at ea
“Very well,” I said, and p
I lay down on the skin-c
sleep, and outside I could he
and down, up and down throu
last he called me:
“Come, Anne, it’s time to
I got up and came out ob
dark, but I knew that dawn
“We’ll take the canoe, not
began, when suddenly he sto
hand.
“Hush! What’s that?”
I listened, but could hea
sharper than mine, however,
lived long in the wilderness.
run alongside it.
“Who’s that?” called out H
Any doubt we might have
tions was swiftly resolved.
round us. Fortunately neit
raised the rifle. It spat murde
I heard two groans and a sp
“That’s given ’em somethi
tered grimly, as he reached f
well back, Anne, for God’s s
More bullets. One just g
answering fire was more dea
rifle reloaded when he turned
with his left arm and kissed
turned to the window again.
“They’re going—had enou
mark out there on the water, a
of us there are. They’re ro
 He ran down to me.
“Just in time. Why—wh
Both had been cut adrift.
“We’re in a tight place, h
“Not with you.”
“Ah, but dying together’s
better than that. See—they
time. Going to land at two
my little scenic effect.”
Almost as he spoke a long
Its light illuminated two cr
gether on the roof.
“My old clothes—stuffed
tumble to it for some time.
try desperate means.”
Hand in hand, we raced
narrow channel of water di
that side.
and wet clothes won’t make
to be done.”
That walk was a nightma
round my legs, and my stocki
thorns. Finally I stopped,
came back to me.
“Hold up, honey. I’ll car
That was the way I came i
his shoulder like a sack of c
that way, I don’t know. The
just breaking. Harry’s friend
odd who kept a store of na
Ned—perhaps he had anothe
didn’t seem in the least surp
dripping wet, holding an equ
hand. Men are very wonde
He gave us food to eat, a
clothes dried for us whilst w
 I was to remain quietly wi
from Harry. The diamonds
Bank at Kimberley under th
“There’s one thing,” I sai
have a code of some kind.
winked again by messages pu
the other.”
“That’s easy enough. An
inely from me will have the
it.”
“Without trade-mark, no
“What about wires?”
“Any wires from me will
“Train will be in before l
ting his head in and withdraw
I stood up.
“And shall I marry a nice
I asked demurely.
repeated his question, laying
was not a waiter but an Im
succeeded in satisfying him t
infectious disease, that I was
purest of motives, and furthe
Christian names and my pla
oured to snatch a little sle
aroused me at 5.30 with a c
called tea. I don’t think I
that that was what I want
unsugared tea, stone cold, a
utterly exhausted, to awaken
21
Mrs. Blair would take the h
kind. Instead she sank into
pered foot in an agitated m
“She’s not in her room.
dream—a terrible dream—t
danger, and I got up and
reassure myself, you know.
bed hadn’t been slept in.”
She looked at me appealin
“What shall I do, Sir Eust
Repressing the desire to r
worry over nothing. An ab
Anne Beddingfeld is perfect
herself,” I frowned judiciall
“What does Race say abou
Why should Race have it
have some of the disadvantag
of female society.
I murmured, “though Race
know better.”
“Do you really think so?”
“I dare say they’ve run aw
I continued soothingly, thou
making an idiotic suggestion
like this, where is there to ri
I don’t know how much lo
making feeble remarks, but a
walked in upon us. At any
—he had been out for a stro
with him. However, I had b
of dealing with the situation
Race had the whole hotel t
minutes. I’ve never seen a
The thing is very extraor
go? She walked out of the h
minutes past eleven, and she
Monday morning.
I don’t know that it’s a v
my young days, I always w
couldn’t hurt themselves—th
care of them. I don’t thin
Blair either.
I can’t make that woman
towards Race has changed.
cat a mouse, and she makes
self to be civil to him. And t
Altogether she is unlike herse
ing and jumping at the least
think that it is high time I
A rumour came along yest
somewhere up the river, with
got very excited. It turned
however. The man had been
get worse. I dare say I sha
way. Mrs. Blair was to have
last minute she changed her
at the Falls. It seems as t
take her eyes off Race. Sh
said, with some hesitation, th
Would I take charge of her
“Not the animals?” I aske
felt that I should get stuck
sooner or later.
