Had I fallen into a clever trap?
CHAPTER IV
WHISPERS OF WOMEN
Two days passed, yet Stanley Audley did not return.
On the afternoon of the second day, old Mr. Humphreys spoke to me in confidence while we sat at tea, which is almost a religious ceremony in Mürren.
“Funny about that young fellow Audley,” he said. “Have you discovered anything further?”
“No,” I replied, “the fact is I don’t like to be too inquisitive.”
“Of course, but the girl is left in your charge, and you certainly have a right to know the truth,” declared the old invalid. “Personally, I don’t like the situation at all. I shall go back to London in a few days, but do let me know how you get on, for I am interested. You can always write to me, care of the Ottoman Bank in London.”
I promised, and finding Thelma, who had just come in from the rink, where there had been an ice-hockey match, I greeted her in the hall as she went downstairs to tea.
Later we went for a stroll together and as we passed out into the grey twilight, young Ruthen held open the door for us, bowing, but not speaking. Before me the pair posed as strangers.
“I don’t like that fellow!” I remarked, as we walked along the snowy road out of the village.