The Pride of the Peacock

12. THE SPINET PLAYER

A few days later I made an alarming discovery.

During the last weeks the house had seemed to oppress me. I had the uncanny feeling that there was something there from which I must escape. I thought a great deal about Ben because his personality was stamped on Peacocks. Lately, I suppose because I was in a rather nervous state, I had fancied I sensed his presence there. I believed that if there had been a close bond between people it did not necessarily end with death. He was after all the only person who had really loved me. For a short while I had been happy in that love, and when he died I realized how alone and desolate I was. I suppose everyone longs to be loved, and those who do so most are those who have missed the good fortune of enjoying that which I have come to believe is the most desirable thing in life. My childhood had been loveless. I was an encumbrance from the first. My own mother had found life intolerable and had left me. I could not say that my life in Dower was unhappy because it was not in my nature to be unhappy, and in those days I had not missed what I had never known. In fact, it was having been loved and cherished by Ben that had taught me what I had missed. Perhaps that was why I felt this special bond between us, and I fancied that his spirit was in the house warning me in some way because I was in danger. Everything had certainly not turned out as he had planned it should. He had bound joss and me together, but such interference in the lives of other people could be dangerous. Had he really known how far Joss would go to get what he wanted? Had he ever thought that I might be the wife who was in the way of a ruthless man and because of this I could be in a situation of acute peril?

Who was it who crept up to my room at night and would on the last occasion have come in if the door had been unlocked? Why? For what purpose? Was it Joss? I believed it was. Had he come to plead with me to let us begin a new life together? No, he was too proud for that. He had always said he would not force himself on me. Then why? And what did it mean?

Was I right in thinking that there was some element in the house which was trying to warn me ?

So when I came in and found Peacocks quiet I often had the desire to get out of it. Sometimes I sat in the pond garden but more often I chose the peace of the orchard. There among the lemon and orange trees I could relax and think about my day at the offices and what I had learned. I would then admonish myself for my foolish fancies, and there among the oranges, lemons, and guavas I felt a return to common sense.

I had brought several books from the offices and these were teaching me a great deal of opal lore. I liked to take one of them to the orchard, find a shady spot and sit and read, as I did so memorizing facts with which I loved to startle people, in particular Joss. I could see that he was impressed, though he never said so, but there would be a certain lifting of the corners of his mouth and twinkle in his eyes. I found this very gratifying because I knew that I was arousing his grudging admiration.

It was there in the orchard that I made the discovery.

The grass was coarse and where the earth showed through it was brown and cracked. I suppose that was why the spot which has been aug up recently was noticeable.

Looking up from my book, my eyes went straight to it and I saw at once that the earth had been turned over and that something looked as though it was protruding. I studied it for a few seconds without moving. The sun caught it and it glittered like gold.

I went over. It was gold. As I pulled it out I was limp with horror, for what I had found was a red leather purse with a gold band, and I knew at once that it had belonged to Ezra Bannock, and that he had carried it with him when he was shot at Graver’s Gully.

Who had buried it in the orchard at Peacocks?

I could no longer stay in the orchard. I went to my room in a haze of horror and indecision.

I could not make up my mind what to do. The theory that a bushranger had shot Ezra was false. What bushranger would come to Peacocks, steal into the orchard in order to bury the purse there?

There seemed to be one answer to the mystery. Someone at Peacocks had killed Ezra Bannock and taken his purse to make it look like robbery and then buried the purse in the orchard.

There was only one I knew who had a motive.

With Ezra out of the way, Isa was free. But he was not. He was married to me and while I lived he was not free. While , I lived . That was the thought that kept recurring. It was becoming like a nightmare.

I took out the purse and examined it.

“He had a red leather purse full of sovereigns. He used to fill it up every morning …” Isa had said something like that.

What was it that Joss aroused in me? Was it love? I wanted to protect him whatever he had done. I wanted to go to him and say: “I have found Ezra’s purse. You hid it in the orchard … not very cleverly. The ground was so parched it was obvious. We must get rid of it…”

But why should? he bury the purse in the orchard? Why had he not got rid of it somewhere in the Bush? It seemed like a panic-stricken action. Strangely enough I could believe he might be a murderer, but not that he would ever suffer panic.