In the end we effected a
of two small wooden boxes fo
articles. The animals are to
in vast crates and sent to
Pagett will see to their bein
The people who are pack
of a particularly awkward
going about and saying he d
met him, he was just off to
tates making a three days’ s
himself, and pointing out th
meant something entirely di
I do not have to sit in the L
Africa. The House of Com
least we have only one langu
tion as to length of speeches.
bly before leaving Cape T
haired gentleman with a dro
exactly like the Mock Turt
22
strike leaders said to me and
This morning I was interv
cial. He was urbane, persua
To begin with, he alluded
importance and suggested th
or be removed by him, to Pr
“You expect trouble, the
His reply was so worded as
ever, so I gathered that t
trouble. I suggested to him
letting things go rather far.
“There is such a thing as
and letting him hang himsel
“Oh, quite so, quite so.”
“It is not the strikers them
trouble. There is some or
them. Arms and explosives
we have made a haul of cer
can provide you with two se
the Union Government, and
are an English visitor who
do with the Union.”
“One for your people, and
“Exactly.”
The project did not appea
pens in a case of that kind.
the things up. I should h
wrong person, and it would
shot by a bloodthirsty rebel,
law and order whom I notice
bowler hats and smoking pi
lessly under their arms. Be
myself in Pretoria? Admire
buildings and listen to the e
Johannesburg? I should be
how long. They’ve blown u
about that young woman—sh
one gives to terriers. She ha
turning up smiling. I still do
for her to walk out of the hot
in order to get to Kimberley
way. She must have put on
flown there. And I don’t su
Nobody does—to me. I alw
comes monotonous after a wh
nalism are at the bottom of
the rapids,” by our Special C
I refolded the telegram and
friend. I don’t like the pro
I’m not alarmed for my per
fectly capable of dealing w
would give a considerable s
I wonder if Pagett will have t
whisky with him when he ar
 “I hope they keep poultry
new-laid eggs and the occas
cock will be decidedly agreea
“By the way,” I said, whe
“have you heard that Mis
kicking?”
He nodded.
“She gave us quite a frig
the devil did she go to that n
know.”
“She was on the island all
“Which island? Not the
on it?”
“Yes.”
“How very improper,” I
shocked. He always did disa
I suppose that was the young
to meet in Durban?”
 “She wrote to me from Bu
going home that way. The
child.”
“Somehow, I don’t fancy s
tatively.
“She was just starting whe
I was puzzled. Somebody
stopping to reflect that Anne
for her misleading statement
pleasure of scoring off Race.
I took the telegram from m
him.
“Then how do you expla
lantly.
He seemed dumbfounded.
“She said she was just sta
a dazed voice.
I know that Race is suppo
questions I should like to as
“Certainly, my dear fellow
away.”
“It concerns your secret
“I know nothing about h
foisted himself upon me in Lo
papers—for which I shall be
disappeared like a conjuring
true that I was at the Falls
but I was at the hotel, and
assure you that I never set ey
that I was there.”
I paused for breath.
“You misunderstand me.
tary that I spoke.”
“What? Pagett?” I cri
“He’s been with me eight ye
low.”
 “She was lent to me,” I r
Government.”
He collapsed utterly.
this young man of yours is
lieve every word he says.”
“Of course I do,” I cried
“But what is there in hi
don’t see that there’s anythi
rather reckless good looks
Stone-Age love-making.”
I poured out the vials of
some minutes.
“Just because you’re com
fat, you’ve forgotten that
romance,” I ended.
22
might have kidnapped you so
know what to do about the
keep them in my possessio
Suzanne looked round her u
the walls might have ears,
mently in my ear.
“A distinctly good idea,”
that is. It’s a bit awkward n
do with the cases?”
“The big ones were sent do
from Pagett before I left the
receipt for their storage. He’
by the by, to join Sir Eustac
“I see,” I said thoughtfu
where are they?”
“I suppose Sir Eustace has
I turned the matter over in
tace, but not Guy. Remain w
Andy.”
Eric was our pseudonym f
it is a name I dislike excee
nothing to be done until I
employed herself in sending
the far-off Clarence. She be
him. In her way—which of
me and Harry—she is really
“I do wish he was here, A
a long time since I’ve seen h
“Have some face cream,”
Suzanne rubbed a little
nose.
