'Yes,' said Maxim.
'You and Crawley of course can squash any nonsense in Manderley or the estate, and I can deal with it effectively in Kerrith.
I shall say a word to my girl too.
She sees a lot of the younger people, who very often are the worst offenders in story-telling.
I don't suppose the newspapers will worry you any more, that's one good thing.
You'll find they will drop the whole affair in a day or two.'
'Yes,' said Maxim.
We drove on through the northern suburbs and came once more to Finchley and Hampstead.
'Half past six,' said Colonel Julyan; 'what do you propose doing?
I've got a sister living in St John's Wood, and feel inclined to take her unawares and ask for dinner, and then catch the last train from Paddington.
I know she doesn't go away for another week.
I'm sure she would be delighted to see you both as well.'
Maxim hesitated, and glanced at me.
'It's very kind of you,' he said, 'but I think we had better be independent.
I must ring up Frank, and one thing and another.
I dare say we shall have a quiet meal somewhere and start off again afterwards, spending the night at a pub on the way, I rather think that's what we shall do.'
'Of course,' said Colonel Julyan,
'I quite understand.
Could you throw me out at my sister's?
It's one of those turnings off the Avenue Road.'
When we came to the house Maxim drew up a little way ahead of the gate.
'It's impossible to thank you,' he said, 'for all you've done today.
You know what I feel about it without my telling you.'
'My dear fellow,' said Colonel Julyan, 'I've been only too glad.
If only we'd known what Baker knew of course there would have been none of this at all.
However, never mind about that now.
You must put the whole thing behind you as a very unpleasant and unfortunate episode.
I'm pretty sure you won't have any more trouble from Favell.
If you do, I count on you to tell me at once.
I shall know how to deal with him.'
He climbed out of the car, collecting his coat and his map.
'I should feel inclined,' he said, not looking directly at us, 'to get away for a bit.
Take a short holiday.
Go abroad, perhaps.'
We did not say anything.
Colonel Julyan was fumbling with his map.
'Switzerland is very nice this time of year,' he said.
'I remember we went once for the girl's holidays, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
The walks are delightful.'
He hesitated, cleared his throat. 'It is just faintly possible certain little difficulties might arise,' he said, 'not from Favell, but from one or two people in the district.
One never knows quite what Tabb has been saying, and repeating, and so on.
Absurd of course.
But you know the old saying?
Out of sight, out of mind.
If people aren't there to be talked about the talk dies.
It's the way of the world.'
He stood for a moment, counting his belongings.
'I've got everything, I think.
Map, glasses, stick, coat.
Everything complete.