Destination Unknown

DestinationUnknown
Dedication
ToANTHONY
wholikesforeigntravelasmuchasIdo
Contents
TitlePage
Dedication
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
AbouttheAuthor
TheAgathaChristieCollection
RelatedProducts
Copyright
AboutthePublisher
One
Themanbehindthedeskmovedaheavyglasspaperweightfourinchestotheright.Hisfacewasnotsomuchthoughtfulorabstractedasexpressionless.Hehadthepalecomplexionthatcomesfromlivingmostofthedayinartificiallight.Thisman,youfelt,wasanindoorman.Amanofdesksandfiles.Thefactthattoreachhisofficeyouhadtowalkthroughlongtwistingundergroundcorridorswassomehowstrangelyappropriate.Itwouldhavebeendifficulttoguesshisage.Helookedneitheroldnoryoung.Hisfacewassmoothandunwrinkled,andinhiseyeswasagreattiredness
Theothermanintheroomwasolder.Hewasdarkwithasmallmilitarymoustache.Therewasabouthimanalertnervousenergy.Evennow,unabletositstill,hewaspacingupanddown,fromtimetotimethrowingoffaremarkinajerkymanner.
“Reports!”hesaidexplosively.“Reports,reportsandmorereports,andnoneofthemanydamn’good!”Themanatthedesklookeddownatthepapersinfrontofhim.Ontopwasanofficialcardheaded,“Betterton,ThomasCharles.”Afterthenamewasaninterrogationmark.Themanatthedesknoddedthoughtfully.Hesaid:
“You’vefollowedupthesereportsandnoneofthemanygood?”Theothershruggedhisshoulders.
“Howcanonetell?”heasked.
Themanbehindthedesksighed.
“Yes,”hesaid,“thereisthat.Onecan’ttell,really.”Theoldermanwentonwithakindofmachine-gunvolleyabruptness:
“ReportsfromRome;reportsfromTouraine;seenontheRiviera;noticedinAntwerp;definitelyidentifiedinOslo;positivelyseeninBiarritz;observedbehavingsuspiciouslyinStrasbourg;seenonthebeachatOstendwithaglamorousblonde;noticedwalkinginthestreetsinBrusselswithagreyhound!Hasn’tbeenseenyetintheZoowithhisarmroundazebra,butIdaresaythatwillcome!”
“You’venoparticularfancyyourself,Wharton?PersonallyIhadhopesoftheAntwerpreport,butithasn’tledtoanything.Ofcoursebynow—”theyoungmanstoppedspeakingandseemedtogointoacoma.Presentlyhecameoutofitagainandsaidcryptically,“Yes,probably…andyet—Iwonder?”
ColonelWhartonsatdownabruptlyonthearmofachair.
“Butwe’vegottofindout,”hesaidinsistently.“We’vegottobreakthebackofallthishowandwhyandwhere?Youcan’tloseatamescientisteverymonthorsoandhavenoideahowtheygoorwhytheygoorwhere!Isitwherewethink—orisn’tit?We’vealwaystakenitforgrantedthatitis,butnowI’mnotsosure.You’vereadallthelastdopeonBettertonfromAmerica?”
Themanbehindthedesknodded.
“UsualLeft-Wingtendenciesattheperiodwheneveryonehadthem.Nothingofalastingorpermanentnatureasfarascanbefoundout.Didsoundworkbeforethewarthoughnothingspectacular.WhenMannheimescapedfromGermany,Bettertonwasassignedasassistanttohim,andendedbymarryingMannheim’sdaughter.AfterMannheim’sdeathhecarriedon,onhisown,anddidbrilliantwork.HeleapedintofamewiththestartlingdiscoveryofZEFission.ZEFissionwasabrilliantandabsolutelyrevolutionarydiscovery.ItputBettertontops.Hewasallsetforabrilliantcareeroverthere,buthiswifehaddiedsoonaftertheirmarriageandhewasallbrokenupoverit.HecametoEngland.HehasbeenatHarwellforthelasteighteenmonths.Justsixmonthsagohemarriedagain.”
“Anythingthere?”askedWhartonsharply.
Theothershookhishead.
“Notthatwecanfindout.She’sthedaughterofalocalsolicitor.Workedinaninsuranceofficebeforehermarriage.Noviolentpoliticalaffinitiessofaraswe’vebeenabletodiscover.”
“ZEFission,”saidColonelWhartongloomily,withdistaste.“Whattheymeanbyallthesetermsbeatsme.I’mold-fashioned.Ineverreallyevenvisualizedamolecule,butheretheyarenowadayssplittinguptheuniverse!Atombombs,nuclearfission,ZEfission,andalltherestofit.AndBettertonwasoneofthesplittersinchief!WhatdotheysayofhimatHarwell?”
“Quiteapleasantpersonality.Astohiswork,nothingoutstandingorspectacular.JustvariationsonthepracticalapplicationsofZEF.”
Bothmenweresilentforamoment.Theirconversationhadbeendesultory,almostautomatic.Thesecurityreportslayinapileonthedeskandthesecurityreportshadhadnothingofvaluetotell.
“Hewasthoroughlyscreenedonarrivalhere,ofcourse,”saidWharton.
“Yes,everythingwasquitesatisfactory.”
“Eighteenmonthsago,”saidWhartonthoughtfully.“Itgets’emdown,youknow.Securityprecautions.Thefeelingofbeingperpetuallyunderthemicroscope,thecloisteredlife.Theygetnervy,queer.I’veseenitoftenenough.Theybegintodreamofanidealworld.Freedomandbrotherhood,andpool-all-secretsandworkforthegoodofhumanity!That’sexactlythemomentwhensomeone,who’smoreorlessthedregsofhumanity,seestheirchanceandtakesit!”Herubbedhisnose.“Nobody’ssogullibleasthescientist,”hesaid.“Allthephonymediumssayso.Can’tquiteseewhy.”
Theothersmiled,averytiredsmile.
“Oh,yes,”hesaid,“itwouldbeso.Theythinktheyknow,yousee.That’salwaysdangerous.Now,ourkindaredifferent.We’rehumble-mindedmen.Wedon’texpecttosavetheworld,onlypickuponeortwobrokenpiecesandremoveaspannerortwowhenit’sjamminguptheworks.”Hetappedthoughtfullyonthetablewithhisfinger.“IfIonlyknewalittlemoreaboutBetterton,”hesaid.“Nothislifeandhisactions,buttherevealing,everydaythings.Whatsortofjokeshelaughedat.Whatmadehimswear.Whowerethepeopleheadmiredandwhomadehimmad.”
Whartonlookedathimcuriously.
“Whataboutthewife—you’vetriedher?”
“Severaltimes.”
“Can’tshehelp?”
Theothershruggedhisshoulders.
“Shehasn’tsofar.”
“Youthinksheknowssomething?”
“Shedoesn’tadmit,ofcourse,thatsheknowsanything.Alltheestablishedreactions:worry,grief,desperateanxiety,noclueorsuspicionbeforehand,husband’slifeperfectlynormal,nostressofanykind—andsoonandsoon.Herowntheoryisthathe’sbeenkidnapped.”
“Andyoudon’tbelieveher?”
“I’mhandicapped,”saidthemanbehindthedeskbitterly.“Ineverbelieveanybody.”
“Well,”saidWhartonslowly,“Isupposeonehastokeepanopenmind.What’sshelike?”
“Ordinarysortofwomanyou’dmeetanydayplayingbridge.”
Whartonnoddedcomprehendingly.
“Thatmakesitmoredifficult,”hesaid.
“She’sheretoseemenow.Weshallgooverallthesamegroundagain.”
“It’stheonlyway,”saidWharton.“Icouldn’tdoit,though.Haven’tgotthepatience.”Hegotup.“Well,Iwon’tkeepyou.We’venotgotmuchfurther,havewe?”
“Unfortunately,no.Youmightdoaspecialcheck-uponthatOsloreport.It’salikelyspot.”
Whartonnoddedandwentout.Theothermanraisedthereceiverbyhiselbowandsaid:
“I’llseeMrs.Bettertonnow.Sendherin.”
HesatstaringintospaceuntiltherewasataponthedoorandMrs.Bettertonwasshownin.Shewasatallwoman,abouttwenty-sevenyearsofage.Themostnoticeablethingaboutherwasamagnificentheadofauburn-redhair.Beneaththesplendourofthis,herfaceseemedalmostinsignificant.Shehadtheblue-greeneyesandlighteyelashesthatsooftengowithredhair.Shewaswearingnomake-up,henoticed.Heconsideredthesignificanceofthatwhilsthewasgreetingher,settlinghercomfortablyinachairnearthedesk.ItinclinedhimveryslightlytothebeliefthatMrs.Bettertonknewmorethanshehadsaidsheknew.
Inhisexperience,womensufferingfromviolentgriefandanxietydidnotneglecttheirmake-up.Awareoftheravagesgriefmadeintheirappearance,theydidtheirbesttorepairthoseravages.HewonderedifMrs.Bettertoncalculatinglyabstainedfrommake-up,thebettertosustainthepartofthedistractedwife.Shesaidnow,ratherbreathlessly:
“Oh,Mr.Jessop,Idohope—isthereanynews?”
Heshookhisheadandsaidgently:
“I’msosorrytoaskyoutocomeuplikethis,Mrs.Betterton.I’mafraidwehaven’tgotanydefinitenewsforyou.”
OliveBettertonsaidquickly:
“Iknow.Yousaidsoinyourletter.ButIwonderedif—sincethen—oh!Iwasgladtocomeup.Justsittingathomewonderingandbrooding—that’stheworstofitall.Becausethere’snothingonecando!”
ThemancalledJessopsaidsoothingly:
“Youmustn’tmind,Mrs.Betterton,ifIgooverthesamegroundagainandagain,askyouthesamequestions,stressthesamepoints.Youseeit’salwayspossiblethatsomesmallpointmightarise.Somethingthatyouhadn’tthoughtofbefore,orperhapshadn’tthoughtworthmentioning.”
“Yes.Yes,Iunderstand.Askmealloveragainabouteverything.”
“Thelasttimeyousawyourhusbandwasonthe23rdofAugust?”
“Yes.”
“ThatwaswhenheleftEnglandtogotoParistoaConferencethere.”
“Yes.”
Jessopwentonrapidly:
“HeattendedthefirsttwodaysoftheConference.Thethirddayhedidnotturnup.Apparentlyhehadmentionedtooneofhiscolleaguesthathewasgoinginsteadforatriponabateaumouchethatday.”
“Abateaumouche?What’sabateaumouche?”
Jessopsmiled.
“OneofthosesmallboatsthatgoalongtheSeine.”Helookedathersharply.“Doesthatstrikeyouasunlikeyourhusband?”
Shesaiddoubtfully:
“Itdoes,rather.Ishouldhavethoughthe’dbesokeenonwhatwasgoingonattheConference.”
“Possibly.Stillthesubjectfordiscussiononthisparticulardaywasnotoneinwhichhehadanyspecialinterest,sohemightreasonablyhavegivenhimselfadayoff.Butitdoesn’tstrikeyouasbeingquitelikeyourhusband?”
Sheshookherhead.
“Hedidnotreturnthateveningtohishotel,”wentonJessop.“Asfarascanbeascertainedhedidnotpassanyfrontier,certainlynotonhisownpassport.Doyouthinkhecouldhavehadasecondpassport,inanothernameperhaps?”
“Oh,no,whyshouldhe?”
Hewatchedher.
“Youneversawsuchathinginhispossession?”
Sheshookherheadwithvehemence.
“No,andIdon’tbelieveit.Idon’tbelieveitforamoment.Idon’tbelievehewentawaydeliberatelyasyoualltrytomakeout.Something’shappenedtohim,orelse—orelseperhapshe’slosthismemory.”
“Hishealthhadbeenquitenormal?”
“Yes.Hewasworkingratherhardandsometimesfeltalittletired,nothingmorethanthat.”
“He’dnotseemedworriedinanywayordepressed?”
“Hewasn’tworriedordepressedaboutanything!”Withshakingfingerssheopenedherbagandtookoutherhandkerchief.“It’sallsoawful.”Hervoiceshook.“Ican’tbelieveit.He’dneverhavegoneoffwithoutawordtome.Something’shappenedtohim.He’sbeenkidnappedorhe’sbeenattackedperhaps.ItrynottothinkitbutsometimesIfeelthatthatmustbethesolution.Hemustbedead.”
“Nowplease,Mrs.Betterton,please—there’snoneedtoentertainthatsuppositionyet.Ifhe’sdead,hisbodywouldhavebeendiscoveredbynow.”
“Itmightnot.Awfulthingshappen.Hemighthavebeendrownedorpusheddownasewer.I’msureanythingcouldhappeninParis.”
“Paris,Icanassureyou,Mrs.Betterton,isaverywell-policedcity.”
Shetookthehandkerchiefawayfromhereyesandstaredathimwithsharpanger.
“Iknowwhatyouthink,butitisn’tso!Tomwouldn’tsellsecretsorbetraysecrets.Hewasn’tacommunist.Hiswholelifeisanopenbook.”
“Whatwerehispoliticalbeliefs,Mrs.Betterton?”
“InAmericahewasaDemocrat,Ibelieve.HerehevotedLabour.Hewasn’tinterestedinpolitics.Hewasascientist,firstandlast.”Sheaddeddefiantly,“Hewasabrilliantscientist.”
“Yes,”saidJessop,“hewasabrilliantscientist.That’sreallythecruxofthewholematter.Hemighthavebeenoffered,youknow,veryconsiderableinducementstoleavethiscountryandgoelsewhere.”
“It’snottrue.”Angerleapedoutagain.“That’swhatthepaperstrytomakeout.That’swhatyouallthinkwhenyoucomequestioningme.It’snottrue.He’dnevergowithouttellingme,withoutgivingmesomeidea.”
“Andhetoldyou—nothing?”
Againhewaswatchingherkeenly.
“Nothing.Idon’tknowwhereheis.Ithinkhewaskidnapped,orelse,asIsay,dead.Butifhe’sdead,Imustknow.Imustknowsoon.Ican’tgoonlikethis,waitingandwondering.Ican’teatorsleep.I’msickandillwithworry.Can’tyouhelpme?Can’tyouhelpmeatall?”
Hegotupthenandmovedroundhisdesk.Hemurmured:
“I’msoverysorry,Mrs.Betterton,soverysorry.Letmeassureyouthatwearetryingourverybesttofindoutwhathashappenedtoyourhusband.Wegetreportsineverydayfromvariousplaces.”
“Reportsfromwhere?”sheaskedsharply.“Whatdotheysay?”
Heshookhishead.
“Theyallhavetobefollowedup,siftedandtested.Butasarule,Iamafraid,they’revagueintheextreme.”
“Imustknow,”shemurmuredbrokenlyagain.“Ican’tgoonlikethis.”
“Doyoucareforyourhusbandverymuch,Mrs.Betterton?”
“OfcourseIcareforhim.Why,we’veonlybeenmarriedsixmonths.Onlysixmonths.”
“Yes,Iknow.Therewas—forgivemeforasking—noquarrelofanykindbetweenyou?”
“Oh,no!”
“Notroubleoveranyotherwoman?”
“Ofcoursenot.I’vetoldyou.WewereonlymarriedlastApril.”
“PleasebelievethatI’mnotsuggestingsuchathingislikely,butonehastotakeeverypossibilityintoaccountthatmightallowforhisgoingoffinthisway.Yousayhehadnotbeenupsetlately,orworried—notonedge—notnervyinanyway?”
“No,no,no!”
“Peopledogetnervy,youknow,Mrs.Betterton,insuchajobasyourhusbandhad.Livingunderexactingsecurityconditions.Infact”—hesmiled—“it’salmostnormaltobenervy.”
Shedidnotsmileback.
“Hewasjustasusual,”shesaidstolidly.
“Happyabouthiswork?Didhediscussitatallwithyou?”
“No,itwasallsotechnical.”
“Youdon’tthinkhehadanyqualmsoverits—destructivepossibilities,shallIsay?Scientistsdofeelthatsometimes.”
“Heneversaidanythingofthekind.”
“Yousee,Mrs.Betterton,”heleanedforwardoverthedesk,droppingsomeofhisimpassiveness,“whatIamtryingtodoistogetapictureofyourhusband.Thesortofmanhewas.Andsomehowyou’renothelpingme.”
“ButwhatmorecanIsayordo?I’veansweredallyourquestions.”
“Yes,you’veansweredmyquestions,mostlyinthenegative.Iwantsomethingpositive,somethingconstructive.DoyouseewhatImean?Youcanlookforamansomuchbetterwhenyouknowwhatkindofamanheis.”
Shereflectedforamoment.“Isee.Atleast,IsupposeIsee.Well,Tomwascheerfulandgood-tempered.Andclever,ofcourse.”
Jessopsmiled.“That’salistofqualities.Let’stryandgetmorepersonal.Didhereadmuch?”
“Yes,afairamount.”
“Whatsortofbooks?”
“Oh,biographies.BookSocietyrecommendations,crimestoriesifhewastired.”
“Ratheraconventionalreader,infact.Nospecialpreferences?Didheplaycardsorchess?”
“Heplayedbridge.WeusedtoplaywithDr.Evansandhiswifeonceortwiceaweek.”
“Didyourhusbandhavemanyfriends?”
“Oh,yes,hewasagoodmixer.”
“Ididn’tmeanjustthat.Imeanwasheamanwho—caredverymuchforhisfriends?”
“Heplayedgolfwithoneortwoofourneighbours.”
“Nospecialfriendsorcroniesofhisown?”
“No.Yousee,he’dbeenintheU.S.A.forsolong,andhewasborninCanada.Hedidn’tknowmanypeopleoverhere.”
Jessopconsultedascrapofpaperathiselbow.
“ThreepeoplevisitedhimrecentlyfromtheStates,Iunderstand.Ihavetheirnameshere.Asfaraswecandiscover,thesethreeweretheonlypeoplewithwhomherecentlymadecontactfromoutside,sotospeak.That’swhywe’vegiventhemspecialattention.Nowfirst,WalterGriffiths.HecametoseeyouatHarwell.”
“Yes,hewasoverinEnglandonavisitandhecametolookupTom.”
“Andyourhusband’sreactions?”
“Tomwassurprisedtoseehim,butverypleased.They’dknowneachotherquitewellintheStates.”
“WhatdidthisGriffithsseemliketoyou?Justdescribehiminyourownway.”
“Butsurelyyouknowallabouthim?”
“Yes,weknowallabouthim.ButIwanttohearwhatyouthoughtofhim.”
Shereflectedforamoment.
“Well,hewassolemnandratherlong-winded.VerypolitetomeandseemedveryfondofTomandanxioustotellhimaboutthingsthathadhappenedafterTomhadcometoEngland.Alllocalgossip,Isuppose.Itwasn’tveryinterestingtomebecauseIdidn’tknowanyofthepeople.Anyway,Iwasgettingdinnerreadywhiletheywerereminiscing.”
“Noquestionofpoliticscameup?”
“You’retryingtohintthathewasacommunist.”OliveBetterton’sfaceflushed.“I’msurehewasnothingofthesort.Hehadsomegovernmentjob—intheDistrictAttorney’soffice,Ithink.AndanywaywhenTomsaidsomethinglaughinglyaboutwitchhuntsinAmerica,hesaidsolemnlythatwedidn’tunderstandoverhere.Theywerenecessary.Sothatshowshewasn’tacommunist!”
“Please,please,Mrs.Betterton,nowdon’tgetupset.”
“Tomwasn’tacommunist!Ikeeptellingyousoandyoudon’tbelieveme.”
“Yes,Ido,butthepointisboundtocomeup.Nowforthesecondcontactfromabroad,Dr.MarkLucas.YouranacrosshiminLondonintheDorset.”
“Yes.We’dgoneuptoashowandwewerehavingsupperattheDorsetafterwards.Suddenlythisman,LukeorLucas,camealongandgreetedTom.HewasaresearchchemistofsomekindandthelasttimehehadseenTomwasintheStates.HewasaGermanrefugeewho’dtakenAmericannationality.Butsurelyyou—”
“ButsurelyIknowthat?Yes,Ido,Mrs.Betterton.Wasyourhusbandsurprisedtoseehim?”
“Yes,verysurprised.”
“Pleased?”
“Yes,yes—Ithinkso.”
“Butyou’renotsure?”Hepressedher.
“Well,hewasamanTomdidn’tmuchcareabout,orsohetoldmeafterwards,that’sall.”
“Itwasjustacasualmeeting?Therewasnoarrangementmadetomeetatsomefuturedate?”
“No,itwasjustacasualencounter.”
“Isee.Thethirdcontactfromabroadwasawoman,Mrs.CarolSpeeder,alsofromtheStates.Howdidthatcomeabout?”
“ShewassomethingtodowithU.N.O.,Ibelieve.She’dknownTominAmerica,andsheranghimupfromLondontosayshewasoverhere,andaskedifwecouldcomeupandlunchoneday.”
“Anddidyou?”
“No.”
“Youdidn’t,butyourhusbanddid!”
“What!”Shestared.
“Hedidn’ttellyou?”
“No.”
OliveBettertonlookedbewilderedanduneasy.Themanquestioningherfeltalittlesorryforher,buthedidnotrelent.Forthefirsttimehethoughthemightbegettingsomewhere.
“Idon’tunderstandit,”shesaiduncertainly.“Itseemsveryoddheshouldn’thavesaidanythingaboutittome.”
“TheylunchedtogetherattheDorsetwhereMrs.Speederwasstaying,onWednesday,August12th.”
“August12th?”
“Yes.”
“Yes,hedidgotoLondonaboutthen…Heneversaidanything—”shebrokeoffagain,andthenshotoutaquestion.“Whatisshelike?”
Heansweredquicklyandreassuringly.
“Notatallaglamoroustype,Mrs.Betterton.Acompetentyoungcareerwomanofthirty-odd,notparticularlygood-looking.There’sabsolutelynosuggestionofhereverhavingbeenonintimatetermswithyourhusband.Thatisjustwhyit’soddthathedidn’ttellyouaboutthemeeting.”
“Yes,yes,Iseethat.”
“Nowthinkcarefully,Mrs.Betterton.Didyounoticeanychangeinyourhusbandaboutthattime?AboutthemiddleofAugust,shallwesay?ThatwouldbeaboutaweekbeforetheConference.”
“No—no,Inoticednothing.Therewasnothingtonotice.”
Jessopsighed.
Theinstrumentonhisdeskbuzzeddiscreetly.Hepickedupthereceiver.
“Yes,”hesaid.
Thevoiceattheotherendsaid:
“There’samanwho’saskingtoseesomeoneinauthorityabouttheBettertoncase,sir.”
“What’shisname?”
Thevoiceattheotherendcougheddiscreetly.
“Well,I’mnotexactlysurehowyoupronounceit,Mr.Jessop.PerhapsI’dbetterspellit.”
“Right.Goahead.”
Hejotteddownonhisblotterthelettersastheycameoverthewire.
“Polish?”hesaidinterrogatively,attheend.
“Hedidn’tsay,sir.HespeaksEnglishquitewell,butwithabitofanaccent.”
“Askhimtowait.”
“Verygood,sir.”
Jessopreplacedthetelephone.ThenhelookedacrossatOliveBetterton.Shesattherequitequietlywithadisarming,hopelessplacidity.Hetoreofftheleafonhisdeskpadwiththenamehehadjustwrittenonit,andshoveditacrosstoher.
“Knowanybodyofthatname?”heasked
Hereyeswidenedasshelookedatit.Foramomenthethoughtshelookedfrightened.
“Yes,”shesaid.“Yes,Ido.Hewrotetome.”
“When?”
“Yesterday.He’sacousinofTom’sfirstwife.He’sjustarrivedinthiscountry.HewasveryconcernedaboutTom’sdisappearance.HewrotetoaskifIhadhadanynewsand—andtogivemehismostprofoundsympathy.”
“You’dneverheardofhimbeforethat?”
Sheshookherhead.
“Everhearyourhusbandspeakofhim?”
“No.”
“Soreallyhemightn’tbeyourhusband’scousinatall?”
“Well,no,Isupposenot.Ineverthoughtofthat.”Shelookedstartled.“ButTom’sfirstwifewasaforeigner.ShewasProfessorMannheim’sdaughter.ThismanseemedtoknowallaboutherandTominhisletter.Itwasverycorrectandformaland—andforeign,youknow.Itseemedquitegenuine.Andanyway,whatwouldbethepoint—ifheweren’tgenuine,Imean?”
“Ah,that’swhatonealwaysasksoneself.”Jessopsmiledfaintly.“Wedoitsomuchherethatwebegintoseethesmallestthingquiteoutofproportion!”
“Yes,Ishouldthinkyoumight.”Sheshiveredsuddenly.“It’slikethisroomofyours,inthemiddleofalabyrinthofcorridors,justlikeadreamwhenyouthinkyouwillnevergetout….”
“Yes,yes,Icanseeitmighthaveaclaustrophobiceffect,”saidJessoppleasantly.
OliveBettertonputahandupandpushedbackherhairfromherforehead.
“Ican’tstanditmuchlonger,youknow,”shesaid.“Justsittingandwaiting.Iwanttogetawaysomewhereforachange.Abroadforchoice.Somewherewherereporterswon’tringmeupallthetime,andpeoplewon’tstareatme.I’malwaysmeetingfriendsandtheykeepaskingmeifIhavehadanynews.”Shepaused,thenwenton,“Ithink—IthinkI’mgoingtobreakdown.I’vetriedtobebrave,butit’stoomuchforme.Mydoctoragrees.HesaysIoughttogorightawaysomewhereforthreeorfourweeks.Hewrotemealetter.I’llshowyou.”
Shefumbledinherbag,tookoutanenvelopeandpusheditacrossthedesktoJessop.
“You’llseewhathesays.”
Jessoptooktheletteroutoftheenvelopeandreadit.
“Yes,”hesaid.“Yes,Isee.”
Heputtheletterbackintheenvelope.
“So—soitwouldbeallrightformetogo?”Hereyeswatchedhimnervously.
“Butofcourse,Mrs.Betterton,”hereplied.Heraisedsurprisedeyebrows.“Whynot?”
“Ithoughtyoumightobject.”
“Object—why?It’sentirelyyourownbusiness.You’llarrangeitsothatIcangetintouchwithyouwhileyou’reawayincaseanynewsshouldcomethrough?”
“Oh,ofcourse.”
“Wherewereyouthinkingofgoing?”
“SomewherewherethereissunandnottoomanyEnglishpeople.SpainorMorocco.”
“Verynice.Doyoualotofgood,I’msure.”
“Oh,thankyou.Thankyouverymuch.”
Sherose,excited,elated—hernervousnessstillapparent.
Jessoprose,shookhandswithher,pressedthebuzzerforamessengertoseeherout.Hewentbacktohischairandsatdown.Forafewmomentshisfaceremainedasexpressionlessasbefore,thenveryslowlyhesmiled.Heliftedthephone.
“I’llseeMajorGlydrnow,”hesaid.
Two
“MajorGlydr?”Jessophesitatedalittleoverthename.
“Itisdifficult,yes.”Thevisitorspokewithhumorousappreciation.“Yourcompatriots,theyhavecalledmeGliderinthewar.Andnow,intheStates,IshallchangemynametoGlyn,whichismoreconvenientforall.”
“YoucomefromtheStatesnow?”
“Yes,Iarrivedaweekago.Youare—excuseme—Mr.Jessop?”
“I’mJessop.”
Theotherlookedathimwithinterest.
“So,”hesaid.“Ihaveheardofyou.”
“Indeed?Fromwhom?”
Theothersmiled.
“Perhapswegotoofast.BeforeyoupermitthatIshouldaskyousomequestions,IpresentyoufirstthisletterfromtheU.S.Embassy.”
Hepasseditwithabow.Jessoptookit,readthefewlinesofpoliteintroduction,putitdown.Helookedappraisinglyathisvisitor.Atallman,carryinghimselfratherstiffly,agedthirtyorthereabouts.Thefairhairwasclosecroppedinthecontinentalfashion.Thestranger’sspeechwasslowandcarefulwithaverydefiniteforeignintonation,thoughgrammaticallycorrect.Hewas,Jessopnoticed,notatallnervousorunsureofhimself.Thatinitselfwasunusual.Mostofthepeoplewhocameintothisofficewerenervousorexcitedorapprehensive.Sometimestheywereshifty,sometimesviolent.
Thiswasamanwhohadcompletecommandofhimself,amanwithapokerfacewhoknewwhathewasdoingandwhy,andwhowouldnotbeeasilytrickedorbetrayedintosayingmorethanhemeanttosay.Jessopsaidpleasantly:
“Andwhatcanwedoforyou?”
“IcametoaskifyouhadanyfurthernewsofThomasBetterton,whodisappearedrecentlyinwhatseemsasomewhatsensationalmanner.Onecannot,Iknow,believeexactlywhatonereadsinthepress,soIaskwhereIcangoforreliableinformation.Theytellme—you.”
“I’msorry,we’venodefiniteinformationaboutBetterton.”
“Ithoughtperhapshemighthavebeensentabroadonsomemission.”Hepausedandadded,ratherquaintly,“Youknow,hush-hush.”
“Mydearsir.”Jessoplookedpained.“Bettertonwasascientist,notadiplomatorasecretagent.”
“Iamrebuked.Butlabelsarenotalwayscorrect.Youwillwanttoinquiremyinterestinthematter.ThomasBettertonwasarelationofminebymarriage.”
“Yes.Youarethenephew,Ibelieve,ofthelateProfessorMannheim.”
“Ah,thatyouknewalready.Youarewellinformedhere.”
“Peoplecomealongandtellusthings,”murmuredJessop.“Betterton’swifewashere.Shetoldme.Youhadwrittentoher.”
“Yes,toexpressmycondolencesandtoaskifshehadhadanyfurthernews.”
“Thatwasverycorrect.”
“MymotherwasProfessorMannheim’sonlysister.Theywereverymuchattached.InWarsawwhenIwasachildIwasmuchatmyuncle’shouse,andhisdaughter,Elsa,wastomelikeasister.Whenmyfatherandmotherdiedmyhomewaswithmyuncleandcousin.Theywerehappydays.Thencamethewar,thetragedies,thehorrors…Ofallthatwewillnotspeak.MyuncleandElsaescapedtoAmerica.ImyselfremainedintheundergroundResistance,andafterthewarendedIhadcertainassignments.OnevisitIpaidtoseemyuncleandcousin,thatwasall.ButtherecameatimewhenmycommitmentsinEuropeareended.IintendtoresideintheStatespermanently.Ishallbe,Ihope,nearmyuncleandmycousinandherhusband.Butalas”—hespreadouthishands—“Igetthereandmyuncle,heisdead,mycousin,too,andherhusbandhehascometothiscountryandhasmarriedagain.SooncemoreIhavenofamily.AndthenIreadofthedisappearanceofthewell-knownscientistThomasBetterton,andIcomeovertoseewhatcanbedone.”HepausedandlookedinquiringlyatJessop.
Jessoplookedexpressionlesslybackathim.
“Whydidhedisappear,Mr.Jessop?”
“That,”saidJessop,“isjustwhatwe’dliketoknow.”
“Perhapsyoudoknow?”
Jessopappreciatedwithsomeinteresthoweasilytheirrolesmightbecomereversed.Inthisroomhewasaccustomedtoaskquestionsofpeople.Thisstrangerwasnowtheinquisitor.
Stillsmilingpleasantly,Jessopreplied:
“Iassureyouwedonot.”
“Butyoususpect?”
“Itispossible,”saidJessopcautiously,“thatthethingfollowsacertainpattern…Therehavebeenoccurrencesofthiskindbefore.”
“Iknow.”Rapidlythevisitorcitedahalf-dozencases.“Allscientists,”hesaid,withsignificance.
“Yes.”
“TheyhavegonebeyondtheIronCurtain?”
“Itisapossibility,butwedonotknow.”
“Buttheyhavegoneoftheirownfreewill?”
“Eventhat,”saidJessop,“isdifficulttosay.”
“Itisnotmybusiness,youthink?”
“Oh,please.”
“Butyouareright.ItisofinteresttomeonlybecauseofBetterton.”
“You’llforgiveme,”saidJessop,“ifIdon’tquiteunderstandyourinterest.Afterall,Bettertonisonlyarelationbymarriage.Youdidn’tevenknowhim.”
“Thatistrue.ButforusPoles,thefamilyisveryimportant.Thereareobligations.”Hestoodupandbowedstiffly.“IregretthatIhavetrespasseduponyourtime,andIthankyouforyourcourtesy.”
Jessoprosealso.
“I’msorrywecannothelpyou,”hesaid,“butIassureyouwearecompletelyinthedark.IfIdohearofanythingcanIreachyou?”
“CareoftheU.S.Embassywillfindme.Ithankyou.”Againhebowedformally.
Jessoptouchedthebuzzer.MajorGlydrwentout.Jessopliftedthereceiver.
“AskColonelWhartontocometomyroom.”
WhenWhartonenteredtheroomJessopsaid:
“Thingsaremoving—atlast.”
“How?”
“Mrs.Bettertonwantstogoabroad.”
Whartonwhistled.
“Goingtojoinhubby?”
“I’mhopeful.Shecameprovidedwithaconvenientletterfromhermedicaladviser.Completeneedofrestandchangeofscene.”
“Looksgood!”
“Though,ofcourse,itmaybetrue,”Jessopwarnedhim.“Asimplestatementoffact.”
“Wenevertakethatviewhere,”saidWharton.
“No.Imustsayshedoesherstuffveryconvincingly.Neverslipsupforamoment.”
“Yougotnothingfurtherfromher,Isuppose?”
“Onefaintlead.TheSpeederwomanwithwhomBettertonlunchedattheDorset.”
“Yes?”
“Hedidn’ttellhiswifeaboutthelunch.”
“Oh.”Whartonconsidered.“Youthinkthat’srelevant?”
“Itmightbe.CarolSpeederwashadupbeforetheCommitteeofInvestigationofun-AmericanActivities.Sheclearedherself,butallthesame…yes,allthesameshewas,ortheythoughtshewas,tarredwiththatbrush.Itmaybeapossiblecontact.Theonlyonewe’vefoundforBettertonsofar.”
“WhataboutMrs.Betterton’scontacts—anypossiblecontactlatelywhocouldhaveinstigatedthegoingabroadbusiness?”
“Nopersonalcontact.ShehadaletteryesterdayfromaPole.AcousinofBetterton’sfirstwife.Ihadhimherejustnowaskingfordetails,etc.”
“What’shelike?”
“Notreal,”saidJessop.“Allveryforeignandcorrect,gotallthe‘gen,’curiouslyunrealasapersonality.”
“Thinkhe’sbeenthecontacttotipheroff?”
“Itcouldbe.Idon’tknow.Hepuzzlesme.”
“Goingtokeeptabsonhim?”
Jessopsmiled.
“Yes.Ipressedthebuzzertwice.”
“Youoldspider—withyourtricks.”Whartonbecamebusinesslikeagain.“Well,what’stheform?”
“Janet,Ithink,andtheusual.Spain,orMorocco.”
“NotSwitzerland?”
“Notthistime.”
“IshouldhavethoughtSpainorMoroccowouldhavebeendifficultforthem.”
“Wemustn’tunderestimateouradversaries.”
Whartonflippedthesecurityfilesdisgustedlywithhisnail.
“AbouttheonlytwocountrieswhereBettertonhasn’tbeenseen,”hesaidwithchagrin.“Well,we’lllayitallon.MyGod,ifwefalldownonthejobthistime—”
Jessopleanedbackinhischair.
“It’salongtimesinceI’vehadaholiday,”hesaid.“I’mrathersickofthisoffice.Imighttakealittletripabroad….”
Three
I
“Flight108toParis.AirFrance.Thiswayplease.”
ThepersonsintheloungeatHeathrowAirportrosetotheirfeet.HilaryCravenpickeduphersmall,lizard-skintravellingcaseandmovedinthewakeoftheothers,outontothetarmac.Thewindblewsharplycoldaftertheheatedairofthelounge.
Hilaryshiveredanddrewherfursalittlecloserroundher.Shefollowedtheotherpassengersacrosstowheretheaircraftwaswaiting.Thiswasit!Shewasoff,escaping!Outofthegreyness,thecoldness,thedeadnumbmisery.Escapingtosunshineandblueskiesandanewlife.Shewouldleaveallthisweightbehind,thisdeadweightofmiseryandfrustration.Shewentupthegangwayofherplane,bendingherheadasshepassedinsideandwasshownbythestewardtoherseat.Forthefirsttimeinmonthsshesavouredrelieffromapainthathadbeensosharplyacuteasalmosttobephysical.“Ishallgetaway,”shesaidtoherself,hopefully.“Ishallgetaway.”
Theroaringandtherevolutionsoftheplaneexcitedher.Thereseemedakindofelementalsavageryinit.Civilizedmisery,shethought,istheworstmisery.Greyandhopeless.“Butnow,”shethought,“Ishallescape.”
Theplanetaxiedgentlyalongtherunway.Theairhostesssaid:
“Fastenyourbelts,please.”
Theplanemadeahalf-turnandstoodwaitingitssignaltodepart.Hilarythought,“Perhapstheplanewillcrash…Perhapsitwillneverriseofftheground.Thenthatwillbetheend,thatwillbethesolutiontoeverything.”Theyseemedtowaitforagesoutontheairfield.Waitingforthesignaltostartofftofreedom,Hilarythought,absurdly:“Ishallnevergetaway,never.Ishallbekepthere—aprisoner….”
Ah,atlast.
Afinalroarofengines,thentheplanestartedforward.Quicker,quicker,racingalong.Hilarythought:“Itwon’trise.Itcan’t…thisistheend.”Ah,theywereabovethegroundnow,itseemed.Notsomuchthattheplaneroseasthattheearthwasfallingaway,droppingdown,thrustingitsproblemsanditsdisappointmentsanditsfrustrationsbeneaththesoaringcreaturerisingupsoproudlyintotheclouds.Uptheywent,circlinground,theaerodromelookinglikearidiculouschild’stoybeneath.Funnylittleroads,strangelittlerailwayswithtoytrainsonthem.Aridiculouschildishworldwherepeoplelovedandhatedandbroketheirhearts.Noneofitmatteredbecausetheywereallsoridiculousandsoprettilysmallandunimportant.Nowtherewerecloudsbelowthem,adense,greyish-whitemass.TheymustbeovertheChannelnow.Hilaryleanedback,closinghereyes.Escape.Escape.ShehadleftEngland,leftNigel,leftthesadlittlemoundthatwasBrenda’sgrave.Allleftbehind.Sheopenedhereyes,closedthemagainwithalongsigh.Sheslept….
II
WhenHilaryawoke,theplanewascomingdown.“Paris,”thoughtHilary,asshesatupinherseatandreachedforherhandbag.ButitwasnotParis.Theairhostesscamedownthecarsaying,withthatnurserygovernessbrightnessthatsometravellersfoundsoannoying:
“WearelandingyouatBeauvaisasthefogisverythickinParis.”
Thesuggestioninhermannerwas:“Won’tthatbenice,children?”Hilarypeereddownthroughthesmallspaceofwindowatherside.Shecouldseelittle.Beauvaisalsoappearedtobewreathedinfog.Theplanewascirclingroundslowly.Itwassometimebeforeitfinallymadeitslanding.Thenthepassengersweremarshalledthroughcold,dampmistintoaroughwoodenbuildingwithafewchairsandalongwoodencounter.
DepressionsettleddownonHilarybutshetriedtofightitoff.Amannearhermurmured:
“Anoldwaraerodrome.Noheatingorcomfortshere.Still,fortunately,beingtheFrench,they’llserveusoutsomedrinks.”
Trueenough,almostimmediatelyamancamealongwithsomekeysandpresentlypassengerswerebeingservedwithvariousformsofalcoholicrefreshmentstoboosttheirmorale.Ithelpedtobuoythepassengersupforthelongandirritatingwait.
Somehourspassedbeforeanythinghappened.Otherplanesappearedoutofthefogandlanded,alsodivertedfromParis.Soonthesmallroomwascrowdedwithcold,irritablepeoplegrumblingaboutthedelay.
ToHilaryitallhadanunrealquality.Itwasasthoughshewasstillinadream,mercifullyprotectedfromcontactwithreality.Thiswasonlyadelay,onlyamatterofwaiting.Shewasstillonherjourney—herjourneyofescape.Shewasstillgettingawayfromitall,stillgoingtowardsthatspotwhereherlifewouldstartagain.Hermoodheld.Heldthroughthelong,fatiguingdelay,heldthroughthemomentsofchaoswhenitwasannounced,longafterdark,thatbuseshadcometoconveythetravellerstoParis.
Therewasthenawildconfusion,ofcomingandgoing,passengers,officials,portersallcarryingbaggage,hurryingandcollidinginthedarkness.IntheendHilaryfoundherself,herfeetandlegsicycold,inabusslowlyrumblingitswaythroughthefogtowardsParis.
Itwasalongwearydrivetakingfourhours.ItwasmidnightwhentheyarrivedattheInvalidesandHilarywasthankfultocollectherbaggageanddrivetothehotelwhereaccommodationwasreservedforher.Shewastootiredtoeat—justhadahotbathandtumbledintobed.
TheplanetoCasablancawasduetoleaveOrlyAirportatten-thirtythefollowingmorning,butwhentheyarrivedatOrlyeverythingwasconfusion.PlaneshadbeengroundedinmanypartsofEurope,arrivalshadbeendelayedaswellasdepartures.
Aharassedclerkatthedeparturedeskshruggedhisshouldersandsaid:
“ImpossibleforMadametogoontheflightwhereshehadreservations!Thescheduleshaveallhadtobechanged.IfMadamewilltakeaseatforalittleminute,presumablyallwillarrangeitself.”
IntheendshewassummonedandtoldthattherewasaplaceonaplanegoingtoDakarwhichnormallydidnottouchdownatCasablancabutwoulddosoonthisoccasion.
“Youwillarrivethreehourslater,thatisall,Madame,onthislaterservice.”
Hilaryacquiescedwithoutprotestandtheofficialseemedsurprisedandpositivelydelightedbyherattitude.
“Madamehasnoconceptionsofthedifficultiesthathavebeenmadetomethismorning,”hesaid.“Enfin,theyareunreasonable,Messieursthetravellers.ItisnotIwhomadethefog!Naturallyithascausedthedisruptions.Onemustaccommodateoneselfwiththegoodhumour—thatiswhatIsay,howeverdispleasingitistohaveone’splansaltered.Aprèstout,Madame,alittledelayofanhourortwohoursorthreehours,whatdoesitmatter?HowcanitmatterbywhatplaneonearrivesatCasablanca.”
YetonthatparticulardayitmatteredmorethanthelittleFrenchmanknewwhenhespokethosewords.ForwhenHilaryfinallyarrivedandsteppedoutintothesunshineontothetarmac,theporterwhowasmovingbesideherwithhispiled-uptrolleyofluggageobserved:
“Youhavetheluckychance,Madame,nottohavebeenontheplanebeforethis,theregularplaneforCasablanca.”
Hilarysaid:“Why,whathappened?”
Themanlookeduneasilytoandfro,butafterall,thenewscouldnotbekeptsecret.Heloweredhisvoiceconfidentiallyandleanttowardsher.
“Mauvaiseaffaire!”hemuttered.“Itcrashed—landing.Thepilotandthenavigatoraredeadandmostofthepassengers.Fourorfivewerealiveandhavebeentakentohospital.Someofthosearebadlyhurt.”
Hilary’sfirstreactionwasakindofblindinganger.Almostunpromptedthereleaptintohermindthethought,“Whywasn’tIinthatplane?IfIhadbeen,itwouldhavebeenallovernow—Ishouldbedead,outofitall.Nomoreheartaches,nomoremisery.Thepeopleinthatplanewantedtolive.AndI—Idon’tcare.Whyshouldn’tithavebeenme?”
ShepassedthroughtheCustoms,aperfunctoryaffair,anddrovewithherbaggagetothehotel.Itwasaglorious,sunlitafternoon,withthesunjustsinkingtorest.Theclearairandgoldenlight—itwasallasshehadpicturedit.Shehadarrived!Shehadleftthefog,thecold,thedarknessofLondon;shehadleftbehindhermiseryandindecisionandsuffering.Heretherewaspulsatinglifeandcolourandsunshine.
Shecrossedherbedroomandthrewopentheshutters,lookingoutintothestreet.Yes,itwasallasshehadpictureditwouldbe.Hilaryturnedslowlyawayfromthewindowandsatdownonthesideofthebed.Escape,escape!ThatwastherefrainthathadhummedincessantlyinhermindeversincesheleftEngland.Escape.Escape.Andnowsheknew—knewwithahorrible,strickencoldness,thattherewasnoescape.
EverythingwasjustthesamehereasithadbeeninLondon.Sheherself,HilaryCraven,wasthesame.ItwasfromHilaryCraventhatshewastryingtoescape,andHilaryCravenwasHilaryCraveninMoroccojustasmuchasshehadbeenHilaryCraveninLondon.Shesaidverysoftlytoherself:
“WhatafoolI’vebeen—whatafoolIam.WhydidIthinkthatI’dfeeldifferentlyifIgotawayfromEngland?”
Brenda’sgrave,thatsmallpatheticmound,wasinEnglandandNigelwouldshortlybemarryinghisnewwifeinEngland.Whyhadsheimaginedthatthosetwothingswouldmatterlesstoherhere?Wishfulthinking,thatwasall.Well,thatwasallovernow.Shewasupagainstreality.Therealityofherselfandwhatshecouldbear,andwhatshecouldnotbear.Onecouldbearthings,Hilarythought,solongastherewasareasonforbearingthem.Shehadborneherownlongillness,shehadborneNigel’sdefectionandthecruelandbrutalcircumstancesinwhichithadoperated.ShehadbornethesethingsbecausetherewasBrenda.Thenhadcomethelong,slow,losingfightforBrenda’slife—thefinaldefeat…Nowtherewasnothingtoliveforanylonger.IthadtakenthejourneytoMoroccotoprovethattoher.InLondonshehadhadaqueer,confusedfeelingthatifonlyshecouldgetsomewhereelseshecouldforgetwhatlaybehindherandstartagain.Andsoshehadbookedherjourneytothisplacewhichhadnoassociationswiththepast,aplacequitenewtoherwhichhadthequalitiesshelovedsomuch:sunlight,pureairandthestrangenessofnewpeopleandthings.Here,shehadthought,thingswillbedifferent.Buttheywerenotdifferent.Theywerethesame.Thefactswerequitesimpleandinescapable.She,HilaryCraven,hadnolongeranywishtogoonliving.Itwasassimpleasthat.
Ifthefoghadnotintervened,ifshehadtravelledontheplaneonwhichherreservationshadbeenmade,thenherproblemmighthavebeensolvedbynow.ShemightbelyinginsomeFrenchofficialmortuary,abodybrokenandbatteredwithherspiritatpeace,freedfromsuffering.Well,thesameendcouldbeachieved,butshewouldhavetotakealittletrouble.
Itwouldhavebeensoeasy,ifshehadhadsleeping-stuffwithher.SherememberedhowshehadaskedDr.Greyandtheratherqueerlookonhisfaceashehadanswered:
“Betternot.Muchbettertolearntosleepnaturally.Maybehardatfirst,butitwillcome.”
Aqueerlookonhisface.Hadheknownthenorsuspectedthatitwouldcometothis?Oh,well,itshouldnotbedifficult.Sherosetoherfeetwithdecision.Shewouldgooutnowtoachemist’sshop.
