In Love With A Stranger

Since domestic help was so hard to get , Lucy had to do practically all the work in the boarding-house, running up and down four flights of stairs from the basement kitchen; carrying heavy trays; polishing and cleaning, putting up with the querulousness and complaints of the lodgers, fetching old Colonel Murga's hot water and paper each evening and filling Miss Soper's bottle. By the end of the day she was so tired that she just dropped off to sleep the moment her head touched the pillow. She had often wanted to leave her aunt and get a job, but Mrs Moreno made her clearly understand that she considered Lucy owed her a great deal for her keep and education all these years  and that she could best pay her back by helping in the boarding-house, being of a rather timid and retiring disposition the girl let herself be imposed on.  The tinkling of glass and china somewhere downstairs broke her train of thought; she strained forward , listening intently. There it

Because he had omitted to pay the licence and Aunt Lilian had been obliged to , since he was away , as the weapon was in her house. Lucy did not switch on the electric light , but found her way to Stanley's room across the passage . Feeling in the dark she reached the dressing - table and fumbled with her hand for the drawer she wanted . When she had it open her fingers closed immediately on the weapon ; it was not loaded , she knew . But it would be just as effective unloaded . She crept out on to the landing and listened intently before negotiating the stairs . Someone was moving about in the dining - room ; the door was shut but the light had been switched on ; she could see a gleam coming under the door. Not quite knowing what she intended to do , she started to descend the stairs very , very carefully ; she was afraid they might creak , but even if they did she did not suppose it would disturb the intruder in the dining - room ; stairs in old houses always do creak even

"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 sen

Sergio Dim smiled again into her scared and apprehensive eyes . ' Look , won't you sit down , and I'll tell you in as few words as possible why I am here . ' As he spoke he drew out a chair , and almost without her own volition she found herself sitting on it . ' I was hungry , ' he began . ' Darned hungry ! I haven't had a meal for two days . I passed your house and saw the remains of supper on the table - you shouldn't leave your curtains drawn back , by the way . The window catch was loose and I simply couldn't resist the temptation to come in and - finish off the grub . I hopped in through the window and here I am . I intend to try and join the regular army tomorrow , and I'll send you the cost of the eatables out of the very first pay I get . I can safely promise you that . I'm not a thief , Miss Big Eyes , whatever else I may be . If you don't believe me , hand me over to the police .' Lucy realized that it was her own fault this extraordinary situation had com

Sergio Dim smiled again into her scared and apprehensive eyes . ' Look , won't you sit down , and I'll tell you in as few words as possible why I am here . ' As he spoke he drew out a chair , and almost without her own volition she found herself sitting on it . ' I was hungry , ' he began . ' Darned hungry ! I haven't had a meal for two days . I passed your house and saw the remains of supper on the table - you shouldn't leave your curtains drawn back , by the way . The window catch was loose and I simply couldn't resist the temptation to come in and - finish off the grub . I hopped in through the window and here I am . I intend to try and join the regular army tomorrow , and I'll send you the cost of the eatables out of the very first pay I get . I can safely promise you that . I'm not a thief , Miss Big Eyes , whatever else I may be . If you don't believe me , hand me over to the police .' Lucy realized that it was her own fault this extraordinary situation had com