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“A. J., and the date,” said Philip.
A
“A. J., and the date,” she said.
There was a moment of silence. Nobody moved. Lyndall felt as if her heart would break. The three people she loved most in the world were there in that silence together. It wasn’t just a silence. It was cold, it was suspicion, it was distrust- and that icy anger of Philip’s which cut to the bone. She wanted to run away and hide. But you can’t hide from a thing which is in your own mind. It goes with you. You can’t hide from it. She stayed where she was, and heard Philip say,
“A
A
“I put it on again.”
“I’ve no doubt you did-when you made up your mind to this impersonation. Now perhaps you will give us your story. You’ve had mine. I suppose you’ve got one ready. You had better let us have it.”
“Philip-” Her voice broke a little on the word. She slipped the ring back on her finger and stood up straight. “I’m very glad to tell you my story. Aunt Milly and Lyn have heard it already. Pierre helped me to get away from the beach. There was a cave-we hid there until the shooting was over. I had sprained my ankle very badly. The Germans came down and searched, but they didn’t find us. When they had gone away we went back to the château. I was very wet and cold, and I was begi
“Why did you never write?”
“I was afraid. They were leaving me alone, and I didn’t want to do anything that might stir them up. But I did write- twice-when Pierre said there was a chance of getting a letter smuggled across.”
“Are you very surprised that these-letters-never arrived?”
She met his look with an open one.
“Oh, no-I knew it was only a chance. Then a week ago I was offered a chance of getting over, myself. I had to put up all the rest of Cousin Theresa’s money, but I thought it was worth the risk. I landed with nothing in my purse except a five-pound note which I had taken over with me. There isn’t a great deal of change left out of it now, so if you’re thinking of turning me out, I’m afraid you will have to provide me with funds until Mr. Codrington has handed my own money over to me again.”
Philip considered this in a cold fury. He couldn’t turn her out pe
There was hardly any pause before he said, “A
CHAPTER 6
A most extraordinary situation,” said Mr. Codrington. “Awkward-very awkward. You know, it would have been better if you had left the house.”
Philip Jocelyn smiled.
“Leave Miss A
Mr. Codrington frowned. His father and he between them had known four generations of Jocelyns. They were an intractable family. He had attended Philip’s christening and known him ever since-liked him a good deal, and was not at all sure that he wasn’t the most intractable of the lot. Lawyers see a good deal of human nature. He said,
“These identity cases are always ticklish, and they attract a most undesirable amount of interest.”
“An understatement, I should say.”
Mr. Codrington looked grave.
“If she brings a case-” he said, and then broke off. “You know, I couldn’t go into the box myself and swear she wasn’t A
“You couldn’t?”
“No, I couldn’t.”
“You think she’d win her case?”
“I don’t say that. She might break down under cross-examination. Short of that-” He shrugged his shoulders. “You know, Philip, the resemblance is amazing, and the trouble is we can’t get at the people who know A
Philip smiled.
“Hair can be tinted and waves induced.”
“That, I think, would be susceptible of proof.”
Philip shook his head.
“Aunt Milly raised the point last night. Miss Joyce had her answer ready. Three years of privation had spoiled her hair dreadfully. She had had to have a permanent wave as soon as she landed. She said she had found a very good hairdresser in Westhaven-spent her last pe
Mr. Codrington slewed round in his chair.
“Philip,” he said, “will you tell me just why you are so sure that she isn’t A
Philip Jocelyn laughed.
“She’s very fond of standing under A
Mr. Codrington nodded slowly.
“That’s a point. But I don’t quite know what a jury would think about it. Juries like facts. I’m afraid they don’t care about psychology.”
“Well, it’s one of my reasons for being sure she isn’t A