Part 34 (2/2)
Jane heard this conversation; she saw the door move and stepped into the hall. It was the landlord looked out and wished her good-day.
”I have been packing,” she said, with a faint attempt at a smile.
”You are leaving?” he asked.
”I believe so. My husband talks about going this afternoon,” she replied.
”He has not said anything to me at present. He's outside looking over his motor; he had a breakdown yesterday--lucky he could put it right.
He was a long way from a town--Norwich would probably be the nearest,”
said Frank Spatts, the landlord.
Jane looked at him inquiringly. Carl told her he had the car repaired at ----. This was another tale.
”Yes, I believe he had a breakdown,” she said hesitatingly.
”You've heard of the Zeppelin raid last night? Some damage was done on the Coast, a cowardly thing killing innocent people, women and children.”
”Oh, I am sorry!” exclaimed Jane. ”It is terrible. They must have been near here. Perhaps that is why my husband is leaving.”
Spatts smiled as he said:
”It may be the reason. I'll ask him when he comes in.”
Jane went out. The sea breeze blew refres.h.i.+ngly; she felt rather faint and it revived her. She did not go direct to the garage but walked along the front; there were few visitors about. She sat down presently. Two men occupied the other end of the seat.
”The police are almost certain the Zeppelins were guided by a motor car. Wish they'd find it,” said one of the men.
Jane got up; she could not stand any more of this; she blamed herself for connecting this motor car with Carl. Why did he tell her he had the car repaired at ---- and the landlord that he did it himself? She walked back to the hotel very uneasy and found Carl standing at the door with the landlord; they were laughing--this relieved her. Carl turned to her and said:
”Have you packed? We leave after lunch.”
She said she had, and asked if he had read about the Zeppelin raid.
”We were just talking about it,” he replied.
Spatts went inside, leaving them together.
”The man's a fool,” said Carl, jerking his head in the direction of the landlord.
”Is he? What were you laughing at?” asked Jane.
”He said he thought it probable somebody in a motor car guided the airs.h.i.+ps,” said Carl.
”And you think that is not correct?”
”Of course it isn't; how could they do it? I soon proved to him it was not possible, and it was then he laughed at the absurdity of the idea.”
”You told me you had the car repaired at ----,” she said.
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