Someone who watched and listened.

  Jasper barked as we ran together. He thought it was some new kind of game.

  He kept trying to bite the belt and worry it. I had not realized how closely the trees grew together here, their roots stretching across the path like tendrils ready to trip one. They ought to clear all this, I thought as I ran, catching my breath, Maxim should get the men on to it. There is no sense or beauty in this undergrowth. That tangle of shrubs there should be cut down to bring light to the path. It was dark, much too dark. That naked eucalyptus tree stifled by brambles looked like the white bleached limb of a skeleton, and there was a black earthy stream running beneath it, choked with the muddied rains of years, trickling silently to the beach below. The birds did not sing here as they did in the valley. It was quiet in a different way. And even as I ran and panted up the path I could hear the wash of the sea as the tide crept into the cove. I understood why Maxim disliked the path and the cove. I disliked it too.

  I had been a fool to come this way. I should have stayed on the other beach, on the white shingle, and come home by the Happy Valley.

  I was glad to come out on to the lawn and see the house there in the hollow, solid and secure. The woods were behind me. I would ask Robert to bring me my tea under the chestnut tree. I glanced at my watch. It was earlier than I thought, not yet four. I would have to wait a bit. It was not the routine at Manderley to have tea before half past. I was glad Frith was out. Robert would not make such a performance of bringing the tea out into the garden. As I wandered across the lawn to the terrace my eye was caught by a gleam of sunshine on something metal showing through the green of the rhododendron leaves at the turn in the drive. I shaded my eyes with my hand to see what it was. It looked like the radiator of a car.

  I wondered if someone had called. If they had though, they would have driven up to the house, not left their car concealed like that from the house, at the turn of the drive, by the shrubs. I went a little closer.

  Yes, it was a car all right. I could see the wings now and the hood. What a funny thing. Visitors never did that as a rule. And the tradesmen went round the back way by the old stables and the garage. It was not Frank's Morris. I knew that well. This was a long, low car, a sports car. I wondered what I had better do. If it was a caller Robert would have shown them into the library or the drawing-room. In the drawing-room they would be able to see me as I came across the lawn.

  I did not want to face a caller dressed like this. I should have to ask them to stay to tea. I hesitated, at the edge of the lawn. For no reason, perhaps because the sunlight flickered a moment on the glass, I looked up at the house, and as I did so I noticed with surprise that the shutters of one of the windows in the west wing had been opened up. Somebody stood by the window. A man. And then he must have caught sight of me because he drew back abruptly, and a figure behind him put up an arm and closed the shutters.

  The arm belonged to Mrs Danvers. I recognized the black sleeve. I wondered for a minute if it was a public day and she was showing the rooms. It could not be so though because Frith always did that, and Frith was out.

  Besides, the rooms in the west wing were not shown to the public. I had not even been into them myself yet. No, I knew it was not a public day.

  The public never came on a Tuesday. Perhaps it was something to do with a repair in one of the rooms. It was odd though the way the man had been looking out and directly he saw me he whipped back into the room and the shutters were closed. And the car too, drawn up behind the rhododendrons, so that it could not be seen from the house. Still, that was up to Mrs Danvers. It was nothing to do with me. If she had friends she took to the west wing it was not exactly my affair. I had never known it happen before though. Odd that it should occur on the only day Maxim was from home.

  I strolled rather self-consciously across the lawn to the house, aware that they might be watching me still from a chink in the shutters.

  I went up the steps and through the big front door to the hall. There was no sign of a strange cap or stick, and no card on the salver. Evidently this was not an official visitor. Well, it was not my affair. I went into the flower-room and washed my hands in the basin to save going upstairs.

  It would be awkward if I met them face to face on the stairs or somewhere.

  I

  remembered I had left my knitting in the morning-room before lunch, and I went along through the drawing-room to fetch it, the faithful Jasper at my heels. The morning-room door was open. And I noticed that my bag of knitting had been moved. I had left it on the divan, and it had been picked up and pushed behind a cushion. There was the imprint of a person on the fabric of the divan where my knitting had been before. Someone had sat down there recently, and picked up my knitting because it had been in the way. The chair by the desk had also been moved. It looked as though Mrs Danvers entertained her visitors in the morning-room when Maxim and I were out of the way. I felt rather uncomfortable. I would rather not know. Jasper was sniffing under the divan and wagging his tail.

