Read Online She Fell Among Thieves by Dornford Yates - Free Book Online Page B

word, and I almost despair of presenting the horrid condition of mind to which I had now been reduced. It was not, I think, bodily fear: it was not the dread of exposure: it was the guilty feeling of one who, by his own act, has witnessed some hideous office not meant to be seen, who knows he is being sought by the officers whom he observed. This on suspicion alone, for Vanity Fair had no proof. As a spy, I deserved no less. But she was using treachery as though it were not an essence, but something which is sold by the quart.
    I reported the business to Mansel within the hour. My hasty note concluded, I firmly believe that all these sedan-chairs are nothing but posts of observation, to be used as required .
    After what had occurred that morning I had, of course, assumed that Virginia’s expedition would not take place. De Rachel had insulted Virginia by insulting a decent maid who was paid to sweep, but not garnish, the rooms which his presence fouled: and I had insulted de Rachel by denying his right to bestow his fragrant favours as he saw fit. At luncheon, however, to my surprise and disgust, the arrangement was gaily confirmed by Vanity Fair, and at three o’clock precisely our most uncongenial muster struggled into the coupé and took to the roads.
    I shall never forget that drive.
    I can only suppose that de Rachel’s skin was of the nature of buckram, for his air was as high and as jaunty as though he had in his pocket the patent of chivalry. That he fancied himself as a driver was very clear, and I think the display which he gave was meant as well to awe Virginia as to diminish me and to demonstrate to us both that his skill and dash and daring were idiosyncrasies. Be that as it may, he so much abused the car that I could hardly sit still, while the risks which he took were so shocking that again and again I was frightened out of my life. Mercifully the roads were open, and the traffic which we encountered was very slight, but as we approached St Albert, he preferred to run over a dog to slackening speed. A more wanton piece of cruelty I never saw, and I was not surprised when Virginia, who knew her swain and, while we were some way off, had begged the dog’s life, immediately burst into tears. This very natural distress appeared to afford de Rachel matter for mirth and he made the incident into a parable by which was exposed the folly of such as made bold to oppose his strength of will.
    Although I was ripe for murder, for Virginia’s sake I said nothing – until we were out of the car.
    Then I took de Rachel aside.
    ‘Either I drive back,’ I said, ‘or you travel alone. Don’t argue the point, but tell me which you prefer.’
    The man looked me up and down.
    ‘And if I refuse,’ he said.
    ‘Then I shall decide,’ said I, and, with that, I rejoined Virginia, who showed me the little town.
    When we returned to the coupé, de Rachel was asprawl in the dickey, pretending to be asleep…
    I am glad to record that some ten miles from Jezreel we ran into a thunderstorm. Of malice prepense, I instantly put down my foot. …When we arrived at the castle, Gaston de Rachel’s condition suggested that he was newly risen from the bed of some stream.
    As he descended stiffly –
    ‘It serves you right,’ said Virginia, ‘for killing that dog.’
    I had expected that Bell would hand me my orders when I went upstairs to dress, but he told me instead that I should find a note in the Rolls: ‘beneath the cushion, sir: but you’re not to touch it until you’re twenty miles off.’
    ‘All right,’ said I. ‘Tell Captain Mansel I’ll leave about half-past ten.’
    ‘Very good, sir,’ said Bell. He hesitated. ‘And if you please, I’m to spend the night here in your room.’
    ‘Oho,’ said I. ‘So he thinks…’
    ‘He didn’t say, sir,’ said Bell. ‘But no one won’t be surprised, sir – not after last night.’
    ‘That’s true,’ said I. ‘All right. We’ll watch by turns: and if anyone