The Pride of the Peacock (30 page)

“When I heard it had been stolen by Desmond Dereham I was glad … yes, glad. I said it’s taken its bad luck with it. Then there was Mr. Henniker’s accident. He was never right after that. Then he died. I thought that was because he had had the Green Flash and had to pay for having it … but if Mr. Henniker had it all the time that would account for it. And where is it now ?”

She looked at me steadily and I shook my head.

“It could be in the house. Oh, I don’t like that. I’m afraid

of it. It will bring bad luck to the house. It already has, and we don’t want any more. “

I was surprised, for though she endeavoured to keep her emotions under control she was agitated. Before this she had seemed so serene.

“You can’t believe all these stories about bad luck, Mrs. Laud,” I said. There’s no real foundation for them. They just grow out of gossip and rumour. “

She laid a hand on my arm.

“I’m afraid of that stone, Mrs. Madden. I hope to God ifs never found.”

I could see that she was distracted and so was I when I thought of our discovery last night, so I suggested that I should go to my room and unpack some of my things which had arrived, and this I did.

8.

HARLEQUIN

I did not see Joss until dinner time but Lilias came to my room in the afternoon to ask if she could help me unpack.

I thanked her and said I could manage very well, but she sat down and watched me, admiring my clothes as I took them out. She thought them very elegant, she said, and they would surely make Isa Bannock jealous.

She thinks she is a temme fatale,” Lilias added.

“Is she?”

She’s reckoned to be so. There’s no one like her in Fancy Town or hereabouts. “

“It will be interesting to meet her.”

“I hope you’ll find it so. My mother has shown you the house, hasn’t she?”

Yes, ifs fascinating. “

“So like the one in England?”

“Ifs not really like it.”

“It just tried to be, I suppose.8 I smiled. ‘mt Henniker set out with the idea in the first place, I expect, and then found it didn’t work.”

“We’re very anxious that you should put us right about anything you don’t like. I hope you don’t think we’re too presumptuous.”

“Certainly not.”

“You see, when my mother came here Mr. Henniker was so good to us and I was only two … slightly less than that… so it’s always been my home.”

“And must continue so… until you marry.”

She cast down her eyes again. It was a habit which she shared with her mother.

“We were rather anxious. We had no idea Mr. Madden would marry… over there.” “I know it was a shock to you all. You should have been warned.”

“Ifs not for us to say what should and should not be done.”

“Well, I’m sorry you weren’t told before. I am sure we shall all get along well together.”

“My brother, Jimson, is doing well at the works, especially now that he has Tom Paling’s job. We’re sure Mr. Madden will be pleased.”

“It was a good thing that he was able to take over after Mr. Paling’s accident.”

“Oh yes, they would have been in difficulties without Jimson. We’re proud of him. You may think it’s a strange name … Jimson. Our father was Jim so they called him Jimson.”

“Very neat,” I commented.

“Oh, we’re a very close family. Jimson and I never forget what we owe to our mother. But I’m boring you, Mrs. Madden. I only wanted you to know that I’ll be ready to help. Have you got plenty of room for your things? Mr. Madden’s seem to be all in the other room.”

She had lowered her eyes again. Was it a certain triumph she was hiding?

“I have plenty of room,” I said coolly.

“Dinner will be at half past seven,” she said. The Bannocks will be here by then. Will you come down when you’re ready? “

I said I would and she left me.

I had a suspicion that she might be pleased that Joss and I did not share a room. Her remarks about Isa Bannock had seemed rather pointed too.

I was becoming imaginative. Was I looking for mysteries and secret tensions? Too much had happened to me in too short a time and the discovery last night had really startled me and made me wonder what was going on in this house. Then there was the niggling thought that someone had watched us from the window, and if I had been right about that it must have been someone in the house.

I dressed with care and I thought it appropriate to choose

a dress of peacock blue silk. This,” my grandmother had said, ‘will serve for a dignified occasion.” And so I went down to meet the Bannocks.

They were in the parlour drinking aperitifs when I arrived. joss came forward and took my arm.

“Come along, Jessica,” he said, ‘and meet Isa and Ezra. “

I did not see her immediately, for Ezra, a powerfully built man, had taken my hand and was nearly crushing it in an over-sincere handshake.