He would say to me: “So you believe that of me. Why don’t you betray me? Why involve yourself?”

“Because I’m a fool,” I would say.

“I have the same feeling for you as you have for Isa Bannock.. perhaps now you understand.”

But I would say nothing of the sort. I did not know what to do and being in doubt I put the purse into a drawer and then was afraid that it might be discovered. It was the perfect clue which would lead to the murderer.

I must tell him. He would lie. He would say he hadn’t put it there.

But who else. Joss? I asked. Who else?

I spent a sleepless night and twice rose to look at the purse in the drawer to assure myself that it was there and I hadn’t dreamed the whole thing.

The next day Joss had left when I went down and I rode into the town with Jimson. We talked as we rode but I don’t remember what about. I could think of nothing but that red purse with the pieces of orchard earth staining it.

As soon as I returned to Peacocks I went straight up to my room and as I entered I knew that something had changed. One of the drawers was not properly shut and instinct told me that someone had been there looking for something. I went immediately to the drawer in which I had put the red purse. It was not there.

I sat down in a chair and thought of what this meant. Whoever had killed Ezra now knew that I had discovered the purse and taken it from its hiding place.

It was difficult to appear normal. I tried to think what would be the best line of action. I told myself that as soon as I saw Joss I should know because even he must be shaken by what had happened.

I went to the window and stood there looking out across the grounds to the arid Bush. I could just make out the calico tents on the fringe of the town. As I stood there I saw Mrs. Laud drive in with the buggy.

She often took it down to the town and brought back provisions which were carried into the house by the servants. She looked up and saw me, lifting her hand in acknowledgement.

I went to the hall. I felt an urgent need to get back to normality.

“Ifs very hot, isn’t it?” I said.

“My goodness, yes.”

“You should have taken Lilias with you.”

“I think she sees a little too much of Jeremy Dickson.”

“He’s a very pleasant young man. Why don’t you like him, Mrs. Laud?”

She didn't answer and pressed her lips tight together.

"You must be worn out,” I went on.

“Why don’t you have a cup of tea?”

“I thought I’d go to my room and make one. Would you care to join me, Mrs. Madden?” “Why, yes, I’d like to.”

We climbed to her room and she put the kettle on the spirit lamp. It was a very cosy little room with a bunch of dried leaves in a pot in the fireplace and on the polished table a runner of red plush. The chairs had tapestry seats and I was sure she had made them herself. In the corner was a what-not on which were displayed miniature pieces of china, and there was a cuckoo clock on the wall.

She watched my gaze.

“I brought these things out from England and when I came here Mr. Henniker let me furnish my own room. I appreciated that.”

That must have made it seem very homely. “

She made the tea. She seemed upset about something and I determined to find out what. It took my mind off that other terrifying matter.

“I hope this is to your taste, Mrs. Madden. Tea doesn’t taste right here to me. Not like home. They say it’s the water.”

"You were going to tell me about Mr. Dickson,” I prompted.

She looked at me in a startled fashion.

“Was I?”

"You . er . don’t like this friendship between him and Lilias? “

“I wouldn’t go so far as to say that.”

“How far would you go?”

“I’m being silly, I suppose. I wouldn’t want her to make a mistake. I suppose mothers do feel like that about their daughters."

” Has he done anything to upset you ? “

“Oh no… not him.”

“Someone else… then?”

She looked at me in a worried way and she reminded me of an animal caught in a trap.

“I have been in this house so long,” she said, which seemed to me straying from the point. There I was at my wits’ end . “

“I know, and Mr. Henniker offered you the post.”

“I brought my children up here. I was treated … as though I belonged.”

“Mr. Henniker was a wonderfully kind man."

” I couldn’t bear anything to go wrong in this house. I just don’t like what’s being said. “

“What was that?” I asked sharply.

She looked at me blankly then she said: “When you think back it’s hard to put your finger on it. It’s. implication … or something like that.”

“Who implied what?”

She looked over her shoulder as though she were seeking some way of escape.

“You’re the last one I should be saying this to.”

“Why? Does it concern me?”

“It’s a lot of lies … plain lies…”

“Now, Mrs. Laud, you have said too much to stop. Someone’s been telling lies about me, have they?”

“Oh no, not about you, Mrs. Madden. Everybody’s sorry for you.”

