The Paw in the Bottle

I

Howard Wesley was not tall, although he gave Julie the impression that he was a big man. He was broad-shouldered and powerfully built, and he carried himself erect. In spite of his disfiguring black-lensed glasses she could see he had excellent features and his determined mouth and chin gave him an air of authority. His broad forehead was capped by dark, unruly hair, turning white at the temples. She was surprised later to hear he was only thirty-eight.

Both Julie and Harry stood staring at him, and as he moved into the room they silently gave ground.

‘Is anyone here?’ he repeated.

Harry waved at Julie and grimaced. She realized he was trying to tell her that she had to handle this, and she saw he was right.

She said in a husky little voice, ‘Oh, yes... me.’

Wesley frowned, continued to look in her direction as if he had known all along she was there.

‘And who are you?’ he asked. He took from his hip pocket a gold cigarette-case and selected a cigarette.

‘I’m Julie Holland, the new maid,’ she told him, trying to keep her voice steady.

‘I see.’ He patted his pockets and his frown deepened. ‘I wonder if you could give me a light? I seem to have left my matches in my overcoat pocket.’

She looked wildly round the room. Harry took out his lighter and put it on the table. He pointed at it, and jerked his thumb at Wesley. She was surprised to see how calm Harry was. He scarcely moved and was watching Wesley closely, his eyes hard and alert.

In a way his calmness annoyed Julie, who was shaking all over and had difficulty in breathing. She snatched up the lighter and moved towards Wesley. It was a relief to see that he continued to look at the place where she had been standing and did not turn his head as she approached. To her it was proof that he was blind and couldn’t see them.

She tried to operate the lighter, but her fingers were so shaky that she nearly dropped it.

‘Give it to me,’ he said, and held out his hand.

She gave him the lighter.

‘Where is Mrs. Wesley?’ he asked.

‘She’s away for the week-end, sir,’ Julie said, looked at Harry who had moved to the door. He shook his head at her, and winked.

‘I see.’ Wesley lit the cigarette, held the lighter out in midair. ‘Thank you.’

Julie took it from him, put it on the table. Harry picked it up.

‘Did she say when she was returning?’ Wesley went on, thrusting his hands into his trouser pockets.

‘She didn’t expect you until Monday night. She’ll be back by then.’

‘And you didn’t expect me either?’ He smiled. ‘I hope I haven’t spoilt your evening.’

‘Oh, no, sir,’ Julie said hastily, wondering if he suspected anything. ‘I haven’t anything to do. I... I was tidying madam’s room.’

‘Were you? You smell as if you were going to a party.’ He laughed apologetically. ‘I didn’t mean to be rude, but I have to rely on my nose and ears these days. That’s a very nice perfume you are wearing.’

Julie flushed scarlet and stepped back. It should be nice. It was Blanche’s perfume.

‘I... I wasn’t going out,’ she stammered.

‘Mr. Gerridge is seeing to the luggage,’ Wesley went on. ‘He’s my secretary. He should be up in a moment. Can you give us coffee?’

‘Yes, sir,’ she said, thinking. ‘I must get out of this dress at once.’

‘Let us have it in the study. I have some work to do.’ Wesley turned and appeared to look right at Harry who took a quick step back. ‘I have an odd feeling there’s someone else in the room.’ Wesley went on as he groped for the door handle. ‘Is there?’

He could have reached out and touched Harry. Julie caught her breath sharply, motioned Harry back.