Follow a Stranger

realised that they had been parked outside her home for

some time. “I must go, now. Goodbye, Mr. Lillitos.”

“Wait!” He reached across and held on to the door handle,

his face close to hers. She could see faint specks of yellow

around the black centres of his eyes. “I have something else I

wish to discuss with you, Miss Caulfield—another matter

concerning Pallas. Will you dine with me tonight?”

“I’m sorry,” she said politely, “I have another

engagement.”

He released the door and she opened it and got out.

He leant forward, smiling with that surprising charm. “I

am sure you can break your appointment just this once. I

leave for Greece tomorrow and I will not have another

chance to talk to you.”

“Well, I ...” she began, intending to refuse firmly.

“Good,” he broke in, before she had finished. “I’ll pick you

up at seven-thirty.”

The door slammed shut and before she could speak again,

the car had drawn silently away.

Kate stared after it, clenching her fists like a child. “Well!”

she exploded. “He’s the most insufferable, high-handed man

I ever met!”

She had had a date with Peter that night. They had intended

to see a local amateur production of Carmen. When she rang

him to explain he was irritatingly complacent.

“That’s all right. I was not that keen myself. I want to

finish reading Howard Carter’s book on the discovery of

Tutankhamen’s tomb, anyway. Make sure this chap buys

you a decent meal. Oh, by the way, I think I’ve persuaded

Colonel Feather to leave his collection of flints to the