The Captive

Trecorn Manor

In a few days I had passed out of the fantastic unreal world into normality. I was amazed by the manner in which I had been received by the Embassy. It almost made me feel that for a girl to be shipwrecked and sold into a harem was not such an unusual occurrence as I had imagined it to be.

Piracy must have been abolished almost a century ago, but there were still some who continued to ply their evil trade on the high seas, and potentates still maintained their seraglios behind high walls guarded by eunuchs, as they had in days gone by. Certain acts might not be performed openly, but they still existed.

The Embassy was a small enclave-a little bit of England in a foreign land, and from the moment I entered its portals I felt that I had come home.

I was soon divested of my foreign garments and conventional clothes were found for me. I was questioned and I gave my account of what had happened. It was well known that the Atlantic Star had foundered and there had been few survivors. Immediate contact would be made with London. I told my story of our escape with the help of one of the crew hands, how we had reached the island, where we had been picked up by corsairs who had sold us into slavery. I knew that I must say nothing about Simon’s having escaped with me. My story was immediately accepted.

I was to stay in the Embassy for a while. I must try to relax, I was told, and to remember that I was now safe. I saw a doctor, an elderly Englishman, who was very kind and gentle. He asked me a few questions. I told him how I had been befriended and had been unmolested all the time I had been there. That seemed to give him great relief. He said I appeared to be in good health but I must take care. Such an ordeal as I had suffered could have had an effect on me which might not at first be discernible. If I wished to talk of it I was to do so; but if not, my wishes would be respected.

I was thinking a great deal about Simon, for naturally I could not get him out of my mind. This made me preoccupied and those about me probably thought I was brooding on the horror from which I had escaped.

Moreover, I could not help wondering what was happening at the seraglio and what Rani’s reaction had been when she had discovered that I had gone instead of Fatima. And what would have happened when Simon’s departure had been discovered? Fortunately the Chief Eunuch had been involved and he would doubtless see that there was as little fuss as possible. Rani would be very angry, I was sure. But even she had to bow to the Chief Eunuch.

I wondered about Nicole. Her debt was handsomely paid and I fervently hoped that she would be rewarded for all she had done for me and keep herself and Samir in high favour with the Pasha.

But I should never know. They had passed out of my life as suddenly as they had come into it.

Then I would be overcome by the wonder of freedom. I should soon be home. I should live the life of a normal English girl. I must never cease to be thankful that I had come safely through that ordeal except that, on achieving freedom, I had lost Simon.

Those days I spent in the Embassy seem vague to me now. I would wake in the morning for a few seconds believing I was on my divan. The terrible apprehension would come flooding back.

Will it be today that the summons will come? I had not realized until this time what a strain I had lived through.

Then I would remember where I was and a feeling of relief would sweep over me . until I thought of Simon. How was he faring in that strange city? Had he been able to find a ship on which he could work his way to Australia? I supposed it was one of the best places he could go to in the circumstances. How could he survive? He was young and strong as well as resourceful. He would find a way. And one day when he was able to prove his innocence he would come home. Perhaps I should see him again and we could resume our friendship from where it had been cut off. He had hinted that he loved me. Did he mean in a special way or was it just that affection which naturally grows up between two people who had endured what we had together?

Free to go home, back to the house in Bloomsbury. Or was the house still ours? What had happened to my parents? Were Mr. Dolland, Mrs. Harlow, Meg and Emily still in the kitchen? How could they be if my parents were not there? I had often pictured the scene, Mr. Dolland at the end of the table, his spectacles pushed up on to his forehead, telling them about the shipwreck. But if my parents had not returned, what would have happened to my friends in the kitchen?

Sometimes life here seemed as uncertain as it had within the walls of the seraglio.

The Ambassador asked me to go and see him one day, which I did. He was tall, dignified with a ceremonial manner. He was very kind and gentle to me, as was everyone at the Embassy.

He said: “I have news. Some good … some bad. The good news is that your father survived the shipwreck. He is at his home now in Bloomsbury. The bad news is that

your mother was lost at sea. Your father has been informed of your safety and looks forward to your homecoming. Mr. and Mrs. Deardon are going home in a few days when their leave falls due. It seems a good idea and would be most convenient-if you travelled with them.”

I was only half listening. My mother dead! I tried hard to remember her but could only think of her absentminded smile when her eyes alighted on me.

“Ah … the child …” and “This is our daughter, Rosetta. You will find her somewhat untutored, I fear.” I could remember Felicity on that occasion far more distinctly. And now my mother was dead. That cruel ocean had claimed her. I had always thought of her and my father together and I wondered what he was like without her.

Mrs. Deardon came to me. She was a plump, comfortably cosy woman who talked continually, which I often found a relief as I had no wish to say much myself.

“My dear,” she cried.

“What an ordeal you have suffered. All you have been through! Never mind. Jack and I will look after you. We shall take ship from Constantinople to Marseilles and then travel through France to Calais. What a journey! I always dread it. But there it is.

Needs must. But you do know that every minute you are getting nearer home. “

She was the sort of woman who gives you a summary of her life in five minutes or so. I learned that Jack had always been in the Service, that he and she had gone to school together, married when they were both twenty, had two children, Jack Junior who was now in the Foreign Office, and Martin who was still at university. He would assuredly go into one of the Services. It was a family tradition.

I could see that she was going to relieve me of making conversation and perhaps saying something I might regret. My great fear at this time was that I might be led into being indiscreet which would involve Simon. I must at all costs respect his desire for secrecy. I must remember that if his is whereabouts were betrayed he would be brought back to face a death sentence.

In Mrs. Deardon’s company I went out to buy some clothes. We sat side by side in the carriage while she chattered all the time. She and Jack had been in Constantinople for three years.

“What a place! I was thrilled when Jack first heard of the posting .. now I’d do anything to get out. I’d like a nice cosy place … Paris Rome … somewhere like that. Not too far from home. This place is miles away and so foreign. My dear, the customs! And what goes on on the Turkish side! Heaven alone knows, you’d have experience of that. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned it. My dear, I know how you feel. Do forgive me. Look! You can see across the water to Scutari. That was very much in evidence during the Crimean War when wonderful, wonderful Florence Nightingale took out her nurses. I do believe they played a bigger part in the eventual victory than people know. We’re on the north side of the Golden Horn, dear. The other side is quite sinister. Oh, there I go again … we’re not far from Galata, that’s the merchants’ quarter … founded by the Genoese centuries ago. Jack will tell you all about that. He’s interested in that sort of thing. Mind you, the streets are incredibly noisy and dirty. Our people wouldn’t risk going there. We’re in the best neighbourhood Pera, you know. Most of the embassies are there … the legations and the consulates. There are some fine houses too.”

While she was talking, I would go into a kind of dream. Pictures of the island would flash in and out of my mind . of going off with Simon, leaving Lucas to watch for a sail . and then the arrival of the galley. On and on . and I would come back to the question: Where is he now? What will become of him? Shall I ever know?

“Now here is a very good tailor. Let’s see what he can do. We have to get you presentable for home.”

Her discourse went on. The great charm about it was that she did not expect replies.

It seemed a long time before we sailed from Constantinople. To board the ship much smaller than the Atlantic Star to gaze across the Bosphorus at historic Scutari, where our men had suffered so much in that hospital which from a distance looked like a Moorish Palace, to look back at the towers and minarets of Constantinople, was an emotional experience.

Mr. Deardon was a tall man with greying hair and a somewhat dignified manner. He was the archetypal English diplomat rather aloof, giving the impression that nothing could ruffle his composure or break through his reserve.

The journey to Marseilles was, as Mrs. Deardon had predicted, uncomfortable. The Apollo, being many times smaller than the Atlantic Star, took a battering from the rough seas as severe as I had previously suffered, and there were times when it seemed like a dream and that it was going to start again. If the Atlantic Star had succumbed to the fury of the storm, I wondered how the frail Apollo could survive.

Mrs. Deardon took to her bunk and did not emerge. I missed her discourse. Mr. Deardon accepted the fury of the storm with the equilibrium I expected of him. I was sure he would remain serene and dignified, no matter what the disaster.

I could now go on deck and I recalled vividly that occasion when Simon had found me there during the great storm and had chided me and sent me down. I thought: All my life there will be memories of him.

At length the ordeal was over. Mrs. Deardon quickly recovered and was her old garrulous self. Mr. Deardon listened to her perpetual chatter with composed resignation; but I was glad of it. I could listen to it vaguely while inwardly following my own thoughts, secure in the knowledge that if I betrayed inattention I should be immediately forgiven on account of the ordeal through which I had passed.

There followed the long journey through France and finally the arrival at Calais and the Channel crossing.

The sight of the white cliffs of Dover affected us all. Tears came to Mrs. Deardon’s eyes and even her husband, for the first time, showed a certain emotion by the twitching of his lips.

“It’s home, dear,” said Mrs. Deardon.

“It’s always the same. You just think of Easter and the daffodils … and the green grass. There’s no green like our green. It’s what you think of when you’re away. And the rain, dear, the blessed rain. Do you know, in Egypt they go for a year or even two without seeing a drop just those horrible sandstorms. We were in I’mailia … how many years, Jack, was it? Surely it wasn’t that . and . and hardly ever saw rain. That’s what it is, dear. It’s the white cliffs. Home. It’s good to see them.”

And after that, London.

The Deardons insisted on delivering me.

“You must come in and meet my father,” I said.

“He will want to thank you.”

Mrs. Deardon was eager to do so, but Mr. Deardon was firm, and in this he showed his talent for diplomacy.

“Miss Cranleigh will want to meet her family alone,” he said.

I looked at him gratefully and said: “My father will most certainly wish to thank you personally. Perhaps you could come and dine with us soon.”

“That,” said Mr. Deardon, ‘would be a great pleasure. “

So I said goodbye to them in the cab which waited until I had rung the doorbell and the door was opened. Then immediately and discreetly, Mr. Deardon ordered the cabby to drive on.

The door was opened by Mr. Dolland.

I gave a cry of joy and threw myself into his arms. He coughed a little. I did not realize at that moment that our household had changed. And there was Mrs. Harlow. I rushed at her. There were tears in her eyes.

“Oh, Miss Rosetta, Miss Rosetta,” she cried, embracing me.

“You’re really here. Oh … it’s been terrible.”

And there were Meg and Emily.

“It is wonderful to see you all,” I cried.

And then . Felicity. We flew to each other and clung.

“I had to come,” she said.

