She Came Back (18 page)

“—yesterday afternoon. The sun came through for a moment, and I went over to the window and looked out. Lady Jocelyn—I will call her that for convenience—was coming down the street.”

“What?”

Miss Silver inclined her head.

“She stopped on the opposite pavement and stood there looking up at Montague Mansions. She remained like that for some time, just standing there and looking up. She could not see me of course, as I took care to stand behind the curtain. I do not know whether she had the half-formed intention of coming in. If she had done so she might still be alive. She may have been too deeply implicated, or she may have thought that her danger was not so pressing as it has proved to have been, but I have ascertained that she had rung up Mrs. Garth Albany—you will remember her as Janice Meade—and obtained my address. Garth Albany is a connection. It was in their house that I met Miss Armitage.”

Lamb was looking at her with a kind of frowning intensity.

“Is that all?”

“By no means. Lady Jocelyn had been followed.”

Lamb said, “What!” again, this time more sharply.

“By a girl in a shabby brown coat with a brown and purple scarf tied over her head. She was quite young, not over seventeen years of age I should say, and she had come out in a hurry, because she was wearing indoor shoes. She went up into the porch of one of the opposite houses and watched Lady Jocelyn from there.”

“Look here, how do you know it was Lady Jocelyn?”

“Reproductions of her portrait by Amory were in all the papers at the time of her return from France. Her identity is really not in question. Apart from everything else, her manner when I spoke to her of the occurrence—”

“You spoke to her?”

“On the telephone—but I will come to that presently. As I knew that the police were now satisfied that Miss Collins’ death was due to a road accident, and that they were no longer interested in Lady Jocelyn, the fact that she was being followed attracted my attention. In any case, the young girl I had seen would not have been employed in a police case. I thought the matter curious and somewhat alarming. My valued maid, Emma Meadows, was on the point of going out to the post. I asked her to follow the girl, and if possible to find out where she went.”

“Well?”

“She kept both her and Lady Jocelyn in sight until the latter hailed a passing taxi. I think there is no doubt that she came straight back to this flat. The girl turned round and retraced her steps. Emma followed her, but unfortunately lost sight of her a little later at a crowded corner. When she got through the crowd herself—she is elderly and rather stout—the girl was nowhere to be seen. She may have gone into a shop, or she may have got on a bus.”

“What street was this?”

Miss Silver told him, and Frank Abbott wrote it down. She continued.

“Later on, after tea, I rang Lady Jocelyn up.”

“Why did you do that?”

“On thinking the matter over carefully I had come to the conclusion that if she was being shadowed, it was in all probability at the instance of someone other than the police. When I asked myself to whose interest it would be to keep her under observation, the answer was quite simple. I had reason to believe that she had illegal associates—I found it quite impossible to accept the conclusions of the police with regard to the death of Miss Collins—and it occurred to me that if her associates, already sufficiently distrustful to have her watched, were to believe that she had formed the intention of approaching me, she would be in very grave danger. My name is not known to the public, but, especially since the Harsch case, it may have become known to those with whom Lady Jocelyn was entangled. After thinking the matter over I decided to warn her. If she had any intention of abandoning her associates, I felt that she should be encouraged to do so.”

“Well, you rang her up. What did she say?”

Miss Silver shook her head gravely.

“Her mood had altered. She assumed a confident tone and declared that she did not know what I was talking about. I offered to come and see her, and there was, I believe, a moment when she hesitated, but in the end she rang off quickly. I think she was afraid, but I think she had made up her mind to go through with what she was doing.”

Lamb got to his feet with a grunt.

“Well, it doesn’t get us much farther, does it?”

Lilla Jocelyn went out after lunch to the canteen at which she worked as a voluntary helper. Pelham Trent, after seeing her off, came back into the room.

“Do you mind if I stay for a minute or two?”

Lyndall said, “No,” and didn’t know whether she was telling the truth or not. She wanted to be alone, and she was afraid of being alone. She wanted to mourn for Anne who was dead, but she didn’t know just how truly she could mourn. If she were alone she could think herself back to the old days when Anne was one of the three people she loved most on earth. A warm feeling of sorrow welled up in her, melting away the cold sense of shock. Yes, she must be alone. She lifted her eyes to Pelham Trent, and he saw that they were bright with tears.

“You ought to rest,” he said quickly. “You won’t try and go out or do anything, will you? I’m sure you ought to rest.”

She said, “Yes, I will.” And then, “I wish we knew something more. Lilla doesn’t know who she was speaking to, and the man who answered didn’t tell her anything—only that Anne was dead. Do you think it was an accident? I had tea with her the day before yesterday—she was quite well then.” She kept her eyes on him as she spoke, the tears shining, something strained and piteous about her look.

