Murder For Love

"I didn't take them," Darcy said earnestly. "I have never stolen a thing in my life."

"No?" Albury's eyes widened in exaggerated disbelief.

"No," Darcy said firmly.

"Then why did you not say so at the time, and tell me to go to hell?" There was a smirk on Albury's face and his eyes were bright and hard.

"Because to do so I should have to admit that I was alone in the company of a young lady other than my betrothed, and for a longer time than she might understand. Also, it would provoke speculation that-" Darcy stopped suddenly, perhaps realizing he had said far more than he needed to, and raised the very questions he wanted to avoid.

Albury smiled, showing very fine teeth, transforming his face.

"You mean that it might suggest that Miss Carlton took them herself? Of course it might! In fact it would! And there would be a certain justice in that."

"It would be monstrous!" Darcy said furiously. He took a step forward, his fists clenched by his sides. "Don't you dare say such a thing ever again. Do you hear me? Or I shall take great pleasure in thrashing you till you are obliged to eat your meals from the mantelpiece, sir."

"It would also be true," Albury returned without moving a step.

"You go too far, sir," Jesmond stepped forward at last. "To blacken a lady's name when she is not here to defend herself is inexcusable. You will retract your calumny immediately, and then leave while you still have a whole skin and can walk away with nothing but your honor injured."

Henry was staring at the two younger men and the emotions written so deeply in them. A strange thought was stirring in his mind.

"It makes no sense," Darcy protested. "Lizzie would never do such a thing. Anyone who knows her knows that! She has all the means she could wish, and she is as honest as the day."

"But a woman," Albury said, ignoring Lord Jesmond and looking only at Darcy. "And as capable of feeling jealousy as the next."

Darcy swallowed. "Jealousy?" he said hoarsely.

"Of course! Did you imagine she did not know you were in the conservatory with Belle Bartlett, or picture in her mind only too clearly what you may have been doing in between the orchids and the potted palms? Then you are a fool!"

Darcy gulped. He seemed to be shaking very slightly, as if in spite of the heat in the room he were cold within.

"She took them," Albury went on. "In order to compromise you. She knows of a surety, better than anyone else, that you did not take them. But either she will see you, or Miss Bartlett, accused of the theft, in thought if not in word, or failing that, she will hold it over your head for the rest of your life together."

"Never say that again!" Darcy said between dry lips, his voice strangled in his throat. "Never, do you hear me?"

Albury held out his hand. "Fifty pounds, once only."

Darcy turned and went to a small bureau at the far side of the room. He opened the top, and from a pigeonhole took out several Bank of England notes. Without a word, he held them out to Albury.

"Just a moment!" Henry reached across and closed his hand over Darcy's, preventing Albury from taking the money. "You do not need to pay him."

"Yes, I do!" Darcy said desperately. "God knows, I ca

Henry kept hold of it.

"What you wish to give Mr. Albury, or why, is your own affair, Mr. Darcy, but you do not need to pay him in order to protect Miss Carlton. She is guilty of nothing more than perhaps a misjudgment of character."

"I don't know what you mean," Darcy protested. "She has behaved despicably. She has attempted out of jealousy to brand Miss Bartlett a thief!"

"Because she knew that you and she were in the conservatory together?" Henry asked.

"Apparently."

"Then she knew that just as Miss Bartlett could swear to your i

Darcy paled, glanced at Albury, then back at Henry Rath-bone. He made as if to speak, but no words came.

"But my dear chap, it makes no sense," Jesmond said in utter confusion. "You must be mistaken."

"It makes perfect sense," Henry explained. "If you consider the story from the begi

Darcy was ashen now.

"He must find another way out," Henry continued. "The young lady will not leave him. He must create an honorable cause to leave her, one in which he remains untarnished, free to pursue his ambitions. At a country house party the opportunity presents itself and the idea is born. He needs only the help of a clever actor." He glanced at Albury, who was now in an extremity of embarrassment. "And two witnesses of reputations above question, and by nature honorable, eager to right a wrong, and perhaps a trifle i

"Good heavens!" Jesmond was appalled.

Henry looked again at Darcy.

"Don't feel you have failed entirely, Mr. Darcy. As soon as I acquaint Miss Carlton with the facts, she will free you to pursue Miss Bartlett, or whomsoever else you wish. Although I doubt Sir George Bartlett will accept you into his family, any more than I should. I have not been the service to you that you intended, but I have indeed served a purpose. Come, Jesmond." He led the way to the door, then, with Jesmond at his heels, turned back. "Don't forget you owe Mr. Albury for an excellent piece of acting! Good day, gentlemen!"

For What She Had Done by SHEL SILVERSTEIN

She had to die.

This Omoo knew.

He also knew he could not kill her.

Not even try to kill her.

Those eyes. Would look at him. Not even try. So, what to do?

There was one Ung. Who lived in a cave.

Beyond the hard mountain. A foul cave.

Far from the village.

Ung, who hunted with stones.

Who killed with his hands.

Who had killed two saber-tooths.

And one great bear, whose skin he now wore hanging from his hairy shoulders.

And Ung had killed men. Many men.

And, it was said, a woman.

Ung, who took the fresh meat left upon the flat rock for the

Spirit of the Sky.

And the Spirit of the Sky would go hungry.

And bring pain and darkness to the village.

But none dare say words to Ung.

Who had killed two saber-tooths.

And one great bear. And men, many men.

And, it was said, a woman.

He went to Ung.

Yes, said Ung, I will kill her.

For what she has done, said Omoo.

For equal weight, said Ung, in bear meat or lizard skins.

She is a large woman, said Omoo.

Equal weight, said Ung. Now you must come and show her to me, that I may kill her.

That I ca

Then how will I know her?