The Relic by Evelyn Anthony Read Free Book Online Page A

talk to anyone. His wife said he was too ill. I don’t think anyone bothers him now. When people settle here they soon become private citizens, never mind who they are. It’s our way. His wife’s a doctor; she works in a very exclusive clinic up in Cologny. Only very rich people can afford to go there.’
    â€˜I’ve got to try and talk to him,’ Lucy confessed. ‘It would make all the difference in the world to my job if I could write something about him.’
    â€˜You could try his wife,’ Madame suggested. ‘But she’s never encouraged the Press.’
    â€˜I wouldn’t want to bother her,’ Lucy answered. ‘If I could just bump into him. He must go out sometimes. They’re not in the telephone directory, I looked.’
    Madame was sympathetic. She was such a pretty girl and so friendly. It would be a pity if she went back with nothing.
    â€˜I can ask around if you like,’ she offered. ‘Hoteliers all know each other; I’ve got relatives in the business. Everyone goes to bistros and bars at some time. A lot of Swiss have regular places where they eat every day. Let me see if I can find out anything for you. After all, he’s a well-known figure.’
    Next day, Lucy took a taxi to Petit Saconnex and viewed the apartment. It was in a pleasant block on the Chemin de la Tourelle. She rented it, but she didn’t move in. And the next morning, when Lucy came down to take breakfast, Madame hurried over looking pleased with herself.
    â€˜I’ve got some good news for you,’ she said. ‘Apparently he’s a regular at the Bistro St Honoré! It’s a pleasant little place by the lake on the Place de Trainant. He goes there every morning for his coffee.’
    â€˜Oh, how kind of you, Madame!’ Lucy exclaimed. ‘I can’t tell you how grateful I am! At least if I go along I can see him.’
    â€˜Smile nicely, my dear, and I expect he’ll talk to you,’ the older woman said. What man wouldn’t ? she thought privately.
    Lucy didn’t finish her breakfast. She took a bus to Quay Gustav Ador and walked along. The Bistro St Honoré was small, as Madame had said. Clean and bright like all Swiss cafés and restaurants, with tables where the customers could sit out, sipping their coffee and watching the passers-by.
    She took a table set back a little and ordered coffee. The waiter lingered over the order. She was a foreigner and very pretty. He had picked up foreign girls before, by offering to show them the sights after work.
    â€˜You on holiday, Madame?’ he asked.
    â€˜Working holiday,’ she replied. ‘I’m doing some articles for an English paper. It’s my first visit to Switzerland. It’s very beautiful.’
    â€˜Thank you,’ he said. ‘You staying long?’
    â€˜I’m not sure,’ Lucy answered. ‘Tell me,’ she said, ‘is that Professor Volkov?’ She nodded towards an old man reading a newspaper. He was old enough to be Volkov’s father.
    â€˜Oh no. That’s Monsieur Fritche. He’s one of our regulars, like the Professor. He hasn’t been in since last Thursday. Maybe he’s sick or something. He’s here most days.’
    â€˜I’ve read so much about him,’ Lucy prompted. ‘What’s he like?’
    The young man shrugged. ‘Quiet, doesn’t talk to anyone. Just sits around. Wanders off after a couple of hours.’ He hesitated, but she had a beguiling smile. He really hoped she might meet him one evening after work. He lowered his voice and said, ‘He’s drunk most of the time. He starts on the cognac as soon as he gets here. Never causes trouble, though.’
    â€˜How awful,’ she said. There was a sick feeling in her stomach. Drunk! It couldn’t be. And the waiter said he hadn’t been into the café since Thursday. Sick or something. Starts on the cognac as