“Why are they sorry for me They say it’s a pity Mr. Henniker made that will. They say it’s forced things. Mrs. Bannock’s not liked in the town. She’s not liked at all.

Oh, Mr. Madden would be angry if he knew. I really mustn’t say any more. He’d turn me out. Perhaps I deserve it for talking to you like this. “

“I want to know what they’re saying.”

“If I tell you, will you promise to say nothing to him?”

To my husband, you mean? “

"Yes, please don’t tell him that I talked to you like this. He’d be so angry . Heaven knows where it would end. It’s only talk, that’s all, but it upsets me. I told them it was a lot of lies . but that doesn’t stop them. They wouldn’t say anything to you, of course.

You’re the last one they’d talk to. “

“Mrs. Laud, I want to know what this is all about.”

“It’s not exactly what was said. Ifs the looks … the nods … and ” Implications,” I said.

“What was it?”

The words came out in a rush. They said they’d always known how it was between them. Ezra put up with it for a long time because of his position in the Company. Then he wouldn’t have it. and that’s why he died. “

“No!” I cried fiercely, forgetting that it was exactly what I had thought myself.

“It’s impossible.”

They say she has the Green Flash, that he took it from its hiding place and gave it to her. “

“I never heard such nonsense,” I cried firmly.

Ts(o more did I, but it upsets me . and you just caught me at a bad moment. “

I’m glad you told me, Mrs. Laud. But let’s forget it, shall we?”

She hesitated.

“Well, I don’t believe it, of course, but I think . well I just think you ought to be on your guard …"

I stared at her and she bit her lip in embarrassment and went stammering on: ‘… on your guard against gossip.”

“Cuckoo, Cuckoo,” said the clock on the wall, and went on repeating his silly cry to denote the hour.

When I went into the town I imagined people watched me furtively.

They were sorry for me, asking themselves how much I knew. In a place like this everyone knew everyone else’s business. The notices asking for information about Ezra’s murder looked out at me from every post.

It was an uneasy town. The cosy theory was that Ezra had been shot by a bushranger who was now miles away, the only other alternative being that we had a murderer in our midst. Murderers had to have motives. I knew that the murderer was someone who came to Peacocks and was such a frequent visitor that no one would notice when he went into the orchard to bury a purse.

When I went into the offices Jeremy was waiting for me. He wanted to show me the finished product of that opal I had had such a feeling about.

“You can be proud to have your judgement proved correct,” he told me.

“Does it really mean I’m learning or was it just good luck?”

“It was pure hunch and that’s what we all wait for.” He said he would make tea and did so. I felt a great urge to talk to him about my discovery and my fears, for it occurred to me that he was one of the few people I could talk to; but I knew that would be unwise. I brought the subject round to the Green Flash.

“Have you heard the rumour that Ezra stole it and died as a result?” I asked.

“I never take any notice of rumours like that’ ” I suppose there’s just a possibility that it might be true. “

“In the first place Ezra was no thief. He would never have stolen anything.”

“His wife has a fine collection. Suppose he wanted to add the best of all to it.”

Jeremy firmly shook his head.

“If the Green Rash could be found it would be helpful,” he said.

“Ah yes. But where is it? I only wish I knew where to start looking for it. You see, it’s very awkward because Joss doesn’t want to start fussing about it.”

Jeremy wrinkled his brows.

“It’s very strange,” he said.

“Perhaps he’s making secret investigations.”

“Since I am a joint owner I think he would have consulted me. Can you suggest anything that I might do?”

“Well, presumably it was there when Mr. Henniker left. There was obviously no break in, so it must have been taken by someone who was known to the house. That could have been anyone at the works because they could come or go without much notice being taken. You might start questioning the servants. And you can be sure I’ll keep my eyes and ears open and do everything I can.”

Thanks. “

The door opened suddenly and Joss looked in.

“Oh,” he said, ‘cosy chat, I see! ” and was about to go when Jeremy said: ” Did you want me? “

“Later will do,” replied Joss and disappeared.

I left the office soon after that and went back to Peacocks. I lay on my bed with the blinds shutting out the heat. I could not concentrate on reading and kept thinking of Joss’s burying the purse in the orchard and the more I thought of it, the more absurd it seemed. How simple it would, have been to have thrown it away in the Bush which the suspected bushranger might easily have done.