III
Hilaryhadalwaysimaginedthatdrugswereeasytobuyinforeigncities.Rathertohersurprise,shefoundthatthiswasnotso.Thechemistshewenttofirstsuppliedherwithonlytwodoses.Formorethanthatamount,hesaid,adoctor’sprescriptionwouldbeadvisable.Shethankedhimsmilinglyandnonchalantlyandwentratherquicklyoutoftheshop,collidingasshedidsowithatall,rathersolemn-facedyoungman,whoapologizedinEnglish.Sheheardhimaskingfortoothpasteasshelefttheshop.
Somehowthatamusedher.Toothpaste.Itseemedsoridiculous,sonormal,soeveryday.Thenasharppangpiercedher,forthetoothpastehehadaskedforwasthebrandthatNigelhadalwayspreferred.Shecrossedthestreetandwentintoashopopposite.Shehadbeentofourchemists’shopsbythetimeshereturnedtothehotel.Ithadamusedheralittlethatinthethirdshoptheowlishyoungmanhadagainappeared,oncemoreaskingobstinatelyforhisparticularbrandoftoothpastewhichevidentlywasnotonecommonlystockedbyFrenchchemistsinCasablanca.
Hilaryfeltalmostlightheartedasshechangedherfrockandmadeupherfacebeforegoingdownfordinner.Shepurposelywentdownaslateaspossiblesinceshewasanxiousnottoencounteranyofherfellowtravellersorthepersonneloftheaeroplane.Thatwashardlylikelyinanycase,sincetheplanehadgoneontoDakar,andshethoughtthatshehadbeentheonlypersonputoffatCasablanca.
Therestaurantwasalmostemptybythetimeshecameintoit,thoughshenoticedthattheyoungEnglishmanwiththeowl-likefacewasjustfinishinghismealatthetablebythewall.HewasreadingaFrenchnewspaperandseemedquiteabsorbedinit.
Hilaryorderedherselfagoodmealwithahalf-bottleofwine.Shewasfeelingaheadykindofexcitement.Shethoughttoherself,“Whatisthisafterall,butthelastadventure?”ThensheorderedabottleofVichywatertobesentuptoherroomandwentstraightupafterleavingthediningroom.
ThewaiterbroughttheVichy,uncappedit,placeditonthetable,andwishinghergoodnight,lefttheroom.Hilarydrewasighofrelief.Asheclosedthedoorafterhim,shewenttoitandturnedthekeyinthelock.Shetookfromthedrawerofthedressingtablethefourlittlepacketsshehadobtainedfromthechemists’,andunwrappedthem.ShelaidthetabletsoutonthetableandpouredherselfoutaglassofVichywater.Sincethedrugwasintabletform,shehadonlytoswallowthetablets,andwashthemdownwiththeVichywater.
Sheundressed,wrappedherdressinggownroundherandcamebacktositbythetable.Herheartbeatfaster.Shefeltsomethinglikefearnow,butthefearwashalffascinationandnotthekindofflinchingthatwouldhavetemptedhertoabandonherplan.Shewasquitecalmandclearaboutthat.Thiswasescapeatlast—realescape.Shelookedatthewritingtable,debatingwhethershewouldleaveanote.Shedecidedagainstit.Shehadnorelations,nocloseordearfriends,therewasnobodytowhomshewishedtosaygoodbye.AsforNigel,shehadnowishtoburdenhimwithuselessremorseevenifanotefromherwouldhaveachievedthatobject.NigelwouldreadpresumablyinthepaperthataMrs.HilaryCravenhaddiedofanoverdoseofsleepingtabletsinCasablanca.Itwouldprobablybequiteasmallparagraph.Hewouldacceptitatitsfacevalue.“PooroldHilary,”hewouldsay,“badluck”—anditmightbethat,secretly,hewouldberatherrelieved.Becausesheguessedthatshewas,slightly,onNigel’sconscience,andhewasamanwhowishedtofeelcomfortablewithhimself.
AlreadyNigelseemedveryfarawayandcuriouslyunimportant.Therewasnothingmoretobedone.Shewouldswallowthepillsandliedownonherbedandsleep.Fromthatsleepshewouldnotwake.Shehadnot,orthoughtshehadnot,anyreligiousfeeling.Brenda’sdeathhadshutdownonallthat.Sotherewasnothingmoretoconsider.ShewasonceagainatravellerasshehadbeenatHeathrowAirport,atravellerwaitingtodepartforanunknowndestination,unencumberedbybaggage,unaffectedbyfarewells.Forthefirsttimeinherlifeshewasfree,entirelyfree,toactasshewishedtoact.Alreadythepastwascutawayfromher.Thelongachingmiserythathaddraggedherdowninherwakinghourswasgone.Yes.Light,free,unencumbered!Readytostartonherjourney.
Shestretchedoutherhandtowardsthefirsttablet.Asshedidsotherecameasoft,discreettaponthedoor.Hilaryfrowned.Shesatthere,herhandarrestedinmid-air.Whowasit—achambermaid?No,thebedhadalreadybeenturneddown.Somebody,perhaps,aboutpapersorpassport?Sheshruggedhershoulders.Shewouldnotanswerthedoor.Whyshouldshebother?Presentlywhoeveritwaswouldgoawayandcomebackatsomefurtheropportunity.
Theknockcameagain,alittlelouderthistime.ButHilarydidnotmove.Therecouldbenorealurgency,andwhoeveritwaswouldsoongoaway.
Hereyeswereonthedoor,andsuddenlytheywidenedwithastonishment.Thekeywasslowlyturningbackwardsroundthelock.Itjerkedforwardandfellonthefloorwithametallicclang.Thenthehandleturned,thedooropenedandamancamein.Sherecognizedhimasthesolemn,owlishyoungmanwhohadbeenbuyingtoothpaste.Hilarystaredathim.Shewastoostartledforthemomenttosayordoanything.Theyoungmanturnedround,shutthedoor,pickedthekeyupfromthefloor,putitintothelockandturnedit.Thenhecameacrosstowardsherandsatdowninachairtheothersideofthetable.Hesaid,anditseemedtoheramostincongruousremark:
“Myname’sJessop.”
ThecolourrosesharplyinHilary’sface.Sheleanedforward.Shesaidwithcoldanger:
“Whatdoyouthinkyou’redoinghere,mayIask?”
Helookedathersolemnly—andblinked.
“Funny,”hesaid.“Icametoaskyouthat.”Hegaveaquicksidewaysnodtowardsthepreparationsonthetable.Hilarysaidsharply:
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.”
“Ohyes,youdo.”
Hilarypaused,strugglingforwords.Thereweresomanythingsshewantedtosay.Toexpressindignation.Toorderhimoutoftheroom.Butstrangelyenough,itwascuriositythatwontheday.Thequestionrosetoherlipssonaturallythatshewasalmostunawareofaskingit.
“Thatkey,”shesaid,“itturned,ofitself,inthelock?”
“Oh,that!”Theyoungmangaveasuddenboyishgrinthattransformedhisface.Heputhishandintohispocketand,takingoutametalinstrument,hehandedittohertoexamine.
“Thereyouare,”hesaid,“veryhandylittletool.Insertitintothelocktheotherside,itgripsthekeyandturnsit.”Hetookitbackfromherandputitinhispocket.“Burglarsusethem,”hesaid.
“Soyou’reaburglar?”
“No,no,Mrs.Craven,domejustice.Ididknock,youknow.Burglarsdon’tknock.Then,whenitseemedyouweren’tgoingtoletmein,Iusedthis.”
“Butwhy?”
Againhervisitor’seyesstrayedtothepreparationsonthetable.
“Ishouldn’tdoitifIwereyou,”hesaid.“Itisn’tabitwhatyouthink,youknow.Youthinkyoujustgotosleepandyoudon’twakeup.Butit’snotquitelikethat.Allsortsofunpleasanteffects.Convulsionssometimes,gangreneoftheskin.Ifyou’reresistanttothedrug,ittakesalongtimetowork,andsomeonegetstoyouintimeandthenallsortsofunpleasantthingshappen.Stomachpump.Castoroil,hotcoffee,slappingandpushing.Allveryundignified,Iassureyou.”
Hilaryleanedbackinherchair,hereyelidsnarrowed.Sheclenchedherhandsslightly.Sheforcedherselftosmile.
“Whataridiculouspersonyouare,”shesaid.“DoyouimaginethatIwascommittingsuicide,orsomethinglikethat?”
“Notonlyimagineit,”saidtheyoungmancalledJessop,“I’mquitesureofit.Iwasinthatchemist’s,youknow,whenyoucamein.Buyingtoothpaste,asamatteroffact.Well,theyhadn’tgotthesortIlike,soIwenttoanothershop.Andthereyouwere,askingforsleepingpillsagain.Well,Ithoughtthatwasabitodd,youknow,soIfollowedyou.Allthosesleepingpillsatdifferentplaces.Itcouldonlyadduptoonething.”
Histonewasfriendly,offhand,butquiteassured.LookingathimHilaryCravenabandonedpretence.
“Thendon’tyouthinkitisunwarrantableimpertinenceonyourparttotryandstopme?”
Heconsideredthepointforamomentortwo.Thenheshookhishead.
“No.It’soneofthosethingsthatyoucan’tnotdo—ifyouunderstand.”
Hilaryspokewithenergy.“Youcanstopmeforthemoment.Imeanyoucantakethepillsaway—throwthemoutofthewindoworsomethinglikethat—butyoucan’tstopmefrombuyingmoreanotherdayorthrowingmyselfdownfromthetopfloorofthebuilding,orjumpinginfrontofatrain.”
Theyoungmanconsideredthis.
“No,”hesaid.“IagreeIcan’tstopyoudoinganyofthosethings.Butit’saquestion,youknow,whetheryouwilldothem.Tomorrow,thatis.”
“YouthinkIshallfeeldifferentlytomorrow?”askedHilary,faintbitternessinhertone.
“Peopledo,”saidJessop,almostapologetically.
“Yes,perhaps,”sheconsidered.“Ifyou’redoingthingsinamoodofhotdespair.Butwhenit’scolddespair,it’sdifferent.I’venothingtolivefor,yousee.”
Jessopputhisratherowlishheadononeside,andblinked.
“Interesting,”heremarked.
“Notreally.Notinterestingatall.I’mnotaveryinterestingwoman.Myhusband,whomIloved,leftme,myonlychilddiedverypainfullyofmeningitis.I’venonearfriendsorrelations.I’venovocation,noartorcraftorworkthatIlovedoing.”
“Tough,”saidJessopappreciatively.Headded,ratherhesitantly:“Youdon’tthinkofitas—wrong?”
Hilarysaidheatedly:“Whyshoulditbewrong?It’smylife.”
“Ohyes,yes,”Jessoprepeatedhastily.“I’mnottakingahighmorallinemyself,buttherearepeople,youknow,whothinkit’swrong.”
Hilarysaid:
“I’mnotoneofthem.”
Mr.Jessopsaid,ratherinadequately:
“Quite.”
Hesattherelookingather,blinkinghiseyesthoughtfully.
Hilarysaid:
“Soperhapsnow,Mr.—er—”
“Jessop,”saidtheyoungman.
“Soperhapsnow,Mr.Jessop,youwillleavemealone.”
ButJessopshookhishead.
“Notjustyet,”hesaid.“Iwantedtoknow,yousee,justwhatwasbehinditall.I’vegotitclearnow,haveI?You’renotinterestedinlife,youdon’twanttoliveanylonger,youmoreorlesswelcometheideaofdeath?”
“Yes.”
“Good,”saidJessop,cheerfully.“Sonowweknowwhereweare.Let’sgoontothenextstep.Hasitgottobesleepingpills?”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Well,I’vealreadytoldyouthatthey’renotasromanticastheysound.Throwingyourselfoffabuildingisn’ttoonice,either.Youdon’talwaysdieatonce.Andthesameappliestofallingunderatrain.WhatI’mgettingatisthatthereareotherways.”
“Idon’tunderstandwhatyoumean.”
“I’msuggestinganothermethod.Ratherasportingmethod,really.There’ssomeexcitementinit,too.I’llbefairwithyou.There’sjustahundredtoonechancethatyoumightn’tdie.ButIdon’tbelieveunderthecircumstances,thatyou’dreallyobjectbythattime.”
“Ihaven’tthefaintestideawhatyou’retalkingabout.”
“Ofcourseyouhaven’t,”saidJessop.“I’venotbeguntotellyouaboutityet.I’mafraidI’llhavetomakeratherathingaboutit—tellyouastory,Imean.ShallIgoahead?”
“Isupposeso.”
Jessoppaidnoattentiontothegrudgingnessoftheassent.Hestartedoffinhismostowl-likemanner.
“You’rethesortofwomanwhoreadsthepapersandkeepsupwiththingsgenerally,Iexpect,”hesaid.“You’llhavereadaboutthedisappearanceofvariousscientistsfromtimetotime.TherewasthatItalianchapaboutayearago,andabouttwomonthsagoayoungscientistcalledThomasBettertondisappeared.”
Hilarynodded.“Yes,Ireadaboutthatinthepapers.”
“Well,there’sbeenagooddealmorethanhasappearedinthepapers.Morepeople,Imean,havedisappeared.Theyhaven’talwaysbeenscientists.Someofthemhavebeenyoungmenwhowereengagedinimportantmedicalresearch.Someofthemhavebeenresearchchemists,someofthemhavebeenphysicists,therewasonebarrister.Oh,quitealothereandthereandeverywhere.Well,oursisaso-calledfreecountry.Youcanleaveitifyoulike.Butinthesepeculiarcircumstanceswe’vegottoknowwhythesepeopleleftitandwheretheywent,and,alsoimportant,howtheywent.Didtheygooftheirownfreewill?Weretheykidnapped?Weretheyblackmailedintogoing?Whatroutedidtheytake—whatkindoforganizationisitthatsetsthisinmotionandwhatisitsultimateaim?Lotsofquestions.Wewanttheanswertothem.Youmightbeabletohelpgetusthatanswer.”
Hilarystaredathim.
“Me?How?Why?”
“I’mcomingdowntotheparticularcaseofThomasBetterton.HedisappearedfromParisjustovertwomonthsago.HeleftawifeinEngland.Shewasdistracted—orsaidshewasdistracted.Shesworethatshehadnoideawhyhe’dgoneorwhereorhow.Thatmaybetrue,oritmaynot.Somepeople—andI’moneofthem—thinkitwasn’ttrue.”
Hilaryleanedforwardinherchair.Inspiteofherselfshewasbecominginterested.Jessopwenton.
“Wepreparedtokeepanice,unobtrusiveeyeonMrs.Betterton.Aboutafortnightagoshecametomeandtoldmeshehadbeenorderedbyherdoctortogoabroad,takeathoroughrestandgetsomedistraction.ShewasdoingnogoodinEngland,andpeoplewerecontinuallybotheringher—newspaperreporters,relations,kindfriends.”
Hilarysaiddrily:“Icanimagineit.”
“Yes,tough.Quitenaturalshewouldwanttogetawayforabit.”
“Quitenatural,Ishouldthink.”
“Butwe’vegotnasty,suspiciousmindsinourdepartment,youknow.WearrangedtokeeptabsonMrs.Betterton.YesterdaysheleftEnglandasarranged,forCasablanca.”
“Casablanca?”
“Yes—enroutetootherplacesinMorocco,ofcourse.Allquiteopenandaboveboard,plansmade,bookingsahead.ButitmaybethatthistriptoMoroccoiswhereMrs.Bettertonstepsoffintotheunknown.”
Hilaryshruggedhershoulders.
“Idon’tseewhereIcomeintoallthis.”
Jessopsmiled.
“Youcomeintoitbecauseyou’vegotaverymagnificentheadofredhair,Mrs.Craven.”
“Hair?”
“Yes.It’sthemostnoticeablethingaboutMrs.Betterton—herhair.You’veheard,perhaps,thattheplanebeforeyourstodaycrashedonlanding.”
“Iknow.Ishouldhavebeenonthatplane.Iactuallyhadreservationsforit.”
“Interesting,”saidJessop.“Well,Mrs.Bettertonwasonthatplane.Shewasn’tkilled.Shewastakenoutofthewreckagestillalive,andsheisinhospitalnow.Butaccordingtothedoctor,shewon’tbealivetomorrowmorning.”
AfaintglimmeroflightcametoHilary.Shelookedathiminquiringly.
“Yes,”saidJessop,“perhapsnowyouseetheformofsuicideI’mofferingyou.I’msuggestingthatyoushouldbecomeMrs.Betterton.”
“Butsurely,”saidHilary,“thatwouldbequiteimpossible.Imean,they’dknowatonceshewasn’tme.”
Jessopputhisheadononeside.
“That,ofcourse,dependsentirelyonwhoyoumeanby‘they.’It’saveryvagueterm.Whoisorare‘they?’Istheresuchathing,aretheresuchpersonsas‘they?’Wedon’tknow.ButIcantellyouthis.Ifthemostpopularexplanationof‘they’isaccepted,thenthesepeopleworkinveryclose,self-containedcells.Theydothatfortheirownsecurity.IfMrs.Betterton’sjourneyhadapurposeandisplanned,thenthepeoplewhowereinchargeofitherewillknownothingabouttheEnglishsideofit.Attheappointedmomenttheywillcontactacertainwomanatacertainplace,andcarryonfromthere.Mrs.Betterton’spassportdescriptionis5ft.7,redhair,blue-greeneyes,mouthmedium,nodistinguishingmarks.Goodenough.”
“Buttheauthoritieshere.Surelythey—”
Jessopsmiled.“Thatpartofitwillbequiteallright.TheFrenchhavelostafewvaluableyoungscientistsandchemistsoftheirown.They’llcooperate.Thefactswillbeasfollows.Mrs.Betterton,sufferingfromconcussion,istakentohospital.Mrs.Craven,anotherpassengerinthecrashedplane,willalsobeadmittedtohospital.WithinadayortwoMrs.Cravenwilldieinhospital,andMrs.Bettertonwillbedischarged,sufferingslightlyfromconcussion,butabletoproceedonhertour.Thecrashwasgenuine,theconcussionisgenuine,andconcussionmakesaverygoodcoverforyou.Itexcusesalotofthingslikelapsesofmemory,andvariousunpredictablebehaviour.”
Hilarysaid:
“Itwouldbemadness!”
“Oh,yes,”saidJessop,“it’smadness,allright.It’saverytoughassignmentandifoursuspicionsarerealized,you’llprobablycopit.Yousee,I’mbeingquitefrank,butaccordingtoyou,you’repreparedandanxioustocopit.Asanalternativetothrowingyourselfinfrontofatrainorsomethinglikethat,Ishouldthinkyou’dfinditfarmoreamusing.”
SuddenlyandunexpectedlyHilarylaughed.
“Idobelieve,”shesaid,“thatyou’requiteright.”
“You’lldoit?”
“Yes.Whynot?”
“Inthatcase,”saidJessop,risinginhisseatwithsuddenenergy,“there’sabsolutelynotimetobelost.”
Four
I
Itwasnotreallycoldinthehospitalbutitfeltcold.Therewasasmellofantisepticsintheair.Occasionallyinthecorridoroutsidecouldbeheardtherattleofglassesandinstrumentsasatrolleywaspushedby.HilaryCravensatinahardironchairbyabedside.
Inthebed,lyingflatunderashadedlightwithherheadbandaged,OliveBettertonlayunconscious.Therewasanursestandingononesideofthebedandthedoctorontheother.Jessopsatinachairinthefarcorneroftheroom.ThedoctorturnedtohimandspokeinFrench.
“Itwillnotbeverylongnow,”hesaid.“Thepulseisverymuchweaker.”
“Andshewillnotrecoverconsciousness?”
TheFrenchmanshruggedhisshoulders.
“ThatIcannotsay.Itmaybe,yes,attheveryend.”
“Thereisnothingyoucando—nostimulant?”
Thedoctorshookhishead.Hewentout.Thenursefollowedhim.Shewasreplacedbyanunwhomovedtotheheadofthebed,andstoodthere,herfingersfingeringherrosary.HilarylookedatJessopandinobediencetoaglancefromhimcametojoinhim.
“Youheardwhatthedoctorsaid?”heaskedinalowvoice.
“Yes.Whatisityouwanttosaytoher?”
“IfsheregainsconsciousnessIwantanyinformationyoucanpossiblyget,anypassword,anysign,anymessage,anything.Doyouunderstand?Sheismorelikelytospeaktoyouthantome.”
Hilarysaidwithsuddenemotion:
“Youwantmetobetraysomeonewhoisdying?”
Jessopputhisheadononesideinthebird-likemannerwhichhesometimesadopted.
“Soitseemslikethattoyou,doesit?”hesaid,considering.
“Yes,itdoes.”
Helookedatherthoughtfully.
“Verywellthen,youshallsayanddowhatyouplease.FormyselfIcanhavenoscruples!Youunderstandthat?”
“Ofcourse.It’syourduty.You’lldowhateverquestioningyouplease,butdon’taskmetodoit.”
“You’reafreeagent.”
“Thereisonequestionweshallhavetodecide.Arewetotellherthatsheisdying?”
“Idon’tknow.Ishallhavetothinkitout.”
Shenoddedandwentbacktoherplacebythebed.Shewasfillednowwithadeepcompassionforthewomanwholaytheredying.Thewomanwhowasonherwaytojointhemansheloved.Orweretheyallwrong?HadshecometoMoroccosimplytoseeksolace,topassthetimeuntilperhapssomedefinitenewscouldcometoherastowhetherherhusbandwerealiveordead?Hilarywondered.
Timewenton.Itwasnearlytwohourslaterwhentheclickofthenun’sbeadsstopped.Shespokeinasoftimpersonalvoice.
“Thereisachange,”shesaid.“Ithink,Madame,itistheendthatcomes.Iwillfetchthedoctor.”
Shelefttheroom.Jessopmovedtotheoppositesideofthebed,standingbackagainstthewallsothathewasoutofthewoman’srangeofvision.Theeyelidsflickeredandopened.Paleincuriousblue-greeneyeslookedintoHilary’s.Theyclosed,thenopenedagain.Afaintairofperplexityseemedtocomeintothem.
“Where…?”
Thewordflutteredbetweenthealmostbreathlesslips,justasthedoctorenteredtheroom.Hetookherhandinhis,hisfingeronthepulse,standingbythebedlookingdownonher.
“Youareinhospital,Madame,”hesaid.“Therewasanaccidenttotheplane.”
“Totheplane?”
Thewordswererepeateddreamilyinthatfaintbreathlessvoice.
“IsthereanyoneyouwanttoseeinCasablanca,Madame?Anymessagewecantake?”
Hereyeswereraisedpainfullytothedoctor’sface.Shesaid:
“No.”
ShelookedbackagainatHilary.
“Who—who—”
Hilarybentforwardandspokeclearlyanddistinctly.
“IcameoutfromEnglandonaplane,too—ifthereisanythingIcandotohelpyou,pleasetellme.”
“No—nothing—nothing—unless—”
“Yes?”
“Nothing.”
Theeyesflickeredagainandhalfclosed—HilaryraisedherheadandlookedacrosstomeetJessop’simperiouscommandingglance.Firmly,sheshookherhead
Jessopmovedforward.Hestoodclosebesidethedoctor.Thedyingwoman’seyesopenedagain.Suddenrecognitioncameintothem.Shesaid:
“Iknowyou.”
“Yes,Mrs.Betterton,youknowme.Willyoutellmeanythingyoucanaboutyourhusband?”
“No.”
Hereyelidsfellagain.Jessopturnedquietlyandlefttheroom.ThedoctorlookedacrossatHilary.Hesaidverysoftly:
“C’estlafin!”
Thedyingwoman’seyesopenedagain.Theytravelledpainfullyroundtheroom,thentheyremainedfixedonHilary.OliveBettertonmadeaveryfaintmotionwithherhand,andHilaryinstinctivelytookthewhitecoldhandbetweenherown.Thedoctor,withashrugofhisshouldersandalittlebow,lefttheroom.Thetwowomenwerealonetogether.OliveBettertonwastryingtospeak:
“Tellme—tellme—”
Hilaryknewwhatshewasasking,andsuddenlyherowncourseofactionopenedclearlybeforeher.Sheleaneddownovertherecumbentform.
“Yes,”shesaid,herwordsclearandemphatic.“Youaredying.That’swhatyouwanttoknow,isn’tit?Nowlistentome.Iamgoingtotryandreachyourhusband.IsthereanymessageyouwantmetogivehimifIsucceed?”
“Tellhim—tellhim—tobecareful.Boris—Boris—dangerous….”
Thebreathflutteredoffagainwithasigh.Hilarybentcloser.
“Isthereanythingyoucantellmetohelpme—helpmeinmyjourney,Imean?Helpmetogetincontactwithyourhusband?”
“Snow.”
ThewordcamesofaintlythatHilarywaspuzzled.Snow?Snow?Sherepeatedituncomprehendingly.Afaint,ghost-likelittlegigglecamefromOliveBetterton.Faintwordscametumblingout.
Snow,snow,beautifulsnow!
Yousliponalump,andoveryougo!
Sherepeatedthelastword.“Go…Go?GoandtellhimaboutBoris.Ididn’tbelieveit.Iwouldn’tbelieveit.Butperhapsit’strue…Ifso,ifso…”akindofagonizedquestioncameintohereyeswhichstaredupintoHilary’s“…takecare….”
Aqueerrattlecametoherthroat.Herlipsjerked.
OliveBettertondied.
II
Thenextfivedayswerestrenuousmentally,thoughinactivephysically.Immuredinaprivateroominthehospital,Hilarywassettowork.Everyeveningshehadtopassanexaminationonwhatshehadstudiedthatday.AllthedetailsofOliveBetterton’slife,asfarastheycouldbeascertained,weresetdownonpaperandshehadtomemorizeandlearnthembyheart.Thehouseshehadlivedin,thedailywomanshehademployed,herrelations,thenamesofherpetdogandhercanary,everydetailofthesixmonthsofhermarriedlifewithThomasBetterton.Herwedding,thenamesofherbridesmaids,theirdresses.Thepatternsofcurtains,carpetsandchintzes.OliveBetterton’stastes,predilections,anddaybydayactivities.Herpreferencesinfoodanddrink.Hilarywasforcedtomarvelattheamountofseeminglymeaninglessinformationthathadbeenmassedtogether.OnceshesaidtoJessop:
“Cananyofthispossiblymatter?”
Andtothathehadrepliedquietly:
“Probablynot.Butyou’vegottomakeyourselfintotheauthenticarticle.Thinkofitthisway,Hilary.You’reawriter.You’rewritingabookaboutawoman.ThewomanisOlive.Youdescribescenesofherchildhood,hergirlhood;youdescribehermarriage,thehouseshelivedin.Allthetimethatyoudoitshebecomesmoreandmoreofarealpersontoyou.Thenyougooveritasecondtime.Youwriteitthistimeasanautobiography.Youwriteitinthefirstperson.DoyouseewhatImean?”Shenoddedslowly,impressedinspiteofherself.
“Youcan’tthinkofyourselfasOliveBettertonuntilyouareOliveBetterton.Itwouldbebetterifyouhadtimetolearnitup,butwecan’taffordtime.SoI’vegottocramyou.Cramyoulikeaschoolboy—likeastudentwhoisgoinginforanimportantexamination.”Headded,“You’vegotaquickbrainandagoodmemory,thanktheLord.”
Helookedatherincoolappraisement.
ThepassportdescriptionsofOliveBettertonandHilaryCravenwerealmostidentical,butactuallythetwofaceswereentirelydifferent.OliveBettertonhadhadaqualityofrathercommonplaceandinsignificantprettiness.Shehadlookedobstinatebutnotintelligent.Hilary’sfacehadpowerandanintriguingquality.Thedeep-setbluish-greeneyesunderdarklevelbrowshadfireandintelligenceintheirdepths.Hermouthcurvedupwardsinawideandgenerousline.Theplaneofthejawwasunusual—asculptorwouldhavefoundtheanglesofthefaceinteresting.
Jessopthought:“There’spassionthere—andguts—andsomewhere,dampedbutnotquenched,there’sagayspiritthat’stough—andthatenjoyslifeandsearchesoutforadventure.”
“You’lldo,”hesaidtoher.“You’reanaptpupil.”
ThischallengetoherintellectandhermemoryhadstimulatedHilary.Shewasbecominginterestednow,keentoachievesuccess.Onceortwiceobjectionsoccurredtoher.ShevoicedthemtoJessop
“YousaythatIshan’tberejectedasOliveBetterton.Yousaythattheywon’tknowwhatshelookslike,exceptingeneraldetail.Buthowsurecanyoubeofthat?”
Jessopshruggedhisshoulders.
“Onecan’tbesure—ofanything.Butwedoknowacertainamountabouttheset-upoftheseshows,anditdoesseemthatinternationallythereisverylittlecommunicationfromonecountrytoanother.Actually,that’sagreatadvantagetothem.IfwecomeuponaweaklinkinEngland(and,mindyou,ineveryorganizationtherealwayswillbeaweaklink)thatweaklinkinthechainknowsnothingaboutwhat’sgoingoninFrance,orItaly,orGermany,orwhereveryoulike,wearebroughtupshortbyablankwall.Theyknowtheirownlittlepartofthewhole—nomore.Thesameappliestheoppositewayround.IdareswearthatallthecelloperatinghereknowsisthatOliveBettertonwillarriveonsuchandsuchaplaneandistobegivensuchandsuchinstructions.Yousee,it’snotasthoughshewereimportantinherself.Ifthey’rebringinghertoherhusband,it’sbecauseherhusbandwantsherbroughttohimandbecausetheythinkthey’llgetbetterworkoutofhimifshejoinshim.Sheherselfisamerepawninthegame.Youmustremembertoo,thattheideaofsubstitutingafalseOliveBettertonisdefinitelyaspurofthemomentimprovisation—occasionedbytheplaneaccidentandthecolourofyourhair.OurplanofoperationwastokeeptabsonOliveBettertonandfindoutwhereshewent,howshewent,whomshemet—andsoon.That’swhattheothersidewillbeonthelookoutfor.”
Hilaryasked:
“Haven’tyoutriedallthatbefore?”
“Yes.ItwastriedinSwitzerland.Veryunobtrusively.Anditfailedasfarasourmainobjectivewasconcerned.Ifanyonecontactedhertherewedidn’tknowaboutit.Sothecontactmusthavebeenverybrief.Naturallythey’llexpectthatsomeonewillbekeepingtabsonOliveBetterton.They’llbepreparedforthat.It’suptoustodoourjobmorethoroughlythanlasttime.We’vegottotryandberathermorecunningthanouradversaries.”
“Soyou’llbekeepingtabsonme?”
“Ofcourse.”
“How?”
Heshookhishead.
“Ishan’ttellyouthat.Muchbetterforyounottoknow.Whatyoudon’tknowyoucan’tgiveaway.”
“DoyouthinkIwouldgiveitaway?”
Jessopputonhisowl-likeexpressionagain.
“Idon’tknowhowgoodanactressyouare—howgoodaliar.It’snoteasy,youknow.It’snotaquestionofsayinganythingindiscreet.Itcanbeanything,asuddenintakeofthebreath,themomentarypauseinsomeaction—lightingacigarette,forinstance.Recognitionofanameorafriend.Youcouldcoveritupquickly,butjustaflashmightbeenough!”
“Isee.Itmeans—beingonyourguardforeverysinglesplitsecond.”
“Exactly.Inthemeantime,onwiththelessons!Quitelikegoingbacktoschool,isn’tit?You’reprettywellwordperfectonOliveBetterton,now.Let’sgoontotheother.”
Codes,responses,variousproperties.Thelessonwenton;thequestioning,therepetition,theendeavourtoconfuseher,totripherup;thenhypotheticalschemesandherownreactionstothem.Intheend,Jessopnoddedhisheadanddeclaredhimselfsatisfied.
“You’lldo,”hesaid.Hepattedherontheshoulderinanavuncularmanner.“You’reanaptpupil.Andrememberthis,howevermuchyoumayfeelattimesthatyou’reallaloneinthis,you’reprobablynot.Isayprobably—Iwon’tputithigherthanthat.Thesearecleverdevils.”
“Whathappens,”saidHilary,“ifIreachjourney’send?”
“Youmean?”
“ImeanwhenatlastIcomefacetofacewithTomBetterton.”
Jessopnoddedgrimly.
“Yes,”hesaid.“That’sthedangermoment.Icanonlysaythatatthatmoment,ifallhasgonewell,youshouldhaveprotection.If,thatistosay,thingshavegoneaswehope;buttheverybasisofthisoperation,asyoumayremember,wasthattherewasn’taveryhighchanceofsurvival.”
“Didn’tyousayoneinahundred?”saidHilarydrily.
“Ithinkwecanshortentheoddsalittle.Ididn’tknowwhatyouwerelike.”
“No,Isupposenot.”Shewasthoughtful.“Toyou,Isuppose,Iwasjust….”
Hefinishedthesentenceforher.“Awomanwithanoticeableheadofredhairandwhohadn’ttheplucktogoonliving.”
Sheflushed.
“That’saharshjudgement.”
“It’satrueone,isn’tit?Idon’tgoinforbeingsorryforpeople.Foronethingit’sinsulting.Oneisonlysorryforpeoplewhenthey’resorryforthemselves.Selfpityisoneofthebiggeststumbling-blocksintheworldtoday.”
Hilarysaidthoughtfully:
“Ithinkperhapsyou’reright.WillyoupermityourselftobesorryformewhenI’vebeenliquidatedorwhateverthetermis,infulfillingthismission?”
“Sorryforyou?No.Ishallcurselikehellbecausewe’velostsomeonewho’sworthwhiletakingabitoftroubleover.”
“Acomplimentatlast.”Inspiteofherselfshewaspleased.
Shewentoninapracticaltone:
“There’sjustoneotherthingthatoccurredtome.Yousaynobody’slikelytoknowwhatOliveBettertonlookslike,butwhataboutbeingrecognizedasmyself?Idon’tknowanyoneinCasablanca,buttherearethepeoplewhotravelledherewithmeintheplane.Oronemayofcourserunacrosssomebodyoneknowsamongthetouristshere.”
“Youneedn’tworryaboutthepassengersintheplane.ThepeoplewhoflewwithyoufromPariswerebusinessmenwhowentontoDakarandamanwhogotoffherewhohassinceflownbacktoParis.Youwillgotoadifferenthotelwhenyouleavehere,thehotelforwhichMrs.Bettertonhadreservations.Youwillbewearingherclothesandherstyleof
“You’reverythorough,”saidHilary.
“Havetobe.”
“You’veneveraskedme,”saidHilary,“whetherOliveBettertontoldmeanythingbeforeshedied.”
“Iunderstoodyouhadscruples.”
“I’msorry.”
“Notatall.Irespectyouforthem.I’dliketoindulgeinthemmyself—butthey’renotintheschedule.”
“ShedidsaysomethingthatperhapsIoughttotellyou.Shesaid‘Tellhim’—Betterton,thatis—‘tellhimtobecareful—Boris—dangerous—’”
“Boris.”Jessoprepeatedthenamewithinterest.“Ah!OurcorrectforeignMajorBorisGlydr.”
“Youknowhim?Whoishe?”
“APole.HecametoseemeinLondon.He’ssupposedtobeacousinbymarriageofTomBetterton.”
“Supposed?”
“Letussay,morecorrectly,thatifheiswhohesaysheis,heisacousinofthelateMrs.Betterton.Butwe’veonlyhiswordforit.”
“Shewasfrightened,”saidHilary,frowning.“Canyoudescribehim?I’dliketobeabletorecognizehim.”
“Yes.Itmightbeaswell.Sixfeet.Weightroughly,160pounds.Fair—ratherwoodenpokerface—lighteyes—foreignstiltedmanner—Englishverycorrect,butapronouncedaccent,stiffmilitarybearing.”
Headded:
“Ihadhimtailedwhenheleftmyoffice.Nothingdoing.HewentstraighttotheU.S.Embassy—quitecorrectly—he’dbroughtmeanintroductoryletterfromthere.Theusualkindtheysendoutwhentheywanttobepolitebutnon-committal.IpresumehelefttheEmbassyeitherinsomebody’scarorbythebackentrancedisguisedasafootmanorsomething.Anywayheevadedus.Yes—IshouldsaythatOliveBettertonwasperhapsrightwhenshesaidthatBorisGlydrwasdangerous.”
Five
I
InthesmallformalsalonoftheH?telSt.Louis,threeladiesweresitting,eachengagedinherparticularoccupation.Mrs.CalvinBaker,short,plump,withwell-bluedhair,waswritingletterswiththesamedrivingenergysheappliedtoallformsofactivity.NoonecouldhavemistakenMrs.CalvinBakerforanythingbutatravellingAmerican,comfortablyoff,withaninexhaustiblethirstforpreciseinformationoneverysubjectunderthesun.
InanuncomfortableEmpire-typechair,MissHetherington,whoagaincouldnothavebeenmistakenforanythingbuttravellingEnglish,wasknittingoneofthosemelancholyshapeless-lookinggarmentsthatEnglishladiesofmiddleagealwaysseemtobeknitting.MissHetheringtonwastallandthinwithascraggyneck,badlyarrangedhair,andageneralexpressionofmoraldisappointmentintheuniverse.
MademoiselleJeanneMaricotwassittinggracefullyinanuprightchairlookingoutofthewindowandyawning.MademoiselleMaricotwasabrunettedyedblonde,withaplainbutexcitinglymade-upface.Shewaswearingchicclothesandhadnointerestwhatsoeverintheotheroccupantsoftheroomwhomshedismissedcontemptuouslyinhermindasbeingexactlywhattheywere!Shewascontemplatinganimportantchangeinhersexlifeandhadnointeresttosparefortheseanimalsoftourists!
MissHetheringtonandMrs.CalvinBaker,havingbothspentacoupleofnightsundertheroofoftheSt.Louis,hadbecomeacquainted.Mrs.CalvinBaker,withAmericanfriendliness,talkedtoeverybody.MissHetherington,thoughjustaseagerforcompanionship,talkedonlytoEnglishandAmericansofwhatsheconsideredacertainsocialstanding.TheFrenchshehadnotruckwithunlessguaranteedofrespectablefamilylifeasevidencedbylittleoneswhosharedtheparentaltableinthediningroom.
AFrenchmanlookinglikeaprosperousbusinessmanglancedintothesalon,wasintimidatedbyitsairoffemalesolidarity,andwentoutagainwithalookoflingeringregretatMademoiselleJeanneMaricot.
MissHetheringtonbegantocountstitchessottovoce.
“Twenty-eight,twenty-nine—nowwhatcanIhave—Oh,Isee.”
Atallwomanwithredhairlookedintotheroomandhesitatedamomentbeforegoingondownthepassagetowardsthediningroom.
Mrs.CalvinBakerandMissHetheringtonwereimmediatelyalert.Mrs.Bakerslewedherselfroundfromthewritingtableandspokeinathrilledwhisper.
“Didyouhappentonoticethatwomanwithredhairwholookedin,MissHetherington?Theysayshe’stheonlysurvivorofthatterribleplanecrashlastweek.”
“Isawherarrivethisafternoon,”saidMissHetherington,droppinganotherstitchinherexcitement.“Inanambulance.”
“Straightfromthehospital,sothemanagersaid.Iwondernowifitwaswise—toleavehospitalsosoon.She’shadconcussion,Ibelieve.”
“She’sgotstrappingonherface,too—cut,perhaps,bytheglass.Whatamercyshewasn’tburnt.Terribleinjuriesfromburningintheseairaccidents,Ibelieve.”
“Itjustdoesn’tbearthinkingabout.Pooryoungthing.Iwonderifshehadahusbandwithherandifhewaskilled?”
“Idon’tthinkso,”MissHetheringtonshookheryellow-greyhead.“Itsaidinthepaper,onewomanpassenger.”
“That’sright.Itgavehername,too.AMrs.Beverly—no,Betterton,thatwasit.”
“Betterton,”saidMissHetheringtonreflectively.“Nowwhatdoesthatremindmeof?Betterton.Inthepapers.Oh,dear,I’msurethatwasthename.”
“TantpispourPierre,”MademoiselleMaricotsaidtoherself.“Ilestvraimentinsupportable!MaislepetitJules,luiilestbiengentil.Etsonpèreesttrèsbienplacédanslesaffairs.Enfin,jemedécide!”
AndwithlonggracefulstepsMademoiselleMaricotwalkedoutofthesmallsalonandoutofthestory.
II
Mrs.ThomasBettertonhadleftthehospitalthatafternoonfivedaysaftertheaccident.AnambulancehaddrivenhertotheH?telSt.Louis.
Lookingpaleandill,herfacestrappedandbandaged,Mrs.Bettertonwasshownatoncetotheroomreservedforher,asympatheticmanagerhoveringinattendance.
“Whatemotionsyoumusthaveexperienced,Madame!”hesaid,afterinquiringtenderlyastowhethertheroomreservedsuitedher,andturningonalltheelectriclightsquiteunnecessarily.“Butwhatanescape!Whatamiracle!Whatgoodfortune!Onlythreesurvivors,Iunderstand,andoneoftheminacriticalconditionstill.”
Hilarysankdownonachairwearily.
“Yes,indeed,”shemurmured.“Icanhardlybelieveitmyself.EvennowIcanremembersolittle.Thelasttwenty-fourhoursbeforethecrasharestillquitevaguetome.”
Themanagernoddedsympathetically.
“Ah,yes.Thatistheresultoftheconcussion.Thathappensoncetoasisterofmine.ShewasinLondoninthewar.Abombcame,shewasknockedunconscious.Butpresentlyshegetsup,shewalksaboutLondonandshetakesatrainfromthestationofEustonand,figurez-vous,shewakesupatLiverpoolandshecannotrememberanythingofthebomb,ofgoingacrossLondon,ofthetrainorofgettingthere!ThelastthingsheremembersishangingupherskirtinthewardrobeinLondon.Verycuriousthesethings,aretheynot?”
Hilaryagreedthattheywere,indeed.Themanagerbowedanddeparted.Hilarygotupandlookedatherselfintheglass.Soimbuedwasshenowwithhernewpersonalitythatshepositivelyfelttheweaknessinherlimbswhichwouldbenaturaltoonewhohadjustcomeoutofhospitalafterasevereordeal.
Shehadalreadyinquiredatthedesk,buttherehadbeennomessagesorlettersforherthere.Thefirststepsinhernewrolehadtobetakenverymuchinthedark.OliveBettertonmightperhapshavebeentoldtoringacertainnumberortocontactacertainpersonatCasablanca.Astothattherewasnoclue.AlltheknowledgeshehadtogoonwasOliveBetterton’spassport,herLetterofCredit,andherbookofCooks’ticketsandreservations.TheseprovidedfortwodaysinCasablanca,sixdaysinFezandfivedaysinMarrakesh.Thesereservationswerenow,ofcourse,outofdate,andwouldhavetobedealtwithaccordingly.Thepassport,theLetterofCreditandtheaccompanyingLetterofIdentificationhadbeensuitablydealtwith.ThephotographonthepassportwasnowthatofHilary,thesignatureontheLetterofCreditwasOliveBettertoninHilary’shandwriting.Hercredentialswereallinorder.Hertaskwastoplayherpartadequatelyandtowait.Hermastercardmustbetheplaneaccident,anditsresultantlossofmemoryandgeneralhaziness.
IthadbeenagenuineaccidentandOliveBettertonhadbeengenuinelyonboardtheplane.Thefactofconcussionwouldadequatelycoverherfailuretoadoptanymeasuresinwhichshemighthavebeeninstructed.Bewildered,dazed,weak,OliveBettertonwouldawaitorders.
Thenaturalthingtodowouldbetorest.Accordinglyshelaydownonthebed.Fortwohoursshewentoverinhermindallthatshehadbeentaught.Olive’sluggagehadbeendestroyedintheplane.Hilaryhadafewthingswithhersuppliedatthehospital.Shepassedacombthroughherhair,touchedherlipswithalipstickandwentdowntothehoteldiningroomfordinner.
Shewaslookedat,shenoticed,withacertainamountofinterest.Therewereseveraltablesoccupiedbybusinessmenandthesehardlyvouchsafedaglanceather.Butatothertables,clearlyoccupiedbytourists,shewasconsciousofamurmurandawhispergoingon.
“Thatwomanoverthere—theonewiththeredhair—she’sasurvivoroftheplanecrash,mydear.Yes,camefromhospitalinanambulance.Isawherarrive.Shelooksterriblyillstill.Iwonderiftheyoughttohaveletheroutsosoon.Whatafrightfulexperience.Whatamercifulescape!”
AfterdinnerHilarysatforashortwhileinthesmallformalsalon.Shewonderedifanyonewouldapproachherinanyway.Therewereoneortwootherwomenscatteredabouttheroom,andpresentlyasmall,plump,middle-agedwomanwithwell-bluedwhitehair,movedtoachairnearhers.Sheopenedproceedingsinabrisk,pleasantAmericanvoice.
“Idohopeyou’llexcuseme,butIjustfeltIhadtosayaword.It’syou,isn’tit,whohadthewonderfulescapefromthataircrashtheotherday?”
Hilaryputdownthemagazineshewasreading.
“Yes,”shesaid.
“My!Isn’tthatterrible.ThecrashImean.Onlythreesurvivors,theysay.Isthatright?”
“Onlytwo,”saidHilary.“Oneofthethreediedinhospital.”
“My!Youdon’tsay!Now,ifyoudon’tmindmyasking,Miss—Mrs….”
“Betterton.”
“Well,ifyoudon’tmindmyasking,justwherewereyousittinginthatplane?Wereyouupatthefrontornearthetail?”
Hilaryknewtheanswertothatoneandgaveitpromptly.
“Nearthetail.”
“Theyalwayssay,don’tthey,that’sthesafestplace.Ijustinsistonalwayshavingaplacenearthereardoors.Didyouhearthat,MissHetherington?”Sheturnedherheadtoincludeanothermiddle-agedlady.ThisonewasuncompromisinglyBritishwithalong,sad,horse-likeface.“It’sjustasIwassayingtheotherday.Wheneveryougointoanaeroplane,don’tyouletthoseairhostessestakeyourightuptothefront.”
“Isupposesomeonehastositatthefront,”saidHilary.
“Well,itwon’tbeme,”saidhernewAmericanfriendpromptly.“Myname’sBaker,bytheway,Mrs.CalvinBaker.”
HilaryacknowledgedtheintroductionandMrs.Bakerplungedon,monopolizingtheconversationeasily.
“I’vejustcomeherefromMogadorandMissHetheringtonhascomefromTangier.Webecameacquaintedhere.AreyougoingtovisitMarrakesh,Mrs.Betterton?”
“I’darrangedtodoso,”saidHilary.“Ofcourse,thisaccidenthasthrownoutallmytimeschedule.”
“Why,naturally,Icanseethat.Butyoureallymustn’tmissMarrakesh,wouldn’tyousayso,MissHetherington?”
“Marrakeshisterriblyexpensive,”saidMissHetherington.“Thismiserabletravelallowancemakeseverythingsodifficult.”
“There’sawonderfulhotel,theMamounia,”continuedMrs.Baker.
“Wickedlyexpensive,”saidMissHetherington.“Outofthequestionforme.Ofcourse,it’sdifferentforyou,Mrs.Baker—dollars,Imean.Butsomeonegavemethenameofasmallhotelthere,reallyveryniceandclean,andthefood,theysay,isnotatallbad.”
“Whereelsedoyouplantogo,Mrs.Betterton?”askedMrs.CalvinBaker.
“IwouldliketoseeFez,”saidHilary,cautiously.“Ishallhavetogetfreshreservations,ofcourse.”
“Oh,yes,youcertainlyoughtn’ttomissFezorRabat.”
“You’vebeenthere?”
“Notyet.I’mplanningtogothereshortly,andsoisMissHetherington.”
“Ibelievetheoldcityisquiteunspoilt,”saidMissHetherington.
