The House of Seven Fountains Read Free Page A

Vivien was petrified with loathing. Then, within a yard of her unprotected toes, the giant beetle suddenly turned in its tracks and scuttled back into hiding. She was strongly tempted to call the bath boy to come and kill it, but then she realized that even if he understood what she asked he would think her excessively silly to be afraid of an insect that was probably as common here as a house fly in England. If she was going to stay in the tropics she would have to accustom herself to the greater number of creeping things. She might even encounter a few snakes.
    The thought of meeting a python sent her scrambling into the bath, and, since it was possible that the cockroach might decide to crawl up the side, made her forego the idle ablutions that she had intended to make. Instead she washed standing up, keeping a wary eye on the rim of the bath in case those sinister feelers should reappear.
    An hour later, wearing a clean blouse and cotton skirt, she went downstairs. Passing the cocktail bar she saw the air crew relaxing over well-earned drinks. The stewardess had changed into a pale yellow dress and looked even more glamorous.
    She paused on the threshold of the lounge. Dr. Stransom and Professor Linton, a thin, white-haired anthropologist to whom she had talked for a while at Calcutta, were sitting near the doorway with tall glasses of iced lager on the table between them.
    “Ah, Miss Connell. Will you join us?” The professor smiled at her and drew up a third chair.
    Vivien thanked him and glanced at the doctor. He had risen to his feet, but his face was expressionless, and she could not tell if he shared the professor’s welcome. He had not spoken to her all day.
    “What would you like to drink? I recommend the lime juice. Nobody makes fresh lime juice like the Burmese.” Professor Linton beckoned a waiter.
    Having given the order, he said, “This time tomorrow we shall have reached our destination. I cannot say that I enjoy traveling by air. It’s a great time saver, of course, but I sometimes wonder if the modern urge for speed is a destructive rather than constructive force. I suppose I am old-fashioned.”
    “What takes you to Malaya, Professor Linton?” Vivien asked.
    “I’m making a study of the aboriginal tribes. Very little is known of their origin. Dr. Stransom has been telling me about a number of expeditions he has made into the interior—most interesting. You say you are in practice at Mauping, Stransom? That is in the northern state of Perak, is it not?”
    “Mauping? Why, that’s where I’m going,” Vivien said eagerly.”
    “Indeed?” the doctor said stiffly.
    The spate of questions died on her lips. It was clear that Dr. Stransom did not want to discuss Mauping with her.
    Unaware of the reserve between his companions, the professor inquired if she was making a protracted visit.
    “I don’t know how long I shall be staying. It rather depends on whether the natives are friendly,” Vivien answered with a sting in her tone. But the doctor’s face was impassive. She could not tell whether he had taken her point.
    “You will enjoy it, Miss Connell. The Malays are a delightful race and while the climate can be trying, the scenery is superb—quite superb. Now, if you have finished your drink, I suggest we adjourn to the dining room, ” Professor Linton said.
    “I must say I look forward to a good night’s rest,” he went on, as they settled themselves at a corner table in the cool pillared dining hall. “At my age it is difficult to sleep soundly in an airplane. However, I daresay you want to see something of the city before you retire, Miss Connell.”
    “Yes, I should like to visit the Pagoda.”
    “I think you would be wise to accept an escort.” The professor adjusted his spectacles to study the menu.
    “Oh, I won’t walk. I’ll take one of those pedal carriages. There is a rank of them outside the entrance,” Vivien said.
    “Professor Linton knows the East better than you