I was startled suddenly by a gentle pat on my door. It was so light I scarcely heard it. I called “Come in’ but there was no answer so I went to the door and looked into the corridor.

“Is anyone there?” I called.

There was still no answer. Then from above I heard the sound of the spinet. It was a Chopin waltz.

I wondered who in the house played the spinet and my curiosity sent me to the stairs leading to the gallery. When I was half way up the stairs the music stopped abruptly. I opened the door of the gallery and went in.

There was no one there.

I looked round in dismay. If someone had been in here playing I must surely have seen whoever it was coming out of the room.

Had I imagined it? No. I had distinctly heard it.

As I came downstairs I heard someone in the hall. It was Mrs. Laud just coming in.

“It’s hot in the town,” she said.

Have you been ordering again? You should have gone this morning. “

“A few things I had forgotten. You look startled, Mrs. Madden.”

“I thought I heard someone playing the spinet in the gallery.”

Oh no, I don’t think so. Nobody’s touched it for years. Mr. Henniker used to play it sometimes. He had funny fancies for a man such as he was. He used to say to me: “Emmeline ! ” he used to call me Emmeline, always my full name Emmeline, when I play this I fancy I’m calling someone from the grave . ” He had this strange feeling, you know.

She died . of a broken heart, he said, and if he had stayed in England he could have saved her. Funny you should have fancied you heard it playing. ”

” It didn’t seem like fancy. “

“I can’t think what else, Mrs. Madden. I can’t really ”

" Oh, well,” I shrugged my shoulders.

“It’s not important. But it was, because I was certain I had heard someone there, and I could not understand how that could possibly be the case.

Later that day, after sundown, I went up to the gallery. It looked ghostly in the candlelight, for only a few of those on the wall sconces were kept lighted. It could be a blaze of light when there was a party. I could almost make myself believe that I sensed a presence there. Did people really return, people who had taken their lives and could not rest? Perhaps my mother would want to take care of me especially because she had left me to the far from tender care of my grandmother. What was the matter with me? Finding the purse had unnerved me, so that I could really believe that it was my mother who had tapped on the door and that in playing the spinet she was letting me know that she was watching over me.

When I came back to Peacocks the next afternoon Jeremy Dickson rode with me.

“I shall be going away for a short time,” he said.

Really? Where? “

Mr. Madden spoke to me yesterday after you had left. He wants someone to go to the Sydney office and he suggests that I go. “

I felt a mingling of disappointment and exhilaration. I should miss Jeremy, and yet what if Joss was sending him off because he knew that I was rather friendly with him? That could mean that he was not indifferent to that friendship.

I had sensed that he was a little piqued by it.

“Are you pleased ?” I asked Jeremy.

“I’ve become too enthusiastic about our plan to track down the Green Hash. Wouldn’t it be strange if the answer was in Sydney?”

“I can hardly think that’s so.”

“Why not? If someone took it would they stay here with it?”

“But we said it had to be someone who lived here … someone who could come in and out without being noticed.” That may be.

However, I’ll drop hints about it when I’m in Sydney. Ifs amazing what comes to light during casual conversations. I found comfort in talking to him and missed him when two days later he left for Sydney. Joss was sardonic as we rode into the town.

“I’m sorry to deprive you of your playmate,” he said.

“Playmate?” I retorted angrily.

“Workmate, you mean.”

"You and he always seemed to be enjoying each other’s company. “

“He treated me like an intelligent being, that’s why.”

“Oh come, there’s not a man in the Company who doesn’t salute your intelligence. But you can start looking into other facets of the business now. You’ve spent too long with the facing wheels.”

“Even you had to admit my hunch proved a good one.”

“I’ve never denied it. But you can’t live on the glory of one hunch all your opal-working days. You go and look through the books with Jimson Laud. Accounting is a very important part of the business.”

“What’s happening about Ezra Bannock?” I asked. His expression changed.

“What do you mean Are you nearer to discovering his murderer?"

” It’s hopeless. Quite clearly it was a bushranger. I expect Ezra put up a fight and that was that. “

“His purse was taken. I thought it might have been found.” He stared at me in amazement.

