would be taken as a mother lying herself

black in the face for her daughter.

Harold said gloomily:

"Yes, we're not in England, worse luck."

"Ah!" Mrs. Rice lifted her head. "That's

true. . . . It's not England. I wonder now

if something could be done — "

"Yes ?" Harold looked at her eagerly.

Mrs. Rice said abruptly:

"How much money have you got ?"

"Not much with me." He added: "I

could wire for money, of course."

Mrs. Rice said grimly:

"We may need a good deal. But I think

it's worth trying."

Harold felt a faint lifting of despair. He

said:

"What is your idea?"

Mrs. Rice spoke decisively.

"We haven't a chance of concealing the

death ourselves, but I do think there's just

a chance of hushing it up officially!"

"You really think so?" Harold was

hopeful but slightly incredulous.

"Yes, for one thing the manager of the

hotel will be on our side. He'd much rather

have the thing hushed up. It's my opinion

227

that in these out of the way curious little

Balkan countries you can bribe anyone and

everyone--and the police are probably

more corrupt than anyone else !33

Harold said slowly:

"Do you know, I believe you're right.33

Mrs. Rice went on:

"Fortunately, I don't think anyone in

the hotel heard anything.33

"Who has the room next to Elsie's on

the other side from yours ?33

"The two Polish ladies. They didn't

hear anything. They'd have come out into

the passage if they had. Philip arrived late,

nobody saw him but the night porter. Do

you know, Harold, I believe it will be possible

to hush the whole thing up --and get

Philip's death certified as due to natural

causes! It's just a question of bribing high

enough --and finding the right man - probably the Chief of Police!33

Harold smiled faintly. He said:

"It's rather Comic Opera, isn't it ? Well,

after all, we can but try.33

VI

Mrs. Rice was energy personified. First

the manager was summoned. Harold re228

mained in his room, keeping out of it. He

and Mrs. Rice had agreed that the story

told had better be that of a quarrel between

husband and wife. Elsie's youth and prettiness

would command more sympathy.

On the following morning various police

officials arrived and were shown up to

Mrs. Rice's bedroom. They left at midday.

Harold had wired for money but otherwise

had taken no part in the proceedings - indeed he would have been unable to do so since none of these official personages

spoke English.

At twelve o'clock Mrs. Rice came to his

room. She looked white and tired, but

the relief on her face told its own story.

She said simply:

c<It'sworked /"

"Thank heaven! You've really been

marvellous! It seems incredible!"

Mrs. Rice said thoughtfully:

"By the ease with which it went, you

might almost think it was quite normal.

They practically held out their hands

right away. It's --it's rather disgusting, really!"