NorM?
ATommyandTuppenceMystery
Contents
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One
TommyBeresfordremovedhisovercoatinthehalloftheflat.Hehungitupwithsomecare,takingtimeoverit.Hishatwentcarefullyonthenextpeg.
Hesquaredhisshoulders,affixedaresolutesmiletohisfaceandwalkedintothesittingroom,wherehiswifesatknittingaBalaclavahelmetinkhakiwool.
Itwasthespringof1940.
Mrs.Beresfordgavehimaquickglanceandthenbusiedherselfbyknittingatafuriousrate.Shesaidafteraminuteortwo:
“Anynewsintheeveningpaper?”
Tommysaid:
“TheBlitzkriegiscoming,hurray,hurray!ThingslookbadinFrance.”
Tuppencesaid:
“It’sadepressingworldatthemoment.”
TherewasapauseandthenTommysaid:
“Well,whydon’tyouask?Noneedtobesodamnedtactful.”
“Iknow,”admittedTuppence.“Thereissomethingaboutconscioustactthatisveryirritating.ButthenitirritatesyouifIdoask.AndanywayIdon’tneedtoask.It’swrittenalloveryou.”
“Iwasn’tconsciousoflookingaDismalDesmond.”
“No,darling,”saidTuppence.“YouhadakindofnailedtothemastsmilewhichwasoneofthemostheartrendingthingsIhaveeverseen.”
Tommysaidwithagrin:
“No,wasitreallyasbadasallthat?”
“Andmore!Well,comeon,outwithit.Nothingdoing?”
“Nothingdoing.Theydon’twantmeinanycapacity.Itellyou,Tuppence,it’sprettythickwhenamanofforty-sixismadetofeellikeadodderinggrandfather.Army,Navy,AirForce,ForeignOffice,oneandallsaythesamething—I’mtooold.Imayberequiredlater.”
Tuppencesaid:
“Well,it’sthesameforme.Theydon’twantpeopleofmyagefornursing—no,thankyou.Norforanythingelse.They’dratherhaveafluffychitwho’sneverseenawoundorsterilisedadressingthantheywouldhavemewhoworkedforthreeyears,1915to1918,invariouscapacities,nurseinthesurgicalwardandoperatingtheatre,driverofatradedeliveryvanandlaterofaGeneral.This,thatandtheother—all,Iassertfirmly,withconspicuoussuccess.AndnowI’mapoor,pushing,tiresome,middle-agedwomanwhowon’tsitathomequietlyandknitassheoughttodo.”
Tommysaidgloomily:
“Thiswarishell.”
“It’sbadenoughhavingawar,”saidTuppence,“butnotbeingallowedtodoanythinginitjustputsthelidon.”
Tommysaidconsolingly:
“Well,atanyrateDeborahhasgotajob.”
Deborah’smothersaid:
“Oh,she’sallright.Iexpectshe’sgoodatit,too.ButIstillthink,Tommy,thatIcouldholdmyownwithDeborah.”
Tommygrinned.
“Shewouldn’tthinkso.”
Tuppencesaid:
“Daughterscanbeverytrying.Especiallywhentheywillbesokindtoyou.”
Tommymurmured:
“ThewayyoungDerekmakesallowancesformeissometimesratherhardtobear.That‘pooroldDad’lookinhiseye.”
“Infact,”saidTuppence,“ourchildren,althoughquiteadorable,arealsoquitemaddening.”
Butatthementionofthetwins,DerekandDeborah,hereyeswereverytender.
“Isuppose,”saidTommythoughtfully,“thatit’salwayshardforpeoplethemselvestorealisethatthey’regettingmiddle-agedandpastdoingthings.”
Tuppencegaveasnortofrage,tossedherglossydarkhead,andsentherballofkhakiwoolspinningfromherlap.
“Arewepastdoingthings?Arewe?Orisitonlythateveryonekeepsinsinuatingthatweare.SometimesIfeelthatweneverwereanyuse.”
“Quitelikely,”saidTommy.
“Perhapsso.Butatanyratewedidoncefeelimportant.AndnowI’mbeginningtofeelthatallthatneverreallyhappened.Didithappen,Tommy?IsittruethatyouwereoncecrashedontheheadandkidnappedbyGermanagents?Isittruethatweoncetrackeddownadangerouscriminal—andgothim!Isittruethatwerescuedagirlandgotholdofimportantsecretpapers,andwerepracticallythankedbyagratefulcountry?Us!Youandme!Despised,unwantedMr.andMrs.Beresford.”
“Nowdryup,darling.Allthisdoesnogood.”
“Allthesame,”saidTuppence,blinkingbackatear,“I’mdisappointedinourMr.Carter.”
“Hewroteusaveryniceletter.”
“Hedidn’tdoanything—hedidn’tevenholdoutanyhope.”
“Well,he’soutofitallnowadays.Likeus.He’squiteold.LivesinScotlandandfishes.”
Tuppencesaidwistfully:
“TheymighthaveletusdosomethingintheIntelligence.”
“Perhapswecouldn’t,”saidTommy.“Perhaps,nowadays,wewouldn’thavethenerve.”
“Iwonder,”saidTuppence.“Onefeelsjustthesame.Butperhaps,asyousay,whenitcametothepoint—”
Shesighed.Shesaid:
“Iwishwecouldfindajobofsomekind.It’ssorottenwhenonehassomuchtimetothink.”
HereyesrestedjustforaminuteonthephotographoftheveryyoungmanintheAirForceuniform,withthewidegrinningsmilesolikeTommy’s.
Tommysaid:
“It’sworseforaman.Womencanknit,afterall—anddoupparcelsandhelpatcanteens.”
Tuppencesaid:
“Icandoallthattwentyyearsfromnow.I’mnotoldenoughtobecontentwiththat.I’mneitheronethingnortheother.”
Thefrontdoorbellrang.Tuppencegotup.Theflatwasasmallserviceone.
Sheopenedthedoortofindabroad-shoulderedmanwithabigfairmoustacheandacheerfulredface,standingonthemat.
Hisglance,aquickone,tookherinasheaskedinapleasantvoice:
“AreyouMrs.Beresford?”
“Yes.”
“Myname’sGrant.I’mafriendofLordEasthampton’s.HesuggestedIshouldlookyouandyourhusbandup.”
“Oh,hownice,docomein.”
Sheprecededhimintothesittingroom.
“Myhusband,er—Captain—”
“Mr.”
“Mr.Grant.He’safriendofMr.Car—ofLordEasthampton’s.”
TheoldnomdeguerreoftheformerChiefoftheIntelligence,“Mr.Carter,”alwayscamemoreeasilytoherlipsthantheiroldfriend’spropertitle.
Forafewminutesthethreetalkedhappilytogether.Grantwasanattractivepersonwithaneasymanner.
PresentlyTuppencelefttheroom.Shereturnedafewminuteslaterwiththesherryandsomeglasses.
Afterafewminutes,whenapausecame,Mr.GrantsaidtoTommy:
“Ihearyou’relookingforajob,Beresford?”
AneagerlightcameintoTommy’seye.
“Yes,indeed.Youdon’tmean—”
Grantlaughed,andshookhishead.
“Oh,nothingofthatkind.No,I’mafraidthathastobelefttotheyoungactivemen—ortothosewho’vebeenatitforyears.TheonlythingsIcansuggestareratherstodgy,I’mafraid.Officework.Filingpapers.Tyingthemupinredtapeandpigeonholingthem.Thatsortofthing.”
Tommy’sfacefell.
“Oh,Isee!”
Grantsaidencouragingly:
“Ohwell,it’sbetterthannothing.Anyway,comeandseemeatmyofficeoneday.MinistryofRequirements.Room22.We’llfixyouupwithsomething.”
Thetelephonerang.Tuppencepickedupthereceiver.
“Hallo—yes—what?”Asqueakyvoicespokeagitatedlyfromtheotherend.Tuppence’sfacechanged.“When?—Oh,mydear—ofcourse—I’llcomeoverrightaway….”
Sheputbackthereceiver.
ShesaidtoTommy:
“ThatwasMaureen.”
“Ithoughtso—Irecognisedhervoicefromhere.”
Tuppenceexplainedbreathlessly:
“I’msosorry,Mr.Grant.ButImustgoroundtothisfriendofmine.She’sfallenandtwistedherankleandthere’snoonewithherbutherlittlegirl,soImustgoroundandfixupthingsforherandgetholdofsomeonetocomeinandlookafterher.Doforgiveme.”
“Ofcourse,Mrs.Beresford.Iquiteunderstand.”
Tuppencesmiledathim,pickedupacoatwhichhadbeenlyingoverthesofa,slippedherarmsintoitandhurriedout.Theflatdoorbanged.
Tommypouredoutanotherglassofsherryforhisguest.
“Don’tgoyet,”hesaid.
“Thankyou.”Theotheracceptedtheglass.Hesippeditforamomentinsilence.Thenhesaid,“Inaway,youknow,yourwife’sbeingcalledawayisafortunateoccurrence.Itwillsavetime.”
Tommystared.
“Idon’tunderstand.”
Grantsaiddeliberately:
“Yousee,Beresford,ifyouhadcometoseemeattheMinistry,Iwasempoweredtoputacertainpropositionbeforeyou.”
ThecolourcameslowlyupinTommy’sfreckledface.Hesaid:
“Youdon’tmean—”
Grantnodded.
“Easthamptonsuggestedyou,”hesaid.“Hetoldusyouwerethemanforthejob.”
Tommygaveadeepsigh.
“Tellme,”hesaid.
“Thisisstrictlyconfidential,ofcourse.”
Tommynodded.
“Notevenyourwifemustknow.Youunderstand?”
“Verywell—ifyousayso.Butweworkedtogetherbefore.”
“Yes,Iknow.Butthispropositionissolelyforyou.”
“Isee.Allright.”
“Ostensiblyyouwillbeofferedwork—asIsaidjustnow—officework—inabranchoftheMinistryfunctioninginScotland—inaprohibitedareawhereyourwifecannotaccompanyyou.Actuallyyouwillbesomewhereverydifferent.”
Tommymerelywaited.
Grantsaid:
“You’vereadinthenewspapersoftheFifthColumn?Youknow,roughlyatanyrate,justwhatthattermimplies.”
Tommymurmured:
“Theenemywithin.”
“Exactly.Thiswar,Beresford,startedinanoptimisticspirit.Oh,Idon’tmeanthepeoplewhoreallyknew—we’veknownallalongwhatwewereupagainst—theefficiencyoftheenemy,hisaerialstrength,hisdeadlydetermination,andthecoordinationofhiswell-plannedwarmachine.Imeanthepeopleasawhole.Thegood-hearted,muddleheadeddemocraticfellowwhobelieveswhathewantstobelieve—thatGermanywillcrackup,thatshe’sonthevergeofrevolution,thatherweaponsofwararemadeoftin,andthathermenaresounderfedthatthey’llfalldowniftheytrytomarch—allthatsortofstuff.Wishfulthinkingasthesayinggoes.
“Well,thewardidn’tgothatway.Itstartedbadlyanditwentonworse.Themenwereallright—themenonthebattleshipsandintheplanesandinthedugouts.Buttherewasmismanagementandunpreparedness—thedefects,perhaps,ofourqualities.Wedon’twantwar,haven’tconsidereditseriously,weren’tgoodatpreparingforit.
“Theworstofthatisover.We’vecorrectedourmistakes,we’reslowlygettingtherightmenintherightplace.We’rebeginningtorunthewarasitshouldberun—andwecanwinthewar—makenomistakeaboutthat—butonlyifwedon’tloseitfirst.Andthedangeroflosingitcomes,notfromoutside—notfromthemightofGermany’sbombers,notfromherseizureofneutralcountriesandfreshvantagepointsfromwhichtoattack—butfromwithin.OurdangeristhedangerofTroy—thewoodenhorsewithinourwalls.CallittheFifthColumnifyoulike.Itishere,amongus.Menandwomen,someofthemhighlyplaced,someofthemobscure,butallbelievinggenuinelyintheNaziaimsandtheNazicreedanddesiringtosubstitutethatsternlyefficientcreedforthemuddledeasygoinglibertyofourdemocraticinstitutions.”
Grantleantforward.Hesaid,stillinthatsamepleasantunemotionalvoice:
“Andwedon’tknowwhotheyare…”
Tommysaid:“Butsurely—”
Grantsaidwithatouchofimpatience:
“Oh,wecanroundupthesmallfry.That’seasyenough.Butit’stheothers.Weknowaboutthem.WeknowthatthereareatleasttwohighlyplacedintheAdmiralty—thatonemustbeamemberofGeneralG——’sstaff—thattherearethreeormoreintheAirForce,andthattwo,atleast,aremembersoftheIntelligence,andhaveaccesstoCabinetsecrets.Weknowthatbecauseitmustbesofromthewaythingshavehappened.Theleakage—aleakagefromthetop—ofinformationtotheenemy,showsusthat.”