“His purse! You don’t think the thief would keep that, do you? He’d throw it away … and quickly. He wouldn’t want to keep something that could incriminate him. It was a red purse with a gold ring.”

"Yes, that came out in the enquiry. “

"But it was never found . ? “

“Did you expect it would be? There must be hundreds of such purses in this neighbourhood.”

I wanted to tell him, but I couldn’t. It would be like accusing him of murder. He would never forgive me . particularly if he were guilty.

It was true that there were hundreds of such purses. Perhaps that one had been lying in the orchard for a long time. But then why had someone later taken it from the drawer in my room?

We reached the office and I went to Jimson’s department, but couldn’t concentrate. I could think of nothing but Isa and Joss . together.

I should never forget that moment when she had shown me the Harlequin Opal and blatantly confessed that Joss had given it to her.

When I left the offices, instead of riding back to Peacocks I decided to go to the homestead to see Isa.

I left Wattle with one of the grooms and went into the house where, in the hall, I immediately noticed a big trunk which looked as though it were ready for imminent removal.

A servant took me into the cool chintzy drawing-room and I had only been there a few moments when Isa came in. She looked beautiful in flowing black chiffon-secret-eyed, I thought, and predatory.

“Jessica, how nice of you to take pity on me."

” I thought I would come and see you. You did invite me. “

“Oh, please, you mustn’t make excuses. Haven’t I always told you that I love callers ?”

“It must be lonely for you now.”

“Oh, people are so good. They call often.”

A faint smile at the lips. Joss, I thought.

“I’ll ring for tea,” she said.

“Oh, what should we do without tea?

It’s our refuge from this thirst-parching heat’ She rang for tea and asked how I was getting on with the Company.

“I’ve heard you’re something of a genius.”

“Whoever told you that?”

These things get round. I think you’re going to be a martinet. You’ll make them all keep their noses to the grind stone. “

That’s nonsense. I happen to be very interested. “

“It’s clever of you. Processes and all that. All I can do is enjoy the finished product.”

“You said that you would one day show me the rest of your collection.”

“Didn’t I show you once?”

Yes, when you had acquired the Harlequin Opal. “

“A gem. It was good of Joss.”

“I’m sure he enjoyed giving it to you ” He knew it would be in good hands. “

“It’s not the best in your collection though, is it?”

She looked at me slyly and shook her head.

“What would you say is the finest opal you possess ?”

“Ezra used to say: ” You shouldn’t talk so much about your collection.

One of these days someone will come along and steal it. “

“But you didn’t take his advice.”

“I’ve always found that advice is something always to listen to but only take when you want to.”

“Now that I know a little more about opals I should appreciate your collection so much more.”

“Oh yes, you were a novice when you first saw it. But not so much so that you couldn’t recognize the qualities of the Harlequin.”

They were rather obvious, as I should think others in your collection would be. “

“Oh yes, of course. How is Wattle? It was a shock for her to discover Ezra. Isn’t it strange, but for that horse his death would have remained a mystery forever. It’s rather frightening, isn’t it … when you think of what can happen in a place like this. I wonder how many bodies have been buried in the Bush with never a faithful Wattle to unearth them. So you saw the groom and the servant who brought you the tea. We might be alone but for them. Did you tell Joss you were coming to see roe?”

“I didn’t. I may do. Or perhaps you will.”

She opened her ‘eyes very wide.

“Do you think I shall see him? Is he coming over?”

“Is he?” I asked.

“Are you going to show me the rest of your collection?”

“No,” she answered.

“Why not?”

“Guess.”

“Is there something so valuable there that you’d rather not show it?"

"There are certainly valuable stones there. ” She laughed suddenly.

“Oh, I know what you’re thinking. The elusive Green h; Flash. Do you know what they’re saying in the town? That sc Ezra. stole it and gave it to me and that was why he died o1 because it brought him bad luck. Do you think I’d want bad ti luck?”

“You wouldn’t believe in the bad luck, would you?"

” I’m very superstitious. And the reason I shall not show you my collection has nothing to do with the Green Flash.”

“What, then? “

“It’s packed away.”

“Are you sending it away?" She nodded.

“It’s going with me. I shall be leaving for England in a few weeks.”

