The Lady Vanishes Page #4

is where my patient comes aboard.

Excuse me.

Most interesting.

We're stopping.

This is our first stop, isn't it?

Miss Froy must still be on the train.

You look out this window

and see if she gets off this side.

l'll take the other.

Most interesting.

What was she dressed in?

Scotch tweeds, wasn't it?

-Oatmeal tweeds.

-l knew it had to do with porridge.

How long does it take

to get a divorce?

-Eric?

-l'm sorry. l wasn't listening.

How long does it take

to get a divorce?

That depends. Why?

l was wondering if we could take

our honey moon next spring.

The official one.

The difficulties are considerable.

The courts are very crowded now.

l suppose we barristers

ought not to complain about this.

With conditions as they are now, my

chances of becoming a judge are rosy.

-That is, if nothing untoward occurs.

-Like being mixed up in a divorce?

ln the first careless rapture of yours

you didn't care what happened.

The law, like Caesar's wife,

must be above all suspicion.

Even when the law spends six

weeks with Caesar's wife?

l know why you are running around

like a scared rabbit...

-and why lied so elaborately just now.

- l lied?

Yes, to those people in the corridor.

l heard every word you said.

l didn't wish to be

mixed up in an enquiry.

Enquiry? Just because a little

woman can't be found?

That girl was making a fuss.

lf the woman had disappeared...

and l'd admitted to seeing her, we

might have become vital witnesses.

My name might appear

in the papers with yours.

A scandal that might

lead anywhere, anywhere.

Yes, l suppose

you are right.

-Nobody?

-Nobody.

l just saw bits of orange peel

and paper bag coming out my side.

l know there's a Miss Froy.

She's as real as you are.

That's what you

say and you believe it.

But there isn't anybody else

who has seen her.

-l saw her. l think.

-You did?

-A little woman in tweeds.

-Yes.

-With a three quarter coat.

-With a scarf.

That's right. l saw her when

you passed the compartment.

l knew l was right. But your husband

said he didn't see her.

He didn't notice, but as soon as he

mentioned it, l remembered at once.

You win. This calls for action.

Would you make a statement?

Of course, if it helps.

Pardon, my patient has just arrived.

The most fascinating complication.

We have news for you.

This lady saw Mrs. Froy.

-So.

-We are going to search the train.

-You must think of a fresh theory.

-lt is not necessary.

My theory was perfectly good.

The facts were misleading.

l hope you will find

your friend.

-l'll be right here if you want me.

-OK. Come along.

l was going to mention that

l told that girl l'd seen her friend.

-Have you taken leave of your senses?

-On the contrary, l've come to them.

What do you mean?

lf there is a scandal, there'll be

a divorce. You couldn't let me down.

You'd have to do the decent thing

as only you know how.

You forgot one very important

thing, Margaret...

your husband would divorce you,

no doubt.

But my wife

will never divorce me.

lt may seem crazy to you, but

you're going to search the train.

Down there, they look for you.

Your friend come back.

Come back?

But what happened?

You go see.

She tell you.

All right Athleston, relax. The crisis

is over. Come on, let's join the lady.

Miss Froy.

That isn't Miss Froy.

-lsn't it?

-No.

-lt's silly to say, but are you Miss Froy?

-No, l am Madame Kummer.

She helped you into the carriage

and went to see some friends.

As you spoke about an English lady she

didn't connect her with Mme Kummer.

But she wasn't the lady.

lt was Miss Froy.

-Oatmeal tweeds, blue handkerchief...

-Yes, it's all the same, but it isn't her.

When did you say you first

met this Miss Froy?

Last night at the hotel.

-Was she wearing a costume like this?

-Yes, l think she was.

Then l apologise.

You did meet her.

But not on the train.

ln your subconscious mind...

you substituted the face of

Mme Kummer with Miss Froy's.

But l didn't. l couldn't have,

l talked to her here.

That's easily settled, there's

a woman who said she saw her.

lf the lady wouldn't mind.

What a gift of languages

the fellow's got.

-ls this the woman you saw?

-lt isn't a bit like her, is it?

Yes, she's the woman.

-But it isn't. l tell you it isn't.

-Are you sure?

-Perfectly.

-She isn't. She isn't.

l'm so sorry

to have troubled you.

Aren't you going

to say anything?

-You might at least gloat.

-What am l expected to say?

You only did it

to save your own skin.

She was lying. l saw it in her face.

They're all lying. But why?

Why don't you sit

down and take it easy.

Do you believe this nonsense

about substituting faces?

l think any change

would be an improvement.

Miss Froy was on this train, and

nothing will convince me otherwise.

Must you follow

me round like a pet dog?

-A watch dog. l have better instincts.

-Goodbye.

The Doctor was right.

l never saw Miss Froy on the train.

-lt didn't happen, l know now.

-Glad you're taking it like that.

Forget all about it.

Make your mind a blank.

Watch me,

you can't go wrong.

What about a spot

of something to eat?

-Anything.

-That's right, come along.

-Would you like some air?

-Thanks.

-Could you eat something?

-l could try.

That's the spirit. You'll feel

a different girl tomorrow.

l hope so. l don't want to meet

my fiance a nervous wreck.

-Your what?

-l'm being married on Thursday.

-You're sure you're not imagining that?

-Positive.

-l was afraid so. Food.

-l couldn't face it.

Do you mind if l talk

with my mouth full?

lf you must.

-Want to hear about my early life?

-l don't think so.

Since you press me,

l'll begin with my father.

lt's remarkable how many great

men began with their fathers.

-Something to drink?

-No. Yes. A cup of tea, please.

One tea and no soup for the lady.

My father was a colourful character.

Amongst other things, he was strongly

addicted to you'll never guess.

Harriman's Herbal Tea.

-No, double scotches.

-A million Mexicans drink it.

-Maybe, but Father didn't.

-Miss Froy gave a packet to the waiter.

-A packet of what?

-Harriman's Herbal Tea.

lt was the only sort she liked.

We agreed you were going to make

your mind a complete blank.

-lt's so real. l'm sure it happened.

-Did we or did we not?

We did. Sorry.

Tell me about your father.

-My father was a very remarkable man.

-Did he play the clarinet?

He did. ln fact he never put it down

unless it became absolutely necessary.

l couldn't help inheriting

his love of music.

-Why not?

-That was all he left me.

You're remarkably attractive.

Has anyone ever told you?

We were discussing you.

-Yes, of course. Do you like me?

-Not much.

l paid my father's debts and went

away before they cashed the cheques.

l'm writing a book

on folk dancing.

-Would you like to buy a copy?

-l'd love to.

-When does it see the light of day?

-ln about four years.

-That's a very long time.

-lt's a very long book.

Do you know why

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