Free The Numbered Account by Ann Bridge

added a little praise of Colin—his simplicity, his charm, his conscientiousness, his enthusiasm for his work.
    â€˜Has he any head for
les affaires?
’ her host asked, practically.
    â€˜For money? No, very little, I think. You and the bankers will have to occupy yourselves with all these billions—money isn’t his line at all; it doesn’t interest him much. He could look after Glentoran—his place in Scotland—all right, when he retires. But Monsieur le Pasteur, since you’ve guessed what Colin is, and what is at issue, will you let me explain the whole thing?’
    He was so elegant about this.
    â€˜Do not let me press you—only tell me what I need to hear. But I should know this—are you, yourself, of the same profession as your cousin?’
    â€˜No. That is, not officially—I have, accidentally, helped him and his friends once or twice; that’s all. I retain my amateur status!’ she said smiling.
    â€˜Well now, tell me just as much as you please. You have satisfied me in regard to the personal aspect, which is the important one.’
    Julia liked him very much for saying that—it fitted in so completely with the whole atmosphere of La Cure; the austerity, the elegance, the hard work cheerfully done; the affection, and the preoccupation with the things of themind. Calvinists or no, these people lived in a wonderful world and one seldom met with in the greedy materialistic twentieth century—the word ‘rat-race’ simply had no meaning at Bellardon! Much more at ease, she explained that initially Colin had only asked her to look into the matter of the inheritance—but then had come the telephone call, and the letter explaining that important documents had been deposited along with the money, which should be secured as quickly as possible. In fact, what she wanted was the number of Mr. Thalassides’ account.
    â€˜You do not know me in the least,’ she ended, opening her bag—‘but you have those letters from Aglaia’s lawyers, and here is my passport.’
    He waved it aside. ‘A very poor likeness. Why must you hurry so much? We should enjoy a longer visit—my wife has lost her heart to you! The papers and the money are safe enough in the bank.’
    â€˜Monsieur de Ritter, that is just what my cousin’s colleagues fear they may not be. They believe that other people are after them. That is why I have come here so suddenly—they say the matter is
de toute urgence.’
    â€˜Who seeks them?’
    â€˜I have no idea—I wasn’t told, except that it is the documents they are after.’
    He frowned. ‘It would be.’ He looked again at the papers on his desk. ‘But you have no death certificate for the old Greek! You can do nothing without that.’
    â€˜I know. I wrote to my cousin yesterday to ask for it. I told him if he could get it at once to post it to me here.’
    â€˜How can he get it at once? Thalassides died in Instan-bul, in the Park Hotel! And in addition, to satisfy the Bank the copy must be stamped and attested by the British Consulate. Latterly he held an English passport.’
    â€˜Oh glory!’ Julia exclaimed in English. ‘But all that will take ages!’
    â€˜At least it will take several days,’ de Ritter said. ‘So you see that you will have to prolong your visit! Germaine will be enchanted—and so shall I.’
    Julia didn’t respond very adequately to this pretty speech, because she was doing some of her usual practical thinking.
    â€˜I wonder if they know in London where he died,’ she said. ‘Oh, sorry—how sweet of you. Yes, I love being here, only it’s an awful imposition on your wife. But I think I must let Colin know about Istanbul.’
    â€˜We will telegraph tomorrow, early,’ the Pastor said.
    Germaine presently took Julia up to her room.
    â€˜At what hour would you like your
petit