Hammond Innes: The Strange Land

‘I don’t think you need worry,’ Bilvidic answered.

‘Thanks. And I’m glad you reminded me about the yacht.’ He came towards us then, and he was smiling.

‘Monsieur White.’ Bilvidic’s cold, official voice cut across the mood of relief that had filled the room. ‘If you will come in here, I would like a short statement.’

Ed went into the study and as the curtains fell to behind him, Jan came towards Karen. ‘Well, madame.’ For the first time since I had known him I saw him completely relaxed. His blue eyes were twinkling. He looked young, almost a boy again.

‘It’s all right then?’ Karen whispered.

‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Everything is going to be all right now — for always, darling.’ Their hands touched and gripped.

‘You understand, Karen,’ he said. ‘We shall have to start courting again. After a decent interval, of course.’ And then he turned to me. ‘Philip. You will be best man at our wedding, eh?’ He was suddenly laughing. ‘Tell me. What is the opposite to your saying — It never rains but it pours?’ But he didn’t wait for an answer. ‘Listen. Gay Juliet was insured for Ł15,000. As Wade I collect that money. Isn’t that damn funny?’ His laugh was a little. nervous, as though it were all too good to be true. ‘You come and help us open up that shaft, and after that we’ll do something about your Mission.’

The door opened behind us and Jan and Karen moved quickly apart. It was Legard. He put his cloak and his hat on the table and came over to the fire. He stood warming himself for a moment and then he turned to Jan. ‘I have been talking to Caid Hassan’s son,’ he said. ‘He was present at your meeting with his father.’ He paused and then added significantly. ‘He speaks French.’

The sudden look of shock on Jan’s face showed me that he had understood the implication.

Legard stared at the fire for a long time and then he gave a little shrug. ‘Eh bien,’ he said. ‘Perhaps, if you stay here long enough, you will cure me of the amibe, eh?’ He looked at Jan, his tough, leathery face unsmiling — but the corners of his eyes were crinkled up. Then he walked to the door and shouted for Mohammed to bring him some water.