The Captive

A Visit to London

I had made up my mind that I was going to London. I wanted to be there when Lucas had his operation. I wanted to see him before it took place, so that I could assure him that I should be thinking of him all the time; and that I was praying that the operation would be successful.

I could stay with my father, where I should not be very far from the clinic. I must be close at hand and I wanted Lucas to know that I was there.

I approached young Lady Perrivale.

I said: “I am very sorry, but I have to go to London. A very dear friend of mine is having an operation and I want to be there.

Moreover, it is time I saw my father. I haven’t seen him since I left with my friends Professor and Mrs. Grafton for Cornwall, and I really owe it to my family to explain a few things. “

“Oh dear,” she said.

“I’m afraid Kate will be most upset. You two have got along so well together.”

“Yes, but I have to go. I’ll talk to her. I’ll see that she understands.”

I did talk to her.

“Why can’t I come?” she said.

“Because I have to go alone.”

“I don’t see why.”

“I do.”

“What about me while you’re away?”

“You managed before I came.”

“That was different.”

“I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll find some books for you to read and you can tell me all about them when I get back. I’ll set you some lessons, too. “

“What’s the good of that?”

“It’ll pass the time.”

“I don’t want the time to pass. I don’t want you to go unless I go with you.”

“Alas. That is another lesson you have to learn. Things don’t always turn out the way we want them to. Listen, Kate. This is something I have to do.”

“You might not come back.”

“I will. I swear it.”

She brought a Bible and made me take an oath on it. She seemed a little more satisfied after that.

I was deeply moved to see that I meant so much to her.

My father was pleased to see me. Aunt Maud was cool and disapproving as I had expected her to be.

My father said: “This was a strange decision for you to take, Rosetta.”

“I wanted to do something.”

“There were so many more suitable things you could have done,” said Aunt Maud.

“I could have found you something at the Museum,” added my father.

“That would have been far better,” said Aunt Maud.

“But a governess . and in the wilds of Cornwall.”

“It is a very important family. They are neighbours of the Lorimers.”

“I am so glad you are near them,” said my father.

“What are you teaching?”

“Everything,” I told him.

“It’s not difficult.”

He looked amazed.

“In any case,” said Aunt Maud.

“No matter what you teach and to whom, I think it is a very foolish thing to have done. A governess indeed!”

“Felicity was one, remember.”

“You are not Felicity.”

“No, I’m myself. I was just saying that she managed very well and was not the least bit ashamed of having been once a governess.”

“It was with friends … and to oblige.”

“Well, I’m obliging. They’re very glad to have me.”

Aunt Maud made an impatient gesture.

I had a very good welcome in the kitchen. Mr. Dolland looked a little older. There was a little more white at his temples. Mrs. Harlow seemed larger than I remembered her and the girls were the same.

“So you’re a governess now, are you?” said Mrs. Harlow with a faint sniff.

“Yes, Mrs. Harlow.”

“And you the master’s daughter!”

“I enjoy it. I have a very bright and unusual pupil. She was quite unmanageable until I came.”

“I wouldn’t have believed it … nor would Mr. Dolland … would you, Mr. Dolland?”

Mr. Dolland agreed that he never would.

“It used to be such fun down here,” I said.

“Do you still do The Bells, Mr. Dolland?”

“Now and then. Miss Rosetta.”

“It used to frighten me so. I used to dream about the Polish Jew. I’ve told Kate she’s my pupil about you. I’d love to bring her up to meet you all.”

“We miss not having a young ‘un in the house,” said Mrs. Harlow reminiscently.

I went to her and put my arms round her. She hugged me tightly for a few moments.

“There,” she said, wiping her eyes, ‘we often talk about the old days.

You were an old-fashioned little thing. “

“I must hear The Bells before I go back.”

“I heard Mr. Lorimer is in London.”

“Yes. I shall go to see him while I’m here.”

I intercepted a knowing look which passed between Mrs. Harlow and Mr. Dolland. So they were pairing me off with Lucas.

The next day I went to the clinic. Lucas was delighted to see me.

“I’m so touched that you came,” he said.

“Of course I came. I wanted to be here while it was done, and I want you to know that I’ll be thinking of you all the time. I shall come round tomorrow afternoon with my father or Aunt Maud and find out how it went.”

“That might be too early.”

“Nevertheless, I shall come.”

His room was small with a single bed and a small table beside it. He was in a dressing-gown. He said that he had been advised to rest for the last two days and was spending the time mainly reading. They had to prepare him apparently and this was what they were doing.

“I’m so glad you came, Rosetta,” he said.

“There’s some thing I wanted you to know. Sit down there, by the window, so that I can see you.”

“Does the sound of the traffic disturb you?” I asked.

“No. I like it. It makes me feel there’s a lot going on outside.”

“What do you want to tell me, Lucas?”

“I took some action. It was a little while ago, before you confessed to me that John Player was Simon Perrivale.”

“Action, Lucas? What action?”

“I sent Dick Duvane off to look for him.”

“You … what?”

“I didn’t have much to go on. Dick went off to Constantinople I thought Simon might still be working for the Pasha and there might be a possibility of bribing someone to get him back. I know how these people work. It was just the sort of thing Dick would do well. If anyone could bring it off, he would.”

“Why did you do it, Lucas?”

“Because I knew that he was the one you wanted. I used to tell myself that there was a sort of bond between the three of us. We’d been through so much together. That does something to people. But I was in a way the outsider. On the island I felt that.”

“It was because you weren’t able to walk. We had to go off together to see what we could find to eat. You were never the outsider, Lucas.”

“Oh yes, I was. It was to you he confessed his secret and here you are, intent above everything on proving his innocence.”

I was silent.

“There have been times when I thought you and I … well, it was what I wanted. Life has been different for me since you came to Cornwall.

I’ve felt a certain optimism . just a thought that miracles can happen. “

“We saw one miracle … more than one. It really seemed as if Providence … fate … or whatever you call it, was looking after us. Look how we survived in those seas … and then on the island, and how fortunate I was in the seraglio. I did at times feel my good angel was looking after me. You too, Lucas. The way in which you came home was certainly … miraculous.”

“Like this …” he said, looking down at his leg.

“I don’t think any of us have escaped unscathed. But, Lucas, you did this for me. You were trying to find him to bring him back to me.”

