Виктория Холт - The Black Opal

“No … no! I would not believe that of him, any more than I can believe Dr. Marline is guilty of murder.”

“The Commonwood affair, you mean. My darling, what dramas you have .. well … not exactly been involved in, but been on the fringe of!

This is very interesting. You like Lucian. I can see that there is something rather special about him. Then there is this hint of suspicion. Now, Lawrence would always be above reproach. It is interesting because you wonder whether Australian James did have a hand in despatching the sundowner, but you do not feel the same about him as you did about Lucian. “

“Perhaps James would have said if he had been responsible for the death of the man. But maybe not. He might feel that if one is caught up in something like that it is better to remain quiet. I suppose people sometimes commit murders and remain undiscovered. Do you think this venomous old woman is throwing out hints because she does not want me there? Perhaps she is looking at it as Gertie and her aunt do I mean, that Lucian is contemplating asking me to marry him.”

“Why should she go to such lengths?”

“Because she might fancy her position would be threatened. A new wife might not be impressed by that deathbed promise. Besides, the child, Bridget, has already shown a liking for me.”

“And you are telling yourself that you do not believe this woman. She is lying, you say. You find reasons for her to lie. There is a difference in you when you speak of Lucian. I do not see this for James, or even Lawrence. It is very interesting. I have learned so much .. and I shall learn more.”

We sat for a long time on the steps of the caravan, and we talked more of Lucian. He had caught her imagination and I think she was telling me as well as herself that Lucian was the man for me.

We used to sit long over dinner. Harriman was a great talker, but he liked to listen too. He was obviously very interested in me, as Rosaleen’s daughter, and because I had been brought up in that house which had some time ago figured in a murder case.

“You were there,” he said, ‘when the drama was building “And I knew nothing of the outcome until a short time ago.”

“That is amazing.”

“Toby thought it wouldn’t be good for her to know what had happened there,” said Rosaleen.

“So she was whisked away before the trial took place. Carmel is convinced that Dr. Marline did not commit the murder.”

“I have often said so,” I told them.

“But people tell me that the most unexpected people will commit murder in certain circumstances.”

“That is true, of course. And you have this strong conviction

“I do. I knew him. He was a man of kindness and extreme gentleness. I know he was very unhappy and there was a relationship with Miss Carson.

But I still believe he did not do it. “

“There was the motive and the evidence,” Harriman pointed out.

“Mistakes can be made,” said Rosaleen.

“And Carmel has this strong conviction.”

“You were only a child, Carmel,” said Harriman.

“But children sometimes see more clearly than their elders,” added Rosaleen.

“I should like to know for certain,” I told them.

“But that is not possible.”

“Everything is possible,” said Harriman.

“This seems not to be. Dr. Marline is dead. He cannot defend himself. I wonder what happened to Miss Carson?”

That would be interesting to know. She disappeared, as people usually do in these cases. “

“Poor girl!” said Rosaleen.

“Just imagine what agony she must have endured! Her lover hanged for murder, and she herself at one time in danger of such a fate. And she was to have their child. What must her life have been like?”

“It would be revealing to know,” said Harriman.

“Do you think she would have the answer as to whether he was guilty or not?” I asked.

“It is a possibility that she might.”

“How I should like to know what became of her!” I said.

“We were all very fond of her. I cannot believe she would ever have been involved in murder, any more than I can the doctor. They were both the very last people you would associate with a crime.”

“She must be somewhere,” said Rosaleen.

“She may have gone abroad,” -suggested Harriman.

“I dare say she would want to get as far away as possible.”

“There was someone who was interested in her case,” I told them.

“Dorothy Emmerson told me about him. It was some criminologist who was sure of Miss Carson’s innocence. He campaigned for her acquittal.”

“Who was he?”

“I can’t remember his name, but Dorothy did mention it.”

Harriman was thoughtful. Then he said: “It might well be that Miss Carson would like to hear from you.”

I stared at him.

