He could do it in darkness, he thought, and
anyhowthere would be a moon. At his hotel he gave instructions for his things tobe
packed in readiness for the evening train.
He had no food except the remains of a little
packetof biscuits and half a flask of sherry. I was motoring home and took a fancy
to spend a nightin this place.
Mr Creevey is the busiest mangoing and he is
surrounded by hordes of secretaries.
Jacqueline, under the spell of his demanding eyes,
felt her witswandering.
If anyone appears in that last mile, comeback and
warn us at once.
Publicistsand politicians are as common as
blackberries, but we have too fewcapable landowners.
This was not quite the scene she had gatheredfrom
Falconet that Adam meant to stage. But he was desperately uneasy, for the mystery
tormentedhim.
Peasants nodoubt; perhaps the people of the inn
returning. But she remained rathersilent and distraite.
She had been like a child feeling its way into a
dark corridorwhere fearsome things might lurk.
His plans stillheld, but now there had entered into
them an element of desperatehaste. Then she remembered her car, the onlymeans of
transport at their disposal. As theyreached it, the snow ceased, and there came a
long rift in themist. This sight seemed to put the last edge on hissense of
desolation.
Falconet would be relieved, for he had not welcomed
her intervention.
Mr Creevey made his toilet in icy water, and
borrowed a comb fromAmoss pack.
I have a notion that thismay be the
awakening.
It was in the right-hand pocket of his
coat,pressing comfortably against his side as he drove. This was the most arduous
part of the road, but he didnot slacken his pace.
At one corner he caught aglimpse of the hotel. He
is looking to what he calls facts, by which he meansthe Almighty. He looked down the
valley where the road,rough as a river channel, was presently lost in
mist.
To whose interest could it be to play soinfantile a
trick on him?