Destination Unknown Part 6

She was looked at, she noticed, with a certain amount of interest. There were several tables occupied by business men and these There were several tables occupied by business men and these hardly vouchsafed a glance at her. But at other tables, clearly hardly vouchsafed a glance at her. But at other tables, clearly occupied by tourists, she was conscious of a murmur and a occupied by tourists, she was conscious of a murmur and a whisper going on. whisper going on.

"That woman over there - the one with the red hair - she's a survivor of the plane crash, my dear. Yes, came from hospital in an of the plane crash, my dear. Yes, came from hospital in an ambulance. I saw her arrive. She looks terribly ill still. I wonder if ambulance. I saw her arrive. She looks terribly ill still. I wonder if they ought to have let her out so soon. What a frightful experience. they ought to have let her out so soon. What a frightful experience. What a merciful escape!" What a merciful escape!"

After dinner Hilary sat for a short while in the small formal salon. She wondered if anyone would approach her in any way. There She wondered if anyone would approach her in any way. There were one or two other women scattered about the room, and were one or two other women scattered about the room, and presently a small, plump, middle-aged woman with well-blued white presently a small, plump, middle-aged woman with well-blued white hair, moved to a chair near hers. She opened proceedings in a hair, moved to a chair near hers. She opened proceedings in a brisk, pleasant American voice. brisk, pleasant American voice.

"I do hope you'll excuse me, but I just felt I had to say a word. It's you, isn't it, who had the wonderful escape from that air crash the you, isn't it, who had the wonderful escape from that air crash the other day?" other day?"

Hilary put down the magazine she was reading.

"Yes," she said.

"My! Isn't that terrible? The crash I mean. Only three survivors, they say. Is that right?" say. Is that right?"

"Only two," said Hilary. "One of the three died in hospital."

"My! You don't say! Now, if you don't mind my asking, Miss - Mrs..."

"Betterton."

"Well, if you don't mind my asking, just where were you sitting in that plane? Were you up at the front or near the tail?" that plane? Were you up at the front or near the tail?"

Hilary knew the answer to that one and gave it promptly.

"Near the tail."

"They always say, don't they, that's the safest place. I just insist now on always having a place near the rear doors. Did you hear now on always having a place near the rear doors. Did you hear that, Miss Hetherington?" She turned her head to include another that, Miss Hetherington?" She turned her head to include another middle-aged lady. This one was uncompromisingly British with a middle-aged lady. This one was uncompromisingly British with a long, sad, horselike face. "It's just as I was saying the other day. long, sad, horselike face. "It's just as I was saying the other day. Whenever you go into an aeroplane, don't you let those air Whenever you go into an aeroplane, don't you let those air hostesses take you right up to the front." hostesses take you right up to the front."

"I suppose someone has to sit at the front," said Hilary.

"Well, it won't be me," said her new American friend promptly. "My name's Baker, by the way, Mrs. Calvin Baker." name's Baker, by the way, Mrs. Calvin Baker."

Hilary acknowledged the introduction and Mrs. Baker plunged on, monopolising the conversation easily. monopolising the conversation easily.

"I've just come here from Mogador and Miss Hetherington has come from Tangier. We became acquainted here. Are you going to visit from Tangier. We became acquainted here. Are you going to visit Marrakesh, Mrs. Betterton?" Marrakesh, Mrs. Betterton?"

"I'd arranged to do so," said Hilary. "Of course, this accident has thrown out all my time schedule." thrown out all my time schedule."

"Why, naturally, I can see that. But you really mustn't miss Marrakesh, wouldn't you say so, Miss Hetherington?" Marrakesh, wouldn't you say so, Miss Hetherington?"

"Marrakesh is terribly expensive," said Miss Hetherington. "This miserable travel allowance makes everything so difficult." miserable travel allowance makes everything so difficult."

"There's a wonderful hotel, the Mamounia," continued Mrs. Baker.