Tommysaidhelplessly,hispleasantfaceperplexed:
“ButwhatgoodshouldIbetoyou?Idon’tknowanyofthesepeople.”
Grantnodded.
“Exactly.Youdon’tknowanyofthem—andtheydon’tknowyou.”
Hepausedtoletitsinkinandthenwenton:
“Thesepeople,thesehigh-uppeople,knowmostofourlot.Informationcan’tbeverywellrefusedtothem.Iamatmywits’end.IwenttoEasthampton.He’soutofitallnow—asickman—buthisbrain’sthebestI’veeverknown.Hethoughtofyou.Overtwentyyearssinceyouworkedforthedepartment.Namequiteunconnectedwithit.Yourfacenotknown.Whatdoyousay—willyoutakeiton?”
Tommy’sfacewasalmostsplitintwobythemagnitudeofhisecstaticgrin.
“Takeiton?YoubetI’lltakeiton.ThoughIcan’tseehowIcanbeofanyuse.I’mjustablastedamateur.”
“MydearBeresford,amateurstatusisjustwhatisneeded.Theprofessionalishandicappedhere.You’lltaketheplaceofthebestmanwehadorarelikelytohave.”
Tommylookedaquestion.Grantnodded.
“Yes.DiedinSt.Bridget’sHospitallastTuesday.Rundownbyalorry—onlylivedafewhours.Accidentcase—butitwasn’tanaccident.”
Tommysaidslowly:“Isee.”
Grantsaidquietly:
“Andthat’swhywehavereasontobelievethatFarquharwasontosomething—thathewasgettingsomewhereatlast.Byhisdeaththatwasn’tanaccident.”
Tommylookedaquestion.
Grantwenton:
“Unfortunatelyweknownexttonothingofwhathehaddiscovered.Farquharhadbeenmethodicallyfollowinguponelineafteranother.Mostofthemlednowhere.”
Grantpausedandthenwenton:
“Farquharwasunconsciousuntilafewminutesbeforehedied.Thenhetriedtosaysomething.Whathesaidwasthis:NorM.SongSusie.”
“That,”saidTommy,“doesn’tseemveryilluminating.”
Grantsmiled.
“Alittlemoresothanyoumightthink.NorM,yousee,isatermwehaveheardbefore.ItreferstotwoofthemostimportantandtrustedGermanagents.Wehavecomeacrosstheiractivitiesinothercountriesandweknowjustalittleaboutthem.ItistheirmissiontoorganiseaFifthColumninforeigncountriesandtoactasliaisonofficerbetweenthecountryinquestionandGermany.N,weknow,isaman.Misawoman.AllweknowaboutthemisthatthesetwoareHitler’smosthighlytrustedagentsandthatinacodemessagewemanagedtodeciphertowardsthebeginningofthewarthereoccurredthisphrase—SuggestNorMforEngland.Fullpowers—”
“Isee.AndFarquhar—”
“AsIseeit,Farquharmusthavegotonthetrackofoneorotherofthem.Unfortunatelywedon’tknowwhich.SongSusiesoundsverycryptic—butFarquharhadn’tahigh-classFrenchaccent!TherewasareturntickettoLeahamptoninhispocketwhichissuggestive.Leahamptonisonthesouthcoast—abuddingBournemouthorTorquay.Lotsofprivatehotelsandguesthouses.AmongstthemisonecalledSansSouci—”
Tommysaidagain:
“SongSusie—SansSouci—Isee.”
Grantsaid:“Doyou?”
“Theideais,”Tommysaid,“thatIshouldgothereand—well—ferretround.”
“Thatistheidea.”
Tommy’ssmilebrokeoutagain.
“Abitvague,isn’tit?”heasked.“Idon’tevenknowwhatI’mlookingfor.”
“AndIcan’ttellyou.Idon’tknow.It’suptoyou.”
Tommysighed.Hesquaredhisshoulders.
“Icanhaveashotatit.ButI’mnotaverybrainysortofchap.”
“Youdidprettywellintheolddays,soI’veheard.”
“Oh,thatwaspureluck,”saidTommyhastily.
“Well,luckisratherwhatweneed.”
Tommyconsideredamomentortwo.Thenhesaid:
“Aboutthisplace,SansSouci—”
Grantshruggedhisshoulders.
“Maybeallamare’snest.Ican’ttell.Farquharmayhavebeenthinkingof‘SisterSusiesewingshirtsforsoldiers.’It’sallguesswork.”
“AndLeahamptonitself?”
“Justlikeanyotheroftheseplaces.Therearerowsofthem.Oldladies,oldColonels,unimpeachablespinsters,dubiouscustomers,fishycustomers,aforeignerortwo.Infact,amixedbag.”
“AndNorMamongstthem?”
“Notnecessarily.Somebody,perhaps,who’sintouchwithNorM.Butit’squitelikelytobeNorMthemselves.It’saninconspicuoussortofplace,aboardinghouseataseasideresort.”
“You’venoideawhetherit’samanorawomanI’vetolookfor?”
Grantshookhishead.
Tommysaid:“Well,Icanbuttry.”
“Goodlucktoyourtrying,Beresford.Now—todetails—”
II
HalfanhourlaterwhenTuppencebrokein,pantingandeagerwithcuriosity,Tommywasalone,whistlinginanarmchairwithadoubtfulexpressiononhisface.
“Well?”demandedTuppence,throwinganinfinityoffeelingintothemonosyllable.
“Well,”saidTommywithasomewhatdoubtfulair,“I’vegotajob—ofkinds.”
“Whatkind?”
Tommymadeasuitablegrimace.
“OfficeworkinthewildsofScotland.Hush-hushandallthat,butdoesn’tsoundverythrilling.”
“Bothofus,oronlyyou?”
“Onlyme,I’mafraid.”
“Blastandcurseyou.HowcouldourMr.Carterbesomean?”
“Iimaginetheysegregatethesexesinthesejobs.Otherwisetoodistractingforthemind.”
“Isitcoding—orcodebreaking?IsitlikeDeborah’sjob?Dobecareful,Tommy,peoplegoqueerdoingthatandcan’tsleepandwalkaboutallnightgroaningandrepeating978345286orsomethinglikethatandfinallyhavenervousbreakdownsandgointohomes.”
“Notme.”
Tuppencesaidgloomily:
“Iexpectyouwillsoonerorlater.CanIcometoo—nottoworkbutjustasawife.Slippersinfrontofthefireandahotmealattheendoftheday?”
Tommylookeduncomfortable.
“Sorry,oldthing.Iamsorry.Ihateleavingyou—”
“Butyoufeelyououghttogo,”murmuredTuppencereminiscently.
“Afterall,”saidTommyfeebly,“youcanknit,youknow.”
“Knit?”saidTuppence.“Knit?”
SeizingherBalaclavahelmetsheflungitontheground.
“Ihatekhakiwool,”saidTuppence,“andNavywoolandAirForceblue.Ishouldliketoknitsomethingmagenta!”
“Ithasafinemilitarysound,”saidTommy.“AlmostasuggestionofBlitzkrieg.”
Hefeltdefinitelyveryunhappy.Tuppence,however,wasaSpartanandplayedupwell,admittingfreelythatofcoursehehadtotakethejobandthatitdidn’treallymatterabouther.SheaddedthatshehadheardtheywantedsomeonetoscrubdowntheFirst-AidPostfloors.Shemightpossiblybefoundfittodothat.
TommydepartedforAberdeenthreedayslater.Tuppencesawhimoffatthestation.Hereyeswerebrightandsheblinkedonceortwice,butshekeptresolutelycheerful.
OnlyasthetraindrewoutofthestationandTommysawtheforlornlittlefigurewalkingawaydowntheplatformdidhefeelalumpinhisownthroat.WarornowarhefelthewasdesertingTuppence….
Hepulledhimselftogetherwithaneffort.Orderswereorders.
HavingdulyarrivedinScotland,hetookatrainthenextdaytoManchester.OnthethirddayatraindepositedhimatLeahampton.Herehewenttotheprincipalhotelandonthefollowingdaymadeatourofvariousprivatehotelsandguesthouses,seeingroomsandinquiringtermsforalongstay.
SansSouciwasadarkredVictorianvilla,setonthesideofahillwithagoodviewovertheseafromitsupperwindows.Therewasaslightsmellofdustandcookinginthehallandthecarpetwasworn,butitcomparedquitefavourablywithsomeoftheotherestablishmentsTommyhadseen.Heinterviewedtheproprietress,Mrs.Perenna,inheroffice,asmalluntidyroomwithalargedeskcoveredwithloosepapers.
Mrs.Perennaherselfwasratheruntidylooking,awomanofmiddle-agewithalargemopoffiercelycurlingblackhair,somevaguelyappliedmakeupandadeterminedsmileshowingalotofverywhiteteeth.
Tommymurmuredamentionofhiselderlycousin,MissMeadowes,whohadstayedatSansSoucitwoyearsago.Mrs.PerennarememberedMissMeadowesquitewell—suchadearoldlady—atleastperhapsnotreallyold—veryactiveandsuchasenseofhumour.
Tommyagreedcautiously.Therewas,heknew,arealMissMeadowes—thedepartmentwascarefulaboutthesepoints.
AndhowwasdearMissMeadowes?
TommyexplainedsadlythatMissMeadoweswasnomoreandMrs.Perennaclickedherteethsympatheticallyandmadethepropernoisesandputonacorrectmourningface.
Shewassoontalkingvolublyagain.Shehad,shewassure,justtheroomthatwouldsuitMr.Meadowes.Alovelyseaview.ShethoughtMr.MeadoweswassorighttowanttogetoutofLondon.Verydepressingnowadays,sosheunderstood,and,ofcourse,aftersuchabadgoofinfluenza—
Stilltalking,Mrs.PerennaledTommyupstairsandshowedhimvariousbedrooms.Shementionedaweeklysum.Tommydisplayeddismay.Mrs.Perennaexplainedthatpriceshadrisensoappallingly.Tommyexplainedthathisincomehadunfortunatelydecreasedandwhatwithtaxationandonethingandanother—
Mrs.Perennagroanedandsaid:
“Thisterriblewar—”
TommyagreedandsaidthatinhisopinionthatfellowHitleroughttobehanged.Amadman,that’swhathewas,amadman.
Mrs.Perennaagreedandsaidthatwhatwithrationsandthedifficultythebutchershadingettingthemeattheywanted—andsometimestoomuchandsweetbreadsandliverpracticallydisappeared,itallmadehousekeepingverydifficult,butasMr.MeadoweswasarelationofMissMeadowes,shewouldmakeithalfaguinealess.
TommythenbeataretreatwiththepromisetothinkitoverandMrs.Perennapursuedhimtothegate,talkingmorevolublythaneveranddisplayinganarchnessthatTommyfoundmostalarming.Shewas,headmitted,quiteahandsomewomaninherway.Hefoundhimselfwonderingwhathernationalitywas.SurelynotquiteEnglish?ThenamewasSpanishorPortuguese,butthatwouldbeherhusband’snationality,nothers.Shemight,hethought,beIrish,thoughshehadnobrogue.Butitwouldaccountforthevitalityandtheexuberance.
ItwasfinallysettledthatMr.Meadowesshouldmoveinthefollowingday.
Tommytimedhisarrivalforsixo’clock.Mrs.Perennacameoutintothehalltogreethim,threwaseriesofinstructionsabouthisluggagetoanalmostimbecile-lookingmaid,whogoggledatTommywithhermouthopen,andthenledhimintowhatshecalledthelounge.
“Ialwaysintroducemyguests,”saidMrs.Perenna,beamingdeterminedlyatthesuspiciousglaresoffivepeople.“Thisisournewarrival,Mr.Meadowes—Mrs.O’Rourke.”Aterrifyingmountainofawomanwithbeadyeyesandamoustachegavehimabeamingsmile.
“MajorBletchley.”MajorBletchleyeyedTommyappraisinglyandmadeastiffinclinationofthehead.
“Mr.vonDeinim.”Ayoungman,verystiff,fair-hairedandblue-eyed,gotupandbowed.
“MissMinton.”Anelderlywomanwithalotofbeads,knittingwithkhakiwool,smiledandtittered.
“AndMrs.Blenkensop.”Moreknitting—anuntidydarkheadwhichliftedfromanabsorbedcontemplationofaBalaclavahelmet.
Tommyheldhisbreath,theroomspunround.
Mrs.Blenkensop!Tuppence!Byallthatwasimpossibleandunbelievable—Tuppence,calmlyknittingintheloungeofSansSouci.
Hereyesmethis—polite,uninterestedstranger’seyes.