“I admit that at times I thought I was a fool. Let him go, I said to myself. Let him stay away for ever. Then you and I could make something of our lives … together. That’s the way I used to think.

Then I thought: She’ll always hanker. She’ll always think of him. So I came to the conclusion that I’d try to find him and bring him back if that were possible. “

“I shall never forget that you did this for me. You once told me that you loved me next best to yourself, and that all people loved themselves best and when they said they loved someone else it was because of the comfort and pleasure that person brought them. Do you remember? I don’t think you have shown that is true . of you. “

He laughed.

“Don’t make a hero of me. You’ll be horribly disappointed if you do.”

“Oh, Lucas …”

“All right, all right. No more. Don’t let’s get sentimental. I thought you ought to know, that’s all. When you told me who he was and that he had said he would try to get to Australia, I wrote to Dick and he’ll be on his way there now. It’s a sparsely populated place. It might be a fraction easier to find him there. But even if we did … he can’t come back, can he?”

“Until we prove him innocent.”

He looked at me sadly.

“You think I am never going to prove it, don’t you?” I said.

“I think you have set yourself a very difficult task.”

“But you are going to help me, Lucas.”

“Rather a broken reed, you know.”

“But you are going to be much better after … you know you are.

You’re sure of it. “

“Well, that’s the whole purpose, isn’t it?”

“I can’t wait for tomorrow to be over.”

“Thank you, Rosetta.”

“It’s got to be a success. It’s got to be.”

He nodded. I kissed him on the forehead and left him. I was unable to hide my emotion and I did not want him to see how fearful I was.

After I had left him I asked if I might have a word with the surgeon and I was finally conducted to him. I said that I should be grateful if he would tell me if there was any danger of Lucas’s not coming through the operation.

When he hesitated for a few seconds I felt numb with “I believe you are his fiancee,” he said. I did not deny it. I thought in that role he would be more frank with me. He went on: “It is a long and delicate operation. If it is successful, he will be able to walk with much more ease and painlessly … although there will always be a slight limp. Because it is long and complicated, it could be a strain on the heart, and that is where the danger lies. Mr. Lorimer is strong and healthy. He is in moderately good condition. There is a good chance that he will come successfully through the operation. It is just that we should not forget the strain on the heart.”

“Thank you,” I said.

He laid a hand on my shoulder.

“I am sure it will be all right,” he said.

I came out of the clinic feeling very disturbed. I wanted to go back to Lucas and tell him how much I cared for him, and at this time the most important thing in the world to me was that the operation would be a success.

The next day seemed as though it would never pass. In the late afternoon my father. Aunt Maud and I went to the clinic. We saw the doctor whom I had seen on the previous day.

“He has come safely through,” he said.

“It is too soon yet to see how successful the operation is. But Mr. Lorimer is doing well. You might look in and see him, but don’t stay more than a few minutes. Just Miss Cranleigh, of course.”

I saw Lucas. He was lying in his bed, his leg under a frame. He looked very different from how I had ever seen him before . defenceless, vulnerable.

“Hello, Lucas.”

“Rosetta …”

“They say you’ve done well.”

He nodded and looked at the chair beside his bed. I sat down.

“Good to see you.”

“Don’t talk. They’ve told me I mustn’t stay more than a few minutes.”

He smiled faintly.

“I just want you to know that I’m thinking of you all the time. I’ll come again as soon as they let me.”

He smiled.

“And you’ll be out of here soon.”

A nurse looked in and I rose.

“Don’t forget. I’m thinking of you,” I said, and kissed him.

Then we went back to Bloomsbury.

Lucas was progressing ‘as well as could be expected’. He was in bed and I gathered that the success of the operation was not yet known and would not be until he was able to put his feet to the ground. Visits had to be brief. It made the days seem long, and one day I decided to go and look at the place where Mirabel had stayed when she had come to London with her mysterious illness.

I could not forget that Maria had said: “If she had been married I should have thought she was expecting.” She must have been wrong.

There was no child. I wondered if there was some evidence hidden in the fact that she had come to London in that way.

Malton House was in Bayswater. That was all I knew, but it might not be impossible to find the place.

Lucas had occupied my mind exclusively during the last week, and because I was unable to see him except very briefly, I needed something to occupy me and to take my mind from the fearful feeling of uncertainty that all might not have gone right with him after all.

I would take a cab one afternoon and go and see if I could find Malton House. I reminded myself that I must ‘leave no stone unturned’. Who knew, important evidence might be found in the least expected places.

It was true that the need to prove Simon innocent had taken second place to my anxiety about Lucas lately, but I had gone too far in my search to slacken now. The need to prove Simon’s innocence was as strong as ever.

I knew the name of the house and the name of the district. I would hail a cab and ask to be taken to Bayswater. Cabdrivers were very knowledgeable about London. They had to be. It was essential to their jobs.

It was early afternoon. My father was at work in his study. Aunt Maud was taking a nap. I came out of the house and hailed a cab.

The cabdriver looked a little dismayed when I told him I wanted to go to Malton House in Bayswater.

“Malton House? Where’s that?”

“In Bayswater.”

“That all the address you’ve got?”

I told him it was.

“Well, we’ll get to Bayswater. That’s easy enough. Here … wait a minute, I know of a Malton Square.”

“I think it would very likely be there.”

“All right then, Miss. We’ll go and see.”

When we arrived at Malton Square he slowed down and studied the houses as we went along.

We saw a woman with a shopping-bag. She was walking briskly along.

The cabdriver slowed up and touched his hat with his whip.

“Excuse me, lady. You know Malton House round here?”

“Why, yes,” she said.

“The one on the corner.”

“Thank ‘ee, M’am.”

The cab stopped before a house.

I said: “Will you wait for me? I shall not be long.”

“I’ll just wait round the corner, into the next street,” he said.

“Can’t very well stay here right on the corner.”

“That will suit me beautifully.”

And it did, for it occurred to me that he might think it odd that I had made the journey just to look at the place.

The house lay back from the road. Steps led to the door, and among the few rather dingy bushes in the front garden there was a board on which was printed “Malton House. Maternity Nursing Home.” And in the corner, “Mrs. B. A. Campden’ with several letters after her name, the significance of which I was unsure of.