Theconversationcontinuedindesultoryfashionforsometimefurther.ThenHilarypleadedfatiguefromherfirsttimeoutofhospitalandwentuptoherbedroom.
Theeveningsofarhadbeenquiteindecisive.Thetwowomenwhohadtalkedtoherhadbeensuchwell-knowntravellingtypesthatshecouldhardlybelievethattheywereotherthantheyseemed.Tomorrow,shedecided,ifshehadreceivednowordorcommunicationofanykind,shewouldgotoCooks,andraisethequestionoffreshreservationsatFezandMarrakesh.
Therewerenoletters,messagesortelephonecallsthefollowingmorningandabouteleveno’clockshemadeherwaytothetravelagency.Therewassomewhatofaqueue,butwhensheatlastreachedthecounterandbegantalkingtotheclerk,aninterruptionoccurred.Asomewhatmoreseniorclerkwithglasseselbowedtheyoungmanaside.HebeamedatHilarythroughhisglasses.
“ItisMadameBetterton,isitnot?Ihaveallyourreservationsmade.”
“Iamafraid,”saidHilary,“thattheywillbeoutofdate.Ihavebeeninhospitaland….”
“Ah,maisoui,Iknowallthat.Letmecongratulateyouonyourescape,Madame.ButIgotyourtelephonemessageaboutfreshreservations,andwehavethemherereadyforyou.”
Hilaryfeltafaintquickeningofherpulse.Asfarassheknewnoonehadphonedthetravelagency.HerethenweredefinitesignsthatOliveBetterton’stravellingarrangementswerebeingsupervised.Shesaid:
“Iwasn’tsureiftheyhadtelephonedornot.”
“Butyes,Madame.Here,Iwillshowyou.”
Heproducedrailwaytickets,andvouchersforhotelaccommodation,andafewminuteslaterthetransactionswerecompleted.HilarywastoleaveforFezonthefollowingday.
Mrs.CalvinBakerwasnotintherestauranteitherforlunchordinner.MissHetheringtonwas.SheacknowledgedHilary’sbowasthelatterpassedtohertable,butmadenoattempttogetintoconversationwithher.Onthefollowingdayaftermakingsomenecessarypurchasesofclothesandunderclothing,HilaryleftbytrainforFez.
III
ItwasonthedayofHilary’sdeparturethatMrs.CalvinBaker,comingintothehotelinherusualbriskfashion,wasaccostedbyMissHetheringtonwhoselongthinnosewasquiveringwithexcitement.
“I’verememberedaboutthenameBetterton—thedisappearingscientist.Itwasinallthepapers.Abouttwomonthsago.”
“Why,nowIdoremembersomething.ABritishscientist—yes—he’dbeenatsomeconferenceinParis.”
“Yes—that’sit.NowIwonder,doyouthink—ifthiscouldpossiblybehiswife.IlookedintheregisterandIseeheraddressisHarwell—Harwell,youknow,istheAtomStation.Idothinkalltheseatombombsareverywrong.AndCobalt—suchalovelycolourinone’spaintboxandIuseditalotasachild;theworstofall,Iunderstandnobodycansurvive.Weweren’tmeanttodotheseexperiments.Somebodytoldmetheotherdaythathercousin,whoisaveryshrewdman,saidthewholeworldmightgoradioactive.”
“My,my,”saidMrs.CalvinBaker.
Six
CasablancahadvaguelydisappointedHilarybybeingsuchaprosperous-lookingFrenchtownwithnohintoftheOrientormysteryaboutit,exceptforthecrowdsinthestreet.
Theweatherwasstillperfect,sunnyandclear,andsheenjoyedlookingoutofthetrainatthepassinglandscapeastheyjourneyednorthward.AsmallFrenchmanwholookedlikeacommercialtravellersatoppositetoher,inthefarcornerwasasomewhatdisapproving-lookingnuntellingherbeads,andtwoMoorishladieswithagreatmanypackages,whoconversedgailywithoneanother,completedthecomplementofthecarriage.Offeringalightforhercigarette,thelittleFrenchmanoppositesoonenteredintoconversation.Hepointedoutthingsofinterestastheypassed,andgavehervariousinformationaboutthecountry.Shefoundhiminterestingandintelligent.
“YoushouldgotoRabat,Madame.ItisagreatmistakenottogotoRabat.”
“Ishalltrytodoso.ButIhavenotverymuchtime.Besides,”shesmiled,“moneyisshort.Wecanonlytakesomuchwithusabroad,youknow.”
“Butthatissimple.Onearrangeswithafriendhere.”
“I’mafraidIhaven’tgotaconvenientfriendinMorocco.”
“Nexttimeyoutravel,Madame,sendmealittleword.Iwillgiveyoumycard.AndIarrangeeverything.ItravelofteninEnglandonbusinessandyourepaymethere.Itisallquitesimple.”
“That’sverykindofyou,andIhopeIshallpayasecondvisittoMorocco.”
“Itmustbeachangeforyou,Madame,tocomeherefromEngland.Socold,sofoggy,sodisagreeable.”
“Yes,it’sagreatchange.”
“I,too,ItravelledfromParisthreeweeksago.Itwasthenfog,rainandallofthemostdisgusting.Iarrivehereandallissunshine.Though,mindyou,theairiscold.Butitispure.Goodpureair.HowwastheweatherinEnglandwhenyouleft?”
“Muchasyousay,”saidHilary.“Fog.”
“Ahyes,itisthefoggyseason.Snow—youhavehadsnowthisyear?”
“No,”saidHilary,“therehasbeennosnow.”Shewonderedtoherself,amusedly,ifthismuch-travelledlittleFrenchmanwasfollowingwhatheconsideredtobethecorrecttrendofEnglishconversation,dealingprincipallywiththeweather.SheaskedhimaquestionortwoaboutthepoliticalsituationinMoroccoandinAlgiers,andherespondedwillingly,showinghimselftobewellinformed.
Glancingacrossatthefarcorner,Hilaryobservedthenun’seyesfixeddisapprovinglyonher.TheMoroccanladiesgotoutandothertravellersgotin.ItwaseveningwhentheyarrivedatFez.
“Permitmetoassistyou,Madame.”
Hilarywasstanding,ratherbewilderedatthebustleandnoiseofthestation.Arabporterswereseizingherluggagefromherhands,shouting,yelling,calling,recommendingdifferenthotels.SheturnedgratefullytohernewFrenchacquaintance.
“YouaregoingtothePalaisDjamai,n’est-cepas,Madame?”
“Yes.”
“Thatisright.Itiseightkilometresfromhere,youunderstand.”
“Eightkilometres?”Hilarywasdismayed.“It’snotinthetown,then.”
“Itisbytheoldtown,”theFrenchmanexplained.“Me,Istayhereatthehotelinthecommercialnewcity.Butfortheholiday,therest,theenjoyment,naturallyyougotothePalaisDjamai.Itwasaformerresidence,youunderstand,oftheMoroccannobility.Ithasbeautifulgardens,andyougostraightfromitintotheoldcityofFezwhichisuntouched.Itdoesnotseemasthoughthehotelhadsenttomeetthistrain.Ifyoupermit,Iwillarrangeforataxiforyou.”
“You’reverykind,but….”
TheFrenchmanspokeinrapidArabictotheportersandshortlyafterwardsHilarytookherplaceinataxi,herbaggagewaspushedin,andtheFrenchmantoldherexactlywhattogivetherapaciousporters.HealsodismissedthemwithafewsharpwordsofArabicwhentheyprotestedthattheremunerationwasinadequate.Hewhippedacardfromhispocketandhandedittoher.
“Mycard,Madame,andifIcanbeofassistancetoyouatanytime,tellme.IshallbeattheGrandHotelhereforthenextfourdays.”
Heraisedhishatandwentaway.Hilarylookeddownatthecardwhichshecouldjustseebeforetheymovedoutofthelightedstation:
MonsieurHenriLaurier
Thetaxidrovebrisklyoutofthetown,throughthecountry,upahill.Hilarytriedtosee,lookingoutofthewindows,whereshewasgoing,butdarknesshadsetinnow.Exceptwhentheypassedalightedbuildingnothingmuchcouldbeseen.Wasthis,perhaps,whereherjourneydivergedfromthenormalandenteredtheunknown?WasMonsieurLaurieranemissaryfromtheorganizationthathadpersuadedThomasBettertontoleavehiswork,hishomeandhiswife?Shesatinthecornerofthetaxinervouslyapprehensive,wonderingwhereitwastakingher.
Ittookher,however,inthemostexemplarymannertothePalaisDjamai.Shedismountedthere,passedthroughanarchedgatewayandfoundherself,withathrillofpleasure,inanorientalinterior.Therewerelongdivans,coffeetables,andnativerugs.Fromthereceptiondeskshewastakenthroughseveralroomswhichledoutofeachother,outontoaterrace,passingbyorangetreesandscentedflowers,andthenupawindingstaircaseandintoapleasantbedroom,stillorientalinstylebutequippedwithallthe“confortsmodernes”sonecessarytotwentieth-centurytravellers.
Dinner,theporterinformedher,tookplacefrom7:30.Sheunpackedalittle,washed,combedherhairandwentdownstairsthroughthelongorientalsmokingroom,outontheterraceandacrossandupsomestepstoalighteddiningroomrunningatrightanglestoit.
Thedinnerwasexcellentand,asHilaryate,variouspeoplecameandwentfromtherestaurant.Shewastootiredtosizethemupandclassifythemthisparticularevening,butoneortwooutstandingpersonalitiestookhereye.Anelderlyman,veryyellowofface,withalittlegoateebeard.Shenoticedhimbecauseoftheextremedeferencepaidtohimbythestaff.Plateswerewhiskedawayandplacedforhimatthemereraisingofhishead.Theslightestturnofaneyebrowbroughtawaiterrushingtohistable.Shewonderedwhohewas.Themajorityofdinerswereclearlytouringonpleasuretrips.TherewasaGermanatabigtableinthecentre,therewasamiddle-agedmanandafair,verybeautifulgirlwhoshethoughtmightbeSwedes,orpossiblyDanes.TherewasanEnglishfamilywithtwochildren,andvariousgroupsoftravellingAmericans.TherewerethreeFrenchfamilies.
Afterdinnershehadcoffeeontheterrace.Itwasslightlycoldbutnotundulysoandsheenjoyedthesmellofscentedblossoms.Shewenttobedearly.
Sittingontheterracethefollowingmorninginthesunshineunderthered-stripedumbrellathatprotectedherfromthesun,Hilaryfelthowfantasticthewholethingwas.Hereshesat,pretendingtobeadeadwoman,expectingsomethingmelodramaticandoutofthecommontooccur.Afterall,wasn’titonlytoolikelythatpoorOliveBettertonhadcomeabroadmerelytodistracthermindandheartfromsadthoughtsandfeelings?Probablythepoorwomanhadbeenjustasmuchinthedarkaseverybodyelse
Certainlythewordsshehadsaidbeforeshediedadmittedofaperfectlyordinaryexplanation.ShehadwantedThomasBettertonwarnedagainstsomebodycalledBoris.Hermindhadwandered—shehadquotedastrangelittlejingle—shehadgoneontosaythatshecouldn’tbelieveitatfirst.Couldn’tbelievewhat?PossiblyonlythatThomasBettertonhadbeenspiritedawaythewayhehadbeen.
Therehadbeennosinisterundertones,nohelpfulclues.Hilarystareddownattheterracegardenbelowher.Itwasbeautifulhere.Beautifulandpeaceful.Childrenchatteredandranupanddowntheterrace,Frenchmammascalledtothemorscoldedthem.TheblondeSwedishgirlcameandsatdownbyatableandyawned.Shetookoutapalepinklipstickandtouchedupheralreadyexquisitelypaintedlips.Sheappraisedherfaceseriously,frowningalittle.
Presentlyhercompanion—husband,Hilarywondered,oritmightpossiblybeherfather—joinedher.Shegreetedhimwithoutasmile.Sheleanedforwardandtalkedtohim,apparentlyexpostulatingaboutsomething.Heprotestedandapologized.
Theoldmanwiththeyellowfaceandthelittlegoateecameuptheterracefromthegardensbelow.Hewentandsatatatableagainsttheextremewall,andimmediatelyawaiterdartedforth.Hegaveanorderandthewaiterbowedbeforehimandwentaway,inallhastetoexecuteit.Thefairgirlcaughthercompanionexcitedlybythearmandlookedtowardstheelderlyman.
HilaryorderedaMartini,andwhenitcamesheaskedthewaiterinalowvoice:
“Whoistheoldmanthereagainstthewall?”
“Ah!”Thewaiterleanedforwarddramatically,“ThatisMonsieurAristides.Heisenormously—butyes,enormously—rich.”
HesighedinecstasyatthecontemplationofsomuchwealthandHilarylookedoverattheshrivelled-up,bentfigureatthefartable.Suchawrinkled,dried-up,mummifiedoldmorselofhumanity.Andyet,becauseofhisenormouswealth,waitersdartedandsprangandspokewithaweintheirvoices.OldMonsieurAristidesshiftedhisposition.Justforamomenthiseyesmethers.Helookedatherforamoment,thenlookedaway
“Notsoinsignificantafterall,”Hilarythoughttoherself.Thoseeyes,evenatthatdistance,hadbeenwonderfullyintelligentandalive.
Theblondegirlandherescortgotupfromtheirtableandwentintothediningroom.Thewaiter,whonowseemedtoconsiderhimselfasHilary’sguideandmentor,stoppedathertableashecollectedglassesandgaveherfurtherinformation.
“CeMonsieur-là,heisabigbusinessmagnatefromSweden.Veryrich,veryimportant.Andtheladywithhimsheisafilmstar—anotherGarbo,theysay.Verychic—verybeautiful—butdoesshemakehimthescenes,thehistories!Nothingpleasesher.Sheis,asyousay,‘fedup’tobehere,inFez,wheretherearenojewellers’shops—andnootherexpensivewomentoadmireandenvyhertoilettes.Shedemandsthatheshouldtakehersomewheremoreamusingtomorrow.Ah,itisnotalwaystherichwhocanenjoytranquillityandpeaceofmind.”
Havingutteredthislastinasomewhatsententiousfashion,hesawabeckoningforefingerandsprangacrosstheterraceasthoughgalvanized.
“Monsieur?”
Mostpeoplehadgoneintolunch,butHilaryhadhadbreakfastlateandwasinnohurryforhermiddaymeal.Sheorderedherselfanotherdrink.Agood-lookingyoungFrenchmancameoutofthebarandacrosstheterrace,castaswiftdiscreetglanceatHilarywhich,thinlydisguised,meant:“Isthereanythingdoinghere,Iwonder?”andthenwentdownthestepstotheterracebelow.Ashedidsohehalfsang,halfhummedasnatchofFrenchopera:
Lelongdeslauriersroses
Rêvantdedouceschoses.
ThewordsformedalittlepatternonHilary’sbrain.Lelongdeslauriersroses.Laurier.Laurier?ThatwasthenameoftheFrenchmaninthetrain.Wasthereaconnectionhereorwasitcoincidence?Sheopenedherbagandhuntedinitforthecardhehadgivenher.HenriLaurier,3RuedesCroissants,Casablanca.Sheturnedthecardoverandthereseemedtobefaintpencilmarksonthebackofit.Itwasasthoughsomethinghadbeenwrittenonitandthenrubbedout.Shetriedtodecipherwhatthemarkswere.“Oùsont,”themessagebegan,thensomethingwhichshecouldnotdecipher,andfinallyshemadeoutthewords“D’Antan.”Foramomentshehadthoughtthatitmightbeamessage,butnowsheshookherheadandputthecardbackinherbag.Itmusthavebeensomequotationthathehadoncewrittenonitandthenrubbedout.
Ashadowfellonherandshelookedup,startled.Mr.Aristideswasstandingtherebetweenherandthesun.Hiseyeswerenotonher.Hewaslookingacrossoverthegardensbelowtowardsthesilhouetteofhillsinthedistance.Sheheardhimsighandthenheturnedabruptly,towardsthediningroom,andashedidso,thesleeveofhiscoatcaughttheglassonhertableandsentitflyingtotheterracewhereitbroke.Hewheeledroundquicklyandpolitely.
“Ah.Millepardons,Madame.”
HilaryassuredhimsmilinglyinFrenchthatitdidnotmatterintheleast.Withtheswiftflickofafingerhesummonedawaiter.
Thewaiterasusualcamerunning.TheoldmanorderedareplacementofMadame’sdrinkandthen,oncemoreapologizing,hemadehiswayintotherestaurant
TheyoungFrenchman,stillhumming,cameupthestepsagain.HelingerednoticeablyashepassedHilary,butasshegavenosign,hewentonintolunchwithaslightphilosophicshrugoftheshoulders.
AFrenchfamilypassedacrosstheterrace,theparentscallingtotheiryoung.
“Maisviensdonc,Bobo.Qu’est-cequetufais?Dépêchetoi!”“Laissetaballe,chérie,onvadéjeuner.”
Theypassedupthestepsandintotherestaurant,ahappycontentedlittlenucleusoffamilylife.Hilaryfeltsuddenlyaloneandfrightened.
Thewaiterbroughtherdrink.SheaskedhimifMr.Aristideswasallalonehere.
“Oh,Madame,naturally,anyonesorichasMonsieurAristideswouldnevertravelalone.Hehasherehisvaletandtwosecretariesandachauffeur.”
ThewaiterwasquiteshockedattheideaofMr.Aristidestravellingunaccompanied.
Hilarynoted,however,whensheatlastwentintothediningroom,thattheoldmansatatatablebyhimselfashehaddoneonthepreviousevening.AtatablenearbysattwoyoungmenwhomshethoughtwereprobablythesecretariessinceshenoticedthatoneortheotherofthemwasalwaysonthealertandlookedconstantlytowardsthetablewhereMr.Aristides,shrivelledandmonkeylike,atehislunchanddidnotseemtonoticetheirexistence.EvidentlytoMr.Aristides,secretarieswerenothuman!
Theafternoonpassedinavaguedream-likemanner.Hilarystrolledthroughthegardens,descendingfromterracetoterrace.Thepeaceandbeautyseemedquiteastounding.Therewasthesplashofwater,thegleamofthegoldenoranges,andinnumerablescentsandfragrances.ItwastheorientalatmosphereofseclusionaboutitthatHilaryfoundsosatisfying.Asagardenenclosedismysister,myspouse…Thiswaswhatagardenwasmeanttobe,aplaceshutawayfromtheworld—fullofgreenandgold.
IfIcouldstayhere,thoughtHilary.IfIcouldstayherealways….
ItwasnottheactualgardenofthePalaisDjamaithatwasinherthoughts,itwasthestateofmindittypified.Whenshenolongerlookedforpeace,shehadfoundit.Andpeaceofmindhadcometoheratamomentwhenshewascommittedtoadventureanddanger.
Butperhapstherewasnodangerandnoadventure…Perhapsshecouldstayhereawhileandnothingwouldhappen…andthen….
Andthen—what?
AlittlecoldbreezesprangupandHilarygaveaquickshiver.Youstrayedintothegardenofpeacefulliving,butintheendyouwouldbebetrayedfromwithin.Theturmoiloftheworld,theharshnessofliving,theregretsanddespairs,alltheseshecarriedwithinher.
Itwaslateafternoon,andthesunhadlostitspower.Hilarywentupthevariousterracesandintothehotel.
InthegloomoftheOrientalLounge,somethingvolubleandcheerfulresolveditself,asHilary’seyesgotattunedtothedimness,intoMrs.CalvinBaker,herhairnewlyblued,andherappearanceimmaculateasever.
“I’vejustgotherebyair,”sheexplained.“Isimplycan’tstandthesetrains—thetimetheytake!Andthepeopleinthem,asoftenasnot,quiteunsanitary!They’venoideaatallofhygieneinthesecountries.Mydear,youshouldseethemeatinthesouks—allsmotheredinflies.Theyjustseemtothinkit’snaturaltohavefliessettlingoneverything.”
“Isupposeitisreally,”saidHilary
Mrs.CalvinBakerwasnotgoingtoallowsuchahereticalstatementtopass.
“I’magreatbelieverintheCleanFoodmovement.AthomeeverythingperishableiswrappedinCellophane—buteveninLondonyourbreadandcakesjuststandaboutunwrapped.Nowtellme,haveyoubeengettingaround?You’vebeendoingtheoldcitytoday,Iexpect?”
“I’mafraidIhaven’t‘done’anything,”saidHilary,smiling.“I’vejustbeensittingaboutinthesun.”
“Ah,ofcourse—you’rejustoutofhospital.Iforgot.”ClearlyonlyrecentillnesswasacceptedbyMrs.CalvinBakerasanexcuseforfailuretosightsee.“HowcouldIbesostupid?Why,it’sperfectlytrue,afterconcussionyououghttoliedownandrestinadarkroommostoftheday.Byandbywecanmakesomeexpeditionstogether.I’moneofthosepeoplewholikearealpackedday—everythingplannedandarranged.Everyminutefilled.”
InHilary’spresentmood,thissoundedlikeaforetasteofhell,butshecongratulatedMrs.CalvinBakeronherenergy.
“Well,IwillsaythatforawomanofmyageIgetaroundprettywell.Ihardlyeverfeelfatigue.DoyourememberMissHetheringtonatCasablanca?AnEnglishwomanwithalongface.She’llbearrivingthisevening.Shepreferstraintoflying.Who’sstayinginthehotel?MostlyFrench,Isuppose.Andhoneymooncouples.Imustrunalongnowandseeaboutmyroom.Ididn’tliketheonetheygavemeandtheypromisedtochangeit.”
Aminiaturewhirlwindofenergy,Mrs.CalvinBakerdeparted.
WhenHilaryenteredthediningroomthatevening,thefirstthingshesawwasMissHetheringtonatasmalltableagainstthewalleatingherdinnerwithaFontanabookproppedupinfrontofher.
ThethreeladieshadcoffeetogetherafterdinnerandMissHetheringtondisplayedapleasurableexcitementovertheSwedishmagnateandtheblondefilmstar
“Notmarried,Iunderstand,”shebreathed,disguisingherpleasurewithacorrectdisapproval.“Oneseessomuchofthatsortofthingabroad.ThatseemedaniceFrenchfamilyatthetablebythewindow.ThechildrenseemedsofondoftheirPapa.Ofcourse,Frenchchildrenareallowedtositupfartoolate.Teno’clocksometimesbeforetheygotobed,andtheygothrougheverycourseonthemenuinsteadofjusthavingmilkandbiscuitsaschildrenshould.”
“Theyseemtolookquitehealthyonit,”saidHilary,laughing.
MissHetheringtonshookherheadandutteredacluckofdisapproval.
“They’llpayforitlater,”shesaidwithgrimforeboding.“Theirparentsevenletthemdrinkwine.”
Horrorcouldgonofurther.
Mrs.CalvinBakerbeganmakingplansforthenextday.
“Idon’tthinkIshallgototheoldcity,”shesaid.“Ididthatverythoroughlylasttime.Mostinterestingandquitealabyrinth,ifyouknowwhatImean.Soquaintandoldworld.IfIhadn’thadtheguidewithme,Idon’tthinkIshouldhavefoundmywaybacktothehotel.Youjustkindofloseyoursenseofdirection.Buttheguidewasaverynicemanandtoldmequitealotofinterestingthings.HehasabrotherintheStates—inChicago,Ithinkhesaid.Thenwhenwe’dfinishedwiththetown,hetookmeuptoakindofeatinghouseortearoom,rightuponthehillsidelookingdownovertheoldcity—amarvellousview.Ihadtodrinkthatdreadfulminttea,ofcourse,whichisreallyverynasty.Andtheywantedmetobuyvariousthings,somequitenice,butsomejustrubbish.Onehastobeveryfirm,Ifind.”
“Yes,indeed,”saidMissHetherington
Sheaddedratherwistfully,“And,ofcourse,onecan’treallysparethemoneyforsouvenirs.Thesemoneyrestrictionsaresoworrying.”
Seven
I
HilaryhopedtoavoidhavingtoseetheoldcityofFezinthedepressingcompanyofMissHetherington.FortunatelythelatterwasinvitedbyMrs.Bakertocomewithheronanexpeditionbycar.SinceMrs.Bakermadeitclearthatshewasgoingtopayforthecar,MissHetherington,whosetravellingallowancewasdwindlinginanalarmingmanner,acceptedwithavidity.Hilary,afterinquiryatthedesk,wassuppliedwithaguide,andsetforthtoseethecityofFez.
Theystartedfromtheterrace,goingdownthroughthesuccessionofterracedgardensuntiltheyreachedanenormousdoorinthewallatthebottom.Theguideproducedakeyofmammothproportions,unlockedthedoorwhichswungslowlyopen,andmotionedHilarytopassthrough.
Itwaslikesteppingintoanotherworld.AllaboutherwerethewallsofoldFez.Narrowwindingstreets,highwalls,andoccasionally,throughadoorway,aglimpseofaninteriororacourtyard,andmovingallaroundherwereladendonkeys,menwiththeirburdens,boys,womenveiledandunveiled,thewholebusysecretlifeofthisMoorishcity.Wanderingthroughthenarrowstreetssheforgoteverythingelse,hermission,thepasttragedyofherlife,evenherself.Shewasalleyesandears,livingandwalkinginadreamworld.Theonlyannoyancewastheguidewhotalkedunceasingly,andurgedherintovariousestablishmentsintowhichshehadnoparticularwishtogo.
“Youlook,lady.Thismanhaveverynicethings,verycheap,reallyold,reallyMoorish.Hehavegownsandsilks.Youlikeverynicebeads?”
TheeternalcommerceofEastsellingtoWestwenton,butithardlydisturbedthecharmforHilary.Shesoonlostallsenseofplaceordirection.Herewithinthiswalledcityshehadlittleideaofwhethershewaswalkingnorthorsouthorwhethershewereretracingherstepsoverthesamestreetsthroughwhichshehadalreadypassed.Shewasquiteexhaustedwhentheguidemadehisfinalsuggestion,whichwasevidentlypartoftheroutine.
“Itakeyouverynicehouse,now,verysuperior.Friendsofmine.Youhavemintteathereandtheyshowyouplentylovelythings.”
Hilaryrecognizedthewell-knowngambitwhichMrs.CalvinBakerhaddescribed.However,shewaswillingtosee,orbetakentosee,anythingthatwassuggested.Tomorrow,shepromisedherself,shewouldcomeintotheOldCityaloneandwanderaroundwithoutaguidechatteringbyherelbow.Sosheallowedherselftobeguidedthroughagatewayandupawindingpathclimbingupmoreorlessoutsidethecitywalls.Theyarrivedatlastatagardensurroundinganattractivehousebuiltinnativestyle.
Hereinabigroomwithafineviewoutoverthecity,shewasurgedtositdownatasmallcoffeetable.Induecourseglassesofmintteawerebrought.ToHilarywhodidnotlikesugarwithhertea,itwassomewhatofanordealtodrinkit.Butbybanishingtheideaofteafromhermind,andmerelythinkingofitasanewkindoflemonade,shemanagedalmosttoenjoyit.Sheenjoyed,too,beingshownrugsandbeadsanddraperies,embroideriesandvariousotherthings.Shemadeoneortwosmallpurchasesmoreoutofgoodmannersthanforanyotherreason.Theindefatigableguidethensaid:
“Ihaveacarreadynowandtakeyouveryniceshortdrive.Onehour,notmore,seeverybeautifulsceneryandcountry.Andthenbacktohotel.”Headded,assumingasuitablediscreetexpression,“Thisgirlhere,shetakeyoufirsttoveryniceladies’toilet.”
Thegirlwhohadservedtheteawasstandingbythemsmiling,andsaidatonceincarefulEnglish:
“Yes,yes,Madame.Youcomewithme.Wehaveveryfinetoilet,ohveryfine.JustliketheRitzHotel.SameasinNewYorkorChicago.Yousee!”
Smilingalittle,Hilaryfollowedthegirl.Thetoilethardlyrosetotheheightsclaimedforit,butitdidatleasthaverunningwater.TherewasawashbasinandasmallcrackedmirrorwhichhadsuchdistortingproportionsthatHilaryalmostshrankbackinalarmatthesightofherownface.Whenshehadwashedanddriedherhands,whichshedidonherownhandkerchief,notmuchcaringfortheappearanceofthetowel,sheturnedtoleave.
Insomeway,however,thedoorofthetoiletappearedtohavestuck.Sheturnedandrattledthehandleunavailingly.Itwouldnotmove.Hilarywonderedwhetherithadbeenboltedorlockedfromtheoutside.Shegrewangry.Whatwastheideaofshuttingherinthere?Thenshenoticedthattherewasanotherdoorinacorneroftheroom.Goingtoitsheturnedthehandle.Thistimethedooropenedeasilyenough.Shepassedthrough.
Shefoundherselfinasmalleastern-lookingroomwithlightthatcameonlyfromslitshighinthewall.Sittingthereonalowdivan,smoking,wasthelittleFrenchmanshehadmetinthetrain,M.HenriLaurier.
II
Hedidnotrisetogreether.Hemerelysaid,andthetimbreofhisvoicewasslightlychanged:
“Goodafternoon,Mrs.Betterton.”
ForamomentHilarystoodmotionless.Astonishmentheldherinitsgrip.Sothis—wasit!Shepulledherselftogether.Thisiswhatyou’vebeenexpecting.Actasyouthinkshewouldact.Shecameforwardandsaideagerly:
“Youhavenewsforme?Youcanhelpme?”
Henodded,thensaidreproachfully:
“Ifoundyou,Madame,somewhatobtuseuponthetrain.Perhapsyouaretoowellaccustomedtotalkoftheweather.”
“Theweather?”Shestaredathim,bewildered.
Whathadhesaidaboutweatheronthetrain?Cold?Fog?Snow?
Snow.ThatwaswhatOliveBettertonhadwhisperedasshelaydying.Andshehadquotedasillylittlejingle—whatwasit?
Snow,snow,beautifulsnow,
Yousliponalumpandoveryougo.
Hilaryrepeateditfalteringlynow.
“Exactly—whydidyounotrespondwiththatimmediatelyasordered?”
“Youdon’tunderstand.Ihavebeenill.Iwasinaplanecrashandafterwardsinhospitalwithconcussion.It’saffectedmymemoryinallsortsofways.Everythinglongagoisclearenough,butthereareterribleblanks—greatgaps.”Sheletherhandsrisetoherhead.Shefounditeasyenoughtogoonwitharealtremorinhervoice.“Youcan’tunderstandhowfrighteningthatis.IkeepfeelingthatI’veforgottenimportantthings—reallyimportantthings.ThemoreItrytogetthemback,thelesstheywillcome.”
“Yes,”saidLaurier,“theaeroplanecrashwasunfortunate.”Hespokeinacoldbusinesslikeway.“Itisgoingtobeaquestionofwhetheryouhavethenecessarystaminaandcouragetocontinueyourjourney.”
“OfcourseI’mgoingtocontinuemyjourney,”criedHilary.“Myhusband—”hervoicebroke.
Hesmiled,butnotaverypleasantsmile.Faintlycatlike.
“Yourhusband,”hesaid,“is,Iunderstand,awaitingyouwitheagerness.”
Hilary’svoicebroke.
“Youhavenoidea,”shesaid,“noideawhatit’sbeenlikethesemonthssincehewentaway.”
“DoyouthinktheBritishauthoritiescametoadefiniteconclusionastowhatyoudidordidnotknow?”
Hilarystretchedoutherhandswithawidegesture.
“HowdoIknow—howcanItell?Theyseemedsatisfied.”
“Allthesame…”Hestopped.
“Ithinkitquitepossible,”saidHilaryslowly,“thatIhavebeenfollowedhere.Ican’tpickoutanyoneparticularpersonbutIhavehadthefeelingeversinceIleftEnglandthatIamunderobservation.”
“Naturally,”saidLaurier,coldly.“Weexpectednoless.”
“IthoughtIoughttowarnyou.”
“MydearMrs.Betterton,wearenotchildren.Weunderstandwhatwearedoing.”
“I’msorry,”saidHilary,humbly.“I’mafraidI’mveryignorant.”
“Itdoesnotmatterifyouareignorantsolongasyouareobedient.”
“Ishallbeobedient,”saidHilaryinalowvoice.
“YouwerecloselywatchedinEngland,Ihavenodoubt,eversincethedayofyourhusband’sdeparture.Nevertheless,themessagecametoyou,diditnot?”
“Yes,”saidHilary.
“Now,”saidLaurierinabusinesslikemanner,“Iwillgiveyouyourinstructions,Madame.”
“Pleasedo.”
“FromhereyouwillproceedtoMarrakeshthedayaftertomorrow.Thatisasyouplannedandinaccordancewithyourreservations.”
“Yes.”
“ThedayafteryouarrivethereyouwillreceiveatelegramfromEngland.WhatitwillsayIdonotknow,butitwillbesufficientforyoutomakeplansimmediatelytoreturntoEngland.”
“IamtoreturntoEngland?”
“Pleaselisten.Ihavenotfinished.YouwillbookaseatonaplaneleavingCasablancathefollowingday.”
“SupposingIcannotgetreservations—supposingtheseatsareallbooked?”
“Theywillnotbeallbooked.Everythingisarrangedfor.Now,youunderstandyourinstructions?”
“Iunderstand.”
“Thenpleasereturntowhereyourguideiswaiting.Youhavebeenlongenoughinthisladies’toilet.Bytheway,youhavebecomefriendlywithanAmericanwomanandanEnglishwomanwhoarenowstayingatthePalaisDjamai?”
“Yes.Hasthatbeenamistake?Ithasbeendifficulttoavoid.”
“Notatall.Itsuitsourplansadmirably.IfyoucanpersuadeoneorotherofthemtoaccompanyyoutoMarrakesh,somuchthebetter.Goodbye,Madame.”
“Aurevoir,Monsieur.”
“Itisunlikely,”MonsieurLauriertoldherwithacompletelackofinterest,“thatIshallmeetyouagain.”
Hilaryretracedherstepstotheladies’toilet.Thistimeshefoundtheotherdoorunfastened.Afewminuteslatershehadrejoinedtheguideinthetearoom.
“Igotverynicecarwaiting,”saidtheguide.“Itakeyounowforverypleasantinstructivedrive.”
Theexpeditionproceededaccordingtoplan.
III
“Soyou’releavingforMarrakeshtomorrow,”saidMissHetherington.“Youhaven’tmadeaverylongstayinFez,haveyou?Wouldn’tithavebeenmucheasiertogotoMarrakeshfirstandthentoFez,returningtoCasablancaafterwards?”
“Isupposeitwouldreally,”saidHilary,“butreservationsareratherdifficulttoobtain.It’sprettycrowdedhere.”
“NotwithEnglishpeople,”saidMissHetherington,ratherdisconsolately.“Itreallyseemsdreadfulnowadaysthewayonemeetshardlyanyofone’sfellow-countrymen.”Shelookedroundherdisparaginglyandsaid,“It’stheFrench.”
Hilarysmiledfaintly.ThefactthatMoroccowasaFrenchcolonialpossessiondidnotseemtocountmuchwithMissHetherington.HotelsanywhereabroadsheregardedastheprerogativeoftheEnglishtravellingpublic.
“TheFrenchandtheGermansandtheArmeniansandtheGreeks,”saidMrs.CalvinBaker,withalittlecackleoflaughter.“ThatscruffylittleoldmanisaGreek,Ibelieve.”
“Iwastoldhewas,”saidHilary.
“Seemsapersonofimportance,”saidMrs.Baker.“Youjustnoticehowthewaitersflyaboutforhim.”
“TheygivetheEnglishhardlyanyattentionnowadays,”saidMissHetherington,gloomily.“Theyalwaysgivethemthemostterriblebackbedrooms—theonesmaidsandvaletsusedtohaveintheolddays.”
“Well,Ican’tsayI’vefoundanyfaultwiththeaccommodationI’vehadsinceIcametoMorocco,”saidMrs.CalvinBaker.“I’vemanagedtogetamostcomfortableroomandbatheverytime.”
“You’reanAmerican,”saidMissHetherington,sharply,andwithsomevenominhervoice.Sheclickedherknittingneedlesfuriously.
“IwishIcouldpersuadeyoutwotocometoMarrakeshwithme,”saidHilary.“It’sbeensopleasantmeetingyouandtalkingtoyouhere.Really,it’sverylonelytravellingallbyoneself.”
“I’vebeentoMarrakesh,”saidMissHetheringtoninashockedvoice.
Mrs.CalvinBaker,however,appearedtobesomewhatsoldontheidea.
“Well,itcertainlyisanidea,”shesaid.“It’soveramonthsinceIwasinMarrakesh.I’dbequitehappytogothereagainforaspell,andIcouldshowyouround,too,Mrs.Betterton,andpreventyoubeingimposedupon.It’snotuntilyou’vebeentoaplaceandlookedrightrounditthatyoulearnthestrings.Iwondernow.I’llgorighttotheofficeandseewhatIcanfixup.”
MissHetheringtonsaidacidly,whenshehaddeparted:
“That’sexactlyliketheseAmericanwomen.Rushingfromplacetoplace,neversettlingdownanywhere.Egyptoneday,Palestinethenext.SometimesIreallydon’tthinktheyknowwhatcountrythey’rein.”
Sheshutherlipswithasnap,andrisingandgatheringupherknittingcarefullyshelefttheTurkishroomwithalittlenodtoHilaryasshewent.Hilaryglanceddownatherwatch.Shefeltinclinednottochangethiseveningfordinner,assheusuallydid.Shesatontherealoneinthelow,ratherdarkroomwithitsorientalhangings.Awaiterlookedin,thenwentawayafterturningontwolamps.Theydidnotgiveoutverymuchlightandtheroomseemedpleasantlydim.IthadanEasternsortofserenity.Hilarysatbackonthelowdivan,thinkingofthefuture.
Onlyyesterdayshehadbeenwonderingifthewholebusinessuponwhichshehadbeenengagedwasamare’snest.Andnow—nowshewasonthepointofstartingonherrealjourney.Shemustbecareful,verycareful.Shemustmakenoslip.ShemustbeOliveBetterton,moderatelywell-educated,inartistic,conventionalbutwithdefiniteLeftWingsympathies,andawomanwhowasdevotedtoherhusband.
“Imustmakenomistake,”saidHilarytoherself,underherbreath.
HowstrangeitfelttobesittingherealoneinMorocco.Shefeltasthoughshehadgotintoalandofmysteryandenchantment.Thatdimlampbesideher!Ifsheweretotakethecarvedbrassbetweenherhandsandrub,wouldaDjinnoftheLampappear?Asthethoughtcametoher,shestarted.Materializingquitesuddenlyfrombeyondthelamp,shesawthesmallwrinkledfaceandpointedbeardofMr.Aristides.Hebowedpolitelybeforesittingdownbesideher,saying:
“Youpermit,Madame?”Hilaryrespondedpolitely.
Takingouthiscigarettecaseheofferedheracigarette.Sheacceptedandhelitonehimselfalso.
“Itpleasesyou,thiscountry,Madame?”heasked,afteramomentortwo.
“Ihavebeenhereonlyaveryshorttime,”saidHilary.“Ifinditsofarquiteenchanting.”
“Ah.Andyouhavebeenintotheoldcity?Youlikedit?”
“Ithinkitiswonderful.”
“Yes,itiswonderful.Itisthepastthere—thepastofcommerce,ofintrigue,ofwhisperingvoices,shutteredactivities,allthemysteryandpassionofacityenclosedinitsnarrowstreetsandwalls.DoyouknowwhatIthinkof,Madame,whenIwalkthroughthestreetsofFez?”
“No?”
“IthinkofyourGreatWestRoadinLondon.Ithinkofyourgreatfactorybuildingsoneachsideoftheroad.Ithinkofthosebuildingslitthroughoutwiththeirneonlightingandthepeopleinside,thatyouseesoclearlyfromtheroadasyoudrivealonginyourcar.Thereisnothinghidden,thereisnothingmysterious.Therearenotevencurtainstothewindows.No,theydotheirworktherewiththewholeworldobservingthemifitwantstodoso.Itislikeslicingoffthetopofananthill.”
“Youmean,”saidHilary,interested,“thatitisthecontrastthatinterestsyou?”
Mr.Aristidesnoddedhiselderly,tortoise-likehead.
“Yes,”hesaid.“ThereeverythingisintheopenandintheoldstreetsofFeznothingisàjour.Everythingishidden,dark…But—”heleantforwardandtappedafingeronthelittlebrasscoffeetable“—butthesamethingsgoon.Thesamecruelties,thesameoppressions,thesamewishforpower,thesamebargainingandhaggling.”
“Youthinkthathumannatureisthesameeverywhere?”Hilaryasked.
“Ineverycountry.Inthepastasinthepresenttherearealwaysthetwothingsthatrule.Crueltyandbenevolence!Oneortheother.Sometimesboth.”Hecontinuedwithhardlyachangeofmanner.“Theyhavetoldme,Madame,thatyouwereinaverybadaeroplaneaccidenttheotherdayatCasablanca?”
“Yes,thatistrue.”
“Ienvyyou,”Mr.Aristidessaidunexpectedly.
Hilarylookedathiminanastonishedmanner.Againhewaggledhisheadinvehementassertion.
“Yes,”headded,“youaretobeenvied.Youhavehadanexperience.Ishouldliketheexperienceofhavingcomesoneartodeath.Tohavethat,yetsurvive—doyounotfeelyourselfdifferentsincethen,Madame?”
“Inaratherunfortunateway,”saidHilary.“Ihadconcussionandthatgivesmeverybadheadaches,anditalsoaffectsmymemory.”
“Thosearemereinconveniences,”saidMr.Aristides,withawaveofthehand,“butitisanadventureofthespirityouhavepassedthrough,isitnot?”
“Itistrue,”saidHilaryslowly,“thatIhavepassedthroughanadventureofthespirit.”
ShewasthinkingofabottleofVichywaterandalittleheapofsleepingpills.
“Ihaveneverhadthatexperience,”saidMr.Aristides,inhisdissatisfiedvoice.“Somanyotherthings,butnotthat.”Herose,bowed,said“Meshommages,Madame,”andlefther.
Eight
Howalike,Hilarythoughttoherself,allairportswere!Theyhadastrangeanonymityaboutthem.Theywereallatsomedistancefromthetownorcitytheyserved,andinconsequenceyouhadaqueer,statelessfeelingofexistingnowhere.YoucouldflyfromLondontoMadrid,toRome,toIstanbul,toCairo,toanywhereyouliked,andifyourjourneywasathroughonebyair,youwouldneverhavethefaintestideaofwhatanyofthesecitieslookedlike!Ifyoucaughtaglimpseofthemfromtheair,theywereonlyakindofglorifiedmap,somethingbuiltwithachild’sboxofbricks.
Andwhy,shethoughtvexedly,lookingroundher,doesonealwayshavetobeattheseplacessomuchtooearly?
Theyhadspentnearlyhalfanhourinthewaitingroom.Mrs.CalvinBaker,whohaddecidedtoaccompanyHilarytoMarrakesh,hadbeentalkingnon-stopeversincetheirarrival.Hilaryhadansweredalmostmechanically.Butnowsherealizedthattheflowhadbeendiverted.Mrs.Bakerhadnowswitchedherattentiontotwoothertravellerswhoweresittingnearher.Theywerebothtall,fairyoungmen.OneanAmericanwithabroad,friendlygrin,theotherarathersolemn-lookingDaneorNorwegian.TheDanetalkedheavily,slowly,andratherpedanticallyincarefulEnglish.TheAmericanwasclearlydelightedtofindanotherAmericantraveller.Presently,inconscientiousfashion,Mrs.CalvinBakerturnedtoHilary.
“Mr.—?I’dliketohaveyouknowmyfriend,Mrs.Betterton.”
“AndrewPeters—Andytomyfriends.”
Theotheryoungmanrosetohisfeet,bowedratherstifflyandsaid,“TorquilEricsson.”
“Sonowwe’reallacquainted,”saidMrs.Bakerhappily.“AreweallgoingtoMarrakesh?It’smyfriend’sfirstvisitthere—”
“I,too,”saidEricsson.“I,too,forthefirsttimego.”
“Thatgoesforme,too,”saidPeters.
TheloudspeakerwassuddenlyswitchedonandahoarseannouncementinFrenchwasmade.Thewordswerebarelydistinguishablebutitappearedtobetheirsummonstotheplane.
TherewerefourpassengersbesidesMrs.BakerandHilary.BesidesPetersandEricsson,therewasathin,tallFrenchman,andasevere-lookingnun.
Itwasaclear,sunnydayandflyingconditionsweregood.Leaningbackinherseatwithhalf-closedeyes,Hilarystudiedherfellow-passengers,seekingtodistractherselfthatwayfromtheanxiousquestioningswhichweregoingoninhermind.
Oneseataheadofher,ontheothersideoftheaisle,Mrs.CalvinBakerinhergreytravellingcostumelookedlikeaplumpandcontentedduck.Asmallhatwithwingswasperchedonherbluehairandshewasturningthepagesofaglossymagazine.Occasionallysheleanedforwardtotaptheshoulderofthemansittinginfrontofher,whowasthecheerful-lookingfairyoungAmerican,Peters.Whenshedidsoheturnedround,displayinghisgood-humouredgrin,andrespondingenergeticallytoherremarks.Howverygood-naturedandfriendlyAmericanswere,Hilarythoughttoherself.SodifferentfromthestifftravellingEnglish.ShecouldnotimagineMissHetherington,forinstance,fallingintoeasyconversationwithayoungmanevenofherownnationonaplane,andshedoubtedifthelatterwouldhaverespondedasgood-naturedlyasthisyoungAmericanwasdoing.
AcrosstheaislefromherwastheNorwegian,Ericsson.
Asshecaughthiseye,hemadeherastifflittlebowandleaningacrossofferedherhismagazine,whichhewasjustclosing.Shethankedhimandtookit.Intheseatbehindhimwasthethin,darkFrenchman.Hislegswerestretchedoutandheseemedtobeasleep.
Hilaryturnedherheadoverhershoulder.Thesevere-facednunwassittingbehindher,andthenun’seyes,impersonal,incurious,metHilary’swithnoexpressioninthem.Shesatimmovable,herhandsclasped.ItseemedtoHilaryanoddtrickoftimethatawomanintraditionalmedievalcostumeshouldbetravellingbyairinthetwentiethcentury.
Sixpeople,thoughtHilary,travellingtogetherforafewhours,travellingtodifferentplaceswithdifferentaims,scatteringperhapsattheendofthatfewhoursandnevermeetingagain.Shehadreadanovelwhichhadhingedonasimilarthemeandwherethelivesofthosesixpeoplewerefollowedup.TheFrenchman,shethought,mustbeonholiday.Heseemedsotired.TheyoungAmericanwasperhapsastudentofsomekind.Ericssonwasperhapsgoingtotakeupajob.Thenunwasdoubtlessboundforherconvent.
Hilaryclosedhereyesandforgotherfellowtravellers.Shepuzzled,asshehaddonealllastnight,overtheinstructionsthathadbeengivenher.ShewastoreturntoEngland!Itseemedcrazy!Orcoulditbethatinsomewayshehadbeenfoundwanting,wasnottrusted:hadfailedtosupplycertainwordsorcredentialsthattherealOlivewouldhavesupplied.Shesighedandmovedrestlessly.“Well,”shethought,“IcandonomorethanIamdoing.IfI’vefailed—I’vefailed.Atanyrate,I’vedonemybest.”
Thenanotherthoughtstruckher.HenriLaurierhadaccepteditasnaturalandinevitablethataclosewatchwasbeingkeptuponherinMorocco—wasthisameansofdisarmingsuspicion?WiththeabruptreturnofMrs.BettertontoEnglanditwouldsurelybeassumedthatshehadnotcometoMoroccoinorderto“disappear”likeherhusband.Suspicionwouldrelax—shewouldberegardedasabonafidetraveller.