Hisadmirationrose.
Tuppence!
Two
HowTommygotthroughthateveningheneverquiteknew.HedarednotlethiseyesstraytooofteninthedirectionofMrs.Blenkensop.AtdinnerthreemorehabituésofSansSouciappeared—amiddle-agedcouple,Mr.andMrs.Cayley,andayoungmother,Mrs.Sprot,whohadcomedownwithherbabygirlfromLondonandwasclearlymuchboredbyherenforcedstayatLeahampton.ShewasplacednexttoTommyandatintervalsfixedhimwithapairofpalegooseberryeyesandinaslightlyadenoidalvoiceasked:“Don’tyouthinkit’sreallyquitesafenow?Everyone’sgoingback,aren’tthey?”
BeforeTommycouldreplytotheseartlessqueries,hisneighbourontheotherside,thebeadedlady,struckin:
“WhatIsayisonemustn’triskanythingwithchildren.YoursweetlittleBetty.You’dneverforgiveyourselfandyouknowthatHitlerhassaidtheBlitzkriegonEnglandiscomingquitesoonnow—andquiteanewkindofgas,Ibelieve.”
MajorBletchleycutinsharply:
“Lotofnonsensetalkedaboutgas.Thefellowswon’twastetimefiddlingroundwithgas.Highexplosiveandincendiarybombs.That’swhatwasdoneinSpain.”
Thewholetableplungedintotheargumentwithgusto.Tuppence’svoice,high-pitchedandslightlyfatuous,pipedout:“MysonDouglassays—”
“Douglas,indeed,”thoughtTommy.“WhyDouglas,Ishouldliketoknow.”
Afterdinner,apretentiousmealofseveralmeagrecourses,allofwhichwereequallytasteless,everyonedriftedintothelounge.KnittingwasresumedandTommywascompelledtohearalongandextremelyboringaccountofMajorBletchley’sexperiencesontheNorth-WestFrontier.
Thefairyoungmanwiththebrightblueeyeswentout,executingalittlebowonthethresholdoftheroom.
MajorBletchleybrokeoffhisnarrativeandadministeredakindofdigintheribstoTommy.
“Thatfellowwho’sjustgoneout.He’sarefugee.GotoutofGermanyaboutamonthbeforethewar.”
“He’saGerman?”
“Yes.NotaJeweither.HisfathergotintotroubleforcriticisingtheNazirégime.Twoofhisbrothersareinconcentrationcampsoverthere.Thisfellowgotoutjustintime.”
AtthismomentTommywastakenpossessionofbyMr.Cayley,whotoldhimatinterminablelengthallabouthishealth.SoabsorbingwasthesubjecttothenarratorthatitwascloseuponbedtimebeforeTommycouldescape.
OnthefollowingmorningTommyroseearlyandstrolleddowntothefront.Hewalkedbrisklytothepierreturningalongtheesplanadewhenhespiedafamiliarfigurecomingintheotherdirection.Tommyraisedhishat.
“Goodmorning,”hesaidpleasantly.“Er—Mrs.Blenkensop,isn’tit?”
Therewasnoonewithinearshot.Tuppencereplied:
“Dr.Livingstonetoyou.”
“Howonearthdidyougethere,Tuppence?”murmuredTommy.“It’samiracle—anabsolutemiracle.”
“It’snotamiracleatall—justbrains.”
“Yourbrains,Isuppose?”
“Yousupposerightly.YouandyouruppishMr.Grant.Ihopethiswillteachhimalesson.”
“Itcertainlyoughtto,”saidTommy.“Comeon,Tuppence,tellmehowyoumanagedit.I’msimplydevouredwithcuriosity.”
“Itwasquitesimple.ThemomentGranttalkedofourMr.CarterIguessedwhatwasup.Iknewitwouldn’tbejustsomemiserableofficejob.ButhismannershowedmethatIwasn’tgoingtobeallowedinonthis.SoIresolvedtogoonebetter.Iwenttofetchsomesherryand,whenIdid,InippeddowntotheBrowns’flatandrangupMaureen.Toldhertoringmeupandwhattosay.Sheplayeduployally—nicehighsqueakyvoice—youcouldhearwhatshewassayingallovertheroom.Ididmystuff,registeredannoyance,compulsion,distressedfriend,andrushedoffwitheverysignofvexation.Bangedthehalldoor,carefullyremaininginsideit,andslippedintothebedroomandeasedopenthecommunicatingdoorthat’shiddenbythetallboy.”
“Andyouheardeverything?”
“Everything,”saidTuppencecomplacently.
Tommysaidreproachfully:
“Andyouneverleton?”
“Certainlynot.Iwishedtoteachyoualesson.YouandyourMr.Grant.”
“He’snotexactlymyMr.GrantandIshouldsayyouhavetaughthimalesson.”
“Mr.Carterwouldn’thavetreatedmesoshabbily,”saidTuppence.“Idon’tthinktheIntelligenceisanythinglikewhatitwasinourday.”
Tommysaidgravely:“Itwillattainitsformerbrilliancenowwe’rebackinit.ButwhyBlenkensop?”
“Whynot?”
“Itseemssuchanoddnametochoose.”
“ItwasthefirstoneIthoughtofandit’shandyforunderclothes.”
“Whatdoyoumean,Tuppence?”
“B,youidiot.BforBeresford.BforBlenkensop.Embroideredonmycamiknickers.PatriciaBlenkensop.PrudenceBeresford.WhydidyouchooseMeadowes?It’sasillyname.”
“Tobeginwith,”saidTommy,“Idon’thavelargeB’sembroideredonmypants.Andtocontinue,Ididn’tchooseit.IwastoldtocallmyselfMeadowes.Mr.Meadowesisagentlemanwitharespectablepast—allofwhichI’velearntbyheart.”
“Verynice,”saidTuppence.“Areyoumarriedorsingle?”
“I’mawidower,”saidTommywithdignity.“MywifediedtenyearsagoatSingapore.”
“WhyatSingapore?”
“We’veallgottodiesomewhere.What’swrongwithSingapore?”
“Oh,nothing.It’sprobablyamostsuitableplacetodie.I’mawidow.”
“Wheredidyourhusbanddie?”
“Doesitmatter?Probablyinanursinghome.Iratherfancyhediedofcirrhosisoftheliver.”
“Isee.Apainfulsubject.AndwhataboutyoursonDouglas?”
“DouglasisintheNavy.”
“SoIheardlastnight.”
“AndI’vegottwoothersons.RaymondisintheAirForceandCyril,mybaby,isintheTerritorials.”
“AndsupposesomeonetakesthetroubletocheckupontheseimaginaryBlenkensops?”
“They’renotBlenkensops.Blenkensopwasmysecondhusband.Myfirsthusband’snamewasHill.TherearethreepagesofHillsinthetelephonebook.Youcouldn’tcheckuponalltheHillsifyoutried.”
Tommysighed.
“It’stheoldtroublewithyou,Tuppence.Youwilloverdothings.Twohusbandsandthreesons.It’stoomuch.You’llcontradictyourselfoverthedetails.”
“No,Ishan’t.AndIratherfancythesonsmaycomeinuseful.I’mnotunderorders,remember.I’mafreelance.I’minthistoenjoymyselfandI’mgoingtoenjoymyself.”
“Soitseems,”saidTommy.Headdedgloomily:“Ifyouaskmethewholething’safarce.”
“Whydoyousaythat?”
“Well,you’vebeenatSansSoucilongerthanIhave.Canyouhonestlysayyouthinkanyofthesepeoplewhoweretherelastnightcouldbeadangerousenemyagent?”
Tuppencesaidthoughtfully:
“Itdoesseemalittleincredible.There’stheyoungman,ofcourse.”
“CarlvonDeinim.Thepolicecheckuponrefugees,don’tthey?”
“Isupposeso.Still,itmightbemanaged.He’sanattractiveyoungman,youknow.”
“Meaning,thegirlswilltellhimthings?Butwhatgirls?NoGenerals’orAdmirals’daughtersfloatingaroundhere.PerhapshewalksoutwithaCompanyCommanderintheATS.”
“Bequiet,Tommy.Weoughttobetakingthisseriously.”
“Iamtakingitseriously.It’sjustthatIfeelwe’reonawild-goosechase.”
Tuppencesaidseriously:
“It’stooearlytosaythat.Afterall,nothing’sgoingtobeobviousaboutthisbusiness.WhataboutMrs.Perenna?”
“Yes,”saidTommythoughtfully.“There’sMrs.Perenna,Iadmit—shedoeswantexplaining.”
Tuppencesaidinabusinessliketone:
“Whataboutus?Imean,howarewegoingtocooperate?”
Tommysaidthoughtfully:
“Wemustn’tbeseenabouttoomuchtogether.”
“No,itwouldbefataltosuggestweknoweachotherbetterthanweappeartodo.Whatwewanttodecideistheattitude.Ithink—yes,Ithink—pursuitisthebestangle.”
“Pursuit?”
“Exactly.Ipursueyou.Youdoyourbesttoescape,butbeingamerechivalrousmaledon’talwayssucceed.I’vehadtwohusbandsandI’monthelookoutforathird.Youactthepartofthehuntedwidower.EverynowandthenIpinyoudownsomewhere,penyouinacafé,catchyouwalkingonthefront.Everyonesniggersandthinksitveryfunny.”
“Soundsfeasible,”agreedTommy.
Tuppencesaid:“There’sakindofage-longhumouraboutthechasedmale.Thatoughttostandusingoodstead.Ifweareseentogether,allanyonewilldoistosniggerandsay,‘LookatpooroldMeadowes.’”
Tommygrippedherarmsuddenly.
“Look,”hesaid.“Lookaheadofyou.”
Bythecornerofoneofthesheltersayoungmanstoodtalkingtoagirl.Theywerebothveryearnest,verywrappedupinwhattheyweresaying.
Tuppencesaidsoftly:
“CarlvonDeinim.Who’sthegirl,Iwonder?”
“She’sremarkablygood-looking,whoeversheis.”
Tuppencenodded.Hereyesdweltthoughtfullyonthedarkpassionateface,andonthetight-fittingpulloverthatrevealedthelinesofthegirl’sfigure.Shewastalkingearnestly,withemphasis.CarlvonDeinimwaslisteningtoher.
Tuppencemurmured:
“Ithinkthisiswhereyouleaveme.”
“Right,”agreedTommy.
Heturnedandstrolledintheoppositedirection.
AttheendofthepromenadeheencounteredMajorBletchley.Thelatterpeeredathimsuspiciouslyandthengruntedout,“Goodmorning.”
“Goodmorning.”
“Seeyou’relikeme,anearlyriser,”remarkedBletchley.
Tommysaid:
“OnegetsinthehabitofitoutEast.Ofcourse,that’smanyyearsagonow,butIstillwakeearly.”
“Quiteright,too,”saidMajorBletchleywithapproval.“God,theseyoungfellowsnowadaysmakemesick.Hotbaths—comingdowntobreakfastatteno’clockorlater.NowondertheGermanshavebeenputtingitoveronus.Nostamina.Softlotofyoungpups.Army’snotwhatitwas,anyway.Coddle’em,that’swhattheydonowadays.Tuck’emupatnightwithhot-waterbottles.Faugh!Makesmesick!”
TommyshookhisheadinmelancholyfashionandMajorBletchley,thusencouraged,wenton:
“Discipline,that’swhatweneed.Discipline.Howarewegoingtowinthewarwithoutdiscipline?Doyouknow,sir,someofthesefellowscomeonparadeinslacks—soI’vebeentold.Can’texpecttowinawarthatway.Slacks!MyGod!”
Mr.Meadoweshazardedtheopinionthatthingswereverydifferentfromwhattheyhadbeen.
“It’sallthisdemocracy,”saidMajorBletchleygloomily.“Youcanoverdoanything.Inmyopinionthey’reoverdoingthedemocracybusiness.Mixinguptheofficersandthemen,feedingtogetherinrestaurants—Faugh!—themendon’tlikeit,Meadowes.Thetroopsknow.Thetroopsalwaysknow.”
“Ofcourse,”saidMr.Meadowes,“IhavenorealknowledgeofArmymattersmyself—”
TheMajorinterruptedhim,shootingaquicksidewaysglance.“Intheshowinthelastwar?”
“Ohyes.”
“Thoughtso.Sawyou’dbeendrilled.Shoulders.Whatregiment?”
“FifthCorfeshires.”TommyrememberedtoproduceMeadowes’militaryrecord.
“Ahyes,Salonica!”
“Yes.”
“IwasinMespot.”
Bletchleyplungedintoreminiscences.Tommylistenedpolitely.Bletchleyendedupwrathfully.
“Andwilltheymakeuseofmenow?No,theywillnot.Tooold.Toooldbedamned.Icouldteachoneortwooftheseyoungcubssomethingaboutwar.”
