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be out. Are the maids in?’
    ‘It’s their day off. There’s no one – not even a gardener seems to be about.’
    ‘We’re without one, I think – if so, it’s just as well. You’ll have guessed from my furtive behaviour that I don’t want to be seen.’
    ‘Is there anything in the world I can do?’
    He looked at her closely. ‘Forgive me – I have to relearn you. I liked you so much when you came to my office but, frankly, I’d forgotten your existence. When was it I saw you?’
    ‘Just over a month ago. I had to work out my notice.’
    ‘This trouble’s boiled up in the last couple of weeks – and believe me, I’d never have engaged you if I’d known it was ahead. I’m so very sorry to involve you.’
    She said steadily: ‘I don’t mind being involved if I can help – even in the smallest way.’
    ‘Does the word “police” terrify you?’
    It did, but her tone remained steady. ‘Not particularly. Anyway, I promise not to panic whatever you tell me.”
    He was silent so long that she gently urged him. ‘Please, Mr Carrington …’
    ‘Oh, I’m going to take you at your word – I must; I can’t go without leaving some message for my children. I was wondering what’s the minimum I can tell you – for your own sake. You may find yourself in a difficult position.’ He rose and walked away from her; then turned and spoke with impersonal deliberation. ‘I am about to leave England, possibly for good – that is, I hope I am about to leave; if I’m prevented I’m likely to spend an unpleasantly long period in jail, for fraud. How admirable of you not to say anything, not even to gasp!’
    The last words were said with a touch of grim humour. Then he went on almost casually, moving restlessly round the room. ‘Of course I should have foreseen this disaster and made better arrangements than I’ve been able to – for myself as well as for my family. I’m a very inadequate crook, completely amateur. Are you stunned or merely exerting extreme self-control?’
    ‘I’m just waiting to hear how I can help,’ said Jane.
    ‘Thank you.’ His tone acknowledged the sincerity of hers. ‘Well, now: will you break the news to my children and give them my love and abject apologies – and this?’ He took a bulging envelope from his pocket. ‘It contains three hundred pounds – a ludicrously small amount to leave them, but it may tide them over until some of them can start earning. I’d like Cook and Edith to have two months’ salary. Not much of a reward for all their years of service but please tell them I’ve treated them generously in my will; I shall leave nothing but debts but they’ll appreciate the gesture. You, of course, must have a month’s salary.’
    ‘No,’ said Jane. ‘I haven’t begun to work for you.’
    ‘But you”re going to – both take the money and work for me. Will you stay a month and advise my children as best you can?’
    ‘I’ll stay as long as I can help.’ No point in arguing about the salary. ‘Will you be writing to them?’
    ‘Not for the present, anyway. It will be better for them – and safer for me – if they don’t even know what country I’m in. Extradition laws are treacherous; apt to turn and rend the poor criminal.’
    She said: ‘I don’t believe you’re a criminal. Are you sure you shouldn’t stay and establish your innocence?’
    He gave her a swift smile. ‘You must have a built-in sense of loyalty. It operates before it’s been earned. Yes, I’m quite sure I shouldn’t stay in England – or here, now.’ He looked at his watch. ‘As a law-abiding woman, do you feel you must notify the police as soon as I’ve gone? Frankly, I hope you won’t as it might enable them to intercept me. But if your conscience insists …’
    ‘It doesn’t. Anyway, I’ve only your word that the police would be interested.’
    Again he smiled. ‘And you’ve already decided my word’s not to be trusted. Do you know, I’m rather truthful?