ShewouldleaveforEngland,goingbyAirFranceviaParis—andperhapsinParis—
Yes,ofcourse—inParis.InPariswhereTomBettertonhaddisappeared.Howmucheasiertostageadisappearancethere.PerhapsTomBettertonhadneverleftParis.Perhaps—tiredofprofitlessspeculationHilarywenttosleep.Shewoke—dozedagain,occasionallyglancingwithoutinterestatthemagazinesheheld.Awakeningsuddenlyfromadeepersleepshenoticedthattheplanewasrapidlylosingheightandcirclinground.Sheglancedatherwatch,butitwasstillsometimeearlierthantheestimatedtimeofarrival.Moreover,lookingdownthroughthewindow,shecouldnotseeanysignsofanaerodromebeneath.
Foramomentafaintqualmofapprehensionstruckher.Thethin,darkFrenchmanrose,yawned,stretchedhisarmsandlookedoutandsaidsomethinginFrenchwhichshedidnotcatch.ButEricssonleantacrosstheaisleandsaid:
“Wearecomingdownhere,itseems—butwhy?”
Mrs.CalvinBaker,leaningoutofherseat,turnedherheadandnoddedbrightlyasHilarysaid:
“Weseemtobelanding.”
Theplaneswoopedroundineverlowercircles.Thecountrybeneaththemseemedtobepracticallydesert.Therewerenosignsofhousesorvillages.Thewheelstouchedwithadecidedbump,bouncingalongandtaxiinguntiltheyfinallystopped.Ithadbeenasomewhatroughlanding,butitwasalandinginthemiddleofnowhere.
Hadsomethinggonewrongwiththeengine,Hilarywondered,orhadtheyrunoutofpetrol?Thepilot,adark-skinned,handsomeyoungman,camethroughtheforwarddoorandalongtheplane.
“Ifyouplease,”hesaid,“youwillallgetout.”Heopenedthereardoor,letdownashortladderandstoodtherewaitingforthemalltopassout.Theystoodinalittlegroupontheground,shiveringalittle.Itwaschillyhere,withthewindblowingsharplyfromthemountainsinthedistance.Themountains,Hilarynoticed,werecoveredwithsnowandsingularlybeautiful.Theairwascrisplycoldandintoxicating.Thepilotdescendedtoo,andaddressedthem,speakingFrench:
“Youareallhere?Yes?Excuse,please,youwillhavetowaitalittleminute,perhaps.Ah,no,Iseeitisarriving.”
Hepointedtowhereasmalldotonthehorizonwasgraduallygrowingnearer.Hilarysaidinaslightlybewilderedvoice:
“Butwhyhavewecomedownhere?Whatisthematter?Howlongshallwehavetobehere?”
TheFrenchtravellersaid:
“Thereis,Iunderstand,astationwagonarriving.Weshallgooninthat.”
“Didtheenginefail?”askedHilary.
AndyPeterssmiledcheerfully.
“Whyno,Ishouldn’tsayso,”hesaid,“theenginesoundedallrighttome.However,they’llfixupsomethingofthatkind,nodoubt.”
Shestared,puzzled.Mrs.CalvinBakermurmured:
“My,butit’schilly,standingabouthere.That’stheworstofthisclimate.Itseemssosunnybutit’scoldthemomentyougetnearsunset.”
Thepilotwasmurmuringunderhisbreath,swearing,Hilarythought.Hewassayingsomethinglike:
“Toujoursdesretardsinsupportables.”
Thestationwagoncametowardsthematabreakneckpace.TheBerberdriverdrewupwithagrindingofbrakes.Hesprangdownandwasimmediatelyengagedbythepilotinangryconversation.RathertoHilary’ssurprise,Mrs.Bakerintervenedinthedispute—speakinginFrench.
“Don’twastetime,”shesaidperemptorily.“What’sthegoodofarguing?Wewanttogetoutofhere.”
Thedrivershruggedhisshouldersand,goingtothestationwagon,heunhitchedthebackpartofitwhichletdown.Insidewasalargepackingcase.TogetherwiththepilotandwithhelpfromEricssonandPeters,theygotitdownontotheground.Fromtheeffortittook,itseemedtobeheavy.Mrs.CalvinBakerputherhandonHilary’sarmandsaid,asthemanbegantoraisethelidofthecase:
“Ishouldn’twatch,mydear.It’sneveraprettysight.”
SheledHilaryalittlewayaway,ontheothersideofthewagon.TheFrenchmanandPeterscamewiththem.TheFrenchmansaidinhisownlanguage:
“Whatisitthen,thismanoeuvretherethattheydo?”
Mrs.Bakersaid:
“YouareDr.Barron?”
TheFrenchmanbowed.
“Pleasedtomeetyou,”saidMrs.Baker.Shestretchedoutherhand,ratherlikeahostesswelcominghimtoaparty.Hilarysaidinabewilderedtone:
“ButIdon’tunderstand.Whatisinthatcase?Whyisitbetternottolook?”
AndyPeterslookeddownonherconsideringly.Hehadaniceface,Hilarythought.Somethingsquareanddependableaboutit.Hesaid:
“Iknowwhatitis.Thepilottoldme.It’snotveryprettyperhaps,butIguessit’snecessary.”Headdedquietly,“Therearebodiesinthere.”
“Bodies!”Shestaredathim.
“Oh,theyhaven’tbeenmurderedoranything,”hegrinnedreassuringly.“Theywereobtainedinaperfectlylegitimatewayforresearch—medicalresearch,youknow.”
ButHilarystillstared.“Idon’tunderstand.”
“Ah.Yousee,Mrs.Betterton,thisiswherethejourneyends.Onejourney,thatis.”
“Ends?”
“Yes.They’llarrangethebodiesinthatplaneandthenthepilotwillfixthingsandpresently,aswe’redrivingawayfromhere,weshallseeinthedistancetheflamesgoingupintheair.Anotherplanethathascrashedandcomedowninflames,andnosurvivors!”
“Butwhy?Howfantastic!”
“Butsurely—”ItwasDr.Barronnowwhospoketoher.“Butsurelyyouknowwherewearegoing?”
Mrs.Baker,drawingnear,saidcheerfully:
“Ofcoursesheknows.Butmaybeshedidn’texpectitquitesosoon.”
Hilarysaid,afterashortbewilderedpause:
“Butyoumean—allofus?”Shelookedround.
“We’refellowtravellers,”saidPetersgently.
TheyoungNorwegian,noddinghishead,saidwithanalmostfanaticalenthusiasm:
“Yes,weareallfellowtravellers.”
Nine
I
Thepilotcameuptothem.
“Youwillstartnow,please,”hesaid.“Assoonaspossible.Thereismuchtobedone,andwearelateonschedule.”
Hilaryrecoiledforamoment.Sheputherhandnervouslytoherthroat.Thepearlchokershewaswearingbrokeunderthestrainofherfingers.Shepickeduptheloosepearlsandcrammedthemintoherpocket.
Theyallgotintothestationwagon.HilarywasonalongbenchcrowdedupwithPetersonesideofherandMrs.Bakertheother.TurningherheadtowardstheAmericanwoman,Hilarysaid:
“Soyou—soyou—arewhatyoumightcalltheliaisonofficer,Mrs.Baker?”
“Thathitsitoffexactly.AndthoughIsayitmyself,I’mwellqualified.NobodyissurprisedtofindanAmericanwomangettingaroundandtravellingalot.”
Shewasstillplumpandsmiling,butHilarysensed,orthoughtshesensed,adifference.Theslightfatuityandsurfaceconventionalityhadgone.Thiswasanefficient,probablyruthlesswoman.
“Itwillmakeafinesensationintheheadlines,”saidMrs.Baker.Shelaughedwithsomeenjoyment.“You,Imean,mydear.Persistentlydoggedbyill-luck,they’llsay.FirstnearlylosingyourlifeinthecrashatCasablanca,thenbeingkilledinthisfurtherdisaster.”
Hilaryrealizedsuddenlytheclevernessoftheplan.
“Theseothers?”shemurmured.“Aretheywhotheysaytheyare?”
“Whyyes.Dr.Barronisabacteriologist,Ibelieve.Mr.Ericssonaverybrilliantyoungphysicist,Mr.Petersisaresearchchemist,MissNeedheim,ofcourse,isn’tanun,she’sanendocrinologist.Me,asIsay,I’monlytheliaisonofficer.Idon’tbelonginthisscientificbunch.”Shelaughedagainasshesaid,“ThatHetheringtonwomanneverhadachance.”
“MissHetherington—wasshe—wasshe—”
Mrs.Bakernoddedemphatically.
“Ifyouaskme,she’sbeentailingyou.TookoverinCasablancafromwhoeverfollowedyouout.”
“Butshedidn’tcomewithustodayalthoughIurgedherto?”
“Thatwouldn’thavebeenincharacter,”saidMrs.Baker.“ItwouldhavelookedalittletooobvioustogobackagaintoMarrakeshafterhavingbeentherealready.No,she’llhavesentatelegramoraphonemessagethroughandthere’llbesomeonewaitingatMarrakeshtopickyouupwhenyouarrive.Whenyouarrive!That’sagoodlaugh,isn’tit?Look!Looktherenow!Upshegoes.”
Theyhadbeendrivingrapidlyawayacrossthedesert,andnowasHilarycranedforwardtolookthroughthelittlewindow,shesawagreatglowbehindthem.Afaintsoundofanexplosioncametoherears.Petersthrewhisheadbackandlaughed.Hesaid:
“SixpeoplediewhenplanetoMarrakeshcrashes!”
Hilarysaidalmostunderherbreath:
“It’s—it’sratherfrightening.”
“Steppingoffintotheunknown?”ItwasPeterswhospoke.Hewasseriousenoughnow.“Yes,butit’stheonlyway.We’releavingthePastandsteppingouttowardstheFuture.”Hisfacelitupwithsuddenenthusiasm.“We’vegottogetquitofallthebad,madoldstuff.Corruptgovernmentsandthewarmongers.We’vegottogointothenewworld—theworldofscience,cleanawayfromthescumandthedriftwood.”
Hilarydrewadeepbreath.
“That’slikethethingsmyhusbandusedtosay,”shesaid,deliberately.
“Yourhusband?”heshotheraquickglance.“Why,washeTomBetterton?”
Hilarynodded.
“Well,that’sgreat.IneverknewhimoutintheStates,thoughInearlymethimmorethanonce.ZEFissionisoneofthemostbrilliantdiscoveriesofthisage—yes,Icertainlytakemyhatofftohim.WorkedwitholdMannheim,didn’the?”
“Yes,”saidHilary.
“Didn’ttheytellmehe’dmarriedMannheim’sdaughter.Butsurelyyou’renot—”
“I’mhissecondwife,”saidHilary,flushingalittle.“He—his—ElsadiedinAmerica.”
“Iremember.ThenhewenttoBritaintoworkthere.Thenheriledthembydisappearing.”Helaughedsuddenly.“WalkedslapoutofsomeParisconferenceintonowhere.”Headded,asthoughinfurtherappreciation,“Lord,youcan’tsayTheydon’torganizewell.”
Hilaryagreedwithhim.Theexcellenceoftheirorganizationwassendingacoldpangofapprehensionthroughher.Alltheplans,codes,signsthathadbeensoelaboratelyarrangedweregoingtobeuselessnow,fornowtherewouldbenotrailtopickup.Thingshadbeensoarrangedthateveryoneonthefatalplanehadbeenfellow-travellersboundfortheUnknownDestinationwhereThomasBettertonhadgonebeforethem.Therewouldbenotraceleft.Nothing,butaburnt-outplane.Therewouldevenbecharredbodiesintheplane.Couldthey—wasitpossiblethatJessopandhisorganizationcouldguessthatshe,Hilary,wasnotoneofthosecharredbodies?Shedoubtedit.Theaccidenthadbeensoconvincing,soclever.
Petersspokeagain.Hisvoicewasboyishwithenthusiasm.Forhimtherewerenoqualms,nolookingback,onlyeagernesstogoforward.
“Iwonder,”hesaid,“wheredowegofromhere?”
Hilary,too,wondered,becauseagainmuchdependedonthat.Soonerorlatertheremustbecontactswithhumanity.Soonerorlater,ifinvestigationwasmade,thefactthatastationwagonwithsixpeopleinitresemblingthedescriptionofthosewhohadleftthatmorningbyplanemightpossiblybenotedbysomeone.SheturnedtoMrs.Bakerandasked,tryingtomakehertonethecounterpartofthechildisheagernessoftheyoungAmericanbesideher.
“Wherearewegoing—whathappensnext?”
“You’llsee,”saidMrs.Baker,andforallthepleasantnessofhervoice,therewassomethingsomehowominousinthosewords.
Theydroveon.Behindthemtheflareoftheplanestillshowedinthesky,showedallthemoreclearlybecausethesunwasnowdroppingbelowthehorizon.Nightfell.Stilltheydrove.Thegoingwasbad,sincetheywereobviouslynotonanymainroad.Sometimestheyseemedtobeonfieldtracks,atothertimestheydroveoveropencountry.
ForalongtimeHilaryremainedawake,thoughtsandapprehensionsturningroundinherheadexcitedly.Butatlast,shakenandtossedfromsidetoside,exhaustionhaditswayandshefellasleep.Itwasabrokensleep.Variousrutsandjarsintheroadawokeher.Foramomentortwoshewouldwonderconfusedlywhereshewas,thenrealitywouldcomebacktoher.Shewouldremainawakeforafewmoments,herthoughtsracingroundinconfusedapprehension,thenoncemoreherheadwoulddropforwardandnod,andonceagainshewouldsleep.
II
Shewasawakenedsuddenlybythecarcomingtoanabruptstop.VerygentlyPetersshookherbythearm.
“Wakeup,”hesaid,“weseemtohavearrivedsomewhere.”
Everyonegotoutofthestationwagon.Theywereallcrampedandweary.Itwasstilldarkandtheyseemedtohavedrawnupoutsideahousesurroundedbypalmtrees.Somedistanceawaytheycouldseeafewdimlightsasthoughtherewereavillagethere.Guidedbyalanterntheywereusheredintothehouse.ItwasanativehousewithacoupleofgigglingBerberwomenwhostaredcuriouslyatHilaryandMrs.CalvinBaker.Theytooknointerestinthenun.
Thethreewomenweretakentoasmallupstairsroom.Therewerethreemattressesonthefloorandsomeheapsofcoverings,butnootherfurniture.
“I’llsayI’mstiff,”saidMrs.Baker.“Getsyoukindofcramped,ridingalongthewaywe’vebeendoing.”
“Discomfortdoesnotmatter,”saidthenun.
Shespokewithaharsh,gutturalassurance.HerEnglish,Hilaryfound,wasgoodandfluent,thoughheraccentwasbad
“You’relivinguptoyourpart,MissNeedheim,”saidtheAmericanwoman.“Icanjustseeyouintheconvent,kneelingonthehardstonesatfourinthemorning.”
MissNeedheimsmiledcontemptuously.
“Christianityhasmadefoolsofwomen,”shesaid.“Suchaworshipofweakness,suchsnivellinghumiliation!Paganwomenhadstrength.Theyrejoicedandconquered!Andinordertoconquer,nodiscomfortisunbearable.Nothingistoomuchtosuffer.”
“Rightnow,”saidMrs.Baker,yawning,“IwishIwasinmybedatthePalaisDjamaiatFez.Whataboutyou,Mrs.Betterton?Thatshakinghasn’tdoneyourconcussionanygood,I’llbet.”
“No,ithasn’t,”Hilarysaid.
“They’llbringussomethingtoeatpresently,andthenI’llfixyouupwithsomeaspirinandyou’dbettergettosleepasfastasyoucan.”
Stepswereheardcomingupthestairsoutsideandgigglingfemalevoices.PresentlythetwoBerberwomencameintotheroom.Theycarriedatraywithabigdishofsemolinaandmeatstew.Theyputitdownonthefloor,camebackagainwithametalbasinwithwaterinitandatowel.OneofthemfeltHilary’scoat,passingthestuffbetweenherfingersandspeakingtotheotherwomanwhonoddedherheadinrapidagreement,anddidthesametoMrs.Baker.Neitherofthempaidanyattentiontothenun.
“Shoo,”saidMrs.Baker,wavingthemaway.“Shoo,shoo.”
Itwasexactlylikeshooingchickens.Thewomenretreated,stilllaughing,andlefttheroom.
“Sillycreatures,”saidMrs.Baker,“it’shardtohavepatiencewiththem.Isupposebabiesandclothesaretheironlyinterestinlife.”
“Itisalltheyarefitfor,”saidFr?uleinNeedheim.“Theybelongtoaslaverace.Theyareusefultoservetheirbetters,butnomore.”
“Aren’tyoualittleharsh?”saidHilary,irritatedbythewoman’sattitude.
“Ihavenopatiencewithsentimentality.Therearethosethatrule,thefew;andtherearethemanythatserve.”
“Butsurely….”
Mrs.Bakerbrokeininanauthoritativemanner.
“We’veallgotourownideasonthesesubjects,Iguess,”shesaid,“andveryinterestingtheyare.Butthisishardlythetimeforthem.We’llwanttogetwhatrestwecan.”
Mintteaarrived.Hilaryswallowedsomeaspirinwillinglyenough,sinceherheadachewasquiteagenuineone.Thenthethreewomenlaydownonthecouchesandfellasleep.
Theysleptlateintothefollowingday.Theywerenottogoonagainuntiltheevening,soMrs.Bakerinformedthem.Fromtheroominwhichtheyhadslept,therewasanoutsidestaircaseleadingontoaflatroofwheretheyhadacertainamountofviewoverthesurroundingcountry.Alittledistanceawaywasavillage,buthere,wheretheywere,thehousewasisolatedinalargepalmgarden.Onawakening,Mrs.Bakerhadindicatedthreeheapsofclothingwhichhadbeenbroughtandlaiddownjustinsidethedoor.
“We’regoingnativeforthenextlap,”sheexplained,“weleaveourotherclotheshere.”
SothesmartlittleAmericanwoman’sneatsuitingandHilary’stweedcoatandskirtandthenun’shabitwerealllaidasideandthreenativeMoroccanwomensatontheroofofthehouseandchattedtogether.Thewholethinghadacuriouslyunrealfeeling.
HilarystudiedMissNeedheimmorecloselynowthatshehadlefttheanonymityofhernun’shabit.ShewasayoungerwomanthanHilaryhadthoughther,notmore,perhaps,thanthirty-threeorthirty-four.Therewasaneatsprucenessinherappearance.Thepaleskin,theshortstubbyfingers,andthecoldeyesinwhichburnedfromtimetotimethegleamofthefanatic,repelledratherthanattracted.Herspeechwasbrusqueanduncompromising.TowardsbothMrs.BakerandHilaryshedisplayedacertainamountofcontemptastowardspeopleunworthytoassociatewithher.ThisarroganceHilaryfoundveryirritating.Mrs.Baker,ontheotherhand,seemedhardlytonoticeit.InaqueerwayHilaryfeltfarnearerandmoreinsympathywiththetwogigglingBerberwomenwhobroughtthemfood,thanwithhertwocompanionsoftheWesternworld.TheyoungGermanwomanwasobviouslyindifferenttotheimpressionshecreated.Therewasacertainconcealedimpatienceinhermanner,anditwasobviousthatshewaslongingtogetonwithherjourneyandthatshehadnointerestinhertwocompanions.
AppraisingMrs.Baker’sattitudeHilaryfoundmoredifficult.AtfirstMrs.BakerseemedanaturalandnormalpersonaftertheinhumanityoftheGermanwomanspecialist.ButasthesunsanklowerintheskyshefeltalmostmoreintriguedandrepelledbyMrs.BakerthanbyHelgaNeedheim.Mrs.Baker’ssocialmannerwasalmostrobotlikeinitsperfection.Allhercommentsandremarkswerenatural,normal,everydaycurrency,butonehadasuspicionthatthewholethingwaslikeanactorplayingapartforperhapsthesevenhundredthtime.Itwasanautomaticperformance,completelydivorcedfromwhatMrs.Bakermightreallyhavebeenthinkingorfeeling.WhowasMrs.CalvinBaker,Hilarywondered?Whyhadshecometoplayherpartwithsuchmachinelikeperfection?Wasshe,too,afanatic?Hadshedreamsofabravenewworld—wassheinviolentrevoltagainstthecapitalistsystem?Hadshegivenupallnormallifebecauseofherpoliticalbeliefsandaspirations?Impossibletotell.
Theyresumedtheirjourneythatevening.Itwasnolongerthestationwagon.Thistimeitwasanopentouringcar.Everyonewasinnativedress,themenwithwhitedjellabasroundthem,thewomenwiththeirfaceshidden.Packedtightlyin,theystartedoffoncemore,drivingallthroughthenight.
“Howareyoufeeling,Mrs.Betterton?”
HilarysmiledupatAndyPeters.Thesunhadjustrisenandtheyhadstoppedforbreakfast.Nativebread,eggs,andteamadeoveraPrimus.
“IfeelasthoughIweretakingpartinadream,”saidHilary.
“Yes,ithasratherthatquality.”
“Wherearewe?”
Heshruggedhisshoulders.
“Whoknows?OurMrs.CalvinBaker,nodoubt,butnoother.”
“It’saverylonelycountry.”
“Yes,practicallydesert.Butthenitwouldhavetobe,wouldn’tit?”
“Youmeansoastoleavenotrace?”
“Yes.Onerealizes,doesn’tone,thatthewholethingmustbeverycarefullythoughtout.Eachstageofourjourneyis,asitwere,quiteindependentoftheother.Aplanegoesupinflames.Anoldstationwagondrivesthroughthenight.Ifanyonenoticesit,ithasonitaplatestatingthatitbelongstoacertainarch?ologicalexpeditionthatisexcavatingintheseparts.ThefollowingdaythereisatouringcarfullofBerbers,oneofthecommonestsightstobeseenontheroad.Forthenextstage”—heshruggedhisshoulders—“whoknows?”
“Butwherearewegoing?”
AndyPetersshookhishead.
“Nousetoask.Weshallfindout.”
TheFrenchman,Dr.Barron,hadjoinedthem.
“Yes,”hesaid,“weshallfindout.Buthowtrueitisthatwecannotbutask?Thatisourwesternblood.Wecanneversay‘sufficientfortheday.’Itisalwaystomorrow,tomorrowwithus.Toleaveyesterdaybehind,toproceedtotomorrow.Thatiswhatwedemand.”
“Youwanttohurrytheworldon,Doctor,isthatit?”askedPeters.
“Thereissomuchtoachieve,”saidDr.Barron,“lifeistooshort.Onemusthavemoretime.Moretime,moretime.”Heflungouthishandsinapassionategesture.
PetersturnedtoHilary.
“Whatarethefourfreedomsyoutalkaboutinyourcountry?Freedomfromwant,freedomfromfear….”
TheFrenchmaninterrupted.“Freedomfromfools,”hesaidbitterly.“ThatiswhatIwant!Thatiswhatmyworkneeds.Freedomfromincessant,pettifoggingeconomics!Freedomfromallthenaggingrestrictionsthathamperone’swork!”
“Youareabacteriologist,areyounot,Dr.Barron?”
“Yes,Iamabacteriologist.Ah,youhavenoidea,myfriend,whatafascinatingstudythatis!Butitneedspatience,infinitepatience,repeatedexperiment—andmoney—muchmoney!Onemusthaveequipment,assistants,rawmaterials!Giventhatyouhaveallyouaskfor,whatcanonenotachieve?”
“Happiness?”askedHilary.
Heflashedheraquicksmile,suddenlyhumanagain.
“Ah,youareawoman,Madame.Itiswomenwhoaskalwaysforhappiness.”
“Andseldomgetit?”askedHilary.
Heshruggedhisshoulders.
“Thatmaybe.”
“Individualhappinessdoesnotmatter,”saidPetersseriously;“theremustbethehappinessofall,thebrotherhoodofthespirit!Theworkers,freeandunited,owningthemeansofproduction,freeofthewarmongers,ofthegreedy,insatiablemenwhokeepeverythingintheirownhands.Scienceisforall,andmustnotbeheldjealouslybyonepowerortheother.”
“So!”saidEricssonappreciatively,“youareright.Thescientistsmustbemasters.Theymustcontrolandrule.TheyandtheyalonearetheSupermen.ItisonlytheSupermenwhomatter.Theslavesmustbewelltreated,buttheyareslaves.”
Hilarywalkedalittlewayawayfromthegroup.AfteraminuteortwoPetersfollowedher.
“Youlookjustalittlescared,”hesaidhumorously.
“IthinkIam.”Shegaveashort,breathlesslaugh.“OfcoursewhatDr.Barronsaidwasquitetrue.I’monlyawoman.I’mnotascientist,Idon’tdoresearchorsurgery,orbacteriology.Ihaven’t,Isuppose,muchmentalability.I’mlooking,asDr.Barronsaid,forhappiness—justlikeanyotherfoolofawoman.”
“Andwhat’swrongwiththat?”saidPeters.
“Well,maybeIfeelalittleoutofmydepthinthiscompany.Yousee,I’mjustawomanwho’sgoingtojoinherhusband.”
“Goodenough,”saidPeters.“Yourepresentthefundamental.”
“It’sniceofyoutoputitthatway.”
“Well,it’strue.”Headdedinalowervoice,“Youcareforyourhusbandverymuch?”
“WouldIbehereifIdidn’t?”
“Isupposenot.Yousharehisviews?Itakeitthathe’sacommunist?”
Hilaryavoidedgivingadirectanswer.
“Talkingofbeingacommunist,”shesaid,“hassomethingaboutourlittlegroupstruckyouascurious?”
“What’sthat?”
“Well,thatalthoughwe’reallboundforthesamedestination,theviewsofourfellowtravellersdon’tseemreallyalike.”
Peterssaidthoughtfully:
“Why,no.You’vegotsomethingthere.Ihadn’tthoughtofitquitethatway—butIbelieveyou’reright.”
“Idon’tthink,”saidHilary,“thatDr.Barronispoliticallymindedatall!Hewantsmoneyforhisexperiments.HelgaNeedheimtalkslikeafascist,notacommunist.AndEricsson—”
“WhataboutEricsson?”
“Ifindhimfrightening—he’sgotadangerouskindofsingle-mindedness.He’slikeamadscientistinafilm!”
“AndIbelieveintheBrotherhoodofMen,andyou’realovingwife,andourMrs.CalvinBaker—wherewouldyouplaceher?”
“Idon’tknow.Ifindhermorehardtoplacethananyone.”
“Oh,Iwouldn’tsaythat.I’dsayshewaseasyenough.”
“Howdoyoumean?”
“I’dsayitwasmoneyallthewaywithher.She’sjustawell-paidcoginthewheel.”
“Shefrightensme,too,”saidHilary.
“Why?Whyonearthdoesshefrightenyou?Notouchofthemadscientistabouther.”
“Shefrightensmebecauseshe’ssoordinary.Youknow,justlikeanybodyelse.Andyetshe’smixedupinallthis.”
Peterssaidgrimly:
“ThePartyisrealistic,youknow.Itemploysthebestmanorwomanforthejob.”
“Butissomeonewhoonlywantsmoneythebestpersonforthejob?Mightn’ttheydeserttotheotherside?”
“Thatwouldbeaverybigrisktotake,”saidPeters,quietly.“Mrs.CalvinBaker’sashrewdwoman.Idon’tthinkshe’dtakethatrisk.”
Hilaryshiveredsuddenly.
“Cold?”
“Yes.It’sabitcold.”
“Let’smovearoundalittle.”
Theywalkedupanddown.AstheydidsoPetersstoopedandpickedupsomething
“Here.You’redroppingthings.”
Hilarytookitfromhim.
“Oh,yes,it’sapearlfrommychoker.Ibrokeittheotherday—no,yesterday.Whatagesagothatseemsalready.”
“Notrealpearls,Ihope.”
Hilarysmiled.
“No,ofcoursenot.Costumejewellery.”
Peterstookacigarettecasefromhispocket.
“Costumejewellery,”hesaid;“whataterm!”
Heofferedheracigarette.
“Itdoessoundfoolish—here.”Shetookacigarette.“Whatanoddcigarettecase.Howheavyitis.”
“Madeoflead,that’swhy.It’sawarsouvenir—madeoutofabitofabombthatjustfailedtoblowmeup.”
“Youwere—inthewarthen?”
“Iwasoneofthebackroomboyswhotickledthingstoseeifthey’dgobang.Don’tlet’stalkaboutwars.Let’sconcentrateontomorrow.”
“Wherearewegoing?”askedHilary.“Nobody’stoldmeanything.Arewe—”
Hestoppedher.
“Speculations,”hesaid,“arenotencouraged.Yougowhereyou’retoldanddowhatyou’retold.”
WithsuddenpassionHilarysaid:
“Doyoulikebeingdragooned,beingorderedabout,havingnosayofyourown?”
“I’mpreparedtoacceptitifit’snecessary.Anditisnecessary.We’vegottohaveWorldPeace,WorldDiscipline,WorldOrder.”
“Isitpossible?Canitbegot?”
“Anything’sbetterthanthemuddlewelivein.Don’tyouagreetothat?”
Foramoment,carriedawaybyfatigue,bythelonelinessofhersurroundingsandthestrangebeautyoftheearlymorninglight,Hilarynearlyburstoutintoapassionatedenial.
Shewantedtosay:
“Whydoyoudecrytheworldwelivein?Therearegoodpeopleinit.Isn’tmuddleabetterbreedinggroundforkindlinessandindividualitythanaworldorderthat’simposed,aworldorderthatmayberighttodayandwrongtomorrow?Iwouldratherhaveaworldofkindly,faulty,humanbeings,thanaworldofsuperiorrobotswho’vesaidgoodbyetopityandunderstandingandsympathy.”
Butsherestrainedherselfintime.Shesaidinstead,withadeliberatesubduedenthusiasm:
“Howrightyouare.Iwastired.Wemustobeyandgoforward.”
Hegrinned.
“That’sbetter.”
Ten
Adreamjourney.Soitseemed;moresoeveryday.Itwasasthough,Hilaryfelt,shehadbeentravellingallherlifewiththesefivestrangelyassortedcompanions.Theyhadsteppedofffromthebeatentrackintothevoid.Inonesensethisjourneyoftheirscouldnotbecalledaflight.Theywereall,shesupposed,freeagents;free,thatis,togowheretheychose.Asfarassheknewtheyhadcommittednocrime,theywerenotwantedbythepolice.Yetgreatpainshadbeentakentohidetheirtracks.Sometimesshewonderedwhythiswas,sincetheywerenotfugitives.Itwasasthoughtheywereinprocessofbecomingnotthemselvesbutsomeoneelse.
Thatindeedwasliterallytrueinhercase.ShewhohadleftEnglandasHilaryCravenhadbecomeOliveBetterton,andperhapsherstrangefeelingofunrealityhadsomethingtodowiththat.Everydaytheglibpoliticalslogansseemedtocomemoreeasilytoherlips.Shefeltherselfbecomingearnestandintense,andthatagainsheputdowntotheinfluenceofhercompanions.
Sheknewnowthatshewasafraidofthem.Shehadneverbeforespentanytimeincloseintimacywithpeopleofgenius.Thiswasgeniusatclosequarters,andgeniushadthatsomethingabovethenormalinitthatwasagreatstrainupontheordinarymindandfeeling.Allfiveweredifferentfromeachother,yeteachhadthatcuriousqualityofburningintensity,thesingle-mindednessofpurposethatmadesuchaterrifyingimpression.Shedidnotknowwhetheritwereaqualityofbrainorratheraqualityofoutlook,ofintensity.Buteachofthem,shethought,wasinhisorherwayapassionateidealist.ToDr.Barronlifewasapassionatedesiretobeoncemoreinhislaboratory,tobeabletocalculateandexperimentandworkwithunlimitedmoneyandunlimitedresources.Toworkforwhat?Shedoubtedifheeverputthatquestiontohimself.Hespoketoheronceofthepowersofdestructionthathecouldletlooseonavastcontinent,whichcouldbecontainedinonelittlephial.Shehadsaidtohim:
“Butcouldyoueverdothat?Actuallyreallydoit?”
Andhereplied,lookingatherwithfaintsurprise:
“Yes.Yes,ofcourse,ifitbecamenecessary.”
Hehadsaiditinamerelyperfunctoryfashion.Hehadgoneon:
“Itwouldbeamazinglyinterestingtoseetheexactcourse,theexactprogress.”Andhehadaddedwithadeephalfsigh,“Yousee,there’ssomuchmoretoknow,somuchmoretofindout.”
ForamomentHilaryunderstood.Foramomentshestoodwherehestood,impregnatedwiththatsingle-hearteddesireforknowledgewhichsweptasidelifeanddeathformillionsofhumanbeingsasessentiallyunimportant.Itwasapointofviewand,inaway,anotignobleone.TowardsHelgaNeedheimshefeltmoreantagonistic.Theyoungwoman’ssuperbarrogancerevoltedher.Petersshelikedbutwasfromtimetotimerepulsedandfrightenedbythesuddenfanaticalgleaminhiseye.Shesaidtohimonce:
“Itisnotanewworldyouwanttocreate.Itisdestroyingtheoldonethatyouwillenjoy.”
“You’rewrong,Olive.Whatathingtosay.”
“No,I’mnotwrong.There’shateinyou.Icanfeelit.Hate.Thewishtodestroy.”
Ericssonshefoundthemostpuzzlingofall.Ericsson,shethought,wasadreamer,lesspracticalthantheFrenchman,furtherremovedfromdestructivepassionthantheAmerican.Hehadthestrange,fanaticalidealismoftheNorseman.
“Wemustconquer,”hesaid:“wemustconquertheworld.Thenwecanrule.”
“We?”sheasked.
Henodded,hisfacestrangeandgentlewithadeceptivemildnessabouttheeyes.
“Yes,”hesaid,“wefewwhocount.Thebrains.Thatisallthatmatters.”
Hilarythought,wherearewegoing?Whereisallthisleading?Thesepeoplearemad,butthey’renotmadinthesamewayaseachother.It’sasthoughtheywereallgoingtowardsdifferentgoals,differentmirages.Yes,thatwastheword.Mirages.AndfromthemsheturnedtoacontemplationofMrs.CalvinBaker.Heretherewasnofanaticism,nohate,nodream,noarrogance,noaspiration.TherewasnothingherethatHilarycouldfindortakenoticeof.Shewasawoman,Hilarythought,withouteitherheartorconscience.Shewastheefficientinstrumentinthehandsofabigunknownforce.
Itwastheendofthethirdday.Theyhadcometoasmalltownandalightedatasmallnativehotel.Here,Hilaryfound,theyweretoresumeEuropeanclothing.Shesleptthatnightinasmall,barewhite-washedroom,ratherlikeacell.AtearlydawnMrs.Bakerwokeher.
“We’regoingoffrightnow,”saidMrs.Baker.“Theplane’swaiting.”
“Theplane?”
“Whyyes,mydear.We’rereturningtocivilizedtravelling,thanktheLord.”
Theycametotheairfieldandtheplaneafteraboutanhour’sdrive.Itlookedlikeadisusedarmyairfield.ThepilotwasaFrenchman.Theyflewforsomehours,theirflighttakingthemovermountains.LookingdownfromtheplaneHilarythoughtwhatacurioussamenesstheworldhas,seenfromabove.Mountains,valleys,roads,houses.Unlessonewasreallyanaerialexpertallplaceslookedalike.Thatinsomethepopulationwasdenserthaninothers,wasaboutallthatonecouldsay.Andhalfofthetimeonesawnothingowingtotravellingoverclouds.
Intheearlyafternoontheybegantoloseheightandcircledown.Theywereinmountainouscountrystill,butcomingdowninaflatplain.Therewasawell-markedaerodromehereandawhitebuildingbesideit.Theymadeaperfectlanding.
Mrs.Bakerledthewaytowardsthebuilding.Besideitweretwopowerfulcarswithchauffeursstandingbythem.Itwasclearlyaprivateaerodromeofsomekind,sincethereappearedtobenoofficialreception.
“Journey’send,”saidMrs.Bakercheerfully.“Weallgoinandhaveagoodwashandbrushup.Andthenthecarswillbeready.”
“Journey’send?”Hilarystaredather.“Butwe’venot—wehaven’tcrossedtheseaatall.”
“Didyouexpectto?”Mrs.Bakerseemedamused.Hilarysaidconfusedly:
“Well,yes.Yes,Idid.Ithought…”Shestopped.
Mrs.Bakernoddedherhead.
“Why,sodoalotofpeople.There’salotofnonsensetalkedabouttheIronCurtain,butwhatIsayisanironcurtaincanbeanywhere.Peopledon’tthinkofthat.”
TwoArabservantsreceivedthem.Afterawashandfresheninguptheysatdowntocoffeeandsandwichesandbiscuits.
ThenMrs.Bakerglancedatherwatch.
“Well,solong,folks,”shesaid.“ThisiswhereIleaveyou.”
“AreyougoingbacktoMorocco?”askedHilary,surprised.
“Thatwouldn’tquitedo,”saidMrs.CalvinBaker,“withmebeingsupposedtobeburntupinaplaneaccident!No,Ishallbeonadifferentrunthistime.”
“Butsomeonemightstillrecognizeyou,”saidHilary.“Someone,Imean,who’dmetyouinhotelsinCasablancaorFez.”
“Ah,”saidMrs.Baker,“butthey’dbemakingamistake.I’vegotadifferentpassportnow,thoughit’strueenoughthatasisterofmine,aMrs.CalvinBaker,lostherlifethatway.MysisterandIaresupposedtobeveryalike.”Sheadded,“AndtothecasualpeopleonecomesacrossinhotelsonetravellingAmericanwomanisverylikeanother.”
Yes,Hilarythought,thatwastrueenough.Alltheouter,unimportantcharacteristicswerepresentinMrs.Baker.Theneatness,thetrimness,thecarefullyarrangedbluehair,thehighlymonotonous,prattlingvoice.Innercharacteristics,sherealized,werecarefullymaskedor,indeed,absent.Mrs.CalvinBakerpresentedtotheworldandtohercompanions,afa?ade,butwhatwasbehindthefacadewasnoteasytofathom.Itwasasthoughshehaddeliberatelyextinguishedthosetokensofindividualitybywhichonepersonalityisdistinguishablefromanother.
Hilaryfeltmovedtosayso.SheandMrs.Bakerwerestandingalittleapartfromtherest.
“Onedoesn’tknow,”saidHilary,“intheleastwhatyou’rereallylike?”
“Whyshouldyou?”
“Yes.WhyshouldI?Andyet,youknow,IfeelIoughtto.We’vetravelledtogetherinratherintimatecircumstancesanditseemsoddtomethatIknownothingaboutyou.Nothing,Imean,oftheessentialyou,ofwhatyoufeelandthink,ofwhatyoulikeanddislike,ofwhat’simportanttoyouandwhatisn’t.”
“You’vesuchaprobingmind,mydear,”saidMrs.Baker.“Ifyou’lltakemyadvice,you’llcurbthattendency.”
“Idon’tevenknowwhatpartoftheUnitedStatesyoucomefrom.”
“Thatdoesn’tmattereither.I’vefinishedwithmyowncountry.TherearereasonswhyIcannevergobackthere.IfIcanpayoffagrudgeagainstthatcountry,I’llenjoydoingit.”
Forjustasecondortwomalevolenceshowedbothinherexpressionandinthetoneofhervoice.Thenitrelaxedoncemoreintocheerfultouristtones.
“Well,solong,Mrs.Betterton,Ihopeyouhaveaveryagreeablereunionwithyourhusband.”
Hilarysaidhelplessly:
“Idon’tevenknowwhereIam,whatpartoftheworld,Imean.”
“Oh,that’seasy.Thereneedstobenoconcealmentaboutthatnow.AremotespotintheHighAtlas.That’snearenough—”
Mrs.Bakermovedawayandstartedsayinggoodbyetotheothers.Withafinalgaywaveofherhandshewalkedoutacrossthetarmac.Theplanehadbeenrefuelledandthepilotwasstandingwaitingforher.AfaintcoldchillwentoverHilary.Here,shefelt,washerlastlinkwiththeoutsideworld.Peters,standingnearher,seemedtosenseherreaction.
“Theplaceofnoreturn,”hesaidsoftly.“That’sus,Iguess.”
Dr.Barronsaidsoftly:
“Haveyoustillcourage,Madame,ordoyouatthismomentwanttorunafteryourAmericanfriendandclimbwithherintotheplaneandgoback—backtotheworldyouhaveleft?”
“CouldIgoifIwantedto?”askedHilary.
TheFrenchmanshruggedhisshoulders.
“Onewonders.”
“ShallIcalltoher?”askedAndyPeters.
“Ofcoursenot,”saidHilarysharply.
HelgaNeedheimsaidscornfully:
“Thereisnoroomhereforwomenwhoareweaklings.”
“Sheisnotaweakling,”saidDr.Barronsoftly,“butsheasksherselfquestionsasanyintelligentwomanwoulddo.”Hestressedtheword“intelligent”asthoughitwereareflectionupontheGermanwoman.She,however,wasunaffectedbyhistone.ShedespisedallFrenchmenandwashappilyassuredofherownworth.Ericssonsaid,inhishighnervousvoice:
“Whenonehasatlastreachedfreedom,canoneevencontemplategoingback?”
Hilarysaid:
“Butifitisnotpossibletogoback,ortochoosetogoback,thenitisnotfreedom!”
Oneoftheservantscametothemandsaid:
“Ifyouplease,thecarsarereadynowtostart.”
Theywentoutthroughtheoppositedoorofthebuilding.TwoCadillaccarswerestandingtherewithuniformedchauffeurs.Hilaryindicatedapreferenceforsittinginfrontwiththechauffeur.Sheexplainedtheswingingmotionofalargecaroccasionallymadeherfeelcarsick.Thisexplanationseemedtobeacceptedeasilyenough.AstheydrovealongHilarymadealittledesultoryconversationfromtimetotime.Theweather,theexcellenceofthecar.ShespokeFrenchquiteeasilyandwell,andthechauffeurrespondedagreeably.Hismannerwasentirelynaturalandmatter-of-fact
“Howlongwillittakeus?”sheaskedpresently.
“Fromtheaerodrometothehospital?Itisadriveofperhapstwohours,Madame.”
ThewordsstruckHilarywithfaintlydisagreeablesurprise.Shehadnoted,withoutthinkingmuchaboutit,thatHelgaNeedheimhadchangedattheresthouseandwasnowwearingahospitalnurse’skit.Thisfittedin.
“Tellmesomethingaboutthehospital,”shesaidtothechauffeur.
Hisreplywasenthusiastic.
“Ah,Madame,itismagnificent.Theequipment,itisthemostuptodateintheworld.Manydoctorscomeandvisitit,andallofthemgoawayfullofpraise.Itisagreatthingthatisbeingdonethereforhumanity.”
“Itmustbe,”saidHilary,“yes,yes,indeeditmust.”
“Thesemiserableones,”saidthechauffeur,“theyhavebeensentinthepasttoperishmiserablyonalonelyisland.ButherethisnewtreatmentofDr.Kolini’scuresaveryhighpercentage.Eventhosewhoarefargone.”
“Itseemsalonelyplacetohaveahospital,”saidHilary.
“Ah,Madame,butyouwouldhavetobelonelyinthecircumstances.Theauthoritieswouldinsistuponit.Butitisgoodairhere,wonderfulair.See,Madame,youcanseenowwherewearegoing.”Hepointed.
Theywereapproachingthefirstspursofamountainrange,andonthesideofit,setflatagainstthehillside,wasalonggleamingwhitebuilding.
“Whatanachievement,”saidthechauffeur,“toraisesuchabuildingouthere.Themoneyspentmusthavebeenfantastic.Weowemuch,Madame,totherichphilanthropistsofthisworld.Theyarenotlikegovernmentswhodothingsalwaysinacheapway.Heremoneyhasbeenspentlikewater.Ourpatron,heisoneoftherichestmenintheworld,theysay.Heretrulyhehasbuiltamagnificentachievementforthereliefofhumansuffering.”
Hedroveupawindingtrack.Finallytheycametorestoutsidegreatbarredirongates.
“Youmustdismounthere,Madame,”saidthechauffeur.“ItisnotpermittedthatItakethecarthroughthesegates.Thegaragesareakilometreaway.”
Thetravellersgotoutofthecar.Therewasabigbellpullatthegate,butbeforetheycouldtouchitthegatesswungslowlyopen.Awhite-robedfigurewithablack,smilingfacebowedtothemandbadethementer.Theypassedthroughthegate;atoneside,screenedbyahighfenceofwire,therewasabigcourtyardwheremenwerewalkingupanddown.Asthesementurnedtolookatthearrivals,Hilaryutteredagaspofhorror.
“Butthey’relepers!”sheexclaimed.“Lepers!”
Ashiverofhorrorshookherentireframe.
Eleven
ThegatesoftheLeperColonyclosedbehindthetravellerswithametallicclang.ThenoisestruckonHilary’sstartledconsciousnesswithahorriblenoteoffinality.Abandonhope,itseemedtosay,allyewhoenterhere…This,shethought,wastheend…reallytheend.Anywayofretreattheremighthavebeenwasnowcutoff.
Shewasalonenowamongstenemies,andin,atmost,averyfewminutes,shewouldbeconfrontedwithdiscoveryandfailure.Subconsciously,shesupposed,shehadknownthatallday,butsomeundefeatableoptimismofthehumanspirit,somepersistenceinthebeliefthatthatentityoneselfcouldnotpossiblyceasetoexist,hadbeenmaskingthatfactfromher.ShehadsaidtoJessopinCasablanca,“AndwhenIdoreachTomBetterton?”andhehadsaidthengravelythatthatwaswhenthedangerwouldbecomeacute.Hehadaddedthathehopedthatbythenhemightbeinapositiontogiveherprotection,butthathope,Hilarycouldnotbutrealize,hadfailedtomaterialize.
If“MissHetherington”hadbeentheagentonwhomJessopwasrelying,“MissHetherington”hadbeenoutmanoeuvredandlefttoconfessfailureatMarrakesh.Butinanycase,whatcouldMissHetheringtonhavedone?
Thepartyoftravellershadarrivedattheplaceofnoreturn.Hilaryhadgambledwithdeathandlost.AndsheknewnowthatJessop’sdiagnosishadbeencorrect.Shenolongerwantedtodie.Shewantedtolive.Thezestoflivinghadcomebacktoherinfullstrength.ShecouldthinkofNigel,ofBrenda’sgrave,withasadwonderingpity,butnolongerwiththecoldlifelessdespairthathadurgedherontoseekoblivionindeath.Shethought:“I’maliveagain,sane,whole…andnowI’mlikearatinatrap.Ifonlythereweresomewayout….”
Itwasnotthatshehadgivennothoughttotheproblem.Shehad.Butitseemedtoher,reluctantly,thatonceconfrontedwithBetterton,therecouldbenowayout….
Bettertonwouldsay:“Butthat’snotmywife—”Andthatwouldbethat!Eyesturningtowardsher…realization…aspyintheirmidst…
Becausewhatothersolutioncouldtherebe?Supposingsheweretogetinfirst?Supposingsheweretocryout,beforeTomBettertoncouldgetinaword—“Whoareyou?You’renotmyhusband!”Ifshecouldsimulateindignation,shock,horror,sufficientlywell—mightit,justcredibly,raiseadoubt?AdoubtwhetherBettertonwasBetterton—orsomeotherscientistsenttoimpersonatehim.Aspy,inotherwords.Butiftheybelievedthat,thenitmightberatherhardonBetterton!But,shethought,hermindturningintiredcircles,ifBettertonwasatraitor,amanwillingtosellhiscountry’ssecrets,couldanythingbe“hardonhim?”Howdifficultitwas,shethought,tomakeanyappraisementofloyalties—orindeedanyjudgementsofpeopleorthings…Atanyrateitmightbeworthtrying—tocreateadoubt.
