George Passant by C. P. Snow

Author:C. P. Snow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: George Passant
ISBN: 9780755120109
Publisher: House of Stratus
Published: 2012-05-12T04:00:00+00:00

25: Conversations at Night

Roy, quiet and self-effacing, brought in a tray of drinks and again left us alone.

‘By the way,’ I said, ‘does Eden know about these – inquiries?’

‘I’ve not told him.’

‘Oughtn’t you to?’

‘It’s obviously quite unnecessary,’ George said. ‘If these policemen have the sense to keep quiet, there’s no reason why he should know. And if – we have to take other circumstances into account, Eden can be told quickly enough. I see no reason to give him the pleasure until it’s compulsory.’

‘I think he ought to be told,’ I said. ‘This isn’t too large a town, you know. Eden comes across people in the Chief Constable’s office every day.’

‘That would be a breach of privilege.’

‘Yes,’ I said. ‘But it happens – and it would be wiser for you to tell Eden than for someone who doesn’t know you.’

His face was heavy and indrawn.

‘You see,’ I tried to persuade him, ‘there’s a good deal that can be done, if they want to inquire any further. You know that as well as I do. If Eden gives me authority, I could stop quite a few of their tricks. If you heard of anyone in your present position – the first advice you’d give, of course, would be for them to arrange with a solicitor–’

George said: ‘I don’t propose to discuss the matter with Eden.’ He added: ‘You can tell him yourself if you’re so anxious.’

‘You give me permission?’ I said.

‘I suppose so.’

When Roy rejoined us, I left them talking and telephoned Eden. He said he would expect me before eleven, and pressed me to stay in the ‘usual room’.

George showed no curiosity when I said that I should not see him again until the morning.

Sitting in Eden’s drawing-room, stretching my hands to the fire, I told him the events of the afternoon. He had begun by saying amiably: ‘We had another conference about some of your friends here before.’

Eden nodded his head, his lips together, as I told him of their speculations. I finished by saying: ‘It may not come to it, I don’t know. But we ought to be prepared for a charge.’

‘These things will happen,’ he said. ‘Ah well! these things will happen.’

‘What do you think?’ I said.

‘You’re right, of course we’ve got to be prepared,’ he was speaking without heat, with a slight irritability. ‘I must say they’ve been very foolish. They’ve been foolish whatever they’ve been doing. They oughtn’t to try these things without experience. It’s the sort of foolishness that Passant would go in for. I’ve told you that before–’

‘He’s one of the biggest men I’ve met. That still holds after meeting a few more. He’s also one of the ablest,’ I said in the only harsh words that had passed between Eden and myself, making a protest wrung from me years too late.

His deliberation broken for a moment, Eden said: ‘We won’t argue about that. It isn’t the time to argue now. I must consider what ought to be done.’ He laughed without any warmth.

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