  He was not suspicious of the visitor anyway. I took my bag of knitting and went out. As I did so the door in the large drawing-room that led to the stone passage and the back premises opened, and I heard voices.

  I darted back into the morning-room again, just in time. I had not been seen. I waited behind the door frowning at Jasper who stood in the doorway looking at me, his tongue hanging out, wagging his tail. The little wretch would give me away. I stood very still, holding my breath.

  Then I heard Mrs Danvers speak. 'I expect she has gone to the library,'

  she said. 'She's come home early for some reason. If she has gone to the library you will be able to go through the hall without her seeing you.

  Wait here while I go and see.'

  I knew they were talking about me. I began to feel more uncomfortable than ever. It was so furtive, the whole business. And I did not want to catch Mrs Danvers in the wrong. Then Jasper turned his head sharply towards the drawing-room. He trotted out, wagging his tail.

  'Hullo, you little tyke,' I heard the man say. Jasper began to bark excitedly. I looked round desperately for somewhere to hide. Hopeless of course. And then I heard a footstep quite close to my ear, and the man came into the room. He did not see me at first because I was behind the door, but Jasper made a dive at me, still barking with delight.

  The man wheeled round suddenly and saw me. I have never seen anyone look more astonished. I might have been the burglar and he the master of the house.

  'I beg your pardon,' he said, looking me up and down.

  He was a big, hefty fellow, good-looking in a rather flashy, sunburnt way. He had the hot, blue eyes usually associated with heavy drinking and loose living. His hair was reddish like his skin. In a few years he would run to fat, his neck bulging over the back of his collar. His mouth gave him away, it was too soft, too pink. I could smell the whisky in his breath from where I stood. He began to smile. The sort of smile he would give to every woman.

  'I hope I haven't startled you,' he said.

  I came out from behind the door looking no doubt as big a fool as I felt.

  'No, of course not,' I said, 'I heard voices, I was not quite sure who it was. I did not expect any callers this afternoon.'

  'What a shame,' he said heartily, 'it's too bad of me to butt in on you like this. I hope you'll forgive me. The fact is I just popped in to see old Danny, she's a very old friend of mine.'

  'Oh, of course, it's quite all right,' I said.

  'Dear old Danny,' he said, 'she's so anxious, bless her, not to disturb anyone. She didn't want to worry you.'

  'Oh, it does not matter at all,' I said. I was watching Jasper who was jumping up and pawing at the man in delight.

  'This little beggar hasn't forgotten me, has he?' he said. 'Grown into a jolly little beast. He was quite a youngster when I saw him last. He's too fat though. He needs more exercise.'

  'I've just taken him for a long walk,' I said.

  'Have you really? How sporting of you,' he said. He went on patting Jasper and smiling at me in a familiar way. Then he pulled out his cigarette case. 'Have one?' he said.

  'I don't smoke,' I told him.

  'Don't you really?' He took one himself and lighted it.

  I never minded those things, but it seemed odd to me, in somebody else's room. It was surely rather bad manners? Not polite to me.

  'How's old Max?' he said.

  I was surprised at his tone. It sounded as though he knew him well. It was queer, to hear Maxim talked of as Max. No one called him that.

  'He's very well, thank you,' I said. 'He's gone up to London.'

  'And left the bride all alone? Why, that's too bad. Isn't he afraid someone will come and carry you off?'

  He laughed, opening his mouth. I did not like his laugh. There was something offensive about it. I did not like him, either. Just then Mrs Danvers came into the room. She turned her eyes upon me and I felt quite cold.

  Oh, God, I thought, how she must hate me.

  'Hullo, Danny, there you are,' said the man; 'all your precautions were in vain. The mistress of the house was hiding behind the door.' And he laughed again. Mrs Danvers did not say anything. She just went on looking at me. 'Well, aren't you going to introduce me?' he said; 'after all it's the usual thing to do, isn't it, to pay one's respect to a bride?'