"Wickedly expensive," said Miss Hetherington. "Out of the question for me. Of course, it's different for you, Mrs. Baker - dollars, I mean. for me. Of course, it's different for you, Mrs. Baker - dollars, I mean. But someone gave me the name of a small hotel there, really very But someone gave me the name of a small hotel there, really very nice and clean, and the food, they say, is not at all bad." nice and clean, and the food, they say, is not at all bad."

"Where else do you plan to go, Mrs. Betterton?" asked Mrs. Calvin Baker. Baker.

"I would like to see Fez," said Hilary, cautiously. "I shall have to get fresh reservations, of course." fresh reservations, of course."

"Oh, yes, you certainly oughtn't to miss Fez or Rabat."

"You've been there?"

"Not yet. I'm planning to go there shortly, and so is Miss Hetherington." Hetherington."

"I believe the old city is quite unspoilt," said Miss Hetherington.

The conversation continued in desultory fas.h.i.+on for some time further. Then Hilary pleaded fatigue from her first day out of the further. Then Hilary pleaded fatigue from her first day out of the hospital and went up to her bedroom. hospital and went up to her bedroom.

The evening so far had been quite indecisive. The two women who had talked to her had been such well-known travelling types that had talked to her had been such well-known travelling types that she could hardly believe that they were other than they seemed. she could hardly believe that they were other than they seemed. Tomorrow, she decided, if she had received no word or Tomorrow, she decided, if she had received no word or communication of any kind, she would go to Cook's and raise the question of fresh reservations at Fez and Marrakesh. question of fresh reservations at Fez and Marrakesh.

There were no letters, messages or telephone calls the following morning and about eleven o'clock she made her way to the travel morning and about eleven o'clock she made her way to the travel agency. There was somewhat of a queue, but when she at last agency. There was somewhat of a queue, but when she at last reached the counter and began talking to the clerk, an interruption reached the counter and began talking to the clerk, an interruption occurred. A somewhat more senior clerk with gla.s.ses elbowed the occurred. A somewhat more senior clerk with gla.s.ses elbowed the young man aside. He beamed at Hilary through his gla.s.ses. young man aside. He beamed at Hilary through his gla.s.ses.

"It is Madame Betterton, is it not? I have all your reservations made." made."

"I am afraid," said Hilary, "that they will be out of date. I have been in hospital and..." in hospital and..."

"Ah, mais oui, I know all that. Let me congratulate you on your escape, Madame. But I got your telephone message about fresh escape, Madame. But I got your telephone message about fresh reservations, and we have them here ready for you." reservations, and we have them here ready for you."

Hilary felt a faint quickening of her pulse. As far as she knew no one had phoned the travel agency. Here then were definite signs that had phoned the travel agency. Here then were definite signs that Olive Betterton's travelling arrangements were being supervised. Olive Betterton's travelling arrangements were being supervised. She said, She said, "I wasn't sure if they had telephoned or not."

"But yes, Madame. Here, I will show you."

He produced railway tickets, and vouchers for hotel accommodation, and a few minutes later the transactions were completed. Hilary was to leave for Fez on the following day. completed. Hilary was to leave for Fez on the following day.

Mrs. Calvin Baker was not in the restaurant either for lunch or dinner. Miss Hetherington was. She acknowledged Hilary's bow as dinner. Miss Hetherington was. She acknowledged Hilary's bow as the latter pa.s.sed to her table, but made no attempt to get into the latter pa.s.sed to her table, but made no attempt to get into conversation with her. On the following day, after making some conversation with her. On the following day, after making some necessary purchases of clothes and underclothing, Hilary left by necessary purchases of clothes and underclothing, Hilary left by train for Fez. train for Fez.

III.

It was on the day of Hilary's departure that Mrs. Calvin Baker coming into the hotel in her usual brisk fas.h.i.+on, was accosted by coming into the hotel in her usual brisk fas.h.i.+on, was accosted by Miss Hetherington whose long thin nose was quivering with Miss Hetherington whose long thin nose was quivering with excitement. excitement.