Withagiddyfeeling,shereturnedtoherimmediatesurroundings.Herthoughtshadbeenrunningundergroundwiththefrenziedviolenceofaratcaughtinatrap.Butduringthattimehersurfacestreamofconsciousnesshadbeenplayingitsappointedpart.
Thelittlepartyfromtheoutsideworldhadbeenwelcomedbyabighandsomeman—alinguist,itwouldseem,sincehehadsaidawordortwotoeachpersoninhisorherownlanguage.
“Enchantédefairevotreconnaissance,moncherdocteur,”hewasmurmuringtoDr.Barron,andthenturningtoher:
“Ah,Mrs.Betterton,we’reverypleasedtowelcomeyouhere.Alongconfusingjourney,I’mafraid.Yourhusband’sverywelland,naturally,awaitingyouwithimpatience.”
Hegaveheradiscreetsmile;itwasasmile,shenoticed,thatdidnottouchhiscoldpaleeyes.
“Youmust,”headded,“belongingtoseehim.”
Thegiddinessincreased—shefeltthegrouparoundherapproachingandrecedinglikethewavesofthesea.Besideher,AndyPetersputoutanarmandsteadiedher.
“Iguessyouhaven’theard,”hesaidtotheirwelcominghost.“Mrs.BettertonhadabadcrashatCasablanca—concussion.Thisjourney’sdonehernogood.Northeexcitementoflookingforwardtomeetingherhusband.I’dsaysheoughttoliedownrightnowinadarkenedroom.”
Hilaryfeltthekindnessofhisvoice,ofthesupportingarm.Sheswayedalittlemore.Itwouldbeeasy,incrediblyeasy,tocrumpleattheknees,todropflaccidlydown…tofeignunconsciousness—oratanyratenearunconsciousness.Tobelaidonabedinadarkenedroom—toputoffthemomentofdiscoveryjustalittlelonger…ButBettertonwouldcometoherthere—anyhusbandwould.Hewouldcomethereandleanoverthebedinthedimgloomandatthefirstmurmurofhervoice,thefirstdimoutlineofherfaceashiseyesbecameaccustomedtothetwilight,hewouldrealizethatshewasnotOliveBetterton.
CouragecamebacktoHilary.Shestraightenedup.Colourcameintohercheeks.Sheflungupherhead.
Ifthisweretobetheend,letitbeagallantend!ShewouldgotoBettertonand,whenherepudiatedher,shewouldtryoutthelastlie,comeoutwithitconfidently,fearlessly:
“No,ofcourseI’mnotyourwife.Yourwife—I’mterriblysorry,it’sawful—she’sdead.Iwasinhospitalwithherwhenshedied.IpromisedherI’dgettoyousomehowandgiveyouherlastmessages.Iwantedto.Yousee,I’minsympathywithwhatyoudid—withwhatallofyouaredoing.Iagreewithyoupolitically.Iwanttohelp….”
Thin,thin,allverythin…Andsuchawkwardtriflestoexplain—thefakedpassport—theforgedLetterofCredit.Yes,butpeopledidgetbysometimeswiththemostaudaciouslies—ifoneliedwithsufficientconfidence—ifyouhadthepersonalitytoputathingover.Onecouldatanyrategodownfighting.
Shedrewherselfup,gentlyfreeingherselffromPeters’ssupport.
“Oh,no.ImustseeTom,”shesaid.“Imustgotohim—now—atonce—please.”
Thebigmanwasheartyaboutit.Sympathetic.(Thoughthecoldeyeswerestillpaleandwatchful.)
“Ofcourse,ofcourse,Mrs.Betterton.Iquiteunderstandhowyouarefeeling.Ah,here’sMissJennson.”
Athinspectacledgirlhadjoinedthem.
“MissJennson,meetMrs.Betterton,Fr?uleinNeedheim,Dr.Barron,Mr.Peters,Dr.Ericsson.ShowthemintotheRegistry,willyou?Givethemadrink.I’llbewithyouinafewminutes.JusttakingMrs.Bettertonalongtoherhusband.I’llbewithyouagainshortly.”
HeturnedtoHilaryagain,saying:
“Followme,Mrs.Betterton.”
Hestrodeforward,shefollowed.Atabendinthepassage,shegavealastlookoverhershoulder.AndyPeterswasstillwatchingher.Hehadafaintlypuzzled,unhappylook—shethoughtforamomenthewasgoingtocomewithher.Hemusthaverealized,shethought,thatthere’ssomethingwrong,realizeditfromme,buthedoesn’tknowwhatitis.
Andshethought,withaslightshiver:“It’sthelasttime,perhaps,thatI’lleverseehim…”Andso,assheturnedthecornerafterherguide,sheraisedahandandwavedagoodbye.
Thebigmanwastalkingcheerfully.
“Thisway,Mrs.Betterton.I’mafraidyou’llfindourbuildingsratherconfusingatfirst,somanycorridors,andallratheralike.”
Likeadream,Hilarythought,adreamofhygienicwhitecorridorsalongwhichyoupassforever,turning,goingon,neverfindingyourwayout….
Shesaid:
“Ididn’trealizeitwouldbea—hospital.”
“No,no,ofcourse.Youcouldn’trealizeanything,couldyou?”
Therewasafaintsadisticnoteofamusementinhisvoice.
“You’vehad,astheysay,to‘flyblind’.Myname’sVanHeidem,bytheway.PaulVanHeidem.”
“It’sallalittlestrange—andratherterrifying,”saidHilary.“Thelepers….”
“Yes,yes,ofcourse.Picturesque—andusuallysoveryunexpected.Itdoesupsetnewcomers.Butyou’llgetusedtothem—ohyes,you’llgetusedtothemintime.”
Hegaveaslightchuckle.
“Averygoodjoke,Ialwaysthinkmyself.”
Hepausedsuddenly.
“Uponeflightofstairs—nowdon’thurry.Takeiteasy.Nearlytherenow.”
Nearlythere—nearlythere…Somanystepstodeath…Up—up—deepsteps,deeperthanEuropeansteps.AndnowanotherofthehygienicpassagesandVanHeidemwasstoppingbyadoor.Hetapped,waited,andthenopenedit.
“Ah,Betterton—hereweareatlast.Yourwife!”
Hestoodasidewithaslightflourish.
Hilarywalkedintotheroom.Noholdingback.Noshrinking.Chinup.Forwardtodoom.
Amanstoodhalfturnedfromthewindow,analmoststartlinglygood-lookingman.Shenotedthat,recognizinghisfairhandsomenesswithafeelingalmostofsurprise.Hewasn’t,somehow,herideaofTomBetterton.Surely,thephotographofhimthatshehadbeenshownwasn’tintheleast—
Itwasthatconfusedfeelingofsurprisethatdecidedher.Shewouldgoalloutforherfirstdesperateexpedient.
Shemadeaquickmovementforward,thendrewback.Hervoicerangout,startled,dismayed….
“But—thatisn’tTom.Thatisn’tmyhusband…”Itwaswelldone,shefeltitherself.Dramatic,butnotoverdramatic.HereyesmetVanHeidem’sinbewilderedquestioning.
AndthenTomBettertonlaughed.Aquiet,amused,almosttriumphantlaugh.
“Prettygood,eh,VanHeidem?”hesaid.“Ifevenmyownwifedoesn’tknowme!”
Withfourquickstepshehadcrossedtoherandgatheredhertightlyintohisarms.
“Olive,darling.Ofcourseyouknowme.I’mTomallrightevenifIhaven’tgotquitethesamefaceasIusedtohave.”
Hisfacepressedagainsthers,hislipsbyherear,shecaughtthefaintwhisperedaddition.
“Playup.ForGod’ssake.Danger.”
Hereleasedherforamoment,caughthertohimagain.
“Darling!It’sseemedyears—yearsandyears.Butyou’rehereatlast!”
Shecouldfeelthewarningpressureofhisfingersbelowhershoulderblades,admonishingher,givingtheirurgentmessage.
Onlyafteramomentortwodidhereleaseher,pushheralittlefromhimandlookintoherface.
“Istillcan’tquitebelieveit,”hesaid,withanexcitedlittlelaugh.“Still,youknowit’smenow,don’tyou?”
Hiseyes,burningintohers,stillheldthatmessageofwarning.
Shedidn’tunderstandit—couldn’tunderstandit.Butitwasamiraclefromheavenandsheralliedtoplayherpart
“Tom!”shesaid,andtherewasacatchinhervoicethatherlisteningearsapproved.“Oh,Tom—butwhat—”
“Plasticsurgery!HertzofViennaishere.Andhe’salivingmarvel.Don’tsayyouregretmyoldcrushednose.”
Hekissedheragain,lightly,easily,thistime,thenturnedtothewatchingVanHeidemwithaslightapologeticlaugh.
“Forgivethetransports,VanHeidem,”hesaid.
“Butnaturally,naturally—”theDutchmansmiledbenevolently.
“It’sbeensolong,”saidHilary,“andI—”sheswayedalittle;“I—please,canIsitdown?”
HurriedlyTomBettertoneasedherintoachair.
“Ofcourse,darling.You’reallin.Thatfrightfuljourney.Andtheplaneaccident.MyGod,whatanescape!”
(Sotherewasfullcommunication.Theyknewallabouttheplanecrash.)
“It’sleftmeterriblywoolly-headed,”saidHilary,withanapologeticlittlelaugh.“Iforgetthingsandgetmuddledup,andhaveawfulheadaches.Andthen,findingyoulookinglikeatotalstranger!I’mabitofamess,darling.IhopeIwon’tbeabothertoyou!”
“Youabother?Never.You’lljusthavetotakeiteasyforabit,that’sall.There’sallthe—timeintheworldhere.”
VanHeidemmovedgentlytowardsthedoor.
“Iwillleaveyounow,”hesaid.“AfteralittleyouwillbringyourwifetotheRegistry,Betterton?Forthemomentyouwillliketobealone.”
Hewentout,shuttingthedoorbehindhim.
ImmediatelyBettertondroppedonhiskneesbyHilaryandburiedhisfaceonhershoulder.
“Darling,darling,”hesaid.
Andonceagainshefeltthatwarningpressureofthefingers.Thewhisper,sofaintashardlytobeheard,wasurgentandinsistent.
“Keepitup.Theremightbeamicrophone—oneneverknows.”
Thatwasit,ofcourse.Oneneverknew…Fear—uneasiness—uncertainty—danger—alwaysdanger—shecouldfeelitintheatmosphere.
TomBettertonsatbackonhishaunches.
“It’ssowonderfultoseeyou,”hesaidsoftly.“Andyet,youknow,it’slikeadream—notquitereal.Doyoufeellikethat,too?”
“Yes,that’sjustit—adream—beinghere—withyou—atlast.Itdoesn’tseemreal,Tom.”
Shehadplacedbothhandsonhisshoulders.Shewaslookingathim,afaintsmileonherlips.(Theremightbeaspy-holeaswellasamicrophone.)
Coollyandcalmlysheappraisedwhatshesaw.Anervousgood-lookingmanofthirty-oddwhowasbadlyfrightened—amannearlyattheendofhistether—amanwhohad,presumably,comeherefullofhighhopesandhadbeenreduced—tothis.
Nowthatshehadsurmountedherfirsthurdle,Hilaryfeltacuriousexhilarationintheplayingofherpart.ShemustbeOliveBetterton.ActasOlivewouldhaveacted,feelasOlivewouldhavefelt.Andlifewassounrealthatthatseemedquitenatural.SomebodycalledHilaryCravenhaddiedinanaeroplaneaccident.Fromnowonshewouldn’tevenrememberher.
Instead,sheralliedhermemoriesofthelessonsshehadstudiedsoassiduously.
“ItseemssuchagessinceFirbank,”shesaid.“Whiskers—yourememberWhiskers?Shehadkittens—justafteryouwentaway.Therearesomanythings,sillyeverydaylittlethings,youdon’tevenknowabout.That’swhatseemssoodd.”
“Iknow.It’sbreakingwithanoldlifeandbeginninganewone.”
“And—it’sallrighthere?You’rehappy?”
Anecessarywifelyquestionthatanywifewouldask.
“It’swonderful.”TomBettertonsquaredhisshoulders,threwhisheadback.Unhappy,frightenedeyeslookedoutofasmilingconfidentface.“Everyfacility.Noexpensespared.Perfectconditionstogetonwiththejob.Andtheorganization!It’sunbelievable.”
“Oh,I’msureitis.Myjourney—didyoucomethesameway?”
“Onedoesn’ttalkaboutthat.Oh,I’mnotsnubbingyou,darling.But—yousee,you’vegottolearnabouteverything.”
“Butthelepers?IsitreallyaLeperColony?”
“Ohyes.Perfectlygenuine.There’sateamofmedicosdoingveryfineworkinresearchonthesubject.Butit’squiteself-contained.Itneedn’tworryyou.It’sjust—clevercamouflage.”
“Isee.”Hilarylookedroundher.“Aretheseourquarters?”
“Yes.Sittingroom,bathroomthere,bedroombeyond.Come,I’llshowyou.”
Shegotupandfollowedhimthroughawell-appointedbathroomintoagood-sizedbedroomwithtwinbeds,bigbuilt-incupboards,adressingtable,andabookshelfnearthebeds.Hilarylookedintothecupboardspacewithsomeamusement
“IhardlyknowwhatI’mgoingtoputinhere,”sheremarked.“AllI’vegotiswhatIcanstandupin.”
“Ohthat.Youcanfityourselfoutwithallyouwant.There’safashionmodeldepartmentandallaccessories,cosmetics,everything.Allfirst-class.TheUnitisquiteself-contained—allyouwantonthepremises.Noneedtogooutsideeveragain.”
Hesaidthewordslightly,butitseemedtoHilary’ssensitiveearthattherewasdespairconcealedbehindthewords
“Noneedtogooutsideeveragain.Nochanceofevergoingoutsideagain.Abandonhopeallyewhoenterhere…Thewell-appointedcage!Wasitforthis,”shethought,“thatallthesevaryingpersonalitieshadabandonedtheircountries,theirloyalties,theireverydaylives?Dr.Barron,AndyPeters,youngEricssonwithhisdreamingface,theoverbearingHelgaNeedheim?Didtheyknowwhattheywerecomingtofind?Wouldtheybecontent?Wasthiswhat
Shethought:“I’dbetternotasktoomanyquestions…ifsomeoneislistening.”
Wassomeonelistening?Weretheybeingspiedupon?TomBettertonevidentlythoughtitmightbeso.Butwasheright?Orwasitnerves—hysteria?TomBetterton,shethought,wasveryneartoabreakdown.
“Yes,”shethoughtgrimly,“andsomayyoube,mygirl,insixmonths’time…”Whatdiditdotopeople,shewondered,livinglikethis?
TomBettertonsaidtoher:
“Wouldyouliketoliedown—torest?”
“No—”shehesitated.“No,Idon’tthinkso.”
“Thenperhapsyou’dbettercomewithmetotheRegistry.”
“What’stheRegistry?”
“EveryonewhoclocksingoesthroughtheRegistry.Theyrecordeverythingaboutyou.Health,teeth,bloodpressure,bloodgroup,psychologicalreactions,tastes,dislikes,allergies,aptitudes,preferences.”
“Itsoundsverymilitary—ordoImeanmedical?”
“Both,”saidTomBetterton.“Both.Thisorganization—it’sreallyformidable.”
“One’salwaysheardso,”saidHilary.“ImeanthateverythingbehindtheIronCurtainisreallyproperlyplanned.”
Shetriedtoputaproperenthusiasmintohervoice.Afterall,OliveBettertonhadpresumablybeenasympathizerwiththeParty,although,perhapsbyorder,shehadnotbeenknowntobeaPartymember.
Bettertonsaidevasively:
“There’salotforyouto—understand.”Headdedquickly:“Betternottrytotakeintoomuchatonce.”
Hekissedheragain,acurious,apparentlytenderandevenpassionatekiss,thatwasactuallyascoldasice,murmuredverylowinherear,“Keepitup,”andsaidaloud,“Andnow,comedowntotheRegistry.”
Twelve
TheRegistrywaspresidedoverbyawomanwholookedlikeastrictnurserygoverness.Herhairwasrolledintoaratherhideousbunandsheworeveryefficient-lookingpince-nez.ShenoddedapprovalastheBettertonsenteredthesevereoffice-likeroom.
“Ah,”shesaid.“You’vebroughtMrs.Betterton.That’sright.”
HerEnglishwasperfectlyidiomaticbutitwasspokenwithastiltedprecisionwhichmadeHilarybelievethatshewasprobablyaforeigner.Actually,hernationalitywasSwiss.ShemotionedHilarytoachair,openedadrawerbesideherandtookoutasheafofformsuponwhichshecommencedtowriterapidly.TomBettertonsaidratherawkwardly:
“Wellthen,Olive,I’llleaveyou.”
“Yesplease,Dr.Betterton.It’smuchbettertogetthroughalltheformalitiesstraightaway.”
Bettertonwentout,shuttingthedoorbehindhim.TheRobot,forassuchHilarythoughtofher,continuedtowrite.
“Nowthen,”shesaid,inabusinesslikeway.“Fullname,please.Age.Whereborn.Fatherandmother’snames.Anyseriousillnesses.Tastes.Hobbies.Listofanyjobsheld.Degreesatanyuniversity.Preferencesinfoodanddrink.”
Itwenton,aseeminglyendlesscatalogue.Hilaryrespondedvaguely,almostmechanically.ShewasgladnowofthecarefulprimingshehadreceivedfromJessop.Shehadmastereditallsowellthattheresponsescameautomatically,withouthavingtopauseorthink.TheRobotsaidfinally,asshemadethelastentry:
“Well,thatseemstobeallforthisdepartment.Nowwe’llhandyouovertoDoctorSchwartzformedicalexamination.”
“Really!”saidHilary.“Isallthisnecessary?Itseemsmostabsurd.”
“Oh,webelieveinbeingthorough,Mrs.Betterton.Weliketohaveeverythingdownintherecords.You’lllikeDr.Schwartzverymuch.ThenfromheryougoontoDoctorRubec.”
Dr.Schwartzwasfairandamiableandfemale.ShegaveHilaryameticulousphysicalexaminationandthensaid:
“So!Thatisfinished.NowyougotoDr.Rubec.”
“WhoisDr.Rubec?”Hilaryasked.“Anotherdoctor?”
“Dr.Rubecisapsychologist.”
“Idon’twantapsychologist.Idon’tlikepsychologists.”
“Nowpleasedon’tgetupset,Mrs.Betterton.You’renotgoingtohavetreatmentofanykind.It’ssimplyaquestionofanintelligencetestandofyourtype-grouppersonality.”
Dr.Rubecwasatall,melancholySwissofaboutfortyyearsofage.HegreetedHilary,glancedatthecardthathadbeenpassedontohimbyDr.Schwartzandnoddedhisheadapprovingly.
“Yourhealthisgood,Iamgladtosee,”hesaid.“Youhavehadanaeroplanecrashrecently,Iunderstand.”
“Yes,”saidHilary.“IwasfourorfivedaysinhospitalatCasablanca.”
“Fourorfivedaysisnotenough,”saidDr.Rubecreprovingly.“Youshouldhavebeentherelonger.”
“Ididn’twanttobetherelonger.Iwantedtogetonwithmyjourney.”
“That,ofcourse,isunderstandable,butitisimportantwithconcussionthatplentyofrestshouldbehad.Youmayappearquitewellandnormalafteritbutitmayhaveseriouseffects.Yes,Iseeyournervereflexesarenotquitewhattheyshouldbe.Partlytheexcitementofthejourneyandpartly,nodoubt,duetoconcussion.Doyougetheadaches?”
“Yes.Verybadheadaches.AndIgetmuddledupeverynowandthenandcan’trememberthings.”
Hilaryfeltitwelltostressthisparticularpoint.Dr.Rubecnoddedsoothingly.
“Yes,yes,yes.Butdonottroubleyourself.Allthatwillpass.Nowwewillhaveafewassociationtests,soastodecidewhattypeofmentalityyouare.”Hilaryfeltfaintlynervousbutallappearedtopassoffwell.Thetestseemedtobeofamerelyroutinenature.Dr.Rubecmadevariousentriesonalongform.
“Itisapleasure,”hesaidatlast,“todealwithsomeone(ifyouwillexcuseme,Madame,andnottakeamisswhatIamgoingtosay)todealwithsomeonewhoisnotinanywayagenius!”
Hilarylaughed.
“Oh,I’mcertainlynotagenius,”shesaid.
“Fortunatelyforyou,”saidDr.Rubec.“Icanassureyouyourexistencewillbefarmoretranquil.”Hesighed.“Here,asyouprobablyunderstand,Idealmostlywithkeenintellects,butwiththetypeofsensitiveintellectthatisapttobecomeeasilyunbalanced,andwheretheemotionalstressisstrong.Themanofscience,Madame,isnotthecool,calmindividualheismadeouttobeinfiction.Infact,”saidDr.Rubec,thoughtfully,“betweenafirst-classtennisplayer,anoperaticprima-donnaandanuclearphysicistthereisreallyverylittledifferenceasfarasemotionalstabilitygoes.”
“Perhapsyouareright,”saidHilary,rememberingthatshewassupposedtohavelivedforsomeyearsincloseproximitytoscientists.“Yes,theyarerathertemperamentalsometimes.”
Dr.Rubecthrewupapairofexpressivehands.
“Youwouldnotbelieve,”hesaid,“theemotionsthatarisehere!Thequarrels,thejealousies,thetouchiness!Wehavetotakestepstodealwithallthat.Butyou,Madame,”hesmiled.“Youareinaclassthatisinasmallminorityhere.Afortunateclass,ifImaysoexpressmyself.”
“Idon’tquiteunderstandyou.Whatkindofaminority?”
“Wives,”saidDr.Rubec.“Wehavenotmanywiveshere.Veryfewarepermitted.Onefindsthem,onthewhole,refreshinglyfreefromthebrainstormsoftheirhusbandsandtheirhusbands’colleagues.”
“Whatdowivesdohere?”askedHilary.Sheaddedapologetically,“Youseeit’sallsonewtome.Idon’tunderstandanythingyet.”
“Naturallynot.Naturally.Thatisboundtobethecase.Therearehobbies,recreations,amusements,instructionalcourses.Awidefield.Youwillfindit,Ihope,anagreeablelife.”
“Asyoudo?”
Itwasaquestion,andratheranaudaciousone,andHilarywonderedamomentortwolaterwhethershehadbeenwisetoaskit.ButDr.Rubecmerelyseemedamused.
“Youarequiteright,Madame,”hesaid.“Ifindlifeherepeacefulandinterestingintheextreme.”
“Youdon’teverregret—Switzerland?”
“Iamnothomesick.No.Thatispartlybecause,inmycase,myhomeconditionswerebad.Ihadawifeandseveralchildren.Iwasnotcutout,Madame,tobeafamilyman.Hereconditionsareinfinitelymorepleasant.IhaveampleopportunityofstudyingcertainaspectsofthehumanmindwhichinterestmeandonwhichIamwritingabook.Ihavenodomesticcares,nodistractions,nointerruptions.Itallsuitsmeadmirably.”
“AndwheredoIgonext?”askedHilary,asheroseandshookhercourteouslyandformallybythehand.
“MademoiselleLaRochewilltakeyoutothedressdepartment.Theresult,Iamsure”—hebowed—“willbeadmirable.”
AfterthesevereRobot-likefemalesshehadmetsofar,HilarywasagreeablysurprisedbyMademoiselleLaRoche.MademoiselleLaRochehadbeenavendeuseinoneoftheParishousesofhautecoutureandhermannerwasthrillinglyfeminine
“Iamdelighted,Madame,tomakeyouracquaintance.IhopethatIcanbeofassistancetoyou.Sinceyouhavejustarrivedandsinceyouare,nodoubt,tired,Iwouldsuggestthatyouselectnowjustafewessentials.Tomorrowandindeedduringthecourseofnextweek,youcanexaminewhatwehaveinstockatyourleisure.Itistiresome,Ialwaysthink,tohavetoselectthingsrapidly.Itdestroysallthepleasureoflatoilette.SoIwouldsuggest,ifyouagree,justasetofunderclothing,adinnerdress,andperhapsatailleur.”
“Howdelightfulitsounds,”saidHilary.“Icannottellyouhowodditfeelstoownnothingbutatoothbrushandasponge.”
MademoiselleLaRochelaughedcheeringly.ShetookafewrapidmeasuresandledHilaryintoabigdepartmentwithbuilt-incupboards.Therewereclotheshereofeverydescription,madeofgoodmaterialandexcellentcutandinalargevarietyofsizes.WhenHilaryhadselectedtheessentialsoflatoilette,theypassedontothecosmeticsdepartmentwhereHilarymadeaselectionofpowders,creamsandvariousothertoiletaccessories.Thesewerehandedtooneoftheassistants,anativegirlwithashiningdarkface,dressedinspotlesswhite,andshewasinstructedtoseethattheyweredeliveredtoHilary’sapartment.
AlltheseproceedingshadseemedtoHilarymoreandmorelikeadream.
“Andweshallhavethepleasureofseeingyouagainshortly,Ihope,”saidMademoiselleLaRoche,gracefully.“Itwillbeagreatpleasure,Madame,toassistyoutoselectfromourmodels.Entrenousmyworkissometimesdisappointing.Thesescientificladiesoftentakeverylittleinterestinlatoilette.Infact,nothalfanhouragoIhadafellowtravellerofyours.”
“HelgaNeedheim?”
“Ahyes,thatwasthename.Sheis,ofcourse,aBoche,andtheBochesarenotsympathetictous.Sheisnotactuallybad-lookingifshetookalittlecareofherfigure;ifshechoseaflatteringlineshecouldlookverywell.Butno!Shehasnointerestinclothes.Sheisadoctor,Iunderstand.Aspecialistofsomekind.Letushopeshetakesmoreinterestinherpatientsthanshedoesinhertoilette—Ah!thatone,whatmanwilllookathertwice?”
MissJennson,thethin,dark,spectacledgirlwhohadmetthepartyonarrival,nowenteredthefashionsalon.
“Haveyoufinishedhere,Mrs.Betterton?”sheasked.
“Yes,thankyou,”saidHilary.
“ThenperhapsyouwillcomeandseetheDeputyDirector.”
HilarysaidaurevoirtoMademoiselleLaRocheandfollowedtheearnestMissJennson.
“WhoistheDeputyDirector?”sheasked.
“DoctorNielson.”
Everybody,Hilaryreflected,inthisplacewasadoctorofsomething.
“WhoexactlyisDoctorNielson?”sheasked.“Medical,scientific,what?”
“Oh,he’snotmedical,Mrs.Betterton.He’sinchargeofAdministration.Allcomplaintshavetogotohim.He’stheadministrativeheadoftheUnit.Healwayshasaninterviewwitheveryonewhentheyarrive.AfterthatIdon’tsupposeyou’lleverseehimagainunlesssomethingveryimportantshouldarise.”
“Isee,”saidHilary,meekly.Shehadanamusedfeelingofhavingbeenputseverelyinherplace.
AdmissiontoDr.Nielsonwasthroughtwoantechamberswherestenographerswereworking.SheandherguidewerefinallyadmittedintotheinnersanctumwhereDr.Nielsonrosefrombehindalargeexecutive’sdesk.Hewasabig,floridmanwithanurbanemanner.Oftransatlanticorigin,Hilarythought,thoughhehadverylittleAmericanaccent.
“Ah!”hesaid,risingandcomingforwardtoshakeHilarybythehand.“Thisis—yes—letmesee—yes,Mrs.Betterton.Delightedtowelcomeyouhere,Mrs.Betterton.Wehopeyou’llbeveryhappywithus.Sorrytohearoftheunfortunateaccidentduringthecourseofyourjourney,butI’mgladitwasnoworse.Yes,youwereluckythere.Veryluckyindeed.Well,yourhusband’sbeenawaitingyouimpatientlyandIhopenowyou’vegothereyouwillsettledownandbeveryhappyamongstus.”
“Thankyou,Dr.Nielson.”Hilarysatdowninthechairhedrewforwardforher.
“Anyquestionsyouwanttoaskme?”Dr.Nielsonleantforwardoverhisdeskinanencouragingmanner.Hilarylaughedalittle.
“That’samostdifficultthingtoanswer,”shesaid.“Therealansweris,ofcourse,thatI’vegotsomanyquestionstoaskthatIdon’tknowwheretobegin.”
“Quite,quite.Iunderstandthat.Ifyou’lltakemyadvice—thisisjustadvice,youknow,nothingmore—Ishouldn’taskanything.Justadaptyourselfandseewhatcomes.That’sthebestway,believeme.”
“IfeelIknowsolittle,”saidHilary.“It’sallso—soveryunexpected.”
“Yes.Mostpeoplethinkthat.ThegeneralideaseemstohavebeenthatonewasgoingtoarriveinMoscow.”Helaughedcheerfully.“Ourdeserthomeisquiteasurprisetomostpeople.”
“Itwascertainlyasurprisetome.”
“Well,wedon’ttellpeopletoomuchbeforehand.Theymightn’tbediscreet,youknow,anddiscretion’sratherimportant.Butyou’llbecomfortablehere,you’llfind.Anythingyoudon’tlike—orparticularlywouldliketohave…justputinarequestforitandwe’llseewhatcanbemanaged!Anyartisticrequirement,forinstance.Painting,sculpture,music,wehaveadepartmentforallthatsortofthing.”
“I’mafraidI’mnottalentedthatway.”
“Well,there’splentyofsociallifetoo,ofakind.Games,youknow.Wehavetenniscourts,squashcourts.Ittakesaweekortwo,weoftenfind,forpeopletofindtheirfeet,especiallythewives,ifImaysayso.Yourhusband’sgothisjobandhe’sbusywithitandittakesalittletime,sometimes,forthewivestofind—well—otherwiveswhoarecongenial.Allthatsortofthing.Youunderstandme.”
“Butdoesone—doesone—stayhere?”
“Stayhere?Idon’tquiteunderstandyou,Mrs.Betterton.”
“Imean,doesonestayhereorgoonsomewhereelse?”
Dr.Nielsonbecamerathervague.
“Ah,”hesaid.“Thatdependsonyourhusband.Ah,yes,yes,thatdependsverymuchonhim.Therearepossibilities.Variouspossibilities.Butit’sbetternottogointoallthatjustnow.I’dsuggest,youknow,thatyou—well—comeandseemeagainperhapsinthreeweeks’time.Tellmehowyou’vesettleddown.Allthatkindofthing.”
“Doesone—gooutatall?”
“Goout,Mrs.Betterton?”
“Imeanoutsidethewalls.Thegates.”
“Averynaturalquestion,”saidDr.Nielson.Hismannerwasnowratherheavilybeneficent.“Yes,verynatural.Mostpeopleaskitwhentheycomehere.ButthepointofourUnitisthatit’saworldinitself.Thereisnothing,ifImaysoexpressmyself,togooutto.Outsideusthereisonlydesert.NowI’mnotblamingyou,Mrs.Betterton.Mostpeoplefeellikethatwhentheyfirstgethere.Slightclaustrophobia.That’showDr.Rubecputsit.ButIassureyouthatitpassesoff.It’sahangover,ifImaysoexpressit,fromtheworldyouhaveleft.Haveyoueverobservedananthill,Mrs.Betterton?Aninterestingsight.Veryinterestingandveryinstructive.Hundredsoflittleblackinsectshurryingtoandfro,soearnest,soeager,sopurposeful.Andyetthewholething’ssuchamuddle.That’sthebadoldworldyouhaveleft.Herethereisleisure,purpose,infinitetime.Iassureyou,”hesmiled,“anearthlyparadise.”
Thirteen
“It’slikeaschool,”saidHilary.
Shewasbackoncemoreinherownapartment.Theclothesandaccessoriesshehadchosenwereawaitingherinthebedroom.Shehungtheclothesinthecupboardandarrangedtheotherthingstoherliking.
“Iknow,”saidBetterton,“Ifeltlikethatatfirst.”
Theirconversationwaswaryandslightlystilted.Theshadowofapossiblemicrophonestillhungoverthem.Hesaidinanobliquemanner:
“Ithinkit’sallright,youknow.IthinkIwasprobablyimaginingthings.Butallthesame….”
Heleftitatthat,andHilaryrealizedthatwhathehadleftunsaidwas,“butallthesame,wehadbetterbecareful.”
Thewholebusinesswas,Hilarythought,likesomefantasticnightmare.Hereshewas,sharingabedroomwithastrangeman,andyetsostrongwasthefeelingofuncertainty,anddanger,thattoneitherofthemdidtheintimacyappearembarrassing.Itwaslike,shethought,climbingaSwissmountainwhereyoushareahutincloseproximitywithguidesandotherclimbersasamatterofcourse.AfteraminuteortwoBettertonsaid:
“Italltakesabitofgettingusedto,youknow.Let’sjustbeverynatural.Veryordinary.Moreorlessasifwewereathomestill.”
Sherealizedthewisdomofthat.Thefeelingofunrealitypersistedandwouldpersist,shesupposed,somelittletime.ThereasonsforBettertonleavingEngland,hishopes,hisdisillusionment,couldnotbetoucheduponbetweenthematthismoment.Theyweretwopeopleplayingapartwithanundefinedmenacehangingoverthem,asitwere.Shesaidpresently:
“Iwastakenthroughalotofformalities.Medical,psychologicalandallthat.”
“Yes.That’salwaysdone.It’snatural,Isuppose.”
“Didthesamehappentoyou?”
“Moreorless.”
“ThenIwentintoseethe—DeputyDirectorIthinktheycalledhim?”
“That’sright.Herunsthisplace.Verycapableandathoroughlygoodadministrator.”
“Buthe’snotreallytheheadofitall?”
“Ohno,there’stheDirectorhimself.”
“Doesone—doI—shallIseetheDirector?”
“SoonerorlaterIexpect.Buthedoesn’toftenappear.Hegivesusanaddressfromtimetotime—he’sgotawonderfullystimulatingpersonality.”
TherewasafaintfrownbetweenBetterton’sbrowsandHilarythoughtitwisetoabandonthesubject.Bettertonsaid,glancingatawatch:
“Dinnerisateight.Eighttoeight-thirty,thatis.We’dbetterbegettingdown,ifyou’reready?”
Hespokeexactlyasthoughtheywerestayinginahotel.
Hilaryhadchangedintothedressshehadselected.Asoftshadeofgrey-greenthatmadeagoodbackgroundforherredhair.Sheclaspedanecklaceofratherattractivecostumejewelleryroundherneckandsaidshewasready.Theywentdownthestairsandalongcorridorsandfinallyintoalargediningroom.MissJennsoncameforwardandmetthem.
“Ihavearrangedaslightlylargertableforyou,Tom,”shesaidtoBetterton.“Acoupleofyourwife’sfellowtravellerswillsitwithyou—andtheMurchisons,ofcourse.”
Theywentalongtothetableindicated.Theroomcontainedmostlysmalltablesseatingfour,eightortenpersons.AndyPetersandEricssonwerealreadysittingatthetableandroseasHilaryandTomapproached.Hilaryintroducedher“husband”tothetwomen.Theysatdown,andpresentlytheywerejoinedbyanothercouple.TheseBettertonintroducedasDr.andMrs.Murchison.
“SimonandIworkinthesamelab,”hesaid,inanexplanatoryfashion.
SimonMurchisonwasathin,anaemic-lookingyoungmanofabouttwenty-six.Hiswifewasdarkandstocky.Shespokewithastrongforeignaccentandwas,Hilarygathered,anItalian.HerChristiannamewasBianca.ShegreetedHilarypolitelybut,orsoitseemedtoHilary,withacertainreserve.
“Tomorrow,”shesaid,“Iwillshowyouaroundtheplace.Youarenotascientist,no?”
“I’mafraid,”saidHilary,“thatIhavehadnoscientifictraining.”Sheadded,“Iworkedasasecretarybeforemymarriage.”
“Biancahashadlegaltraining,”saidherhusband.“Shehasstudiedeconomicsandcommerciallaw.Sometimesshegiveslecturesherebutitisdifficulttofindenoughtodotooccupyone’stime.”
Biancashruggedhershoulders.
“Ishallmanage,”shesaid.“Afterall,Simon,IcameheretobewithyouandIthinkthatthereismuchherethatcouldbebetterorganized.Iamstudyingconditions.PerhapsMrs.Betterton,sinceshewillnotbeengagedonscientificwork,canhelpmewiththesethings.”
Hilaryhastenedtoagreetothisplan.AndyPetersmadethemalllaughbysayingruefully:
“IguessIfeelratherlikeahomesicklittleboywho’sjustgonetoboardingschool.I’llbegladtogetdowntodoingsomework.”
“It’sawonderfulplaceforworking,”saidSimonMurchisonwithenthusiasm.“Nointerruptionsandalltheapparatusyouwant.”
“What’syourline?”askedAndyPeters.
PresentlythethreemenweretalkingajargonoftheirownwhichHilaryfounddifficulttofollow.SheturnedtoEricssonwhowasleaningbackinhischair,hiseyesabstracted.
“Andyou?”sheasked.“Doyoufeellikeahomesicklittleboy,too?”
Helookedatherasthoughfromalongwayaway.
“Idonotneedahome,”hesaid.“Allthesethings;home,tiesofaffection,parents,children;alltheseareagreathindrance.Toworkoneshouldbequitefree.”
“Andyoufeelthatyouwillbefreehere?”
“Onecannottellyet.Onehopesso.”
BiancaspoketoHilary.
“Afterdinner,”shesaid,“thereisachoiceofmanythingstodo.Thereisacardroomandyoucanplaybridge;orthereisacinema,orthreenightsaweektheatricalperformancesaregivenandoccasionallythereisdancing.”
Ericssonfrowneddisapprovingly.
“Allthesethingsareunnecessary,”hesaid.“Theydissipateenergy.”
“Notforuswomen,”saidBianca.“Foruswomentheyarenecessary.”
Helookedatherwithanalmostcoldandimpersonaldislike.
Hilarythought:“Tohimwomenareunnecessary,too.”
“Ishallgotobedearly,”saidHilary.Sheyawneddeliberately.“Idon’tthinkIwanttoseeafilmorplaybridgethisevening.”
“No,dear,”saidTomBettertonhastily.“Muchbettertogotobedreallyearlyandhaveagoodnight’srest.You’vehadaverytiringjourney,remember.”
Astheyrosefromtable,Bettertonsaid:
“Theairhereiswonderfulatnight.Weusuallytakeaturnortwoontheroofgardenafterdinner,beforedispersingtorecreationsorstudy.We’llgoupthereforalittleandthenyou’dbettergotobed.”
Theywentupinaliftmannedbyamagnificent-lookingnativeinwhiterobes.Theattendantsweredarker-skinnedandofamoremassivebuildthantheslight,fairBerbers—adeserttype,Hilarythought.Hilarywasstartledbytheunexpectedbeautyoftheroofgarden,andalsobythelavishexpenditurethatmusthavegonetocreateit.Tonsofearthmusthavebeenbroughtandcarrieduphere.TheresultwaslikeanArabianNightsfairytale.Therewasthesplashofwater,tallpalms,thetropicalleavesofbananasandotherplantsandpathsofbeautifulcolouredtileswithdesignsofPersianflowers.
“It’sunbelievable,”saidHilary.“Hereinthemiddleofthedesert.”Shespokeoutwhatshehadfelt:“It’sanArabianNightsfairytale.”
“Iagreewithyou,Mrs.Betterton,”saidMurchison.“Itlooksexactlyasthoughithascomeintobeingbyconjuringupadjinn!Ahwell—Isupposeeveninthedesertthere’snothingyoucan’tdo,givenwaterandmoney—plentyofbothofthem.”
“Wheredoesthewatercomefrom?”
“Springtappeddeepinthemountain.That’stheraisond’êtreoftheUnit.”
Afairsprinklingofpeoplewereontheroofgarden,butlittlebylittletheydwindledaway.
TheMurchisonsexcusedthemselves.Theyweregoingtowatchsomeballet.
Therewerefewpeopleleftnow.BettertonguidedHilarywithhishandonherarmtoaclearspaceneartheparapet.Thestarsshowedabovethemandtheairwascoldnow,crispandexhilarating.Theywerealonehere.Hilarysatdownonthelowconcrete,andBettertonstoodinfrontofher.
“Nowthen,”hesaidinalownervousvoice.“Whothehellareyou?”
Shelookedupathimforamomentortwowithoutanswering.Beforesherepliedtohisquestiontherewassomethingthatsheherselfhadtoknow.
“Whydidyourecognizemeasyourwife?”sheasked.
Theylookedateachother.Neitherofthemwishedtobethefirsttoanswertheother’squestion.Itwasaduelofwillsbetweenthem,butHilaryknewthatwhateverTomBettertonhadbeenlikewhenheleftEngland,hiswillwasnowinferiortoherown.Shehadarrivedherefreshintheself-confidenceoforganizingherownlife—TomBettertonhadbeenlivingaplannedexistence.Shewasthestronger.
Helookedawayfromheratlast,andmutteredsullenly:
“Itwas—justanimpulse.Iwasprobablyadamnedfool.Ifanciedthatyoumighthavebeensent—togetmeoutofhere.”
“Youwanttogetoutofhere,then?”
“MyGod,canyouask?”
“HowdidyougetherefromParis?”
TomBettertongaveashortunhappylaugh.
“Iwasn’tkidnappedoranythinglikethat,ifthat’swhatyoumean.Icameofmyownfreewill,undermyownsteam.Icamekeenlyandenthusiastically.”
“Youknewthatyouwerecominghere?”
“I’dnoideaIwascomingtoAfrica,ifthat’swhatyoumean.Iwascaughtbytheusuallure.Peaceonearth,freesharingofscientificsecretsamongstthescientistsoftheworld;suppressionofcapitalistsandwarmongers—alltheusualjargon!ThatfellowPeterswhocamewithyouisthesame,he’sswallowedthesamebait.”
“Andwhenyougothere—itwasn’tlikethat?”
Againhegavethatshortbitterlaugh.
“You’llseeforyourself.Oh,perhapsitisthat,moreorless!Butit’snotthewayyouthoughtitwouldbe.It’snot—freedom.”
Hesatdownbesideherfrowningtohimself.
“That’swhatgotmedownathome,youknow.Thefeelingofbeingwatchedandspiedupon.Allthesecurityprecautions.Havingtoaccountforone’sactions,forone’sfriends…Allnecessary,Idaresay,butitgetsyoudownintheend…Andsowhensomeonecomesalongwithaproposition—well,youlisten…Itallsoundsfine.
Hilarysaidslowly:
“Youmeanyou’vecometoexactlythesamecircumstancesasthosefromwhichyoutriedtoescape?You’rebeingwatchedandspieduponinjustthesameway—orworse?”
Bettertonpushedhishairbacknervouslyfromhisforehead.
“Idon’tknow,”hesaid.“Honestly.Idon’tknow.Ican’tbesure.Itmaybeallgoingoninmyownmind.Idon’tknowthatI’mbeingwatchedatall.WhyshouldIbe?Whyshouldtheybother?They’vegotmehere—inprison.”
“Itisn’tintheleastasyouimaginedit?”
“That’stheoddthing.Isupposeitisinaway.Theworkingconditionsareperfect.You’veeveryfacility,everykindofapparatus.Youcanworkforaslongatimeasyoulikeorasshortatime.You’vegoteverycomfortandaccessory.Food,clothes,living-quarters,butyou’reconsciousallthetimethatyou’reinprison.”
“Iknow.Whenthegatesclangedbehindustodayaswecameinitwasahorriblefeeling.”Hilaryshuddered.
“Well,”Bettertonseemedtopullhimselftogether.“I’veansweredyourquestion.Nowanswermine.WhatareyoudoingherepretendingtobeOlive?”
“Olive—”shestopped,feelingforwords.
“Yes?WhataboutOlive?What’shappenedtoher?Whatareyoutryingtosay?”
Shelookedwithpityathishaggard,nervousface.
“I’vebeendreadinghavingtotellyou.”
“Youmean—something’shappenedtoher?”
“Yes.I’msorry,terriblysorry…Yourwife’sdead…Shewascomingtojoinyouandtheplanecrashed.Shewastakentohospitalanddiedtwodayslater.”
Hestaredstraightaheadofhim.Itwasasthoughhewasdeterminedtoshownoemotionofanykind.Hesaidquietly:
“SoOlive’sdead?Isee….”
Therewasalongsilence.Thenheturnedtoher.
“Allright.Icangoonfromthere.Youtookherplaceandcamehere,why?”
ThistimeHilarywasreadywithherresponse.TomBettertonhadbelievedthatshehadbeensent“togethimoutofhere”ashehadputit.Thatwasnotthecase.Hilary’spositionwasthatofaspy.Shehadbeensenttogaininformation,nottoplantheescapeofamanwhohadplacedhimselfwillinglyinthepositionhenowwas.Moreover,shecouldcommandnomeansofdeliverance,shewasaprisonerasmuchashewas.
Toconfideinhimfullywould,shefelt,bedangerous.Bettertonwasverynearabreakdown.Atanymomenthemightgocompletelytopieces.Inthosecircumstancesitwouldbemadnesstoexpecthimtokeepasecret.
Shesaid:
“Iwasinthehospitalwithyourwifewhenshedied.Iofferedtotakeherplaceandtryandreachyou.Shewantedtogetamessagetoyouverybadly.”
Hefrowned.
“Butsurely—”
Shehurriedon—beforehecouldrealizetheweaknessofthetale.
“It’snotsoincredibleasitsounds.YouseeIhadalotofsympathywithalltheseideas—theideasyou’vejustbeentalkingabout.Scientificsecretssharedwithallnations—anewWorldOrder.Iwasenthusiasticaboutitall.Andthenmyhair—ifwhattheyexpectedwasared-hairedwomanoftherightage,IthoughtI’dgetthrough.Itseemedworthtryinganyway.”
“Yes,”hesaid.Hiseyessweptoverherhead.“Yourhair’sexactlylikeOlive’s.”
“Andthen,yousee,yourwifewassoinsistent—aboutthemessageshewantedmetogivetoyou.”
“Ohyes,themessage.Whatmessage?”
“Totellyoutobecareful—verycareful—thatyouwereindanger—fromsomeonecalledBoris?”
“Boris?BorisGlydr,doyoumean?”
“Yes,doyouknowhim?”
Heshookhishead.
“I’venevermethim.ButIknowhimbyname.He’sarelationofmyfirstwife’s.Iknowabouthim.”
“Whyshouldhebedangerous?”
“What?”
Hespokeabsently.
Hilaryrepeatedherquestion.
“Oh,that.”Heseemedtocomebackfromfaraway.“Idon’tknowwhyheshouldbedangeroustome,butit’struethatbyallaccountshe’sadangeroussortofchap.”
“Inwhatway?”
“Well,he’soneofthosehalf-balmyidealistswhowouldquitehappilykilloffhalfhumanityiftheythoughtforsomereasonitwouldbeagoodthing.”
“Iknowthesortofpersonyoumean.”
Shefeltshedidknow—vividly.(Butwhy?)
“HadOliveseenhim?Whatdidhesaytoher?”
“Ican’ttellyou.That’sallshesaid.Aboutdanger—ohyes,shesaid‘thatshecouldn’tbelieveit.’”
“Believewhat?”
“Idon’tknow.”Shehesitatedaminuteandthensaid,“Yousee—shewasdying….”
Aspasmofpainconvulsedhisface.