“I’m here for two days. I said to James, ” I’ve got to go. “

“Felicity! Felicity! How wonderful to see you,” There was a little cough. Over Felicity’s head I saw my father. He looked awkward and embarrassed.

I went to him.

“Oh, Father,” I said.

He took me into his arms and held me rather stiffly. It must have been the first time he had ever done so.

“Welcome … welcome home, Rosetta,” he began.

“I cannot express .. “

I thought then: He does care for me. He does. It is just that . he cannot express.

A tall thin woman was standing a pace or two behind him. For half a second I thought my mother had been saved after all. But it was someone else.

“Your Aunt Maud is here,” said my father.

“She came to look after me and the household when …”

Aunt Maud! My father’s sister. I had seen her only once or twice during my childhood. She was tall and rather gaunt. She had a look of my father, but she entirely lacked his obvious helplessness.

“We are all tremendously relieved that you are now safely home, Rosetta,” she was saying.

“It has been an anxious time for your father for us all.”

“Yes,” I said, “for all of us.”

“Well, now you are back. Your room is ready. Oh, it is such a relief that you are home!”

I felt numb with surprise.

Aunt Maud here . in my mother’s place. Nothing would be the same again.

How right I was. The house had changed. Aunt Maud had proved to be a strict disciplinarian. The kitchen was now orderly. There was no question of my having meals there. I should have them with my father and Aunt Maud in the proper manner. Fortunately, for those first few days Felicity was with us.

I could not wait to hear the verdict of the kitchen. Mr. Dolland discreetly said that Miss Cranleigh was a good manager and no one could help but respect her. Mrs. Harlow agreed.

“Things were not really run right in the old days,” she said.

“Mind you, Mr. Dolland worked wonders but there ought to be either a master or a mistress in a house and a mistress is better because she knows what’s what.”

So Aunt Maud apparently knew what was what; but the old unconventional house had disappeared and I desperately longed to catch the old flavour.

Mr. Dolland still did the occasional ‘turn’, but The Bells had lost their horror for me. Having passed through some horrific adventures myself, I could no longer get a thrill out of the murder of the Polish Jew. Meg and Emily regretted the old days; but one thing I could rejoice in was the fact that some of those who had shared them were still here.

Meals were naturally different. Everything had to be served in the correct manner. The conversation was no longer dominated by ancient finds and the translation from some piece of papyrus. Aunt Maud discussed politics and the weather; and she told me that when my father had got over mourning for my mother, she proposed to give a few dinner parties . for his colleagues from the Museum . professors and suchlike.

I was glad Felicity was with us for these first days, apart from my joy in seeing her. I knew that if she had not been there I should have wanted to shut myself away in my bedroom and avoid those interminable meals. But Felicity did lighten the conversation with amusing stories about life in Oxford and the exploits of her son Jamie, now aged three, and little Flora who was not yet one.

“You must come and see them, Rosetta,” she said.

“I am sure your father will spare you after a while. Now, of course, you have just come home …”

“Of course, of course,” said my father.

I could talk more freely to Felicity and I needed to talk. But I must do so guardedly even to her. It was very difficult to speak of my adventures because Simon had played such an important part in them and the fact that I must not betray him made me very reticent, lest by some odd remark I might do so.

But Felicity and I had been so close and she guessed something was on my mind.

On the day after my arrival she came to my room. It was clear to me that, sensing some problem, she wanted to help me with it. If only someone could do that!

She burst out suddenly: “Tell me frankly, Rosetta. Do you want to talk? I know how difficult it must be to discuss what has happened. Do say if it is. B.ut I think it might help …”

I hesitated.

“I’m not sure …”

“I understand. It must have been very frightening. Your father told us how you were lost when you went back for his notes.”

“Oh yes. It’s strange how little things like that can change one’s life.”

“He blames himself, Rosetta. I know he doesn’t betray his emotions .. but that does not mean they are not there.”

“Everything is so different now,” I said.

“The house … everything.

I know it can never again be as it used to. “

“It really is a very good thing that your Aunt Maud is here, Rosetta.”

“We never saw much of her when I was young. I scarcely recognized her.

It seems so strange that she should be here now. “

“I gathered she and your mother did not get on. That’s easy to understand. They were so different. Your parents were so immersed in their work and … your aunt is so efficient in running a house.”

I gave her a wry smile.

“I liked ours as it was … inefficient.”

“Your father misses your mother … terribly. They were so close in everything they did … always together. It is a sad blow for him.

He cannot. “

“Cannot express,” I said.

She nodded.

“And you, Rosetta, when you feel more settled you must come and stay with us. James would be delighted and you would love the children. Jamie is a very independent young gentleman and Flora is just beginning to toddle. They are adorable.”

“It would be lovely to come.”

“You have only to say. I shall have to go back the day after tomorrow.

But I had to be here for your’re turn. “

“How glad I am that you were!”

“By the way, did you hear about Lucas Lorimer?”

“Lucas … no!”

“Oh … didn’t you? I suppose you wouldn’t. He came back, you know.”

“He came back …” I repeated.

“Obviously you haven’t heard. He told us the story. We thought you had been drowned and it was a great relief to hear that you had escaped the wreck. But we were terribly worried to hear you had fallen into the hands of those wicked people. I’ve had nightmares wondering what had happened.”

“Tell me about Lucas.”

“It’s a very sad story. That it should happen to him! I’ve only seen him once since he came back. James and I went down to Cornwall. James was lecturing at a college in Truro … and we called at Trecorn Manor. I don’t think he is very pleased to see anyone. Trecorn Manor is a lovely old place. It’s been in the family for years. Lucas’s brother Carleton inherited. That was another sore point. It’s always a bit of a strain for a man like that to be a second son. He used to be such a vital person.”

“What happened to him?”

“As you know, he was captured with you, but he somehow made a bargain with those people. He persuaded them to free him in exchange for some family jewels. How it was done I don’t quite know. He obviously didn’t want to talk about it, and one can’t ask questions … not too many in any case. However, they let him go. It was a sort of ransom. Poor Lucas, he’ll never be the same again. He so loved to travel. James always said he was something of a dilettante. It’s his leg, you see.

It was terribly hurt in the wreck. Of course, if it had had attention at the time. He’s been to various bone people getting advice . all over the country and abroad . Switzerland and Germany . but it is always the same story. It was neglected at the vital time. He limps badly and has to walk with a stick and he’s in considerable pain. He is a little better, I believe, but the leg will never be right. It’s changed him. He used to be so witty and amusing . now he-is quite morose. He is the last person this should have happened to. “

I was back in the past. I saw him clinging to the lifeboat, our clumsy efforts to set his leg . lying on the island, keeping watch for a sail while Simon and I went off to forage and talk secrets.

“So you don’t see him often …”

“No. It’s not really all that far away. I’ve asked him t( come and stay, but he declines my invitations. I think h< doesn’t want to go anywhere … or to see anyone. Yoi see, it is a complete change. He used to live such a bus social life, and he seemed to enjoy it.”

“I should like to see him again.”

“Why, yes. He might be interested in that. Or perhaps h< wouldn’t want to be reminded. It may be that he is trying to forget. I tell you what I will do. Come and stay and I’l invite him too. He might make the effort to see you. Aftei all, you were together on that island.”

“Oh, please arrange it. Felicity.”

“I certainly shall… and soon.”

I felt excited at the prospect, but even to Lucas I coult not talk of Simon. That was our secret. shared only b^ us two. Simon had told me because he trusted me. I mus respect that trust. If he were hunted down and brough back through me, I should never forgive myself. To Lucas Simon must remain the deck hand who saved our lives.

Felicity had to go home and the house seemed dull. Ther was an air of such normality about it that I was forced t look facts in the face and make a logical conclusion.

I had deluded myself into thinking that when I was horn I should be able to prove Simon’s innocence. How? I askec myself now. How did I set about it? Go to his home? Gei to know people who had played a part in the drama which had led up to the shooting? I could not go to Perrivak Court and say: “I know Simon is innocent and I have com to uncover the truth and solve the mystery.” How could ] behave as though I were an investigator from Scotlanc Yard!

I needed time to think. I was obsessed by the need to prove his innocence so that he could come back and leac a normal life. But suppose I did achieve this seemingi) impossible task, where should I find him? The whole scheme was wildly fantastic. It had no place in this logical world.

Aunt Maud’s influence on the house was very marked. Its furniture was highly polished. Floors shone, brass gleamed and everything, however small, was in the place designed for it. Daily she went to the kitchen to consult Mrs. Harlow on meals and both Mrs. Harlow and Mr. Dolland had assumed a new dignity; and even Meg and Emily did their work in a more orderly fashion-not cutting it short to sit over meals and listen to Mr. Holland’s discourse on the old days of the drama; and I was sure that if they did indulge in this diversion, they would be interrupted by an imperious ringing, and Mr. Dolland would have to leave his performance to don his black coat to make his ceremonial appearance above stairs.

I think I minded it more than they did. We had all been so happy-go-lucky in the past, but I came to realize that good servants prefer a well-run house to a happy one.

I often found Aunt Maud watching me speculatively. I knew that in due course I should be dragooned into her scheme of things, and in Aunt Maud’s eyes there would be only one course to pursue since I was a young and nubile woman: marriage. These dinner parties she had hinted at would have a definite purpose: the search for a suitable husband for me. I pictured him: earnest, slightly balding, learned, erudite, perhaps a professor who had already made his mark in the academic world. Someone rather like James Grafton only not so attractive.

Perhaps he would be attached to the British Museum or Oxford or Cambridge. It would keep me in the circle in which my family moved.

Aunt Maud might think my father was absentminded and I gathered that she had had little respect for my mother as a housewife, which was the reason why we had seen so little of her during my mother’s lifetime -but he was well respected in his profession and therefore it would be wise for me to marry into it. I was sure she felt that, schooled by her, unlike my mother, I might make a professor’s wife and a good housewife at the same time.

She would preside over the affair and therefore it would be conducted in the most orthodox manner. Aunt Maud hated to waste anything including time. I believed that, but for my strange adventure, operations would have been commenced long ago. As it was, I was allowed a little respite.

The doctor had evidently warned Aunt Maud that I must be treated with a certain care. The ordeal through which I had passed must not be forgotten and I needed time to rehabilitate myself to a civilized way of life in my own way. Aunt Maud followed his instructions with brisk efficiency, and my father did the same, remaining aloof. Mrs. Harlow did so by making sure that I was comfortably seated and speaking to me rather as she used to when I was five years old. Even Mr. Dolland lowered his voice and I would find Meg and Emily regarding me with awe struck wonder.