“Leaving for England! Leaving… here I’m for a holiday. I might come back. I need to get away now that Ezra’s gone.”

"You are going. alone? ” The tiger eyes gleamed.

“You ask too many questions,” she said. I wondered what she was hinting at.

I left soon after. I did not want to be out after sundown.

‘ The house was quiet when I arrived at Peacocks. Joss had not yet returned from the town. I was very uneasy because I felt there was something significant about Isa’s departure. How would Joss feel about her going? If he were indeed madly in love with her he would certainly be upset. I could not wait to see him.

I mounted the stairs to my room and once again I heard the notes of the spinet. I took the stairs two at a time but when I reached the landing the playing had stopped. I went into the gallery. No one was there.

I looked all around. The only explanation was that, unless there was another way out of the gallery, the spinet-player could only be someone who did not have to take account of walls.

I sat down in one of the chairs and looked round the place. As usual, the sound of music had touched me deeply. Perhaps I wanted to believe it was my mother returned from the dead to care for me. But why. suddenly? What of all those years I had spent in the Dower House?

Surely I had needed her care then?

Ben had given me a temporary stability; he had changed me; helped me to grow up; then he had married me off to Joss whose affections were already engaged and who had agreed to the marriage purely for gain.

The significance of my theories was startling. Only now did my mother think that the time had come for her to protect me. So . I was in danger.

Yes, I could see it. Something evil was here. It was in this gallery.

I could easily imagine. I could hear a voice warning me. Be careful.

You are in danger.

I sat still, my senses strained. Why play the spinet? Why not come to me and talk to me and tell me plainly what threatened me? Supernatural manifestations were never straightforward. They were always implied in some strange and unearthly way.

Then suddenly I heard the sound of hysterical weeping. I went quickly to the door of the gallery and listened. It was coming from the upstairs quarters. I ran up. The door of Mrs. Laud’s room was slightly open and it was from there that the sounds were emerging.

“Is anything wrong?” I cried.

I went into the room. The three Lauds were there, Jimson, Lilias and their mother. It was Lilias who was half sobbing, half laughing. Jimson had his arm about her.

“What’s the matter?" I asked.

Mrs. Laud looked distressed.

“Now you’ve disturbed Mrs. Madden. Oh, I from sorry. Poor Lilias was a bit upset. Her brother and I have been trying to comfort her.”

Why? What’s wrong? “

Mrs. Laud shook her head and looked at me appealingly as though begging me not to ask questions.

Lilias pulled herself together and said: “I’m all right now, Mrs. Madden. I don’t know what came over me.” She was obviously trying hard to control herself.

“Just a little personal matter,” murmured Jimson.

“I was in the gallery and I heard sounds of crying,” I said.

“In the gallery,” repeated Lilias and there was a tremor in her voice.

“I thought I heard the spinet again.”

There was a brief silence, then Jimson said: “It must be out of tune.

I’ve heard that spinets have to be tuned frequently. “

“Are you sure that everything’s all right?” I asked.

“Oh yes, Mrs. Madden,” Mrs. Laud assured me.

“We can look after Lilias."

“I’m only sorry that we disturbed you,” said Jimson.

“Yes,” echoed Lilias meekly.

“I’m very, very sorry, Mrs. Madden.” I went out. There was a great deal that puzzled me about that family.

Mrs. Laud came to my room while I was changing for dinner.

“May I come in for a moment, Mrs. Madden?” she asked.

“I wanted to have a word with you and tell you how sorry I am for what happened this afternoon. It was dreadful that we should have disturbed you.”

“Oh please, Mrs. Laud, it was nothing. I’m only sorry for Lilias’s trouble.”

“Well, that’s it, Mrs. Madden. She’s a little upset. You can guess what it is, perhaps.”

I looked at her blankly.

“Ifs this Mr. Dickson. She’s upset because he’s been sent to Sydney.”

“Oh, I understand.”

“She’s very taken with him. I’ve been against her marrying, but perhaps I’m wrong.”

“Have they talked of marrying ?”

There’s nothing been said officially, you understand, but Lilias was very upset when he went away. “

“But he’s only gone for a short time.”

“She’s got some idea that Mr. Madden might want him to stay permanently in Sydney.”