"I've remembered about the name Betterton - the disappearing scientist. It was in all the papers. About two months ago." scientist. It was in all the papers. About two months ago."

"Why, now I do remember something. A British scientist - yes - he'd been at some conference in Paris." been at some conference in Paris."

"Yes - that's it. Now I wonder, do you think - this could possibly be his wife. I looked in the register and I see her address is Harwell - his wife. I looked in the register and I see her address is Harwell - Harwell, you know, is the Atom Station. I do think all these atom Harwell, you know, is the Atom Station. I do think all these atom bombs are very wrong. And Cobalt. Such a lovely colour in one's bombs are very wrong. And Cobalt. Such a lovely colour in one's paint-box and I used it a lot as a child; the worst of all, I understand paint-box and I used it a lot as a child; the worst of all, I understand n.o.body can survive. We weren't meant to do these experiments. n.o.body can survive. We weren't meant to do these experiments. Somebody told me the other day that her cousin who is a very Somebody told me the other day that her cousin who is a very shrewd man, said the whole world might go radio-active." shrewd man, said the whole world might go radio-active."

"My, my," said Mrs. Calvin Baker.

Chapter 6.

Casablanca had vaguely disappointed Hilary by being such a prosperous-looking French town with no hint of the orient or prosperous-looking French town with no hint of the orient or mystery about it, except for the crowds in the streets. mystery about it, except for the crowds in the streets.

The weather was still perfect, sunny and clear, and she enjoyed looking out of the train at the pa.s.sing landscape as they journeyed looking out of the train at the pa.s.sing landscape as they journeyed northward. A small Frenchman who looked like a commercial northward. A small Frenchman who looked like a commercial traveller sat opposite to her, in the far corner was a somewhat traveller sat opposite to her, in the far corner was a somewhat disapproving-looking nun telling her beads, and two Moorish ladies disapproving-looking nun telling her beads, and two Moorish ladies with a great many packages who conversed gaily with one another, with a great many packages who conversed gaily with one another, completed the complement of the carriage. Offering a light for her completed the complement of the carriage. Offering a light for her cigarette, the little Frenchman opposite soon entered into cigarette, the little Frenchman opposite soon entered into conversation. He pointed out things of interest as they pa.s.sed, and conversation. He pointed out things of interest as they pa.s.sed, and gave her various information about the country. She found him gave her various information about the country. She found him interesting and intelligent. interesting and intelligent.

"You should go to Rabat, Madame. It is a great mistake not to go to Rabat." Rabat."

"I shall try to do so. But I have not very much time. Besides," she smiled. "Money is short. We can only take so much with us abroad, smiled. "Money is short. We can only take so much with us abroad, you know." you know."

"But that is simple. One arranges with a friend here."

"I'm afraid I haven't got a convenient friend in Morocco."

"Next time you travel, Madame, send me a little word. I will give you my card. And I arrange everything. I travel often in England on my card. And I arrange everything. I travel often in England on business and you repay me there. It is all quite simple." business and you repay me there. It is all quite simple."

"That's very kind of you, and I hope I shall pay a second visit to Morocco." Morocco."

"It must be a change for you, Madame, to come here from England. So cold, so foggy, so disagreeable." So cold, so foggy, so disagreeable."

"Yes, it's a great change."

"I, too, I travelled from Paris three weeks ago. It was then fog, rain and all of the most disgusting. I arrive here and all is suns.h.i.+ne. and all of the most disgusting. I arrive here and all is suns.h.i.+ne. Though, mind you, the air is cold. But it is pure. Good pure air. How Though, mind you, the air is cold. But it is pure. Good pure air. How was the weather in England when you left?" was the weather in England when you left?"

"Much as you say," said Hilary. "Fog."

"Ah yes, it is the foggy season. Snow - you have had snow this year?" year?"