“Well, this is a surprise,” he cried in a booming voice.

“Congratulations Joss. You’ve got yourself a beaut.”

I was not quite sure how to respond to this fulsome greeting so I smiled and said how pleasant it was to meet him for I had heard a good deal about him.

“Nothing bad, I hope,” he cried.

“On the contrary,” I answered.

“And here’s Isa,” said Joss.

She was obviously several years younger than her husband, I thought, as she turned her lovely topaz<:oloured eyes upon me and scrutinized me with probing interest. She reminded me of a tigress; her nose was tiny, her upper lip rather long and there were tawny lights in her hair to match her eyes;

there was something about her which reminded me of the jungle, for she moved like a cat with immense grace. There was one word to describe her and that was feline.

“So you’re Joss’s wife,” she said.

“We never thought he’d marry. What a sly thing to do … to spring it on us like this. I hope you’ll like it here. Ifs good to have women around. There’s a shortage of them here, you’ll soon discover. It makes us all so much more predous than we should other wise be. Don’t you agree, David?” She was smiling at David Croissant, who seemed overwhelmed by her charms.

“I think it would depend on the woman,” said David.

“What nonsense!” retorted Isa.

“When there’s a shortage the value automatically rises. You as a merchant should know that.”

David grinned at her. It seemed as though his shrewd com mon sense deserted him in the presence of this siren.

“Let me get you something to drink, Mrs. Madden,” said Mrs. Laud.

When it was brought to me Isa was saying: “What have you brought in your pedlar’s pack, David? I can’t wait to see.”

Joss said: “After dinner, he’ll show us I dare say.”

The market’s pretty good for black opals now,” said Ezra.

“I only hope they’re not going to flood it.”

You’ve had some good finds hereabouts, I gather,” put in David.

“You can be sure of that,” added Ezra.

Isa smiled at me.

“Aren’t you longing to see them?” she asked.

“Yes, I am. I did see some in Cape Town when Mr. Croissant was there.

Joss and I were at the home of the van der Stels. “

Isa’s eyes were dreamy.

“That must have been a wonderful experience for you! A honeymoon at sea. And coming to a new home. How romantic!

And then David arrived and showed you some of his precious opals. “

“Yes. There was one I remember specially. The Harlequin Opal. I don’t think I ever saw anything so beautiful.”

The Harlequin! ” cried Isa.

“What a marvelous name! I long to see it.

Have you got it with you, David? “

“You shall see it after dinner,” he promised her.

“And ifs a real beauty?”

“It’ll fetch a big price,” said David.

“Opals mean business to David,” Isa told me.

“He doesn’t see the beauty of the stones, only their market value. I’m not like that. I love beautiful stones … particularly opals. That flash of fire exdtes me. What was the finest opal you experts ever saw? I know what you’re going to say: The Green Rash at Sunset.”

Mrs. Laud said: “I think we should go in to dinner now.”

Joss sat at one end of the table and I at the other. Isa was on his right hand, Ezra on mine. It was soon clear to me that the attention of the men was focused on Isa, and that this was what she expected as a right. I felt at a disadvantage and irritated by her manner, particularly as I guessed she was aware of this and was revelling in it, perhaps more than she usually did and this was on account of me.

Thick juicy steaks were served with fresh vegetables followed by passion fruit jelly, but I scarcely noticed what I ate. My attention-like that of the men-was on Isa, and in particular on Isa and Joss. I noticed how once or twice she placed her hand over his and the manner in which he smiled at her. And it seemed to me that Mrs. Laud and Lilias were watching me in order to gauge my reactions.

Ezra seemed to be pleased by the effect his wife had and it was dear that he was one of her greatest admirers. I tried to tell myself that she was an empty-headed and frivolous woman, but I knew there was more to her than that. She was

secret, subtle and cunning, and while she scolded Joss tor marrying so hastily without letting them know and pretended it was all something of a joke, I was sure she was exceedingly piqued about it.

She returned to the subject of the Green Rash and repeated the story of Desmond Dereham’s death in America and his confession.

“It seems that Ben had the opal all the time,” she said.

