The Alien by Josephine Bell Page A

But you know that.’’
    â€œI remember, yes. Considering the trawler up-anchored and left Higlett Bay almost before he landed, certainly before we’d revived him, they couldn’t very well talk about our provocation this time. They did nothing then to get him back, always supposing they knew he’d gone.’’
    â€œSince he got his six months’ permit we have no record that he has been in touch with any Russian national, Communist or non-Communist. Nor has anyone from the Iron Curtain tried to meet him. So what’s his game, or isn’t there one?’’
    â€œAm I expected to find the answer?’’ Colin asked, exasperated.
    â€œYou see something of him,’’ Masterson answered, mildly surprised by this antagonism. “We don’t. Just keep your eyes open for anything fishy. And humour Mr. Sczili – what’s it, this afternoon. That’s all now.’’
    â€œThank you, sir.’’
    Outside the room Colin was joined by Carfax.
    â€œIs this your doing, John?’’ he demanded, angrily.
    â€œIs what my doing?’’
    â€œTying me up with this bastard. I wish to God I’d left the house earlier. The rest of them all wanted to get back down to the hotel and I would go on pretending to sort out papers. Anything not to go away for the last time. So I was caught. Serves me right for sheer sentimental indulgence.’’
    â€œIf I had the smallest idea what you’re blathering about—’’
    â€œNever mind. Forget it.’’
    â€œI ought to know, perhaps.’’
    They faced one another at a corner where their ways parted.
    â€œThen you damn well aren’t going to. I’ll do what I’m ordered to do and no more. It’s not my job.’’
    â€œBut it is mine. Look, I haven’t met the chap yet. Not socially, I mean. Ask me to dinner in about a week’s time. Get Margaret to ring me. One or two other people as well. It’s important.’’
    â€œThe hell it is! Why can’t you use Stephen, John? He’s still the starry-eyed schoolboy where Sudenic is concerned. Get Steve to do your dirty work for you. I’m not the right one for it. I’m not safe. I’m biased.’’
    He spoke so savagely before he swung away towards his own room that John Carfax stood looking after him for nearly a minute before he too moved off, walking slowly and thinking over the recent interview and its sequel. Perhaps it would be just as well not to load too much on Colin. He knew the cause, Margaret’s old engagement – and it sickened him. A hidden abscess in their marriage festering all these years. Well, if what he knew of the Pole was correct they were both in for some salutary shocks, that would rattle their small closed conventional British world and perhaps fling them out a little wiser, a little more mature. But happier? He shook off these irrelevant musings to settle back into his own world of probing, conjecture, manoeuvre, check and counter-check.
    Colin let himself into his house at a quarter past three exactly. He had allowed himself a quarter of an hour in which to prepare for his visitor. He went at once into his study.
    While he was still locking up his brief-case in the bureau Ogden knocked and came in.
    â€œThere’s a gentleman to see you, sir. Polish gentleman, I should say. Not a name I could get my tongue round, first off.’’
    Colin smiled.
    â€œI wouldn’t expect you to. Did it sound like Scziliekowicz?’’
    â€œThat would be it exactly, sir. I showed him in the drawing-room, you not being at home at the time.’’
    Colin looked startled.
    â€œHow long has he been here, then?’’
    â€œNot above ten minutes, sir.’’ He was about to explain why he had not seen fit to take the old gentleman into the garden when Colin walked briskly past him into the hall, making for the