The Alps Obscure

by Oster, Camille

  “It’s not me you have to worry about,” Clemmie fired back. “It’s him.”

  “Who?” the constable said.

  “The ghost.”

  The rude Italian pffted as if it was the silliest thing he’d ever heard, but Clemmie knew that Miss Marnier had seen him. Miss Marnier knew what she was saying and the look of uncertainty beneath her defiance showed she was still scared. So she ought to be, after what she’d done.

  With that, Clemmie turned on her heels and walked away. There was nothing else to say here in the middle of the night, but she returned to her room feeling calmer. She knew who was responsible, and except for fearing Miss Marnier’s retribution, there was nothing else to fear. The abductor was gone, and as far as Clemmie was concerned, the culprit had been uncovered.

  What remained was why? And she battled between curiosity and an urge not to know. It some ways, it didn’t matter why they’d done it. It was a stupid reason, probably a selfish, evil and malicious reason.

  What the morning would bring, however, was hard to say.

  Quietly, she unlocked her room door and silently walked inside. Oliver hadn’t woken throughout the whole commotion and slept peacefully. Clemmie slipped between the sheets and loved having the warmth of him there. Finally, she could sleep in peace, and would do so even more when that woman wasn’t in the same building.

  Chapter 33

  CLEMMIE WOKE BECAUSE OLIVER moved. Brightness stung her eyes and she shifted away from it.

  “I think we missed the breakfast service,” Oliver said and Clemmie pondered the words for a moment.

  “Really?” she said, finally opening her eyes. Both her body and mind felt rested. They slept through half of the morning. “I find the kitchen is amenable to providing a hot chocolate before lunch if one asks nicely.”

  Oliver rose from the bed and dressed.

  “You slept through quite a commotion last night. It turns out Miss Marnier is one of the parties responsible for everything, along with Mr. Hubert.” Again she considered telling him about her dreams, but still chose not to. “She denies it, of course. I’m not sure the constable is convinced, but the Countess refused to stay in the same room as her.”

  “I can’t even recall who she is,” Oliver said. “It’s extraordinary that people you don’t know can have such a piercing impact on your life.”

  “We still don’t know why she’s done it. I think the countess was the target all along. Maybe it was even her intention when she sought employment. Then again, for all I know, Mr. Hubert might be the source of the contention and Miss Marnier was in love with him.”

  “You sound very convinced.”

  “I am. I know she’s responsible, and I think it all came from her. There wasn’t fear of discovery I saw in her last night as much as defiance. I think she’s proud of what she’s done. But I base all this on what I see.” Clemmie’s eyes drew together. “She has caused much suffering. We could have lost you because of her.”

  “But we did not, so get dressed and let's see if we can scrounge some hot chocolate and some biscuits. And then we’ll start pestering that constable about being on our way from here.”

  “Yes, please,” Clemmie said, and then felt a little sad for Mr. Weber, who really didn’t deserve people wishing to leave his establishment with such fervor.

  “I will smoke down in the lobby. Will you be alright?” he asked.

  “Yes, I’ll be fine.” And she truly felt it. Gone was the uncertainty she’d felt being in a strange land and Oliver not being immediately available to help her. She was capable of dealing with anything—she knew that now.

  She smiled as Oliver left and then rang for the maid before sitting down by the dressing table. It truly was sunny this morning and she felt quite content sitting there as she waited.

  The maid arrived and let herself in. A twinge of unease washed through her but she dismissed it, refusing to cower at the idea that people could get into her room. She refused to come away from this being fearful. Granted, she couldn’t guarantee it at this point, but it wasn’t an instinct she wanted to succumb to.

  “Has anything happened this morning?” Clemmie asked the girl in German, who looked at her with uncertainty before clearing her throat.

  “The constable has spoken to the countess, and now he speaks to the women who she employs,” she girl replied quietly.

  “Any news about Mr. Carter?”

  “The doctor came to see him this morning. Mr. Weber said the doctor was encouraged.”

  “That is good news indeed.” Clemmie nodded and waited patiently as the girl finished doing her hair.

  After she was dressed, the maid slipped away and Clemmie finished getting herself ready for the day.

  A strange couple nodded to her as she passed in the hallway and she greeted them back. As expected Oliver sat by the fire with his small pipe.

  “No luck on the departure just yet,” he said as she sat down next to him. “But they say Mr. Carter is improving.”

  “Yes, the maid told me,” Clemmie said. Again, Clemmie felt uneasy about not telling Oliver of her dreams. In a sense, they felt very private, and she wasn’t sure it was material to anything. In her mind, the legend of the lost Roman soldiers haunting this area was absolutely true. She suspected the dream she’d had about Mr. Hubert might also have been more than simply a dream, but what point was there in telling Oliver? On the other hand, she didn’t wish to keep secrets. Perhaps she would tell him, but maybe not just yet.

  Miss Juno appeared, looking utterly lost. Her arms were tightly to her and she didn’t seem to know where she was going. Clemmie rose to join her.

  “How are you, Miss Juno?” she asked.

