Free The Golden Maze by Hilary Wilde Page B

this diary was supposed to be a satire? Could it be that he had written it as a joke? Pretending to be the opposite of everything he was. Or was this his real self ?
    Hehad written down the dates he wrote, so perhaps if she could find out when Peter had come to see his father, she could trace the entry Uncle Robert would have surely made? Mrs. Stone might know, but she was the last person Cindy wanted to ask. Peter? Definitely no. That left her Luke Fairhead. He had said he had seen Peter—even if it wasn't the actual date, he might remember the year and the season which would help.
    Quickly Cindy locked away Uncle. Robert's diary, brushed her hair, put on a warm yellow jersey over blue trousers. If she was quick, she might catch Mr. Fairhead after his talk with Peter. She would wait in the car . . . from there she could see Mr. Fairhead's office. He was sure to be there before going home.
    The castle was very still as Cindy went down the
    ' curving staircase as quietly as she could, for she had no desire to meet Yvonne Todd. The drawing-room was empty, so she let herself out through one of the french windows on to the paved terrace that ran down the sides of the castle. Even as she did, a man came out from the shadow of a clump of trees and came
    - to meet her.
     
    A short man, not much taller than herself, Cindy noticed. He had a pointed black beard, sideboards and even thicker black eyebrows than Peter.
    "Miss Preston ?" he said politely.
    "Yes." She was startled. There was no sign of a car, so how had he got up there ? Unless he had parked the car further down the road and came up quietly, not wanting to be seen. But if so . . .
    "I understand you are inheriting this castle," he went on.
    Cindy stared at him and frowned. "I am not. Mr. Baxter's son is."
    "I understand he can't be traced." -
    "He's been found. He's here now," Cindy told him. "Look, I'm afraid I can't stop now . . ."
    The man moved forward, blocking her way. "Please, Miss Preston. You say Peter Baxter has been found? This is news. So the castle and its treasures are no longer yours. Is Mr. Baxter here?"
    "Yes. Look, I can't . .."
    "Mr. Baxter is staying here and so are you ?" The short man grinned, his big white teeth flashing. "Oh, maybe you and he will marry and share the castle ?" He gave a funny little laugh.
    "It's most unlikely," Cindy said angrily. "We don't know one another. Besides, he has a friend also staying . . ." She stopped abruptly. She shouldn't be answering questions. It would only mean more news in the papers and more trouble.
    "I see . . . the eternal triangle !" he chuckled, and Cindy's cheeks burned.
    "Look, please get out of my way. I don't wish to be interviewed."
     
    "I understand. You've found yourself in a very embarrassing position, Miss Preston. I understand you arranged to sell the castle to an American. Will Mr. Baxter do the same ?"
    "What the . . ." Peter had come round the side of the castle and towered above them. "Just who are you ?" he asked angrily. "You know Miss Preston ?"
    The little man swung round, "She spoke to me on the phone in London."
    "I did not !" Cindy cried.
    Both the men looked at her.
    "Excuse me, Miss Preston, but you did. You rang my newspaper and told me about, the castle you were about to inherit and that you'd been made an offer by an American which you were going to accept if the deceased's son did not turn up . .. " the little man said quietly.
    Cindy stared at him, bewildered, Suddenly she thought of something. "I gave you my name ?"
    He shook his head. "I asked, but you said you'd prefer not to .. ."
    "Why should I have said that? What did it matter if you had my name?" Cindy asked quickly. "You could easily have found out from the solicitor ..."
    "Ah, the solicitor," Peter said.
    Cindy looked up at him. "Peter,' I didn't phone the newspaper. Why should I ? It just doesn't make sense . ."
    It certainly didn't. Peter soon got rid of the polite little reporter who told them his name was Neil