Destination Unknown - Agatha Christie [72]
‘Perhaps it is true what you say, Madame. Yes, I am very much disappointed in Thomas Betterton. I hoped that your presence here might restore him to his brilliance, for undoubtedly he has brilliance. His reputation in America leaves no doubt as to that. But your coming seems to have had little or no effect. I speak not of my own knowledge, of course, but from the reports of those fitted to know. His brother scientists who have been working with him.’ He shrugged his shoulders. ‘He does conscientious, mediocre work. No more.’
‘There are birds that cannot sing in captivity,’ said Hilary. ‘Perhaps there are scientists who cannot attain creative thought under certain circumstances. You must admit that that is a reasonable possibility.’
‘It may be so. I do not deny it.’
‘Then write off Thomas Betterton as one of your failures. Let him return to the outer world.’
‘That would hardly do, Madame. I am not yet prepared to have knowledge of this place broadcast to the globe.’
‘You could swear him to secrecy. He would swear never to breathe a word.’
‘He would swear–yes. But he would not keep that word.’
‘He would! Oh, indeed, he would!’
‘There speaks a wife! One cannot take the word of wives on this point. Of course,’ he leaned back in his chair, and brought the tips of his yellow fingers together, ‘of course, he might leave a hostage behind him, and that might tie his tongue.’
‘You mean?’
‘I meant you, Madame…If Thomas Betterton went, and you remained as a hostage, how would that bargain strike you? Would you be willing?’
Hilary stared past him into the shadows. Mr Aristides could not know the pictures that rose before her eyes. She was back in a hospital room, sitting by a dying woman. She was listening to Jessop and memorizing his instructions. If there was a chance, now, that Thomas Betterton might go free, whilst she remained, would not that be the best way to fulfil her mission? For she knew (what Mr Aristides did not), that there would be no hostage in the usual meaning of the word, left behind. She herself meant nothing to Thomas Betterton. The wife he had loved was already dead.
She raised her head and looked across at the little old man on the divan.
‘I should be willing,’ she said.
‘You have courage, Madame, and loyalty and devotion. They are good qualities. For the rest–’ He smiled. ‘We will talk of it again some other time.’
‘Oh no, no!’ Hilary suddenly buried her face in her hands. Her shoulders shook. ‘I can’t bear it! I can’t bear it! It’s all too inhuman.’
‘You must not mind so much, Madame.’ The old man’s voice was tender, almost soothing. ‘It has pleased me tonight to tell you my aims and my aspirations. It has been interesting to me to see the effect upon a mind totally unprepared. A mind like yours, well balanced, sane and intelligent. You are horrified. You are repulsed. Yet I think that to shock you in this way is a wise plan. At first you repel the idea, then you think of it, you reflect on it, and in the end it will seem to you natural; as though it has always existed, a commonplace.’
‘Never that!’ cried Hilary. ‘Never that! Never! Never!’
‘Ah,’ said Mr Aristides. ‘There speaks the passion and the rebellion that go with red hair. My second wife,’ he added reflectively, ‘had red hair. She was a beautiful woman, and she loved me. Strange, is it not? I have always admired red-haired women. Your hair is very beautiful. There are other things I like about you. Your spirit, your courage; the fact that you have a mind of your own.’ He sighed. ‘Alas! Women as women interest me very little nowadays. I have a couple of young girls here who please me sometimes, but it is the stimulus of mental companionship that I now prefer. Believe me, Madame, your company has refreshed me greatly.’
‘Supposing I repeat all that you have told me to–my husband?’
Mr Aristides smiled indulgently.
‘Ah yes, supposing you do? But will you?’
‘I don’t know. I–oh, I don’t know.’
‘Ah!’ said Mr Aristides. ‘You are wise. There is some knowledge women should keep to themselves. But you are tired–and upset. From time to time,