“I didn’t gather that’

"You would know, of course. I keep forgetting you’re one of the directors of the Company. It seems so strange for a lady to be in that position.”

“It was Mr. Henniker’s idea.”

“Oh, I know he was a one for ideas. Well, I thought I’d better explain about Lilias.”

“Don’t think any more about it, Mrs. Laud.”

Lilias seemed to have recovered at dinner time. The conversation was, as usual, about business. I was able to join in now and I always enjoyed doing so. But suddenly my pleasure was shattered when Joss said: “I think a trip to England will be necessary in the not too distant future.”

I stared at him in amazement.

“It seems we have only just arrived here,” I said.

That’s how it is in business,” he replied easily.

“One can never be sure when something is going to arise.”

What is this that has arisen?

“New markets are opening up in London. There’s a growing demand there for black Australian opals. Naturally we was to exploit that."

” So you are proposing to go to England ? “

“Nothing definite yet. Ifs just something that may well necessary.”

I felt deflated and wretched. It was so easy to understand Isa was going to England, so he would go too. I dare say she would be very discreet. She would leave and then he would discover that he had to go too. He was already paving the way.

I no longer had any appetite, and as soon as we left the table I made an excuse to go to my room. I had noticed the way in which Joss had looked at me when he had made th announcement that he was about to go to England. It seemed as though he were waiting for me to protest.

I won’t give him that satisfaction, I thought. But I shall let him know that I am aware that the reason for his sudden desire to leave for England is not due to business but to Isa.

I had made up my mind that when Jeremy Dickson returnee I would tell him about my discovery of the red purse. could talk to him freely.

Then I told myself that I could be no such thing because it was an implied accusation against Joss. How could I bring myself to talk about the red purse?

I had never felt so alone in the whole of my life.

I came home one afternoon to a quiet house and went to my room. As I stood there, my hand on the door handle, I heard again that ghostly touch on the spinet keys.

I ran upstairs as fast as I could. It was the same procedure The music stopped and there was no one seated at the spinel Someone was playing tricks on me. And as I looked round the gallery I noticed that there was a difference. One of the curtains which hung at intervals along the walls in the manner of the gallery at Oakland was disarranged. I went to it and drew it right back. I had disclosed a door which I had never. known was there before. A light shone through the mist now Someone had been playing the spinet and stepped behind the curtain and left the gallery before I arrived by way of that door.

This must be the answer for the door was not quite shut, That time the trickster had had to escape in too much of hurry to disguise his escape.

I pushed open the door and peered into darkness. I felt with my foot.

It was a stair. Cautiously-for I was in complete darkness-I stepped down two steps. Then something shifted under me. I clutched at something to save myself. It was a banister but I couldn’t see it. I felt my feet slide from under me and I was seated on something dank and cold.

So shocked was I that I was unable to move for some moments. I was aware of the sound of heavy objects falling, with bumping movements as though they were falling down stairs.

I called out: “Help! Help!” and tried to stand up. My eyes were growing accustomed to the darkness and I could make out this staircase which seemed to go down into gloom.

Then I heard someone shouting from below.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

It was Mis Laud’s voice.

I called out: “I’m here, Mrs. Laud. I’ve fallen.”

Did you come from the gallery? I’ll come up there . “

I sat there waiting. I realized what had happened. I had started down a staircase which was blocked in some way. I had had a narrow escape for I should have had a very bad fall if I had not found the banister in time and been able to save myself.

Mrs. Laud appeared behind me.

“Whatever’s happened? Let me help you, Mrs. Madden. Just a moment, I’ll get a candle. It’s that old staircase.”

I stood up gingerly and she half dragged me back into the gallery.

“I saw the door open,” I said. "I no idea there was a door there. “

” It was hidden by that curtain. There’s a stairway between this floor and the one below. It hasn’t been used for years. Someone must have put boxes in there at some time and used it as a sort of cupboard. “

“Ifs very dangerous,” I said.

“I don’t remember anyone’s using it for years. Just stand up, will you, Mrs. Madden. I don’t think you’ve broken any thing. How do you feel?”

“Stiff and sore and rather shaken. I thought I’d broken a leg or something.”

“You could have done yourself some real damage. Perhaps I should help you to your room. I could get you something. They say a cup of tea with plenty of sugar is good for that sort of shock” I just want to sit here for a moment and think. I heard the playing this afternoon.”