“I shall want some more
remarked, “and you can o
She sighed. “Paris!”
 The train drew in just te
tumbled out on the platform
down feverishly. I had no
I accosted him eagerly. He
at seeing me—somewhat acc
“Dear me, Miss Beddingf
had disappeared.”
“I have reappeared again,”
how are you, Mr. Pagett?”
“Very well, thank you—lo
my work again with Sir Eus
“Mr. Pagett,” I said, “th
ask you. I hope that you w
hangs on it, more than you ca
know what you were doing at
ary last?”
He started violently.
stand what Pagett was talki
ently:
“It is difficult for a man
put himself in my position.
wrong, but it seemed a harml
thought it better taste on h
outright—instead of indulgin
pense.”
A whistle blew, and the peo
the train.
“Yes, Mr. Pagett,” I brok
with all you’re saying about
you go to Marlow?”
“It was wrong of me, bu
stances—yes, I still feel natu
“What circumstances?” I
For the first time Pagett
handed to me. I tore it op
definite instructions for me
hannesburg, or rather to a st
burg, where I should be met
Andy, but Harry.
I sat down in a chair to d
ing.
Pagett’s powers of being in th
“I’ve already unpacked all
typewriter is in perfect cond
“What do you mean—all
“The two small cases as w
“I wish you wouldn’t be
small cases were no business
Mrs. Blair.”
Pagett looked crestfallen.
take.
“So you can just pack the
tinued. “After that you can
23
 “Some rolls of films and s
kets-”
“There would be,” I assur
kind of woman who never buy
anything.”
“I think that’s all, Sir E
laneous odds and ends, a mo
—that sort of thing.”
“If you hadn’t been a bo
have seen from the start tha
my belongings.”
“I thought some of them
grew.”
“Ah, that reminds me—wh
me out such a doubtful chara
And I told him about the
I had been put through. Imm
a glint in his eye that I knew
lowed him.
“And who do you think I
Miss Pettigrew!”
“What?”
“Yes, Sir Eustace. And
making inquiries about he
“Wait a bit. What happe
“He and Miss Pettigrew
shop-”
I uttered an involuntary e
inquiringly.
“Nothing,” I said. “Go o
“I waited outside for age
At last I went in. Sir Eust
shop! There must be anoth
I stared at him.
“As I was saying, I came
some inquiries about Miss
presence of the razor as proof
sex. Pagett is so hopelessly
not have been at all surprised
rette-case to support his the
has his limits.
“You’re not convinced, Sir
to this?”
I inspected the article whic
antly.
“It looks like hair,” I rem
“It is hair. I think it’s wh
“Indeed,” I commented.
“Now are you convinced
is a man in disguise?”
“Really, my dear Pagett, I
known it by her feet.”
“Then that’s that. And n
speak to you about my priva
suppose you are joking.”
“I am an amusing fellow
trouble, but I can assure you
funny this minute.”
“I hoped that as I was a
recognized me, Sir Eustace.”
“Recognized you where?”
“At Marlow, Sir Eustace?
“At Marlow? What the
Marlow?”
“I thought you understoo
“I’m beginning to underst
to the beginning of the story
to Florence-”
“Then you don’t know afte
nize me!”
“As far as I can judge, yo
self away needlessly—made
 “You take my breath away
she been all these years?”
“We have had a small bun
low, quite close to the Mill
“God bless my soul,” I m
“Four children, Sir Eustac
I gazed at him in a kind
known, all along, that a man
guilty secret. The respecta
been my bane. That’s just
have—a wife and four child
“Have you told this to an
last, when I had gazed at hi
quite a long while.
“Only Miss Beddingfeld.
Kimberley.”
I continued to stare at h
glance.
guns were nearer. It was an
stopped before a somewhat
door was opened by a Kafir b
to enter. I stood irresolute
The man passed me and thre
“The young lady to see M
and laughed.
Thus announced, I passed
furnished and smelt of cheap
desk a man sat writing. He l
brows.
“Dear me,” he said, “if it
24
you?” I asked.
“It certainly would not.”
“My great-aunt Jane alw
lady was neither shocked no
might happen,” I murmured
live up to her precepts.”
