The Strange Land

by Hammond Innes

  ‘Ah. So you have seen the log, eh? Where is it? Has he got it?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Where is it then?’

  I explained how I had burned it and he said, ‘Why? Why do you do that?’

  ‘He asked me to.’

  ‘Why?’

  I didn’t know what to say. For a moment there was a tense silence. And then he gave me the answer himself. ‘Was it because he was afraid Kostos might get hold of it?’

  ‘Yes,’ I said. ‘Yes, I think that was it.’

  He leaned slowly forward across the desk. ‘Why should that matter, monsieur?’

  It was a trap. I realised that too late. There was no earthly reason why Kostos shouldn’t have seen the log. If it were Kavan who had gone overboard, then the writing in the log would have remained unaltered. I couldn’t think of anything to say. Bilvidic waited a moment and then he got up and crossed the room and pulled back the curtain. ‘Wade. A moment please.’ Jan’s eyes were fixed on my face as he came in, walking jerkily, his hands thrust into his pockets. ‘There is something I don’t understand,’ Bilvidic said. ‘Why did you ask Latham to destroy the log?’

  Jan’s hesitation was only momentary, then he turned slowly to face the detective. ‘It was the handwriting, monsieur,’ he said in a tone of surprise. ‘I could not take Kavan’s identity and still carry about with me all those pages of my own handwriting.’

  It was so simple, so logical. I felt a sense of relief. Bilvidic wasn’t to know that the decision to get out on Kavan’s papers had been taken after the log had been destroyed. The detective turned back to the desk. ‘Now then,’ he said, ‘let us get this down in the form of a statement.’ He looked across at me. ‘I think perhaps, Latham, you would be more comfortable in the other room. Keep warm by the fire.’ His expression was almost friendly.

  Julie and Karen were standing by the hearth. There was no one else in the room. The lamps and the fire gave a glow of warmth to the bare walls. Karen turned and moved slowly, almost reluctantly to meet me. ‘Is it all right?’ she asked in a whisper.

  ‘Yes,’ I said. ‘I think so.’

  Her lips trembled slightly and then she turned away her head. I think she was close to tears. Julie’s fingers closed on my hand. ‘You’re cold,’ she said. ‘Come and get warm.’

  Ed came back soon after and we sat and waited in silence. It seemed a long time before Jan came out. He was talking to Bilvidic. ‘And you’ll make it clear that I had no alternative, won’t you?’

  ‘I don’t think you need worry,’ Bilvidic answered.

  ‘Thanks. And I’m glad you reminded me about the yacht.’ He came towards us then, and he was smiling.

  ‘Monsieur White.’ Bilvidic’s cold, official voice cut across the mood of relief that had filled the room. ‘If you will come in here, I would like a short statement.’

  Ed went into the study and as the curtains fell to behind him, Jan came towards Karen. ‘Well, madame.’ For the first time since I had known him I saw him completely relaxed. His blue eyes were twinkling. He looked young, almost a boy again.

  ‘It’s all right then?’ Karen whispered.

  ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Everything is going to be all right now - for always, darling.’ Their hands touched and gripped.

  ‘You understand, Karen,’ he said. ‘We shall have to start courting again. After a decent interval, of course.’ And then he turned to me. ‘Philip. You will be best man at our wedding, eh?’ He was suddenly laughing. ‘Tell me. What is the opposite to your saying - It never rains but it pours?’ But he didn’t wait for an answer. ‘Listen. Gay Juliet was insured for Ł15,000. As Wade I collect that money. Isn’t that damn funny?’ His laugh was a little. nervous, as though it were all too good to be true. ‘You come and help us open up that shaft, and after that we’ll do something about your Mission.’

  The door opened behind us and Jan and Karen moved quickly apart. It was Legard. He put his cloak and his hat on the table and came over to the fire. He stood warming himself for a moment and then he turned to Jan. ‘I have been talking to Caid Hassan’s son,’ he said. ‘He was present at your meeting with his father.’ He paused and then added significantly. ‘He speaks French.’

  The sudden look of shock on Jan’s face showed me that he had understood the implication.

  Legard stared at the fire for a long time and then he gave a little shrug. ‘Eh bien,’ he said. ‘Perhaps, if you stay here long enough, you will cure me of the amibe, eh?’ He looked at Jan, his tough, leathery face unsmiling - but the corners of his eyes were crinkled up. Then he walked to the door and shouted for Mohammed to bring him some water.