He said, “My dear—I’m sorry—it’s been a shock. Would you like me to go round and find out for you? It’s only five minutes’ walk.”

“I don’t know…No—Philip mightn’t like it.” She put up a hand and pushed back her hair. “You’re very kind.”

He shook his head.

“I needn’t go up to the flat, you know. If Jocelyn’s there he won’t want to be bothered. I could ask the porter—but, no—that wouldn’t do.”

Lyndall said, “No.” And then, “I’ll ring up. We are relations—we’ve got a right to know. Philip wouldn’t mind.”

It was Sergeant Abbott who answered her ring, but she wasn’t to know that. He was just a voice—the sort of voice that might have belonged to any of Philip’s friends. He said, “Just a moment, Miss Armitage.” She heard his steps going away, then men’s voices, and the steps coming back.

“Are you speaking from Mrs. Jocelyn’s flat?”

“Yes—she had to go out. Will you please tell me what has happened to Anne? It’s so dreadful not knowing.”

Frank Abbott reflected cynically that it might be a great deal more dreadful to know. He said,

“You know she’s dead?”

“Yes.”

“Sir Philip Jocelyn told you that?”

“Yes—but not how it happened—please—”

“I am afraid you must be prepared for a shock. She was found shot.”

“Oh—” It was just a long, soft breath. And then, “Did she—shoot herself?”

“No—someone shot her.”

“Who?”

“We don’t know.”

She said, “Who are you?” in a wondering voice.

“Detective Sergeant Abbott. The police are in charge here.”

After a pause she said, “Is Philip there?”

“No.”

She said, “Oh—” again.

After a moment she hung up the receiver and turned round to Pelham Trent, her face quite drained of colour.

“Pelham—”

“I know—I heard what he said. What a dreadful thing! Here, come and sit down.”

She let him put her into a chair and leaned back in it. After a moment she said,

“Dreadful for Philip—dreadful for her—poor Anne—” Her voice went, a violent shudder ran over her.

After looking at her with frowning intensity Trent walked away to the far end of the room.

As far as she could feel anything just then, she felt relief. She had the shocked creature’s desire to creep away into a dark place and be alone. But she couldn’t do that. Behind the sense of shock she was aware of Philip. What she did and what she said now were going to matter to Philip. She had a sense of fear for him, and a great longing to help. She tried to focus her mind, to get things clear. This absorbed her so deeply that she did not notice Pelham Trent’s return until she heard his voice.

“Lyn—you’re all right—you’re not faint?”

“I’m all right—” Her tone was vague. She was coming back from a long way off.

He took a chair, pulled it close to her, and sat down.

“Lyndall, will you please listen. I hate to bother you now, but we can’t count on your being left alone. If this is murder, the police may be here at any moment. It was most unfortunate that Lilla should have mentioned Jocelyn’s coming here and saying what he did. And it’s doubly unfortunate that she should have told the police it was said to you. They’ll want to know why he came here—why he told you his wife was dead—why he went away in a hurry as soon as he found that Lilla and I were here. I’m bound to tell you that in a case of this sort a husband or wife is always under suspicion. At the very least there will be talk, publicity. You’ve got to be kept clear of it, for Jocelyn’s sake as well as your own. This murder coining on the top of all the talk about Anne Jocelyn’s return—well, my dear, you can see for yourself. If the police get it into their heads that Philip Jocelyn is fond of you, or that there’s anything between you, it will be just about the most disastrous thing that could happen—for him. You’ve got to be very careful indeed. Philip and Anne Jocelyn were your cousins, and you were very fond of them both—that’s your line. You were her bridesmaid—remember to bring that in. And—oh, my dear, don’t look at them the way you’re looking at me.”

“No—I won’t. I’m sorry—”

He put reassurance into his voice.

“You’ll be all right. Don’t say a word more than you’re obliged to. Don’t tell anyone anything. Don’t discuss anything with anyone. I’m your lawyer, you know, and that’s sound legal advice. And here’s some more, only I’m afraid you won’t like it. Don’t see Jocelyn—or if you do, don’t discuss anything.”

Her eyes darkened, the lashes screening them. He felt her withdrawn, resisting. He concentrated all that he had upon convincing her.

“You don’t know what getting mixed up in a case like this may mean. You don’t know what you are up against. You don’t know what harm you may do with a word. You don’t know how easy it is to let something slip. They’ll question you. You must remember only to answer their questions. Say yes, or say no. Don’t go farther than that.”

“Do you think I would say anything that would hurt Philip?”

“That is not for you to say. You might not know what would hurt him. You’d better keep out of it. Don’t let him tell you anything. The less you know the better.” He had been speaking in a low, tense voice that was almost a whisper. Now it changed, lightened, and resumed its normal pitch. “There—that’s all. Just be sensible and keep a still tongue, and everything will be quite all right. Jocelyn ought to get into touch with Codrington at once—he may have done so already. If he does ring you up or come here again, just push him off to the office. And remember—not one unnecessary word.”