I read Mr. Chichester-Pe
written on his face that I has
“You really are positively
said generously. “All the ti
I never recognized you—eve
cil in the shock of seeing me
Town.”
He tapped upon the desk
ing in his hand at the minute
“All this is very well in
business. Perhaps, Miss B
why we required your prese
 I interrupted him.
“I can assure you it’s no go
only wasting time here. I h
with underlings. You will sa
ance by taking me straight t
“To-”
He looked dumbfounded.
“Yes,” I said. “Sir Eusta
“I—I—excuse me-”
He bolted from the room l
tage of the respite to open m
thoroughly. Also I settled m
angle. Then I settled mysel
my enemy’s return.
He reappeared in a subtly
“Will you come this way, M
I followed him up the stair
of a room, a brisk “Come in
 Sir Eustace nodded ruefull
“Yes, I told the fool he’d
didn’t understand of course.
whether I’d recognized him.
wonder what I was doing do
bad luck that was. I arran
sending him off to Florence,
over to Nice for one night
the time the murder was disc
Cannes, with nobody dream
Riviera.”
He still spoke quite natura
to pinch myself to understan
the man in front of me was
inal, the “Colonel.” I follow
“Then it was you who trie
the Kilmorden,” I said slow
followed up on deck that nig
ber of Mines, or wherever it w
phoned down in a hurry, and
by the Government departme
lowed it like a lamb.”
“You’re very frank,” I sai
“There’s no earthly reason
I didn’t quite like the sou
put my own interpretation o
“You believe in the success
burnt your boats.”
“For an otherwise intellig
singularly unintelligent remar
not believe in this Revolution
longer and it will fizzle out
“Not one of your successes
“Like all women, you’ve n
I took on was to supply cer
heavily paid for—to foment
what am I going to do with
disposing of you—and, I may
self—is the way of marriage
husbands, you know, and I’d
wife to hold my hand and gla
—don’t flash them at me so!
see that the plan does not co
“It does not.”
Sir Eustace sighed.
“A pity! But I am no
trouble, I suppose. You love
“I love another.”
“I thought as much—first
legged, pompous ass, Race,
hero who fished you out of t
have no taste. Neither of th
that I have. I’m such an ea
I think he was right about
 I felt a nasty feeling going
course I had known all alon
risk, but the prize had seem
turn out as I had calculated,
“The fact of the matter is,”
“I’ve a weakness for you.
ceed to extremes. Suppose y
from the very beginning, and
of it. But no romancing, mi
I was not going to make an
a great deal of respect for S
was a moment for the truth,
ing but the truth. I told hi
nothing, up to the moment of
I had finished, he nodded his
“Wise girl. You’ve made
And let me tell you I should
you hadn’t. A lot of people
career. Once she was dead a
possession, I was safe. I’ve
that I bungled the job. Tha
and family! My fault—it ti
employ the fellow, with his
and his mid-Victorian soul.
Anne. Don’t let your sense
For years I’ve had an instin
get rid of Pagett, but the fell
conscientious that I honestly
sacking him. So I left thing
“But we’re wandering from
what to do with you. Yo
clear, but there is one thing
are the diamonds now?”
“Harry Rayburn has them
His face did not change,
sardonic good-humour.
 “I’m far too tender-hearte
He shall go free too—on th
that neither of you will inter
“And what guarantee have
side of the bargain?”
“None whatever, my dear g
and hope for the best. Of c
mood and prefer annihilation
This was what I had been
not to jump at the bait. Gr
be bullied and cajoled into yi
tace’s dictation:

Dear Harry,
I think I see a chance of
beyond any possible doubt.
tions minutely. Go to Agrasa
something “out of the ordinar
mons.
“This letter is to go imme
“Very well, Colonel.”
He looked at the name on
was watching him keenly.
“A friend of yours, I thin
“Of mine?”
The man seemed startled.
“You had a prolonged co
hannesburg yesterday.”
“A man came up and ques
ments and those of Colonel
ing information.”