"No," said Hilary, "there has been no snow." She wondered to herself, amusedly, if this much-travelled little Frenchman was herself, amusedly, if this much-travelled little Frenchman was following what he considered to be the correct trend of English following what he considered to be the correct trend of English conversation, dealing princ.i.p.ally with the weather. She asked him a conversation, dealing princ.i.p.ally with the weather. She asked him a question or two about the political situation in Morocco and in question or two about the political situation in Morocco and in Algiers, and he responded willingly, showing himself to be well Algiers, and he responded willingly, showing himself to be well informed. informed.

Glancing across at the far corner, Hilary observed the nun's eyes fixed disapprovingly on her. The Moroccan ladies got out and other fixed disapprovingly on her. The Moroccan ladies got out and other travellers got in. It was evening when they arrived at Fez. travellers got in. It was evening when they arrived at Fez.

"Permit me to a.s.sist you, Madame."

Hilary was standing, rather bewildered at the bustle and noise of the station. Arab porters were seizing her luggage from her hands, the station. Arab porters were seizing her luggage from her hands, shouting, yelling, calling, recommending different hotels. She shouting, yelling, calling, recommending different hotels. She turned gratefully to her new French acquaintance. turned gratefully to her new French acquaintance.

"You are going to the Palais Jamail, n'est-ce-pas, Madame?"

"Yes."

"That is right. It is eight kilometres from here, you understand."

"Eight kilometres?" Hilary was dismayed. "It's not in the town, then." then."

"It is by the old town," the Frenchman explained. "Me, I stay here at the hotel in the commercial new city. But for the holiday, the rest, the hotel in the commercial new city. But for the holiday, the rest, the enjoyment, naturally you go to the Palais Jamail. It was a former the enjoyment, naturally you go to the Palais Jamail. It was a former residence, you understand, of the Moroccan n.o.bility. It has residence, you understand, of the Moroccan n.o.bility. It has beautiful gardens, and you go straight from it into the old city of Fez beautiful gardens, and you go straight from it into the old city of Fez which is untouched. It does not seem as though the hotel had sent which is untouched. It does not seem as though the hotel had sent to meet this train. If you permit, I will arrange for a taxi for you." to meet this train. If you permit, I will arrange for a taxi for you."

"You're very kind, but..."

The Frenchman spoke in rapid Arabic to the porters and shortly afterwards Hilary took her place in a taxi, her baggage was pushed afterwards Hilary took her place in a taxi, her baggage was pushed in, and the Frenchman told her exactly what to give the rapacious in, and the Frenchman told her exactly what to give the rapacious porters. He also dismissed them with a few sharp words of Arabic porters. He also dismissed them with a few sharp words of Arabic when they protested that the remuneration was inadequate. He when they protested that the remuneration was inadequate. He whipped a card from his pocket and handed it to her. whipped a card from his pocket and handed it to her.

"My card, Madame, and if I can be of a.s.sistance to you at any time, tell me. I shall be at the Grand Hotel here for the next four days." tell me. I shall be at the Grand Hotel here for the next four days."

He raised his hat and went away. Hilary looked down at the card which she could just see before they moved out of the lighted which she could just see before they moved out of the lighted station. station.

MONSIEUR HENRI LAURIER.

The taxi drove briskly out of the town, through the country, up a hill. Hilary tried to see, looking out of the windows, where she was Hilary tried to see, looking out of the windows, where she was going, but darkness had set in now. Except when they pa.s.sed a going, but darkness had set in now. Except when they pa.s.sed a lighted building nothing much could be seen. Was this, perhaps, lighted building nothing much could be seen. Was this, perhaps, where her journey diverged from the normal and entered the where her journey diverged from the normal and entered the unknown? Was Monsieur Laurier an emissary from the organisation unknown? Was Monsieur Laurier an emissary from the organisation that had persuaded Thomas Betterton to leave his work, his home that had persuaded Thomas Betterton to leave his work, his home and his wife? She sat in the corner of the taxi, nervously and his wife? She sat in the corner of the taxi, nervously apprehensive, wondering where it was taking her. apprehensive, wondering where it was taking her.