Her eyes had closed. She opened them now with an effort and said,

“Thank you.” And then, “Pelham, will you go now? I don’t think I can talk about it any more.”

He had a word of approbation for this.

“Stick to that and everything will be quite all right. And don’t worry. I didn’t mean to frighten you about Jocelyn. If he was at the War Office he’s probably got an absolutely water-tight alibi. What we do want to avoid is raking up anything like the question of Anne Jocelyn’s identity, and having the press get hold of it, or of any other bit of scandal.”

When he was gone Lyndall sat up, her hands linked tightly in her lap, her face white and set, her eyes intent. She did not move for a long time, but in the end she got up, went over to the telephone, and dialled Janice Albany’s number.

Miss Silver looked up from her knitting at the sound of her front door bell. The hands of the clock on the mantelpiece stood at half past three. She was not expecting anyone, and had sat down by the fire to knit, and to consider with regretful interest the tragic fate of Lady Jocelyn, who was not in her opinion Lady Jocelyn at all, but Annie Joyce.

Following upon the ring she heard Emma’s rather deep tones, after which the sitting-room door was opened.

“Will you see Miss Armitage?”

Miss Silver placed her knitting carefully on the arm of her chair and rose to receive her visitor. There came in the girl with whom she had talked at Janice Albany’s. She wore the same dark green coat and hat, but she looked decidedly paler and more frail than she had done on that occasion. The big grey eyes with their dark lashes were fixed with painful intensity upon Miss Silver’s face as she said,

“Janice told me you were kind—”

“I hope so, my dear. Won’t you sit down? Now would you like to have a cup of tea with me first, or would you rather tell me what I can do for you? Emma could get the tea in a moment.”

Lyndall shook her head.

“Janice said to come and see you. She doesn’t know why. She only knows that we’re in trouble because—Anne is dead.”

Miss Silver had resumed her seat and her knitting. The needles clicked in a gentle and soothing manner.

“Yes, my dear, I know. You are referring, of course, to Lady Jocelyn.”

The faint colour of surprise tinged the transparent skin for an instant.

“How did you know—but Janice said you knew everything. Did you know that she had been shot?”

Miss Silver gave her a clear, kind glance.

“Yes, I knew.”

“That she was murdered?”

“Yes.”

With a hastily drawn breath Lyndall went on.

“Then can you tell me what I ought to do? Janice said—” The breath failed, the colour was all gone again.

“What did she say?”

Lyndall shook her head as if she couldn’t explain. Then she said,

“If I told you anything—would you have to tell the police?”

Miss Silver coughed.

“That would depend upon what it was.”

Lyndall sat looking at her. The grey eyes were asking questions. Presently she said,

“Do they know who did it?”

“No. If there is anything that you know, Miss Armitage— anything that would help to identify the criminal, you ought not to hold it back. I think you do know something, or you would not be here.”

“I don’t know whether it would help. That’s why I came— I thought you would help me to know—but it’s so difficult—I’m afraid—” Her voice went again suddenly.

Miss Silver had stopped knitting. She looked at her gravely. Then she said,

“Miss Armitage, I will tell you something. Yesterday afternoon Lady Jocelyn came and stood on the pavement opposite these flats. She remained there for some time looking up. I believe that she was trying to decide whether she would break with some dangerous past associations. I believe she had the half-formed intention of coming to see me, and I believe that if she had done so she would not now be lying dead. Afterwards I rang her up to warn her, but she had by then decided upon her course.”

Lyndall put a hand up to her throat. She said in a whisper,

“Was it something about Miss Collins?”

“Miss Armitage, if what you know has anything to do with the death of Nellie Collins, I beg that you will tell me what it is. There have been two deaths already. What you know may be as dangerous to you as it was to Miss Collins and to Lady Jocelyn.”

Lyndall’s hand dropped into her lap again.

“It’s not because I’m afraid,” she said, speaking like a child. “It’s because of Philip. It’s so dreadful for him already, that anything about Anne—anything—”

Miss Silver gave her the smile which had induced so many confidences. It had an extraordinarily encouraging, heartening, and bracing effect.

“My dear, the truth is sometimes painful, but it is salutary. Well-meant deceptions and the withholding of evidence are extremely dangerous in a criminal case. We all have to face pain sometimes—I fear that Sir Philip Jocelyn may have to face a good deal of it. You will not help him by withholding anything which might bring a dangerous criminal to justice.”

Lyndall gave her a straight look.

“Pelham said they might suspect Philip. Do they suspect him?”

