Stars For The Toff

“I’m delighted you approve,” said Rollison mildly.

“I approve very much. There is another thing I would like you to do for me, Richard.”

“What is it?”

“Bring those two unfortunate women here.”

“To the Marigold Club?” Rollison asked, not really surprised.

“Yes. They will be much safer and will certainly be subjected to much less annoyance and publicity,” said his aunt. “I have two adjoining rooms ready for them on the second floor. When do you think they can be here?”

“I really don’t know, Aunt,” Rollison answered. “The Features Editor of The Day took pity on them, and I imagine is now offering them a fortune for their story.”

“Far more than it’s worth, I’ve no doubt,” Lady Hurst prophesied. “But they’ll need all the money they can get. Find them, Richard. I would like them both here as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Aunt,” said Rollison meekly, hearing the telephone click as she rang off.

He put the receiver down slowly, aware of Lucifer Stride watching him, of Jolly going back to the kitchen, of Mrs Abbott having a second cup of coffee. His aunt’s voice seemed to echo in his ears; she was right, too. The two women would need all the money they could get. And this pointed to a strange, almost bewildering fact. Madam Melinska and Mona Lister had lured thousands to the Court; they were front page news. These were the days in which a well-known astrologer could make a very good income indeed from a column in almost any newspaper or magazine.

Why, then, were these two so poor?

He moved across to Mrs Abbott, who now gave the impression that she was on the defensive; Rollison could not make up his mind whether to bully or to humour her and decided on humouring, at least for the time being.

“Did your husband see Madam Melinska very often?”

“Often enough.”

“Was she a popular seer?”

“Too popular, if you ask me.”

“Did she earn much money?”

“Earn? She’s never earned a penny. But she’s swindled thousands out of the poor devils she’s taken in. Don’t believe this story about her being poor—she’s got a fortune salted away somewhere. You be careful of that woman, Mr Rollison—she’s a snare and a delusion. Any man who falls under her spell will find himself penniless when he wakes up to what she really is.”

There was venom but also an apparent ring of truth in the words. Rollison moved back— and as he did so, the front door bell rang once again. This time, Lucifer Stride moved towards it, but Rollison went ahead, while Jolly’s footsteps were audible as he approached from another passage. So, all three men stood together looking up at the periscope mirror.

There, on the doorstep, were three women.

One was Olivia Cordman of The Day one was Mona Lister; the third was Madam Melinska.

Lucifer made a faint whistling sound and looked at Rollison, eyebrows raised. Jolly pursed his lips. Before any of them moved the bell rang yet again. Olivia Cordman, small and red-haired and impatient, seldom waited long for anybody.

Rollison said: “I’m going back into the living-room. Make sure that Madam Melinska comes in ahead of the others.”

“Very good, sir,” said Jolly.

For a few seconds Lucifer Stride appeared to be undecided as to whether he should stay in the hall or follow Rollison. Then, as Rollison strode forward, he asked:

“May I join you?”

“Yes,” said Rollison briskly. He hurried back to the living-room, followed by Lucifer. “Go over by the far window—you can see them both from there.”

Lucifer obeyed, moving very soft-footedly, and Rollison stood with his back to the fireplace so that he too could see both Mrs Abbott and the doorway; he recalled the venom in her voice and the way she had tossed the ammonia ball at him. All she could throw this time was the cup and saucer; uneasily, he wished he had taken them away from her but it was too late now, for Jolly was saying:

“Good afternoon, madam.”

“Is Mr Rollison in?” asked Olivia Cordman.

“Yes, madam, if you will please step this way—”

Jolly manoeuvred so that Madam Melinska came forward first. Rollison tried to glimpse the faces of both women, but he was most anxious to see Mrs Abbott’s. So far, she had no idea who was coming in.

Then Madam Melinska appeared.

Rollison saw her stop short; heard Mrs Abbott exclaim and saw her spring to her feet. For a moment he was afraid that he had done the wrong thing, that she would attack the other woman; but all she did was to stand by the chair.

Madam Melinska glanced towards her, her face expressionless. Then she saw Rollison, and the smile she gave him was gentle and quite delightful.