Only once did my father refer to the shipwreck. He told me how they had been caught up in a crowd going for the boats. They had wanted to wait for me, to go back and find me . but one of the officers had taken their arms and more or less forced them to go with the crowd.

“We thought you would join us at any minute,” he said piteously.

“It was such chaos,” I said.

“It couldn’t have been other wise.”

“I lost your mother while they were pushing us into the boats …”

“We mustn’t brood on it,” I said.

“If you hadn’t gone back for those notes we should all have been together …”

“No … no. You and my mother were parted … so should we have been.”

He was so distressed that I knew we must not speak of it. He must try to forget, I told him.

All this affected me deeply, and I felt a great desire to escape, to go down to Cornwall, to find Perrivale Court and to begin the impossibe task of finding out what really happened. I needed time. I needed a plan. I wanted desperately to take some action, but I was not sure how to begin.

I went down to the kitchen to try to recapture the spirit of the old days. I asked Mr. Dolland for “To be or not to be’ and the speech before Harfleur. He obliged, but I fancied he lacked his previous flair and they were all watching me rather than Mr. Dolland.

I said to him: “Do you remember … just before I went away … there was a murder case?”

“What was that, Miss Rosetta? Let me see. There was that man who married women for their money.”

“And then done ‘em in,” added Mrs. Harlow.

“I wasn’t thinking of that. I mean the case of those brothers … one of them was shot in an empty farmhouse. Didn’t someone run away?”

“Oh, I know the one you mean. It was the Bindon Boys case.”

“Yes, that’s the one. Did you ever hear what happened?”

“Oh … the murderer got away. I don’t think they ever caught him.”

“He was smarter than the police,” added Mrs. Harlow.

“I remember now,” said Mr. Dolland.

“It all comes back to me. It was Simon Perrivale … adopted when he was a child. He shot the brother.

There was a woman, I believe. Jealousy and all that. “

“I know you keep newspaper cuttings, Mr. Dolland. Do you have any of that case?”

“Oh, it’s only theatre things he cuts out,” said Mrs. Harlow.

“This play and that… and what actor and actress. That’s right, ain’t it, Mr. Dolland?”

“Yes,” replied Mr. Dolland.

“That’s what I keep. What did you want to know about the case, Miss Rosetta?”

“Oh … I just wondered if you kept cuttings, that’s all. I knew you had albums . you see, it was just before I went away . ” I trailed off.

Glances passed between them.

“Oh, I reckon that’s all done with now,” said Mrs. Harlow, as though soothing a child.

“The police never close a case,” added Mr. Dolland.

“Not till they’ve found the murderer and it’s settled and done with. They keep it on their files, as they say. One of these days they’ll catch up with him.

He’ll make a false step. Perhaps only one is needed, and then hey presto . they’ve got him. “

“They do say,” said Mrs. Harlow, ‘that murderers can never resist coming back to the scene of the crime. That’s what this Simon whatever-his-name-is will do one of these days. You can bet your life on it. “

Would he ever come back? I wondered.

What could I do? I had only this wild dream that I should prove his innocence and then he could come back without fear. He would know freedom again and we should be together.

Several weeks had passed. After living in perpetual fear and apprehension, the predictably peaceful days seemed to go on interminably.

Aunt Maud tried to interest me in household matters-all the things which it was good for a girl to know. She believed firmly that it was her duty to do what my parents had failed to: prepare me for my marriage. I must learn how to deal with servants. My manner towards them left much to be desired. It was necessary, of course, to maintain a certain friendliness but it should be aloof. I was too familiar and it encouraged them to be so with me. One could not blame them. What I needed was a mixture of indiscernible condescension, amiability without familiarity, so that, however friendly one felt towards them, the line between up-and downstairs was never allowed to slip. She did not blame me. Others were responsible. But there was no reason why I should continue in this unsatisfactory strain. I must first of all learn how to deal with servants. I should listen to her, Aunt Maud, ordering the meals; I might be present on one or two occasions when she paid her daily visit to the kitchen. I must try to improve my needlework and practise more on the pianoforte. She hinted at music lessons. Soon, she told me she would launch her scheme, for bringing people to the house.

I wrote to Felicity.

“Please, Felicity, I want to get away. If you could invite me … soon.”

There was an immediate reply.

“Come when you can. Oxford and the Graftons await you.”

“I am going to stay awhile with Felicity,” I told Aunt Maud.

She smiled smugly. With Felicity I should meet young men . the right sort of young men. It did not matter from which spot the scheme was launched. Operation Marriage could begin just as well in Oxford as in Bloomsbury.

To arrive in Oxford was an exciting experience. I had always loved what little I had seen of it. that most romantic of cities standing where the Cherwell and the Thames Isis here meet, its towers and spires reaching to the sky, its air of indifference to the workaday world. I loved the city, but what was most pleasant was to be with Felicity.

The Graftons had a house near Broad Street close to Balliol, Trinity and Exeter Colleges, not far from the spot where the martyrs Ridley and Latimer were burned to death for their religious opinions. The past was all around one and I found peace from Aunt Maud’s efficiency and the far from subtle care which everyone in the house seemed determined to bestow upon me.

With Felicity it was different. She understood me better than the others. She knew that there were secrets which I could not bring myself to discuss. Perhaps she thought I should one day. In any case she was perceptive enough to know that she must wait for me to do so and make no attempt to prise them from me.

James was tactful and charming and the children provided a great diversion. Jamie chattered quite a lot; he showed me his picture-books and proudly pointed out a pussycat and a train. Flora regarded me suspiciously for a while, but eventually decided that I was harmless and condescended to sit on my lap.

The day after I arrived Felicity said: “When I knew you were coming I wrote to Lucas Lorimer. I said how delighted we should be if he came for a visit and I guessed you and he might have something to talk about.”

“Has he accepted?” I asked. ^ “Not yet. When I saw him before, he clearly did not want to talk of his adventures. It may be that he will be afraid it will bring it all back too painfully.”

“I should like to see him.”

“I know. That’s why I asked him.”

All that day I thought of his being taken ashore to board the corsairs’ galley and that moment on the island when they had seemed to hesitate whether to take him or not. I had seen very little of him after that.

What had happened to him? How had he got away when Simon and I had been sold into slavery? Yet he . maimed as he was. had eluded his captors as we had been unable to.

There was so much I wanted to ask him.

The next day we were at breakfast when the mail was brought in.

Felicity seized on a letter, opened it, read it, smiled and looked up waving it.

“It’s from Lucas,” she said.

“He’s coming tomorrow. I’m so glad. I thought he would want to see you. Aren’t you pleased, Rosetta?”

“Yes. I am delighted.”

She looked at me anxiously.

“I dare say it will be a little upsetting, perhaps …”

“I don’t know. We’re both safe now.”

“Yes, but what an experience! Yet I am sure it is better for you both to meet and talk openly. It doesn’t do to bottle these things up.”

“I shall look forward so much to seeing him.”

Felicity sent the carriage to the station to meet him. James went with it. We had debated whether we should both go too, but we finally decided it would be better for us to wait at the house.

My first sight of him shocked me deeply. I had, of course, seen him in worse condition; on the island, for instance, and when we had dragged him into the lifeboat, but I was contrasting him with the man whom I had first met. There were shadows under his eyes and that certain cynical sparkle was replaced by a look of hopelessness. The flesh had fallen away from his features, which gave him a gaunt look. The tolerant amusement with which he had appeared to look out on the world had disappeared. He looked weary and disillusioned.

Our meeting was an emotional one. His expression changed when he saw me. He smiled and came towards me, leaning on his stick. He held out his free hand and took mine. He held it for some time, looking intently at me.

“Rosetta,” he said, and his lips twitched a little. The obvious emotion he felt made him look different again . defenceless in a way. I had never seen him look like that before. I knew he was remembering, as I was the island where Simon and I had left him to watch while we had gone off together, the arrival of the corsairs, those days we had spent in the open boat.

“Oh, Lucas,” I said.

“It is good to see you here … safe.”

There was a short silence while we continued to gaze at each other, almost as though we could not believe that we were real.

Felicity said softly: “I know you two will have lots to say to each other. First … let’s show Lucas his room, shall we?”

She was right. There was a great deal to talk about. The first evening was something of a strain. James and Felicity were the perfect host and hostess, full of understanding, skating over awkward pauses with skill and ease.

Felicity was the soul of tact. She knew that there would be things of which we would want to talk to no one but each other and only then when we were ready, and the following day James went off to his college, and she told us that she had an engagement which she must fulfill.

“Do forgive me,” she said.

“I’ll have to leave you two to entertain each other this afternoon.”

There was a pleasant part of the garden, walled in with mellow red bricks with a pond in the centre-the Tudor-type of intimate small garden within a garden. The roses were in bloom and I suggested that I show them to Lucas.

It was a mild afternoon, pleasantly warm without being too hot and we made our necessarily rather slow progress there. There was a stillness in the air and within the walls of that garden we might have stepped back two or three centuries in time.

“Let’s sit here,” I said.

“The pond is so pretty and it is so peaceful.”

There was silence and I went on: “We’d better talk about it, Lucas. We both want to, don’t we?”

“Yes,” he agreed.

“It’s uppermost in our minds.”

“Does it seem to you like a dream?” I asked.

“No,” he said sharply.

“Stark reality. I have a perpetual reminder.

Here I am now . like this. “

“I’m sorry. We didn’t know how to set it… and we had nothing that would help us.”

“My dear girl,” he said almost angrily.

“I’m not blaming you … only life … fate … or whatever you like to call it. Don’t you see? I have to spend the rest of my life … like this.”

“But at least you are here … at least you are alive.”

He shrugged his shoulders.

“Do you think that is a matter for great rejoicing?”

“For some at any rate. Your friends … your family. You are lame and I know there is pain now and then … but so much worse might have happened to you.”

“You are right to chide me. I am selfish, disgruntled and ungrateful.”

“Oh no, no. Do you think … it is possible … that something may be done?”

“What?”

“Well, they are very clever nowadays. There have been all sorts of medical discoveries …”

“My bone was broken. It was not set. It is too late to do anything about it now.”

“Oh, Lucas, I’m so sorry. If only we could have done something … how different it would have been.”

“You did a great deal and I’m a selfish creature thinking of my own misfortunes. I just cannot bear to contemplate what happened to you.”