  'This is Mr Favell, Madam,' said Mrs Danvers. She spoke quietly, rather unwillingly. I don't think she wanted to introduce him to me.

  'How do you do,' I said, and then, with an effort to be polite, 'Won't you stay to tea?'

  He looked very amused. He turned to Mrs Danvers.

  'Now isn't that a charming invitation?' he said. 'I've been asked to stay to tea? By heaven, Danny, I've a good mind to.'

  I saw her flash a look of warning at him. I felt very uneasy. It was all wrong, this situation. It ought not to be happening at all.

  'Well, perhaps you're right,' he said; 'it would have been a lot of fun, all the same. I suppose I had better be going, hadn't I? Come and have a look at my car.' He still spoke in a familiar rather offensive way.

  I did not want to go and look at his car. I felt very awkward and embarrassed.

  'Come on,' he said, 'it's a jolly good little car. Much faster than anything poor old Max ever has.'

  I could not think of an excuse. The whole business was so forced and stupid.

  I did not like it. And why did Mrs Danvers have to stand there looking at me with that smouldering look in her eyes?

  'Where is the car?' I said feebly.

  'Round the bend in the drive. I didn't drive to the door, I was afraid of disturbing you. I had some idea you probably rested in the afternoon.'

  I said nothing. The lie was too obvious. We all walked out through the drawing-room and into the hall. I saw him glance over his shoulder and wink at Mrs Danvers. She did not wink in return. I hardly expected she would. She looked very hard and grim. Jasper frolicked out on to the drive.

  He seemed delighted with the sudden appearance of this visitor whom he appeared to know so well.

  'I left my cap in the car, I believe,' said the man, pretending to glance round the hall. 'As a matter of fact, I didn't come in this way. I slipped round and bearded Danny in her den. Coming out to see the car too?'

  He looked inquiringly at Mrs Danvers. She hesitated, watching me out of the tail of her eye.

  'No,' she said. 'No, I don't think I'll come out now. Goodbye, Mr Jack.'

  He seized her hand and shook it heartily. 'Goodbye, Danny: take care of yourself. You know where to get in touch with me always. It's done me a power of good to see you again.' He walked out on to the drive, Jasper dancing at his heels, and I followed him slowly, feeling very uncomfortable still.

  'Dear old Manderley,' he said, looking up at the windows. "The place hasn't changed much. I suppose Danny sees to that. What a wonderful woman she is, eh?'

  'Yes, she's very efficient,' I said.

  'And what do you think of it all? Like being buried down here?'

  'I'm very fond of Manderley,' I said stiffly.

  'Weren't you living somewhere down in the south of France when Max met you? Monte, wasn't it? I used to know Monte well.'

  'Yes, I was in Monte Carlo,' I said.

  We had come to his car now. A green sports thing, typical of its owner.

  'What do you think of it?' he said.

  'Very nice,' I said, politely.

  'Come for a run to the lodge gates?' he said.

  'No, I don't think I will,' I said. 'I'm rather tired.'

  'You don't think it would look too good for the mistress of Manderley to be seen driving with someone like me, is that it?' he said, and he laughed, shaking his head at me.

  'Oh, no,' I said, turning rather red. 'No, really.'

  He went on looking me up and down in his amused way with those familiar, unpleasant blue eyes. I felt like a barmaid.

  'Oh, well,' he said, 'we mustn't lead the bride astray, must we, Jasper?

  It wouldn't do at all.' He reached for his cap, and an enormous pair of motoring gloves. He threw his cigarette away on the drive.

  'Goodbye,' he said, holding out his hand; 'it's been a lot of fun meeting you.'

  'Goodbye,' I said.

  'By the way,' he said carelessly, 'it would be very sporting and grand of you if you did not mention this little visit of mine to Max? He doesn't exactly approve of me, I'm afraid; I don't know why, and it might get poor old Danny into trouble.'

  'No,' I said awkwardly. 'No, all right.'

  'That's very sporting of you. Sure you won't change your mind and come for a run?'

  'No, I don't think I will, if you don't mind.'

  'Bye-bye, then. Perhaps I'll come and look you up one day. Get down, Jasper, you devil, you'll scratch my paint. I say, I call it a damn shame Max going up to London and leaving you alone like this!'

