Trusted Like The Fox by James Hadley Chase Page B

charming smile but Grace was too frightened to appreciate it. “And I’m sure he’ll have a fit when he sees the damage you’re doing.”
    Still she had nothing to say.
    “I’m sorry to have given you such a shock,” the young man went on. He lifted the golf club, eyed its glistening steel head, turned it slowly between his fingers. “You gave me a bit of a shock, too.” He glanced swiftly at her. “I don’t remember seeing you here before. Are you a new member?”
    Her one thought now was for Ellis. She had walked into a trap, but Ellis mustn’t suffer for her stupidity. What would happen to him when they took her away? she asked herself. “I’d rather die than be caught,” he had said, and she felt he had meant it. But she couldn’t let them take her away knowing that he was out there in the wood, ill, almost unconscious and alone.
    There was no one else in the clubhouse except this man. If she could trick him into letting her go then everything might still be all right, but how was she to do it? He seemed harmless enough; puzzled, rather interested, but harmless. It would be useless to try to run away. He would be able to run much faster than she, and he looked powerful. Even the desperate idea of knocking him over the head went through her mind, but she knew it was no use trying that sort of thing with a man like this.
    “No,” she said, “I’m not a member.”
    “I thought not,” the young man said. “I believe you’ve got hold of Whitworth’s trousers. Of all the members of this dreary club Whitworth is the most fussy. Of course, you wouldn’t know that, but you shouldn’t really take them. He’ll never let us hear the end of it. Wouldn’t it be a good idea if you put them back?”
    “I want them,” she said sullenly; a desperate, obstinate expression coming into her eyes.
    “But so does poor Whitworth,” the young man returned, smiling. “Without his trousers he’d be demoralised.” He eyed her over thoughtfully. “And I do believe you have on Chrissy Taylor’s skirt. My dear girl, haven’t you any tact? Chrissy will be furious. She’s the type who threatens people with a horsewhip.” He laid down the club and stood up. “I must say this is all rather intriguing. I suppose you won’t introduce yourself?”
    Grace backed away, said nothing.
    “I wish you wouldn’t be afraid of me,” the young man went on. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. I’m absolutely harmless. I suppose you’re in trouble. You know, it’s rather a silly idea to pinch other people’s clothes. They don’t like it, and there’s always the police.” He smiled encouragingly. “I don’t like the police myself, but they’re bound to be called in if you do anything foolish.” Although he was standing now, and looked very tall (Grace thought he must be a couple of inches over six foot), he was careful to make no move towards her. He looked at the leather jerkin, the trousers and sweater and the pair of shoes she held in her hands. “Have you a companion?” he asked casually, but his green eyes were now alert, He leaned forward to pick up the club again.
    She didn’t say anything.
    There was a long pause while he seemed to be thinking what he had best do. Grace watched him, ready to run if he came near her, her heart thumping, sick terror making thought impossible.
    “I suppose you have,” he said at last, answering his own question. “Where is he?”
    “There’s no one,” Grace said stubbornly. “I want to sell them.”
    “Then be a good girl and put them back. I’ll give you some money if you’re so hard up. Now do be sensible and put them back.”
    She stared at him, scarcely believing that she had read the correct words as his lips formed them.
    “Go on, put them back,” he urged. “You have no idea what a fuss there’ll be if you don’t. I’ll give you the money. There’s no point in getting into trouble with the police.”
    She wanted to give up the clothes, but remembering