“Iknow…Iknow…Ishallgetusedtoitintime.AtthemomentIcan’trealizeit.ButI’mpuzzledaboutBoris.Howcouldhebedangeroustomehere?Ifhe’dseenOlive,hewasinLondon,Isuppose?”
“HewasinLondon,yes.”
“ThenIsimplydon’tgetit…Ohwell,whatdoesitmatter?Whatthehelldoesanythingmatter?Hereweare,stuckinthisbloodyUnitsurroundedbyalotofinhumanRobots….”
“That’sjusthowtheyfelttome.”
“Andwecan’tgetout.”Hepoundedwithhisfistontheconcrete.“Wecan’tgetout.”
“Ohyes,wecan,”saidHilary.
Heturnedtostareatherinsurprise.
“Whatonearthdoyoumean?”
“We’llfindaway,”saidHilary.
“Mydeargirl,”hislaughwasscornful.“Youhaven’tthefaintestideawhatyou’reupagainstinthisplace.”
“Peopleescapedfromthemostimpossibleplacesduringthewar,”saidHilarystubbornly.Shewasnotgoingtogiveintodespair.“Theytunnelled,orsomething.”
“Howcanyoutunnelthroughsheerrock?Andwhereto?It’sdesertallround.”
“Thenitwillhavetobe‘orsomething.’”
Helookedather.Shesmiledwithaconfidencethatwasdoggedratherthangenuine.
“Whatanextraordinarygirlyouare!Yousoundquitesureofyourself.”
“There’salwaysaway.Idaresayitwilltaketime,andalotofplanning.”
Hisfacecloudedoveragain.
“Time,”hesaid.“Time…That’swhatIcan’tafford.”
“Why?”
“Idon’tknowexactlywhetheryou’llbeabletounderstand…It’slikethis.Ican’treally—domystuffhere.”Shefrowned.
“Howdoyoumean?”
“HowshallIputit?Ican’twork.Ican’tthink.Inmystuffonehastohaveahighdegreeofconcentration.Alotofitis—well—creative.SincecominghereI’vejustlosttheurge.AllIcandoisgoodsoundhackwork.Thesortofthinganytwopenny-halfpennyscientificchapcando.Butthat’snotwhattheybroughtmeherefor.TheywantoriginalstuffandIcan’tdooriginalstuff.AndthemorenervousandafraidIget,thelessI’mfittoturnoutanythingworthturningout.Andit’sdrivingmeoffmyrocker,doyousee?”
Yes,shesawnow.SherecalledDr.Rubec’sremarksaboutprimadonnasandscientists.
“IfIcan’tdeliverthegoods,whatisanoutfitlikethisgoingtodoaboutit?They’llliquidateme.”
“Ohno!”
“Ohyestheywill.They’renotsentimentalistshere.What’ssavedmesofaristhisplasticsurgerybusiness.Theydoitalittleatatime,youknow.Andnaturallyafellowwho’shavingconstantminoroperationscan’tbeexpectedtoconcentrate.Butthey’vefinishedthebusinessnow.”
“Butwhywasitdoneatall?What’sthepoint?”
“Oh,that!Forsafety.Mysafety,Imean.It’sdoneif—ifyou’rea‘wanted’man.”
“Areyoua‘wanted’man,then?”
“Yes,didn’tyouknow?Oh,Isupposetheywouldn’tadvertisethefactinthepapers.PerhapsevenOlivedidn’tknow.ButI’mwantedrightenough.”
“Youmeanfor—treasonistheword,isn’tit?Youmeanyou’vesoldthematomsecrets?”
Heavoidedhereyes.
“Ididn’tsellanything.IgavethemwhatIknewofourprocesses—gaveitfreely.Ifyoucanbelieveme,Iwantedtogiveittothem.Itwaspartofthewholeset-up—thepoolingofscientificknowledge.Oh,can’tyouunderstand?”
Shecouldunderstand.ShecouldunderstandAndyPetersdoingjustthat.ShecouldseeEricssonwithhisfanaticaldreamer’seyesbetrayinghiscountrywithahigh-souledenthusiasm.
YetitwashardforhertovisualizeTomBettertondoingit—andsherealizedwithashockthatallthatshowedwasthedifferencebetweenBettertonafewmonthsago,arrivinginallthezealofenthusiasm,andBettertonnow,nervous,defeated,downtoearth—anordinary,badlyfrightenedman.
Evenassheacceptedthelogicofthat,Bettertonlookedroundhimnervouslyandsaid:
“Everyone’sgonedown.We’dbetter—”
Sherose.
“Yes.Butit’sallright,youknow.They’llthinkitquitenatural—underthecircumstances.”
Hesaidawkwardly:
“We’llhavetogoonwiththisnow,youknow.Imean—you’llhavetogoonbeing—mywife.”
“Ofcourse.”
“Andwe’llhavetosharearoomandallthat.Butitwillbequiteallright.Imean,youneedn’tbeafraidthat—”
Heswallowedinanembarrassedmanner.
“Howhandsomeheis,”thoughtHilary,lookingathisprofile,“andhowlittleitmovesme….”
“Idon’tthinkweneedworryaboutthat,”shesaidcheerfully.“Theimportantthingistogetoutofherealive.”
Fourteen
InaroomattheH?telMamounia,Marrakesh,themancalledJessopwastalkingtoMissHetherington.AdifferentMissHetheringtonthis,fromtheonethatHilaryhadknownatCasablancaandatFez.Thesameappearance,thesametwinset,thesamedepressinghairdo.Butthemannerhadchanged.Itwasawomannowbothbrisk,competent,andseemingmanyyearsyoungerthanherappearance.
Thethirdpersonintheroomwasadarkstockymanwithintelligenteyes.HewastappinggentlyonthetablewithhisfingersandhummingalittleFrenchsongunderhisbreath.
“…andasfarasyouknow,”Jessopwassaying,“thosearetheonlypeopleshetalkedtoatFez?”
JanetHetheringtonnodded.
“TherewastheCalvinBakerwoman,whowe’dalreadymetatCasablanca.I’llsayfranklyIstillcan’tmakeupmymindabouther.ShewentoutofherwaytobefriendlywithOliveBetterton,andwithmeforthatmatter.ButAmericansarefriendly,theydoenterintoconversationwithpeopleinhotels,andtheylikejoiningthemontrips.”
“Yes,”saidJessop,“it’sallalittletooovertforwhatwe’relookingfor.”
“Andbesides,”wentonJanetHetherington,“shewasonthisplane,too.”
“You’reassuming,”saidJessop,“thatthecrashwasplanned.Helookedsidewaystowardsthedark,stockyman.“Whataboutit,Leblanc?”Leblancstoppedhumminghistune,andstoppedhislittletattooonthetableforamomentortwo.
“?asepeut,”hesaid.“Theremayhavebeensabotagetothemachineandthatiswhyitcrashed.Weshallneverknow.Theplanecrashedandwentupinflamesandeveryoneonboardwaskilled.”
“Whatdoyouknowofthepilot?”
“Alcadi?Young,reasonablycompetent.Nomore.Badlypaid.”Headdedthetwolastwordswithaslightpauseinfrontofthem.
Jessopsaid:
“Openthereforetootheremployment,butpresumablynotacandidateforsuicide?”
“Thereweresevenbodies,”saidLeblanc.“Badlycharred,unrecognizable,butsevenbodies.Onecannotgetawayfromthat.”
JessopturnedbacktoJanetHetherington.
“Youweresaying?”hesaid.
“TherewasaFrenchfamilyatFezthatMrs.Bettertonexchangedafewwordswith.TherewasarichSwedishbusinessmanwithaglamourgirl.Andtherichoilmagnate,Mr.Aristides.”
“Ah,”saidLeblanc,“thatfabulousfigurehimself.Whatmustitfeellike,Ihaveoftenaskedmyself,tohaveallthemoneyintheworld?Forme,”headdedfrankly,“Iwouldkeepracehorsesandwomen,andalltheworldhastooffer.ButoldAristidesshutshimselfupinhiscastleinSpain—literallyhiscastleinSpain,moncher—andcollects,sotheysay,ChinesepotteryoftheSungperiod.Butonemustremember,”headded,“thatheisatleastseventy.ItispossibleatthatagethatChinesepotteryisallthatinterestsone.”
“AccordingtotheChinesethemselves,”saidJessop,“theyearsbetweensixtyandseventyarethemostrichinlivingandoneisthenmostappreciativeofthebeautyanddelightoflife.”
“Pasmoi!”saidLeblanc.
“ThereweresomeGermansatFez,too,”continuedJanetHetherington,“butasfarasIknowtheydidn’texchangeanyremarkswithOliveBetterton.”
“Awaiteroraservant,perhaps,”saidJessop.
“That’salwayspossible.”
“Andshewentoutintotheoldtownalone,yousay?”
“Shewentwithoneoftheregularguides.Someonemayhavecontactedheronthattour.”
“AtanyrateshedecidedquitesuddenlytogotoMarrakesh.”
“Notsuddenly,”shecorrectedhim.“Shealreadyhadherreservations.”
“Ah,I’mwrong,”saidJessop.“WhatImeanisthatMrs.CalvinBakerdecidedrathersuddenlytoaccompanyher.”Hegotupandpacedupanddown.“SheflewtoMarrakesh,”hesaid,“andtheplanecrashedandcamedowninflames.Itseemsill-omened,doesitnot,foranyonecalledOliveBettertontotravelbyair.FirstthecrashnearCasablanca,andthenthisone.Wasitanaccidentorwasitcontrived?IftherewerepeoplewhowishedtogetridofOliveBetterton,therewouldbeeasierwaystodoitthanbywreckingaplane,Ishouldsay.”
“Oneneverknows,”saidLeblanc.“Understandme,moncher.Onceyouhavegotintothatstateofmindwherethetakingofhumanlivesnolongercounts,thenifitissimplertoputalittleexplosivepackageunderaseatinaplanethantowaitaboutatthecorneronadarknightandstickaknifeintosomeone,thenthepackagewillbeleftandthefactthatsixotherpeoplewilldiealsoisnotevenconsidered.”
“Ofcourse,”saidJessop,“IknowI’minaminorityofone,butIstillthinkthere’sathirdsolution—thattheyfakedthecrash.”
Leblanclookedathimwithinterest.
“Thatcouldbedone,yes.Theplanecouldbebroughtdownanditcouldbesetonfire.Butyoucannotgetawayfromthefact,moncherJessop,thattherewerepeopleintheplane.Thecharredbodieswereactuallythere.”
“Iknow,”saidJessop,“that’sthestumblingblock.Oh,I’venodoubtmyideasarefantastic,butit’ssuchaneatendingtoourhunt.Tooneat.That’swhatIfeel.Itsaysfinishtous.WewritedownR.I.P.inthemarginofourreportandit’sended.There’snofurthertrailtotakeup.”HeturnedagaintoLeblanc.“Youarehavingasearchinstituted?”
“Fortwodaysnow,”saidLeblanc.“Goodmen,too.It’saparticularlylonelyspot,ofcourse,wheretheplanecrashed.Itwasoffitscourse,bytheway.”
“Whichissignificant,”Jessopputin
“Thenearestvillages,thenearesthabitations,thenearesttracesofacar,allthosearebeinginvestigatedfully.Inthiscountryaswellasinyours,wefullyrealizetheimportanceoftheinvestigation.InFrance,too,wehavelostsomeofourbestyoungscientists.Inmyopinion,moncher,itiseasiertocontroltemperamentaloperasingersthanitistocontrolascientist.Theyarebrilliant,theseyoungmen,erratic,rebellious,and,finallyanddangerously,theyaremostcompletelycredulous.Whatdotheyimaginegoesonlàbas?Sweetnessandlightanddesirefortruthandthemillennium?Alas,poorchildren,whatdisillusionmentawaitsthem.”
“Let’sgooverthepassengerlistoncemore,”saidJessop.
TheFrenchmanreachedoutahand,pickeditoutofawirebasketandsetitbeforehiscolleague.Thetwomenporedoverittogether.
“Mrs.CalvinBaker,American.Mrs.Betterton,English.TorquilEricsson,Norwegian—whatdoyouknowofhim,bytheway?”
“NothingthatIcanrecall,”saidLeblanc.“Hewasyoung,notmorethantwenty-sevenortwenty-eight.”
“Iknowhisname,”saidJessop,frowning.“Ithink—Iamalmostsure—thathereadapaperbeforetheRoyalSociety.”
“Thenthereisthereligieuse,”Leblancsaid,turningbacktothelist.“SisterMariesomethingorother.AndrewPeters,alsoAmerican.Dr.Barron.Thatisacelebratedname,ledocteurBarron.Amanofgreatbrilliance.Anexpertonvirusdiseases.”
“Biologicalwarfare,”saidJessop.“Itfits.Itallfits.”
“Amanpoorlypaidanddiscontented,”saidLeblanc.
“HowmanygoingtoSt.Ives?”murmuredJessop.
TheFrenchmanshothimaquicklookandhesmiledapologetically.
“Justanoldnurseryrhyme,”hesaid.“ForSt.Ivesreadquestionmark.Journeytonowhere.”
ThetelephoneonthetablebuzzedandLeblancpickedupthereceiver.
“Allo?”hesaid.“Qu’est-cequ’ilya?Ah,yes,sendthemup.”HeturnedhisheadtowardsJessop.Hisfacewassuddenlyalive,vigorous.“Oneofmymenreporting,”hesaid.“Theyhavefoundsomething.Monchercollègue,itispossible—Isaynomore—possiblethatyouroptimismisjustified.”
Afewmomentslatertwomenenteredtheroom.ThefirstborearoughresemblancetoLeblanc,thesametype,stocky,dark,intelligent.Hismannerwasrespectfulbutexhilarated.HeworeEuropeanclothesbadlystainedandmarked,coveredwithdust.Hehadobviouslyjustarrivedfromajourney.Withhimwasanativewearingthewhitelocaldress.Hehadthedignifiedcomposureofthedwellerinremoteplaces.Hismannerwascourteousbutnotsubservient.HelookedwithafaintwonderroundtheroomwhilsttheothermanexplainedthingsinrapidFrench.
“Therewardwasofferedandcirculated,”themanexplained,“andthisfellowandhisfamilyandagreatmanyofhisfriendshavebeensearchingdiligently.Ilethimbringyouthefindhimselfastheremaybequestionsyouwanttoaskhim.”
LeblancturnedtotheBerber.
“Youhavedonegoodwork,”hesaid,speakingnowintheman’sownlanguage.“Youhavetheeyesofthehawk,myfather.Showusthenwhatyouhavediscovered.”Fromafoldinhiswhiterobethemantookoutasmallobject,andsteppingforwardlaiditonthetablebeforetheFrenchman.Itwasratheralarge-sized,pinkish-greysyntheticpearl.
“Itisliketheoneshowntomeandshowntoothers,”hesaid.“ItisofvalueandIhavefoundit.”
Jessopstretchedoutahandandtookthepearl.Fromhispockethedrewoutanotherexactlylikeitandexaminedboth.Thenhewalkedacrosstheroomtothewindow,andexaminedthemboththroughapowerfullens.
“Yes,”hesaid,“themarkisthere.”Therewasjubilationnowinhisvoiceandhecamebacktothetable.“Goodgirl,”hesaid,“goodgirl,goodgirl!Shemanagedit!”
LeblancwasquestioningtheMoroccaninarapidexchangeofArabic.FinallyheturnedtoJessop.
“Imakemyapologies,monchercollègue,”hesaid.“Thispearlwasfoundatadistanceofnearlyhalfamilefromtheflamingplane.”
“Whichshows,”saidJessop,“thatOliveBettertonwasasurvivor,andthatthoughsevenpeopleleftFezintheplaneandsevencharredbodieswerefound,oneofthosecharredbodieswasdefinitelynothers.”
“Weextendthesearchnow,”saidLeblanc.HespokeagaintotheBerberandthemanwhohadbroughthimin.“Hewillbehandsomelyrewardedaspromised,”saidLeblanc,“andtherewillbeahuntnowalloverthecountrysideforthesepearls.Theyhavehawkeyes,thesepeople,andtheknowledgethattheseareworthgoodmoneyinrewardwillpassroundlikeagrapevine.Ithink—Ithink,monchercollègue,thatweshallgetresults!Ifonlytheyhavenottumbledtowhatshewasdoing.”
Jessopshookhishead.
“Itwouldbesuchanaturaloccurrence,”hesaid.“Thesuddenbreakingofanecklaceofcostumejewellerysuchasmostwomenwear,thepickingupapparentlyofwhatloosepearlsshecanfindandstuffingthemintoherpocket,thenalittleholeinthepocket.Besides,whyshouldtheysuspecther?SheisOliveBetterton,anxioustojoinherhusband.”
“Wemustreviewthismatterinanewlight,”saidLeblanc.Hedrewthepassengerlisttowardshim.“OliveBetterton.Dr.Barron,”hesaid,tickingoffthetwonames.“Twoatleastwhoaregoing—wherevertheyaregoing.TheAmericanwoman,Mrs.CalvinBaker.Astoherwekeepanopenmind.TorquilEricssonyousayhasreadpapersbeforetheRoyalSociety.TheAmerican,Peters,wasdescribedonhispassportasaresearchchemist.Thereligieuse—well,itwouldmakeagooddisguise.Infact,awholecargoofpeoplecleverlyshepherdedfromdifferentpointstotravelinthatoneplaneonthatparticularday.Andthentheplaneisdiscoveredinflamesandinsideittherequisitenumberofcharredbodies.Howdidtheymanagethat,Iwonder?Enfin,c’estcolossal!”
“Yes,”saidJessop.“Itwasthefinalconvincingtouch.Butweknownowthatsixorsevenpeoplehavestartedoffonafreshjourney,andweknowwheretheirpointofdepartureis.Whatdowedonext—visitthespot?”
“Butprecisely,”saidLeblanc.“Wetakeupadvancedheadquarters.IfImistakenot,nowthatweareonthetrack,otherevidencewillcometolight.”
“Ifourcalculationsareexact,”Jessopsaid,“thereshouldberesults.”
Thecalculationsweremanyanddevious.Therateofprogressofacar,thelikelydistancewhereitwouldrefuel,possiblevillageswheretravellersmighthavestayedthenight.Thetracksweremanyandconfusing,disappointmentswerecontinual,buteverynowandthentherecameapositiveresult.
“Voilà,moncapitaine!Asearchofthelatrines,asyouordered.InadarkcornerofthelatrineapearlembeddedinalittlepieceofchewingguminthehouseofoneAbdulMohammed.Heandhissonshavebeeninterrogated.Atfirsttheydenied,butatlasttheyhaveconfessed.AcarloadofsixpeoplesaidtobefromtheGermanarch?ologicalexpeditionspentanightathishouse.Muchmoneywaspaid,andtheywerenottomentionthistoanyone,theexcusebeingthattherewassomeillicitdigginginprospect.ChildreninthevillageofElKaifalsohavebroughtintwomorepearls.Weknownowthedirection.Thereismore,MonsieurleCapitaine.ThehandofFatimahasbeenseenasyouforetold.Thistypehere,hewilltellyouaboutit.”
“Thistype”wasaparticularlywild-lookingBerber.
“Iwaswithmyflocks,”hesaid,“atnightandIheardacar.ItpassedmeandasitdidsoIsawthesign.ThehandofFatimawasoutlinedononesideofit.Itgleamed,Itellyou,inthedarkness.”
“Theapplicationofphosphorusonaglovecanbeveryefficacious,”murmuredLeblanc.“Icongratulateyou,moncher,onthatidea.”
“It’seffective,”saidJessop,“butit’sdangerous.It’stooeasilynoticedbythefugitivesthemselves,Imean.”
Leblancshruggedhisshoulders.
“Itcouldnotbeseenindaylight.”
“No,butiftherewasahaltandtheyalightedfromthecarinthedarkness—”
“Eventhen—itisanotableArabsuperstition.Itispaintedoftenoncartsandwagons.ItwouldonlybethoughtthatsomepiousMuslimhadpainteditinluminouspaintonhisvehicle.”
“Trueenough.Butwemustbeonourguard.Forifourenemiesdidnoticeit,itishighlypossiblethattheywilllayafalsetrailmarkedforus,ofhandsofFatimainphosphoruspaint.”
“Ah,astothatIagreewithyou.Onemustindeedbeonone’sguard.Always,alwaysonone’sguard.”
OnthefollowingmorningLeblanchadanotherexhibitofthreefalsepearlsarrangedinatriangle,stucktogetherbyalittlepieceofchewinggum.
“Thisshouldmean,”saidJessop,“thatthenextstageofthejourneywasbyplane.”
HelookedinquiringlyatLeblanc.
“Youareabsolutelyright,”saidtheother.“Thiswasfoundonadisusedarmyairfield,inaremoteanddesolateplace.Thereweresignsthataplanelandedandlefttherenotlongago.”Heshruggedhisshoulders.“Anunknownplane,”hesaid;“andonceagaintheytookoffforadestinationunknown.Thatbringsusoncemoretoahaltandwedonotknowwherenexttotakeupthetrail—”
Fifteen
“It’sincredible,”thoughtHilarytoherself,“incrediblethatI’vebeenheretendays!”Thefrighteningthinginlife,Hilarythought,washoweasilyyouadaptedyourself.SherememberedoncebeingshowninFrancesomepeculiartorturearrangementoftheMiddleAges,anironcagewhereinaprisonerhadbeenconfinedandinwhichhecouldneitherlie,standnorsit.Theguidehadrecountedhowthelastmanimprisonedtherehadlivedinitforeighteenyears,andhadbeenreleasedandhadlivedforanothertwentyafterthat,beforedying,anoldman.Thatadaptability,thoughtHilary,waswhatdifferentiatedmanfromtheanimalworld.Mancouldliveinanyclimateandonanyfoodandunderanyconditions.Hecouldexistslaveorfree.
Shehadfeltfirst,whenintroducedintotheUnit,ablindingpanic,ahorriblefeelingofimprisonmentandfrustration,andthefactthattheimprisonmentwascamouflagedincircumstancesofluxuryhadsomehowmadeitseemallthemorehorribletoher.Andyetnow,already,evenafteraweekhere,shehadbeguninsensiblytoaccepttheconditionsofherlifeasnatural.Itwasaqueer,dream-likeexistence.Nothingseemedparticularlyreal,butalreadyshehadthefeelingthatthedreamhadgoneonalongtimeandwouldgoonforalongtimemore.Itwould,perhaps,lastforever…ShewouldalwayslivehereintheUnit;thiswaslife,andtherewasnothingoutside.
Thisdangerousacceptance,shethought,camepartlyfromthefactthatshewasawoman.Womenwereadaptablebynature.Itwastheirstrengthandtheirweakness.Theyexaminedtheirenvironment,acceptedit,andlikerealistssettleddowntomakethebestofit.Whatinterestedhermostwerethereactionsofthepeoplewhohadarrivedherewithher.HelgaNeedheimshehardlyeversawexceptsometimesatmeals.Whentheymet,theGermanwomanvouchsafedheracurtnod,butnomore.Asfarasshecouldjudge,HelgaNeedheimwashappyandsatisfied.TheUnitobviouslyliveduptothepictureshehadformedinhermindofit.Shewasthetypeofwomanabsorbedbyherwork,andwascomfortablysustainedbyhernaturalarrogance.Thesuperiorityofherselfandherfellow-scientistswasthefirstarticleofHelga’screed.Shehadnoviewsofabrotherhoodofman,ofaneraofpeace,oflibertyofmindandspirit.Forherthefuturewasnarrowbutall-conquering.Thesuperrace,herselfamemberofit;therestoftheworldinbondage,treated,iftheybehaved,withcondescendingkindness.Ifherfellowworkersexpresseddifferentviews,iftheirideaswereCommunistratherthanFascist,Helgatooklittlenotice.Iftheirworkwasgoodtheywerenecessary,andtheirideaswouldchange.
Dr.BarronwasmoreintelligentthanHelgaNeedheim.OccasionallyHilaryhadbriefconversationswithhim.Hewasabsorbedinhiswork,deeplysatisfiedwiththeconditionsprovidedforhim,buthisinquiringGallicintellectledhimtospeculateandponderonthemediainwhichhefoundhimself.
“ItwasnotwhatIexpected.No,frankly,”hesaidoneday,“entrenous,Mrs.Betterton,Idonotcareforprisonconditions.Andtheseareprisonconditions,thoughthecage,letussay,isheavilygilded.”
“Thereishardlythefreedomherethatyoucametoseek?”Hilarysuggested.
Hesmiledather,aquick,ruefulsmile
“Butno,”hesaid,“youarewrong.Ididnotreallyseekliberty.Iamacivilizedman.Thecivilizedmanknowsthereisnosuchthing.Onlytheyoungerandcrudernationsputtheword‘Liberty’ontheirbanner.Theremustalwaysbeaplannedframeworkofsecurity.Andtheessenceofcivilizationisthatthewayoflifeshouldbeamoderateone.Themiddleway.Alwaysonecomesbacktothemiddleway.No.Iwillbefrankwithyou.Icamehereformoney.”
Hilaryinherturnsmiled.Hereyebrowsrose.
“Andwhatgoodismoneytoyouhere?”
“Itpaysforveryexpensivelaboratoryequipment,”saidDr.Barron.“Iamnotobligedtoputmyhandintomyownpocket,andsoIcanservethecauseofscienceandsatisfymyownintellectualcuriosity.Iamamanwholoveshiswork,true,butIdonotloveitforthesakeofhumanity.Ihaveusuallyfoundthatthosewhodosoaresomewhatwoollyheaded,andoftenincompetentworkers.No,itisthepureintellectualjoyofresearchthatIappreciate.Fortherest,alargesumofmoneywaspaidtomebeforeIleftFrance.Itissafelybankedunderanothernameandinduecourse,whenallthiscomestoanend,IshallhaveittospendasIchoose.”
“Whenallthiscomestoanend?”Hilaryrepeated.“Butwhyshoulditcometoanend?”
“Onemusthavethecommonsense,”saidDr.Barron,“nothingispermanent,nothingendures.Ihavecometotheconclusionthatthisplaceisrunbyamadman.Amadman,letmetellyou,canbeverylogical.Ifyouarerichandlogicalandalsomad,youcansucceedforaverylongtimeinlivingoutyourillusion.Butintheend”—heshrugged—“intheendthiswillbreakup.Because,yousee,itisnotreasonable,whathappenshere!Thatwhichisnotreasonablemustalwayspaythereckoningintheend.Inthemeantime”—againheshruggedhisshoulders—“itsuitsmeadmirably.”
TorquilEricsson,whomHilaryhadexpectedtobeviolentlydisillusioned,appearedtobequitecontentintheatmosphereoftheUnit.LesspracticalthantheFrenchman,heexistedinasingle-mindedvisionofhisown.TheworldinwhichhelivedwasonesounfamiliartoHilarythatshecouldnotevenunderstandit.Itengenderedakindofausterehappiness,anabsorptioninmathematicalcalculations,andanendlessvistaofpossibilities.Thestrange,impersonalruthlessnessofhischaracterfrightenedHilary.Hewasthekindofyoungman,shethought,whoinamomentofidealismcouldsendthree-quartersoftheworldtotheirdeathinorderthattheremainingquartershouldparticipateinanimpracticalUtopiathatexistedonlyinEricsson’smind.
WiththeAmerican,AndyPeters,Hilaryfeltherselffarmoreinaccord.Possibly,shethought,itwasbecausePeterswasamanoftalentbutnotagenius.Fromwhatotherssaid,shegatheredhewasafirst-classmanathisjob,acarefulandskilledchemist,butnotapioneer.Peters,likeherself,hadatoncehatedandfearedtheatmosphereoftheUnit.
“ThetruthisthatIdidn’tknowwhereIwasgoing,”hesaid.“IthoughtIknew,butIwaswrong.ThePartyhasgotnothingtodowiththisplace.We’renotintouchwithMoscow.Thisisaloneshowofsomekind—aFascistshowpossibly.”
“Don’tyouthink,”saidHilary,“thatyougointoomuchforlabels?”Heconsideredthis.
“Maybeyou’reright,”hesaid.“Cometothinkofit,thesewordswethrowarounddon’tmeanmuch.ButIdoknowthis.IwanttogetoutofhereandImeantogetoutofhere.”
“Itwon’tbeeasy,”saidHilary,inalowvoice.
Theywerewalkingtogetherafterdinnernearthesplashingfountainsoftheroofgarden.Withtheillusionofdarknessandthestarlitskytheymighthavebeenintheprivategardensofsomesultan’spalace.Thefunctionalconcretebuildingswereveiledfromthesight.
“No,”saidPeters;“itwon’tbeeasy,butnothing’simpossible.”
“Iliketohearyousaythat,”saidHilary.“Oh,howIliketohearyousaythat!”
Helookedathersympathetically.
“Beengettingyoudown?”heasked.
“Verymuchso.Butthat’snotwhatI’mreallyafraidof.”
“No?Whatthen?”
“I’mafraidofgettingusedtoit,”saidHilary.
“Yes.”Hespokethoughtfully.“Yes,Iknowwhatyoumean.There’sakindofmasssuggestiongoingonhere.Ithinkperhapsyou’rerightaboutthat.”
“Itwouldseemtomemuchmorenaturalforpeopletorebel,”saidHilary.
“Yes.Yes,I’vethoughtthesame.InfactI’vewonderedonceortwicewhetherthere’snotalittlehocus-pocusgoingon.”
“Hocus-pocus?Whatdoyoumeanbythat?”
“Well,toputitfrankly,dope.”
“Doyoumeanadrugofsomekind?”
“Yes.Itmightbepossible,youknow.Somethinginthefoodordrink,somethingthatinduces—whatshallIsay—docility?”
“Butistheresuchadrug?”
“Well,that’snotreallymylineofcountry.Therearethingsthataregiventopeopletosoothethemdown,tomakethemacquiescentbeforeoperationsandthat.Whetherthereisanythingthatcanbeadministeredsteadilyoveralongperiodoftime—andwhichatthesametimedoesnotimpairefficiency—thatIdon’tknow.I’mmoreinclinedtothinknowthattheeffectisproducedmentally.ImeanthatIthinksomeoftheseorganizersandadministratorsherearewellversedinhypnosisandpsychologyandthat,withoutourbeingawareofit,wearecontinuallybeingofferedsuggestionsofourwell-being,ofourattainingourultimateaim(whateveritis),andthatallthisdoesproduceadefiniteeffect.Alotcanbedonethatway,youknow,ifit’sdonebypeoplewhoknowtheirstuff.”
“Butwemustn’tacquiesce,”criedHilary,hotly.“Wemustn’tfeelforonemomentthatit’sagoodthingtobehere.”
“Whatdoesyourhusbandfeel?”
“Tom?I—oh,Idon’tknow.It’ssodifficult.I—”shelapsedintosilence
Thewholefantasyofherlifeassheliveditshecouldhardlycommunicatetothemanwhowaslisteningtoher.Fortendaysnowshehadlivedinanapartmentwithamanwhowasastrangertoher.Theysharedabedroomandwhenshelayawakeatnightshecouldhearhimbreathingintheotherbed.Bothofthemacceptedthearrangementasinevitable.Shewasanimpostor,aspy,readytoplayanypartandassumeanypersonality.TomBettertonshequitefranklydidnotunderstand.HeseemedtoheraterribleexampleofwhatcouldhappentoabrilliantyoungmanwhohadlivedforsomemonthsintheenervatingatmosphereoftheUnit.Atanyratetherewasinhimnocalmacceptanceofhisdestiny.Farfromtakingpleasureinhiswork,hewas,shethought,increasinglyworriedbyhisinabilitytoconcentrateonit.Onceortwicehehadreiteratedwhathehadsaidonthatfirstevening.
“Ican’tthink.It’sjustasthougheverythinginmehasdriedup.”
Yes,shethought.TomBetterton,beingarealgenius,neededlibertymorethanmost.Suggestionhadfailedtocompensatehimforthelossoffreedom.Onlyinperfectlibertywasheabletoproducecreativework.
Hewasaman,shethought,veryclosetoaseriousnervousbreakdown.Hilaryherselfhetreatedwithcuriousinattention.Shewasnotawomantohim,notevenafriend.Sheevendoubtedwhetherherealizedandsufferedfromthedeathofhiswife.Thethingthatpreoccupiedhimincessantlywastheproblemofconfinement.Againandagainhehadsaid:
“Imustgetawayfromhere.Imust,Imust.”Andsometimes,“Ididn’tknow.I’dnoideawhatitwasgoingtobelike.HowamIgoingtogetoutofhere?How?I’vegotto.I’vesimplygotto.”
ItwasinessenceverymuchwhatPetershadsaid.Butitwassaidwithagreatdealofdifference.Petershadspokenasayoung,energetic,angry,disillusionedman,sureofhimselfanddeterminedtopithiswitsagainstthebrainsoftheestablishmentinwhichhefoundhimself.ButTomBetterton’srebelliousutteranceswerethoseofamanattheendofhistether,amanalmostcrazedwiththeneedforescape.Butperhaps,Hilarythoughtsuddenly,thatwaswheresheandPeterswouldbeinsixmonths’time.Perhapswhatbeganashealthyrebellionandareasonableconfidenceinone’sowningenuitywouldturnatlastintothefrenzieddespairofaratinatrap.
Shewishedshecouldtalkofallthistothemanbesideher.Ifonlyshecouldsay:“TomBettertonisn’tmyhusband.Iknownothingabouthim.Idon’tknowwhathewaslikebeforehecamehereandsoI’minthedark.Ican’thelphim,forIdon’tknowwhattodoorsay.”Asitwasshehadtopickherwordscarefully.Shesaid:
“Tomseemslikeastrangertomenow.Hedoesn’t—tellmethings.SometimesIthinktheconfinement,thesenseofbeingpenneduphere,isdrivinghimmad.”
“It’spossible,”saidPeters,drily;“itcouldactthatway.”
“Buttellme—youspeaksoconfidentlyofgettingaway.Howcanwegetaway—whatearthlychanceisthere?”
“Idon’tmeanwecanwalkoutthedayaftertomorrow,Olive.Thething’sgottobethoughtoutandplanned.Peoplehaveescaped,youknow,underthemostunpromisingconditions.Alotofourpeople,andalotyoursideoftheAtlantic,too,havewrittenbooksaboutescapefromfortressesinGermany.”
“Thatwasratherdifferent.”
“Notinessence.Wherethere’sawayinthere’sawayout.Ofcoursetunnellingisoutofthequestionhere,sothatknocksoutagoodmanymethods.ButasIsay,wherethere’sawayin,there’sawayout.Withingenuity,camouflage,playingapart,deception,briberyandcorruption,oneoughttomanageit.It’sthesortofthingyou’vegottostudyandthinkabout.I’lltellyouthis.Ishallgetoutofhere.Takeitfromme.”
“Ibelieveyouwill,”saidHilary,thensheadded,“butshallI?”
“Well,it’sdifferentforyou.”
Hisvoicesoundedembarrassed.Foramomentshewonderedwhathemeant.Thensherealizedthatpresumablyherownobjectivehadbeenattained.Shehadcomeheretojointhemanshehadloved,andhavingjoinedhimherownpersonalneedforescapeshouldnotbesogreat.ShewasalmosttemptedtotellPetersthetruth—butsomeinstinctofcautionforbadethat.
Shesaidgoodnightandlefttheroof.
Sixteen
I
“Goodevening,Mrs.Betterton.”
“Goodevening,MissJennson.”
Thethin,spectacledgirlwaslookingexcited.Hereyesglintedbehindthethicklenses.
“TherewillbeaReunionthisevening,”shesaid.“TheDirectorhimselfisgoingtoaddressus!”
Shespokeinanalmosthushedvoice.
“That’sgood,”saidAndyPeters,whowasstandingcloseby.“I’vebeenwaitingtocatchaglimpseofthisDirector.”
MissJennsonthrewhimaglanceofshockedreproof.
“TheDirector,”shesaidausterely,“isaverywonderfulman.”
Asshewentawayfromthemdownoneoftheinevitablewhitecorridors,AndyPetersgavealowwhistle.
“NowdidI,ordidInot,catchahintoftheHeilHitlerattitudethere?”
“Itcertainlysoundedlikeit.”
“Thetroubleinthislifeisthatyouneverreallyknowwhereyou’regoing.IfI’dknownwhenIlefttheStatesallfullofboyishardourforthegoodoldBrotherhoodofManthatIwasgoingtolandmyselfintheclutchesofyetanotherheavenbornDictator—”hethrewouthishands.
“Youdon’tknowthatyet,”Hilaryremindedhim.
“Icansmellit—intheair,”saidPeters.
“Oh,”criedHilary.“HowgladIamthatyou’rehere!”Sheflushed,ashelookedatherquizzically.
“You’resoniceandordinary,”saidHilarydesperately.
Peterslookedamused.
“WhereIcomefrom,”hesaid,“thewordordinarydoesn’thaveyourmeaning.Itcanstandforbeingjustplainmean.”
“YouknowIdidn’tmeanitthatway.Imeanyou’relikeeverybodyelse.Ohdear,thatsoundsrude,too.”
“Thecommonman,that’swhatyou’reaskingfor?You’vehadenoughofthegenius?”
“Yes,andyou’vechanged,too,sinceyoucamehere.You’velostthatstreakofbitterness—ofhatred.”
Butimmediatelyhisfacegrewrathergrim.
“Don’tcountonthat,”hesaid.“It’sstillthere—underneath.Icanstillhate.Therearethings,believeme,thatshouldbehated.”
II
TheReunion,asMissJennsonhadcalledit,tookplaceafterdinner.AllmembersoftheUnitassembledinthelargeLectureRoom.
Theaudiencedidnotincludewhatmightbecalledthetechnicalstaff:thelaboratoryassistants,theCorpsdeBallet,thevariousservicepersonnel,andthesmallassemblyofhandsomeprostituteswhoalsoservedtheUnitaspurveyorsofsextothosemenwhohadnowiveswiththemandhadformednoparticularattachmentswiththefemaleworkers.
SittingnexttoBetterton,Hilaryawaitedwithkeencuriositythearrivalontheplatformofthatalmostmythicalfigure,theDirector.Questionedbyher,TomBettertonhadgivenunsatisfactory,almostvagueanswersaboutthepersonalityofthemanwhocontrolledtheUnit.
“He’snothingmuchtolookat,”hesaid.“Buthehastremendousimpact.ActuallyI’veonlyseenhimtwice.Hedoesn’tshowupoften.He’sremarkable,ofcourse,onefeelsthatbuthonestlyIdon’tknowwhy.”
FromthereverentwayMissJennsonandsomeoftheotherwomenspokeabouthim,Hilaryhadformedavaguementalfigureofatallmanwithagoldenbeardwearingawhiterobe—akindofgodlikeabstraction.
Shewasalmoststartledwhen,astheaudiencerosetotheirfeet,adark,ratherheavilybuiltmanofmiddleagecamequietlyontotheplatform.Inappearancehewasquiteundistinguished,hemighthavebeenabusinessmanfromtheMidlands.Hisnationalitywasnotapparent.Hespoketotheminthreelanguages,alternatingonewiththeother,andneverexactlyrepeatinghimself.HeusedFrench,GermanandEnglish,andeachwasspokenwithequalfluency.
“Letmefirst,”hebegan,“welcomeournewcolleagueswhohavecometojoinushere.”
Hethenpaidafewwordsoftributetoeachofthenewarrivals.
AfterthathewentontospeakoftheaimsandbeliefsoftheUnit.
Tryingtorememberhiswordslater,Hilaryfoundherselfunabletodosowithanyaccuracy.Orperhapsitwasthatthewords,asremembered,seemedtriteandordinary.Butlisteningtothemwasaverydifferentthing.
HilaryrememberedoncebeingtoldbyafriendwhohadlivedinGermanyinthedaysbeforethewarhowshehadgonetoameetinginmerecuriositytolisten“tothatabsurdHitler”—andhowshehadfoundherselfcryinghysterically,sweptawaybyintenseemotion.Shehaddescribedhowwiseandinspiringeverywordhadseemed,andhow,afterwards,therememberedwordsintheiractualityhadseemedcommonplaceenough.
Somethingofthesamekindwashappeningnow.Inspiteofherself,Hilarywasstirredanduplifted.TheDirectorspokeverysimply.HespokeprimarilyofYouth.WithYouthlaythefutureofmankind.
“AccumulatedWealth,Prestige,influentialFamilies—thosehavebeentheforcesofthepast.Buttoday,powerliesinthehandsoftheyoung.PowerisinBrains.Thebrainsofthechemist,thephysicist,thedoctor…Fromthelaboratoriescomesthepowertodestroyonavastscale.Withthatpoweryoucansay‘Yield—orperish!’Thatpowershouldnotbegiventothisorthatnation.Powershouldbeinthehandsofthosewhocreateit.ThisUnitisagatheringplaceforthePowerofalltheworld.Youcomeherefromallpartsoftheglobe,bringingwithyouyourcreativescientificknowledge.Andwithyou,youbringYouth!Noonehereisoverforty-five.Whenthedaycomes,weshallcreateaTrust.TheBrainsTrustofScience.Andweshalladministerworldaffairs.WeshallissueourorderstoCapitalistsandKingsandArmiesandIndustries.WeshallgivetheWorldthePaxScientifica.”
Therewasmoreofit—allthesameheadyintoxicatingstuff—butitwasnotthewordsthemselves—itwasthepoweroftheoratorthatcarriedawayanassemblythatcouldhavebeencoldandcriticalhaditnotbeenswayedbythatnamelessemotionaboutwhichsolittlewasknown.
WhentheDirectorhadendedabruptly:
“CourageandVictory!GoodNight!”HilarylefttheHall,half-stumblinginakindofexalteddream,andrecognizedthesamefeelinginthefacesaroundher.ShesawEricssoninparticular,hispaleeyesgleaming,hisheadtossedbackinexultation.
ThenshefeltAndyPeters’shandonherarmandhisvoicesaidinherear:
“Comeupontheroof.Weneedsomeair.”
Theywentupintheliftwithoutspeakingandsteppedoutamongthepalmtreesunderthestars.Petersdrewadeepbreath.
“Yes,”hesaid.“Thisiswhatweneed.Airtoblowawaythecloudsofglory.”
Hilarygaveadeepsigh.Shestillfeltunreal.
Hegaveherarmafriendlyshake.
“Snapoutofit,Olive.”
“Cloudsofglory,”saidHilary.“Youknow—itwaslikethat!”
“Snapoutofit,Itellyou.Beawoman!Downtoearthandbasicrealities!WhentheeffectsoftheGloryGaspoisoningpassoffyou’llrealizethatyou’vebeenlisteningtothesameoldMixtureasBefore.”
“Butitwasfine—Imeanafineideal.”
“Nutstoideals.Takethefacts.YouthandBrains—glorygloryAlleluia!Andwhataretheyouthandbrains?HelgaNeedheim,aruthlessegoist.TorquilEricsson,animpracticaldreamer.Dr.Barron,who’dsellhisgrandmothertotheknacker’syardtogetequipmentforhiswork.Takeme,anordinaryguy,asyou’vesaidyourself,goodwiththetesttubeandthemicroscopebutwithnotalentwhateverforefficientadministrationofanoffice,letaloneaworld!Takeyourownhusband—yes,I’mgoingtosayit—amanwhosenervesarefrayedtonothingandwhocanthinkofnothingbutthefearthatretributionwillcatchupwithhim.I’vegivenyouthosepeopleweknowbest—butthey’reallthesamehere—orallthatI’vecomeacross.Geniuses,someofthem,damnedgoodattheirchosenjobs—butasAdministratorsoftheUniverse—hell,don’tmakemelaugh!Perniciousnonsense,that’swhatwe’vebeenlisteningto.”
Hilarysatdownontheconcreteparapet.Shepassedahandacrossherforehead
“Youknow,”shesaid.“Ibelieveyou’reright…Butthecloudsofgloryarestilltrailing.Howdoeshedoit?Doeshebelieveithimself?Hemust.”
Peterssaidgloomily:
“Isupposeitalwayscomestothesamethingintheend.Amadmanwhobelieveshe’sGod.”
Hilarysaidslowly:
“Isupposeso.Andyet—thatseemscuriouslyunsatisfactory.”
“Butithappens,mydear.Againandagainthroughouthistoryithappens.Anditgetsone.Itnearlygotme,tonight.Itdidgetyou.IfIhadn’twhiskedyouuphere—”Hismannerchangedsuddenly.“IsupposeIshouldn’thavedonethat.WhatwillBettertonsay?He’llthinkitodd.”
“Idon’tthinkso.Idoubtifhe’llnotice.”
Helookedatherquestioningly.
“I’msorry,Olive.Itmustbeallprettyfairhellforyou.Seeinghimgodownthehill.”
Hilarysaidpassionately:
“Wemustgetoutofhere.Wemust.Wemust.”
“Weshall.”
“Yousaidthatbefore—butwe’vemadenoprogress.”
“Ohyeswehave.I’venotbeenidle.”
Shelookedathiminsurprise.
“Nopreciseplan,butI’veinitiatedsubversiveactivities.There’salotofdissatisfactionhere,farmorethanourGodlikeHerrDirectorknows.AmongstthehumblermembersoftheUnit,Imean.Foodandmoneyandluxuryandwomenaren’teverything,youknow.I’llgetyououtofhereyet,Olive.”
“AndTomtoo?”
Peters’sfacedarkened.
“Listen,Olive,andbelievewhatIsay.Tomwilldobesttostayonhere.He’s”—hehesitated—“saferherethanhewouldbeintheoutsideworld.”
“Safer?Whatacuriousword.”
“Safer,”saidPeters.“Iusetheworddeliberately.”
Hilaryfrowned.
“Idon’treallyseewhatyoumean.Tom’snot—youdon’tthinkhe’sbecomingmentallyunhinged?”
“Notintheleast.He’shetup,butI’dsayTomBetterton’sassaneasyouorI.”
“Thenwhyareyousayinghe’dbesaferhere?”
Peterssaidslowly:
“Acage,youknow,isaverysafeplacetobe.”
“Ohno,”criedHilary.“Don’ttellmeyou’regoingtobelievethattoo.Don’ttellmethatmass-hypnotism,orsuggestion,orwhateveritis,isworkingonyou.Safe,tame,content!Wemustrebelstill!Wemustwanttobefree!”
Peterssaidslowly:
“Yes,Iknow.But—”
“Tom,atanyrate,wantsdesperatelytogetawayfromhere.”
“Tommayn’tknowwhat’sgoodforhim.”
SuddenlyHilaryrememberedwhatTomhadhintedattoher.Ifhehaddisposedofsecretinformationhewouldbeliable,shesupposed,toprosecutionundertheOfficialSecretsAct—that,nodoubt,waswhatPeterswashintingatinhisratherembarrassedway—butHilarywasclearinherownmind.Bettertoserveaprisonsentencethanremainonhere.Shesaid,obstinately:
“Tommustcometoo.”
ShewasstartledwhenPeterssaidsuddenly,inabittertone:
“Haveityourownway.I’vewarnedyou.IwishIknewwhatthehellmakesyoucareforthatfellowsomuch.”
Shestaredathimindismay.Wordssprangtoherlips,butshecheckedthem.Sherealizedthatwhatshewantedtosaywas,“Idon’tcareforhim.He’snothingtome.Hewasanotherwoman’shusbandandI’vearesponsibilitytoher.”Shewantedtosay,“Youfool,ifthere’sanybodyIcareabout,it’syou….”
III
“BeenenjoyingyourselfwithyourtameAmerican?”
TomBettertonthrewthewordsatherassheenteredtheirbedroom.Hewaslyingonhisbackonhisbed,smoking.
Hilaryflushedslightly.
“Wearrivedheretogether,”shesaid,“andweseemtothinkalikeaboutcertainthings.”
