Mrs. Harmas. He should recover consciousness any moment now, but
please don’t excite him.”
Crystal said airily, “Oh, we’re old married folk now. He doesn’t get
excited when he sees me, worse luck.”
A door shut, and Crystal, looking cute in a blue and white check
frock and a white turban, moved into my vision. She drew up a chair,
began to put her bag on the bedside-table.
I reached out, pinched her. She gave a sharp squeal, jumped,
turned.
“I’ve recovered consciousness,” I announced.
“Oh, darling, you gave me such a fright,” she exclaimed, furtively
rubbed the spot where I’d pinched her, “and you really shouldn’t do a
thing like that. It’s very uncouth.” She took my hand, fondled it,
looked down at me with adoring eyes. “I’ve been so worried about
you, precious. You’ve no idea. I’ve been simply frantic.”
“That makes two of us,” I said, squeezing her hand. “I’ve been
simply frantic, too.”
“Oh, Steve, I do seem to love you,” she said, kneeling beside me,
and rubbing her cheek against my hand. “Whatever’s happened to
your poor face?” She blinked back tears.
I struggled up in bed, grimaced as pain rode through me, looked
around the room. It was obviously a private ward in a hospital. I sank
back with a grunt of disgust.
“How did I get here?” I demanded, “and how did you find me?”
“Now, you mustn’t excite yourself, darling,” she said, patting my
pillow. “A very kind, thoughtful man telephoned me. He found you on
Wimbledon Common, discovered my telephone number in your
wallet, cal ed me and an ambulance, and here you are. But, please,
Steve, what happened? Whoever did this to you?”
I ran my fingers tenderly over my face, grimaced.
“I had a fight,” I said. “Some thugs picked on me and this is the
result.”
“But why should they pick on you?” Crystal asked, her eyes
opening. “You’re such a nice boy. Did you say something to annoy
them?”
“I guess I must have done,” I said, deciding that it wouldn’t add to
her peace of mind if she knew Bradley was at the back of this. “What
was that you were saying about being Mrs. Harmas?”
She looked embarrassed. “Oh, dear, did you hear me?” she
returned. “Well, it was the only way I could get in to see you. You’re
not angry, are you, precious? We can always get divorced when
you’re better, can’t we?”
I patted her hand, tried to smile, but ‘my muscles were too stiff.
“That’s okay with me,” I said. “If I was the marrying type, I
couldn’t think of anyone I’d like to marry better than you- if I was the
marrying type.”
She nodded, looked bitter. “That kills me — if you’re the marrying
type! Maybe, you’ll have to marry me.”
“Don’t let’s get sordid,” I said hurriedly. “Tell me, how long have I
been here?”
“Two days.”
I moved my legs and arms. After the first twinge of pain, they
moved easily enough.
“Well, I’m not staying here any longer. I must get up and out of
this.”
“You’ll do no such thing,” Crystal said firmly. “There’s no question
of you getting up until you’re quite well.”
“Well, okay. That’s something we can argue about when we run
out of conversation,” I said. “Do the police know what’s happened to
me?”
She nodded. “I’m afraid they do. You see the hospital reported
your arrival. There’s been a great, hulking policeman sitting by your
bed since you came. I managed to persuade him to wait outside this
time. He’s out there now.”
“Wants a statement, I suppose,” I said. “Well, maybe you’d better
send him in. We can’t keep the Law waiting, can we?”
She looked uneasy. “He worries me. I don’t think he believes
we’re married.”
“That shows he’s a good cop, but I’ll convince him. Tell him to
come in, honey, and stick around. You do me good.”
“Do I real y?” Her face brightened. “I’m so glad. I was beginning to
think I was bad for you.” She bent over and kissed me tenderly.
I patted her.
“Get the cop, sweetheart, or I’ll be dragging you into bed.”
“You wouldn’t have to drag me,” she returned, went to the door.
I heard men’s voices, then Corridan entered, followed by Crystal
who looked scared.
“I didn’t ask him in,” she said, hurriedly. “He was outside with the
other man.”
Corridan came over and stood looking down at me. A fatuous
smile lit his dour face. It was the first time I’d ever seen him look really
happy.
“Well, well,” he said, rubbing his hands. “They certainly made a
mess of you, didn’t they?”
I scowled at him.
“What do you want?” I asked irritably. “You’re the last person I
hoped to see.”
He drew up a chair, sat down, positively beamed at me.
“I heard the news,” he said, “and couldn’t resist coming to gloat.
You’ve turned up enough times when I’ve been in trouble, you
vulture, now it’s my turn.” He was oozing with happiness and
geniality. “Who’s the young lady?”
Crystal made frantic signs to me behind his back, but I pretended
to ignore them.
“She’s my cousin twice removed,” I said. “Maybe, it’s three times
removed. I’ve never stopped to work it out. Crystal, my dear, this
handsome looking lug is Inspector Corridan. He works at Scotland
Yard, and you know what I mean by the word `works’.’
Corridan lost a little of his sunny smile.
