Listerdale Mystery - Agatha Christie [39]
Edward got out and went round to the back of the motor. Its number was XR10061. Beyond the fact that that was certainly not the number of his car, it conveyed nothing to him. Then he set to work systematically to search all the pockets. In the one where he had found the diamonds he made a discovery–a small scrap of paper with some words pencilled on it. By the light of the headlights, Edward read them easily enough.
‘Meet me, Greane, corner of Salter’s Lane, ten o’clock.’
He remembered the name Greane. He had seen it on a sign-post earlier in the day. In a minute, his mind was made up. He would go to this village, Greane, find Salter’s Lane, meet the person who had written the note, and explain the circumstances. That would be much better than looking a fool in the local police station.
He started off almost happily. After all, this was an adventure. This was the sort of thing that didn’t happen every day. The diamond necklace made it exciting and mysterious.
He had some little difficulty in finding Greane, and still more difficulty in finding Salter’s Lane, but after knocking up two cottages, he succeeded.
Still, it was a few minutes after the appointed hour when he drove cautiously along a narrow road, keeping a sharp look-out on the left-hand side where he had been told Salter’s Lane branched off.
He came upon it quite suddenly round a bend, and even as he drew up, a figure came forward out of the darkness.
‘At last!’ a girl’s voice cried. ‘What an age you’ve been, Gerald!’
As she spoke, the girl stepped right into the glare of the headlights, and Edward caught his breath. She was the most glorious creature he had ever seen.
She was quite young, with hair black as night, and wonderful scarlet lips. The heavy cloak that she wore swung open, and Edward saw that she was in full evening dress–a kind of flame-coloured sheath, outlining her perfect body. Round her neck was a row of exquisite pearls.
Suddenly the girl started.
‘Why,’ she cried; ‘it isn’t Gerald.’
‘No,’ said Edward hastily. ‘I must explain.’ He took the diamond necklace from his pocket and held it out to her. ‘My name is Edward–’
He got no further, for the girl clapped her hands and broke in:
‘Edward, of course! I am so glad. But that idiot Jimmy told me over the phone that he was sending Gerald along with the car. It’s awfully sporting of you to come. I’ve been dying to meet you. Remember I haven’t seen you since I was six years old. I see you’ve got the necklace all right. Shove it in your pocket again. The village policeman might come along and see it. Brrr, it’s cold as ice waiting here! Let me get in.’
As though in a dream Edward opened the door, and she sprang lightly in beside him. Her furs swept his cheek, and an elusive scent, like that of violets after rain, assailed his nostrils.
He had no plan, no definite thought even. In a minute, without conscious volition, he had yielded himself to the adventure. She had called him Edward–what matter if he were the wrong Edward? She would find him out soon enough. In the meantime, let the game go on. He let in the clutch and they glided off.
Presently the girl laughed. Her laugh was just as wonderful as the rest of her.
‘It’s easy to see you don’t know much about cars. I suppose they don’t have them out there?’
‘I wonder where “out there” is?’ thought Edward. Aloud he said, ‘Not much.’
‘Better let me drive,’ said the girl. ‘It’s tricky work finding your way round these lanes until we get on the main road again.’
He relinquished his place to her gladly. Presently they were humming through the night at a pace and with a recklessness that secretly appalled Edward. She turned her head towards him.
‘I like pace. Do you? You know–you’re not a bit like Gerald. No one would ever take you to be brothers. You’re not a bit like what I imagined, either.’
‘I suppose,’ said Edward, ‘that I’m so completely ordinary. Is that it?’
‘Not ordinary–different. I can’t make you out. How’s poor old Jimmy? Very fed up, I suppose?’
‘Oh, Jimmy’s all right,’ said Edward.
‘It’s easy