“Evenifit’sonlywhatnottodo?”suggestedTommywithasmile.
“Eh,what’sthat?”
AsenseofhumourwasclearlynotMajorBletchley’sstrongsuit.Hepeeredsuspiciouslyathiscompanion.Tommyhastenedtochangetheconversation.
“KnowanythingaboutthatMrs.—Blenkensop,Ithinkhernameis?”
“That’sright,Blenkensop.Notabad-lookingwoman—bitlonginthetooth—talkstoomuch.Nicewoman,butfoolish.No,Idon’tknowher.She’sonlybeenatSansSouciacoupleofdays.”Headded:“Whydoyouask?”
Tommyexplained.
“Happenedtomeetherjustnow.Wonderedifshewasalwaysoutasearlyasthis?”
“Don’tknow,I’msure.Womenaren’tusuallygiventowalkingbeforebreakfast—thankGod,”headded.
“Amen,”saidTommy.Hewenton:“I’mnotmuchgoodatmakingpoliteconversationbeforebreakfast.HopeIwasn’trudetothewoman,butIwantedmyexercise.”
MajorBletchleydisplayedinstantsympathy.
“I’mwithyou,Meadowes.I’mwithyou.Womenareallverywellintheirplace,butnotbeforebreakfast.”Hechuckledalittle.“Betterbecareful,oldman.She’sawidow,youknow.”
“Isshe?”
TheMajordughimcheerfullyintheribs.
“Weknowwhatwidowsare.She’sburiedtwohusbandsandifyouaskmeshe’sonthelookoutfornumberthree.Keepaverywaryeyeopen,Meadowes.Awaryeye.That’smyadvice.”
AndinhighgoodhumourMajorBletchleywheeledaboutattheendoftheparadeandsetthepaceforasmartwalkbacktobreakfastatSansSouci.
Inthemeantime,Tuppencehadgentlycontinuedherwalkalongtheesplanade,passingquiteclosetotheshelterandtheyoungcoupletalkingthere.Asshepassedshecaughtafewwords.Itwasthegirlspeaking.
“Butyoumustbecareful,Carl.Theveryleastsuspicion—”
Tuppencewasoutofearshot.Suggestivewords?Yes,butcapableofanynumberofharmlessinterpretations.Unobtrusivelysheturnedandagainpassedthetwo.Againwordsfloatedtoher.
“Smug,detestableEnglish….”
TheeyebrowsofMrs.Blenkensoproseeversoslightly.CarlvonDeinimwasarefugeefromNazipersecution,givenasylumandshelterbyEngland.Neitherwisenorgratefultolistenassentinglytosuchwords.
AgainTuppenceturned.Butthistime,beforeshereachedtheshelter,thecouplehadpartedabruptly,thegirltocrosstheroadleavingtheseafront,CarlvonDeinimtocomealongtoTuppence’sdirection.
Hewouldnot,perhaps,haverecognisedherbutforherownpauseandhesitation.Thenquicklyhebroughthisheelstogetherandbowed.
Tuppencetwitteredathim:
“Goodmorning,Mr.vonDeinim,isn’tit?Suchalovelymorning.”
“Ah,yes.Theweatherisfine.”
Tuppenceranon:
“Itquitetemptedme.Idon’toftencomeoutbeforebreakfast.Butthismorning,whatwithnotsleepingverywell—oneoftendoesn’tsleepwellinastrangeplace,Ifind.Ittakesadayortwotoaccustomoneself,Ialwayssay.”
“Ohyes,nodoubtthatisso.”
“Andreallythislittlewalkhasquitegivenmeanappetiteforbreakfast.”
“YougobacktoSansSoucinow?IfyoupermitIwillwalkwithyou.”Hewalkedgravelybyherside.
Tuppencesaid:
“Youalsoareouttogetanappetite?”
Gravely,heshookhishead.
“Ohno.MybreakfastIhavealreadyhadit.Iamonmywaytowork.”
“Work?”
“Iamaresearchchemist.”
“Sothat’swhatyouare,”thoughtTuppence,stealingaquickglanceathim.
CarlvonDeinimwenton,hisvoicestiff:
“IcametothiscountrytoescapeNazipersecution.Ihadverylittlemoney—nofriends.IdonowwhatusefulworkIcan.”
Hestaredstraightaheadofhim.Tuppencewasconsciousofsomeundercurrentofstrongfeelingmovinghimpowerfully.
Shemurmuredvaguely:
“Ohyes,Isee.Verycreditable,Iamsure.”
CarlvonDeinimsaid:
“Mytwobrothersareinconcentrationcamps.Myfatherdiedinone.Mymotherdiedofsorrowandfear.”
Tuppencethought:
“Thewayhesaysthat—asthoughhehadlearneditbyheart.”
Againshestoleaquickglanceathim.Hewasstillstaringaheadofhim,hisfaceimpassive.
Theywalkedinsilenceforsomemoments.Twomenpassedthem.OneofthemshotaquickglanceatCarl.Sheheardhimmuttertohiscompanion:
“BetyouthatfellowisaGerman.”
TuppencesawthecolourriseinCarlvonDeinim’scheeks.
Suddenlyhelostcommandofhimself.Thattideofhiddenemotioncametothesurface.Hestammered:
“Youheard—youheard—thatiswhattheysay—I—”
“Mydearboy,”Tuppencerevertedsuddenlytoherrealself.Hervoicewascrispandcompelling.“Don’tbeanidiot.Youcan’thaveitbothways.”
Heturnedhisheadandstaredather.
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“You’rearefugee.Youhavetotaketheroughwiththesmooth.You’realive,that’sthemainthing.Aliveandfree.Fortheother—realisethatit’sinevitable.Thiscountry’satwar.You’reaGerman.”Shesmiledsuddenly.“Youcan’texpectthemeremaninthestreet—literallythemaninthestreet—todistinguishbetweenbadGermansandgoodGermans,ifImayputitsocrudely.”
Hestillstaredather.Hiseyes,soveryblue,werepoignantwithsuppressedfeeling.Thensuddenlyhetoosmiled.Hesaid:
“TheysaidofRedIndians,didtheynot,thatagoodIndianwasadeadIndian.”Helaughed.“TobeagoodGermanImustbeontimeatmywork.Please.Goodmorning.”
Againthatstiffbow.Tuppencestaredafterhisretreatingfigure.Shesaidtoherself:
“Mrs.Blenkensop,youhadalapsethen.Strictattentiontobusinessinfuture.NowforbreakfastatSansSouci.”
ThehalldoorofSansSouciwasopen.Inside,Mrs.Perennawasconductingavigorousconversationwithsomeone.
“Andyou’lltellhimwhatIthinkofthatlastlotofmargarine.GetthecookedhamatQuillers—itwastwopencecheaperlasttimethere,andbecarefulaboutthecabbages—”ShebrokeoffasTuppenceentered.
“Oh,goodmorning,Mrs.Blenkensop,youareanearlybird.Youhaven’thadbreakfastyet.It’sallreadyinthediningroom.”Sheadded,indicatinghercompanion:“MydaughterSheila.Youhaven’tmether.She’sbeenawayandonlycamehomelastnight.”
Tuppencelookedwithinterestatthevivid,handsomeface.Nolongerfulloftragicenergy,borednowandresentful.“MydaughterSheila.”SheilaPerenna.
Tuppencemurmuredafewpleasantwordsandwentintothediningroom.Therewerethreepeoplebreakfasting—Mrs.Sprotandherbabygirl,andbigMrs.O’Rourke.Tuppencesaid“Goodmorning”andMrs.O’Rourkerepliedwithahearty“Thetopofthemorningtoyou”thatquitedrownedMrs.Sprot’smoreanaemicsalutation.
TheoldwomanstaredatTuppencewithakindofdevouringinterest.
“’Tisafinethingtobeoutwalkingbeforebreakfast,”sheobserved.“Agrandappetiteitgivesyou.”
Mrs.Sprotsaidtoheroffspring:
“Nicebreadandmilk,darling,”andendeavouredtoinsinuateaspoonfulintoMissBettySprot’smouth.
Thelattercleverlycircumventedthisendeavourbyanadroitmovementofherhead,andcontinuedtostareatTuppencewithlargeroundeyes.
Shepointedamilkyfingeratthenewcomer,gaveheradazzlingsmileandobservedingurglingtones:“Ga—gabouch.”
“Shelikesyou,”criedMrs.Sprot,beamingonTuppenceasononemarkedoutforfavour.“Sometimesshe’ssoshywithstrangers.”
“Bouch,”saidBettySprot.“Ahpoothahbag,”sheaddedwithemphasis.
“Andwhatwouldshebemeaningbythat?”demandedMrs.O’Rourke,withinterest.
“Shedoesn’tspeakawfullyclearlyyet,”confessedMrs.Sprot.“She’sonlyjustovertwo,youknow.I’mafraidmostofwhatshesaysisjustbosh.ShecansayMama,though,can’tyou,darling?”
Bettylookedthoughtfullyathermotherandremarkedwithanairoffinality:
“Cugglebick.”
“’Tisalanguageoftheirowntheyhave,thelittleangels,”boomedoutMrs.O’Rourke.“Betty,darling,sayMamanow.”
BettylookedhardatMrs.O’Rourke,frownedandobservedwithterrificemphasis:“Nazer—”
“Therenow,ifsheisn’tdoingherbest!Andalovelysweetgirlsheis.”
Mrs.O’Rourkerose,beamedinaferociousmanneratBetty,andwaddledheavilyoutoftheroom.
“Ga,ga,ga,”saidBettywithenormoussatisfaction,andbeatwithaspoononthetable.
Tuppencesaidwithatwinkle:
“WhatdoesNa-zerreallymean?”
Mrs.Sprotsaidwithaflush:“I’mafraid,youknow,it’swhatBettysayswhenshedoesn’tlikeanyoneoranything.”
“Iratherthoughtso,”saidTuppence.
Bothwomenlaughed.
“Afterall,”saidMrs.Sprot,“Mrs.O’Rourkemeanstobekindbutsheisratheralarming—withthatdeepvoiceandthebeardand—andeverything.”
WithherheadononesideBettymadeacooingnoiseatTuppence.
“Shehastakentoyou,Mrs.Blenkensop,”saidMrs.Sprot.
Therewasaslightjealouschill,Tuppencefancied,inhervoice.Tuppencehastenedtoadjustmatters.
“Theyalwayslikeanewface,don’tthey?”shesaideasily.
ThedooropenedandMajorBletchleyandTommyappeared.Tuppencebecamearch.
“Ah,Mr.Meadowes,”shecalledout.“I’vebeatenyou,yousee.Firstpastthepost.ButI’veleftyoujustalittlebreakfast!”
Sheindicatedwiththefaintestofgesturestheseatbesideher.
Tommy,mutteringvaguely:“Oh—er—rather—thanks,”satdownattheotherendofthetable.
BettySprotsaid“Putch!”withafinesplutterofmilkatMajorBletchley,whosefaceinstantlyassumedasheepishbutdelightedexpression.
“Andhow’slittleMissBoPeepthismorning?”heaskedfatuously.“BoPeep!”Heenactedtheplaywithanewspaper.
Bettycrowedwithdelight.
SeriousmisgivingsshookTuppence.Shethought:
“Theremustbesomemistake.Therecan’tbeanythinggoingonhere.Theresimplycan’t!”
TobelieveinSansSouciasaheadquartersoftheFifthColumnneededthementalequipmentoftheWhiteQueeninAlice.
Three
Ontheshelteredterraceoutside,MissMintonwasknitting.
MissMintonwasthinandangular,herneckwasstringy.Sheworepalesky-bluejumpers,andchainsorbeadnecklaces.Herskirtsweretweedyandhadadepresseddroopattheback.ShegreetedTuppencewithalacrity.
“Goodmorning,Mrs.Blenkensop.Idohopeyousleptwell.”
Mrs.Blenkensopconfessedthatsheneversleptverywellthefirstnightortwoinastrangebed.MissMintonsaid,Now,wasn’tthatcurious?Itwasexactlythesamewithher.
Mrs.Blenkensopsaid,“Whatacoincidence,andwhataveryprettystitchthatwas.”MissMinton,flushingwithpleasure,displayedit.Yes,itwasratheruncommon,andreallyquitesimple.ShecouldeasilyshowittoMrs.BlenkensopifMrs.Blenkensopliked.Oh,thatwasverykindofMissMinton,butMrs.Blenkensopwassostupid,shewasn’treallyverygoodatknitting,notatfollowingpatterns,thatwastosay.ShecouldonlydosimplethingslikeBalaclavahelmets,andevennowshewasafraidshehadgonewrongsomewhere.Itdidn’tlookright,somehow,didit?
