I had more confidence in my skis now and we made the run to Cortina at a quiet, steady pace. It was a fairly straightforward run. We crossed the road on the Cortina side of the Albergo Tre Croci and dropped down a wooded valley till we joined the Faloria Olympic run. I left Carla at her hotel, the Majestic. 'We will meet again," she said, as she let her hand rest in mine. 'But please do not tell any one about the things I have told you. I do not know why I told you so much — perhaps it was because you have a kind and understanding nature. And don't forget to be nice to Stefan.' She laughed and withdrew her hand. 'Arrivederci.' And she disappeared round the back of the hotel to remove her skis.
I went to the ufficio delta posta, thinking what a strange and disturbing woman she was. Heinrich must have been a gay devil to have maintained his hold on a woman like Carla even after his death.
After dispatching the cable to Engles, I ran into Keramikos. The Greek was just going into a shop to purchase wood carvings. I joined him and bought a pair of goat-herd book ends for Peggy and some little wooden animals for Michael. They were beautifully carved by local craftsmen. 'I like these shops,' Keramikos said. 'It makes me think of the old folk tales. In so many of the stories the little carved figures come to life during the night. I would like to be in the shop when that happens.'
'Are you going straight back?' I asked him as we left the shop.
'I think so,' he said. 'But it is not time yet. We have half an hour to wait for the bus. I suggest some tea.'
I readily agreed. It gave me an opportunity to find out what sort of a man he was and whether he had any particular reason for staying at Col da Varda. We went to a little cafe opposite the bus stop. It was hot in the cafe and very full of people relaxed after a strenuous day. A waitress brought us tea and I began to consider how best to lead the conversation round to himself. But before I had decided on my approach, he said, 'It is strange, that chalet. Have you considered what brings us there? Your friend, Wesson — he is simple. He is there for his film. But Valdini. Why does Valdini live up there? He is not an enthusiastic skier. He likes women and bright lights. He is a bird of the night. And there is Mayne. What is Mayne doing at Col da Varda? He is a sportsman. But he also likes women. You would not expect a man of his type to bury himself in a hut on a mountainside, except for exercise. But he does not go off on his skis at dawn and return at nightfall just to sleep. No, he goes to see an auction, as you did. It interests me so much why people do things.' He was staring at me unwinkingly from behind his thick-lensed glasses.
I nodded. 'Yes, it is interesting,' I agreed. And I added, 'And then there is yourself.'
'Ah, yes — then there is myself.' He nodded his round head and smiled as though amused at the thought of himself living at Col da Varda.
'Tell me, Mr Keramikos,' I said, 'why are you living there? Valdini says he thinks you prefer Cortina.'
He sighed. 'Perhaps I do. But then I also like solitude. There has been too much excitement in my life. It is quiet at Col da Varda. No, I am not going to talk about myself, Mr Blair. I prefer to gossip with you. Valdini? Valdini stays there for a purpose. He was to have bought the place for his friend, the Contessa. But I hear he was outbid this morning. Now, this is what interests me — will he continue to stay at the rifugio now that the place has been sold?'