“Excellent, my dear fello
tace genially. “My mistake
I chanced to look at Chi
the room. He was white to
terror. No sooner was he
back to him. That was a
thought she’d have them with
too clever for that. Carton
too—I’d no clue whatsoever
were hidden. Then I manage
message sent to Nadina by s
morden—either Carton or Ra
It was a duplicate of that pie
‘Seventeen one twenty two,’
appointment with Rayburn,
perate to get aboard the Kilm
I was right. So I pretended
and let him come. I kept a
him and hoped that I should
Minks trying to play a lone
me. I soon stopped that.
It was annoying not getting C
not being able to place you
I had no hesitation whatever
body would think of suspect
“What about Colonel Race
“Yes, that was a nasty ja
was a Secret Service fellow,
down the spine. I rememb
around Nadina in Paris dur
horrible suspicion that he wa
the way he’s stuck to me ev
strong, silent men who hav
their sleeve.”
A whistle sounded. Sir E
listened for a minute or two
“Very well, I’ll see him n
“Business,” he remarked.
you your room.”
He ushered me into a sma
boy brought up my small su
ment because it facilitated m
you to decoy Harry Rayburn
the diamonds have been in
left the Falls—though I only
day.”
“You know!” I gasped.
“It may interest you to hea
the show away. He insisted
pointless story about a wager
take me long to put two and
distrust of Colonel Race, he
I would take care of her souv
25
will pit yourselves against p
“What’s the meaning of t
“It means that you have
said the spider to the fly,”
tiously. “My dear Raybur
unlucky.”
“You said I could come s
“Do not reproach her, my
written at my dictation, and
self. She would have been w
not tell her so at the time. Y
went to the curio-shop, wer
passage from the back room
hands of your enemies!”
Harry looked at me. I
edged nearer to Sir Eustace.
“Yes,” murmured the latt
lucky! This is—let me see,
 Sir Eustace gave the orde
Harry shot the bolt across th
“Now we can talk,” he
ing across the room, he to
hand.
Sir Eustace uttered a sigh
head with a handkerchief.
“I’m shockingly out of c
think I must have a weak he
is in competent hands. I did
Well, my young friend, as yo
willing to admit that you sto
the devil that revolver came f
girl’s luggage searched when
you produce it from now?
minute ago?”
“Yes, I had,” I replied.
“I don’t know enough abo
attract Sir Eustace’s attentio
“Has it?” said Harry aga
and listen to what I have to s
the revolver, he went on: “Th
time. To begin with, listen
That was a dull banging
were shouts, oaths, and then
tace paled.
“What’s that?”
“Race—and his people.
Sir Eustace, that Anne had
which we should know wheth
to the other were genuine?
‘Andy,’ letters were to have
somewhere in them. Anne k
a fake. She came here of
deliberately into the snare,
catch you in your own trap.
of the secret passage. In s
took, they were successful in
Sir Eustace turned sudden
“Very clever. Very credi
to say. If I’ve lost the trick
be able to bring the murder
was in Marlow on that day,
me. No one can prove tha
But you knew her, you had a
your record’s against you.
thief. There’s one thing you
got the diamonds. And here
With an incredibly swift m
up his arm and threw. The
glass, as the object went thr
peared into the blazing mass
“There goes your only ho
cence over the Kimberley aff
 Sir Eustace chuckled. He
least emotion.
“Well, well,” he remarked
your master, Anne. But I ca
rectitude does not always p
There was a crash of re
surged up the stairs. Harry
Race was the first to enter
the sight of us.
“You’re safe, Anne. I w
to Sir Eustace. “I’ve been
Pedler—and at last I’ve got
“Everybody seems to have
clared Sir Eustace airily.
been threatening me with re
the most shocking things.
about.”
“Don’t you? It means th
to England. I was posing at
She told me of her purpose.
kind of man she had to dea
my advice. There was a w
I read it. Afterwards I tho
the diamonds myself. In J
accosted me. He persuaded
Sir Eustace looked at him.
seemed visibly to wilt.
“Rats always leaving a
Eustace. “I don’t care for
stroy vermin.”
“There’s just one thing I’d
I remarked. “That tin yo
didn’t contain the diamonds.
it. The diamonds are in a
matter of fact, they’re in th
zanne hollowed it out, put t
accompanied by a strong g
airily to us on departing.
I came out on to the stoep
ing and looked across the
hannesburg. I could see th
the pale morning sunshine,
rumbling mutter of the gun
over yet.