I stood staring at the board for some moments and as I did so a woman came up to me. I recognized her at once as the one whom the cabdriver had asked about the house.

“Can I help you?” she asked pleasantly.

“Oh … erno, thank you,” I said.

“I am Mrs. Campden,” she said.

“I saw you alight from the cab.”

This was becoming awkward. She must know that I had meant to come here as the cabby had asked her the way. How could I tell her that I just wanted to look at the place?

She said: “Why don’t you come in? It’s easier to talk inside.”

“I … er … I only wanted …”

She smiled at me.

“I understand.” Her eyes swept over me. I found myself following her up the steps. The door was open and we stepped into a hall in which was a reception area.

“Come along in,” she said.

I began to protest.

“I only …” How could I tell her that I wanted to see what sort of place this was? She seemed to have drawn her. own conclusions about me.

“Really I shouldn’t waste your time …” I began.

She took my arm and drew me into a room.

“Now, let’s be comfortable,” she said. She pushed me into a chair.

“You mustn’t be embarrassed. So many girls are. I understand that.

We’re here to help. “

I felt I -was getting deeper and deeper into a ridiculous situation, from which I must extricate myself as quickly as

possible. What could I say? How to explain? She knew that I had purposely come to the place. It was most unfortunate that the cabdriver should have spoken to her. I tried to think of some reason why I should be here.

“I have to ask a few questions, of course,” she was saying, while I was desperately racking my brains for some plausible excuse for being here.

“Now don’t be nervous. I’m used to this sort of thing. We’ll put everything right. Have you any idea when conception took place?”

I was horrified now. I wanted to get out of this place as quickly as I could.

“You’re making a mistake,” I said.

“I… I just came to enquire about a friend of mine.”

“A friend? What friend?”

“I believe she came here. It was some time ago … I have lost touch with her and I wondered if you could help me. She was Mrs. Blanchard”

“Mrs. Blanchard?” She stared at me blankly.

I thought she would surely remember. Anyone would remember Mirabel.

Her unusual beauty would make that inevitable.

A sudden thought came to me. On the spur of the moment I said: “Or perhaps she came as Mrs. Parry …”

As soon as I had spoken, I wondered what I was thinking of. It was just that the thought had flashed into my mind that her visit here would be of a secret nature and she might not have used the name of Blanchard. There had always been a faint suspicion in my mind that she was in fact the wife of the sailor whose grave Kate visited . that she was in truth at that time Mrs. Parry.

I was losing my head. I just wanted to get away.

I said: “I thought if you could give me her address.”

“I must tell you right away that we never divulge the addresses of our patients.”

“Well, I thought you might not. Thank you very much. I’m sorry to have taken up your time.”

“What is your name?”

“Oh, that’s not important. I was just passing and I thought…”

Just passing! In a cab which brought me here specially! I was making a mess of. this

“You are not the Press, are you?” she asked rather threateningly.

“No … no, no, I assure you. I was just thinking about my friend and wondering whether you could help me find her. I am so sorry to have bothered you. I shouldn’t have come in if …”

“If I hadn’t come along just at that moment. Are you sure you are not in need of our services?”

“I’m quite sure. If you’ll excuse me. I’m so sorry to have troubled you … Goodbye, and thank you.”

I made for the door while she watched me through narrowed eyes.

I was trembling. There was something about the woman, about the place, which made me very apprehensive.

It was with great relief that I came out into the street. What a disaster! How was I to know I should encounter the proprietress! What bad luck that she should have come along at that precise moment. And I had been quite unprepared. I was hopeless in the role I had set for myself. Because I had managed rather well as a governess, I fancied myself as a detective. I felt humiliated and shaken; and my desire was to get away as quickly as possible.

It was a lesson to me. My methods of investigation were both crude and amateur.

I ran round the corner to where the cab was waiting.

“That was quick,” said the cabdriver.

“Oh yes.”

“Everything all right?”

“Oh, yes … yes.”

I knew he was thinking: A girl in trouble going to one of those places. Maternity Home, yes-but not averse to helping a girl in trouble.

I sat back, thinking of it all, going over every excruciating minute.

Why had I mentioned Mrs. Parry! It had just come into my head that she might have gone there under that name. How foolish of me! One thing I did know, and that was that Mirabel must have been pregnant when she went there and not so when she came out. What could it mean? Whose child was it? Cosmo’s? She was going to marry Cosmo at that time. Or Tristan’s?

Was this an important piece of evidence?

It seemed to me that the chain of events was becoming more complicated and I was no nearer to the solution.

When I reached our house I was still shaken from the encounter.

The next day I went to see Lucas. When I knocked at his door it was opened by him. He stood standing there.

“Lucas!” I cried.

“Look at me.” He took a few steps and I could see the difference.

“It’s worked!” I cried.

He nodded, smiling triumphantly.

“Oh, Lucas … it’s wonderful.”

I threw myself at him and he held me close.

“You’ve helped a lot,” he said.

“I?”

“Coming every day. Caring.”

“Of course I came. Of course I cared. Tell me all about it.”

“Well, I’m still something of a poor thing.”

“You don’t look it.”

“This business has worked, they tell me. I’ve got to do exercises and such like. But I’m better. I feel better. I feel lighter. Less like an old hulk.”

“Wonderful! It was all worthwhile.”

“I have to be here for another week or two, while they

put me through my paces. I have to learn to walk again . like a baby. “

I could only smile at him. I felt near to tears. I was so happy because the operation had been a success.

“You’ll be here for a while?”

“Yes. I shall come and see you every day and watch for improvements.”

“There are quite a few needed.”

“But it’s better, Lucas.”

“I shall still be a bit of a cripple. There are things they can’t put right. But they have done a great deal. This man is something of a genius. I think I was a bit of a guinea-pig;

but he’s pleased with me . though not half as pleased as he is with himself. “

“Don’t let’s grudge him his glory, Lucas. I’m so happy …”

“I haven’t felt like this for a long time.”

“I’m glad … so glad.”

On the way out I was waylaid by the surgeon. His delight was obvious.

“Mr. Lorimer was such a good patient,” he said.

“He was determined and that is a great help.”

“We don’t know how to thank you enough.”

“My reward is the success of the operation.”