“You were fond of each other, you say. If you could find her, get in touch with her in some way, tell her that you are convinced of the doctor’s innocence, you could discover whether she wished to see you, and if she did not… well, there is little harm done.”

I was excited. I thought of her sweet, kindly face. I remembered how she had looked when she comforted Adeline. The accomplice of a murderer? I would never believe that.

Harriman was saying: “There is this man the man who campaigned for her. He is presumably some person of importance. Suppose you could get in touch with him?”

Rosaleen was watching us, her eyes round with excitement.

She said: “Miss Dorothy would remember who he is.

Did she not once write to him? And he replied, I believe. “

“Oh yes, she did.”

“Then might it not be that she would have his address?”

“Yes,” I repeated.

“Oh, it would be wonderful to see Miss Carson again.”

We sat over dinner that night talking for a long time. I was deciding I would go to Dorothy. I would explain everything to her. I was sure she would help if she could. It was just possible that she might still have the letter this man had written to her. If she had, I could write to him and ask if it were possible to get in touch with Miss Carson.

He could not fail to remember her. Yes, I could see that this was a possibility.

I was feverishly excited by the idea.

We talked of it for the rest of the visit and it was decided that, as soon as I returned home, I should consult Dorothy.

I should have left Castle Folly with great regret, had I not been so eager to pursue my inquiries.

Rosaleen made me promise that I would come again soon and that I would keep them informed as to what happened. I must remember that there would always be a welcome for me at Castle Folly. We had been separated too long. We must make plans, for I could not stay at my good friends the Hysons’ for ever, and Castle Folly would be my home for as long as I wanted it.

Mrs. Hyson welcomed me back with genuine pleasure. It was clear that she was missing Gertie. She wanted to know if I had enjoyed my trip to Yorkshire, but did not ask searching questions, for which I was relieved. Her thoughts were really with the honeymooners.

The next morning, I called at the Emmersons’ house. To my joy, Dorothy was home. Lawrence would already have left, as I guessed. I was glad of this, because I felt that he would have been less enthusiastic about my plan. He would feel that it was not good to stir up the unpleasant past and it would be more sensible to leave things as they were.

“Carmel!” cried Dorothy when I arrived.

“It’s good to see you. When did you get back?”

“Last night.”

Her satisfaction was obvious. So I had called on her as soon as possible.

“You’ve missed Lawrence. He went off an hour or so ago.”

“Yes, I guessed he would have gone.”

“He’ll be delighted you’re back. You must come round to dinner soon.”

“Thanks, Dorothy. I’ve a lot to tell you.”

“Good. I’m all eagerness to hear.”

“First, I didn’t tell you that I was visiting my mother.”

She looked at me in astonishment.

“You said … a friend.”

“Well, she is a friend, too. You see, it was all so unconventional.

My father told me who my mother was, and I had met her once when I was a child-only I didn’t know she was my mother then.”

“Well, I do know something about that, because, after all, Lawrence was a great friend of your father when they were on ships together.”

“Yes, of course. My mother was on the stage and she is now married to a most interesting man. They will invite you and Lawrence to Yorkshire. You will enjoy their company.”

Dorothy’s eyes sparkled. There was nothing she liked more than meeting interesting people.

“I will tell you more about them later, but first of all there is something I want to talk to you about… something that is really on my mind. When my mother was living with the gipsies, she came with them to their encampment in the woods near Commonwood House. She had seen something of the household there. She was naturally interested, because of my father’s connection with the family. We talked about the tragedy. Harriman Blakemore, my mother’s husband, is the kind of man who has wide interests. He has theories about this and that and it is fascinating listening to him. Briefly, we discussed the Marline case.

As you know, I’m convinced there was some mistake and I will never believe that Dr. Marline was a murderer.

“During the course of the conversation Harriman raised the point that Miss Carson probably knew more about what happened than anyone else.

Then we talked about them and wondered what had actually happened to her, and we came to the conclusion that she must be living somewhere, probably under an assumed name. Then we wondered whether she might like to hear from me. She and I had always been the best of friends.”