  “I…” she started and looked at her. Her eyes were glassy as if she’d been crying. “I’ve been dismissed. I don’t quite know what to do.”

  “And Miss Marnier?”

  “Well, of course. She’s being interviewed by that constable right now. He interviewed me too. Awful man. Constant accusations, and they didn’t even make sense.”

  Clemmie certainly knew that feeling.

  “The countess refuses to even see me. It isn’t fair. I did nothing. I had no part in this. What am I supposed to do? I have no money. I have some savings, of course, but I didn’t bring it with me.”

  “I’m sure something can be arranged. The countess should offer to convey you back to your home.”

  “I think she wants nothing to do with us. I…” her voice drifted off. “Do you really believe Miss Marnier could be responsible for this?”

  “Yes, I’m afraid so. In cahoots with Mr. Hubert.”

  “I never liked Mr. Hubert,” she confessed. “There was always something… mean about him. But Miss Marnier—I can’t believe it.”

  “I think you need to prepare to leave,” Clemmie said and Miss Juno looked at her. “If not with the countess, then through some other means. A coach perhaps.”

  Absently, Miss Juno nodded, but she didn’t move.

  “You should pack your things,” Clemmie offered.

  “Yes, maybe you’re right.”

  Footsteps drew their attention and they saw the constable, along with two men Clemmie didn’t recognize, come walking down the corridor with Miss Marnier. That look of defiance was definitely there. The constable’s face was harsh and grim.

  “That whore of a woman deserved everything she got,” Miss Marnier called, drawing the attention of everyone. People all stopped their conversations. “She ruins lives. She ruined my family, so it was about time she feared for her own guilt.” Miss Marnier’s spine was utterly straight, her head held high. “I did nothing. Merely wrote some messages on walls. That is all I can be accused of, because it is all I did. And believe me, the countess is guilty. In her selfishness and greed, she cares nothing about the people she steps on. Everything I did is utterly justified.”

  The constable drew her away by the arm, toward the main entrance, where a carriage stood waiting for her. They all watched
as she was taken out and urged into the carriage.

  It seems she wasn’t going to take responsibility for anything Mr. Hubert did, and she could easily blame him for having sole responsibility for that.

  Miss Juno stood with her mouth open. “So it’s true, then.”

  “It seems it is.”

  “What do I do about Miss Marnier’s things?”

  “I don’t know. I suppose you could take them with you. Or leave them here for her to collect. It’s not your responsibility.”

  “Poor Miss Marnier,” Miss Juno said.

  “Do you think it’s true what she said about her family?” Clemmie asked.

  “I don’t know. She never spoke about it, but I do know that her family is from the same region as the countess. There must be some history there. Why else would she have done this?”

  This all left a bad taste in Clemmie’s mouth.

  “What do you think they’ll do to her?” Miss Juno asked.

  “I’m not sure. But what can they do for writing threatening messages on walls and doors? At the most, she is responsible for vandalism.”

  “But the abductions. Mr. Carter is still so unwell.”

  “She will blame it all on Mr. Hubert, and Oliver’s testimony shows it was him responsible for the abductions. I think through Miss Marnier’s direction, but she won’t own that part.”

  And really, Mr. Hubert met with harsh justice for the part he played.

  Clemmie’s thoughts were distracted by Oliver approaching. “We are free to leave,” he said. “With the constable gone, there is nothing keeping us here. So we should leave. Mr. Weber has also been very kind and has offered us a traveling picnic for the journey. Marvelous man.”

  Miss Juno looked even more worried.

  “Miss Juno is worried she’s stranded here,” Clemmie said and Oliver turned to her.

  “Well, that is hardly fair,” he said. “You cannot simply be left behind. The countess will have to see to you.”

  “Go pack your things and we’ll see what can be done,” Clemmie said to Miss Juno. “We will do the same, I think.”

  Oliver nodded. “I’ve asked for the carriage to be prepared.”

  And so they were leaving. After having been there for so long, their time there had come to an end so very abruptly. In a short span, they would be on their way. And it seemed they weren’t even going to wait to have a hot chocolate.

  It was understandable that Oliver wanted to be on his way.

  “Let’s collect our things,” Clemmie said with a reassuring smile to Miss Juno, who nodded and joined them as they walked back toward the rooms.

  They parted company and Clemmie returned to her room with Oliver. Excitement was growing in her about being on their way. How could she not want to put all this behind her?

  It took about half an hour to pack their trunks and they locked them before leaving them to be collected. It was still hard to believe that this was over.

  “I guess we are ready to leave,” Oliver said.

  Clemmie nodded and left the room. When they returned to the lobby, Mr. Weber wasn’t there. The countess and her companion were being helped into the carriage they’d waited so long to be repaired.

  Miss Juno was nowhere to be seen, and Clemmie worried that she’d been forgotten. Until the carriage started moving, and they saw her sitting with the driver on the companion cart which carried their trunks. It would be an uncomfortable journey for her, but at least she was on her way home. Perhaps the countess and Miss Juno would reconcile during the journey, and if the countess still held a grudge, then perhaps Miss Juno was better off finding other employment. Miss Marnier’s accusations against the countess were probably true, Clemmie suspected. Such hate didn’t come from thin air. “I suspect the damage to the countess’ carriage was probably intentional,” Clemmie said. “They must have planned this.”

