[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
'No, madam.' The manager beckoned a passing waiter and spoke to
him in Greek. 'Yes, they were having dinner. But they go now and the
waiter he say they have taxi. He say they go one half-hour back.'
Melanie's heart sank again.
'You don't know where they went? No, of course you wouldn't.'
Aware of her distress, the manager spoke again to the waiter.
'The Englishman, he was persuading the girl to go and see some
friends of his Excuse me a moment, please.' He questioned the
waiter once more, nodding and saying nai over and over again,
bringing a gleam of hope to Melanie's eyes. 'Yes, well, this waiter say
the man tells the girl his friends are English and have come from
London to live in Crete. He tell the girl that they will like very much
to meet her. The waiter says the girl said yes, but she must be back
with her ' Again he begged her pardon and talked with the waiter.
'She have to be back with her brother at half past ten.' He glanced at
his watch. 'So, madam, I expect the girl will now be with her brother/
But Melanie shook her head. If Alec Helsby had friends in Crete then
obviously he would be staying with them.
'They took a taxi, you say ?' Melanie broke off and stared
unbelievingly as Giles came into the hotel accompanied by another
Englishman.
'Melanie, what are you doing ? He suddenly noticed her pallor and a
look of concern entered his eyes.
'Is something wrong?'
'Yes, Giles,' she faltered, aware of the odd stares of the hotel manager
and the waiter. 'Something's very- wrong.' She looked round with a
sort of helpless desperation. 'I can't talk here.'
'We've just come in for a drink. This is a friend of mine, Les. Les,
meet Melanie.' They shook hands and Giles nodded in the direction of
the bar. 'Come, let's hear what it's all about.' He led the way and they
followed him to the bar.
'It's a very private matter,' she said, almost in tears. 'I don't know
whatever to do!'
'Look here ' Les had sat down on one of the stools, but he got to his
feet again. 'I'm going. I'll see you tomorrow, Giles. Good night,
Melanie.'
'Oh, but-'
'Thanks, Les. It's all right, Melanie, Les doesn't mind. Very
understanding chap. Now, out with it.'
She told him what had happened, half afraid of Lean's anger when he
knew of this confidence, arid yet unable to resist the temptation of
talking to someone.
'The damned scoundrel!' he exclaimed when she had finished.
They've been gone half an hour, you say?'
'Over half an hour, Giles. And - and I know I'm never going to find
her now!'
'Hold on, Melanie. No need for you to get so upset. Whatever
happens it's not your fault.'
'She's so sweet, you've no idea. I've only known her a few days, but I
like her, Giles. She's so - innocent.' She shook her head distractedly.
'What can I do?'
'Let's think about this - no, I have an idea!' He beckoned to the waiter
and spoke to him in English. The, waiter merely shrugged and Giles
began speaking in Greek. 'He knows the taxi-driver. Come, if he's
dropped this couple already we might find him.'
'Find him? Where?'
'He frequents the taverna just down the road, this fellow says. If he
hasn't another fare then that's where he'll be/
To Melanie's profound relief the taxi driver was sitting there, his cab
drawn right up to the table where he and three other men were playing
cards. Melanie began to speak, but he did not understand much
English and Giles took over. Within seconds they were in the car and
speeding along the main road.
'Funny thing, but I know the house,' Giles told her grimly. 'It's been
empty for a couple of months and the owner's been trying to let it.
This fellow must have rented it from him The things these rogues
get up to!'
'Is it far away?'
'It can't be any more than a couple of miles along here. Then we have
to turn off, and it's on a rather lonely lane. It's on its own, too, and I
think that's why the chap's had it empty. Tourists don't like to ^e off
the beaten track like that.' He paused and nodded as the driver turned
off the main road. 'Yes, it's the one. But how would he convince this
girl his friends were there if the place was in total darkness?' He
spoke to the taxi- - driver and Giles's voice was grimmer than ever as
he told Melanie that all the lights were on in the house when the
driver took the couple there over half an hour before. 'He must have
been there earlier and put them on! He's a clever rogue, this Alec
Helsby.'
By the time the car stopped Melanie felt ready to collapse. Her legs
were so weak they could scarcely support her as she got out of the car.
'Giles... I'm so terrified.'
'Steady on.' Instinctively he took her arm. 'As I've just said, you're not
to blame for anything.' The taxi driver was looking at the house, and,
as if sensing his expectancy, Giles told him to take the car farther
along the road and he would give him a call when he was wanted. Tar
too curious, these Greeks,' he said to Melanie. 'There's nothing
offensive, but they're so afraid of missing something.'
The shutters were all closed, but light escaped through those on the
side of the house. Without wasting a moment Giles hammered on the
front door. Immediately there was a cry and Melanie's heart seemed
to leap right into her throat. Were they too late?
'I'm here, Eleni '
'Melanie!' A small silence and then, 'It's my friend from the hotel, so
you'd better let me out!'
My friend....
'Be quiet!'
'Open up,' commanded Giles in a loud and threatening voice. 'Open
this door or it'll be broken down!' Turning to Melanie, Giles said that
if Alec refused they would have to enlist the aid of the taxi driver.
'Yes - anything. We must get it open!' Melanie had reached the state
of panic where she didn't care how many people knew so long as
Eleni was brought safely out of this house.
'Get away from here and mind your own business!'
'This is our business. Give the driver a shout, Melanie, and we'll get
our shoulders to this door.'
But Alec did not wait for the door to he broken down; the next
moment it was thrown wide open and Eleni, whose voice had seemed
so steady and composed, flung herself into Melanie's arms and
sobbed hysterically.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]