When I went home and told them, my father said how gratifying it was that modern medical science had advanced so far; Aunt Maud showed her pleasure in a manner which told me she was speculating on the possibility of a match between Lucas and me; but it was in the kitchen that I was able to celebrate with abandon.

Mr. Dolland, wise as ever, leaned his elbows on the table and talked about the wonders of medicine today with far more enthusiasm than my father had done; and Mrs. Harlow sighed romantically, so I knew her thoughts were on the same lines as those of Aunt Maud, but it did not irritate me as Aunt Maud’s speculation had done.

Then Mrs. Harlow told of her cousin’s operation for appendicitis and how she had come near to death under the surgeon’s knife. Mr. Dolland remembered a play in which a man was supposed to be a cripple unable to move from his chair when all the time he could walk with ease and was the murderer.

It was like old times and I was happier than I had been for a long time.

It was not until a day or so later that I told Lucas about my unpleasant experience at the Maternity Home.

“But at least,” I said, “I did find out that Mirabel was going to have a baby before Cosmo was killed and evidently she went to that place for an abortion.”

“What an extraordinary turn of events! What bearing do you think this has on the murder?”

“I can’t think.”

“If it were Cosmo’s child they could let it be thought that it was a premature birth … unless it was too late for that.”

“Sir Edward wouldn’t have approved, of course.”

“But he was on his deathbed.”

“It could have been Tristan’s and when she thought she was going to marry Cosmo she had to do something about it.”

“That seems likely. It’s all very complicated. There is a possibility that you didn’t go to the right place. After all, you only had the address … and verbally at that… from Maria.”

“Well, I’m afraid it hasn’t got us very far. There was something rather sinister about the place and this Mrs. Campden was really very put out when she thought I was making enquiries.”

“Well, I suppose she would be. She thought she had a client.”

“She looked a little alarmed when she thought I might be from the Press.”

“Which suggests she might be in fear of them, as what she is doing is illegal. Listen to me, Rosetta. I suggest you drop this sleuthing.”

“I must find out, Lucas.”

“You don’t know what you’re getting into.”

“But what of Simon?”

“Simon should come home and work out his own problems.”

“How could he? He’d be arrested.”

“I have a feeling that this is becoming more than a little unpleasant for you,” “I don’t mind a bit if it’s unpleasant.”

“Moreover, you could be dealing with dangerous people. After all, it is a murder you are investigating, and if you believe Simon wasn’t the murderer, then someone here probably is. How do you think the guilty person would feel about your probing?”

“That person would not know I am doing it.”

“What about that woman? She didn’t seem to be very pleased. And if she is dealing in abortions … at a good price, I imagine … she could be in trouble.”

“She had a board outside. It was a maternity home. That is legal.”

“It might be a cover. I have a feeling that you ought to stop it… keep out of it.”

“I have to clear Simon.”

He shrugged his shoulders.

“All right,” he said.

“But keep me informed.”

“I will do that, Lucas.”

The next day Felicity arrived in London. I was overjoyed to see her.

“I had to come up to see Lucas,” she said.

“And I guessed that you might be here, too. How is he?”

“Coming along very well. The operation was a success. He’ll be delighted to see you, as I am.”

“I came straight from the station,” she went on.

“I thought I’d get the news of Lucas and see you at the same time.”

Aunt Maud came in and greeted Felicity warmly.

“I’ll see that a room is made ready for you right away,” she said.

Felicity replied that she had been thinking of staying at an hotel.

“Nonsense,” said Aunt Maud.

“You must stay here. And if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and see about it right away.”

Felicity smiled at me.

“Still the efficient Aunt Maud.”

“Oh yes. Mrs. Harlow says the household runs like clockwork.”

“And what is all this about becoming a governess … following in my footsteps?”

“You could say that.”

She looked puzzled.

“We have such a lot to talk about.”

“Let’s get you settled in first.”

We went up. Meg was putting the final touches to the room. Felicity exchanged a few pleasantries with her and then we were alone. I sat on the bed while she put the few things she had brought with her into drawers and cupboards.

“Tell me honestly. Is Lucas really improved?”

“Oh yes. There’s no doubt of that.”

“I’m glad you came up from Cornwall.”

“I just had to.”

She nodded.

“Tell me all about this idea of being a governess.”

“Well, there was this girl. No one could manage her. It was a sort of challenge.”

She looked at me disbelievingly. And then suddenly it dawned on me that I might have confided in Felicity long ago. I could trust her completely; she was resourceful. Nanny Crockett and Lucas already knew; and I could not keep it from Felicity any longer.

So, having extracted a promise of absolute secrecy, I told her everything.

She listened incredulously.

“I thought your stay in the seraglio was fantastic,” she said.

“And now, this …”

“People have been sold into harems before,” I said.

“It happened to Nicole. It’s just that it is more rare than it used to be …”

“But this Simon … he really is Simon Perrivale?”

“Do you remember the case?”

“Vaguely. It raised quite a storm at the time, didn’t it, and then it dropped out of the news. And you are convinced of his innocence.”

“Yes, I am. You would be. Felicity … if you could have known him.”

“And you were alone on this island …”

“Lucas was with us … but he couldn’t walk. He just lay in the boat and kept a lookout for a sail.”

“It sounds like Robinson Crusoe.”

“Well, all those who are shipwrecked and cast up on an island are like that.”

“Are you … in love with this … Simon?”

“There was a very strong … bond between us.”

“Did you discuss your feelings for each other?”

I shook my head.

“No … not really. It was just there. We were all so intent on survival. When we were on the island we thought we were doomed. There wasn’t enough to eat or drink … and then we were picked up and there was no opportunity.”

“He left you at the Embassy and then you came home and he stayed behind.”

“He would have been arrested if he had come back.”

“Yes, of course. And Lucas shared in all this … to a certain extent.”

I nodded.

“I’ve always been fond of Lucas,” she mused.

“It was very distressing to see him when he came back. He had always

been so full of vitality. James is fond of him, too. James said he had a flair for living. I think Lucas loves you, Rosetta. “

“Yes.”

“Has he asked you to marry him?”

“Yes … but not very seriously … really … rather flippantly.”

“I think he might be inclined to flippancy where his feelings are most concerned. You could do a lot for him and, I think, he for you. Oh, I know you think you don’t need him … as he needs you … but you do, Rosetta. All that you went through … well, my dear, you couldn’t really endure all that and remain as you were before.”

