Sophia I said.
And immediately she said, Charles!
I drew a deep breath[12] of relief.
Thank goodness thats over, I said. Whats been the matter with us?
Probably my fault. I was stupid.
But its all right now?
Yes, its all right now.
We smiled at each other.
Darling! I said. And then: How soon will you marry me?
Her smile died. The something, whatever it was, was back.
I dont know, she said. Im not sure, Charles, that I can ever marry you.
But, Sophia! Why not? Is it because you feel Im a stranger? Do you want time to get used to me again? Is there someone else? No I broke off. Im a fool. Its none of those things.
No, it isnt. She shook her head. I waited. She said in a low voice:
Its my grandfathers death.
Your grandfathers death? But why? What earthly difference can that make? You dont meansurely you cant imagineis it money? Hasnt he left any? But surely, dearest
It isnt money. She gave a fleeting smile. I think youd be quite willing[13] to take me in my shift[14], as the old saying goes. And grandfather never lost any money in his life.
Then what is it?
Its just his deathyou see, I think, Charles, that he didnt justdie. I think he may have beenkilled
I stared at her.
Butwhat a fantastic idea. What made you think of it?
I didnt think of it. The doctor was queer to begin with. He wouldnt sign a certificate. Theyre going to have a post-mortem[15]. Its quite clear that they suspect something is wrong.
I didnt dispute that with her. Sophia had plenty of brains; any conclusions she had drawn could be relied upon.
Instead I said earnestly:
Their suspicions may be quite unjustified. But putting that aside, supposing that they are justified, how does that affect you and me?
It might under certain circumstances. Youre in the Diplomatic Service. Theyre rather particular about wives. Noplease dont say all the things that youre bursting to say. Youre bound to say themand I believe you really think themand theoretically I quite agree with them. But Im proudIm devilishly proud. I want our marriage to be a good thing for everyoneI dont want to represent one-half of a sacrifice for love! And, as I say, it may be all right
You mean the doctormay have made a mistake?
Even if he hasnt made a mistake, it wont matterso long as the right person killed him.
What do you mean, Sophia?
It was a beastly thing to say. But, after all, one might as well be honest.
She forestalled my next words.
No, Charles, Im not going to say any more. Ive probably said too much already. But I was determined to come and meet you tonightto see you myself and make you understand. We cant settle anything until this is cleared up.
At least tell me about it.
She shook her head.
I dont want to.
ButSophia
No, Charles. I dont want you to see us from my angle. I want you to see us unbiased from the outside point of view.
And how am I to do that?
She looked at me, a queer light in her brilliant blue eyes.
Youll get that from your father, she said.
Youll get that from your father, she said.
I had told Sophia in Cairo that my father was Assistant Commissioner[16] of Scotland Yard. He still held that office. At her words, I felt a cold weight settling down on me.
Its as bad as that, then?
I think so. Do you see a man sitting at a table by the door all alonerather a nice-looking stolid ex-Army type?
Yes.
He was on Swinly Dean platform this evening when I got into the train.
You mean hes followed you here?
Yes. I think were allhow does one put it[17]?under observation. They more or less hinted that wed all better not leave the house. But I was determined to see you. Her small square chin shot out pugnaciously. I got out of the bathroom window and shinned down the water-pipe. Darling!
But the police are very efficient. And of course there was the telegram I sent you. Wellnever mindwere heretogether But from now on, weve both got to play a lone hand[18].
She paused and then added:
Unfortunatelytheres no doubtabout our loving each other.
No doubt at all, I said. And dont say unfortunately. You and I have survived a world war, weve had plenty of near escapes from sudden deathand I dont see why the sudden death of just one old manhow old was he, by the way?
Eighty-seven.
Of course. It was in the Times. If you ask me, he just died of old age, and any self-respecting GP[19] would accept the fact.
If youd known my grandfather, said Sophia, youd have been surprised at his dying of anything!
Chapter 3
Id always taken a certain amount of interest in my fathers police work, but nothing had prepared me for the moment when I should come to take a direct and personal interest in it.
I had not yet seen the Old Man. He had been out when I arrived, and after a bath, a shave, and a change I had gone out to meet Sophia. When I returned to the house, however, Glover told me that he was in his study.
He was at his desk, frowning over a lot of papers. He jumped up when I came in.
Charles! Well, well, its been a long time.
Our meeting, after five years of war, would have disappointed a Frenchman. Actually all the emotion of reunion was there all right. The Old Man and I are very fond of[20] each other, and we understand each other pretty well.