MissMintoncastanexperteyeoverthekhakimass.Gentlyshepointedoutjustwhathadgonewrong.Thankfully,Tuppencehandedthefaultyhelmetover.MissMintonexudedkindnessandpatronage.Oh,no,itwasn’tatroubleatall.Shehadknittedforsomanyyears.
“I’mafraidI’veneverdoneanybeforethisdreadfulwar,”confessedTuppence.“Butonefeelssoterribly,doesn’tone,thatonemustdosomething.”
“Ohyes,indeed.AndyouactuallyhaveaboyintheNavy,IthinkIheardyousaylastnight?”
“Yes,myeldestboy.Suchasplendidboyheis—thoughIsupposeamothershouldn’tsayso.ThenIhaveaboyintheAirForceandCyril,mybaby,isoutinFrance.”
“Ohdear,dear,howterriblyanxiousyoumustbe.”
Tuppencethought:
“OhDerek,mydarlingDerek…Outinthehellandmess—andhereIamplayingthefool—actingthethingI’mreallyfeeling….”
Shesaidinhermostrighteousvoice:
“Wemustallbebrave,mustn’twe?Let’shopeitwillallbeoversoon.IwastoldtheotherdayonveryhighauthorityindeedthattheGermanscan’tpossiblylastoutmorethananothertwomonths.”
MissMintonnoddedwithsomuchvigourthatallherbeadchainsrattledandshook.
“Yes,indeed,andIbelieve”—(hervoiceloweredmysteriously)—“thatHitlerissufferingfromadisease—absolutelyfatal—he’llberavingmadbyAugust.”
Tuppencerepliedbriskly:
“AllthisBlitzkriegisjusttheGermans’lasteffort.IbelievetheshortageissomethingfrightfulinGermany.Themeninthefactoriesareverydissatisfied.Thewholethingwillcrackup.”
“What’sthis?What’sallthis?”
Mr.andMrs.Cayleycameoutontheterrace,Mr.Cayleyputtinghisquestionsfretfully.Hesettledhimselfinachairandhiswifeputarugoverhisknees.Herepeatedfretfully:
“What’sthatyouaresaying?”
“We’resaying,”saidMissMinton,“thatitwillallbeoverbytheautumn.”
“Nonsense,”saidMr.Cayley.“Thiswarisgoingtolastatleastsixyears.”
“Oh,Mr.Cayley,”protestedTuppence.“Youdon’treallythinkso?”
Mr.Cayleywaspeeringabouthimsuspiciously.
“NowIwonder,”hemurmured.“Isthereadraught?PerhapsitwouldbebetterifImovedmychairbackintothecorner.”
TheresettlementofMr.Cayleytookplace.Hiswife,ananxious-facedwomanwhoseemedtohavenootheraiminlifethantoministertoMr.Cayley’swants,manipulatingcushionsandrugs,askingfromtimetotime:“Nowhowisthat,Alfred?Doyouthinkthatwillbeallright?Oughtyou,perhaps,tohaveyoursunglasses?Thereisratheraglarethismorning.”
Mr.Cayleysaidirritably:
“No,no.Don’tfuss,Elizabeth.Haveyougotmymuffler?No,no,mysilkmuffler.Ohwell,itdoesn’tmatter.Idaresaythiswilldo—foronce.ButIdon’twanttogetmythroatoverheated,andwool—inthissunlight—well,perhapsyouhadbetterfetchtheother.”Heturnedhisattentionbacktomattersofpublicinterest.“Yes,”hesaid.“Igiveitsixyears.”
Helistenedwithpleasuretotheprotestsofthetwowomen.
“Youdearladiesarejustindulginginwhatwecallwishfulthinking.NowIknowGermany.ImaysayIknowGermanyextremelywell.InthecourseofmybusinessbeforeIretiredIusedtobeconstantlytoandfro.Berlin,Hamburg,Munich,Iknowthemall.IcanassureyouthatGermanycanholdoutpracticallyindefinitely.WithRussiabehindher—”
Mr.Cayleyplungedtriumphantlyon,hisvoicerisingandfallinginpleasurablymelancholycadences,onlyinterruptedwhenhepausedtoreceivethesilkmufflerhiswifebroughthimandwinditroundhisthroat.
Mrs.SprotbroughtoutBettyandplumpedherdownwithasmallwoollendogthatlackedanearandawoollydoll’sjacket.
“There,Betty,”shesaid.“YoudressupBonzoreadyforhiswalkwhileMummygetsreadytogoout.”
Mr.Cayley’svoicedronedon,recitingstatisticsandfigures,allofadepressingcharacter.ThemonologuewaspunctuatedbyacheerfultwitteringfromBettytalkingbusilytoBonzoinherownlanguage.
“Truckle—truckly—pahbat,”saidBetty.Then,asabirdalightednearher,shestretchedoutlovinghandstoitandgurgled.ThebirdflewawayandBettyglancedroundtheassembledcompanyandremarkedclearly:
“Dicky,”andnoddedherheadwithgreatsatisfaction.
“Thatchildislearningtotalkinthemostwonderfulway,”saidMissMinton.“Say‘Tata,’Betty.‘Tata.’”
Bettylookedathercoldlyandremarked:
“Gluck!”
ThensheforcedBonzo’sonearmintohiswoollycoatand,toddlingovertoachair,pickedupthecushionandpushedBonzobehindit.Chucklinggleefully,shesaidwithterrificpains:
“Hide!Bowwow.Hide!”
MissMinton,actingasakindofinterpreter,saidwithvicariouspride:
“Sheloveshide-and-seek.She’salwayshidingthings.”Shecriedoutwithexaggeratedsurprise:
“WhereisBonzo?WhereisBonzo?WherecanBonzohavegone?”
Bettyflungherselfdownandwentintoecstasiesofmirth.
Mr.Cayley,findingattentiondivertedfromhisexplanationofGermany’smethodsofsubstitutionofrawmaterials,lookedputoutandcoughedaggressively.
Mrs.SprotcameoutwithherhatonandpickedupBetty.
AttentionreturnedtoMr.Cayley.
“Youweresaying,Mr.Cayley?”saidTuppence.
ButMr.Cayleywasaffronted.Hesaidcoldly:
“Thatwomanisalwaysplumpingthatchilddownandexpectingpeopletolookafterit.IthinkI’llhavethewoollenmufflerafterall,dear.Thesunisgoingin.”
“Oh,but,Mr.Cayley,dogoonwithwhatyouweretellingus.Itwassointeresting,”saidMissMinton.
Mollified,Mr.Cayleyweightilyresumedhisdiscourse,drawingthefoldsofthewoollymufflercloserroundhisstringyneck.
“AsIwassaying,Germanyhassoperfectedhersystemof—”
TuppenceturnedtoMrs.Cayley,andasked:
“Whatdoyouthinkaboutthewar,Mrs.Cayley?”
Mrs.Cayleyjumped.
“Oh,whatdoIthink?What—whatdoyoumean?”
“Doyouthinkitwilllastaslongassixyears?”
Mrs.Cayleysaiddoubtfully:
“Oh,Ihopenot.It’saverylongtime,isn’tit?”
“Yes.Alongtime.Whatdoyoureallythink?”
Mrs.Cayleyseemedquitealarmedbythequestion.Shesaid:
“Oh,I—Idon’tknow.Idon’tknowatall.Alfredsaysitwill.”
“Butyoudon’tthinkso?”
“Oh,Idon’tknow.It’sdifficulttosay,isn’tit?”
Tuppencefeltawaveofexasperation.ThechirrupingMissMinton,thedictatorialMr.Cayley,thenitwittedMrs.Cayley—werethesepeoplereallytypicalofherfellowcountrymen?WasMrs.Sprotanybetterwithherslightlyvacantfaceandboiledgooseberryeyes?Whatcouldshe,Tuppence,everfindouthere?Notoneofthesepeople,surely—
Herthoughtwaschecked.Shewasawareofashadow.Someonebehindherwhostoodbetweenherandthesun.Sheturnedherhead.
Mrs.Perenna,standingontheterrace,hereyesonthegroup.Andsomethinginthoseeyes—scorn,wasit?Akindofwitheringcontempt.Tuppencethought:
“ImustfindoutmoreaboutMrs.Perenna.”
II
TommywasestablishingthehappiestofrelationshipswithMajorBletchley.
“Broughtdownsomegolfclubswithyou,didn’tyou,Meadowes?”
Tommypleadedguilty.
“Ha!Icantellyou,myeyesdon’tmissmuch.Splendid.Wemusthaveagametogether.Everplayedonthelinkshere?”
Tommyrepliedinthenegative.
“They’renotbad—notbadatall.Bitontheshortside,perhaps,butlovelyviewovertheseaandallthat.Andneververycrowded.Lookhere,whataboutcomingalongwithmethismorning?Wemighthaveagame.”
“Thanksverymuch.I’dlikeit.”
“MustsayI’mgladyou’vearrived,”remarkedBletchleyastheyweretrudgingupthehill.“Toomanywomeninthatplace.Getsonone’snerves.GladI’vegotanotherfellowtokeepmeincountenance.Youcan’tcountCayley—theman’sakindofwalkingchemist’sshop.Talksofnothingbuthishealthandthetreatmenthe’striedandthedrugshe’staking.Ifhethrewawayallhislittlepillboxesandwentoutforagoodten-milewalkeverydayhe’dbeadifferentman.TheonlyothermaleintheplaceisvonDeinim,andtotellyouthetruth,Meadowes,I’mnottooeasyinmymindabouthim.”
“No?”saidTommy.
“No.Youtakemywordforit,thisrefugeebusinessisdangerous.IfIhadmywayI’dinternthelotofthem.Safetyfirst.”
“Abitdrastic,perhaps.”
“Notatall.War’swar.AndI’vegotmysuspicionsofMasterCarl.Foronethinghe’sclearlynotaJew.Thenhecameoverherejustamonth—onlyamonth,mindyou—beforewarbrokeout.That’sabitsuspicious.”
Tommysaidinvitingly:
“Thenyouthink—?”
“Spying—that’shislittlegame!”
“Butsurelythere’snothingofgreatmilitaryornavalimportancehereabouts?”
“Ah,oldman,that’swheretheartfulnesscomesin!IfhewereanywherenearPlymouthorPortsmouthhe’dbeundersupervision.Inasleepyplacelikethis,nobodybothers.Butit’sonthecoast,isn’tit?ThetruthofitistheGovernmentisagreatdealtooeasywiththeseenemyaliens.Anyonewhocaredcouldcomeoverhereandpullalongfaceandtalkabouttheirbrothersinconcentrationcamps.Lookatthatyoungman—arroganceineverylineofhim.He’saNazi—that’swhatheis—aNazi.”
“Whatwereallyneedinthiscountryisawitchdoctorortwo,”saidTommypleasantly.
“Eh,what’sthat?”
“Tosmelloutthespies,”Tommyexplainedgravely.
“Ha,verygoodthat—verygood.Smell’emout—yes,ofcourse.”
Furtherconversationwasbroughttoanend,fortheyhadarrivedattheclubhouse.
Tommy’snamewasputdownasatemporarymember,hewasintroducedtothesecretary,avacant-lookingelderlyman,andthesubscriptiondulypaid.TommyandtheMajorstartedontheirround.
Tommywasamediocregolfer.Hewasgladtofindthathisstandardofplaywasjustaboutrightforhisnewfriend.TheMajorwonbytwoupandonetoplay,averyhappystateofevents.
“Goodmatch,Meadowes,verygoodmatch—youhadbadluckwiththatmashieshot,justturnedoffatthelastminute.Wemusthaveagamefairlyoften.ComealongandI’llintroduceyoutosomeofthefellows.Nicelotonthewhole,someoftheminclinedtoberatheroldwomen,ifyouknowwhatImean?Ah,here’sHaydock—you’lllikeHaydock.Retirednavalwallah.Hasthathouseonthecliffnextdoortous.He’sourlocalARPwarden.”
CommanderHaydockwasabigheartymanwithaweather-beatenface,intenselyblueeyes,andahabitofshoutingmostofhisremarks.
HegreetedTommywithfriendliness.
“Soyou’regoingtokeepBletchleycountenanceatSansSouci?He’llbegladofanotherman.Ratherswampedbyfemalesociety,eh,Bletchley?”
“I’mnotmuchofaladies’man,”saidMajorBletchley.
“Nonsense,”saidHaydock.“Notyourtypeoflady,myboy,that’sit.Oldboardinghousepussies.Nothingtodobutgossipandknit.”
“You’reforgettingMissPerenna,”saidBletchley.
“Ah,Sheila—she’sanattractivegirlallright.Regularbeautyifyouaskme.”
“I’mabitworriedabouther,”saidBletchley.
“Whatdoyoumean?Haveadrink,Meadowes?What’syours,Major?”
