Chapter 6

"What ? ' "You heard . Do as I tell you . ' But I haven't stolen anything , ' he protested . " You - you mean you're - not a burglar ? quavered Jessica. ' I certainly am not - at least where spoons and forks are concerned . Technically , I suppose I am a burglar of sorts since I am just in the middle of a very good supper and bottle of beer which doesn't belong to me . '

Lucy was at a complete loss . This was something she hadn't bargained for . His voice , everything about him , proclaimed the man of culture , although his attire was distinctly shabby . She noticed how slender his hands were - not the hands of a working man , and he'd proved his good manners by not blustering and showing an antagon istic attitude when she had accused him of being a thief .

Her eyes wandered round the dining - room . Nothing appeared to be missing ; everything was as it had been when she had gone to bed a few hours earlier . " What are you doing here ? ' she demanded . ' Were you sent by an accommodation bureau ? ' He shook his head . ' I haven't any right to be in your house and you'd be within your rights to call up the police and have me arrested for breaking and entering . I shan't try to prevent you if you do . But for Pete's sake drop that pistol ! I never did like to see a weapon in inexperienced hands ; you might have deceived anyone who didn't know a thing about firearms , but I'm a soldier and they're my business . "

He came round the table , took the weapon from her fingers and put it on the table . There ! ' he exclaimed , that's much better ! Jessica's face flamed crimson ; she backed a step or two and her hands hung limply at her sides . The situation was quite beyond her . She didn't know how to deal with it .