She Came Back

“Three and a half years under German rule might very well have taught her self-control.”

Philip got out of his chair with an impatient movement.

“Not A

“Nearly four years of German rule, Philip.”

“It would take more than four grown-up years to produce this woman who is pretending to be A

“Quite persuasive. But it’s not an easy job impersonating someone. Of course it’s been done, and it will be done again, but there are a lot of pitfalls. In this case A

“They did-for a week. Theresa insisted on bringing her. I was in my last term at school, so I missed the row, but I gather that Theresa surpassed herself. My father was livid, and my mother spent all her time picking up the bits-in fact, a pleasant time was had by all.”

“Quite so-rather hard on the child.”

Philip smiled, not too pleasantly.

“Well, there you have it. She had a week to memorize everything-the first big house she had ever been into, the first time she had ever been in the country. I remember my mother telling me that. Well, don’t you suppose it would stick? Those sort of impressions are strong, and they last. Miss Joyce finds her way with perfect ease all over the house and garden.”

“Oh, she does, does she?”

“That impresses you? It doesn’t impress me. I stayed with the McLarens in a shooting-box in the Highlands when I was fifteen-the same age as A

Mr. Codrington nodded.

“I agree that A

Philip continued to walk up and down.

“I told them to get their valuables. A

“Unfortunately.” Mr. Codrington’s tone was dry.

Philip swung round on him.

“Look here, if I was lying I’d say A

“I see. There’s really no evidence there. It would cut either way. What about handwriting?”

Philip said gloomily, “She’s had three and a half years to practice A

“Juries don’t like experts.”

Philip nodded.

“I’ve always thought they did a good deal of hard swearing myself.”

“Juries distrust technicalities.”

Philip came over to the writing-table and sat down on the corner.

“For God’s sake don’t go on talking about juries! This woman isn’t A

Mr. Codrington said quickly, “Why did you allow it? It shouldn’t have been allowed.”

Philip shrugged.

“A good deal of it happened before I came. Lyn’s following her round like a dog. Thinks I’m-” His voice changed, dropped almost to inaudibility. “I don’t know what she thinks.”

Mr. Codrington drummed on his knee.

“Mrs. Armitage ought to have had more sense.”

Philip got up and walked away.

“Oh, you can’t blame Aunt Milly. She and Lyn hadn’t a doubt-until I came. Aunt Milly is shaken now-at least I hope she is. But Lyn-” He turned round and came back.

“We’ve got right away from the point. I want you to go into the parlour and tell that woman she can have Theresa’s thirty thousand down on the nail for a nice safe legal receipt signed A