“But I escaped. My fears were only in the mind.”

He wanted to know in detail what had happened, so I told him of my friendship with Nicole and how she had given me the drug and saved me from the Pasha’s attentions, and how the drug had been supplied by the Chief Eunuch who was a great friend of hers. He listened intently.

“Thank God,” he said.

“That could have scarred you as deeply as I have been … perhaps more so. And what happened to that man … John Player?”

It seemed as though the silence went on for a long time. I heard the buzz of a bee, and the high-pitched note of a grasshopper. Be careful, I was telling myself. You could so easily betray him. Remember it is not only your secret. It is yours and Simon’s.

I heard myself say: “He … he was sold to the same Pasha.”

“Poor devil. I can guess what his fate would be. He was a strange man.

I always had an odd feeling about him. “

“What sort of feeling?” I asked apprehensively.

“I felt that things were not all they seemed. Now and then I had a fancy that I had seen him before somewhere. Then sometimes he seemed as though he were hiding something.”

“What do you mean? What could he have been hiding?”

“Anything. I’ve no idea. That was just the impression he gave. He wasn’t the sort of man you’d expect to find swabbing the decks, was he? He was very resourceful, I | must say.”

“I think we could both say that we owed our lives to him.”

“And you are right. I wish I knew what had happened to him.”

“A great many men were employed in the gardens. He was big and strong”

“He would have fetched a fair price, I dare say.”

There was silence again. I was afraid to speak lest I<| should betray something. He went on musingly: “How; strange that we were all on that island together . never knowing whether we should be found before we died ofe starvation. ”

” How did you manage to get home, Lucas? “

“Well, I’m a wily old bird, you know.” He smiled, when he did so he was the man I had known when I met him.

“I seized my opportunities. I had a smattering their language, I found. It helped a lot. I had picked up few words when I was travelling round the world sock years ago. It is amazing how being able to communicai helps. I offered them money . for the three of us. I said that in my own country I was a very rich man. They believed me because they knew I had travelled a good deal. They wouldn’t consider releasing you or Player. You were too valuable. I was not. Being crippled, I was useless. “

“You see, there is some advantage in everything.”

“There have been times when I wished they had thrown me overboard.”

“You must not say that. It is accepting defeat no, welcoming it.

That is not the way to live. “

“You are right, of course. Oh, it is good to be with you, Rosetta. I remember how resourceful you were when we were on the island. I owe a lot to you.”

“But most to …”

“To that man Player. Well, he was a sort of leader, wasn’t he? He was cut out for the part … and it fell to him. He played it well, I’ll admit. And I was the impediment. I was the one who slowed down the progress.”

“You did nothing of the sort. How could you have done on the island?

Tell me the rest. “

“When I saw that I could not save you and nothing would make those men part with you and Player, I concentrated on my own case. They were more amenable in that direction. What price could they get for me? A man in my state? Nothing. I told them that if they would let me go, I would send them a valuable jewel. If they tried to sell me they would get nothing, for who would want a man who can’t even walk without a stick? If they threw me overboard that would be equally unproductive.

But if they took my offer of the jewel, then they would at least have something for their pains. “

“So … they agreed to let you go for the promise of a jewel?”

“It was simple logic really. They had two alternatives. Throw me overboard or despatch me in some other way and lose everything, or take a chance that I would keep my word and send the jewel. It would occur to them as it would to any -that I might not keep my side of the bargain. And if I did not, well, they might just as well throw me overboard. The wise thing, of course, would be to take a chance, for at least if they did there could be a hope of getting something. So . I was dropped at Athens a street or so away from the British Embassy. The rest was simple.

My family were informed and I was on the way home. “

“And the jewel?”

“I kept my word. It was a ring which belonged to my mother … really one of the family jewels, you might say. They were divided between my brother and myself. It had been my mother’s engagement ring and my father’s mother’s before her. If I had become engaged it would have been my fiancee’s.”

“Of course, you need not have sent it.”

“No. But those people have long memories. I did not want to spend the rest of my life wondering if fate would throw me in their way again.

Moreover, suppose some other poor devil was caught by them and tried my tactics? Once deceived, they might not have given the chance again.

Then again, the ring would probably have lain idle for a very long time. It is not likely that anyone would want to marry me . in my condition. “

“Did you take it yourself and where to?”

“They had arranged where it should be taken. There was an old inn on the Italian coast. I was warned not to swerve from the instructions.

It was to be taken to this inn-I think it was one frequented by smugglers, and there it would be collected. I did not go myself. I was scarcely in a fit state and they recognized that. I told them who would bring it. It was Dick Duvane. He was my batman during my spell in the Army. When I came out, so did he, and we have been together ever since. He’s a valet . confidant . and frequently fellow-traveller. He’s not just a servant. He’s one

of the best friends I ever had. I don’t know what I’d do without him.

I trust him absolutely. “

“I’m glad you got away, Lucas.”

“I suppose I am myself … only …”

“I know. I do understand.”

We fell into silence. We were still in the garden when Felicity came out to find us.

That visit to Oxford was of considerable help to me. Lucas’s logical outlook on life bitter though it was brought me down to Earth.

What could I do? How could I prove Simon’s innocence? I was not even on the spot. I knew nothing of the family at Perrivale Court except what I had gathered from Simon and had read in the newspapers at the time of the murder. If only I could find some means of meeting them, of going to Perrivale Court! What hope was there? I thought of Lucas.

What if I asked his help? He was resourceful. The manner in which he had extricated himself from a dangerous situation showed that. He was not very far from Perrivale Court; he was not on terms of friendship or even casual acquaintance with the family, although he had once, long ago, visited the place with his father. I wished I could have discussed Simon with him, perhaps enlisted his help. Dare I? I wondered. But I could not be sure what his reaction would be.

I felt as helpless as ever but that visit did cheer me a little. He left Oxford the day before I did. When he said goodbye he looked forlorn and rather vulnerable and I felt a great desire to comfort him. I thought at one stage that he was going to make a suggestion for a further meeting, but he did not.

Felicity and I went with him to the station. He seemed reluctant to leave us and stood at the carriage window watching us on the platform as the train steamed away, taking him back to the West Country.

“It is so sad,” said Felicity.

“There is a changed man.” The next day I went home.

Aunt Maud wanted to know whom I had met in Oxford.

I told her there had not been a great deal of entertaining because Felicity had thought I needed a restful time. When I was at dinner with her and my father it slipped out that Lucas Lorimer had been staying in Oxford while I was there.

My father was immediately interested.

“Oh yes … the young man who was with us on the Atlantic Star.” He turned to Aunt Maud.

“It was most extraordinary. He discovered a stone in his garden in Cornwall.

Ancient Egyptian. How it got there is a mystery. But it was quite an exciting discovery. Yes, he was with us on the Atlantic Star;

“He was one of the survivors,” I told Aunt Maud.

I followed her line of thought. I had met a man in Oxford, then? Who was he? Was he of good family? Was he in a position to support a wife?

I said shortly: “He is crippled. He was hurt in the wreck.”

Aunt Maud looked disappointed, then resigned. I could imagine her mustering her ideas to bring eligible young men to the dinner table; and how I missed Felicity and the peace of Oxford.

Aunt Maud relentlessly pursued her policy. There followed several dinner parties to which men whom she considered suitable were asked.

She harried my father into bringing some of his associates home to dine; to my amusement and her chagrin, most of them were middleaged, so fanatically devoted to their work that they had no plans for putting any impediment to it in the form of a wife, or else cosily married with erudite and energetic wives and a family of prodigies.

The weeks passed into months. I was restive and I did not see any escape.

Felicity paid us a flying visit. It was difficult to leave the children for long. The nanny was good and she enjoyed the responsibility of being in sole charge of the nursery, but Felicity hated to leave them. I was sure she came only because she was worried about me.

I was able to tell her how I missed the old days in our pleasantly disorganized household. I knew I should be grateful to the indefatigable Aunt Maud, but there was more to life than polished furniture and meals on time. Aunt Maud was such an overpowering person that she subdued us all, and her influence was particularly felt in the kitchen where I had spent so many happy hours.

Felicity said: “Rosetta, have you something on your mind?” I hesitated and she went on: “Wouldn’t you like to talk about it? You know I’d understand. But I won’t press you. I know that, terrifying as an ordeal can be while you live it, at times what can happen afterwards can be equally important. It’s happened, Rosetta. It’s over. Don’t think I don’t understand what it was like in that harem. It must have been quite terrible. But you escaped. It was a wonderful piece of luck. It’s left its mark, though. I worry about you … and about Lucas, too. I always liked him. He used to be so amusing. He’s travelled so much and talked so easily about it. He was always so light-hearted in a blase sort of way. And now I think he’s shutting himself in with his bitterness. It is all wrong. It’s agonizing for him, of course. He was always so active. I’m going to be rather bold.

James is going to Truro again to lecture at that college. I shall go with him and I shall suggest that, as we are in Cornwall, we call on him. It would be nice if you came with us. What do you think? “

I could not hide my enthusiasm for the plan. To go there, to be not far from Perrivale Court. well, however far it was, I should be comparatively near. What I should do when I got there I was not sure. There was one thought uppermost in my mind: I must not betray Simon.

“I can see the idea appeals to you,” said Felicity.

When the matter was broached Aunt Maud seemed mildly pleased. Her own attempts to bring me into contact with marriageable young men had not been very successful. She was always hoping that something would be more productive.

The Graftons moved in the right circles. James Grafton was ‘something at Oxford’. Aunt Maud was not well informed about such details. People were either suitable or unsuitable and the Graftons -in spite of the fact that Felicity had been a governess-were eminently suitable.

Aunt Maud was in favour of the idea. So was my father when he was told by her that it would be good for my future.

So it was arranged that I should accompany James and Felicity to Truro.

At the instigation of Felicity, James had written to Lucas to tell him that we should be in Cornwall and he thought it might be an opportunity for us to call and see them while we were in the Duchy.

There was a prompt reply that we must certainly do so. We must stay a few days at least. Trecorn Manor was too far from Truro for us to come for a day.

The change in me was obvious.

Mrs. Harlow said: “You always did get on with that Felicity. I remember the day she came and we was expecting some stuck-up madam. From the moment she stepped out of that cab I took to her … and so did you, I’d say.”

“Yes,” I said.

“She is a wonderful friend. How lucky we were that she came to us.”

“I’d say you’d got the right bull by the horns there.”

Oh yes, indeed, I owed a great deal to Felicity.