It took her, however, in the most exemplary manner to the Palais Jamail. She dismounted there, pa.s.sed through an arched gateway Jamail. She dismounted there, pa.s.sed through an arched gateway and found herself, with a thrill of pleasure, in an oriental interior. and found herself, with a thrill of pleasure, in an oriental interior. There were long divans, coffee tables, and native rugs. From the There were long divans, coffee tables, and native rugs. From the reception desk she was taken through several rooms which led out reception desk she was taken through several rooms which led out of each other, out onto a terrace, pa.s.sing by orange trees and of each other, out onto a terrace, pa.s.sing by orange trees and scented flowers, and then up a winding staircase and into a scented flowers, and then up a winding staircase and into a pleasant bedroom, still oriental in style but equipped with all the pleasant bedroom, still oriental in style but equipped with all the conforts modernes so necessary to twentieth-century travellers. conforts modernes so necessary to twentieth-century travellers.

Dinner, the porter informed her, took place from seven-thirty. She unpacked a little, washed, combed her hair and went downstairs unpacked a little, washed, combed her hair and went downstairs through the long oriental smoking room, out on the terrace and through the long oriental smoking room, out on the terrace and across and up some steps to a lighted dining room running at right across and up some steps to a lighted dining room running at right angles to it. angles to it.

The dinner was excellent, and as Hilary ate, various people came and went from the restaurant. She was too tired to size them up and and went from the restaurant. She was too tired to size them up and cla.s.sify them this particular evening, but one or two outstanding cla.s.sify them this particular evening, but one or two outstanding personalities took her eye. An elderly man, very yellow of face, with personalities took her eye. An elderly man, very yellow of face, with a little goatee beard. She noticed him because of the extreme a little goatee beard. She noticed him because of the extreme deference paid to him by the staff. Plates were whisked away and deference paid to him by the staff. Plates were whisked away and placed for him at the mere raising of his head. The slightest turn of placed for him at the mere raising of his head. The slightest turn of an eyebrow brought a waiter rus.h.i.+ng to his table. She wondered an eyebrow brought a waiter rus.h.i.+ng to his table. She wondered who he was. The majority of diners were clearly touring on pleasure who he was. The majority of diners were clearly touring on pleasure trips. There was a German at a big table in the centre, there was a trips. There was a German at a big table in the centre, there was a middle-aged man with a fair, very beautiful girl whom she thought middle-aged man with a fair, very beautiful girl whom she thought might be Swedes, or possibly Danes. There was an English family might be Swedes, or possibly Danes. There was an English family with two children, and various groups of travelling Americans. with two children, and various groups of travelling Americans. There were three French families. There were three French families.

After dinner she had coffee on the terrace. It was slightly cold but not unduly so and she enjoyed the smell of scented blossoms. She not unduly so and she enjoyed the smell of scented blossoms. She went to bed early. went to bed early.

Sitting on the terrace the following morning in the suns.h.i.+ne under the red striped umbrella that protected her from the sun, Hilary felt the red striped umbrella that protected her from the sun, Hilary felt how fantastic the whole thing was. Here she sat, pretending to be a how fantastic the whole thing was. Here she sat, pretending to be a dead woman, expecting something melodramatic and out of the dead woman, expecting something melodramatic and out of the common to occur. After all, wasn't it only too likely that poor Olive common to occur. After all, wasn't it only too likely that poor Olive Betterton had come abroad merely to distract her mind and heart Betterton had come abroad merely to distract her mind and heart from sad thoughts and feelings. Probably the poor woman had been from sad thoughts and feelings. Probably the poor woman had been just as much in the dark as everybody else. just as much in the dark as everybody else.

