CHAPTER FIFTY-ONESmoothing my face just in time, I gazed upon Major Conway. He held my bloodstained pillow in his hands.
“I beg your pardon,” he said in English. “I didn’t think anyone was here.”
I moved quickly to take the pillow from him, but he was already advancing into the room, passing me and placing the pillow on the bed. Lajos used the opportunity to slip silently round the open door and out into the passage. I made an instinctive, anguished movement after him, waiting for the cries of discovery; but strangely, none came. I tried to school my features into cool disdain as I turned to face the Major.
“Thank you,” I said briefly.
“I didn’t know if you would need it tonight. Perhaps you are staying here?”
“No. We have other plans.”
Conway smiled faintly. “I’m sure they are for t
