Nothing So Strange by James Hilton

Author:James Hilton [Hilton, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Novel
Publisher: Roy Glashan's Library
Published: 2013-04-05T22:00:00+00:00

* * * * *

The thought of Mr. Small kept me restless till almost dawn, after which I slept a few hours and woke up wondering what part of my life I was in. Then I saw the sun through the curtains and felt the silence that was, of all things after New York, least familiar. It was past nine. I bathed and dressed hurriedly, having told Dan to take Mr. Small to the terrace and offer him breakfast if he came. But when I got down I found there was another man, whom Mr. Small introduced as a Dr. Newby. They had declined anything to eat, but were sipping coffee, sniffing the air, and taking in the view with a good deal of quizzical admiration. Mr. Small had made concessions to California in the shape of two-color shoes, sunglasses, and a Panama; he seemed quite cheerful and asked if I were surprised to see him again so soon.

“Nothing surprises me any more,” I answered, deciding on a line. “You must have taken practically the next plane. How did you know where I’d gone?”

He smiled. “You didn’t make it very difficult for me.”

“I didn’t try.”

He nodded. “That’s so.” Then he looked around. “Nice. Good place to settle down and write another book…. Is that the idea?”

“No. I’m in California on a short business trip. But I’m still puzzled how you found I was here, because I’d originally intended to stay at a hotel.”

“That’s what the hotel people said.”

“How did you know which hotel it was, or did you try them all?”

“I knew where the picture company had booked you a room.”

“For heaven’s sake how did you know there was a picture company?”

“It was in Variety that they’d bought your book to make a film…. So you see none of it was really difficult.”

I suppose it was a very elementary example of sleuthing, and it probably impressed me more than it should have. I smiled ruefully. “All right. So you know everything.”

“No. There’s a lot that you still haven’t told.”

I thought I might as well force an issue then as later, so I retorted: “And I’m not going to—unless I’m given at least a ghost of a reason for all this grilling. No doubt it’s very important, or you wouldn’t have followed me out here, but that doesn’t alter my attitude—I’m just not going to answer any more.”

“Of course you know you could be legally compelled to.”

“Sure—by subpoena. And then you’d be surprised how little I could tell you. I’m apt to have a bad memory about things that happened so many years ago.”

“That would certainly put us in a spot.”

“Not you. Bradley’s the one who’s in a spot, and you won’t tell me why.”

He thought that over for a moment, then said: “You’ll notice, Miss Waring, I haven’t brought a shorthand writer with me. You’re not even on oath.”

“As I don’t intend to lie, that doesn’t make much difference.”

“I thought it might make you feel more inclined to co-operate.”

I didn’t answer.

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