She dared not protest further. If he suspected that she knew …
With an effort she managed to regain something of her normal manner. Yet she had an uneasy feeling that he looked at her sideways every now and then, as though not quite satisfied. She felt that his suspicions were not completely allayed.
When they returned to the house he insisted on her lying down, and brought some eau-de-cologne to bathe her temples. He was, as ever, the devoted husband. Alix felt herself as helpless as though bound hand and foot in a trap.
Not for a minute would he leave her alone. He went with her into the kitchen and helped her to bring in the simple cold dishes she had already prepared. Supper was a meal that choked her, yet she forced herself to eat, and even to appear gay and natural. She knew now that she was fighting for her life. She was alone with this man, miles from help, absolutely at his mercy. Her only chance was so to lull his suspicions that he would leave her alone for a few moments—long enough for her to get to the telephone in the hall and summon assistance. That was her only hope now.
A momentary hope flashed over her as she remembered how he had abandoned his plan before. Suppose she told him that Dick Windyford was coming up to see them that evening?
The words trembled on her lips—then she rejected them hastily. This man would not be baulked a second time. There was a determination, an elation, underneath his calm bearing that sickened her. She would only precipitate the crime. He would murder her there and then, and calmly ring up Dick Windyford with a tale of having been suddenly called away. Oh! if only Dick Windyford were coming to the house this evening! If Dick …
A sudden idea flashed into her mind. She looked sharply sideways at her husband as though she feared that he might read her mind. With the forming of a plan, her courage was reinforced. She became so completely natural in manner that she marvelled at herself.
She made the coffee and took it out to the porch where they often sat on fine evenings.
‘By the way,’ said Gerald suddenly, ‘we’ll do those photographs later.’
Alix felt a shiver run through her, but she replied nonchalantly, ‘Can’t you manage alone? I’m rather tired tonight.’
‘It won’t take long.’ He smiled to himself. ‘And I can promise you you won’t be tired afterwards.’
The words seemed to amuse him. Alix shuddered. Now or never was the time to carry out her plan.
She rose to her feet.
‘I’m just going to telephone to the butcher,’ she announced nonchalantly. ‘Don’t you bother to move.’
‘To the butcher? At this time of night?’
‘His shop’s shut, of course, silly. But he’s in his house all right. And tomorrow’s Saturday, and I want him to bring me some veal cutlets early, before someone else grabs them off him. The old dear will do anything for me.’
She passed quickly into the house, closing the door behind her. She heard Gerald say, ‘Don’t shut the door,’ and was quick with her light reply, ‘It keeps the moths out. I hate moths. Are you afraid I’m going to make love to the butcher, silly?’
Once inside, she snatched down the telephone receiver and gave the number of the Traveller’s Arms. She was put through at once.
‘Mr Windyford? Is he still there? Can I speak to him?’
Then her heart gave a sickening thump. The door was pushed open and her husband came into the hall.
‘Do go away, Gerald,’ she said pettishly. ‘I hate anyone listening when I’m telephoning.’
He merely laughed and threw himself into a chair.
‘Sure it really is the butcher you’re telephoning to?’ he quizzed.
Alix was in despair. Her plan had failed. In a minute Dick Windyford would come to the phone. Should she risk all and cry out an appeal for help?
And then, as she nervously depressed and released the little key in the receiver she was holding, which permits the voice to be heard or not heard at the other end, another plan flashed into her head.
‘It will be difficult,’ she thought to herself. ‘It means keeping my head, and thinking of the right words, and not faltering for a moment, but I believe I could do it. I must do it.’
And at that minute she heard Dick Windyford’s voice at the other end of the phone.
Alix drew a deep breath. Then she depressed the key firmly and spoke.
‘Mrs Martin speaking—from Philomel Cottage. Please come (she released the key) tomorrow morning with six nice veal cutlets (she depressed the key again). It’s very important (she released the key). Thank you so much, Mr Hexworthy: you won’t mind my ringing you up so late. I hope, but those veal cutlets are really a matter of (she depressed the key again) life or death (she released it). Very well—tomorrow morning (she depressed it) as soon as possible.’
She replaced the receiver on the hook and turned to face her husband, breathing hard.
‘So that’s how you talk to your butcher, is it?’ said Gerald.
‘It’s the feminine touch,’ said Alix lightly.
She was simmering with excitement. He had suspected nothing. Dick, even if he didn’t understand, would come.
She passed into the sitting-room and switched on the electric light. Gerald followed her.
‘You seem very full of spirits now?’ he said, watching her curiously.
‘Yes,’ said Alix. ‘My headache’s gone.’
She sat down in her usual seat and smiled at her husband as he sank into his own chair opposite her. She was saved. It was only five and twenty past eight. Long before nine o’clock Dick would have arrived.
‘I didn’t think much of that coffee you gave me,’ complained Gerald. ‘It tasted very bitter.’
‘It’s a new kind I was trying. We won’t have it again if you don’t like it, dear.’
Alix took up a piece of needlework and began to stitch. Gerald read a few pages of his book. Then he glanced up at the clock and tossed the book away.
‘Half-past eight. Time to go down to the cellar and start work.’
The sewing slipped from Alix’s fingers.
‘Oh, not yet. Let us wait until nine o’clock.’
‘No, my girl—half-past eight. That’s the time I fixed. You’ll be able to get to bed all the earlier.’
‘But I’d rather wait until nine.’
‘You know when I fix a time I always stick to it. Come along, Alix. I’m not going to wait a minute longer.’
Alix looked up at him, and in spite of herself she felt a wave of terror slide over her. The mask had been lifted. Gerald’s hands were twitching, his eyes were shining with excitement, he was continually passing his tongue over his dry lips. He no longer cared to conceal his excitement.
Alix thought, ‘It’s true—he can’t wait—he’s like a madman.’
He strode over to her, and jerked her on to her feet with a hand on her shoulder.
‘Come on, my girl—or I’ll carry you there.’
His tone was gay, but there was an undisguised ferocity behind it that appalled her. With a supreme effort she jerked herself free and clung cowering against the wall. She was powerless. She couldn’t get away—she couldn’t do anything—and he was coming towards her.
‘Now,