“No, I couldn’t.”

“Lucas was there part of the time. There is so much he would understand.”

I was silent and she went on: “You’re thinking Simon was there, too.

And there was this special bond between you and him. “

“It started before … when he was cleaning the decks.”

“I know. You told me. And now you are dedicated to proving his innocence.”

“I must. Felicity.”

“If he came back … if you saw him with Lucas … you might decide.

Lucas is really a wonderful person. “

“I know. Felicity. I’ve learned that. This operation … when there was just a slight fear that he might not come through … I realized how important his friendship was to me. I have confessed to him what I am trying to do. Felicity, and he is helping me. He has sent Dick Duvane out to see if he can find Simon. He was going to bring him back if he could … he thought they might take a ransom for him as they did for Lucas himself. That was before he knew that Simon couldn’t come back.”

“And you will never be completely content if you don’t see him again.

He will haunt you for ever. You would always remember . and perhaps build up something which was never there. “

“He can’t come back until his innocence is proved.”

“How can he hope to prove it from afar?”

“But how could he do it if he were in prison awaiting death?”

“So … it is for you to find the solution.”

“I want to do it. I shall never stop trying.”

“I know. I remember your stubborn nature of old.” She laughed.

“Some would call it determination.”

We went on talking about it. I dare say I went over the same ground again and again, but she said “she wanted the complete picture. It was typical of Felicity to throw herself wholeheartedly into my affairs.

She said: “It would be interesting to know why Sir Edward brought him into the household.”

“The obvious conclusion is that he was Sir Edward’s son.”

“It certainly seems likely.”

“But the mystery is that Sir Edward was so morally conventional … a strict disciplinarian.”

“But that sort can have their lapses.”

“That’s what Lucas says. But from what I’ve heard Sir Edward was particularly censorious with those who erred in that respect.”

“Well, as I say, that often happens, but it is just possible that the key to the mystery may be in the secret of Simon’s birth. And when one is studying a case of this nature it is as well to know everything possible about the characters in the drama. See if you can remember more of what you have heard about Simon’s beginnings.”

“I’ve told you about Angel. You see, he doesn’t even say she was his mother. She was just Angel.”

“That’s explainable. I expect she called him her angel, as mothers do. It was probably the first thing he remembered. Then he transferred the name to her. I’ve known that sort of thing happen with children. I know with mine. Was she his mother? Or was she someone who had adopted him as a baby? That’s a possibility. “

“What difference would it make?”

“Possibly none. But we don’t know, do we? And every detail can be important. What else about his beginnings?”

“There was a wicked aunt. Aunt Ada was her name. He was scared of her and that when Angel died she was going to take him with her. Sir Edward seemed to sense his fear and stepped in. At least that is the impression he gave.”

“Do you remember anything about the aunt? You haven’t got a surname .. just Ada.”

“Just that. He thought she was a witch and he and Angel went to visit her. It was a place called Witches’ Home, and as it was her home they were going to that was significant.”

“Did he say anything about the place?”

“He said there was water at the bottom of the garden, I think. Yes, he did. It could have been a river.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes. He must have been under five years old, because he was five when he came to Perrivale.”

“Well,” said Felicity, ‘we’ve got. Witches’ Home and presumably a river and Ada. “

“What are you suggesting?”

“I was thinking that we might try and find Ada. A little talk with her might be rewarding.”

“Felicity, you mean that you …”

“I have an idea. Why don’t you come back with me and we’ll spend a few days together before you go back to Cornwall. James and the children would love to see you.”

“I do have my work. I’ve been away longer than I should,”

“The enfant terrible. Oh yes. By the way, how is she getting on without you?”

“Well, I hope. But I must get back. I can’t take too much time, although they are very amenable.”

“A few more days won’t make much difference. In any case, they won’t dismiss you. They’ll be so pleased to have you back.”

“Kate might revert to her old habits from which, I believe, I am weaning her.”

“That will only make them appreciate you all the more. I have a plan.

We’ll find out if there is a place called Witches’ Home . or something like it. It could be on a river . or some sort of water.

That could be useful. “

“It might have been a pond at the end of the garden. All we really have is Ada and Witches’ Home. It will be rather like Thomas a Becket’s mother coming to England, her only knowledge of the English language being London and Gilbert and going through the streets of the capital calling Gilbert’s name.”

“I’m glad you remember the history I taught you.”

“Well, London is rather different from Witches’ Home and a great deal larger.”

“I imagine Witches’ Home is a small village where every one will know everyone’s business.”

“And where are we going to find this Witches’ Home.”

“We’ll consult maps.”

“Little villages are not marked on maps.”

She was downcast but only for a few moments. Then her eyes sparkled.

“I have it,” she said.

“Professor Hapgood. That’s the answer.”

“Who’s Professor Hapgood?”

“My dear Rosetta, I don’t live in Oxford for nothing. Professor Hapgood is the greatest authority on the villages of England. It’s his passion … his life’s work. He can go right back to the Domesday Book and beyond. If there is a place called Witches’ Home in England, he will tell us in the winking of an eye. Ah, I can see your scepticism fast disappearing. But trust me, Rosetta, and Professor Hapgood.”

How glad I was that Felicity knew. I was reproaching myself for not having told her before.

Felicity and I went to the clinic. Lucas was improving and was now walking with great ease. He said he was no longer in pain with every step; all at the clinic were very pleased with his progress. He still had to rest a good deal and would be going home in about a week.

I told him that I had taken Felicity into my confidence and we had plans for trying to locate Aunt Ada. He was amused at the prospect; he said the information we had to go on was very flimsy; however, he was impressed at the mention of Professor Hapgood, of whose reputation he was aware.

I said that as Oxford was on the way I could go straight to Cornwall from there. I could not delay my return much longer and I should be at Perrivale perhaps a few days before Lucas returned to Trecorn Manor.

“I shouldn’t hope for too much success in this new venture,” he warned me.

“Even if you do find the place-and you might with Professor Hapgood’s help-you’ve still got the search for Aunt Ada.”

“We know,” I told him.

“But we’re going to try.”

“Good luck,” he said.