Trecorn Manor was a pleasant Queen Anne mansion built in an age noted for its elegance. It was set in well-kept grounds. I was thinking how interesting it would be to see Lucas against the background of his own home.

We were warmly welcomed by him.

“It is so good of you to come,” he said; and I felt he meant it.

We were introduced to his brother Carieton and Carleton’s wife Theresa. Carieton looked a little like Lucas, but they were of very different temperaments, I soon discovered. Carieton was bluff, easygoing, completely immersed in the running of the estate in fact the typical squire and Theresa was entirely suited to be his wife.

She was absorbed in her family, carrying out her duties on the estate with charm, tolerance and total efficiency clearly the excellent wife and mother.

There were two children, twins, a girl and a boy, Henry and Jennifer, aged four years. I knew that Carieton and his wife would be admired and respected throughout the estate, that she would work indefatigably in the affairs of the church and the general community. She was the sort of woman who would do her duty un stintingly and make a pleasure of it.

I could not quite see Lucas fitting into this environment.

When we were alone. Felicity said: “Lucas couldn’t have a better home to come back to.”

I wondered. This display of well-being might be galling to a man in his position. It was something I felt he would never have wanted before the shipwreck. Indeed he had, by his frequent absences, shown that he could not tolerate it. It was sad that such virtues as those of Carieton and his wife and Aunt Maud, so admirable in themselves, create a less than perfect atmosphere for those around them.

We planned to stay in Cornwall for about a week, which was all the time James could spare, and I knew that Felicity did not want to leave the children for longer than that.

We were given rooms on the first floor overlooking moorland. James and Felicity’s room was next to mine.

Theresa took us up.

“I hope you’ll be comfortable,” she said.

“It’s a pity you can only stay a week. We love having visitors. Unfortunately, we don’t often.

I’m so glad you came. Lucas is pleased you are here . ” She trailed off.

“We hesitated about suggesting coming,” said Felicity.

“It was rather forward of us.”

“We should have been most put out if you had come all this way without seeing us. Carleton worries about Lucas … so do I. He is so changed.”

“Well, it was a terrible ordeal,” said Felicity.

Theresa laid her hand on my arm.

“And for you, too. I heard about it.

Lucas doesn’t talk much. Carleton says it is like getting blood out of a stone to get information out of him. He was so active. And this has hit him hard. But he did cheer up quite a lot when he heard you were coming. “

“He likes to talk to Rosetta,” said Felicity.

“After all, they were together. I always think it helps people to talk.”

“It is wonderful that you both came through. We had been so worried about Lucas. And when we knew he was coming home … it was wonderful.

And then . he was so different. And Lucas being the man he is . it was never easy for him to be the younger brother. ” She shrugged her shoulders and looked faintly embarrassed, as though she thought she was saying too much.

I knew that she was right. Before the accident Lucas had been constantly preoccupied by the fact that his elder brother was head of the household when their father died. He was a man who liked to lead and it could never have been easy for him to take second place. So he had travelled widely after he left the Army and of course while he was in it. He had tried archaeology. He had written a book, inspired by his discovery, and had been on the point of lecturing about it when disaster had struck. It must have seemed then that he was making a life away from Trecorn Manor, which was what he had wanted; and then he was brought back . as he was now. I could understand that he was disillusioned with life. I looked forward to more talks with him. Perhaps I could try to make him see the future differently. Perhaps I could inspire him with a little hope. I did not think there was a very good chance of this, but I could try.

He could still ride, which was a blessing. True, he needed a little assistance in mounting and dismounting, but when he was on his horse, he was all that he had been before. He had always been an excellent horseman and I noticed at once that there was a strong relationship between him and his mount. Charger, who seemed to understand that his master had changed and that he needed to be looked after.

Theresa said: “We never worry about Lucas when he goes off for long spells. If he’s on Charger we know he will be brought home when he wants to come.”

The first night at dinner he wanted to know if I rode.

“There was little opportunity at home,” I told him.

“But when I was at school we had riding lessons. So I cannot call myself quite a novice but… somewhat inexperienced.”

“You ought to get in a bit of practice while you’re here,” suggested Carleton.

“Yes,” agreed Lucas.

“I’ll undertake to be your tutor.”

“It will be a little boring perhaps for such a practised rider,” I said.

“I know it will be a pleasure,” he replied.

Theresa beamed on us. She was such a kindly woman and I realized how happy she was that I was here because she thought it would be pleasant for Lucas, and that we were good for each other.

It had been arranged that after two days at Trecorn Manor James should go back to Truro to do his work while Felicity and I remained behind to wait for him. He would return to the Manor when his work was done and after a day or so we should all leave together.

I soon settled into a routine. Lucas and I rode together and talked a good deal, often about our adventure. We often went over the same ground, but I am sure it did us both good. As far as I was concerned, it made me all the more eager to find out something about Perrivale Court.

I found myself drawn into life in the nursery. Jennifer seemed to have taken a liking to me. I had had little to do with children and was unsure how to deal with them, but Jennifer solved that. She informed me that her name was Jennifer Lorimer and that she lived at Trecorn Manor. She was four years old. All this was told as if in great confidence and it was almost as though we shared a special confidence.

Although the girl in the twin ship she was the leader. She was vivacious and chattered a good deal. Henry was much quieter, a serious little boy; he always followed Jennifer and as she had decided that she liked me, he must do so too.

Moreover, there was Nanny Crockett another ally. I think it must have been because I got on well with the twins that she accepted me.

She was by no means young, but a power in the nursery. Ellen, the fourteen-year-old nursery maid, behaved towards her as though she were the Queen. I gathered she was in her late fifties. She had iron grey hair which was plaited and worn round her head in a rather severe manner; her grey eyes were alert and she had a way of pursing her lips if she disapproved of anything and then she could be indomitable. She was a woman of definite opinions and once they became hers she determined to stick to them.

“We were lucky to get her,” said Theresa.

“She’s a very-experienced nanny. She’s not young, of course, but that’s all to the good. She’s as active as a young woman and there’s the experience as well.”

Nanny Crockett liked to have a little chat now and then and when the children had their afternoon nap, if I were not with Lucas, I would be with her.

Felicity and Theresa had interests in common the running of a home and the care of a husband and children. They were ideal companions. I imagined when they were together they discussed Lucas and me. They thought we were ‘good for each other’ and we were certainly thrown together on every possible occasion. Not that their efforts were necessary, for Lucas showed clearly that he preferred my society to that of anyone else. It was a fact, I believed, that since we had arrived, he had become a little more like the man he used to be. He laughed occasionally now and then and sometimes would deliver a witty quip, but alas, very often with a hint of that bitterness which seemed to have become a feature of his conversation.

I knew this routine must soon be interrupted by the return of James. I was enjoying my stay, but ever present was the need to find out the truth about Simon and there were times when I felt a deep frustration and despair.

It was maddening to be so near to his old home, but how could I get to it without arousing suspicion? I was afraid to make outright enquiries. The very fact that Lucas had met him at some time implied that it would be very easy to make a false step and reveal to him who John Player really was. And if he discovered, how did I know what action he would take? True, John Player had saved our lives, but if Lucas believed him to be a murderer, a fugitive from justice, what would he feel he ought to do about it?

It would have been such a relief to talk to him about Simon, but I dared not do it. Sometimes I thought of telling Felicity. I was indeed often on the verge of doing so, but I always drew back in time.

But I was getting desperate and that day at luncheon I had to speak. I said tentatively: “Wasn’t there a murder somewhere about here … ?”

Theresa wrinkled her brows. Then she said: “You must mean that affair at Perrivale Court.”

“Yes,” I cried, hoping I did not show the emotion I always felt when the subject was raised.

“I … I think that was where it was.”

“It was the adopted son,” said Lucas.

“He’d been cared for all his life,” Carleton added, ‘and he showed his gratitude by murdering one of the sons of the house. “

“I think we mentioned it before,” I said to Lucas.

“Didn’t you say you’d met him?”

“Oh yes … years ago … and briefly.”

“How far is the place from here?”

Theresa looked at Carleton, who pondered for a few moments.

“As the crow flies, I’d say seven or eight miles, but if you are not a crow it could be a little longer.”

“Is it near some place … some town … or village?”

Carleton said: “It could be near … where would you say, Lucas?

Perhaps Upbridge is the nearest town. “

“It’s a mile or two from there,” said Lucas.

“The nearest village would be Tretarrant.”

“Well, that is little more than a hamlet.”

“Yes. Upbridge is the nearest big town.”

“If you can call it big,” added Lucas.

“It’s hardly a teeming metropolis.”

“Oh, it’s a pleasant little place,” said Theresa.

“Not that I’ve been there much.”

“I dare say it seemed more important… after the death of that man.”

“Well, of course the Upbridge Times was in great demand,” said Lucas.

“They had inside information. They knew the family well. I see you have a morbid interest in the place, Rosetta. I tell you what we’ll do. Tomorrow we’ll ride out there and you can see the notorious town of Upbridge for yourself.”

“I should like that,” I said, my heart beating with triumph.

It was progress.

The next day Lucas and I set out. When he was in the saddle, I could almost believe that he had not changed since our first meeting.

“It’s all of eight miles from here, you know,” he said.

“Do you feel up to it? Eight miles there and eight back? I’ll tell you what we’ll do. We’ll have a meal there. Perhaps in good old Upbridge. Now I come to think of it, I believe there’s quite a good place this side of Tretarrant. Do you feel you can do that?”

“Of course. It’s a challenge.”

It was, in more ways than one.

Then I was admonishing myself. What good would it do just to look at the place? Still . who knew what might come out of it?

Lucas went on: “The inn I’m thinking of is called the King’s Head, I believe. Original, you’ll think? The King in question is William IV not the most popular of monarchs except in the matter of inn signs. I am always hoping to find one with Charles I. The Severed Head instead of merely the King’s Head. But, brewers being the most tactful of men, he has never appeared.”

I found myself laughing with him. He could forget bitterness for a while; but there was often something on hand to remind him.

We passed some blackberry bushes.

“There’ll be a good crop this year,” he said.

“Do you remember how thrilled we were when we found some on the island?”

“We were thrilled to find anything edible.”

“Sometimes I marvel…”

“Yes, so do I.”

“I wonder what would have happened to us if the pirates had not come along?”

“Heaven knows.”

“But it proved to be out of the frying-pan into the fire.”

“At least we escaped the fire.”

“You and I did. I wonder about Player.”

“Yes, I do, too.”