She looked uneasy.

“Did you really. Mis Madden?"

” You think I imagined it, don’t you ?”

Well, people do imagine things when they’re a bit wrought up, don’t they? “

“I didn’t know I was wrought up ” Well,” she flapped her hand vaguely.

“Everything .. "

” Everything?" I insisted.

“Well, Mr. Madden talking of going off like that and the way things are.”

It was impossible to keep secrets from people who shared one’s household. I dare say there was a great deal of talk about my relationship with Joss.

I said: “What I should like to know is why mat door was open. No one has used that staircase for years, you say. But someone has been using it lately, I think, someone who has been playing the spinet and escaping by it. I think that today whoever it was didn’t forget to shut that door but left it open for a purpose.”

“Who could have used the stab-case with all those things on the stairs?”

“Someone who knew they were there … someone who put them there .. knowing that I should see the open door and investigate."

” Oh no, Mrs. Madden, he wouldn’t go as far as that. “

“He? Who?"

” Whoever it is who is playing these tricks with the spinet.

That’s what you said, isn’t it, it’s someone playing tricks. “

“I have got to get to the bottom of this, Mrs. Laud. don’t move anything on that staircase. I’m going to see what is actually there.”

“Well, Mrs. Madden, there’s a door on the landing below this. It’s so unobtrusive you’d hardly notice ifs there. I put a curtain over it since no one uses it as a staircase. As you’ve seen, ifs dark and dangerous. It looks to me as if someone used it as a cupboard and piled boxes on the stairs.”

“Anyone would see on opening the door down there that it was a staircase and not a cupboard, surely."

” I can’t think how it happened,” said Mrs. Laud helplessly.

I took a candle, lighted it, and peered down the staircase. I could see the huddle of boxes on the lower stairs.

“We’d better clear it out and open it,” I said.

“I don’t like the idea of these secret places.”

And as I was speaking I knew mat someone had lured me on to that staircase, had put the boxes there to trap me, someone who had hoped that I would have an accident . Aa or perhaps break my neck. I knew it was not the spirit of my so’ mother-or anyone who cared for me-who had lured me to the gallery with the spinet playing. to It was someone who wished me out of the way.

As I rode into the town next morning for I had suffered little physical effect from yesterday’s adventure. I said to Joss: “Did you know there was a staircase connecting the gallery with the corridor on the lower floor?”

I watched him carefully as I asked the question. His expression did not change as he said: “Oh yes, I remember. I used to play hide and seek a lot when I was a boy. It was one of my favourite games, and I remember using that stair-c< case.”

“You haven’t used it lately?”

I'd forgotten about it. What made you mention it ? “

“I discovered it yesterday.”

“We ought to open it and use it.”

"That's what I said. Did you ever play the spinet ? “

“What makes you ask?”

“Just curiosity.”

“As a matter of fact I did.”

I laughed.

“What’s amusing?”

The thought of your sitting at that dainty stool rendering a Chopin nocturne. “

“I wasn’t bad at it. I’ll show you one day.”

“Have you played recently?”

“Haven’t touched it for years. I expect it’s out of tune. We ought to get someone to look at it. I can’t think who. Spinet-care would hardly be a profitable profession in these parts. I can’t think why Ben ever brought it out here.”

“For sentimental reasons, I believe.”

“And they are rarely sound ones.”

How could he be so calm, so matter of fact? He didn’t want me. I was well aware of that, but would he really play the spinet and try to make me break my neck? Ruthless I knew him to be, in love with Isa and making little secret of it. There were people in the town who suspected him of murdering Ezra-Mrs. Laud had hinted at it-but what was the use of getting rid of Ezra if nothing was to be done to remove the other encumbrance?

I must face the tacts, if I did not exist he could marry Isa. They had been lovers for a long time without contemplating marriage, so why should they suddenly desire it?

I realized that it was not so much that I believed Joss would not despatch me but that I could not believe he would have used such a method. Why not? Above all, my death must appear natural. It would be too much of a coincidence if I were supposed to be shot by a bushranger.

In Fancy Town Joss was a great power; people were afraid of him. But even he would have to be careful how he committed murder.