“In that case what on earth happened to it?”

There was a brief silence and then Joss lifted his eyes and looking straight at me said: “Before Ben died he told my wife and me where he had hidden the Green Rash. He left it to us jointly.”

Isa clasped her hands.

“I want to see it. I can’t wait.”

“I’m afraid I can’t show it to you,” said Joss, ‘because when we looked in the place where Ben said he had hidden it, it was no longer there.

”

Mrs. Laud had turned very pale.

“Do you mean, Mr. Madden, that it was in this house… ?”

“When Ben put it there. Since then it seems someone has stolen it.”

“It’s no longer in this house then,” said Mrs. Laud quietly. Thank God for that. “

“You’ve been Listening to those tales, Mrs. Laud,” said Ezra. There always are tales about a fine stone. It’s a sop to people’s vanity.

They don’t want anyone to enjoy what they can’t so they say it’s unlucky and these tales get around. But, I say, what a thing to happen 1 What’U you do. Joss ? “

“I’m going to find it, but where to start looking ?”

“Who could have known where Ben had hidden it?” said Ezra.

“Would he have told anyone?”

“I am sure he didn’t. He didn’t tell me until he was dying. Then he told us both… Jessica and me.”

“Where was it?” demanded Isa.

“He had had a cavity made in a picture frame.”

“How exciting and mysterious!” cried Isa.

“I do wonder who has stolen it?”

“I don’t envy them,” murmured Mrs. Laud.

“Oh, Mother, you take the rumours too seriously,” said Jimson.

There’s one thing I want to say,” said Joss.

“I’ve said it before. I don’t doubt I’ll have to say it again. I don’t want a lot of talk about unlucky stones. People could stop

buying opals because of such talk.” , “Joss,” whispered Isa, ‘how can you start looking for the Green Flash? “

“It’s no use putting up a bill saying ” Will the thief return priceless opal he stole from Peacocks sometime during the last two years”, is it?”

Hardly. So how will you begin? “

I shall have to work that out, but I’m determined to find it. “

“And what Joss determines he always does, doesn’t he, Mrs. Madden?” The tawny eyes mocked me.

“You will know that as well as any of us.”

“I’m sure he’s very determined.”

“I don’t want talk in the town about this,” said Joss.

They’re already talking about Desmond Dereham’s not having stolen it and Ben’s having it all the time,” said Ezra.

“I know, but let that die down.” He addressed Ezra, and I noticed afresh how when he wanted a subject changed he made it clear.

“Have you added any good horses to your stables lately?”

“One or two. You’ll be interested, joss. I’ve got a little beauty … a grey mare. She’s called Wattle. I’ve never known any horse with such feeling. She’s really fond of me.”

“All horses are fond of you,” put in Jimson. Tou have a way with them.

”

“Horses and women,” said Isa, looking archly at her husband.

“Horses anyway,” replied Ezra.

“Have you got a good horse for Mrs. Madden ?” he asked Joss.

“I’ve been thinking what there is in the stables. I’ll probably have a look round.”

“I’d like to give her my Wattle. She’s just the ticket. She’s strong, will of her own and malleable. If I drop a word in her ear she’ll be just the mount for the lady.”

I said: This is too generous. “

Ezra waved his hand.

“Oh, it’s all in the Company. You’re’ one of us now, you know.”

“I’m most grateful…”

“You’ll love her. She’s a real beaut… and such a good girl too.

Treat her right and she’ll treat you right and if I just give her the word. all will be well. “

“It’s true,” Jimson told me.

“I’ve never known anyone talk to horses as Ezra does.”

“It’s very kind of you,” I said. Thank you. “

Well, that’s settled,” said Isa.

“David, I can’t wait to see your treasures.”

“Perhaps after coffee,” suggested Mrs. Laud.

Isa was obviously impatient for coffee to be over and this was soon taken in the parlour. Then we went into the drawing-room and before the eyes of the haughty peacock on the wall, who, could he have spoken, might have told us who had stolen the Green Flash, David sat at a table and opened the rolled-up cases. The blinds had been raised to let the light in with sun down and as there was no gaslight at Peacocks several candles were lighted to shed their soft glow over the room.