The next day Felicity and I left for Oxford where I was greeted in a most friendly fashion by James and the children. Felicity explained that she and I were taking a little trip and she would accompany me on part of the journey back to Cornwall, but only be away for a night or two.

James was always understanding about the close friendship between myself and Felicity and he never raised objections to our taking a little time to be together. So that was easily settled and our first task was to get into touch with Professor Hapgood, who was delighted to help.

He took us to his study which was lined with massive tomes; and it was clear that the prospect of a search delighted him.

He could find no Witches’ Home, which we rather expected.

“You said a child, under five mentioned the name. Well, it must be something that sounded similar. Witches’ Home. Let me see. There’s Witching Hill. Willinham … Willinunder-Lime. Wodenham. And what about Witchenholme. That might sound to a five-year-old like Witches’ Home. More than the others, I think. There’s Willenheime … well, those two would be the most likely.”

“Hoime sounds more like home than heime,” I said.

“Yes,” agreed the professor.

“Let me see. Witchenholme is on the River Witchen … it’s hardly a river… a tributary of, let me see …”

“A tributary sounds just right,” said Felicity.

“The boy said there was water at the bottom of the garden.”

“Let me look at Willenheime. No, there is no river there. It’s in the north of England.”

“That can’t be the one. Where is Witchenholme?”

“Not far from Bath.”

I looked at Felicity with delight.

“In the west,” I said.

“Much more likely.”

“We’ll try Witchenholme,” said Felicity.

“And if it isn’t the one, we shall probably be troubling you again. Professor.”

“It’s a great pleasure,” he said.

“I pride myself I can produce the smallest hamlet that existed in England since the days of the Norman Conquest, and I like to have a chance to prove it. Now, let me see.

Your nearest town would be Rippleston. “

“Is there a railway?”

“Yes, there’s a Rippleston station. Witchenholme would be no more than a mile or so out.”

“We’re extremely grateful.”

“Good luck in the search. And if it’s not the one, don’t hesitate to come back to me and we’ll try again.”

As we left him I felt amazingly optimistic.

“Now,” said Felicity, “We shall have to go through Witchenhoime as Mrs. Becket did through London, only we shall not be calling Gilbert but Ada.”

We booked a room for the night at Rippleston, which proved to be a small market town.

“We may have difficulty in locating Ada and may need two days to do it,” said Felicity.

It was good to have her with me. I remembered how she had always thrown herself wholeheartedly into any project. It was one of those characteristics which had made her such a stimulating companion.

All the way down in the train we chatted about how we would set about finding Ada, and what we should say to her when we found her. We had both made up our minds that we were going to find her, which was perhaps a little naive of us, but we were very happy to be together, and somehow seemed to slip back into the old days when most things were so exciting.

When we arrived in Rippleston, we booked into our hotel and asked about transport. There was a trap and a man at the hotel who would drive guests where they wished to go. So that was settled quickly.

We decided to waste no time and were soon rattling along the road on our way to Witchenholme.

A hundred yards or so from the village was an inn called the Witchenholme Arms. Here we decided to stop and perhaps ask a few questions in the hope that someone might know of a Miss Ada Something who lived nearby. We arranged for the driver to wait with the trap at the inn.

There was a middleaged woman at the counter serving ale and cider and we asked if she knew of anyone in the village named Ada. She looked at us as though she thought we were a little odd as well she might, and said: “Ada … Ada who?”

“That’s what we’re not sure of,” said Felicity.

“We knew her long ago and we can’t remember her surname … all we can think of is Ada.”

The woman shook her. head.

“Come in here much, does she?”

“We don’t know,” I answered.

“Ada …” She shook her head.

“It’s mostly men who come in regular.”

“I was afraid so,” said Felicity.

“Well, thanks.”

We came out of the inn and started to walk into the village.

“Well, you’d hardly expect Aunt Ada to frequent the Witchenholrne Arms, would you?” said Felicity.

The village was, as the Professor had told us, very small. And there was a river, yes and houses backing on to it.

I felt sure this was the place.

A man on a bicycle rode by. We were on the point of stopping him but I realized, as did Felicity, that he would think we were crazy if we stopped to ask if he knew someone called Ada. If only we had her surname, how much more plausible it would all have sounded.

Felicity said suddenly: “Oh look, there’s the village store. Now if anyone would know, they might in there. Everyone would go in there at some time or other surely …”

We went into the shop. One had to step down and a bell overhead tinkled as the door was opened. There was a pungent smell of paraffin oil and the shop was crowded with goods of all descriptions fruit, cakes, biscuits, bread, sweets in glass bottles, vegetables, hams and poultry, notepaper, envelopes, fly-papers and much more.

“Yes?” said a voice.

Our hearts sank. It was a girl of about fourteen and her face was only just visible above the glass bottles of sweets on the counter.

“We’ve come,” said Felicity, ‘to ask you if you know someone named Ada.”

The girl stared at us in amazement.

“We’re trying to find an old friend,” went on Felicity, ‘and all we can remember is that her name is Ada. We just wondered whether she lived around here . she might come into the shop as most people would, I suppose? “

“What… ?” she stammered.

“Do you know any of the people round here?”

“No. I don’t live here … always. I’ve just come for a bit … I’m helping my aunt.”

“Perhaps we could see her?”

“Aunt…” she called.

“Aunt Ada.”

Felicity and I exchanged glances of wonder.

“Aunt Ada …” whispered Felicity.

“There’s people here wants to see you,” shouted the girl.

“Half a tick,” said a voice.

“I’m coming.”

Was it possible? Could our search be ended? As soon as we saw the woman we knew this was not so. No one could mistake her for a witch.

Never could this one have been Simon’s Aunt Ada. She was very plump, shaped like a cottage loaf, with a rosy, good-humoured face, untidy greying hair and very alert blue eyes.

“Now what can I do for you ladies?” she said, beaming on us.

“It’s a very strange request,” said Felicity.

“We are looking for someone who, we believe, lives here, and we can’t recall her surname.

All that we know is that her Christian name is Ada. “

“Well, she’s not me. I’m Ada. Ada Mac Gee that’s me.”

“Our Ada had a sister called Alice.”

“Alice … Alice who?”