  “I suppose they must have come this way before, and then hatched a plan for this return journey. Somehow Mr. Hubert knew of that cave. I doubt he simply found it.”

  “That’s a long time to plan vengeance.”

  “I just wish they hadn’t included other people in their vengeance,” Oliver said.

  “Yes,” Clemmie agreed.

  “Ah, so it is time to leave,” Mr. Weber said as he returned to his desk. “I wish it would have been a better stay for you. I have to admit this time has been very tense and uncomfortable for all. I shall hope to never experience anything like it again.”

  “Yes, I cannot agree more,” Oliver said.

  “How is Mr. Carter?” Clemmie asked.

  “He is improving. The doctor is tending to him, so he is in good hands,” Mr. Weber replied. “I understand there has been communication with the American Embassy in Geneva. They will send a man to assist him, I believe.”

  “Please send him our regards when you can, and ask him to call on us if he should ever come to London,” Oliver said.

  “Of course. Now, your carriage is coming. The trunks have been loaded. I’ve asked for a hamper to be placed inside for your refreshment. And now comes the time when I wish you a wonderful journey with few surprises.”

  “Thank you for all your help and support,” Clemmie said earnestly. “There were times when I felt I had few friends, and you were steadfast.”

  “It was my pleasure, and I am happy that the consequences of these vile actions have not been worse.”

  “Goodbye, Mr. Weber,” Clemmie said and Oliver nodded his gratitude before they walked to their waiting carriage.

  Clemmie nodded to the driver before Oliver helped her in and then climbed in himself. And then they were on their way. It felt like an age since she’d sat in this carriage, and for a while, she hadn’t been able to see how she could ever leave the Belvedere Hotel, but now they were.

  They carefully descended down to the village and continued through, onto lands she hadn’t seen before. Away from the ghosts and the fear. The ghosts would stay, they had always been there, and she knew in her gut they were real. The legend Miss Marnier and Mr. Hubert had used to serve their wicked purposes had turned on them and sought justice exactly as they were foretold to do.

  A thought occurred to her as she sat watching the wild countryside of the Alps. “Honestly, I think their intention was to murder the countess,” Clemmie said and Oliver turned to her. “I think they were preparing to do so, to blame the legend for the death without implicating themselves. They wanted to terrorize her and then kill her, but they never got the chance to.”

  It even made Clemmie wonder that is some way, she’d thwarted their plans. She had escaped, and she’d found where they’d hidden Oliver and Mr. Carter. That had been her doing, and it must have impacted their plans, because she was supposed to disappear, then she, Oliver and Mr. Carter weren’t meant to found until long after everyone was gone, and the countess was dead.

  “Then perhaps Miss Marnier is still a threat to the countess.”

  “She must realize it, I think,” Clemmie said.

  It made Clemmie wonder what she would do for vengeance if her family was destroyed by someone. It was hard to bear thinking about. Maybe she’d be driven by hatred to such extremes too. She wouldn’t like to think so. In fact, she didn’t want to think about any of this. It was a period in her life she wanted to put behind her.

  “They say Italian food is delicious,” Clemmie said and leaned her head on Oliver’s shoulder. His attention returned to her. It seemed he’d been lost in thought too. “We won’t let this affect us too much, will we?”

  “No, we shall put this behind us.”

  In a way, she was now glad they were continuing on their journey instead of returning to England. Hopefully, the memories to come would counterbalance the bad memories they had both been left with.

  “The Italians are utterly marvelous with ice confectionaries,” Oliver stated.

  “We will try them all.” Another thought occurred to her. “I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to the Schonbergs.”r />
  “They left while you were dressing this morning. They gave me their address, and wished I pass on my regards.”

  “I wish I’d had a chance to thank them. They were very kind. I shall write them a letter, I think.” And to be honest, Clemmie wished to continue her friendship with Mrs. Schonberg. She was so utterly different from the friends Clemmie had back in London, and she wanted to know how Mrs. Schonberg fared with her plans. “They are a very interesting couple.”

  “Agreed,” Oliver said, and reached for the hamper sitting on the other bench. “Wine,” he said with delight as he opened it.

  “Perhaps a little later.”

  “Cheese, ham, bread and jam. Oh, and some pâté. Would you like some?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Oliver created little sandwiches for them, and they were delicious. “No sandwiches in Italy,” he said.

  “Really?”

  “Ooh, there’s a flask of coffee. It’s still warm.”

  “Marvelous,” Clemmie said with a smile. How could such a simple thing make her so happy? It wasn’t perhaps simple. She had Oliver back, they were on their way with the intention of having a wonderful time. Maybe she’d even enjoy this journey much more, knowing how very close they’d been to a different fate. They were lucky. They both still had bumps on their heads, but the bumps would heal, and they were together. How could they not be grateful for everything now?

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