Miss Silver did not answer the question. She coughed and said,

“Who is Pelham?”

“He is a partner in the firm of Philip’s solicitors. There is just he and Mr. Codrington now. He was there when Philip came in and said that Anne was dead, and he said I oughtn’t to talk to anyone or say anything, because Philip might be suspected. He talked to me for a long time after Lilla went out.”

“Was he aware that you knew something?”

“Oh, no—how could he be?”

“You are sure he did not know? Did anyone know?”

“Anne knew.”

“You told her?”

“Yes.”

“Because it was something to do with Miss Collins?”

“Yes.”

“What did she say?”

“She said it would hurt Philip—” Her voice faltered piteously. “I—promised—I wouldn’t say anything.”

After a little pause Miss Silver said,

“I do not think that you can keep that promise now.”

Again Lyndall gave that slight shake of the head.

“No—I can’t keep it now. I thought for a long time after Pelham had gone away, and then I rang up Janice and asked her about you. She said you would be fair, and kind, and she said I could trust you—I’m going to trust you. This is what happened. It was before Philip and Anne came up to town. I think it was on the twelfth—yes, Wednesday the twelfth. Someone said there was a shop that had enamelled saucepans, so I went to see, for Lilla, but they hadn’t got any. When I was coming back I saw Anne—at least I thought it was Anne. She had her back to me, and she was just going into a shop—a hairdresser’s shop called Félise.”

Miss Silver said brightly, “In Charlotte Street?”

Colour ran up into Lyndall’s face.

“How did you know?”

Miss Silver coughed.

“Pray proceed, Miss Armitage. I am most interested.”

Lyndall thought, “She really does know everything.”

Oddly enough, this did not frighten her. It provided a sense of support. If she made a mistake, Miss Silver would be able to put it right. She went on with less effort.

“I wasn’t sure that it was Anne. I wasn’t sure if she had seen me. I didn’t want her to think—I followed her into the shop. She wasn’t there. The girl behind the counter was busy—she didn’t see me. I went through to see if Anne was in one of the cubicles, and she wasn’t. There was a door at the end—a looking-glass door. I opened it, and there was a dark passage, quite small, and a stair going up, and a door at the end. The door wasn’t quite shut—there was a little line of light all down the edge. And I heard Anne say, ‘You might as well let me write to Nellie Collins. She’s quite harmless.’ And a man said—a man said—”

“Go on, my dear.”

Lyndall stared back at her, her eyes fixed blindly upon a face she could no longer see. Her lips only just moved.

“He said, ‘That is not for you to say.’ ”

“And then?”

“I ran away.” She gave a deep sigh and seemed to come awake again. “I was frightened—I don’t think I’ve ever been so frightened in my life. It was stupid—”

Miss Silver coughed.

“I do not think so.”

There was a silence. Lyndall leaned back and closed her eyes. She felt as if she had been climbing a long, steep hill. Now that she was come to the top, there was no breath in her. And she was afraid to look over the edge and see what lay beyond.

Miss Silver’s voice broke in upon her thoughts.

“You told Lady Jocelyn what you had overheard. When did you do so?”

She opened her eyes.

“When I saw about Miss Collins in the papers.”

“Will you tell me just what she said?”

Lyndall told her, speaking only just above her breath, with the picture in her mind of Anne pouring out tea, Anne kneeling by the fire, Anne asking her not to hurt Philip.

“She said I’d made a mistake. She said it might hurt Philip, so I promised.”

“I see. Miss Armitage, how well did you know Lady Jocelyn? I do not mean since her return, but before she went to France.”

She was startled by the change of subject. She sat up.

“We were at Jocelyn’s Holt together when she came there to stay after her mother died. None of us knew her till then. She was grown up, and I wasn’t. She was marvellous to me. I loved her—terribly. When she and Philip got engaged I thought it was wonderful. I was one of her bridesmaids.”

“If you were girls together in the same house you would have been in and out of each other’s rooms, dressed and undressed together. Can you tell me whether Lady Jocelyn had any mark by which she could have been identified?”

“Oh, no, she hadn’t. All the relations asked me that when she came back. There wasn’t anything.”

She met a very penetrating gaze.

“If she had had a brown mole the size of a sixpence just above her left knee, you would have noticed it?”

“Of course. But she hadn’t anything like that.”

“You are quite sure? It is very important.”

“Yes, I am quite, quite, sure.”

“You would be able to swear to it? You will, I think, be called upon to do so.”

Lyndall pressed her hands together in her lap. She said,

“Yes.” And then, slowly, “I don’t understand. Will you please tell me?”

Miss Silver said gravely,

“The woman who died today had a mole such as I have described. I think Miss Collins knew that Annie Joyce had such a mole. I think Lady Jocelyn died more than three years ago.”