“Well, we don’t know her name either. But she died. We just wondered if among the people here . and you must know most of them . there was an Ada. “

I guessed she was the sort of woman who loved a gossip. She was naturally interested in two strangers who had come into her shop, not for apples or pears or a pint of paraffin oil, but because they were looking for an Ada.

“You must know almost everyone in Witchenhoime,” I said, almost pleadingly.

“Well, most of them come in at some time or other. It’s a bit far to go into Rippleston to shop.”

“Yes, I should imagine so.”

“Ada,” she said.

“Well, there’s Ada Parker down at Green-gates … she’s not Parker any more now … she married again. It’s her third.

We always call her Ada Parker . though not to her face. But Jim Parker was her first husband. Names stick here. “

“Perhaps we’ll call on her. Are there any others?”

“Well, there’s Miss Ferrers. I’ve heard she was an Ada. I remember the Adas … seeing as I’m one of them. I’ve never heard her called Ada, mind … but I’ve got a notion that’s her name.”

“Yes, I can see why you remember the name. I think we were lucky we came to you.”

“Well, I would if I could help you find this friend of yours, of course. Ada … yes, I’m sure Miss Ferrers is an Ada. ‘, I’ve heard it somewhere. Keeps herself to herself. A cut above the rest of us. I’m sure that’s what she thinks, any way.”

“Did she have a sister, do you remember?

“Couldn’t rightly say. She’s been in that cottage for years. I don’t recall a sister. It’s a pretty little place and she keeps it like a picture. Rowan Cottage, it’s called, on account of the tree outside.”

“You’ve been so helpful to us,” said Felicity.

“Thank you very much.”

‘, “Well, I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

“Good day,” we said, and came out. The bell rang as we opened the door and stepped into the street.

“Perhaps we ought to have bought something,” I said.

“She was most obliging.”

“She didn’t expect that. She enjoyed talking to us. I think we’ll dispense with the much-married Mrs. Parker and go to her if the lady at Rowan Cottage fails us. I somehow feel that our Aunt Ada wouldn’t have had three husbands.”

“Look,” I said.

“The houses back on to the river.”

We had walked through the street which seemed to be the whole of Witchenhoime without finding Rowan Cottage. We stood blankly staring about us. Then we saw a house some short distance from the rest and to our delight the rowan tree.

“Well, she would be apart from the others,” said Felicity.

“Remember, she thinks herself ” a cut above”. I imagine she will be formidable.”

“Simon thought so.”

“Come on, let’s beard the lioness in her den.”

“What on earth are we going to say?

“Are you Aunt Ada? Simon’s Aunt Ada?” How does one open a conversation like that? -‘ “We managed with the shop lady.”

“I believe this one will be different.”

Boldly I took the brass knocker and brought it down with an authoritative rat-tat. The sound reverberated through the house. There was a pause and then the door was opened.

She stood before us-tall and thin with greying hair severely drawn back from her face into a knot at the back of her neck; her eyes behind thick glasses were shrewd and alert; her crisply white blouse came right up to her chin, held there by bone supports. A gold chain hung about her neck with what I presumed was a watch tucked in at her waist band.

“Please forgive the intrusion,” I said.

“Mrs. Mac Gee at the shop told us we should find you here.”

“Yes?” she said, coolly enquiring.

Felicity took over.

“We are trying to find a lady called Ada, but unfortunately we don’t know her surname. Mrs. Mac Gee told us you were Miss Ada Ferrers and we wondered if you were the lady we sought.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know you.”

“No, you wouldn’t. But did you by any chance have a sister named Alice who had a son called Simon?”

I saw her flinch behind her glasses; her colour changed a little and I knew then that we had found Aunt Ada.

She was suspicious immediately; “Are you from the Press?” she asked.

“They’ve found him, have they? Oh … is it all going to start again?”

“Miss Ferrers, we are not from the Press. May we come in and explain?

We are trying to prove Simon’s innocence. “

She hesitated. Then she stepped back uncertainly, holding the door open for us to pass into the house.

The hall was small and very neat, with a hat stand on which hung a tweed coat and a felt hat hers obviously and on a small table there was a brass bowl and a vase of flowers.

She threw open a door and we went into a sitting-room which smelt of furniture polish.

“Sit down,” she said, and we did so. She sat facing us.

“Where is he?” she asked.

“We don’t know,” I said.

“I must tell you that he was on a ship. I was also on that ship. We were shipwrecked and I survived with him. He saved my life and that of another man. We were taken to Turkey and there I lost sight of him. But during the time we were together, he told me everything. I am convinced of his innocence and I am trying to prove it. I want to see everybody who can tell me anything about him . anything that might be useful…”

“How can you prove he didn’t do this terrible thing?”

“I don’t know, but I’m trying to.”

“Well, what do you want of me? You’re sure you’re not from the newspapers?”

“I assure you we are not. My name is Rosetta Cranleigh. You may have read about my survival. There was something in the papers about it when I came home.”

“Wasn’t there a man who was crippled or something?”

“Yes, he was with us, too.”

She frowned, still disbelieving.

“I don’t know,” she said.

“It sounds a bit odd to me. And I’ve had enough of it. I don’t want to hear another word. I knew it would go wrong right from the beginning.”

“You mean … when he was a boy?”

She nodded.

“He ought to have come to me. I would have taken him in.

Not that I wanted a child . I’ve never had anything to do with children . but someone would have had to have him and she was my sister. There were only the two of us. How could she have got caught up in that sort of thing? “

“It’s that which we think might help us,” I said tentatively.

“If we could go back right to the beginning …”

“How’s that going to prove he didn’t do it?”

“We’re hoping it might help. We feel we can’t ignore anything… I got to know him very well. We were together in most extraordinary circumstances. We escaped in a boat and drifted on to an island … an uninhabited one. We had this tremendous adventure together. We got to know each other very well, and I’m convinced he couldn’t have killed anyone.”

“He was caught red-handed.”

“I believe that could have been arranged.”

“Who’d arrange a thing like that?”

“It’s what we have to find out. I want your help. Please, Miss Ferrers, he’s your nephew. You want to help him, don’t you?”

“I don’t see how J can. I hadn’t set eyes on him since he was taken away.”

“By Sir Edward Perrivale?”

She nodded.

“Why did Sir Edward take him?”