Helaughed.
“Oh!Idon’tblameyou.”Forthefirsttimehelookedatherinanewandappraisingway.“You’reagood-lookingwoman,Olive,”hesaid.
FromthebeginningHilaryhadurgedhimalwaystocallherbyhiswife’sname
“Yes,”hecontinued,hiseyesrakingherupanddown.“You’readamnedgood-lookingwoman.I’dhavenoticedthatonce.Asitis,nothingofthatkindseemstoregisterwithmeanymore.”
“Perhapsit’sjustaswell,”saidHilarydrily.
“I’maperfectlynormalman,mydear,orIusedtobe.GodknowswhatIamnow.”
Hilarysatdownbyhim.
“Whatisthematterwithyou,Tom?”shesaid.
“Itellyou.Ican’tconcentrate.AsascientistI’mshottopieces.Thisplace—”
“Theothers—ormostofthem—don’tseemtofeellikeyou?”
“Becausethey’readamnedinsensitivecrowd,Isuppose.”
“Someofthemaretemperamentalenough,”saidHilary,drily.Shewenton,“Ifonlyyouhadafriendhere—arealfriend.”
“Well,there’sMurchison.Thoughhe’sadulldog.AndI’veseenagooddealofTorquilEricssonlately.”
“Really?”ForsomereasonHilaryfeltsurprised.
“Yes.MyGod,he’sbrilliant.IwishIhadhisbrains.”
“He’sanoddsortofperson,”saidHilary.“Ialwaysfindhimratherfrightening.”
“Frightening?Torquil?He’sasmildasmilk.Likeachildinsomeways.Noknowledgeoftheworld.”
“WellIfindhimfrightening,”repeatedHilaryobstinately.
“Yournervesmustbegettingupset,too.”
“Notyet.Isuspecttheywill,though.Tom—don’tgettoofriendlywithTorquilEricsson.”
Hestaredather.
“Whyevernot?”
“Idon’tknow.It’safeelingIhave.”
Seventeen
I
Leblancshruggedhisshoulders.
“TheyhaveleftAfrica,itiscertain.”
“Notcertain.”
“Theprobabilitiespointthatway.”TheFrenchmanshookhishead.“Afterall,weknow,dowenot,forwheretheyarebound?”
“Iftheyareboundforwherewethink,whystartthejourneyfromAfrica?AnywhereinEuropewouldbesimpler.”
“Thatistrue.Butthereistheothersideofit.Noonewouldexpectthemtoassembleandstartfromhere.”
“Istillthinkthere’smoretoitthanthat.”Jessopwasgentlyinsistent.“Besides,onlyasmallplanecouldhaveusedthatairfield.ItwouldhavetocomedownandrefuelbeforecrossingtheMediterranean.Andwheretheyrefuelledsometraceshouldhavebeenleft.”
“Moncher,wehaveinstitutedthemostsearchinginquiries—everywheretherehasbeen—”
“ThemenwiththeGeigercountersmustgetresultsintheend.Thenumberofplanestobeexaminedislimited.Justatraceofradioactivityandweshallknowthatistheplanewearelookingfor—”
“Ifyouragenthasbeenabletousethespray.Alas!alwayssomany‘if’s’….”
“Weshallgetthere,”saidJessopobstinately.“Iwonder—”
“Yes?”
“WehaveassumedtheyaregoingNorth—towardstheMediterranean.Supposeinstead,theyflewSouth.”
“Doubledbackontheirtracks?Butwhere,then,couldtheybeflyingto?TherearetheMountainsoftheHighAtlas—andafterthatthedesertsands.”
II
“Sidi,yousweartomethatitwillbeasyouhavepromised?ApetrolstationinAmerica,inChicago?Itiscertain?”
“Itiscertain,Mohammed,ifwegetoutofhere,thatis.”
“SuccessdependsonthewillofAllah.”
“Letushope,then,thatitisthewillofAllahthatyoushouldhaveapetrolstationinChicago.WhyChicago?”
“Sidi,thebrotherofmywifewenttoAmerica,andhehasthereapetrolpumpinChicago.DoIwanttoremaininabackwardpartoftheworldallmydays?Herethereismoneyandmuchfoodandmanyrugsandwomen—butitisnotmodern.ItisnotAmerica.”
Peterslookedthoughtfullyintothedignifiedblackface.Mohammedinhiswhiterobeswasamagnificentsight.Whatstrangedesiresroseinthehumanheart.
“Idon’tknowthatyou’rewise,”hesaidwithasigh,“butsobeit.Ofcourse,ifwearefoundout—”
Asmileontheblackfacerevealedbeautifulwhiteteeth.
“Thenitisdeath—formecertainly.Perhapsnotforyou,Sidi,sinceyouarevaluable.”
“Theydealoutdeathrathereasilyhere,dothey?”
Theshouldersoftheothermanroseandfellcontemptuously.
“Whatisdeath?That,too,isthewillofAllah!”
“Youknowwhatyouhavetodo?”
“Iknow,Sidi.Iamtotakeyoutotheroofafterdark.AlsoIamtoputinyourroomclothingsuchasIandtheotherservantswear.Later—therewillbeotherthings.”
“Right.You’dbetterletmeoutoftheliftnow.Somebodymaynoticewe’reridingupanddown.Itmaygivethemideas.”
III
Therewasdancinggoingon.AndyPeterswasdancingwithMissJennson.Heheldherclosetohim,andseemedtobemurmuringinherear.AstheyrevolvedslowlynearwhereHilarywasstandinghecaughthereyeandimmediatelygaveheranoutrageouswink.
Hilary,bitingherliptoavoidasmile,avertedhereyesquickly.
HerglancefellonBettertonwhowasstandingjustacrosstheroomtalkingtoTorquilEricsson.Hilaryfrownedalittleasshewatchedthem.
“Haveaturnwithme,Olive?”saidMurchison’svoiceatherelbow.
“Yes,ofcourse,Simon.”
“Mindyou,I’mnotveryhotatdancing,”hewarnedher.
Hilaryconcentratedonkeepingherfeetwherehecouldnotpossiblytreadonthem.
“It’sexercise,that’swhatIsay,”saidMurchison,pantingslightly.Hewasanenergeticdancer.
“Awfullyjollyfrockyou’vegoton,Olive.”
Hisconversationseemedalwaystocomeoutofanold-fashionednovel.
“I’mgladyoulikeit,”saidHilary.
“GetitoutoftheFashionDepartment?”
Resistingthetemptationtoreply:“Whereelse?”Hilarymerelysaid,“Yes.”
“Mustsay,youknow,”pantedMurchison,ashecaperedperseveringlyroundthefloor,“theydoyoujollywellhere.SaidsotoBiancaonlytheotherday.BeatstheWelfareStateeverytime.Noworriesaboutmoney,orincometax—orrepairsorupkeep.Alltheworryingdoneforyou.Mustbeawonderfullifeforawoman,Ishouldsay.”
“Biancafindsitso,doesshe?”
“Well,shewasrestlessforabit,butnowshe’smanagedtogetupafewcommitteesandorganizeoneortwothings—debates,youknow,andlectures.She’scomplainingthatyoudon’ttakeasmuchpartasyoumightinthings.”
“I’mafraidI’mnotthatkindofperson,Simon.I’veneverbeenverypublicspirited.”
“Yes,butyougirlshavegottokeepyourselvesamusedonewayoranother.AtleastIdon’tmeanamusedexactly—”
“Occupied?”suggestedHilary.
“Yes—Imeanthemodernwomanwantstogetherteethintosomething.IquiterealizethatwomenlikeyouandBiancahavemadeadefinitesacrificecominghere—you’reneitherofyouscientists,thankgoodness—really,thesescientificwomen!Absolutelythelimit,mostofthem!IsaidtoBianca,‘GiveOlivetime,she’sgottogettunedin.’Ittakesalittletimegettingusedtothisplace.Tobeginwith,onegetsakindofclaustrophobicfeeling.Butitwearsoff—itwearsoff….”
“Youmean—onecangetusedtoanything?”
“Well,somepeoplefeelitmorethanothers.Tom,now,seemstotakeithard.Where’soldTomtonight?Ohyes,Isee,overtherewithTorquil.Quiteinseparable,thosetwo.”
“Iwishtheyweren’t.Imean,Ishouldn’thavethoughttheyhadverymuchincommon.”
“YoungTorquilseemsfascinatedbyyourhusband.Hefollowshimroundeverywhere.”
“I’venoticedit.Iwondered—why?”
“Well,he’salwaysgotsomeoutlandishtheorytogetoffhischest—it’sbeyondmypowertofollowhim—hisEnglishisn’ttoogood,asyouknow.ButTomlistensandmanagestotakeitallin.”
Thedanceended.AndyPeterscameupandclaimedHilaryforthenextone.
“Iobservedyousufferinginagoodcause,”hesaid.“Howbadlydidyougettrampled?”
“Oh,Iwasfairlyagile.”
“Younoticedmedoingmystuff?”
“WiththeJennson?”
“Yes.IthinkImaysaywithoutunduemodestythatIhavemadeahit,apalpablehitinthatquarter.Theseplain,angular,shortsightedgirlsrespondimmediatelywhengiventhetreatment.”
“Youcertainlygavetheimpressionofhavingfallenforher.”
“Thatwastheidea.Thatgirl,Olive,properlyhandled,canbeveryuseful.She’sintheknowaboutallthearrangementshere.Forinstance,tomorrowthere’sapartyofvariousV.I.P.sduehere.DoctorsandafewGovernmentofficialsandarichpatronortwo.”
“Andy—doyouthinktheremightbeachance….”
“No,Idon’t.Ibetthat’sgoingtobetakencareof.Sodon’tcherishfalsehopes.Butitwillbevaluablebecausewe’llgetanideaoftheprocedure.Andonthenextoccasion—well,theremightbesomethingdoing.SolongasIcankeeptheJennsoneatingoutofmyhand,Icangetalotofmiscellaneousinformationoutofher.”
“Howmuchdothepeoplewhoarecomingknow?”
“Aboutus—theUnit,Imean—nothingatall.OrsoIgather.Theyjustinspectthesettlementandthemedicalresearchlaboratories.Thisplacehasbeendeliberatelybuiltlikealabyrinth,justsothatnobodycomingintoitcanpossiblyguessitsextent.Igathertherearekindsofbulkheadsthatclose,andthatshutoffourarea.”
“Itallseemssoincredible.”
“Iknow.Halfthetimeonefeelsonemustbedreaming.Oneoftheunrealthingshereisneverseeinganychildrenabout.Thankgoodnesstherearen’t.Youmustbethankfulyouhaven’tgotachild.”
Hefeltthesuddenstiffeningofherbody.
“Here—I’msorry—Isaidthewrongthing!”Heledheroffthedancefloorandtoacoupleofchairs.
“I’mverysorry,”herepeated.“Ihurtyou,didn’tI?”
“It’snothing—no,reallynotyourfault.Ididhaveachild—anditdied—that’sall.”
“Youhadachild?—”hestared,surprised.“Ithoughtyou’donlybeenmarriedtoBettertonsixmonths?”
Oliveflushed.Shesaidquickly:
“Yes,ofcourse.ButIwas—marriedbefore.Idivorcedmyfirsthusband.”
“Oh,Isee.That’stheworstofthisplace.Onedoesn’tknowanythingaboutpeople’slivesbeforetheycamehere,andsoonegoesandsaysthewrongthing.It’soddtorealizesometimesthatIdon’tknowanythingaboutyouatall.”
“OrIanythingaboutyou.Howyouwerebroughtup—andwhere—yourfamily—”
“Iwasbroughtupinastrictlyscientificatmosphere.Nourishedontesttubes,youmightsay.Nobodyeverthoughtofanythingelse.ButIwasneverthebrightboyofthefamily.Geniuslayelsewhere.”
“Whereexactly?”
“Agirl.Shewasbrilliant.ShemighthavebeenanotherMadameCurie.Shecouldhaveopenedupnewhorizons.”
“She—whathappenedtoher?”
Hesaidshortly:
“Shewaskilled.”
Hilaryguessedatsomewartimetragedy.Shesaidgently:
“Youcaredforher?”
“MorethanIhaveevercaredforanybody.”
Herousedhimselfsuddenly.
“Whattheheck—we’vegotenoughtroublesinthepresent,righthereandnow.LookatourNorwegianfriend.Apartfromhiseyes,healwayslooksasthoughheweremadefromwood.Andthatwonderfullittlestiffbowofhis—asthoughyou’dpulledastring.”
“It’sbecausehe’ssoverytallandthin.”
“Notsoverytall.Aboutmyheight—five-foot-elevenorsixfoot,notmore.”
“Heightisdeceptive.”
“Yes,it’slikedescriptionsonpassports.TakeEricsson.Heightsixfoot,fairhair,blueeyes,facelong,demeanourwooden,nosemedium,mouthordinary.Evenaddwhatapassportwouldn’t—speakscorrectlybutpedantically—youstillwouldn’thavethefirstideawhatTorquilreallylookedlike.What’sthematter?”
“Nothing.”
ShewasstaringacrosstheroomatEricsson.ThatdescriptionofBorisGlydr!AlmostwordforwordasshehadhearditfromJessop.WasthatwhyshehadalwaysfeltnervousofTorquilEricsson?Coulditpossiblybethat—
TurningabruptlytoPetersshesaid:
“IsupposeheisEricsson?Hecouldn’tbesomeoneelse?”
Peterslookedatherinastonishment.
“Someoneelse?Who?”
“Imean—atleastIthinkImean—couldhehavecomeherepretendingtobeEricsson?”
Petersconsidered.
“Isuppose—no,Idon’tthinkthatwouldbefeasible.He’dhavetobeascientist…andanyway,Ericssonisquitewellknown.”
“Butnobodyhereseemsevertohavemethimbefore—orIsupposehecouldbeEricsson,butbesomeoneelseaswell.”
“YoumeanEricssoncouldhavebeenleadingsomekindofdoublelife?That’spossible,Isuppose.Butit’snotverylikely.”
“No,”saidHilary.“No,ofcourseitisn’tlikely.”
OfcourseEricssonwasnotBorisGlydr.ButwhyshouldOliveBettertonhavebeensoinsistentonwarningTomagainstBoris?CouldithavebeenbecausesheknewthatBoriswasonhiswaytotheUnit?SupposingthemanwhohadcometoLondoncallinghimselfBorisGlydrwasnotBorisGlydratall?SupposingthathewasreallyTorquilEricsson.Thedescriptionfitted.EversincehearrivedattheUnit,hehadfocusedhisattentiononTom.Ericsson,shewassure,wasadangerousperson—youdidn’tknowwhatwentonbehindthosepaledreamyeyes….
Sheshivered.
“Olive—what’sthematter?Whatisit?”
“Nothing.Look.TheDeputyDirectorisgoingtomakeanannouncement.”
Dr.Nielsonwasholdinguphishandforsilence.HespokeintothemicrophoneontheplatformoftheHall.
“Friendsandcolleagues.TomorrowyouareaskedtoremainintheEmergencyWing.Pleaseassembleatelevena.m.whentherewillbearollcall.Emergencyordersarefortwenty-fourhoursonly.Imuchregrettheinconvenience.Anoticehasbeenpostedontheboard.”
Heretiredsmiling.Thenmusicbeganagain.
“ImustpursuetheJennsonagain,”saidPeters.“Iseeherlookingearnestbyapillar.IwanttohearjustwhattheseEmergencyquartersconsistof.”
Hemovedaway.Hilarysatthinking.Wassheanimaginativefool?TorquilEricsson?BorisGlydr?
IV
Rollcallwasinthebiglectureroom.Everyonewaspresentandansweredtohisorhername.Thentheyweremarshalledintoalongcolumnandmarchedoff.
Theroutewas,asusual,throughamazeofwindingcorridors.Hilary,walkingbyPeters,knewthathehad,concealedinhishand,atinycompass.Fromthis,unobtrusively,hewascalculatingtheirdirection.
“Notthatithelps,”heobservedruefullyinalowtone.“Oratanyrateitdoesn’thelpatthemoment.Butitmaydo—sometime.”
Attheendofthecorridortheywerefollowingwasadoorandtherewasamomentaryhaltasthedoorwasopened.
Peterstookouthiscigarettecase—butimmediatelyVanHeidem’svoicewasraisedperemptorily.
“Nosmoking,please.Thathasalreadybeentoldyou.”
“Sorry,sir.”
Peterspausedwiththecigarettecaseinhishand.Thentheyallwentforwardagain.
“Justlikesheep,”saidHilarydisgustedly.
“Cheerup,”Petersmurmured.“Baa,baa,blacksheepisamongtheflock,thinkingupdevilryhard.”
Sheflashedhimagratefulglanceandsmiled.
“Women’sdormitorytotheright,”saidMissJennson.
Sheshepherdedthewomenoffinthedirectionindicated.
Themenweremarchedtotheleft.
Thedormitorywasalargeroomofhygienicappearanceratherlikeahospitalward.Ithadbedsalongthewallswithcurtainsofplasticmaterialthatcouldbepulledforprivacy.Therewasalockerbyeachbed.
“Youwillfindarrangementsrathersimple,”saidMissJennson,“butnottooprimitive.Thebathroomaccommodationisthroughtheretotheright.Thecommunallivingroomisthroughthedoorattheend.”
Thecommunallivingroomwheretheyallmetagainwasplainlyfurnishedratherlikeanairportwaitingroom—therewasabarandsnackcounteratoneside.Alongtheothersidewasarowofbookshelves.
Thedaypassedquiteagreeably.Thereweretwocinemaperformancesshownonasmallportablescreen.
Thelightingwasofthedaylighttypewhichtendedtoobscurethefactthattherewerenowindows.Towardseveningafreshsetofbulbscameon—softanddiscreetnightlighting.
“Clever,”saidPetersappreciatively.“Itallhelpstominimizethefeelingofbeingwalledupalive.”
Howhelplesstheyallwere,thoughtHilary.Somewhere,quitenearthem,wereapartyfromtheoutsideworld.Andtherewasnomeansofcommunicatingwiththem,ofappealingforhelp.Asusual,everythinghadbeenruthlesslyandefficientlyplanned.
PeterswassittingwithMissJennson.HilarysuggestedtotheMurchisonsthattheyshouldplaybridge.TomBettertonrefused.Hesaidhecouldn’tconcentrate,butDr.Barronmadeafourth.
Oddlyenough,Hilaryfoundthegameenjoyable.Itwashalf-pastelevenwhentheirthirdrubbercametoanend,withherselfandDr.Barronthewinners.
“Ienjoyedthat,”shesaid.Sheglancedatherwatch.“It’squitelate.IsupposetheV.I.P.swillhaveleftnow—ordotheyspendthenighthere?”
“Idon’treallyknow,”saidSimonMurchison.“Ibelieveoneortwoofthespeciallykeenmedicosstayover.Anyway,they’llallhavegonebytomorrowmidday.”
“Andthat’swhenwe’reputbackintocirculation?”
“Yes.Abouttime,too.Itupsetsallone’sroutine,thissortofthing.”
“Butitiswellarranged,”saidBiancawithapproval.
SheandHilarygotupandsaidgoodnighttothetwomen.HilarystoodbackalittletoallowBiancatoprecedeherintothedimlylitdormitory.Asshedidso,shefeltasofttouchonherarm.
Sheturnedsharplytofindoneofthetall,dark-facedservantsstandingbesideher.
HespokeinalowurgentvoiceinFrench.
“S’ilvouspla?t,Madame,youaretocome.”
“Come?Comewhere?”
“Ifyouwillpleasefollowme.”
Shestoodirresoluteforamoment.
Biancahadgoneonintothedormitory.Inthecommunallivingroomthefewpersonsleftwereengagedinconversationwitheachother.
Againshefeltthatsofturgenttouchonherarm.
“Youwillfollowmeplease,Madame.”
Hemovedafewstepsandstood,lookingback,beckoningtoher.AlittledoubtfullyHilaryfollowedhim.
Shenoticedthatthisparticularmanwasfarmorerichlydressedthanmostofthenativeservants.Hisrobeswereembroideredheavilywithgoldthread.
Heledherthroughasmalldoorinacornerofthecommunallivingroom,thenoncemorealongtheinevitableanonymouswhitecorridors.ShedidnotthinkitwasthesamewaybywhichtheyhadcometotheEmergencyWing,butitwasalwaysdifficulttobesurebecauseofthesimilarityofthepassages.Onceshetriedtoaskaquestionbuttheguideshookhisheadimpatientlyandhurriedon.
Hestoppedfinallyattheendofacorridorandpressedabuttoninthewall.Apanelslidbackdisclosingasmalllift.Hegesturedherin,followedher,andtheliftshotupwards.
Hilarysaidsharply:“Whereareyoutakingme?”
Thedarkeyesheldhersinakindofdignifiedreproof.
“TotheMaster,Madame.Itisforyouagreathonour.”
“TotheDirector,youmean?”
“TotheMaster….”
Theliftstopped.Heslidbackthedoorsandmotionedherout.Thentheywalkeddownanothercorridorandarrivedatadoor.Herguiderappedonthedooranditwasopenedfrominside.Hereagainwerewhiterobes,goldembroideryandablackimpassiveface.
ThemantookHilaryacrossthesmallred-carpetedanteroomanddrewasidesomehangingsatthefartherside.Hilarypassedthrough.Shefoundherself,unexpectedly,inanalmostorientalinterior.Therewerelowcouches,coffeetables,oneortwobeautifulrugshangingonthewalls.Sittingonalowdivanwasafigureatwhomshestaredwithcompleteincredulity.Small,yellow,wrinkled,old,shestaredunbelievinglyintothesmilingeyesofMr.Aristides.
Eighteen
“Asseyez-vous,chèreMadame,”saidMr.Aristides.
Hewavedasmallclaw-likehand,andHilarycameforwardinadreamandsatdownuponanotherlowdivanoppositehim.Hegaveagentlelittlecackleoflaughter.
“Youaresurprised,”hesaid.“Itisnotwhatyouexpected,eh?”
“No,indeed,”saidHilary.“Ineverthought—Ineverimagined—”
Butalreadyhersurprisewassubsiding.
WithherrecognitionofMr.Aristidesthedreamworldofunrealityinwhichshehadbeenlivingforthepastweeksshatteredandbroke.SheknewnowthattheUnithadseemedunrealtoher—becauseitwasunreal.Ithadneverbeenwhatitpretendedtobe.TheHerrDirectorwithhisspellbinder’svoicehadbeenunrealtoo—amerefigureheadoffictionsetuptoobscurethetruth.Thetruthwashereinthissecretorientalroom.Alittleoldmansittingthereandlaughingquietly.WithMr.Aristidesinthecentreofthepicture,everythingmadesense—hard,practical,everydaysense.
“Iseenow,”saidHilary.“This—isallyours,isn’tit?”
“Yes,Madame.”
“AndtheDirector?Theso-calledDirector?”
“Heisverygood,”saidMr.Aristidesappreciatively.“Ipayhimaveryhighsalary.HeusedtorunRevivalistMeetings.”
Hesmokedthoughtfullyforamomentortwo.Hilarydidnotspeak.
“ThereisTurkishDelightbesideyou,Madame.Andothersweetmeatsifyoupreferthem.”Againtherewasasilence.Thenhewenton,“Iamaphilanthropist,Madame.Asyouknow,Iamrich.Oneoftherichestmen—possiblytherichestman—intheworldtoday.WithmywealthIfeelundertheobligationtoservehumanity.Ihaveestablishedhere,inthisremotespot,acolonyoflepersandavastassemblyofresearchintotheproblemofthecureofleprosy.Certaintypesofleprosyarecurable.Others,sofar,haveprovedincurable.Butallthetimeweareworkingandobtaininggoodresults.Leprosyisnotreallysuchaneasilycommunicateddisease.Itisnothalfsoinfectiousorsocontagiousassmallpoxortyphusorplagueoranyoftheseotherthings.Andyet,ifyousaytopeople,‘alepercolony’theywillshudderandgive
“Youestablisheditforthatreason?”
“Yes.WehaveherealsoaCancerResearchdepartment,andimportantworkisbeingdoneontuberculosis.Thereisvirusresearch,also—forcurativereasons,bienentendu—biologicalwarfareisnotmentioned.Allhumane,allacceptable,allredoundinggreatlytomyhonour.Well-knownphysicians,surgeonsandresearchchemistscomeheretoseeourresultsfromtimetotimeastheyhavecometoday.Thebuildinghasbeencunninglyconstructedinsuchawaythatapartofitisshutoffandunapparentevenfromtheair.Themoresecretlaboratorieshavebeentunnelledrightintotherock.Inanycase,Iamabovesuspicion.”Hesmiledandaddedsimply:“Iamsoveryrich,yousee.”
“Butwhy?”demandedHilary.“Whythisurgefordestruction?”
“Ihavenourgefordestruction,Madame.Youwrongme.”
“Butthen—Isimplydon’tunderstand.”
“Iamabusinessman,”saidMr.Aristidessimply.“Iamalsoacollector.Whenwealthbecomesoppressive,thatistheonlythingtodo.Ihavecollectedmanythingsinmytime.Pictures—IhavethefinestartcollectioninEurope.Certainkindsofceramics.Philately—mystampcollectionisfamous.Whenacollectionisfullyrepresentative,onegoesontothenextthing.Iamanoldman,Madame,andtherewasnotverymuchmoreformetocollect.SoIcameatlasttocollectingbrains.”
“Brains?”Hilaryqueried.
Henoddedgently.
“Yes,itisthemostinterestingthingtocollectofall.Littlebylittle,Madame,Iamassemblinghereallthebrainsoftheworld.Theyoungmen,thosearetheonesIambringinghere.Youngmenofpromise,youngmenofachievement.Onedaythetirednationsoftheworldwillwakeupandrealizethattheirscientistsareoldandstale,andthattheyoungbrainsoftheworld,thedoctors,theresearchchemists,thephysicists,thesurgeons,areallhereinmykeeping.Andiftheywantascientist,oraplasticsurgeon,orabiologist,theywillhavetocomeandbuyhimfromme!”
“Youmean…”Hilaryleanedforward,staringathim.“Youmeanthatthisisallagiganticfinancialoperation.”
AgainMr.Aristidesnoddedgently.
“Yes,”hesaid.“Naturally.Otherwise—itwouldnotmakesense,wouldit?”
Hilarygaveadeepsigh.
“No,”shesaid.“That’sjustwhatI’vefelt.”
“Afterall,yousee,”saidMr.Aristidesalmostapologetically.“Itismyprofession.Iamafinancier.”
“Andyoumeanthereisnopoliticalsidetothisatall?Youdon’twantWorldPower—?”
Hethrewuphishandinrebuke.
“IdonotwanttobeGod,”hesaid.“Iamareligiousman.ThatistheoccupationaldiseaseofDictators:wantingtobeGod.SofarIhavenotcontractedthatdisease.”Hereflectedamomentandsaid:“Itmaycome.Yes,itmaycome…Butasyet,mercifully—no.”
“Buthowdoyougetallthesepeopletocomehere?”
“Ibuythem,Madame.Intheopenmarket,likeanyothermerchandise.SometimesIbuythemwithmoney.Moreoften,Ibuythemwithideas.Youngmenaredreamers.Theyhaveideals.Theyhavebeliefs.SometimesIbuythemwithsafety—thosethathavetransgressedthelaw.”
“Thatexplainsit,”saidHilary.“Explains,Imean,whatpuzzledmesoonthejourneyhere.”
“Ah!Itpuzzledyouonthejourney,didit?”
“Yes.Thedifferenceinaims.AndyPeters,theAmerican,seemedcompletelyLeftWing.ButEricssonwasafanaticalbelieverintheSuperman.AndHelgaNeedheimwasaFascistofthemostarrogantandpagankind.Dr.Barron—”Shehesitated.
“Yes,hecameformoney,”saidAristides.“Dr.Barroniscivilizedandcynical.Hehasnoillusions,buthehasagenuineloveofhiswork.Hewantedunlimitedmoney,soastopursuehisresearchesfurther.”Headded:“Youareintelligent,Madame.IsawthatatonceinFez.”
Hegaveagentlelittlecackleoflaughter.
“Youdidnotknowit,Madame,butIwenttoFezsimplytoobserveyou—orratherIhadyoubroughttoFezinorderthatImightobserveyou.”
“Isee,”saidHilary.
Shenotedtheorientalrephrasingofthesentence.
“Iwaspleasedtothinkthatyouwouldbecominghere.For,ifyouunderstandme,Idonotfindmanyintelligentpeopleinthisplacetotalkto.”Hemadeagesture.“Thesescientists,thesebiologists,theseresearchchemists,theyarenotinteresting.Theyaregeniusesperhapsatwhattheydo,buttheyareuninterestingpeoplewithwhomtoconverse.”
“Theirwives,”headdedthoughtfully,“areusuallyverydull,too.Wedonotencouragewiveshere.Ipermitwivestocomeforonlyonereason.”
“Whatreason?”
Mr.Aristidessaiddrily:
“Intherarecaseswhereahusbandisunabletodohisworkproperlybecauseheisthinkingtoomuchofhiswife.Thatseemedtobethecasewithyourhusband,ThomasBetterton.ThomasBettertonisknowntotheworldasayoungmanofgenius,butsincehehasbeenherehehasdoneonlymediocreandsecond-classwork.Yes,Bettertonhasdisappointedme.”
“Butdon’tyoufindthatconstantlyhappening?Thesepeopleare,afterall,inprisonhere.Surelytheyrebel?Atfirst,atanyrate?”
“Yes,”Mr.Aristidesagreed.“Thatisonlynaturalandinevitable.Itissowhenyoufirstcageabird.Butifthebirdisinabigenoughaviary;ifithasallthatitneeds;amate,seed,water,twigs,allthematerialoflife,itforgetsintheendthatitwaseverfree.”
Hilaryshiveredalittle.
“Youfrightenme,”shesaid.“Youreallyfrightenme.”
“Youwillgrowtounderstandmanythingshere,Madame.Letmeassureyouthatthoughallthesemenofdifferentideologiesarrivehereandaredisillusionedandrebellious,theywillalltoethelineintheend.”
“Youcan’tbesureofthat,”saidHilary.
“Onecanbeabsolutelysureofnothinginthisworld.Iagreewithyouthere.Butitisaninety-fivepercentcertaintyallthesame.”
Hilarylookedathimwithsomethinglikehorror.
“It’sdreadful,”shesaid.“It’slikeatypists’pool!You’vegotapoolhereofbrains.”
“Exactly.Youputitveryjustly,Madame.”
“Andfromthispool,youintend,oneday,tosupplyscientiststowhoeverpaysyoubestforthem?”
“Thatis,roughly,thegeneralprinciple,Madame.”
“Butyoucan’tsendoutascientistjustasyoucansendoutatypist.”
“Whynot?”
“Becauseonceyourscientistisinthefreeworldagain,hecouldrefusetoworkforhisnewemployer.Hewouldbefreeagain.”
“Trueuptoapoint.Theremayhavetobeacertain—conditioning,shallwesay?”
“Conditioning—whatdoyoumeanbythat?”
“YouhaveheardofLeucotomy,Madame?”Hilaryfrowned.
“That’sabrainoperation,isn’tit?”
“Butyes.Itwasdevisedoriginallyforthecuringofmelancholia.Iputittoyounotinmedicalterms,Madame,butinsuchtermsasyouandIunderstand.Aftertheoperationthepatienthasnomoredesiretocommitsuicide,nofurtherfeelingsofguilt.Heiscarefree,consciencelessandinmostcasesobedient.”
“Ithasn’tbeenahundredpercentsuccess,hasit?”
“Inthepast,no.Butherewehavemadegreatstridesintheinvestigationofthesubject.Ihaveherethreesurgeons:oneRussian,oneFrenchman,andanAustrian.Byvariousoperationsofgraftinganddelicatemanipulationofthebrain,theyarearrivinggraduallyatastatewheredocilitycanbeassuredandthewillcanbecontrolledwithoutnecessarilyaffectingmentalbrilliance.Itseemspossiblethatwemayintheendsoconditionahumanbeingthatwhilehispowersofintellectremainunimpaired,hewillexhibitperfectdocility.Anysuggestionmadetohimhewillaccept.”
“Butthat’shorrible,”criedHilary.“Horrible!”
Hecorrectedherserenely.
“Itisuseful.Itiseveninsomewaysbeneficent.Forthepatientwillbehappy,contented,withoutfearsorlongingsorunrest.”
“Idon’tbelieveitwilleverhappen,”saidHilarydefiantly.
“ChèreMadame,forgivemeifIsayyouarehardlycompetenttospeakonthesubject.”
“WhatImeanis,”saidHilary,“thatIdonotbelieveacontented,suggestibleanimalwilleverproducecreativeworkofrealbrilliance.”
Aristidesshruggedhisshoulders.
“Perhaps.Youareintelligent.Youmayhavesomethingthere.Timewillshow.Experimentsaregoingonallthetime.”
“Experiments!Onhumanbeings,doyoumean?”
“Butcertainly.Thatistheonlypracticalmethod.”
“But—whathumanbeings?”
“Therearealwaysthemisfits,”saidAristides.“Theoneswhodonotadaptthemselvestolifehere,whowillnotcooperate.Theymakegoodexperimentalmaterial.”
Hilarydugherfingersintothecushionsofthedivan.Shefeltadeephorrorofthissmiling,yellow-facedlittlemanwithhisinhumanoutlook.Everythinghesaidwassoreasonable,sologicalandsobusinesslike,thatitmadethehorrorworse.Herewasnoravingmadman,justamantowhomhisfellowcreaturesweresomuchrawmaterial.
“Don’tyoubelieveinGod?”shesaid
“NaturallyIbelieveinGod.”Mr.Aristidesraisedhiseyebrows.Histonewasalmostshocked.“Ihavetoldyoualready.Iamareligiousman.Godhasblessedmewithsupremepower.Withmoneyandopportunity.”
“DoyoureadyourBible?”askedHilary.
“Certainly,Madame.”
“DoyourememberwhatMosesandAaronsaidtoPharaoh?Letmypeoplego.”
Hesmiled.
“So—IamPharaoh?AndyouareMosesandAaroninone?Isthatwhatyouaresayingtome,Madame?Toletthesepeoplego,allofthem,orjust—onespecialcase?”
“I’dliketosay—allofthem,”saidHilary.
“Butyouarewellaware,chèreMadame,”hesaid,“thatthatwouldbeawasteoftime.Soinstead,isitnotyourhusbandforwhomyouplead?”
“Heisnogoodtoyou,”saidHilary.“Surelybynowyoumustrealizethat.”
“Perhapsitistruewhatyousay,Madame.Yes,IamverymuchdisappointedinThomasBetterton.Ihopedthatyourpresenceheremightrestorehimtohisbrilliance,forundoubtedlyhehasbrilliance.HisreputationinAmericaleavesnodoubtastothat.Butyourcomingseemstohavehadlittleornoeffect.Ispeaknotofmyownknowledge,ofcourse,butfromthereportsofthosefittedtoknow.Hisbrotherscientistswhohavebeenworkingwithhim.”Heshruggedhisshoulders.“Hedoesconscientious,mediocrework.Nomore.”
“Therearebirdsthatcannotsingincaptivity,”saidHilary.“Perhapstherearescientistswhocannotattaincreativethoughtundercertaincircumstances.Youmustadmitthatthatisareasonablepossibility.”
“Itmaybeso.Idonotdenyit.”
“ThenwriteoffThomasBettertonasoneofyourfailures.Lethimreturntotheouterworld.”
“Thatwouldhardlydo,Madame.Iamnotyetpreparedtohaveknowledgeofthisplacebroadcasttotheglobe.”
“Youcouldswearhimtosecrecy.Hewouldswearnevertobreatheaword.”
“Hewouldswear—yes.Buthewouldnotkeepthatword.”
“Hewould!Oh,indeed,hewould!”
“Therespeaksawife!Onecannottakethewordofwivesonthispoint.Ofcourse,”heleanedbackinhischair,andbroughtthetipsofhisyellowfingerstogether,“ofcourse,hemightleaveahostagebehindhim,andthatmighttiehistongue.”
“Youmean?”
“Imeantyou,Madame…IfThomasBettertonwent,andyouremainedasahostage,howwouldthatbargainstrikeyou?Wouldyoubewilling?”
Hilarystaredpasthimintotheshadows.Mr.Aristidescouldnotknowthepicturesthatrosebeforehereyes.Shewasbackinahospitalroom,sittingbyadyingwoman.ShewaslisteningtoJessopandmemorizinghisinstructions.Iftherewasachance,now,thatThomasBettertonmightgofree,whilstsheremained,wouldnotthatbethebestwaytofulfilhermission?Forsheknew(whatMr.Aristidesdidnot),thattherewouldbenohostageintheusualmeaningoftheword,leftbehind.SheherselfmeantnothingtoThomasBetterton.Thewifehehadlovedwasalreadydead.
Sheraisedherheadandlookedacrossatthelittleoldmanonthedivan.
“Ishouldbewilling,”shesaid.
“Youhavecourage,Madame,andloyaltyanddevotion.Theyaregoodqualities.Fortherest—”Hesmiled.“Wewilltalkofitagainsomeothertime.”
“Ohno,no!”Hilarysuddenlyburiedherfaceinherhands.Hershouldersshook.“Ican’tbearit!Ican’tbearit!It’salltooinhuman.”
“Youmustnotmindsomuch,Madame.”Theoldman’svoicewastender,almostsoothing.“Ithaspleasedmetonighttotellyoumyaimsandmyaspirations.Ithasbeeninterestingtometoseetheeffectuponamindtotallyunprepared.Amindlikeyours,well-balanced,saneandintelligent.Youarehorrified.Youarerepulsed.YetIthinkthattoshockyouinthiswayisawiseplan.Atfirstyourepeltheidea,thenyouthinkofit,youreflectonit,andintheenditwillseemtoyounatural;asthoughithasalwaysexisted,acommonplace.”
“Neverthat!”criedHilary.“Neverthat!Never!Never!”
“Ah,”saidMr.Aristides.“Therespeaksthepassionandtherebellionthatgowithredhair.Mysecondwife,”headdedreflectively,“hadredhair.Shewasabeautifulwoman,andshelovedme.Strange,isitnot?Ihavealwaysadmiredred-hairedwomen.Yourhairisverybeautiful.ThereareotherthingsIlikeaboutyou.Yourspirit,yourcourage;thefactthatyouhaveamindofyourown.”Hesighed.“Alas!Womenaswomeninterestmeverylittlenowadays.Ihaveacoupleofyounggirlsherewhopleasemesometimes,butitisthestimulusofmentalcompanionshipthatInowprefer.Believeme,Madame,yourcompanyhasrefreshedmegreatly.”
“SupposingIrepeatallthatyouhavetoldmeto—myhusband?”
Mr.Aristidessmiledindulgently.
“Ahyes,supposingyoudo?Butwillyou?”
“Idon’tknow.I—oh,Idon’tknow.”
“Ah!”saidMr.Aristides.“Youarewise.Thereissomeknowledgewomenshouldkeeptothemselves.Butyouaretired—andupset.Fromtimetotime,whenIpaymyvisitshere,youshallbebroughttome,andwewilldiscussmanythings.”
“Letmeleavethisplace—”Hilarystretchedherhandsouttohim.“Oh,letmegoaway.Letmeleavewithyouwhenyougo.Please!Please!”
Heshookhisheadgently.Hisexpressionwasindulgent,buttherewasafainttouchofcontemptbehindit.
“Nowyouaretalkinglikeachild,”hesaidreprovingly.“HowcouldIletyougo?HowcouldIletyouspreadthestoryroundtheworldofwhatyouhaveseenhere?”
“Wouldn’tyoubelievemeifIsworeIwouldn’tsayawordtoanyone?”
“NoindeedIshouldnotbelieveyou,”saidMr.Aristides.“IshouldbeveryfoolishifIbelievedanythingofthekind.”
“Idon’twanttobehere.Idon’twanttostayhereinthisprison.Iwanttogetout.”
“Butyouhaveyourhusband.Youcameheretojoinhim,deliberately,ofyourownfreewill.”
“ButIdidn’tknowwhatIwascomingto.I’dnoidea.”
“No,”saidMr.Aristides,“youhadnoidea.ButIcanassureyouthisparticularworldyouhavecometoisamuchpleasanterworldthanthelifebeyondtheIronCurtain.Hereyouhaveeverythingyouneed!Luxury,abeautifulclimate,distractions….”
Hegotupandpattedhergentlyontheshoulder.
“Youwillsettledown,”hesaid,confidently.“Ahyes,thered-hairedbirdinthecagewillsettledown.Inayear,intwoyearscertainly,youwillbeveryhappy!Thoughpossibly,”headdedthoughtfully,“lessinteresting.”
Nineteen
I
Hilaryawokethefollowingnightwithastart.Sheraisedherselfonherelbow,listening.
“Tom,doyouhear?”
“Yes.Aircraft—flyinglow.Nothinginthat.Theycomeoverfromtimetotime.”
“Iwondered—”Shedidnotfinishhersentence.
Shelayawakethinking,goingoverandoverthatstrangeinterviewwithAristides.
Theoldmanhadgotsomekindofcapriciouslikingforher.
Couldsheplayuponthat?
Couldsheintheendprevailuponhimtotakeherwithhim,outintotheworldagain?
Nexttimehecame,ifhesentforher,shewouldleadhimontotalkofhisdeadred-hairedwife.Itwasnotthelureofthefleshthatwouldcaptivatehim.Hisbloodrantoocoldlynowinhisveinsforthat.Besideshehadhis“younggirls.”Buttheoldliketoremember,tobeurgedontotalkoftimesgoneby….
UncleGeorge,whohadlivedatCheltenham…
Hilarysmiledinthedarkness,rememberingUncleGeorge.
WereUncleGeorgeandAristides,themanofmillions,reallyverydifferentundertheskin?UncleGeorgehadhadahousekeeper—“suchanice,safewoman,mydear,notflashyorsexyoranythinglikethat.Niceandplainandsane.”ButUncleGeorgehadupsethisfamilybymarryingthatnice,plainwoman.Shehadbeenaverygoodlistener….
WhathadHilarysaidtoTom?“I’llfindawayofgettingoutofhere?”Odd,ifthewayshouldprovetobeAristides.
II
“Amessage,”saidLeblanc.“Amessageatlast.”
Hisorderlyhadjustenteredand,aftersaluting,hadlaidafoldedpaperbeforehim.Heunfoldedit,thenspokeexcitedly.
“Thisisareportfromoneofourreconnaissancepilots.HehasbeenoperatingoveraselectedsquareofterritoryintheHighAtlas.Whenflyingoveracertainpositioninamountainousregionheobservedasignalbeingflashed.ItwasinMorseandwastwicerepeated.Hereitis.”
HelaidtheenclosurebeforeJessop.
COGLEPROSIESL
Heseparatedoffthelasttwoletterswithapencil.
“SL—thatisourcodefor‘Donotacknowledge.’”
“AndCOGwithwhichthemessagestarts,”saidJessop,“isourrecognitionsignal.”
“Thentherestistheactualmessage.”Heunderlinedit.“LEPROSIE.”Hesurveyeditdubiously.
“Leprosy?”saidJessop.
“Andwhatdoesthatmean?”
“Haveyouanyimportantlepersettlements?Orunimportantonesforthatmatter?”
Leblancspreadoutalargemapinfrontofhim.Hepointedwithastubbyforefingerstainedwithnicotine.
“Here,”hemarkeditoff,“istheareaoverwhichourpilotwasoperating.Letmeseenow.Iseemtorecall….”
Helefttheroom.Presentlyhereturned
“Ihaveit,”hesaid.“Thereisaveryfamousmedicalresearchstation,foundedandendowedbywell-knownphilanthropistsandoperatinginthatarea—averydesertedone,bytheway.Valuableworkhasbeendonethereinthestudyofleprosy.Thereisalepersettlementthereofabouttwohundredpeople.Thereisalsoacancerresearchstation,andatubercularsanatorium.Butunderstandthis,itisallofthehighestauthenticity.Itsreputationisofthehighest.ThePresidentoftheRepublichimselfisitsPatron.”
“Yes,”saidJessopappreciatively.“Verynicework,infact.”
“Butitisopentoinspectionatanytime.Medicalmenwhoareinterestedinthesesubjectsvisitthere.”
“Andseenothingtheyoughtnottosee!Whyshouldthey?Thereisnobettercamouflagefordubiousbusinessthananatmosphereofthehighestrespectability.”
“Itcouldbe,”Leblancsaiddubiously,“Isuppose,ahaltingplaceforpartiesofpeopleboundonajourney.Oneortwoofthemid-Europeandoctors,perhaps,havemanagedtoarrangesomethinglikethat.Asmallpartyofpeople,liketheonewearetracking,couldlieperduthereforafewweeksbeforecontinuingtheirjourney.”
“Ithinkitmightbesomethingmorethanthat,”saidJessop.“Ithinkitmightbe—Journey’sEnd.”
“Youthinkitissomething—big?”
“Alepersettlementseemstomeverysuggestive…Ibelieve,undermoderntreatment,leprosynowadaysistreatedathome.”
“Incivilizedcommunities,perhaps.Butonecouldnotdothatinthiscountry.”
“No.ButthewordleprosystillhasitsassociationwiththeMiddleAgeswhenthelepercarriedhisbelltowarnawaypeoplefromhispath.Idlecuriositydoesnotbringpeopletoalepersettlement;thepeoplewhocomeare,asyousay,themedicalprofession,interestedonlyinthemedicalresearchdonethere,andpossiblythesocialworker,anxioustoreportontheconditionsunderwhichtheleperslive—allofwhicharenodoubtadmirable.Behindthatfacadeofphilanthropyandcharity—anythingmightgoon.Who,bytheway,ownstheplace?Whoarethephilanthropistswhoendoweditandsetitup?”
“Thatiseasilyascertained.Alittleminute.”
Hereturnedshortly,anofficialreferencebookinhishand.
“Itwasestablishedbyprivateenterprise.ByagroupofphilanthropistsofwhomthechiefisAristides.Asyouknow,heisamanoffabulouswealth,andgivesgenerouslytocharitableenterprises.HehasfoundedhospitalsinParisandalsoinSeville.Thisis,toallintentsandpurposes,hisshow—theotherbenefactorsareagroupofhisassociates.”
“So—it’sanAristidesenterprise.AndAristideswasinFezwhenOliveBettertonwasthere.”
“Aristides!”Leblancsavouredthefullimplication.“Mais—c’estcolossal!”
“Yes.”
“C’estfantastique!”
“Quite.”
“Enfin—c’estformidable!”
“Definitely.”
“Butdoyourealizehowformidableitis?”Leblancshookanexcitedforefingerintheother’sface.“ThisAristides,hehasafingerineverypie.Heisbehindnearlyeverything.Thebanks,theGovernment,themanufacturingindustries,armaments,transport!Oneneverseeshim,onehardlyhearsofhim!HesitsinawarmroominhisSpanishcastle,smoking,andsometimeshescrawlsafewwordsonalittlepieceofpaperandthrowsitontheground,andasecretarycrawlsforwardandpicksitup,andafewdayslateranimportantbankerinParisblowshisbrainsout!Itislikethat!”
“Howwonderfullydramaticyouare,Leblanc.Butitisreallynotverysurprising.PresidentsandMinistersmakeimportantpronouncements,bankerssitbackbehindtheirsumptuousdesksandrolloutopulentstatements—butoneisneversurprisedtofindoutthatbehindtheimportanceandmagnificencethereissomewheresomescrubbylittlemanwhoistherealmotivepower.ItisreallynotatallsurprisingtofindthatAristidesisbehindallthisdisappearingbusiness—infactifwe’dhadanysensewe’dhavethoughtofitbefore.Thewholething’savastcommercialramp.It’snotpoliticalatall.Thequestionis,”headded,“whatarewegoingtodoaboutit?”