Thedrinksorderedandthemensettledontheverandaoftheclubhouse,Haydockrepeatedhisquestion.
MajorBletchleysaidwithsomeviolence:
“ThatGermanchap.She’sseeingtoomuchofhim.”
“Gettingsweetonhim,youmean?H’m,that’sbad.Ofcoursehe’sagood-lookingyoungchapinhisway.Butitwon’tdo.Itwon’tdo,Bletchley.Wecan’thavethatsortofthing.Tradingwiththeenemy,that’swhatitamountsto.Thesegirls—where’stheirproperspirit?PlentyofdecentyoungEnglishfellowsabout.”
Bletchleysaid:
“Sheila’saqueergirl—shegetsoddsullenfitswhenshewillhardlyspeaktoanyone.”
“Spanishblood,”saidtheCommander.“HerfatherwashalfSpanish,wasn’the?”
“Don’tknow.It’saSpanishname,Ishouldthink.”
TheCommanderglancedathiswatch.
“Abouttimeforthenews.We’dbettergoinandlistentoit.”
Thenewswasmeagrethatday,littlemoreinitthanhadbeenalreadyinthemorningpapers.AftercommentingwithapprovalonthelatestexploitsoftheAirForce—first-ratechaps,braveaslions—theCommanderwentontodevelophisownpettheory—thatsoonerorlatertheGermanswouldattemptalandingatLeahamptonitself—hisargumentbeingthatitwassuchanunimportantspot.
“Notevenanantiaircraftgunintheplace!Disgraceful!”
Theargumentwasnotdeveloped,forTommyandtheMajorhadtohurrybacktolunchatSansSouci.HaydockextendedacordialinvitationtoTommytocomeandseehislittleplace,“Smugglers’Rest.”“Marvellousview—myownbeach—everykindofhandygadgetinthehouse.Bringhimalong,Bletchley.”
ItwassettledthatTommyandMajorBletchleyshouldcomeinfordrinksontheeveningofthefollowingday.
III
AfterlunchwasapeacefultimeatSansSouci.Mr.Cayleywenttohavehis“rest”withthedevotedMrs.Cayleyinattendance.Mrs.BlenkensopwasconductedbyMissMintontoadepottopackandaddressparcelsfortheFront.
Mr.MeadowesstrolledgentlyoutintoLeahamptonandalongthefront.Heboughtafewcigarettes,stoppedatSmith’stopurchasethelatestnumberofPunch,thenafterafewminutesofapparentirresolution,heenteredabusbearingthelegend,“OLDPIER.”
Theoldpierwasattheextremeendofthepromenade.ThatpartofLeahamptonwasknowntohouseagentsastheleastdesirableend.ItwasWestLeahamptonandpoorlythoughtof.Tommypaid2d,andstrolledupthepier.Itwasaflimsyandweatherwornaffair,withafewmoribundpenny-in-the-slotmachinesplacedatfardistantintervals.Therewasnooneonitbutsomechildrenrunningupanddownandscreaminginvoicesthatmatchedquiteaccuratelythescreamingofthegulls,andonesolitarymansittingontheendfishing.
Mr.Meadowesstrolleduptotheendandgazeddownintothewater.Thenheaskedgently:
“Caughtanything?”
Thefishermanshookhishead.
“Don’toftengetabite.”Mr.Grantreeledinhislineabit.Hesaidwithoutturninghishead:
“Whataboutyou,Meadowes?”
Tommysaid:
“Nothingmuchtoreportasyet,sir.I’mdiggingmyselfin.”
“Good.Tellme.”
Tommysatonanadjacentbollard,soplacedthathecommandedthelengthofthepier.Thenhebegan:
“I’vegonedownquiteallright,Ithink.Igatheryou’vealreadygotalistofthepeoplethere?”Grantnodded.“There’snothingtoreportasyet.I’vestruckupafriendshipwithMajorBletchley.Weplayedgolfthismorning.Heseemstheordinarytypeofretiredofficer.Ifanything,ashadetootypical.Cayleyseemsagenuinehypochondriacalinvalid.That,again,wouldbeaneasyparttoact.Hehas,byhisownadmission,beenagooddealinGermanyduringthelastfewyears.”
“Apoint,”saidGrantlaconically.
“Thenthere’svonDeinim.”
“Yes,Idon’tneedtotellyou,Meadowes,thatvonDeinim’stheoneI’mmostinterestedin.”
“Youthinkhe’sN?”
Grantshookhishead.
“No,Idon’t.AsIseeit,Ncouldn’taffordtobeaGerman.”
“NotarefugeefromNazipersecution,even?”
“Noteventhat.Wewatch,andtheyknowwewatchalltheenemyaliensinthiscountry.Moreover—thisisinconfidence,Beresford—verynearlyallenemyaliensbetween16and60willbeinterned.Whetherouradversariesareawareofthatfactornot,theycanatanyrateanticipatethatsuchathingmighthappen.Theywouldneverrisktheheadoftheirorganisationbeinginterned.Nthereforemustbeeitheraneutral—orelseheis(apparently)anEnglishman.Thesame,ofcourse,appliestoM.No,mymeaningaboutvonDeinimisthis.Hemaybealinkinthechain.NorMmaynotbeatSansSouci,itmaybeCarlvonDeinimwhoisthereandthroughhimwemaybeledtoourobjective.Thatdoesseemtomehighlypossible.ThemoresoasIcannotverywellseethatanyoftheotherinmatesofSansSouciarelikelytobethepersonweareseeking.”
“You’vehadthemmoreorlessvetted,Isuppose,sir?”
Grantsighed—asharp,quicksighofvexation.
“No,that’sjustwhatit’simpossibleformetodo.Icouldhavethemlookedupbythedepartmenteasilyenough—butIcan’triskit,Beresford.For,yousee,therotisinthedepartmentitself.OnehintthatI’vegotmyeyeonSansSouciforanyreason—andtheorganisationmaybeputwise.That’swhereyoucomein,theoutsider.That’swhyyou’vegottoworkinthedark,withouthelpfromus.It’souronlychance—andIdaren’triskalarmingthem.There’sonlyonepersonI’vebeenabletocheckupon.”
“Who’sthat,sir?”
“CarlvonDeinimhimself.That’seasyenough.Routine.Icanhavehimlookedup—notfromtheSansSouciangle,butfromtheenemyalienangle.”
Tommyaskedcuriously:
“Andtheresult?”
Acurioussmilecameovertheother’sface.
“MasterCarlisexactlywhathesaysheis.Hisfatherwasindiscreet,wasarrestedanddiedinaconcentrationcamp.Carl’selderbrothersareincamps.Hismotherdiedingreatdistressofmindayearago.HeescapedtoEnglandamonthbeforewarbrokeout.VonDeinimhasprofessedhimselfanxioustohelpthiscountry.Hisworkinachemicalresearchlaboratoryhasbeenexcellentandmosthelpfulontheproblemofimmunisingcertaingasesandingeneraldecontaminationexperiments.”
Tommysaid:
“Thenhe’sallright?”
“Notnecessarily.OurGermanfriendsarenotoriousfortheirthoroughness.IfvonDeinimwassentasanagenttoEngland,specialcarewouldbetakenthathisrecordshouldbeconsistentwithhisownaccountofhimself.Therearetwopossibilities.ThewholevonDeinimfamilymaybepartiestothearrangement—notimprobableunderthepainstakingNaziregime.OrelsethisisnotreallyCarlvonDeinimbutamanplayingthepartofCarlvonDeinim.”
Tommysaidslowly:“Isee.”Headdedinconsequently:
“Heseemsanawfullyniceyoungfellow.”
Sighing,Grantsaid:“Theyare—theynearlyalwaysare.It’sanoddlifethisserviceofours.Werespectouradversariesandtheyrespectus.Youusuallylikeyouroppositenumber,youknow—evenwhenyou’redoingyourbesttodownhim.”
TherewassilenceasTommythoughtoverthestrangeanomalyofwar.Grant’svoicebrokeintohismusings.
“Buttherearethoseforwhomwe’veneitherrespectnorliking—andthosearethetraitorswithinourownranks—themenwhoarewillingtobetraytheircountryandacceptofficeandpromotionfromtheforeignerwhohasconqueredit.”
Tommysaidwithfeeling:
“MyGod,I’mwithyou,sir.That’saskunk’strick.”
“Anddeservesaskunk’send.”
Tommysaidincredulously:
“Andtherereallyarethese—theseswine?”
“Everywhere.AsItoldyou.Inourservice.Inthefightingforces.OnParliamentarybenches.HighupintheMinistries.We’vegottocombthemout—we’vegotto!Andwemustdoitquickly.Itcan’tbedonefromthebottom—thesmallfry,thepeoplewhospeakintheparks,whoselltheirwretchedlittlenews-sheets,theydon’tknowwhothebigbugsare.It’sthebigbugswewant,they’rethepeoplewhocandountolddamage—andwilldoitunlesswe’reintime.”
Tommysaidconfidently:
“Weshallbeintime,sir.”
Grantasked:
“Whatmakesyousaythat?”
Tommysaid:
“You’vejustsaidit—we’vegottobe!”
Themanwiththefishinglineturnedandlookedfullathissubordinateforaminuteortwo,takinginanewthequietresolutelineofthejaw.Hehadanewlikingandappreciationofwhathesaw.Hesaidquietly:
“Goodman.”
Hewenton:
“Whataboutthewomeninthisplace?Anythingstrikeyouassuspiciousthere?”
“Ithinkthere’ssomethingoddaboutthewomanwhorunsit.”
“Mrs.Perenna?”
“Yes.Youdon’t—knowanythingabouther?”
Grantsaidslowly:
“ImightseewhatIcoulddoaboutcheckingherantecedents,butasItoldyou,it’srisky.”
“Yes,betternottakeanychances.She’stheonlyonewhostrikesmeassuspiciousinanyway.There’sayoungmother,afussyspinster,thehypochondriac’sbrainlesswife,andaratherfearsome-lookingoldIrishwoman.Allseemharmlessenoughonthefaceofit.”
“That’sthelot,isit?”
“No.There’saMrs.Blenkensop—arrivedthreedaysago.”
“Well?”
Tommysaid:“Mrs.Blenkensopismywife.”
“What?”
InthesurpriseoftheannouncementGrant’svoicewasraised.Hespunround,sharpangerinhisgaze.“IthoughtItoldyou,Beresford,nottobreatheawordtoyourwife!”
“Quiteright,sir,andIdidn’t.Ifyou’lljustlisten—”
Succinctly,Tommynarratedwhathadoccurred.Hedidnotdarelookattheother.Hecarefullykeptoutofhisvoicethepridethathesecretlyfelt.
Therewasasilencewhenhebroughtthestorytoanend.Thenaqueernoiseescapedfromtheother.Grantwaslaughing.Helaughedforsomeminutes.
Hesaid:“Itakemyhatofftothewoman!She’soneinathousand!”
“Iagree,”saidTommy.
“EasthamptonwilllaughwhenItellhimthis.Hewarnedmenottoleaveherout.Saidshe’dgetthebetterofmeifIdid.Iwouldn’tlistentohim.Itshowsyou,though,howdamnedcarefulyou’vegottobe.IthoughtI’dtakeneveryprecautionagainstbeingoverheard.I’dsatisfiedmyselfbeforehandthatyouandyourwifewerealoneintheflat.Iactuallyheardthevoiceinthetelephoneaskingyourwifetocomeroundatonce,andso—andsoIwastrickedbytheoldsimpledeviceofthebangeddoor.Yes,she’sasmartwoman,yourwife.”
Hewassilentforaminute,thenhesaid:
“Tellherfromme,willyou,thatIeatdirt?”
“AndIsuppose,now,she’sinonthis?”
Mr.Grantmadeanexpressivegrimace.
“She’sinonitwhetherwelikeitornot.Tellherthedepartmentwillesteemitanhonourifshewillcondescendtoworkwithusoverthematter.”
“I’lltellher,”saidTommywithafaintgrin.
Grantsaidseriously:
“Youcouldn’tpersuadeher,Isuppose,togohomeandstayhome?”
Tommyshookhishead.
“Youdon’tknowTuppence.”
“IthinkIambeginningto.Isaidthatbecause—well,it’sadangerousbusiness.Iftheygetwisetoyouortoher—”
Heleftthesentenceunfinished.
Tommysaidgravely:“Idounderstandthat,sir.”
“ButIsupposeevenyoucouldn’tpersuadeyourwifetokeepoutofdanger.”
Tommysaidslowly:
“Idon’tknowthatIreallywouldwanttodothat…TuppenceandI,yousee,aren’tonthoseterms.Wegointothings—together!”