I was silent. I felt that before long I would be telling him, in spite of my determination not to. The temptation was great.

“I expect he’d be all right. He looked like one of nature’s survivors to me.”

“He would need to be,” I said.

“By the way, how far are we?”

“Getting tired?” , “Oh … no.”

“I’ll tell you something. You’ll be a champion rider one day.”

“I only want to be a reasonably good one now.”

“Then you are almost there.”

“Coming from you, that’s a great compliment.”

“Tell me the truth. Am I what is called an old curmudgeon?”

“Coming towards it. You could become entitled to it before I become a champion rider.”

He laughed.

“That’s right,” he said.

“Be frank. Don’t cushion me. I’m tired of being protected. Carleton and Theresa … I can hear them thinking, ” Now what shall we say, not to upset the poor devil? “

“Well, I shall say what I think.”

“It’s good to be with you, Rosetta. I hope you won’t leave Trecorn for a long time.”

“Well, I shall go back with James and Felicity. Felicity hates to leave her children.”

He sighed.

“We must make the most of the days you are here. What an excellent idea it was coming out like this. I only hope it won’t be too long for you.”

“Didn’t you say I’d be a champion rider one day? Well, that day may not be far off.”

“Good. We’ll go across this field. I think it might be a short cut.”

When we had crossed the field, he pulled up. There’s a view for you.

Pleasant bit of coast, isn’t it? “

“Pleasant! It’s spectacular and very rugged. I’d hardly say pleasant. That doesn’t fit somehow.”

“You’re right. Along that coast the wreckers used to ply their evil trade … enticing ships in rough seas on to the rocks out there so that they could steal their cargoes. I’ll bet you anything the locals hear the cries of shipwrecked sailors on rough nights. Winds can make strange noises and if they fall on susceptible ears, there are your ghosts!”

“Were you born a cynic?”

“I expect so. We couldn’t have had two saints in the family.”

“You’re referring to Carleton as a saint. Why are people always slightly patronizing about saints?”

“There’s an easy answer to that. Because we find it so difficult to follow in their footsteps. We sinners have to feel we are slightly superior because we’re having a better time.”

“Do sinners have a better time than saints?”

“Oh yes. At the same time they feel it is unfair that they should do so. That is why they have to take up that patronizing attitude towards sainthood. Carleton is a good sort. He always did the right thing.

Learned the management of the estate, married the right girl, produced Henry the heir and the charming Jennifer; he is adored by the tenants, the estate is more prosperous under him than it has ever been. Oh yes, he has all the virtues. Well, you can’t have too many good people around. They’d overcrowd the market and would lose much of their glory. So you see, sinners have their uses. “

“It is a great advantage that Carleton is such a good squire.”

“Everything about Carleton is good.”

“You have your points … just as he has.”

“Oh, but he has two sound legs to go with his.”

The bitterness was there, always ready to come to the surface. I was sorry that I had allowed the conversation to get to this point.

“Everything goes right for Carleton,” he said.

“It always has done. Oh, don’t mistake me. I know it comes right because of his nature.”

“Lucas,” I said soberly, ‘you’ve had bad luck. But it’s done with.

Nothing can change it now. There is still a lot left. “

“You’re right. I often think of Player and wonder what happened to him. It shows my evil nature that I can get a modicum of comfort out of it. At least I’m free.”

“Yes,” I said.

“You’re free.”

“Oh look. You can see the house over there.”

The house? “

“Perrivale Court. Look straight ahead and turn a little to the right.

That’s it. “

At last I had seen it. It looked grand and imposing, built on a slight incline facing the sea.

“It’s quite impressive,” I said.

“Very ancient. Trecorn is modern in comparison.”

“Could we take a closer look?”

“We could.”

“Let’s go, then.”

“You’ll sacrifice Upbridge if you do, by the way.”

“I’d prefer it.”

“Getting a little tired, I believe.”

“Perhaps,” I admitted. And all the time I was thinking:

This was Simon’s home since he was brought here at the age of five.

We rode on. I could see the house clearly now. It was almost like a castle grey stone with a tower and castellations.

“It looks medieval,” I said.

“Part of it undoubtedly is … but these old places are restored down the ages and sometimes you get something of a mixture.”

“You went there once, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but I don’t remember much of it. It had completely slipped my memory until the murder. That brought it back, of course.”

I was hoping that someone would emerge. Perhaps the brother who had survived or the beautiful woman who might have been the cause of it all. I should like to have had a glimpse of her.

Lucas said suddenly: “I am sure the King’s Head is not far off.” And as the winding road took a turn away from the coast he cried: “Ah, there it is. Only it’s not the King’s Head. The right place but the wrong name. It’s The Sailor King. Same monarch but with a different soubriquet. Come on. We’re going to leave the horses in the stables.

They can do with a rest, I dare say. And while they’re refreshing themselves we’ll do the same. If there is time after . though I doubt it . we’ll look in on Upbridge. But you mustn’t be disappointed if we don’t. “

I assured him that I was having a thoroughly enjoyable day and should not be in the least disappointed.

I helped him dismount as unobtrusively as I could, and after seeing that the horses were in good hands we went into the parlour. There was no one else there and it was pleasant to have the room to ourselves.

The host came bustling in.

“Now what shall it be, sir … my lady.

It’s only cold, I’m afraid. But I can promise you some prime beef and ham. And there’s hot lentil soup. “

We said that sounded just what we needed and cider in pewter mugs was brought to us. Then we settled down to the meal.

A maid brought the food, which was excellent, and while we were eating, the host’s wife came over to see that we had all we needed.

She was clearly a garrulous woman who enjoyed chattering to her customers.

She wanted to know how far we had come.

We told her we came from Trecorn Manor.

“Oh, I know it well. A fine old place … not so old as Perrivale, of course.”

“Oh, Perrivale Court,” I said eagerly.

“We passed that. Is it occupied now?”

“Why, bless you, yes. The Perrivales have been there since time was.

Come over with the Conqueror, so they boast, and they liked it so much they’ve stayed ever since. “

“There are a lot like that,” said Lucas.

“They are pleased they got in at the start.”

“Oh, there’s been Perrivales round here forever. There’s only Sir Tristan now, Mr. Cosmo having been …”

“Didn’t I read something in the papers about that?” I said.

“Oh, it was some time ago.”

“That’s right, you did. And at the time people could talk of nothing else. They forget quick, like. People be fickle. You ask ‘em about the Perrivale murder now and some of these young ‘uns … they don’t seem to know anything. I say, it’s history, that’s what it is and people should know it.”

“Some might think you have a morbid mind to absorb and retain such knowledge,” said Lucas.

She looked at him as though she thought he was a little mad and I could see the mischief rising in him so that he wanted to convince her that he was entirely so.

“Well,” she said defensively, ‘when it did happen the place was swarming with people . reporters . detectives and such like. Two of them stayed . right under this roof. Making their investigations, they did say. So you do see, we be right on the spot.”

“Very conveniently placed,” put in Lucas.

“Well, I must go and see to things. Mustn’t stop chattering-‘ She went away and I said: ” It was getting interesting. I wanted to hear more.”

“Lookers on often get a distorted vision.”

“At least they are close to the scene.”

Trifle was brought by the maid. It was delicious and well laced with sherry. I was glad that the hostess found it difficult to resist further gossip and while we were finishing the trifle she came up for a little more.

“People don’t come here much,” she confided.

“Well, we get the locals, like … but visitors like yourselves … they don’t come this way much. It was different at the time … you know what happened at Perrivale.”

“Murder is good for business,” said Lucas.

She looked at him warily and I prompted: “You must have known a good deal about the family.”

“Well … being here all my life, could hardly help it, could I then? I was born in this inn. My father had it … and then when I married William he took over. My son another William he’ll do the same one day, I shouldn’t wonder.”

“A dynasty of innkeepers,” murmured Lucas.

I said quickly: “It’s very good to keep it in the family. It gives you a certain pride, doesn’t it?”

She beamed on me. I could see that she was thinking I was nice and normal enough to enjoy a bit of gossip in spite of my companion.

“Do you see much of the Perrivales?” I asked.

“Oh yes, they be always in and out. I can go back years. I remember when that Simon was brought here. That’s the one … you know.”

“Yes,” I said.

“I know.”

“It must have been all of twenty years ago when he came. Me and William was just married. There was a bit of a scene, I can tell ‘ee, when Sir Edward brought him into the house and said he’d be staying there. Well, it stands to reason there’d be fireworks. What woman’s going to stand for that, I ask you?”

“I quite agree,” I said.

“Now why does a man like that bring a strange child into his home?

Everyone said her ladyship was a saint to put up with it. And she wasn’t the sort either. A bit of a tartar by all accounts. But Sir Edward was the sort of man who didn’t say much . but he’d have his own way. He said the boy would stay and stay he did. “

“That was Simon,” I said.

“Well, what can you expect? Can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, they tell you. Nor can you.”

“You mean …”

“Well, where did he come from, I ask you? Some back street somewhere, I shouldn’t wonder.”

“Why should Sir Edward let him live in a back street and then decide to bring him to Perrivale Court?”

“Well, people get things on their consciences, don’t they? Anyways, he came. Treated like one of them, he was. Time came they had a tutor .. that was before they went away to school. A nice fellow, he was. He used to tell some tales about the life up there. Then he faded out and it was school for them. Simon, he went too … just like Cosmo and Tristan. And how did he repay them? He murders Mr. Cosmo. There’s gratitude for you.”

“But can you be sure that he was the one who committed the murder?”

“Plain as the nose on your face. Why else did he run away?”

“It certainly seems conclusive,” said Lucas.

“There could be other reasons,” I protested.

“Oh, a definite sign of guilt,” commented Lucas.

“Yes, he was guilty all right. Jealous, he was. Of course there was that widow woman, Mirabel … She was Mrs. Blanchard then. Now, of course, it’s Lady Perrivale. She came down here with her father … the Major … and a nicer gentleman you could not wish to meet. Her father and that young Kate. There’s a piece of mischief for you, Mrs. Blanchard she was then. Oh, she was a beauty … one of them red-haired ones. You couldn’t help looking twice at her. She set her cap at Mr. Cosmo and we all knew that it wouldn’t be long before she was mistress of Perrivale. Cosmo was mad about her. Tristan liked her too, to say nothing of Simon. There they were, the three of them, all in love, they said, with the same widow woman. And what does Simon do? He lures Cosmo to that old farmhouse Bindon Boys they call it and he just shot him. Through the head, they said. Might have got away with it too, if Mr. Tristan Sir Tristan now hadn’t come in and caught him red-handed.”