Certainly the words she had said before she died admitted of a perfectly ordinary explanation. She had wanted Thomas Betterton perfectly ordinary explanation. She had wanted Thomas Betterton warned against somebody called Boris. Her mind had wandered - warned against somebody called Boris. Her mind had wandered - she had quoted a strange little jingle - she had gone on to say that she had quoted a strange little jingle - she had gone on to say that she couldn't believe it at first. Couldn't believe what? Possibly only she couldn't believe it at first. Couldn't believe what? Possibly only that Thomas Betterton had been spirited away the way he had that Thomas Betterton had been spirited away the way he had been. been.

There had been no sinister undertones, no helpful clues. Hilary stared down at the terrace garden below her. It was beautiful here. stared down at the terrace garden below her. It was beautiful here. Beautiful and peaceful. Children chattered and ran up and down Beautiful and peaceful. Children chattered and ran up and down the terrace, French mammas called to them or scolded them. The the terrace, French mammas called to them or scolded them. The blonde Swedish girl came and sat down by a table and yawned. She blonde Swedish girl came and sat down by a table and yawned. She took out a pale pink lipstick and touched up her already exquisitely took out a pale pink lipstick and touched up her already exquisitely painted lips. She appraised her face seriously, frowning a little. painted lips. She appraised her face seriously, frowning a little.

Presently her companion - husband, Hilary wondered, or it might possibly be her father - joined her. She greeted him without a smile. possibly be her father - joined her. She greeted him without a smile. She leaned forward and talked to him, apparently expostulating She leaned forward and talked to him, apparently expostulating about something. He protested and apologised. about something. He protested and apologised.

The old man with the yellow face and the little goatee came up the terrace from the gardens below. He went and sat at a table against terrace from the gardens below. He went and sat at a table against the extreme wall, and immediately a waiter darted forth. He gave an the extreme wall, and immediately a waiter darted forth. He gave an order and the waiter bowed before him and went away, in all haste order and the waiter bowed before him and went away, in all haste to execute it. The fair girl caught her companion excitedly by the to execute it. The fair girl caught her companion excitedly by the arm and looked towards the elderly man. arm and looked towards the elderly man.

Hilary ordered a Martini, and when it came she asked the waiter in a low voice, a low voice, "Who is the old man there against the wall?"

"Ah!" The waiter leaned forward dramatically, "That is Monsieur Aristides. He is enormously - but yes, enormously - rich." Aristides. He is enormously - but yes, enormously - rich."

He sighed in ecstasy at the contemplation of so much wealth and Hilary looked over at the shrivelled up, bent figure at the far table. Hilary looked over at the shrivelled up, bent figure at the far table. Such a wrinkled, dried up, mummified old morsel of humanity. And Such a wrinkled, dried up, mummified old morsel of humanity. And yet, because of his enormous wealth, waiters darted and sprang yet, because of his enormous wealth, waiters darted and sprang and spoke with awe in their voices. Old Monsieur Aristides s.h.i.+fted and spoke with awe in their voices. Old Monsieur Aristides s.h.i.+fted his position. Just for a moment his eyes met hers. He looked at her his position. Just for a moment his eyes met hers. He looked at her for a moment, then looked away. for a moment, then looked away.

"Not so insignificant after all," Hilary thought to herself. Those eyes, even at that distance, had been wonderfully intelligent and eyes, even at that distance, had been wonderfully intelligent and alive. alive.

The blonde girl and her escort got up from their table and went into the dining room. The waiter who now seemed to consider himself as the dining room. The waiter who now seemed to consider himself as Hilary's guide and mentor, stopped at her table as he collected Hilary's guide and mentor, stopped at her table as he collected gla.s.ses and gave her further information. gla.s.ses and gave her further information.