Inhismindwasthatphrase,utteredyearsago,atthecloseofanearlierwar.Ajointventure
ThatwaswhathislifewithTuppencehadbeenandwouldalwaysbe—aJointVenture….
Four
WhenTuppenceenteredtheloungeatSansSoucijustbeforedinner,theonlyoccupantoftheroomwasthemonumentalMrs.O’Rourke,whowassittingbythewindowlookinglikesomegiganticBuddha.
ShegreetedTuppencewithalotofgenialityandverve.
“Ahnow,ifitisn’tMrs.Blenkensop!You’relikemyself;itpleasesyoutobedowntotimeandgetaquietminuteortwobeforegoingintothediningroom,andapleasantroomthisisingoodweatherwiththewindowsopeninthewaythatyou’llnotbenoticingthesmellofcooking.Terriblethatis,inalloftheseplaces,andmoreespeciallyifit’sonionorcabbagethat’sonthefire.Sitherenow,Mrs.Blenkensop,andtellmewhatyou’vebeendoingwithyourselfthisfinedayandhowyoulikeLeahampton.”
TherewassomethingaboutMrs.O’RourkethathadanunholyfascinationforTuppence.Shewasratherlikeanogressdimlyrememberedfromearlyfairytales.Withherbulk,herdeepvoice,herunabashedbeardandmoustache,herdeeptwinklingeyes,andtheimpressionshegaveofbeingmorethanlife-size,shewasindeednotunlikesomechildhood’sfantasy.
TuppencerepliedthatshethoughtshewasgoingtolikeLeahamptonverymuch,andbehappythere.
“Thatis,”sheaddedinamelancholyvoice,“ashappyasIcanbeanywherewiththisterribleanxietyweighingonmeallthetime.”
“Ahnow,don’tyoubeworryingyourself,”Mrs.O’Rourkeadvisedcomfortably.“Thoseboysofyourswillcomebacktoyousafeandsound.Notadoubtofit.Oneofthem’sintheAirForce,soIthinkyousaid?”
“Yes,Raymond.”
“AndisheinFrancenow,orinEngland?”
“He’sinEgyptatthemoment,butfromwhathesaidinhislastletter—notexactlysaid—butwehavealittleprivatecodeifyouknowwhatImean?—certainsentencesmeancertainthings.Ithinkthat’squitejustified,don’tyou?”
Mrs.O’Rourkerepliedpromptly:
“IndeedIdo.’Tisamother’sprivilege.”
“Yes,youseeIfeelImustknowjustwhereheis.”
Mrs.O’RourkenoddedtheBuddha-likehead.
“Ifeelforyouentirely,soIdo.IfIhadaboyoutthereI’dbedeceivingthecensorintheverysameway,soIwould.Andyourotherboy,theoneintheNavy?”
TuppenceenteredobliginglyuponasagaofDouglas.
“Yousee,”shecried,“Ifeelsolostwithoutmythreeboys.They’veneverbeenallawaytogetherfrommebefore.They’reallsosweettome.Ireallydothinktheytreatmemoreasafriendthanamother.”Shelaughedself-consciously.“Ihavetoscoldthemsometimesandmakethemgooutwithoutme.”
(“WhatapestilentialwomanIsound,”thoughtTuppencetoherself.)
Shewentonaloud:
“AndreallyIdidn’tknowquitewhattodoorwheretogo.TheleaseofmyhouseinLondonwasupanditseemedsofoolishtorenewit,andIthoughtifIcamesomewherequiet,andyetwithagoodtrainservice—”Shebrokeoff.
AgaintheBuddhanodded.
“Iagreewithyouentirely.Londonisnoplaceatthepresent.Ah!thegloomofit!I’velivedtheremyselfformanyayearnow.I’mbywayofbeinganantiquedealer,youknow.YoumayknowmyshopinCornabyStreet,Chelsea?KateKelly’sthenameoverthedoor.LovelystuffIhadtheretoo—oh,lovelystuff—mostlyglass—Waterford,Cork—beautiful.Chandeliersandlustresandpunchbowlsandalltherestofit.Foreignglass,too.Andsmallfurniture—nothinglarge—justsmallperiodpieces—mostlywalnutandoak.Oh,lovelystuff—andIhadsomegoodcustomers.Butthere,whenthere’sawaron,allthatgoeswest.I’mluckytobeoutofitwithaslittlelossasI’vehad.”
AfaintmemoryflickeredthroughTuppence’smind.Ashopfilledwithglass,throughwhichitwasdifficulttomove,arichpersuasivevoice,acompellingmassivewoman.Yes,surely,shehadbeenintothatshop.
Mrs.O’Rourkewenton:
“I’mnotoneofthosethatliketobealwayscomplaining—notlikesomethat’sinthishouse.Mr.Cayleyforone,withhismufflerandhisshawlsandhismoansabouthisbusinessgoingtopieces.Ofcourseit’stopieces,there’sawaron—andhiswifewithneverbootosaytoagoose.Thenthere’sthatlittleMrs.Sprot,alwaysfussingaboutherhusband.”
“IsheoutattheFront?”
“Nothe.He’satuppenny-halfpennyclerkinaninsuranceoffice,that’sall,andsoterrifiedofairraidshe’shadhiswifedownheresincethebeginningofthewar.Mindyou,Ithinkthat’srightwherethechild’sconcerned—andaniceweemitesheis—butMrs.Sprotshefrets,forallthatherhusbandcomesdownwhenhecan…KeepssayingArthurmustmissherso.ButifyouaskmeArthur’snotmissingherovermuch—maybehe’sgototherfishtofry.”
Tuppencemurmured:
“I’mterriblysorryforallthesemothers.Ifyouletyourchildrengoawaywithoutyou,youneverstopworrying.Andifyougowiththemit’shardonthehusbandsbeingleft.”
“Ah!yes,anditcomesexpensiverunningtwoestablishments.”
“Thisplaceseemsquitereasonable,”saidTuppence.
“Yes,I’dsayyougetyourmoney’sworth.Mrs.Perenna’sagoodmanager.There’saqueerwomanforyounow.”
“Inwhatway?”askedTuppence.
Mrs.O’Rourkesaidwithatwinkle:
“You’llbethinkingI’materribletalker.It’strue.I’minterestedinallmyfellowcreatures,that’swhyIsitinthischairasoftenasIcan.Youseewhogoesinandwhogoesoutandwho’sontheverandaandwhatgoesoninthegarden.Whatwerewetalkingofnow—ahyes,Mrs.Perenna,andthequeernessofher.There’sbeenagranddramainthatwoman’slife,orI’mmuchmistaken.”
“Doyoureallythinkso?”
“Idonow.Andthemysteryshemakesofherself!‘AndwheremightyoucomefrominIreland?’Iaskedher.Andwouldyoubelieveit,sheheldoutonme,declaringshewasnotfromIrelandatall.”
“YouthinksheisIrish?”
“Ofcourseshe’sIrish.Iknowmyowncountrywomen.Icouldnameyouthecountyshecomesfrom.Butthere!‘I’mEnglish,’shesays.‘AndmyhusbandwasaSpaniard’—”
Mrs.O’RourkebrokeoffabruptlyasMrs.Sprotcamein,closelyfollowedbyTommy.
Tuppenceimmediatelyassumedasprightlymanner.
“Goodevening,Mr.Meadowes.Youlookverybriskthisevening.”
Tommysaid:
“Plentyofexercise,that’sthesecret.Aroundofgolfthismorningandawalkalongthefrontthisafternoon.”
MillicentSprotsaid:
“Itookbabydowntothebeachthisafternoon.ShewantedtopaddlebutIreallythoughtitwasrathercold.Iwashelpingherbuildacastleandadogranoffwithmyknittingandpulledoutyardsofit.Soannoying,andsodifficultpickingupallthestitchesagain.I’msuchabadknitter.”
“You’regettingalongfinewiththathelmet,Mrs.Blenkensop,”saidMrs.O’Rourke,suddenlyturningherattentiontoTuppence.“You’vebeenjustracingalong.IthoughtMissMintonsaidthatyouwereaninexperiencedknitter.”
Tuppenceflushedfaintly.Mrs.O’Rourke’seyesweresharp.Withaslightlyvexedair,Tuppencesaid:
“Ihavereallydonequitealotofknitting.ItoldMissMintonso.ButIthinkshelikesteachingpeople.”
Everybodylaughedinagreement,andafewminuteslatertherestofthepartycameinandthegongwassounded.
Theconversationduringthemealturnedontheabsorbingsubjectofspies.Well-knownhoarychestnutswereretold.Thenunwiththemusculararm,theclergymandescendingfromhisparachuteandusingunclergymanlikelanguageashelandedwithabump,theAustriancookwhosecretedawirelessinherbedroomchimney,andallthethingsthathadhappenedornearlyhappenedtoauntsandsecondcousinsofthosepresent.ThatledeasilytoFifthColumnactivities.TodenunciationsoftheBritishFascists,oftheCommunists,ofthePeaceParty,ofconscientiousobjectors.Itwasaverynormalconversationofthekindthatmaybeheardalmosteveryday,neverthelessTuppencewatchedkeenlythefacesanddemeanourofthepeopleastheytalked,strivingtocatchsometelltaleexpressionorword.Buttherewasnothing.SheilaPerennaalonetooknopartintheconversation,butthatmightbeputdowntoherhabitualtaciturnity.Shesatthere,herdarkrebelliousfacesullenandbrooding.
CarlvonDeinimwasouttonight,sotonguescouldbequiteunrestrained.
Sheilaonlyspokeoncetowardtheendofdinner.
Mrs.Sprothadjustsaidinherthinflutingvoice:
“WhereIdothinktheGermansmadesuchamistakeinthelastwarwastoshootNurseCavell.Itturnedeverybodyagainstthem.”
ItwasthenthatSheila,flingingbackherhead,demandedinherfierceyoungvoice:“Whyshouldn’ttheyshoother?Shewasaspy,wasn’tshe?”
“Oh,no,notaspy.”
“ShehelpedEnglishpeopletoescape—inanenemycountry.That’sthesamething.Whyshouldn’tshebeshot?”
“Oh,butshootingawoman—andanurse.”
Sheilagotup.
“IthinktheGermanswerequiteright,”shesaid.
Shewentoutofthewindowintothegarden.
Dessert,consistingofsomeunderripebananas,andsometiredoranges,hadbeenonthetablesometime.Everyoneroseandadjournedtotheloungeforcoffee
OnlyTommyunobtrusivelybetookhimselftothegarden.HefoundSheilaPerennaleaningovertheterracewallstaringoutatthesea.Hecameandstoodbesideher.
Byherhurried,quickbreathingheknewthatsomethinghadupsetherbadly.Heofferedheracigarette,whichsheaccepted.
Hesaid:“Lovelynight.”
Inalowintensevoicethegirlanswered:
“Itcouldbe….”
Tommylookedatherdoubtfully.Hefelt,suddenly,theattractionandthevitalityofthisgirl.Therewasatumultuouslifeinher,akindofcompellingpower.Shewasthekindofgirl,hethought,thatamanmighteasilylosehisheadover.
“Ifitweren’tforthewar,youmean?”hesaid.
“Idon’tmeanthatatall.Ihatethewar.”
“Sodoweall.”
“NotinthewayImean.Ihatethecantaboutit,thesmugness—thehorrible,horriblepatriotism.”
“Patriotism?”Tommywasstartled.
“Yes,Ihatepatriotism,doyouunderstand?Allthiscountry,country,country!Betrayingyourcountry—dyingforyourcountry—servingyourcountry.Whyshouldone’scountrymeananythingatall?”
Tommysaidsimply:“Idon’tknow.Itjustdoes.”
“Nottome!Oh,itwouldtoyou—yougoabroadandbuyandsellintheBritishEmpireandcomebackbronzedandfullofclichés,talkingaboutthenativesandcallingforChotaPegsandallthatsortofthing.”
Tommysaidgently:
“I’mnotquiteasbadasthat,Ihope,mydear.”
“I’mexaggeratingalittle—butyouknowwhatImean.YoubelieveintheBritishEmpire—and—and—thestupidityofdyingforone’scountry.”
“Mycountry,”saidTommydryly,“doesn’tseemparticularlyanxioustoallowmetodieforit.”
“Yes,butyouwantto.Andit’ssostupid!Nothing’sworthdyingfor.It’sallanidea—talk,talk—froth—high-flownidiocy.Mycountrydoesn’tmeananythingtomeatall.”
“Someday,”saidTommy,“you’llbesurprisedtofindthatitdoes.”
“No.Never.I’vesuffered—I’veseen—”
Shebrokeoff—thenturnedsuddenlyandimpetuouslyuponhim.
“Doyouknowwhomyfatherwas?”
“No!”Tommy’sinterestquickened.
