I had sensed that he was a little piqued by it.
“Are you pleased ?” I asked Jeremy.
“I’ve become too enthusiastic about our plan to track down the Green Hash. Wouldn’t it be strange if the answer was in Sydney?”
“I can hardly think that’s so.”
“Why not? If someone took it would they stay here with it?”
“But we said it had to be someone who lived here … someone who could come in and out without being noticed.” That may be.
However, I’ll drop hints about it when I’m in Sydney. Ifs amazing what comes to light during casual conversations. I found comfort in talking to him and missed him when two days later he left for Sydney. Joss was sardonic as we rode into the town.
“I’m sorry to deprive you of your playmate,” he said.
“Playmate?” I retorted angrily.
“Workmate, you mean.”
"You and he always seemed to be enjoying each other’s company. “
“He treated me like an intelligent being, that’s why.”
“Oh come, there’s not a man in the Company who doesn’t salute your intelligence. But you can start looking into other facets of the business now. You’ve spent too long with the facing wheels.”
“Even you had to admit my hunch proved a good one.”
“I’ve never denied it. But you can’t live on the glory of one hunch all your opal-working days. You go and look through the books with Jimson Laud. Accounting is a very important part of the business.”
“What’s happening about Ezra Bannock?” I asked. His expression changed.
“What do you mean Are you nearer to discovering his murderer?"
” It’s hopeless. Quite clearly it was a bushranger. I expect Ezra put up a fight and that was that. “
“His purse was taken. I thought it might have been found.” He stared at me in amazement.
“His purse! You don’t think the thief would keep that, do you? He’d throw it away … and quickly. He wouldn’t want to keep something that could incriminate him. It was a red purse with a gold ring.”
"Yes, that came out in the enquiry. “
"But it was never found . ? “
“Did you expect it would be? There must be hundreds of such purses in this neighbourhood.”
I wanted to tell him, but I couldn’t. It would be like accusing him of murder. He would never forgive me . particularly if he were guilty.
It was true that there were hundreds of such purses. Perhaps that one had been lying in the orchard for a long time. But then why had someone later taken it from the drawer in my room?
We reached the office and I went to Jimson’s department, but couldn’t concentrate. I could think of nothing but Isa and Joss . together.
I should never forget that moment when she had shown me the Harlequin Opal and blatantly confessed that Joss had given it to her.
When I left the offices, instead of riding back to Peacocks I decided to go to the homestead to see Isa.
I left Wattle with one of the grooms and went into the house where, in the hall, I immediately noticed a big trunk which looked as though it were ready for imminent removal.
A servant took me into the cool chintzy drawing-room and I had only been there a few moments when Isa came in. She looked beautiful in flowing black chiffon-secret-eyed, I thought, and predatory.
“Jessica, how nice of you to take pity on me."
” I thought I would come and see you. You did invite me. “
“Oh, please, you mustn’t make excuses. Haven’t I always told you that I love callers ?”
“It must be lonely for you now.”
“Oh, people are so good. They call often.”
A faint smile at the lips. Joss, I thought.
“I’ll ring for tea,” she said.
“Oh, what should we do without tea?
It’s our refuge from this thirst-parching heat’ She rang for tea and asked how I was getting on with the Company.
“I’ve heard you’re something of a genius.”
“Whoever told you that?”
These things get round. I think you’re going to be a martinet. You’ll make them all keep their noses to the grind stone. “
That’s nonsense. I happen to be very interested. “
“It’s clever of you. Processes and all that. All I can do is enjoy the finished product.”
“You said that you would one day show me the rest of your collection.”
“Didn’t I show you once?”
Yes, when you had acquired the Harlequin Opal. “
“A gem. It was good of Joss.”
“I’m sure he enjoyed giving it to you ” He knew it would be in good hands. “
“It’s not the best in your collection though, is it?”
She looked at me slyly and shook her head.
“What would you say is the finest opal you possess ?”
“Ezra used to say: ” You shouldn’t talk so much about your collection.
One of these days someone will come along and steal it. “
“But you didn’t take his advice.”
“I’ve always found that advice is something always to listen to but only take when you want to.”
“Now that I know a little more about opals I should appreciate your collection so much more.”
“Oh yes, you were a novice when you first saw it. But not so much so that you couldn’t recognize the qualities of the Harlequin.”
They were rather obvious, as I should think others in your collection would be. “
“Oh yes, of course. How is Wattle? It was a shock for her to discover Ezra. Isn’t it strange, but for that horse his death would have remained a mystery forever. It’s rather frightening, isn’t it … when you think of what can happen in a place like this. I wonder how many bodies have been buried in the Bush with never a faithful Wattle to unearth them. So you saw the groom and the servant who brought you the tea. We might be alone but for them. Did you tell Joss you were coming to see roe?”
“I didn’t. I may do. Or perhaps you will.”
She opened her ‘eyes very wide.
“Do you think I shall see him? Is he coming over?”
“Is he?” I asked.
“Are you going to show me the rest of your collection?”
“No,” she answered.
“Why not?”
“Guess.”
“Is there something so valuable there that you’d rather not show it?"
"There are certainly valuable stones there. ” She laughed suddenly.
“Oh, I know what you’re thinking. The elusive Green h; Flash. Do you know what they’re saying in the town? That sc Ezra. stole it and gave it to me and that was why he died o1 because it brought him bad luck. Do you think I’d want bad ti luck?”
“You wouldn’t believe in the bad luck, would you?"
” I’m very superstitious. And the reason I shall not show you my collection has nothing to do with the Green Flash.”
“What, then? “
“It’s packed away.”
“Are you sending it away?" She nodded.
“It’s going with me. I shall be leaving for England in a few weeks.”
“Leaving for England! Leaving… here I’m for a holiday. I might come back. I need to get away now that Ezra’s gone.”
"You are going. alone? ” The tiger eyes gleamed.
“You ask too many questions,” she said. I wondered what she was hinting at.
I left soon after. I did not want to be out after sundown.
‘ The house was quiet when I arrived at Peacocks. Joss had not yet returned from the town. I was very uneasy because I felt there was something significant about Isa’s departure. How would Joss feel about her going? If he were indeed madly in love with her he would certainly be upset. I could not wait to see him.
I mounted the stairs to my room and once again I heard the notes of the spinet. I took the stairs two at a time but when I reached the landing the playing had stopped. I went into the gallery. No one was there.