"Ce Monsieur l, he is a big business magnate from Sweden. Very rich, very important. And the lady with him she is a film star - rich, very important. And the lady with him she is a film star - another Garbo, they say. Very chic - very beautiful - but does she another Garbo, they say. Very chic - very beautiful - but does she make him the scenes, the histories! Nothing pleases her. She is, as make him the scenes, the histories! Nothing pleases her. She is, as you say, 'fed up' to be here, in Fez, where there are no jewellers' you say, 'fed up' to be here, in Fez, where there are no jewellers'

shops - and no other expensive women to admire and envy her toilettes. She demands that he should take her somewhere more toilettes. She demands that he should take her somewhere more amusing tomorrow. Ah, it is not always the rich who can enjoy the amusing tomorrow. Ah, it is not always the rich who can enjoy the tranquillity and peace of mind." tranquillity and peace of mind."

Having uttered this last in a somewhat sententious fas.h.i.+on, he saw a beckoning forefinger and sprang across the terrace as though a beckoning forefinger and sprang across the terrace as though galvanised. galvanised.

"Monsieur?"

Most people had gone in to lunch, but Hilary had had breakfast late and was in no hurry for her midday meal. She ordered herself and was in no hurry for her midday meal. She ordered herself another drink. A good-looking young French man came out of the another drink. A good-looking young French man came out of the bar and across the terrace, cast a swift, discreet glance at Hilary bar and across the terrace, cast a swift, discreet glance at Hilary which, thinly disguised, meant: "Is there anything doing here, I which, thinly disguised, meant: "Is there anything doing here, I wonder?" and then went down the steps to the terrace below. As he wonder?" and then went down the steps to the terrace below. As he did so he half sang, half hummed a s.n.a.t.c.h of French opera, did so he half sang, half hummed a s.n.a.t.c.h of French opera, "Le long des lauriers roses, Revant de douces choses."

The words formed a little pattern on Hilary's brain. Le long des lauriers roses. Laurier. Laurier? That was the name of the lauriers roses. Laurier. Laurier? That was the name of the Frenchman in the train. Was there a connection here or was it Frenchman in the train. Was there a connection here or was it coincidence? She opened her bag and hunted in it for the card he coincidence? She opened her bag and hunted in it for the card he had given her. Mons. Henri Laurier, 3 Rue des Croissants, had given her. Mons. Henri Laurier, 3 Rue des Croissants, Casablanca. She turned the card over and there seemed to be faint Casablanca. She turned the card over and there seemed to be faint pencil marks on the back of it. It was as though something had been pencil marks on the back of it. It was as though something had been written on it and then rubbed out. She tried to decipher what the written on it and then rubbed out. She tried to decipher what the marks were. "Q marks were. "Q sont," the message began, then something which sont," the message began, then something which she could not decipher, and finally she made out the words she could not decipher, and finally she made out the words "D'antan." For a moment she had thought that it might be a message, but now she shook her head and put the card back in her message, but now she shook her head and put the card back in her bag. It must have been some quotation that he had once written on bag. It must have been some quotation that he had once written on it and then rubbed out. it and then rubbed out.

A shadow fell on her and she looked up, startled. Mr. Aristides was standing there between her and the sun. His eyes were not on her. standing there between her and the sun. His eyes were not on her. He was looking across over the gardens below towards the He was looking across over the gardens below towards the silhouette of hills in the distance. She heard him sigh and then he silhouette of hills in the distance. She heard him sigh and then he turned abruptly towards the dining room and as he did so, the turned abruptly towards the dining room and as he did so, the sleeve of his coat caught the gla.s.s on her table and sent it flying to sleeve of his coat caught the gla.s.s on her table and sent it flying to the terrace where it broke. He wheeled round quickly and politely. the terrace where it broke. He wheeled round quickly and politely.

"Ah. Mille pardons, Madame."

Hilary a.s.sured him smilingly in French that it did not matter in the least. With the swift flick of a finger he summoned a waiter. The least. With the swift flick of a finger he summoned a waiter. The waiter as usual came running. He ordered a replacement of waiter as usual came running. He ordered a replacement of Madame's drink and then, once more apologising, he made his way Madame's drink and then, once more apologising, he made his way into the restaurant. into the restaurant.