The farmer’s wife came ou
fast. She was a kind, moth
very fond of her. Harry ha
not yet returned, so she infor
26
 “I wish,” I said, “that one
people were the ones to get k
wanted to fight—not just all
to live in the parts where the
He nodded.
“I know what you mean, A
of war. But I’ve other news
“Yes?”
“A confession of incompe
has managed to escape.”
“What?”
“Yes. No one knows ho
securely locked up for the ni
of one of the farms roundabo
taken over, but this morning
bird had flown.”
Secretly I was rather please
he had gone off at dawn and
morning.
“You understand, don’t y
formalities, he is completely
calities, of course, but Sir Eu
There is nothing now to kee
He said this without look
voice.
“I understand,” I said gr
“And there is no reason
resume his real name.”
“No, of course not.”
“You know his real name
The question surprised me
“Of course I do. Harry
He did not answer, and so
silence struck me as peculia
man was very great. I looke
“I think that you’ll go ver
think that you’ve got a great
be one of the world’s big men
I felt as though I was utte
“I shall be alone, though.
“All the people who do re
“You think so?”
“I’m sure of it.”
He took my hand and said
“I’d rather have had—the
Then Harry came stridin
house. Colonel Race rose.
“Good morning—Lucas,”
For some reason Harry flu
hair.
 “I see,” I said slowly. I
mind the story he had told me
discrepancies in it which I
ance of money, the power to
Nadina, the way in which he
both men from the point of
when he had said “my friend
ley, but Lucas. It was Luca
loved Nadina so deeply.
“How did it come about?”
“We were both reckless—
26
by his cable. She was never
quiet chap—very deep. But
temper. She’d have been sc
known that I’d come to life
“Harry, if Colonel Race h
mean to do?”
“Say nothing. Go on as
“And your father’s millio
“Race was welcome to the
a better use of them than I
you thinking about? You’re
“I’m thinking,” I said s
Colonel Race hadn’t made y
“No. He was right. I o
He paused, then said sudd
“You know, Anne, I’m jea
too—and he’s a bigger man
I turned to him, laughing
sleep. I was miserable, and I
leaving Africa. When I cam
the same thing? Would it ev
And then I was startled
the shutter. I sprang up. H
side.
“Put some clothes on, Ann
speak to you.”
I huddled on a few garmen
cool night air—still and sce
Harry beckoned me out of ea
looked pale and determined a
“Anne, do you remember sa
enjoyed doing the things th
some one they liked?”
“Yes,” I said, wondering w
He caught me in his arms
“Anne, come away with
on. Let’s go.”
“My toothbrush?” I demu
“You can buy one. I k
God’s sake, come!”
He stalked off at a furiou
meekly as the Barotsi woman
Only I wasn’t carrying a f
walked so fast that it was v
him.
“Harry,” I said at last, in
ing to walk all the way to
He turned suddenly and w
gathered me up in his arms
“I’m mad, sweetheart, I k
so.”
“We’re a couple of luna
never asked me, but I’m not
wanted to come!”
but one day you will sudden
in Park Lane, sumptuous fu
thing in motors and the lat
French maids and Norland
But have your honeymoo
be a long one. And think of
putting on weight amidst th

P.S.—I am sending you a

as a wedding present, and an
foie gras to remind you of m
27
shall be the central figure.
By this time I have no d
Anne Beddingfeld, but Lad
Park Lane. I should just li
malice whatever. It is hard
all over again at my time of
little reserve fund carefully
tingency. It has come in ve
together a nice little connecti
come across that funny frie
just tell him that I haven’t fo
will give him a nasty jar.
On the whole I think I hav
and forgiving spirit. Even to
that he—or rather Mrs. Page
into the world the other da
populated by Pagetts soon.
and, on a post card, declar
think that settles the matte
criminating. I talked it ov
down to a “fear complex.”
psycho-analysis. She pointed
whole life was actuated by a
fortable. He had an acute
And the murder of Nadina
His actions did not represe
towards me, but were the res
own safety. I think Suzann
she was the kind of woman
do all sorts of questionable
but women shouldn’t preten
aren’t for ulterior motives.
I can forgive Sir Eustace
never forgive Nadina. Neve
The other day I was unp
wrapped in bits of an old D
“Platycephalic!”

THE