A Division Of The Spoils (Raj Quartet 4) by Paul Scott Page B

didn’t ask for names or nothing soit looked okay. At least it did until we saw the company. I mean,
women
–coming
in.
We’d better blow before we get chucked out.’
    ‘I don’t think you would be.’
    ‘But we don’t know anyone and from the look of this lot we aren’t likely to.’
    ‘Hey, have a dekko at that,’ the sailor said. He nudged the corporal in the ribs. Perron turned round. Aneila was flowing down the corridor to her aunt’s room.
    ‘Yeah, that’s better. Who’s she, Sarge?’
    ‘The Maharanee’s niece.’
    ‘Any more like her inside?’
    ‘Yes, several.’
    ‘Who are you with, Sarge?’
    ‘No one in particular.’
    ‘If anyone asks can we say we’re with you?’
    ‘You’d better say you’re friends of Captain Purvis, but he hasn’t turned up yet.’
    ‘Suppose he does turn up?’
    ‘He won’t. He’s ill in bed.’ A bearer came by with a loaded tray. Perron stopped him. ‘Have a drink anyway, then you won’t look conspicious. There’s beer too if you want it. You only have to ask.’
    The two lads gingerly took glasses from the tray.
    ‘Okay?’
    ‘Yeah, thanks. Thanks, Sarge. Captain
Purvis
?’
    ‘Leonard Purvis. The economist.’
    The corporal nodded, abstractedly.
    ‘See you, corporal,’ Perron said and turned away. Major Merrick had come out of the room and was waiting for him.
    ‘I’d like a word.’
    They moved to an uncluttered part of the passage.
    ‘Are you on duty?’
    ‘Yes, sir.’
    ‘Are you expecting your officer?’
    ‘No, sir.’
    ‘I take it this disguise is permitted?’
    ‘In certain circumstances, yes, sir.’
    ‘Always a bit risky though, isn’t it? However slight the chances of coming across someone who knows you. Forinstance, Miss Layton has just told me about your meeting earlier this afternoon. In your other uniform.’
    ‘Not in anyone else’s hearing I hope, sir.’
    ‘No. But quite properly she thought I ought to know.’
    ‘Did you tell her you knew already, sir?’
    ‘Without going into detail, yes. This officer – Captain Purvis? Is he in your department too?’
    ‘No, sir.’
    ‘Are you going back to his flat?’
    ‘I shall have to, sir. To change.’
    For a while Merrick stared at him without speaking. In the living-room another record was put on and there was some loud laughter. Eventually Merrick said, ‘What time do you expect to leave?’
    ‘I’m not sure, sir.’
    Merrick glanced at the other people in the passage. Three young Indian women sat on the settee chattering and giggling. The corporal and the sailor were now being talked to by the middle-aged Englishman in the cummerbund. Merrick continued: ‘I’ve been thinking about making our excuses and taking Miss Layton home. Everything considered and in view of what you know, would you think that justified, to save her possible embarrassment?’
    A movement near the doorway into the living-room caught his eye. The middle-aged civilian was shepherding the corporal and the sailor in. He gave the sailor an encouraging pat, low enough on the spine to rank as a slap on the buttocks. Perron returned his attention and saw that the gesture had not gone unnoticed by Merrick. Perron assumed as blank an expression as he could manage.
    ‘I simply can’t say, sir. It should be quite easy to slip away, I imagine, without giving offence.’
    ‘Giving offence wouldn’t bother me. What I’m asking you to tell me is whether in your view the reasons for your own presence here are likely to become apparent, through some kind of general or particular unpleasantness.’
    ‘I’m not sure I understand you, sir,’ Perron said. ‘It’s all fairly routine from my point of view.’
    Merrick looked across Perron’s shoulder in the direction of the settee where the three Indian girls were.
    ‘Routine?’ he said.
    Perron lowered his voice although with no one in easy earshot there was no need. ‘The reason for my presence, sir.’
    Merrick continued staring at the girls on the