Follow a Stranger

panelled lounge, talking quietly.

She stood by the door, watching them, feeling a surge of

resentment against Marc Lillitos for the bored expression

on his dark face. She forgot the number of times she had

been irritated by Peter’s passion for the past. It never

entered his head that not everyone shared his interest, and

even Sam had been known to ask him to shut up about

ancient civilisation. But now it was just another crime to

chalk up against the name of Lillitos, and she illogically

felt pleased to be able to do so.

Marc turned his head and saw her. Her heart did that

annoying backward flip which she had only begun to notice

since meeting him. There was something about the look in

the grey eyes which bothered her a good deal—a lazy,

mocking intimacy, as though he not only knew and

understood her, but could read her mind with a glance. It

was alarming to feel so transparent.

She came forward and Peter turned to smile at her.

“Oh, there you are, Kate! I’ve made all the arrangements

with Lillitos. He’s kindly offered me camping equipment—

a tent, blankets, sleeping bag, even cooking facilities.”

“You’re going to sleep on the site?” Kate interrupted.

“But, Peter, this is a holiday!”

He stared, in mild bewilderment. “Well, I couldn’t make

the journey every day, you know, there and back. The

temple is up there,” pointing out of the long window,

which looked up at a green expanse of mountainous

country, “on that hooked peak. Mr. Lillitos says you can

see the whole of the island from the top—a good strategic

position for a fortress. There must be more than a temple