  'I don't mind. I like being alone,' I said.

  'Do you, by Jove? What an extraordinary thing. It's all wrong, you know.

  Against nature. How long have you been married? Three months, isn't it?'

  'About that,' I said.

  'I say, I wish I'd got a bride of three months waiting for me at home!

  I'm a poor lonesome bachelor.' He laughed again, and pulled his cap down over his eyes. 'Fare you well,' he said, starting up the engine, and the car shot down the drive snorting explosive fury from the exhaust, while Jasper stood looking after it, his ears drooping, his tail between his legs.

  'Oh, come on, Jasper,' I said, 'don't be so idiotic' I walked slowly back to the house. Mrs Danvers had disappeared. I

  stood in the hall and rang the bell. Nothing happened for about five minutes.

  I rang again. Presently Alice appeared, her face rather aggrieved. 'Yes, Madam?' she said.

  'Oh, Alice,' I said, 'isn't Robert there? I rather fancied my tea out under the chestnut tree.'

  'Robert went to the post this afternoon, and isn't back yet, Madam,' said Alice. 'Mrs Danvers gave him to understand you would be late for tea.

  Frith is out too of course. If you want your tea now I can get it for you. I don't think it's quite half past four yet.'

  'Oh, it doesn't matter, Alice. I'll wait till Robert comes back,' I said.

  I supposed when Maxim was away things automatically became slack. I had never known Frith and Robert to be out at the same time. It was Frith's day of course. And Mrs Danvers had sent Robert to the post. And I myself was understood to have gone for a long walk. That man Favell had chosen his time well to pay his call on Mrs Danvers. It was almost too well chosen.

  There was something not right about it, I was certain of that. And then he had asked me not to say anything to Maxim. It was all very awkward.

  I did not want to get Mrs Danvers into trouble or make any sort of scene.

  More important still I did not want to worry Maxim.

  I wondered who he was, this man Favell. He had called Maxim 'Max'. No one ever called him Max. I had seen it written once, on the fly-leaf of a book, the letters thin and slanting, curiously pointed, the tail of the M very definite, very long. I thought there was only one person who had ever called him Max ...

  As I stood there in the hall, undecided about my tea, wondering what to do, the thought suddenly came to me that perhaps Mrs Danvers was dishonest, that all this time she was engaged in some business behind Maxim's back, and coming back early as I had today I had discovered her and this man, an accomplice, who had then bluffed his way out by pretending to be familiar with the house and with Maxim. I wondered what they had been doing in the west wing. Why had they closed the shutters when they saw me on the lawn? I was filled with vague disquiet. Frith and Robert had been away.

  The maids were generally in their bedrooms changing during the afternoon.

  Mrs Danvers would have the run of the place. Supposing this man was a thief, and Mrs Danvers was in his pay? There were valuable things in the west wing. I had a sudden rather terrifying impulse to creep upstairs now to the west wing and go into those rooms and see for myself.

  Robert was not yet back. I would just have time before tea. I hesitated, glancing at the gallery. The house seemed very still and quiet. The servants were all in their own quarters beyond the kitchen. Jasper lapped noisily at his drinking bowl below the stairs, the sound echoing in the great stone hall. I began to walk upstairs. My heart was beating in a queer excited way.

  chapter fourteen

  I found myself in the corridor where I had stood that first morning. I had not been there since, nor had I wished to go. The sun streamed in from the window in the alcove and made gold patterns on the dark panelling.

  There was no sound at all. I was aware of the same musty, unused smell that had been before. I was uncertain which way to go. The plan of the rooms was not familiar to me. I remembered then that last time Mrs Danvers had come out of a door here, just behind me, and it seemed to me that the position of the room would make it the one I wanted, whose windows looked out upon the lawns to the sea. I turned the handle of the door and went inside. It was dark of course, because of the shutters. I felt for the electric light switch on the wall and turned it on. I was standing in a little ante-room, a dressing-room I judged, with big wardrobes round the wall, and at the end of this room was another door, open, leading to a larger room. I went through to this room, and turned on the light.