“Where is the farmhouse?”

“Oh … just along the coast. It’s still there. A bit of an old ruin. They were going to put it right when this happened After that they just let it slide. Nobody would want to live in a house where there’d been a murder. Well, I’m talking too much. William says I always do.”

“It’s been very interesting.”

“Well,” she said proudly, ‘it’s not every place that’s had a murder committed on its doorstep, you might say. Mind you, it’s not everybody as wants to hear about it. When it happened people didn’t want to talk about anything else. “

My feelings were mixed as we came out of the inn. I was a little depressed by the opinion she had expressed of Simon. Apart from that, I had been excited to talk to someone who had actually lived near him at the time all that happened. I suspected that she had no doubt of his guilt. I was afraid that would be the general verdict. He had damned his case by running away.

As we rode off, Lucas said: “You seemed to enjoy our garrulous hostess. Did you find it so absorbing to gather a little local colour?”

“I did find it interesting.”

“Murder fascinates most people. It is the mystery of this one. Though is it so mysterious?”

“Why? What do you think is the truth?”

“It’s clear enough, isn’t it? He ran away.”

There was nothing I dared say. I wanted to shout out:

He’s innocent. I know he’s innocent. It was hard to stop myself.

I was tired when we reached Trecorn Manor. I had so looked forward to seeing Perrivale Court, but I had discovered nothing and it had been brought home to me what a strong feeling there was against Simon. Of course I had heard only one person’s opinion. But always against him would be the fact that he had run away.

I was having one of my cosy sessions with Nanny Crockett. The twins were having their afternoon nap which, said Nanny Crockett, was good for them. It was Ellen’s free afternoon and she had gone to visit her parents in a nearby village.

I was learning a little about Nanny Crockett’s background. She had come from London to take up her first post in Cornwall.

“It was a bit of a wrench at first,” she said.

“Couldn’t get used to it. Missed all the life. Then you get your little ones and they starts to mean something to you. I got quite caught up with the place, too . the moors and the sea and alt that. You want to have a look at the place while you’re here. It’s worth looking at.” i I was telling her I enjoyed my ride.

“We went a long way Near to a place called Upbridge. Do you know it?”

“Know it!” cried Nanny Crockett.

“I’d say I know UprI bridge. I lived in the place at one time. I was close to itj before that.”

“Did you know Perrivale Court?” She was silent for a moment. There was a strange east, press ion on her face which I did not understand. Then she said: “I should think I do. I lived there for nigh on eight years.”

” You mean . in the house! ”

“I do mean in Perrivale Court, Miss.”

“You really lived there!”

“Well, I was nanny to the boys, wasn’t I?”

“You mean Cosmo … Tristan … Simon … ?”

“I do. I was there in the nursery when little Simon was brought in. I remember that day. Never to be forgotten. There he was, handed over to me. Sir Edward said, ” This is Simon. He’s to be treated like the others. ” And there he was… a little scrap of a thing. I could see he was frightened bewildered like, so I took him by the hand and said, ” Don’t you fret, lovey. You’re with Nanny Crockett and everything’s all right. ” Sir Edward was pleased with me and that was something rare, I can tell you. He said, ” Thank you. Nanny. Look after the boy. He’ll feel a little strange at first. ” We took to each other .. Simon and me… from that moment.”

I could scarcely suppress my excitement.

“What a strange thing to do to bring a child into the house like that. Was there any explanation?”

“Oh, Sir Edward wouldn’t give explanations. He was the one who said what was what and that was the end of it. If he said the boy was to be in the nursery, that was where he would be.”

Tell me about the boy. What was he like? “

“A nice little fellow … sharp as they come. Pining he was for someone he called Angel. I could only think it was his mother. I got little scraps from him … but you know how it is with children. They don’t always see things the way we do. He talked about Angel and there was an Aunt Ada who struck terror into his little heart. It seemed they’d buried Angel and he had been brought to Perrivale then. He couldn’t abide to hear the church bells toll as they did for a funeral. I found him once hiding under the bed … hands over his ears, to shut out the noise. He’d thought this Ada was going to take him away … and then Sir Edward had brought him to Perrivale.”

There was nothing I dared say. I wanted to shout out:

He’s innocent. I know he’s innocent. It was hard to stop myself.

I was tired when we reached Trecorn Manor. I had so looked forward to seeing Perrivale Court, but I had discovered nothing and it had been brought home to me what a strong feeling there was against Simon. Of course I had heard only one person’s opinion. But always against him would be the fact that he had run away.

I was having one of my cosy sessions with Nanny Crockett. The twins were having their afternoon nap which, said Nanny Crockett, was good for them. It was Ellen’s free afternoon and she had gone to visit her parents in a nearby village.

I was learning a little about Nanny Crockett’s background. She had come from London to take up her first post in Cornwall.

“It was a bit of a wrench at first,” she said.

“Couldn’t get used to it. Missed all the life. Then you get your little ones and they starts to mean something to you. I got quite caught up with the place, too . the moors and the sea and all that. You want to have a look at the place while you’re here. It’s worth looking at.”

I was telling her I enjoyed my ride.

“We went a long way. Near to a place called Upbridge. Do you know it?”

“Know it!” cried Nanny Crockett.

“I’d say I know Upbridge. I lived in the place at one time. I was close to it before that.”

“Did you know Perrivale Court?”

She was silent for a moment. There was a strange expression on her face which I did not understand. Then she said: “I should think I do.

I lived there for nigh on eight years. “

“You mean … in the house!”

“I do mean in Perrivale Court, Miss.”

“You really lived there!”

“Well, I was nanny to the boys, wasn’t I?”

“You mean Cosmo … Tristan .. Simon … ?”

“I do. I was there in the nursery when little Simon was brought in. I remember that day. Never to be forgotten. There he was, handed over to me. Sir Edward said, ” This is Simon. He’s to be treated like the others. ” And there he was … a little scrap of a thing. I could see he was frightened … bewildered like, so I took him by the hand and said, ” Don’t you fret, lovey. You’re with Nanny Crocked and everything’s all right. ” Sir Edward was pleased with me and that was something rare, I can tell you. He said, ” Thank you.

Nanny. Look after the boy. He’ll feel a little strange at first. ” We took to each other … Simon and me … from that moment.”

I could scarcely suppress my excitement.

“What a strange thing to do to bring a child into the house like that. Was there any explanation?”

“Oh, Sir Edward wouldn’t give explanations. He was the one who said what was what and that was the end of it. If he said the boy was to be in the nursery, that was where he would be.”

“Tell me about the boy. What was he like?”

“A nice little fellow … sharp as they come. Pining he was for someone he called Angel. I could only think it was his mother. I got little scraps from him … but you know how it is with children. They don’t always see things the way we do. He talked about Angel and there was an Aunt Ada who struck terror into his little heart. It seemed they’d buried Angel and he had been brought to Perrivale then. He couldn’t abide to hear the church bells toll as they did for a funeral. I found him once hiding under the bed … hands over his ears, to shut out the noise. He’d thought this Ada was going to take him away … and then Sir Edward had brought him to Perrivale.”

I listened. I was back there on the island and it was Simon’s voice I heard telling me how he had hidden under the table when Aunt Ada came.

“Well, there he was and there was a regular lot of gossip about that, I can tell you. Who was the boy? Why should he be brought in? Sir Edward’s, they all said, and I reckon they were right. But it was strange, because he wasn’t the sort of man to go chasing women. All very proper he was … stern and upright.”

“Sometimes such people have a secret life.”

“You can say that again. But somehow you just couldn’t picture Sir Edward up to that sort of lark. It’s difficult to make you see him.

Wanted everything run like clockwork. Meals on the dot. quite a to-do if anyone was late. You know the sort. There was a footman who’d been in the Army. He said it reminded him of a military camp. So you see. Sir Edward was not the sort who’d go chasing girls. Not like some I’ve heard of, where no young woman in the house was safe. They were safe enough in Perrivale Court . even the prettiest. “

“Was he kind to the boy?”

“Not kind … not unkind. He just brought him in and said he was to be treated like the other two. Then he seemed to forget him. The servants didn’t like it. You know what servants are … afraid someone’s going to get above them selves. They didn’t think young Simon had a right to be; there in the nursery with the other boys . and I reckons they showed it. ” ”

“Did he mind?” i “Who’s to know what goes on in their little minds? But he was a sharp one. I reckon he knew all about it.” $ “But you loved him.” H She smiled reminiscently and tenderly.

“Of all the children;) I ever had, he was my special boy. As for him I reckon I took the place of this Angel. I was the one he’d run to S^ there was any trouble and there was bound to be that | Mind you, he was older than the other two … just a year or two, that was all. But when they were little, it was an advantage. But they soon got to know the difference. They were the sons of the house and he was the outsider. You know what children are? Cosmo … he was the eldest… eave himself airs, he did. He thought he was Sir already, and Tristan could be a little tartar. I’ve often found that with younger sons. You know what I mean? Ah … but Simon … he was my special one. Of all my children, he was the one. I don’t know what it was … perhaps being brought in like that … missing his mother . and then to think that he got himself into that mess …”

“You knew them so well,” I said earnestly.

“What do you think happened?”

“What I think is… no, what I know is … he didn’t do that. He wasn’t the sort. He couldn’t have.”

“He ran away,” I said.

“Oh, that’s what they all say. Well, so he did, but he’d have his reasons. He could look after himself. He was always like that. He’d find a way out of anything. That’s what I remind myself … because I worry a bit. I wake up in the night and think: Where is he? Then I tell myself, wherever he is, he’ll know how to look after himself. I feel better then. He’ll manage. When the two boys played tricks on him, he’d always get the better of them. He was clever, you see, and being in the position he was in … well, it made him able to look out for himself. He’d do what was best for himself at the time … and I reckon he’d be the one to know what was best.”

“I was in the inn … The Sailor King. Mr. Lucas and I had something to eat there. The woman there seemed to think he was guilty.”

“That would be Sarah Marks. What does she know? The old gossip. Thinks just because she’s the wife of the landlord she knows everything. It’s all for a bit of gossip with her. She’d tear

anyone’s reputation to bits if it gave her something to talk about. I know her… and I know Simon. I’m ready to stake my life in his innocence.”

“Oh, Nanny, where do you think he is?”

“Well, there’s no knowing, is there? He got away all right. He’ll be biding his time.”