She was silent. Then she said: “All right. I’ll tell right Tom the beginning. Alice was beautiful. Everyone said so. t was a curse in a way. If she hadn’t been, this wouldn’t iave happened to her. She was a fool… soft as they come. jentle, loving and all that… but she had no sense at all. Her father owned a nice little inn on the other side of Bath. t was a profitable place. Alice and I used to help with the quests. Then one night Edward Perrivale came. He saw Mice … and kept coming. I warned her. I said, ” He’ll bel0 good to you. ” She could have had John Hurrell who iad a sizeable farm, and he wanted to marry her. But no, t had to be this Edward .. “

I looked at Felicity. The story was working out as we iad expected.

The good man had had his lapse and fallen nto temptation, and as was the general way, repentance :ame afterwards.

“I used to say to her time and time again, ” He’s no good :o you. He’ll take what he wants, and then it will be goodbye. That’s how his sort go on. He’s not for you. His lass don’t marry innkeepers’ daughters. “

You could see iv hat he was. A real gentleman and we didn’t get many of us sort at the inn. He’d just come in by chance one night, iorse had gone lame or something. Otherwise he would lever have come to a place like ours. But then he kept coming . because of Alice.

“She would say, ” He’s different. He’s going to marry -ne. “

“Not him,” I said.

“He’s got you on a bit of string. That’s where he’s got you.” She wouldn’t believe me . and it turned out she was right in a way. They were married. [ can testify to that. It was in the church . a simple affair, ho ugh He wouldn’t have it any other way. But married hey were. I was there . so I know. “

“Married I said.

“But…”

“Yes, they were married. We’d been brought up strictly. Alice wouldn’t have gone with him in any other way. Nor would he with her. He was very religious. He made Alice turn to it. Oh, we had to go to church every Sunday. Father always insisted on that but it was more than that with this Edward.”

“So they were really married!”

“Really and truly married. He set her up in a nice little house and then he’d go away and come back. He paid regular visits. I said, ” Where does he go to, then? ” And Alice said, ” Oh, he’s explained all that. He’s got a big house in Cornwall. It’s been in the family for years. He said I wouldn’t like it. and he wouldn’t want me to be there. I’m better off here. ” Alice was a girl who didn’t ask questions. She liked everything to be peaceful. That’s all she asked.

Any trouble and she didn’t want to know. So that’s how it was. He would come to see her and then they’d be like any other married couple. Then he’d go away for a spell. Then the boy came. “

“I see,” I said.

“And when he was five years old … Alice died.”

She nodded.

“There was the question of where Simon would go. I guessed I’d have to have him, she being my sister. I didn’t know what I’d do with the boy. Father had died a year or so before. He’d never liked that marriage though he’d been to the church and seen that it was all properly done and this Edward never stinted her with anything. She was better off than any of us and there was no doubt he thought the world of her. When Father died, I was left comfortably off. Everything was for me. Father had said that Alice was well taken care of. I got this cottage. Alice came here once, bringing the boy.”

“Yes,” I said.

“He mentioned the place to me. That is how I found you.”

“Well, it came out that the one who was murdered was Sir Edward’s son.

It was the first time I knew he was Sir

Edward. At first I thought that he had deceived our Alice and that when he’d gone to the church with her he was married already. But then it came out when there was a lot about the family in the papers that he’d married a Miss Jessica Arkwright and when . and that was after he’d married our Alice. The one who was murdered, his eldest son, was a year or more younger than Simon. It was all a bit fishy, I thought but it was clear as daylight. Alice was his wife and this other woman had no right to the title. Our Alice was the real Lady Perrivale. So the two boys he’d had after were the illegitimate ones not Simon. It’s all a bit of a mystery . I was well out of it then, and I did not want to hear another word about it. You don’t believe me, do you? “

“Oh yes, I do.”

“Well, I can prove it. I’ve got the marriage lines. I said to Alice, ” That’s something you want to keep by you always. ” She was careless about that sort of thing. But I thought there was something odd even at the start. Husbands don’t usually go off like that and leave their wives … not unless they’re trying to get away from them. So I made her be sure to keep her marriage lines. Not that he wanted to get away from her. He was really sad when she died. Then I made sure that I kept the lines. I’ll show them to you.”

“Will you?” I said.

“Of course I will. She was married and no one’s going to say she wasn’t. I’ve got them upstairs. I’ll go now and get them.”

When we were left alone. Felicity said to me: “We didn’t expect this.”

“No.”

“It seems incredible. That strong pillar of the church to commit bigamy.”

“If this is a genuine certificate of marriage …”

“It must be. And she was there at the ceremony. She’s not the sort to say so if she wasn’t.”

“Might she have some idea about protecting her sister’s honour?”

Miss Ferrers came back into the room, proudly waving the document.

We looked at it. There could be little doubt of its authenticity.

“I think,” I said, ‘it may be that someone knew about this, and that Simon was the true heir to his father’s estates and title. It makes a motive. “

“But they didn’t kill him.”

“No … but he was implicated.”

“You mean someone arranged to be rid of both the elder brother and Simon at the same time.”

“It could be. It would be useful if we could have this proof of the marriage.”

I could see at once that Miss Ferrers in no circumstances would allow the certificate to pass out of her hands.

“You can see it in the church records,” she said.

“It’s St. Botolph’s in Headingly, near Bath.

You really do believe in his innocence, don’t you? “

“Yes,” I said firmly.

“It would have broken Alice’s heart,” she said.

“I was glad she died before she could know that. But then if she’d been alive he would never have gone to that place. Alice would never have let him go. She loved him so much.”

“You have helped us a great deal,” I said.

“I can’t tell you how grateful I am.”

“If you can clear his name …”

“I’m going to try. I’m going to do everything in my power …”

She insisted on making us a cup of tea. She talked to us while we drank it, going over everything she had already told us; but we did get an impression of the affection she had had for Alice, which was none the less genuine because it was faintly contemptuous. Alice had been soft . too trusting . loving unwisely . believing all that was told

her. But Alice had been her dear sister, closer to her than anyone had been before or after.

I was glad we had convinced her of our sincerity. And so we left Rowan Cottage with the knowledge that Sir Edward Perrivale had married Alice Ferrers and the date on the certificate showed clearly that the marriage had taken place before the ceremony he had undergone with the present Dowager Lady Perrivale.