OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

A CRIME IN HOLLAND 207
questions. . . . But we'll let that go. Here's another one: Did Oosting
know of your relations with Conrad? "
" What have they told you about that? "
" You used to go on their seal-shooting trips on the Workum
sandbanks. And you used to sleep on board ..."
" Sometimes."
" And the Baes left you two to share the cabin? "
" It was quite natural. In any case, he preferred to sleep on deck
so as to be able to keep a look-out."
" Quite so. And have you seen him since .. . since the murder? "
" No. I can swear to that."
" Has he ever made a pass at you? "
A nervous titter.
" Him? "
Was she giggling with satisfaction? It didn't look like it. On the
contrary, she seemed once more as though she might cry with
exasperation. Madame Van Hasselt, who had heard voices, put her
head round the door, then quickly withdrew, muttering excuses.
A pause. . . . Then:
" Do you really think your father's capable of killing you? "
" Yes. I know he is."
" In that case he was capable of killing Conrad for carrying on
with you."
Her eyes opened wide. She looked scared.
" No," she protested. " It isn't true. It wasn't Papa. . . ."
" Yet when you arrived home on the night of the crime he wasn't
there."
" How do you know? "
" He got home a little after you, didn't he? "
" Directly after But. . ."
" In your last letters you seemed to be losing patience. You were
beginning to realize that Conrad would slip through your fingers,
that he was too frightened of his wife to run off with you, or perhaps
that he didn't really want to."
" What are you driving at? "
" Nothing. I was just getting things clear in my own mind....
I don't suppose it'll be long before your father's here."
She looked anxiously round her as though seeking a way of
escape.
" You needn't be afraid. I'll see nothing happens to you, I need
you tonight/'