“You mean he’ll come back when he’s found some light to throw on the affair?”

“I think that could be.”

“Would he write to you … do you think?”

“He might. He’d know it would be safe enough with me. On the other hand, he wouldn’t want me to be involved. Isn’t there something in the law about that?”

“I believe it’s called being an accessory.”

“That would be it. Though wouldn’t mind. I’d give a hundred pounds if I had it just to have a word from him.”p>

I warmed towards her. She was an ally. I had lured her to talk. And after that I was often in the nursery when the children were asleep, so that I could chat with Nanny Crockett.

My friendship with the twins was growing. Jennifer had marked me as hers and had assumed a proprietorial attitude towards me, which gave me a great deal of pleasure. I was treated to confidential details about her dolls. I learned of their foibles, of the good ones and the bad ones. There was Reggie the bear who would not take his medicine, and one-eyed Mabel she had lost an eye in some mysterious accident -who was afraid of the dark and had to be taken into Jennifer’s bed at night. I invented adventures for them to which both children listened entranced.

The time was passing too quickly and I was not looking forward to going away; but of course we should have to leave before long.

Felicity was getting restive, but she did feel that our being there was good for me. and for Lucas, and being the unselfish creature she was, she curbed her own wishes and rejoiced for us.

Even she could not guess how much good it did me to be near Simon’s home and especially to discover Nanny Crockett’s involvement. Felicity was just happy to see me with Lucas and my enjoyment of the nursery.

Then one day events took a dramatic turn.

The day began ordinarily enough.

At breakfast the talk was about the heavy rainfall during the night and it turned to old Mrs. Gregory, the mother of one of the farmers.

“I owe her a visit,” said Theresa.

“It’s nearly a month since I was there. She will be thinking I have deserted her.”

I gathered that Mrs. Gregory was bedridden and her great treat was to have a visitor who would chat with her. Theresa, with her knowledge of neighbourhood affairs, was especially welcome. She told me that she visited the old lady as regularly as she could, taking some little gift of cakes or sweets or a bottle of wine anything she felt might please her. But the great thing was to stay for an hour or so and chat.

“Then,” put in Carleton, ‘there’s that little matter of the Masons’ roof. If you get an opportunity, you might drop in and tell them that Tom Alien will be along this week. “

“I’ll go over in the trap this morning,” said Theresa.

It was a pleasant morning, blandly mild . not too hot, ideal for riding. Lucas seemed mpre light-hearted than usual, and we took the road towards Upbridge.

He looked at me and smiled.

“Your favourite ride,” he said.

“I believe old Snowdrop goes there automatically with out waiting for instructions. I think you have a morbid mind and are fascinated by that murder.”

“It’s a pleasant road,” I said.

That day I really did feel that I was making progress. We were a few miles from Upbridge and had decided we would turn back or we should be late for lunch. We could go on and have something at The Sailor King, but as we had not mentioned that we should not be back, we thought we had better return.

We were passing along a narrow winding road when we turned a bend and saw right ahead of us a shepherd with a flock of sheep blocking the road. We pulled up and watched and as we did so a rider came up behind us. It was a young woman of remarkable good looks. Her black riding hat was set jauntily on her red hair and her long green eyes, heavily black-lashed, regarded us with the amused look people usually wear when confronted by such an obstruction.

“The hazards of country life,” she said.

“Which we must accept,” replied Lucas.

“Have you come far?”

“From Trecorn Manor.”

“Oh … you must be Mr. Lorimer who was shipwrecked.”

The very same. And this is Miss Cranleigh who was shipwrecked at the same time. “

“How interesting! I’m Mirabel Perrivale.”

“How nice to meet you. Lady Perrivale.”

I was so overcome that I could only marvel. She was decidedly beautiful. I could imagine how impressed they must all have been when she came among them.

“Thank the sheep,” she said.

“Oh hello … they’re nearly off the road.”

We moved forward. At the end of the lane the road branched in two directions. She took the one to the left; we turned right.

“Good day,” we said and she had gone.

“What a beautiful woman,” I said.

“So she is Mirabel… the femme fatale.”

“And looks the part, you must admit.”

“I do. Indeed, I could do nothing else. How strange to meet her like that.”

“Not really. She lives close by.”

“And when you mentioned Trecorn she knew who you were.”

“Well, I’m as notorious in my way as she is in hers. The survival of a shipwreck is worthy of a little notice … it’s not like being concerned in a murder case, it’s true, but still it is something.”

When we reached Trecorn Manor one of the grooms came running out.

“There’s been an accident,” he said.

“Accident?” cried Lucas.

“Who?”

“It’s Mrs. Lorimer. The trap … they’ve just brought her back.”

It was a house of mourning.

Early that day Theresa had been full of life, now she was dead. We were all too stunned to take in this tragic truth.

Apparently she had paid her visit to Mrs. Gregory and delivered her gifts; she had chatted with her for an hour and then left. On her way to Mason’s farm she had taken the hilly path. It was a road she had taken many times and had not been considered dangerous. But there had been heavy rain and there was a sudden fall of earth from the hillside. It must have fallen right in front of the horse, which took fright and bolted, taking the trap down the slope into the valley below. And thus Theresa had been killed and Trecorn Manor had become a tragic household.

Felicity said to me: “I’m glad we’re here. Not that we can do anything to comfort Carleton. They were so happy together … so suited … and what on Earth will he do now?”

“Poor, poor Carleton. He is too shocked to realize fully what has happened. Do you think we should stay awhile?”

“Well, I suppose we must wait a bit. We couldn’t discuss anything with them at the moment. Perhaps after the funeral … bet’s wait and see how things go.”

When the opportunity came I asked Lucas if he thought we should go.

“Oh, not yet, please,” he said.

“My poor brother is in a state of numbed misery. I don’t think he can accept what’s happened just yet.

We have to think of him first of all. He relied on her more than even he realized. They were quite devoted to each other. I’m afraid we all took Theresa too much for granted . her good nature . her unselfishness . her way of playing down all the good she did to us all. We now see what a wonderful person she was. Carleton has been lucky . but that means it is going to be so much worse for him to face up to what he has lost. He’ll miss her every minute of the day.

We shall all miss her terribly . please don’t go yet, Rosetta. “

“James will have to go back to his work.”

“Yes … and he’ll be coming here soon to collect you.”

I nodded.

“But that doesn’t mean you have to go.”

“But of course I shall have to go with them. I shall have to leave when they do.”

“I can’t see why. You haven’t work to get back to.”

“I… I don’t think I should be wanted here … at a time like this.”

“That’s nonsense. I know your presence will help.”

I told Felicity what he had said.

“He’s right,” was her verdict.

“You’ve made a difference to him. I think you’ve been able to talk to him about that terrible time.”

“But I couldn’t stay here without you.”

She wrinkled her brows.

“I dare say your Aunt Maud would think you ought to go home. But, after all, I don’t see why you shouldn’t stay on a little. James will have to go back, of course, and I shall go with him.”

It was left at that and very soon after James arrived. His shock was great and by this time we were all learning something of the enormity of the tragedy which had overtaken this house.

Nanny Crockett said: “The place will never be the same again. Mrs. Lorimer was the one who saw it all went like clockwork. This is going to make a very big difference. But it’s the children I’m most worried about. They’re going to miss their mother. Oh, they’ve got me and they’ve got you now, but by golly, they are going to miss her. She was always in and out of the nursery. They used to wait for her visits. I don’t know what this is going to do to them.”

It was such a sad time. I was so desperately sorry for Carleton. He walked about like a man in a bewildered dream. Lucas said it was impossible to discuss anything. He could only talk about Theresa.

Lucas himself was deeply affected.

“This is the worst thing that could have happened to Carleton,” he said.

“I’ve been a selfish brute moaning about my own troubles … telling myself he was the lucky one everything fell to him and so on … and now there he is … there’s no comforting him.”

I was dreading the funeral. People came to the church from all over the neighbourhood. This was genuine mourning. Theresa had been loved and respected by so many.

Nanny Crockett kept the children in the nursery. I wondered what they were thinking as I listened to the dismal tolling of the bell. I thought of Simon who, years before, had heard a similar bell. To him it had meant the sound of doom, the loss of Angel and the plummeting into the unknown.

When everybody had left and the house was quiet, I went up to the nursery. Nanny Crockett was dressed in deep black. She shook her head sadly.

“They keep asking questions,” she said.

“What do you tell such little ones? They don’t understand.

“She’s gone to Heaven,” I say.

“When will she be back?” they ask.

“Well,” I say, “when people go to Heaven they stay a little while.”

Jennifer said, “It would be bad manners to go away too soon, wouldn’t it?” I nearly broke down. Then she said, “She’s having tea with God, I think, and the angels will be there.” It breaks your heart. “

The children had heard us and came running out.

They stood still, looking at me, their faces solemn. They sensed that something terrible was happening and everyone was very sad about it.

Jennifer looked at me and her face suddenly crumpled.

“I want my mummy,” she said.

I held out my arms and she ran to me. Henry followed her. I held them tightly.

That decided me. I could not leave immediately. I must stay for a while.

I was glad I stayed. I felt I was doing something useful and that I brought a modicum of comfort to that stricken household.

I spent a great deal of time in the nursery with the children at that hour when it had been their mother’s custom to be with them; and between us Nanny Crockett and I managed to get them over the first tragic days of heartbreak. They were too young to understand fully what had happened and we smoothed away some of that uneasiness which they would inevitably feel; there were times when they would be absorbed in something and forget; but sometimes one of them would wake in the night and cry for Mummy. The other would wake and share the terrible loss. But usually either Nanny Crockett or I was there to offer comfort.

Carleton continued to be dazed. The blow was all the sharper for being unexpected. Fortunately there was a good deal of work to be done on the estate; that kept him busy and he was met with sympathy and understanding wherever he went. I knew he would never be the same again. He was particularly shattered because life had followed an even stream of contentment and he had expected it to go on doing so. I knew at times he found it hard to believe that this had really happened to him and he seemed unable to grasp that Theresa was no longer there and never would be again.

Lucas had grown philosophical. He did not expect life to flow peacefully. Tragedy had already struck him and he was not surprised that it had come again. Perhaps that was why he was able to face it more realistically.

He said to me: “You have done a great deal for us. It was fortunate for us that you were here when it happened.”

“I wish I could do more,” I told him.

“You and Nanny Crockett have been wonderful with the children. As for Carleton … only time will help him.”

We took short rides together and the days began to pass.