It was quite dark outside when at last they came to release me. I was led back down the corridor and through the office, and there they solemnly returned me my aunts red scarf, and the young officer slapped my back in a friendly way, urging me through into the street where OToole waited for me in an ancient Cadillac. He said, Im sorry. It took longer than I thought. Im afraid Miss Bertram will be nervous about you too.
I dont think I count much beside Mr. Visconti.
Bloods thicker than water[295], Henry.
Waters not the term to use for Mr. Visconti.
There were only two lights on in the house. As we came through the trees at the bottom of the garden someone flashed a light on our faces, but the light went out before I could see who held the torch. I looked back from the lawn and could see nothing.
Are you having the place watched? I asked.
Not me, Henry.
I could tell that he was uneasy. He put his hand inside his jacket.
Are you armed? I said.
One has to take precautions.
It was quite dark outside when at last they came to release me. I was led back down the corridor and through the office, and there they solemnly returned me my aunts red scarf, and the young officer slapped my back in a friendly way, urging me through into the street where OToole waited for me in an ancient Cadillac. He said, Im sorry. It took longer than I thought. Im afraid Miss Bertram will be nervous about you too.
I dont think I count much beside Mr. Visconti.
Bloods thicker than water[295], Henry.
Waters not the term to use for Mr. Visconti.
There were only two lights on in the house. As we came through the trees at the bottom of the garden someone flashed a light on our faces, but the light went out before I could see who held the torch. I looked back from the lawn and could see nothing.
Are you having the place watched? I asked.
Not me, Henry.
I could tell that he was uneasy. He put his hand inside his jacket.
Are you armed? I said.
One has to take precautions.
Against an old lady? My aunts the only one here.
You can never be sure.
We went forward across the lawn and climbed the steps. The globe in the dining-room shone down on two empty glasses and an empty bottle of champagne. It was still cold to the touch when I picked it up. When I put it down I knocked over one of the glasses and the sound rang through the house. My aunt must have been in the kitchen, for she came at once to the door.
Where on earth have you been, Henry?
In prison. Mr. OToole helped me to get out[296].
I never expected to see Mr. OToole in my house. Not after what he did to Mr. Izquierdo in Argentina. So you are Mr. OToole.
Yes, Miss Bertram. I thought it would be a good thing if we could have a friendly talk. I know how anxious you must be about Mr. Visconti.
Im not in the least anxious about Mr. Visconti.
I thought perhaps that not knowing where he was all this long delay
I know perfectly well where he is, my aunt said. Hes in the lavatory. The flush of water could not have come more exactly on cue.
Chapter 6
I waited with excited curiosity to see Mr. Visconti. Not many men can have been so loved or have been forgiven so much, and I had an image in my minds eye to fit the part, of an Italian tall and dark and lean, as aristocratic as his name. But the man who came through the door to meet us was short and fat and bald; when he held his hand out to me I saw that his little finger had been broken and this made his hand resemble a birds claw. He had soft brown eyes quite without expression. One could read into them whatever one liked. If my aunt read love, I felt sure that OToole read dishonesty.
So here you are at last, Henry, Mr. Visconti said. Your aunt has been anxious. He spoke English very well with practically no accent.
OToole said, You are Mr. Visconti?
My name is Izquierdo. To whom have I the pleasure?
My names OToole.
In that case, Mr. Visconti said with a smile which was rendered phony by a large gap in his front teeth, pleasure is not the word I ought to use.
I thought you were safe in jail.
The police and I came to an understanding, OToole said. Thats what Ive come here for an understanding.
An understanding is always possible, Mr. Visconti said, as though he were quoting from a well-known source perhaps from Machiavelli[297], if there are equal advantages on either side.
I guess there are in this case.
I think, Mr. Visconti said to my aunt, there are still two bottles of champagne left in the kitchen.
Two bottles? my aunt asked.
There are four of us, my dear. He turned to me and said, It is not the best champagne. It has travelled a long way and rather roughly by way of Panama.
Then I suppose, OToole said, your arrangements with Panama are now okay.
Exactly, Mr. Visconti said. When the police arrested me at your suggestion they thought they were once again arresting a poor man. I was able to convince them that I am now again potentially a man of means.
My aunt came in from the kitchen carrying the champagne. And glasses, Mr. Visconti said, you have forgotten the glasses.