Leblanc’sfacegrewgloomy.
“Itisnotgoingtobeeasy,youunderstand.Ifwearewrong—Idarenotthinkofit!Andevenifweareright—wehavegottoproveweareright.Ifwemakeinvestigations—thoseinvestigationscanbecalledoff—atthehighestlevel,youunderstand?No,itisnotgoingtobeeasy..But,”hewaggedanemphaticstubbyforefinger,“itwillbedone.”
Twenty
Thecarssweptupthemountainroadandstoppedinfrontofthegreatgatesetintherock.Therewerefourcars.InthefirstcarwasaFrenchMinisterandtheAmericanAmbassador,inthesecondcarwastheBritishConsul,aMemberofParliamentandtheChiefofPolice.InthethirdcarweretwomembersofaformerRoyalCommissionandtwodistinguishedjournalists.Thecomplementofthesethreecarswasmadeupwiththenecessarysatellites.Thefourthcarcontainedcertainpeoplenotknowntothegeneralpublic,butsufficientlydistinguishedintheirownsphere.TheyincludedCaptainLeblancandMr.Jessop.Thechauffeurs,immaculatelygarbed,werenowopeningcardoorsandbowingastheyassistedthedistinguishedvisitorstoalight.
“Onehopes,”murmuredtheMinister,apprehensively,thattherewillbenopossibilityofacontactofanykind.”
Oneofthesatellitesimmediatelymadesoothingnoises.
“Dutout,M.leMinistre.Everysuitableprecautionistaken.Oneinspectsonlyfromadistance.”
TheMinister,whowaselderlyandapprehensive,lookedrelieved.TheAmbassadorsaidsomethingaboutthebetterunderstandingandtreatmentofthesediseasesnowadays.
Thegreatgateswereflungopen.Onthethresholdstoodasmallpartybowingtowelcomethem.TheDirector,dark,thick-set,theDeputyDirector,bigandfair,twodistinguisheddoctorsandadistinguishedresearchchemist.ThegreetingswereFrench,floridandprolonged.
“AndcecherAristides,”demandedtheMinister.“Isincerelyhopeill-healthhasnotpreventedhimfromfulfillinghispromisetomeetushere.”
“Mr.AristidesflewfromSpainyesterday,”saidtheDeputyDirector.“Heawaitsyouwithin.Permitme,YourExcellency—M.leMinistre,toleadtheway.”
Thepartyfollowedhim.M.leMinistre,whowasslightlyapprehensive,glancedthroughtheheavyrailingstohisright.Thelepersweredrawnuptoattentioninaserriedrowasfaraspossiblefromthegrating.TheMinisterlookedrelieved.Hisfeelingsaboutleprosywerestillmedieval.
Inthewell-furnishedmodernloungeMr.Aristideswasawaitinghisguests.Therewerebows,compliments,introductions.Apéritifswereservedbythedark-facedservantsdressedintheirwhiterobesandturbans.
“It’sawonderfulplaceyouhavehere,sir,”saidoneoftheyoungerjournaliststoAristides.
Thelattermadeoneofhisorientalgestures.
“Iamproudofthisplace,”hesaid.“Itis,asyoumightsay,myswansong.Myfinalgifttohumanity.Noexpensehasbeenspared.”
“I’llsaythat’sso,”saidoneofthedoctorsonthestaff,heartily.“Thisplaceisaprofessionalman’sdream.WedoprettywellintheStates,butwhatI’veseensinceIcamehere..andwe’regettingresults!Yes,sir,wecertainlyaregettingresults.”
Hisenthusiasmwasofacontagiouskind
“Wemustmakeallacknowledgementstoprivateenterprise,”saidtheAmbassador,bowingpolitelytoMr.Aristides.
Mr.Aristidesspokewithhumility.
“Godhasbeenverygoodtome,”hesaid.
Sittinghunchedupinhischairhelookedlikeasmallyellowtoad.TheMemberofParliamentmurmuredtothememberoftheRoyalCommission,whowasveryoldanddeaf,thathepresentedaveryinterestingparadox.
“Thatoldrascalhasprobablyruinedmillionsofpeople,”hemurmured,“andhavingmadesomuchmoneyhedoesn’tknowwhattodowithit,hepaysitbackwiththeotherhand.”Theelderlyjudgetowhomhespokemurmured:
“Onewonderstowhatextentresultsjustifyincreasedexpenditure.Mostofthegreatdiscoveriesthathavebenefitedthehumanracehavebeendiscoveredwithquitesimpleequipment.”
“Andnow,”saidAristides,whenthecivilitieswereaccomplishedandtheapéritifsdrunk,“youwillhonourmebypartakingofasimplerepastwhichawaitsyou.Dr.VanHeidemwillactasyourhost.Imyselfamonadietandeatverylittlethesedays.Aftertherepastyouwillstartonyourtourofourbuilding.”
UndertheleadershipofthegenialDr.VanHeidemtheguestsmovedenthusiasticallyintothediningroom.Theyhadhadatwohours’flightfollowedbyanhour’sdrivebycarandtheywereallsharpset.ThefoodwasdeliciousandwascommentedonwithspecialapprovalbytheMinister.
“Weenjoyourmodestcomforts,”saidVanHeidem.“Freshfruitandvegetablesareflowntoustwiceaweek,arrangementsaremadeformeatandchickenandwehave,ofcourse,substantialdeepfreezingunits.Thebodymustclaimitsduefromtheresourcesofscience.”
Themealwasaccompaniedbychoicevintages.AfteritTurkishcoffeewasserved.Thepartywasthenaskedtostartonitstourofinspection.Thetourtooktwohoursandwasmostcomprehensive.TheMinister,forone,wasgladwhenitfinished.Hewasquitedazedbythegleaminglaboratories,theendlesswhite,shiningcorridors,andstillmoredazedbythemassofscientificdetailhandedouttohim.
ThoughtheMinister’sinterestwasperfunctory,someoftheothersweremoresearchingintheirinquiries.Somecuriositywasdisplayedastothelivingconditionsofthepersonnelandvariousotherdetails.Dr.VanHeidemshowedhimselfonlytoowillingtoshowtheguestsalltherewastosee.LeblancandJessop,theformerinattendanceontheMinisterandthelatteraccompanyingtheBritishConsul,fellalittlebehindtheothersastheyallreturnedtothelounge.Jessoptookoutanold-fashioned,loudlytickingwatchandnotedthetime.
“Thereisnotracehere,nothing,”murmuredLeblancinanagitatedmanner.
“Notasign.”
“Moncher,ifwehave,asyoursayingis,barkedupthewrongtree,whatacatastrophe!Aftertheweeksithastakentoarrangeallthis!Asforme—itwillfinishmycareer.”
“We’renotlickedyet,”saidJessop.“Ourfriendsarehere,I’msureofit.”
“Thereisnotraceofthem.”
“Ofcoursethereisnotrace.Theycouldnotaffordtohaveatraceofthem.Fortheseofficialvisitseverythingispreparedandarranged.”
“Thenhowarewetogetourevidence?Itellyou,withoutevidencenoonewillmoveinthematter.Theyaresceptical,allofthem.TheMinister,theAmericanAmbassador,theBritishConsul—theysayallofthem,thatamanlikeAristidesisabovesuspicion.”
“Keepcalm,Leblanc,keepcalm.Itellyouwe’renotlickedyet.”
Leblancshruggedhisshoulders.“Youhavetheoptimism,myfriend,”hesaid.Heturnedforamomenttospeaktooneoftheimmaculatelyarrayed,moon-facedyoungmenwhoformedpartoftheentourage,thenturnedbacktoJessopandaskedsuspiciously:“Whyareyousmiling?”
“Attheresourcesofscience—thelatestmodificationoftheGeigerCounter,tobeexact.”
“Iamnotascientist.”
“NomoreamI,butthisverysensitivedetectorofradioactivitytellsmeourfriendsarehere.Thisbuildinghasbeenpurposelybuiltinaconfusingmanner.Allthecorridorsandtheroomssoresembleeachotherthatitisdifficulttoknowwhereoneisorwhattheplanofthebuildingcanbe.Thereisapartofthisplacethatwehavenotseen.Ithasnotbeenshowntous.”
“Butyoudeducethatitistherebecauseofsomeradioactiveindication?”
“Exactly.”
“Infact,itisthepearlsofMadamealloveragain?”
“Yes.We’restillplayingHanselandGretel,asyoumightsay.Butthesignsleftherecannotbesoapparentorsocrudeasthebeadsofapearlnecklace,orahandofphosphoricpaint.Theycannotbeseen,buttheycanbesensed…byourradioactivedetector—”
“But,monDieu,Jessop,isthatenough?”
“Itwouldbe,”saidJessop.“Whatoneisafraidof…”Hebrokeoff.
Leblancfinishedthesentenceforhim.
“Whatyoumeanisthatthesepeoplewillnotwanttobelieve.Theyhavebeenunwillingfromthestart.Ohyes,thatisso.EvenyourBritishConsulisamanofcaution.YourgovernmentathomeisindebtedtoAristidesinmanyways.AsforourGovernment,”heshruggedhisshoulders.“M.leMinistre,Iknow,willbeexceedinglyhardtoconvince.”
“Wewon’tputourfaithingovernments,”saidJessop.“Governmentsanddiplomatshavetheirhandstied.Butwe’vegottohavethemhere,becausethey’retheonlyoneswithauthority.Butasfarasbelievingisconcerned,I’mpinningmyfaithelsewhere.”
“Andonwhatinparticulardoyoupinyourfaith,myfriend?”
Jessop’ssolemnfacesuddenlyrelaxedintoagrin.
“There’sthepress,”hesaid.“Journalistshaveanosefornews.Theydon’twantithushedup.They’rereadyalwaystobelieveanythingthatremotelycanbebelieved.TheotherpersonIhavefaithin,”hewenton,“isthatverydeafoldman.”
“Aha,Iknowtheoneyoumean.Theonewholooksasthoughhecrumblestohisgrave.”
“Yes,he’sdeafandinfirmandsemiblind.Buthe’sinterestedintruth.He’saformerLordChiefJustice,andthoughhemaybedeafandblindandshakyonhislegs,hismind’saskeenasever—he’sgotthatkeensensethatlegalluminariesacquire—ofknowingwhenthere’ssomethingfishyaboutandsomeone’stryingtopreventitbeingbroughtintotheopen.He’samanwho’lllisten,andwillwanttolisten,toevidence.”
Theyhadarrivedbacknowinthelounge.Bothteaandapéritifswereprovided.TheMinistercongratulatedMr.Aristidesinwell-roundedperiods.TheAmericanAmbassadoraddedhisquota.ItwasthenthattheMinister,lookingroundhim,saidinaslightlynervoustoneofvoice:
“Andnow,gentlemen,Ithinkthetimehascomeforustoleaveourkindhost.Wehaveseenallthereistosee…”histonedweltonthoselastwordswithsomesignificance;“allhereismagnificent.Anestablishmentofthefirst-class!Wearemostgratefulforthehospitalityofourkindhost,andwecongratulatehimontheachievementhere.Sowesayourfarewellsnowanddepart.Iamright,amInot?”
Thewordswere,inasense,conventionalenough.Themanner,too,wasconventional.Theglancethatsweptroundtheassemblyofguestsmighthavebeennomorethancourtesy.Yetinactualitythewordswereaplea.Ineffect,theMinisterwassaying,“You’veseen,gentlemen,thereisnothinghere,nothingofwhatyoususpectedandfeared.Thatisa
Butinthesilenceavoicespoke.Itwasthequiet,deferential,well-bredEnglishvoiceofMr.Jessop.HespoketotheMinisterinaBritannicthoughidiomaticFrench.
“Withyourpermission,sir,”hesaid,“andifImaydoso,Iwouldliketoaskafavourofourkindhost.”
“Certainly,certainly.Ofcourse,Mr.—ah—Mr.Jessop—yes,yes?”JessopaddressedhimselfsolemnlytoDr.VanHeidem.HedidnotlookostensiblytoMr.Aristides.
“We’vemetsomanyofyourpeople,”hesaid.“Quitebewildering.Butthere’sanoldfriendofmineherethatI’dratherliketohaveawordwith.IwonderifitcouldbearrangedbeforeIgo?”
“Afriendofyours?”Dr.VanHeidemsaidpolitely,surprised.
“Well,twofriendsreally,”saidJessop.“There’sawoman,Mrs.Betterton.OliveBetterton.Ibelieveherhusband’sworkinghere.TomBetterton.UsedtobeatHarwellandbeforethatinAmerica.I’dverymuchliketohaveawordwiththembothbeforeIgo.”
Dr.VanHeidem’sreactionswereperfect.Hiseyesopenedinwideandpolitesurprise.Hefrownedinapuzzledway.
“Betterton—Mrs.Betterton—no,I’mafraidwehavenooneofthatnamehere.”
“There’sanAmerican,too,”saidJessop.“AndrewPeters.Researchchemistry,Ibelieve,ishisline.I’mright,sir,aren’tI?”HeturneddeferentiallytotheAmericanAmbassador.
TheAmbassadorwasashrewd,middle-agedmanwithkeenblueeyes.Hewasamanofcharacteraswellasdiplomaticability.HiseyesmetJessop’s.Hetookafullminutetodecide,andthenhespoke.
“Why,yes,”hesaid.“That’sso.AndrewPeters.I’dliketoseehim.”VanHeidem’spolitebewildermentgrew.JessopunobtrusivelyshotaquickglanceatAristides.Thelittleyellowfacebetrayednoknowledgeofanythingamiss,nosurprise,nodisquietude.Helookedmerelyuninterested.
“AndrewPeters?No,I’mafraid,YourExcellency,you’vegotyourfactswrong.We’venooneofthatnamehere.I’mafraidIdon’tevenknowthename.”
“YouknowthenameofThomasBetterton,don’tyou?”saidJessop.
JustforasecondVanHeidemhesitated.Hisheadturnedveryslightlytowardstheoldmaninthechair,buthecaughthimselfbackintime.
“ThomasBetterton,”hesaid.“Why,yes,Ithink—”
Oneofthegentlemenofthepressspokeupquicklyonthatcue.
“ThomasBetterton,”hesaid.“Why,Ishouldsayhewasprettywellbignews.Bignewssixmonthsagowhenhedisappeared.Why,he’smadeheadlinesinthepapersalloverEurope.Thepolicehavebeenlookingforhimhere,thereandeverywhere.Doyoumeantosayhe’sbeenhereinthisplaceallthetime?”
“No.”VanHeidemspokesharply.“Someone,Ifear,hasbeenmisinformingyou.Ahoax,perhaps.YouhaveseentodayallourworkersattheUnit.Youhaveseeneverything.”
“Notquiteeverything,Ithink,”saidJessop,quietly.“There’sayoungmancalledEricsson,too,”headded.“AndDr.LouisBarron,andpossiblyMrs.CalvinBaker.”
“Ah.”Dr.VanHeidemseemedtoreceiveenlightenment.“ButthosepeoplewerekilledinMorocco—inaplanecrash.Irememberitperfectlynow.AtleastIrememberEricssonwasinthecrashandDr.LouisBarron.Ah,Francesustainedagreatlossthatday.AmansuchasLouisBarronishardtoreplace.”Heshookhishead.“IdonotknowanythingaboutaMrs.CalvinBaker,butIdoseemtorememberthattherewasanEnglishorAmericanwomanonthatplane.ItmightwellperhapshavebeenthisMrs.Betterton,ofwhomyouspeak.Yes,itwasallverysad.”HelookedacrossinquiringlyatJessop.“Idonotknow,Monsieur,whyyoushouldsupposethatthesepeoplewerecominghere.ItmaypossiblybethatDr.BarronmentionedatonetimethathehopedtovisitoursettlementherewhilehewasinNorthAfrica.Thatmaypossiblyhavegivenrisetoamisconception.”
“Soyoutellme,”saidJessop,“thatIammistaken?Thatthesepeoplearenoneofthemhere?”
“Buthowcantheybe,mydearsir,sincetheywereallkilledinthisplaneaccident?Thebodieswererecovered,Ibelieve.”
“Thebodiesrecoveredweretoobadlycharredforidentification.”Jessopspokethelastwordswithdeliberationandsignificance.
Therewasalittlestirbehindhim.Athin,precise,veryattenuatedvoicesaid:
“DoIunderstandyoutosaythattherewasnopreciseidentification?”LordAlverstokewasleaningforward,hishandtohisear.Underbushy,overhangingeyebrowshissmallkeeneyeslookedintoJessop’s.
“Therecouldbenoformalidentification,mylord,”saidJessop,“andIhavereasontobelievethesepeoplesurvivedthataccident.”
“Believe?”saidLordAlverstoke,withdispleasureinhisthin,highvoice.
“IshouldhavesaidIhadevidenceofsurvival.”
“Evidence?Ofwhatnature,Mr.—er—er—Jessop.”
“Mrs.BettertonwaswearingachokeroffalsepearlsonthedaysheleftFezforMarrakesh,”saidJessop.“Oneofthesepearlswasfoundatadistanceofhalfamilefromtheburnt-outplane.”
“HowcanyoustatepositivelythatthepearlfoundactuallycamefromMrs.Betterton’snecklace?”
“Becauseallthepearlsofthatnecklacehadhadamarkputupontheminvisibletothenakedeye,butrecognizableunderastronglens.”
“Whoputthatmarkonthem?”
“Idid,LordAlverstoke,inthepresenceofmycolleague,here,MonsieurLeblanc.”
“Youputthosemarks—youhadareasoninmarkingthosepearlsinthatspecialfashion?”
“Yes,mylord.IhadreasontobelievethatMrs.Bettertonwouldleadmetoherhusband,ThomasBetterton,againstwhomawarrantisout.”Jessopcontinued.“Twomoreofthesepearlscametolight.Eachonstagesofaroutebetweenwheretheplanewasburntoutandthesettlementwherewenoware.Inquiriesintheplaceswherethesepearlswerefoundresultedinadescriptionofsixpeople,roughlyapproximatingtothosepeoplewhoweresupposedtohavebeenburntintheplane.Oneofthesepassengershadalsobeensuppliedwithagloveimpregnatedwithluminous,phosphoruspaint.Thatmarkwasfoundonacarwhichhadtransportedthesepassengerspartofthewayhere.”
LordAlverstokeremarkedinhisdry,judicialvoice:
“Veryremarkable.”
InthebigchairMr.Aristidesstirred.Hiseyelidsblinkedonceortwicerapidly.Thenheaskedaquestion.
“Wherewerethelasttracesofthispartyofpeoplefound?”
“Atadisusedairfield,sir.”Hegavepreciselocation.
“Thatismanyhundredsofmilesfromhere,”saidMr.Aristides.“Grantedthatyourveryinterestingspeculationsarecorrect,thatforsomereasontheaccidentwasfaked,thesepassengers,Igather,thentookofffromthisdisusedairportforsomeunknowndestination.Sincethatairportismanyhundredsofmilesfromhere,Ireallycannotseeonwhatyoubaseyourbeliefthatthesepeoplearehere.Whyshouldtheybe?”
“Therearecertainverygoodreasons,sir.Asignalwaspickedupbyoneofoursearchingaeroplanes.ThesignalwasbroughttoMonsieurLeblanchere.Commencingwithaspecialcoderecognitionsignal,itgavetheinformationthatthepeopleinquestionwereatalepersettlement.”
“Ifindthisremarkable,”saidMr.Aristides.“Veryremarkable.Butitseemstomethatthereisnodoubtthatanattempthasbeenmadetomisleadyou.Thesepeoplearenothere.”Hespokewithaquiet,definitedecision.“Youareatperfectlibertytosearchthesettlementifyoulike.”
“Idoubtifweshouldfindanything,sir,”saidJessop.“Not,thatis,byasuperficialsearch,although,”headdeddeliberately,“Iamawareoftheareaatwhichthesearchshouldbegin.”
“Indeed!Andwhereisthat?”
“Inthefourthcorridorfromthesecondlaboratoryturningtotheleftattheendofthepassagethere.”
TherewasanabruptmovementfromDr.VanHeidem.Twoglassescrashedfromthetabletothefloor.Jessoplookedathim,smiling.
“Yousee,Doctor,”hesaid,“wearewell-informed.”
VanHeidemsaidsharply,“It’spreposterous.Absolutelypreposterous!Youaresuggestingthatwearedetainingpeoplehereagainsttheirwill.Idenythatcategorically.”
TheMinistersaiduncomfortably:
“Weseemtohavearrivedatanimpasse.”
Mr.Aristidessaidgently:
“Ithasbeenaninterestingtheory.Butitisonlyatheory.”Heglancedathiswatch.“Youwillexcuseme,gentlemen,ifIsuggestthatyoushouldleavenow.Youhavealongdrivebacktotheairport,andtherewillbealarmfeltifyourplaneisoverdue.”
BothLeblancandJessoprealizedthatithadcomenowtotheshowdown.Aristideswasexertingalltheforceofhisconsiderablepersonality.Hewasdaringthesementoopposehiswill.Iftheypersisted,itmeantthattheywerewillingtocomeoutintotheopenagainsthim.TheMinister,asperhisinstructions,wasanxioustocapitulate.TheChiefofPolicewasanxiousonlytobeagreeabletotheMinister.TheAmericanAmbassadorwasnotsatisfied,buthe,too,wouldhesitatefordiplomaticreasonstoinsist.TheBritishConsulwouldhavetofallinwiththeothertwo.
Thejournalists—Aristidesconsideredthejournalists—thejournalistscouldbeattendedto!Theirpricemightcomehighbuthewasoftheopinionthattheycouldbebought.Andiftheycouldnotbebought—well,therewereotherways
AsforJessopandLeblanc,theyknew.Thatwasclear,buttheycouldnotactwithoutauthority.Hiseyeswentonandmettheeyesofamanasoldashimself,cold,legaleyes.Thisman,heknew,couldnotbebought.Butafterall…histhoughtswereinterruptedbythesoundofthatcold,clear,farawaylittlevoice.
“Iamoftheopinion,”saidthevoice,“thatweshouldnotundulyhurryourdeparture.Forthereisacaseherethatitseemstomewouldbearfurtherinquiry.Graveallegationshavebeenmadeandshouldnot,Iconsider,beallowedtodrop.Infairnesseveryopportunityshouldbegiventorebutthem.”
“Theonusofproof,”saidMr.Aristides,“isonyou.”Hemadeagracefulgesturetowardsthecompany.“Apreposterousaccusationhasbeenmade,unsupportedbyanyevidence.”
“Notunsupported.”
Dr.VanHeidemswungroundinsurprise.OneoftheMoroccanservantshadsteppedforward.Hewasafinefigureofamaninwhiteembroideredrobeswithawhiteturbansurroundinghishead,hisfacegleamedblackandoily.
WhatcausedtheentirecompanytogazeathiminspeechlessastonishmentwasthefactthatfromhisfullratherNegroidlipsavoiceofpurelytransatlanticoriginwasproceeding.
“Notunsupported,”thatvoicesaid,“youcantakemyevidencehereandnow.ThesegentlemenhavedeniedthatAndrewPeters,TorquilEricsson,Mr.andMrs.BettertonandDr.LouisBarronarehere.That’sfalse.They’reallhere—andIspeakforthem.”HetookastepforwardtowardstheAmericanAmbassador.“Youmayfindmeabitdifficulttorecognizeatthemoment,sir,”hesaid,“butIamAndrewPeters.”
Averyfaint,sibilanthississuedfromAristides’lips,thenhesettledbackinhischair,hisfaceimpassiveoncemore.
“There’sawholecrowdofpeoplehiddenawayhere,”saidPeters.“There’sSchwartzofMunich,there’sHelgaNeedheim,thereareJeffreysandDavidson,theEnglishscientists,there’sPaulWadefromtheU.S.A.,therearetheItalians,RicochettiandBianco,there’sMurchison.They’reallrighthereinthisbuilding.There’sasystemofclosingbulkheadsthat’squiteimpossibletodetectbythenakedeye.There’sawholenetworkofsecretlaboratoriescutrightdownintotherock.”
“Godblessmysoul,”ejaculatedtheAmericanAmbassador.HelookedsearchinglyatthedignifiedAfricanfigure,andthenhebegantolaugh.“Iwouldn’tsayI’drecognizeyouevennow,”hesaid.
“That’stheinjectionofparaffininthelips,sir,tosaynothingofblackpigment.”
“Ifyou’rePeters,what’sthenumberyougounderintheF.B.I.?”
“813471,sir.”
“Right,”saidtheAmbassador,“andtheinitialsofyourothername?”
“B.A.P.G.,sir.”TheAmbassadornodded.
“ThismanisPeters,”hesaid.HelookedtowardstheMinister.
TheMinisterhesitated,thenclearedhisthroat.
“Youclaim,”hedemandedofPeters,“thatpeoplearebeingdetainedhereagainsttheirwill?”
“Someareherewillingly,Excellence,andsomearenot.”
“Inthatcase,”saidtheMinister,“statementsmustbetaken—er—yes,yes,statementsmustcertainlybetaken.”
HelookedatthePrefectofPolice.Thelattersteppedforward.
“Justamoment,please.”Mr.Aristidesraisedahand.“Itwouldseem,”hesaid,inagentle,precisevoice,“thatmyconfidenceherehasbeengreatlyabused.”HiscoldglancewentfromVanHeidemtotheDirectorandtherewasimplacablecommandinit.“Astowhatyouhavepermittedyourselvestodo,gentlemen,inyourenthusiasmforscience,Iamnotasyetquiteclear.Myendowmentofthisplacewaspurelyintheinterestsofresearch.Ihavetakennopartinthepracticalapplicationofitspolicy.Iwouldadviseyou,MonsieurLeDirecteur,ifthisaccusationisborneoutbyfacts,toproduceimmediatelythosepeoplewhoaresuspectedofbeingdetainedhereunlawfully.”
“But,Monsieur,itisimpossible.I—itwillbe—”
“Anyexperimentofthatkind,”saidMr.Aristides,“isatanend.”Hiscalm,financier’sgazesweptoverhisguests.“Ineedhardlyassureyou,Messieurs,”hesaid,“thatifanythingillegalisgoingonhere,ithasbeennoconcernofmine.”
Itwasanorder,andunderstoodassuchbecauseofhiswealth,becauseofhispowerandbecauseofhisinfluence.Mr.Aristides,thatworldfamousfigure,wouldnotbeimplicatedinthisaffair.Yet,eventhoughhehimselfescapedunscathed,itwasneverthelessdefeat.Defeatforhispurpose,defeatforthatbrainspoolfromwhichhehadhopedtoprofitsogreatly.Mr.Aristideswasunperturbedbyfailure.Ithadhappenedtohimoccasionally,inthecourseofhiscareer.Hehadalwaysaccepteditphilosophicallyandgoneontothenextcoup.
Hemadeanorientalgestureofhishand
“Iwashmyhandsofthisaffair,”hesaid.
ThePrefectofPolicebustledforward.Hehadhadhiscuenow,heknewwhathisinstructionswereandhewaspreparedtogoaheadwiththefullforceofhisofficialposition.
“Iwantnoobstructions,”hesaid.“Itismydutytoinvestigatefully.”
Hisfaceverypale,VanHeidemsteppedforward.
“Ifyouwillcomethisway,”hesaid,“Iwillshowyouourreserveaccommodation.”
Twenty-one
“Oh,IfeelasifI’dwokenupoutofanightmare,”sighedHilary.
Shestretchedherarmswideaboveherhead.TheyweresittingontheterraceofahotelinTangier.Theyhadarrivedtherethatmorningbyplane.Hilarywenton:
“Diditallhappen?Itcan’thave!”
“Ithappenedallright,”saidTomBetterton,“butIagreewithyou,Olive,itwasanightmare.Ahwell,I’moutofitnow.”
Jessopcamealongtheterraceandsatdownbesidethem.
“Where’sAndyPeters?”askedHilary.
“He’llbeherepresently,”saidJessop.“Hehasabitofbusinesstoattendto.”
“SoPeterswasoneofyourpeople,”saidHilary,“andhedidthingswithphosphorusandaleadcigarettecasethatsquirtedradioactivematerial.Ineverknewathingaboutthat.”
“No,”saidJessop,“youwerebothverydiscreetwitheachother.Strictlyspeaking,though,heisn’toneofmypeople.HerepresentstheU.S.A.”
“That’swhatyoumeantbysayingthatifIactuallyreachedTomhere,youhopedIshouldhaveprotection?YoumeantAndyPeters.”
Jessopnodded.
“Ihopeyou’renotblamingme,”saidJessopinhismostowl-likemanner,“fornotprovidingyouwiththedesiredendtoyourexperience.”
Hilarylookedpuzzled.“Whatend?”
“Amoresportingformofsuicide,”hesaid.
“Oh,that!”Sheshookherheadincredulously.“Thatseemsjustasunrealasanythingelse.I’vebeenOliveBettertonsolongnowthatI’mfeelingquiteconfusedtobeHilaryCravenagain.”
“Ah,”saidJessop,“thereismyfriend,Leblanc.Imustgoandspeaktohim.”
Heleftthemandwalkedalongtheterrace.TomBettertonsaidquickly:
“Doonemorethingforme,willyou,Olive?IcallyouOlivestill—I’vegotusedtoit.”
“Yes,ofcourse.Whatisit?”
“Walkalongtheterracewithme,thencomebackhereandsaythatI’vegoneuptomyroomtoliedown.”
Shelookedathimquestioningly.
“Why?Whatareyou—?”
“I’moff,mydear,whilethegoing’sgood.”
“Off,where?”
“Anywhere.”
“Butwhy?”
“Useyourhead,mydeargirl.Idon’tknowwhatthestatusishere.Tangierisanoddsortofplacenotunderthejurisdictionofanyparticularcountry.ButIknowwhat’llhappenifIcomewiththerestofyoutoGibraltar.Thefirstthingthat’llhappenwhenIgetthere,Ishallbearrested.”
Hilarylookedathimwithconcern.IntheexcitementoftheirescapefromtheUnit,shehadforgottenTomBetterton’stroubles.
“YoumeantheOfficialSecretsAct,orwhatevertheycallit?Butyoucan’treallyhopetogetaway,canyou,Tom?Wherecanyougo?”
“I’vetoldyou.Anywhere.”
“Butisthatfeasiblenowadays?There’smoneyandallsortsofdifficulties.”
Hegaveashortlaugh.“Themoney’sallright.It’ssaltedawaywhereIcangetatitunderanewname.”
“Soyoudidtakemoney?”
“OfcourseItookmoney.”
“Butthey’lltrackyoudown.”
“They’llfindithardtodothat.Don’tyourealize,Olive,thatthedescriptionthey’llhaveofmeisquiteunlikemypresentappearance.That’swhyIwassokeenonthisplasticsurgerybusiness.That’sbeenthewholepoint,yousee.TogetawayfromEngland,banksomemoney,havemyappearancealteredinsuchawaythatI’msafeforlife.”
Hilarylookedathimdoubtfully.
“You’rewrong,”shesaid.“I’msureyou’rewrong.It’dbefarbettertogobackandfacethemusic.Afterall,it’snotwartime.You’donlygetashorttermofimprisonment,Iexpect.What’sthegoodofbeinghoundedfortherestofyourlife?”
“Youdon’tunderstand,”hesaid.“Youdon’tunderstandthefirstthingaboutitall.Comeon,let’sgetgoing.There’snotimetolose.”
“ButhowareyougoingtogetawayfromTangier?”
“I’llmanage.Don’tyouworry.”
Shegotupfromherseatandwalkedwithhimslowlyalongtheterrace.Shefeltcuriouslyinadequateandtongue-tied.ShehadfulfilledherobligationstoJessopandalsotothedeadwoman,OliveBetterton.Nowtherewasnomoretodo.SheandTomBettertonhadsharedweeksoftheclosestassociationandyetshefelttheywerestillstrangerstoeachother.Nobondoffellowshiporfriendshiphadgrownupbetweenthem.
Theyreachedtheendoftheterrace.Therewasasmallsidedoortherethroughthewallwhichledoutontoanarrowroadwhichcurveddownthehilltotheport.
“Ishallslipoutthisway,”Bettertonsaid;“nobody’swatching.Solong.”
“Goodlucktoyou,”saidHilaryslowly.
ShestoodtherewatchingBettertonashewenttothedoorandturneditshandle.Asthedooropenedhesteppedbackapaceandstopped.Threemenstoodinthedoorway.Twoofthementeredandcametowardshim.Thefirstspokeformally
“ThomasBetterton,Ihavehereawarrantforyourarrest.Youwillbeheldhereincustodywhilstextraditionproceedingsaretaken.”
Bettertonturnedsharply,buttheothermanhadmovedquicklyroundtheothersideofhim.Instead,heturnedbackwithalaugh.
“It’squiteallright,”hesaid,“exceptthatI’mnotThomasBetterton.”
Thethirdmanmovedinthroughthedoorway,cametostandbythesideoftheothertwo.
“Ohyes,youare,”hesaid.“You’reThomasBetterton.”
Bettertonlaughed.
“Whatyoumeanisthatforthelastmonthyou’vebeenlivingwithmeandhearingmecalledThomasBettertonandhearingmecallmyselfThomasBetterton.ThepointisthatI’mnotThomasBetterton.ImetBettertoninParis.Icameonandtookhisplace.Askthisladyifyoudon’tbelieveme,”hesaid.“Shecametojoinme,pretendingtobemywife,andIrecognizedherasmywife.Idid,didn’tI?”
Hilarynoddedherhead.
“That,”saidBetterton,“wasbecause,notbeingThomasBetterton,naturallyIdidn’tknowThomasBetterton’swifefromAdam.IthoughtshewasThomasBetterton’swife.AfterwardsIhadtothinkupsomesortofexplanationthatwouldsatisfyher.Butthat’sthetruth.”
“Sothat’swhyyoupretendedtoknowme,”criedHilary.“Whenyoutoldmetoplayup—tokeepupthedeception!”
Bettertonlaughedagain,confidently.
“I’mnotBetterton,”hesaid.“LookatanyphotographofBettertonandyou’llseeI’mspeakingthetruth.”
Peterssteppedforward.HisvoicewhenhespokewastotallyunlikethevoiceofthePetersthatHilaryhadknownsowell.Itwasquietandimplacable.
“I’veseenphotographsofBetterton,”hesaid,“andIagreeIwouldn’thaverecognizedyouastheman.ButyouareThomasBettertonallthesame,andI’llproveit.”
HeseizedBettertonwithasuddenstronggraspandtoreoffhisjacket.
“Ifyou’reThomasBetterton,”hesaid,“you’vegotascarintheshapeofaZinthecrookofyourrightelbow.”
AshespokeherippeduptheshirtandbentbackBetterton’sarm.
“Thereyouare,”hesaid,pointingtriumphantly.“TherearetwolabassistantsintheU.S.A.who’lltestifytothat.IknowaboutitbecauseElsawroteandtoldmewhenyoudidit.”
“Elsa?”Bettertonstaredathim.Hebegantoshakenervously.“Elsa?WhataboutElsa?”
“Askwhatthechargeisagainstyou?”
Thepoliceofficialsteppedforwardoncemore.
“Thecharge,”hesaid,“ismurderinthefirstdegree.Murderofyourwife,ElsaBetterton.”
Twenty-two
“I’msorry,Olive.You’vegottobelieveI’msorry.Aboutyou,Imean.ForyoursakeI’dhavegivenhimonechance.Iwarnedyouthathe’dbesafertostayintheUnitandyetI’dcomehalfwayacrosstheworldtogethim,andImeanttogethimforwhathedidtoElsa.”
“Idon’tunderstand.Idon’tunderstandanything.Whoareyou?”
“Ithoughtyouknewthat.I’mBorisAndreiPavlovGlydr,Elsa’scousin.IwassentovertoAmericafromPoland,toaUniversitytheretocompletemyeducation.AndthewaythingswereinEuropemyunclethoughtitbestformetotakeoutAmericancitizenship.ItookthenameofAndrewPeters.Then,whenthewarcame,IwentbacktoEurope.IworkedfortheResistance.IgotmyuncleandElsaoutofPolandandtheygottoAmerica.Elsa—I’vetoldyouaboutElsaalready.Shewasoneofthefirst-classscientistsofourtime.ItwasElsawhodiscoveredZEFission.BettertonwasayoungCanadianwhowasattachedtoMannheimtohelphiminhisexperiments.Heknewhisjob,buttherewasnomoretohimthanthat.HedeliberatelymadelovetoElsaandmarriedhersoastobeassociatedwithherinthescientificworkshewasdoing.WhenherexperimentsnearedcompletionandherealizedwhatabigthingZEFissionwasgoingtobe,hedeliberatelypoisonedher.”
“Oh,no,no.”
“Yes.Therewerenosuspicionsatthetime.Bettertonappearedheartbroken,threwhimselfwithrenewedardourintohisworkandthenannouncedtheZEFissiondiscoveryashisown.Itbroughthimwhathewanted.Fameandtherecognitionofbeingafirst-classscientist.HethoughtitprudentafterthattoleaveAmericaandcometoEngland.HewenttoHarwellandworkedthere.
“IwastiedupinEuropeforsometimeafterthewarended.SinceIhadagoodknowledgeofGerman,RussianandPolish,Icoulddoveryusefulworkthere.TheletterthatElsahadwrittentomebeforeshedieddisquietedme.Theillnessfromwhichshewassufferingandfromwhichshediedseemedtomemysteriousandunaccountedfor.WhenatlastIgotbacktotheU.S.A.Istartedinstitutinginquiries.Wewon’tgointoitall,butIfoundwhatIwaslookingfor.Enough,thatis,toapplyforanorderforexhumationofthebody.TherewasayoungfellowintheDistrictAttorney’sofficewhohadbeenagreatfriendofBetterton.HewasgoingoveronatriptoEuropeaboutthattime,andIthinkthathevisitedBettertonandinthecourseofhisvisitmentionedtheexhumation.Bettertongotthewindup.Iimaginethathe’dbeenalreadyapproachedbyagentsofourfriend,Mr.Aristides.Anyway,henowsawthattherelayhisbestchancetoavoidbeingarrestedandtriedformurder.Heacceptedtheterms,stipulatingthathisfacialappearancewastobecompletelychanged.Whatactuallyhappened,ofcourse,wasthathefoundhimselfinaveryrealcaptivity.Moreover,hefoundhimselfinadangerouspositiontheresincehewasquiteunabletodeliverthegoods—thescientificgoods,thatistosay.Hewasnotandneverhadbeenamanofgenius.”
“Andyoufollowedhim?”
“Yes.Whenthenewspaperswerefullofthesensationaldisappearanceofthescientist,ThomasBetterton,IcameovertoEngland.Aratherbrilliantscientistfriendofminehadhadcertainoverturesmadetohimbyawoman,aMrs.Speeder,whoworkedforU.N.O.IdiscoveredonarrivinginEnglandthatshehadhadameetingwithBetterton.Iplayeduptoher,expressingLeftWingviews,ratherexaggeratingperhapsmyscientificabilities.Ithought,yousee,thatBettertonhadgonebehindtheIronCurtainwherenoonecouldreachhim.Well,ifnobodyelsecouldreachhim,Iwasgoingtoreachhim.”Hislipssetinagrimline.“Elsawasafirst-classscientistandshewasabeautifulandgentlewoman.She’dbeenkilledandrobbedbythemanwhomshelovedandtrusted.IfnecessaryIwasgoingtokillBettertonwithmyownhands.”
“Isee,”saidHilary,“oh,Iseenow.”
“Iwrotetoyou,”saidPeters,“whenIgottoEngland.Wrotetoyou,thatis,inmyPolishname,tellingyouthefacts.”Helookedather.“Isupposeyoudidn’tbelieveme.Youneveranswered.”Heshruggedhisshoulders.“ThenIwenttotheIntelligencepeople.AtfirstIwentthereputtingonanact.Polishofficer.Stiff,foreignandcorrectlyformal.Iwassuspiciousjustthenofeverybody.However,intheendJessopandIgottogether.”Hepaused.“Thismorningmyquesthascometoanend.Extraditionwillbeappliedfor,BettertonwillgototheU.S.A.andwillstandhistrialthere.Ifhe’sacquitted,Ihavenomoretosay.”Headdedgrimly,“Buthewon’tbeacquitted.Theevidenceistoostrong.”
Hepaused,staringdownoverthesunlitgardenstowardsthesea.
“Thehellofitis,”hesaid,“thatyoucameouttheretojoinhimandImetyouandfellinlovewithyou.Ithasbeenhell,Olive.Believeme.Sothereweare.I’mthemanwho’sresponsibleforsendingyourhusbandtotheelectricchair.Wecan’tgetawayfromit.It’sathingthatyou’llneverbeabletoforgetevenifyouforgaveit.”Hegotup.“Well,Iwantedtotellyouthewholestoryfrommyownlips.Thisisgoodbye.”HeturnedabruptlyasHilarystretchedoutahand.
“Wait,”shesaid,“wait.Thereissomethingyoudon’tknow.I’mnotBetterton’swife.Betterton’swife,OliveBetterton,diedatCasablanca.Jessoppersuadedmetotakeherplace.”
Hewheeledroundstaringather.
“You’renotOliveBetterton?”
“No.”
“Goodlord,”saidAndyPeters.“Goodlord!”Hedroppedheavilyintoachairbesideher.“Olive,”hesaid,“Olive,mydarling.”
“Don’tcallmeOlive.Myname’sHilary.HilaryCraven.”
“Hilary?”Hesaiditquestioningly.“I’llhavetogetusedtothat.”Heputhishandoverhers.
AttheotherendoftheterraceJessop,discussingwithLeblancvarioustechnicaldifficultiesinthepresentsituation,brokeoffinthemiddleofasentence.
“Youweresaying?”heaskedabsently.
“Isaid,moncher,thatitdoesnotseemtomethatwearegoingtobeabletoproceedagainstthisanimalofanAristides.”
“No,no.TheAristidesalwayswin.Thatistosaytheyalwaysmanagetosquirmoutfromunder.Buthe’llhavelostalotofmoney,andhewon’tlikethat.AndevenAristidescan’tkeepdeathatbayforever.Ishouldsayhe’llbecomingupbeforetheSupremeJusticebeforeverylong,fromthelookofhim.”
“Whatwasitattractingyourattention,myfriend?”
“Thosetwo,”saidJessop.“IsentHilaryCravenoffonajourneytoadestinationunknown,butitseemstomethatherjourney’sendistheusualoneafterall.”
Leblanclookedpuzzledforamomentthenhesaid:
“Aha!yes!yourShakespeare!”
“YouFrenchmenaresowell-read,”saidJessop.
AbouttheAuthor
AgathaChristieisthemostwidelypublishedauthorofalltimeandinanylanguage,outsoldonlybytheBibleandShakespeare.HerbookshavesoldmorethanabillioncopiesinEnglishandanotherbillioninahundredforeignlanguages.Sheistheauthorofeightycrimenovelsandshort-storycollections,nineteenplays,twomemoirs,andsixnovelswrittenunderthenameMaryWestmacott.
ShefirsttriedherhandatdetectivefictionwhileworkinginahospitaldispensaryduringWorldWarI,creatingthenowlegendaryHerculePoirotwithherdebutnovelTheMysteriousAffairatStyles.WithTheMurderintheVicarage,publishedin1930,sheintroducedanotherbelovedsleuth,MissJaneMarple.Additionalseriescharactersincludethehusband-and-wifecrime-fightingteamofTommyandTuppenceBeresford,privateinvestigatorParkerPyne,andScotlandYarddetectivesSuperintendentBattleandInspectorJapp.
ManyofChristie’snovelsandshortstorieswereadaptedintoplays,films,andtelevisionseries.TheMousetrap,hermostfamousplayofall,openedin1952andisthelongest-runningplayinhistory.Amongherbest-knownfilmadaptationsareMurderontheOrientExpress(1974)andDeathontheNile(1978),withAlbertFinneyandPeterUstinovplayingHerculePoirot,respectively.OnthesmallscreenPoirothasbeenmostmemorablyportrayedbyDavidSuchet,andMissMarplebyJoanHicksonandsubsequentlyGeraldineMcEwanandJuliaMcKenzie.
ChristiewasfirstmarriedtoArchibaldChristieandthentoarchaeologistSirMaxMallowan,whomsheaccompaniedonexpeditionstocountriesthatwouldalsoserveasthesettingsformanyofhernovels.In1971sheachievedoneofBritain’shighesthonorswhenshewasmadeaDameoftheBritishEmpire.Shediedin1976attheageofeighty-five.Heronehundredandtwentiethanniversarywascelebratedaroundtheworldin2010.
Visitwww.AuthorTracker.comforexclusiveinformationonyourfavoriteHarperCollinsauthors.
www.AgathaChristie.com
THEAGATHACHRISTIECOLLECTION
TheManintheBrownSuit
TheSecretofChimneys
TheSevenDialsMystery
TheMysteriousMr.Quin
TheSittafordMystery
ParkerPyneInvestigates
WhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?
MurderIsEasy
TheRegattaMysteryandOtherStories
AndThenThereWereNone
TowardsZero
DeathComesastheEnd
SparklingCyanide
TheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStories
CrookedHouse
ThreeBlindMiceandOtherStories
TheyCametoBaghdad
DestinationUnknown
OrdealbyInnocence
DoubleSinandOtherStories
ThePaleHorse
StaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStories
EndlessNight
PassengertoFrankfurt
TheGoldenBallandOtherStories
TheMousetrapandOtherPlays
TheHarlequinTeaSetandOtherStories
TheHerculePoirotMysteries
TheMysteriousAffairatStyles
TheMurderontheLinks
PoirotInvestigates
TheMurderofRogerAckroyd
TheBigFour
TheMysteryoftheBlueTrain
PerilatEndHouse
LordEdgwareDies
MurderontheOrientExpress
ThreeActTragedy
DeathintheClouds
TheA.B.C.Murders
MurderinMesopotamia
CardsontheTable
MurderintheMews
DumbWitness
DeathontheNile
AppointmentwithDeath
HerculePoirot’sChristmas
SadCypress
One,Two,BuckleMyShoe
EvilUndertheSun
FiveLittlePigs
TheHollow
TheLaborsofHercules
TakenattheFlood
TheUnderDogandOtherStories
Mrs.McGinty’sDead
AftertheFuneral
HickoryDickoryDock
DeadMan’sFolly
CatAmongthePigeons
TheClocks
ThirdGirl
Hallowe’enParty
ElephantsCanRemember
Curtain:Poirot’sLastCase
TheMissMarpleMysteries
TheMurderattheVicarage
TheBodyintheLibrary
TheMovingFinger
AMurderIsAnnounced
TheyDoItwithMirrors
APocketFullofRye
4:50fromPaddington
TheMirrorCrack’dfromSidetoSide
ACaribbeanMystery
AtBertram’sHotel
Nemesis
SleepingMurder
MissMarple:TheCompleteShortStories
TheTommyandTuppenceMysteries
TheSecretAdversary
PartnersinCrime
NorM?
BythePrickingofMyThumbs
PosternofFate
Memoirs
AnAutobiography
Come,TellMeHowYouLive
Copyright
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thecharacters,incidents,anddialoguearedrawnfromtheauthor’simaginationandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
ThistitlewaspreviouslypublishedasSoManyStepstoDeath.
AGATHACHRISTIE?DESTINATIONUNKNOWN?.Copyright?1954AgathaChristieLimited(aChorioncompany).Allrightsreserved.
DESTINATIONUNKNOWN?1955.PublishedbypermissionofG.P.Putnam’sSons,amemberofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenonexclusive,nontransferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthisebookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,decompiled,reverse-engineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereinafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofHarperCollinsebooks.