AN AVOWAL
When Clive had gone that afternoon, Ella, who had accompanied him as far as the gate, and had from thence waved him a farewell, came back to the spot where Dunn was working.
She stood still, watching him, and he looked up at her and then went on with his work without speaking, for now, as always, the appalling thought was perpetually in his mind: "Must she not have known what it was she had with her in the car when she went driving that night?"After a little, she turned away, as if disappointed that he took no notice of her presence.
At once he raised himself from the task he had been bending over, and stood moodily watching the slim, graceful figure, about which hung such clouds of doubt and dread, and she, turning around suddenly, as if she actually felt the impact of his gaze, saw him, and saw the strange expression in his eyes.
"Why do you look at me like that?" she asked quickly, her soft and gentle tones a little shrill, as though swift fear had come upon her.
"Like what?" he mumbled.
"Oh, you know," she cried passionately."Am I to be the next?" she asked.
He started, and looked at her wonderingly, asking himself if these words of hers bore the grim meaning that his mind instantly gave them.
Was it possible that if she did know something of what was going on in this quiet country house, during these peaceful autumn days, she knew it not as willing accomplice, but as a helpless, destined victim who saw no way of escape.
As if she feared she had said too much, she turned and began to walk away.
At once he followed.
"Stop one moment," he exclaimed."Miss Cayley."She obeyed, turning quickly to face him.They were both very pale, and both were under the influence of strong excitement.But between them there hung a thick cloud of doubt and dread that neither could penetrate.
All at once Dunn, unable to control himself longer, burst out with that question which for so long had hovered on his lips.
"Do you know," he said, "do you know what you took away with you in the car that night I came here?""The packing-case, you meant" she asked."Of course I do; I helped to get it ready - what's the matter?""Nothing," he muttered, though indeed he had staggered as beneath some sudden and violent blow."Oh - did you?" he said, with an effort.
"Certainly," she answered."Now I've answered your question, will you answer me one? Why did you tell us your name was Charley Wright?""I knew a man of that name once," he answered."He's dead now.""I thought perhaps," she said slowly and quite calmly, "that it was because you had seen the name written on a photograph in my room.""No, it wasn't that," he answered gravely, and his doubts that for a moment had seemed so terribly confirmed, now came back again, for though she had said that she knew of the contents of the packing-case, yet, if that were really so, how was it conceivable that she should speak of such a thing so calmly?
And yet again, if she could do it, perhaps also she could talk of it without emotion.Once more there was fear in his eyes as he watched her, and her own were troubled and doubtful.
"Why do you have all that hair on your face?" she asked.
"Well, why shouldn't I?" he retorted."It saves trouble.""Does it?" she said."Do you know what it looks like - like a disguise?""A disguise?" he repeated."Why should I want a disguise?""Do you think I'm quite a fool because I'm a woman?" she asked impatiently."Do you suppose I couldn't see very well when you came that night that you were not an ordinary burglar? You had some reason of your own for breaking into this house.What was it?""I'll tell you," he answered, "if you'll tell me truly what was in that packing-case?""Oh, now I understand," she cried excitedly."It was to find that out you came - and then Mr.Dawson made you help us get it away.
That was splendid."
He did not speak, for once more a kind of horror held him dumb, as it seemed to him that she really - knew.
She saw the mingled horror and bewilderment in his eyes, and she laughed lightly as though that amused her.
"Do you know," she said, "I believe I guessed as much from the first, but I'm afraid Mr.Dawson was too clever for you - as he is for most people.Only then," she added, wrinkling her brows as though a new point puzzled her, "why are you staying here like this?""Can't you guess that too?" he asked hoarsely.
"No," she said, shaking her head with a frankly puzzled air."No, I can't.That's puzzled me all the time.Do you know - I think you ought to shave?""Why?"
"A beard makes a good disguise," she answered, "so good it's hardly fair for you to have it when I can't.""Perhaps you need it less," he answered bitterly, "or perhaps no disguise could be so effective as the one you have already.""What's that?" she asked.
"Bright eyes, a pretty face, a clear complexion," he answered.
