Chapter 35 Chapter Thirty-Four

We couldn't get back to Johannesburg that night, the gunfire kept ringing.I judged that we were more or less isolated because mobs had taken over part of the northern suburbs. Our refuge was a farmhouse about twenty miles from Johannesburg—on the South African grasslands.I dozed off tiredly.All the anxiety and agitation of the previous two days left me with weakness. I kept repeating to myself in disbelief that our troubles were really over.Harry is with me, and we will never be apart again.Yet I have always understood that there was some barrier between us--a barrier on his part, for what reasons I cannot know.

Sir Eustace was escorted into the car by a strong guard and drove in the opposite direction. Before leaving, he waved to us in a gesture of gesture. I got up early the next morning, went out on the porch and looked across the prairie in the direction of Johannesburg.I could see the mounds of ammunition gleaming in the dim light of the morning sun, and hear the muffled roar of the guns.The revolution is not over yet. The farmer's wife came out and called me in for lunch.She is a motherly woman, and I have come to like her very much.She told me that Haritian had gone out at dawn and hadn't returned yet.Again I felt uneasy.What is the shadow that I am so sure exists between us?

After breakfast, I sat on the porch with a book in my hand, but didn't flip through it.I was so absorbed in my own thoughts that I didn't notice Colonel Race riding up, and I didn't know he was coming until he said "Good morning, Anne." "Oh," I said blushing, "it's you." "Yes. May I sit down?" He pulled up a chair and sat next to me.It was the first time we had been alone together since that day at Matopos.As always, I still feel that strange mixture of heartache and fear that he has always made me feel. "Any news?" I asked.

"Smatz will be in Johannesburg tomorrow. I think the riot will be over in three days. The fighting is still going on." "I hope," I said, "that they're sure they killed the right people. I mean the people who wanted to fight—not just the poor innocent people who happened to live in the fighting zone." He nodded. "I know what you mean, Anne. That's the unfairness of war. But I have another news for you." "what news?" "I confess that it was my negligence. Peter has escaped." "what?" "Yes. No one knows how he arranged it. He was pinned up safely during the night - locked in a nearby farmhouse penthouse room with military guards, but this morning the room was empty and the boiled duck flew away Alright." I was secretly a little happy.Until now, I still can't help but have a private feeling for Sir Eustace. I know this is very unreasonable, but it is so.I admire him, I know, he's a total villain - but he's a delightful one.I've never met anyone half as funny as he is.

Of course, I hid my feelings.Colonel Race naturally felt very differently.He wanted Sir Eustace to pay for his crimes.Come to think of it, his escape wasn't much of a surprise to me.He must have had plenty of men around Johannesburg.And, whatever Colonel Race might think, I very much doubt they'll ever catch him.He may have a well-planned escape route, and in fact he has revealed quite a bit to us. I made the appropriate gestures, though a little insipidly, and our conversation became lifeless.Then Colonel Race suddenly asked about Harry.I told him Haritian had gone out at dawn and I hadn't seen him this morning.

"You know, don't you? Anne, he's completely cleared of all charges except for the formality. Of course, there are some specific details that need to be dealt with, but Sir Eustace's guilt is quite established. There is no What can separate you." He didn't look at me, and spoke in a low, hurried voice. "I know," I said gratefully. "And there's no reason he shouldn't revert to his real name right away." "Yes, of course." "You know his real name?" This question surprised me. "Of course I do. Harry Lucas."

He didn't answer, and I was especially surprised by his silence. "Annie, do you remember, when we were driving home from Matopos the other day, I told you I knew what I had to do?" "Of course, I remember." "I think maybe I can safely say that I did. Your loved one is cleared." "That's what you were talking about?" "certainly." I bowed my head, ashamed of my unfounded suspicion of him.He continued in a thoughtful voice: "When I was a teenager, I fell in love with a girl who abandoned me. After that, I gave my all to work. My career was everything to me. And then I met you, Anne— And all of a sudden, careers are worthless. But teens love teens...I still have my career."

I am silent.I don't think one can really love two people at the same time - yet you can feel like it is.The man is very attractive.I suddenly looked up at him. "I think you're being serious," I said dreamily. "I think you've got a great career ahead of you. You're going to be a great man in the world." I felt as if I was speaking a prophecy. "Although, I will be alone for the rest of my life." "All the people who have really done great things are." "You think so?" "I'm sure." He took my hand and said in a low voice:

"I'd rather have—the other." Then Harry came, walking around the corner.Colonel Race stood up. "Morning—Lucas," he said. Harry blushed for some reason. "By the way," I said happily, "you must now restore your real name." But Harry was still watching Colonel Race. "Then you know, sir," he said at last. "I never forget a face. I saw you once when I was a child." "What's going on here?" I asked in bewilderment, rolling my eyes between the two of them. There seemed to be a duel of wills between the two of them.Reese won.Harry averted his eyes slightly.

"I think you're right, sir. Tell her my real name." "Anne, this is not Harry Lucas. Harry Lucas was killed in the war. This is John Harold Erzley."