“HisnamewasPatrickMaguire.He—hewasafollowerofCasementinthelastwar.Hewasshotasatraitor!Allfornothing!Foranidea—heworkedhimselfupwiththoseotherIrishmen.Whycouldn’thejuststayathomequietlyandmindhisownbusiness?He’samartyrtosomepeopleandatraitortoothers.Ithinkhewasjust—stupid!”
Tommycouldhearthenoteofpent-uprebellion,comingoutintotheopen.Hesaid:
“Sothat’stheshadowyou’vegrownupwith?”
“Shadow’sright.Motherchangedhername.WelivedinSpainforsomeyears.ShealwayssaysthatmyfatherwashalfaSpaniard.Wealwaystelllieswhereverwego.We’vebeenallovertheContinent.Finallywecamehereandstartedthisplace.Ithinkthisisquitethemosthatefulthingwe’vedoneyet.”
Tommyasked:
“Howdoesyourmotherfeelabout—things?”
“Youmean—aboutmyfather’sdeath?”Sheilawassilentamoment,frowning,puzzled.Shesaidslowly:“I’veneverreallyknown…shenevertalksaboutit.It’snoteasytoknowwhatMotherfeelsorthinks.”
Tommynoddedhisheadthoughtfully.
Sheilasaidabruptly:
“I—Idon’tknowwhyI’vebeentellingyouthis.Igotworkedup.Wherediditallstart?”
“AdiscussiononEdithCavell.”
“Ohyes—patriotism.IsaidIhatedit.”
“Aren’tyouforgettingNurseCavell’sownwords?”
“Whatwords?”
“Beforeshedied.Don’tyouknowwhatshesaid?”
Herepeatedthewords:
“Patriotismisnotenough…Imusthavenohatredinmyheart.”
“Oh.”Shestoodtherestrickenforamoment.
Then,turningquickly,shewheeledawayintotheshadowofthegarden.
II
“Soyousee,Tuppence,itwouldallfitin.”
Tuppencenoddedthoughtfully.Thebeacharoundthemwasempty.Sheherselfleanedagainstabreakwater,Tommysataboveherandthebreakwateritself,fromwhichposthecouldseeanyonewhoapproachedalongtheesplanade.Notthatheexpectedtoseeanyone,havingascertainedwithafairamountofaccuracywherepeoplewouldbethismorning.InanycasehisrendezvouswithTuppencehadborneallthesignsofacasualmeeting,pleasurabletotheladyandslightlyalarmingtohimself.
Tuppencesaid:
“Mrs.Perenna?”
“Yes.MnotN.Shesatisfiestherequirements.”
Tuppencenoddedthoughtfullyagain.
“Yes.She’sIrish—asspottedbyMrs.O’Rourke—won’tadmitthefact.HasdoneagooddealofcomingandgoingontheContinent.ChangedhernametoPerenna,camehereandstartedthisboardinghouse.Asplendidbitofcamouflage,fullofinnocuousbores.Herhusbandwasshotasatraitor—she’sgoteveryincentiveforrunningaFifthColumnshowinthiscountry.Yes,itfits.Isthegirlinittoo,doyouthink?”
Tommysaidfinally:
“Definitelynot.She’dneverhavetoldmeallthisotherwise.I—Ifeelabitofacad,youknow.”
Tuppencenoddedwithcompleteunderstanding.
“Yes,onedoes.Inawayit’safouljob,this.”
“Butverynecessary.”
“Oh,ofcourse.”
Tommysaid,flushingslightly:
“Idon’tlikelyinganybetterthanyoudo—”
Tuppenceinterruptedhim.
“Idon’tmindlyingintheleast.TobequitehonestIgetalotofartisticpleasureoutofmylies.Whatgetsmedownisthosemomentswhenoneforgetstolie—thetimeswhenoneisjustoneself—andgetsresultsthatwaythatyoucouldn’thavegotanyother.”Shepausedandwenton:“That’swhathappenedtoyoulastnight—withthegirl.Sherespondedtotherealyou—that’swhyyoufeelbadlyaboutit.”
“Ibelieveyou’reright,Tuppence.”
“Iknow.BecauseIdidthesamethingmyself—withtheGermanboy.”
Tommysaid:
“Whatdoyouthinkabouthim?”
Tuppencesaidquickly:
“Ifyouaskme,Idon’tthinkhe’sgotanythingtodowithit.”
“Grantthinkshehas.”
“YourMr.Grant!”Tuppence’smoodchanged.Shechuckled.“HowI’dliketohaveseenhisfacewhenyoutoldhimaboutme.”
“Atanyrate,he’smadetheamendehonorable.You’redefinitelyonthejob.”
Tuppencenodded,butshelookedatrifleabstracted.
Shesaid:
“Doyourememberafterthelastwar—whenwewerehuntingdownMr.Brown?Doyourememberwhatfunitwas?Howexcitedwewere?”
Tommyagreed,hisfacelightingup.
“Rather!”
“Tommy—whyisn’titthesamenow?”
Heconsideredthequestion,hisquietuglyfacegrave.Thenhesaid:
“Isupposeit’sreally—aquestionofage.”
Tuppencesaidsharply:
“Youdon’tthink—we’retooold?”
“No,I’msurewe’renot.It’sonlythat—thistime—itwon’tbefun.It’sthesameinotherways.Thisisthesecondwarwe’vebeenin—andwefeelquitedifferentaboutthisone.”
“Iknow—weseethepityofitandthewaste—andthehorror.Allthethingsweweretooyoungtothinkaboutbefore.”
“That’sit.InthelastwarIwasscaredeverynowandthen—andhadsomeprettycloseshaves,andwentthroughhellonceortwice,butthereweregoodtimestoo.”
Tuppencesaid:
“IsupposeDerekfeelslikethat?”
“Betternotthinkabouthim,oldthing,”Tommyadvised.
“You’reright.”Tuppencesetherteeth.“We’vegotajob.We’regoingtodothatjob.Let’sgetonwithit.Havewefoundwhatwe’relookingforinMrs.Perenna?”
“Wecanatleastsaythatshe’sstronglyindicated.There’snooneelse,isthere,Tuppence,thatyou’vegotyoureyeon?”
Tuppenceconsidered.
“No,thereisn’t.ThefirstthingIdidwhenIarrived,ofcourse,wastosizethemallupandassess,asitwere,possibilities.Someofthemseemquiteimpossible.”
“Suchas?”
“Well,MissMintonforinstance,the‘compleat’Britishspinster,andMrs.SprotandherBetty,andthevacuousMrs.Cayley.”
“Yes,butnitwittishnesscanbeassumed.”
“Oh,quite,butthefussyspinsterandtheabsorbedyoungmotherarepartsthatwouldbefatallyeasytooverdo—andthesepeoplearequitenatural.Then,whereMrs.Sprotisconcerned,there’sthechild.”
“Isuppose,”saidTommy,“thatevenasecretagentmighthaveachild.”
“Notwithheronthejob,”saidTuppence.“It’snotthekindofthingyou’dbringachildinto.I’mquitesureaboutthat,Tommy.Iknow.You’dkeepachildoutofit.”
“Iwithdraw,”saidTommy.“I’llgiveyouMrs.SprotandMissMinton,butI’mnotsosureaboutMrs.Cayley.”
“No,shemightbeapossibility.Becauseshereallydoesoverdoit.Imeantherecan’tbemanywomenquiteasidioticassheseems.”
“Ihaveoftennoticedthatbeingadevotedwifesapstheintellect,”murmuredTommy.
“Andwherehaveyounoticedthat?”demandedTuppence.
“Notfromyou,Tuppence.Yourdevotionhasneverreachedthoselengths.”
“Foraman,”saidTuppencekindly,“youdon’treallymakeanunduefusswhenyouareill.”
Tommyrevertedtoasurveyofpossibilities.
“Cayley,”saidTommythoughtfully.“TheremightbesomethingfishyaboutCayley.”
“Yes,theremight.Thenthere’sMrs.O’Rourke?”
“Whatdoyoufeelabouther?”
“Idon’tquiteknow.She’sdisturbing.RatherfeefofumifyouknowwhatImean.”
“Yes,IthinkIknow.ButIratherfancythat’sjustthepredatorynote.She’sthatkindofwoman.”
Tuppencesaidslowly:
“She—noticesthings.”
Shewasrememberingtheremarkaboutknitting.
“Thenthere’sBletchley,”saidTommy
“I’vehardlyspokentohim.He’sdefinitelyyourchicken.”
“Ithinkhe’sjusttheordinarypukkaoldschooltie.Ithinkso.”
“That’sjustit,”saidTuppence,answeringastressratherthanactualwords.“Theworstofthissortofshowisthatyoulookatquiteordinaryeverydaypeopleandtwistthemtosuityourmorbidrequirements.”
“I’vetriedafewexperimentsonBletchley,”saidTommy.
“Whatsortofthing?I’vegotsomeexperimentsinmindmyself.”
“Well—justgentleordinarylittletraps—aboutdatesandplaces—allthatsortofthing.”
“Couldyoucondescendfromthegeneraltotheparticular?”
“Well,saywe’retalkingofduckshooting.HementionstheFayum—goodsporttheresuchandsuchayear,suchandsuchamonth.SomeothertimeImentionEgyptinquiteadifferentconnection.Mummies,Tutankhamen,somethinglikethat—hasheseenthatstuff?Whenwashethere?Checkupontheanswers.OrP&Oboats—Imentionthenamesofoneortwo,saysoandsowasacomfortableboat.Hementionssometriporother,laterIcheckthat.Nothingimportant,oranythingthatputshimonhisguard—justacheckuponaccuracy.”
“Andsofarhehasn’tslippedupinanyway?”
“Notonce.Andthat’saprettygoodtest,letmetellyou,Tuppence.”
“Yes,butIsupposeifhewasNhewouldhavehisstoryquitepat.”
“Ohyes—themainoutlinesofit.Butit’snotsoeasynottotripuponunimportantdetails.Andthenoccasionallyyouremembertoomuch—more,thatis,thanabonafidepersonwoulddo.Anordinarypersondoesn’tusuallyrememberoffhandwhethertheytookacertainshootingtripin1926or1927.Theyhavetothinkabitandsearchtheirmemory.”
“Butsofaryouhaven’tcaughtBletchleyout?”
“Sofarhe’srespondedinaperfectlynormalmanner.”
“Result—negative.”
“Exactly.”
“Now,”saidTuppence.“I’lltellyousomeofmyideas.”
Andsheproceededtodoso.
III
Onherwayhome,Mrs.Blenkensopstoppedatthepostoffice.Sheboughtstampsandonherwayoutwentintooneofthepubliccallboxes.Theresherangupacertainnumber,andaskedfor“Mr.Faraday.”ThiswastheacceptedmethodofcommunicationwithMr.Grant.Shecameoutsmilingandwalkedslowlyhomewards,stoppingonthewaytopurchasesomeknittingwool.
Itwasapleasantafternoonwithalightbreeze.TuppencecurbedthenaturalenergyofherownbrisktrottothatleisurelypacethataccordedwithherconceptionofthepartofMrs.Blenkensop.Mrs.Blenkensophadnothingonearthtodowithherselfexceptknit(nottoowell)andwriteletterstoherboys.Shewasalwayswritingletterstoherboys—sometimessheleftthemabouthalffinished.
TuppencecameslowlyupthehilltowardsSansSouci.Sinceitwasnotathroughroad(itendedatSmugglers’Rest,CommanderHaydock’shouse)therewasnevermuchtraffic—afewtradesmen’svansinthemorning.Tuppencepassedhouseafterhouse,amusingherselfbynotingtheirnames.BellaVista(inaccuratelynamed,sincethemerestglimpseoftheseawastobeobtained,andthemainviewwasthevastVictorianbulkofEdenholmeontheothersideoftheroad).Karachiwasthenexthouse.AfterthatcameShirleyTower.ThenSeaView(appropriatethistime),CastleClare(somewhatgrandiloquent,sinceitwasasmallhouse),Trelawny,arivalestablishmenttothatofMrs.Perenna,andfinallythevastmaroonbulkofSansSouci.
ItwasjustasshecameneartoitthatTuppencebecameawareofawomanstandingbythegatepeeringinside.Therewassomethingtenseandvigilantaboutthefigure.
Almostunconsciously,Tuppencesoftenedthesoundofherownfootsteps,steppingcautiouslyuponhertoes.
Itwasnotuntilshewasclosebehindher,thatthewomanheardherandturned.Turnedwithastart.
Shewasatallwoman,poorly,evenmeanlydressed,butherfacewasunusual.Shewasnotyoung—probablyjustunderforty—buttherewasacontrastbetweenherfaceandthewayshewasdressed.Shewasfair-haired,withwidecheekbones,andhadbeen—indeedstillwas—beautiful.JustforaminuteTuppencehadafeelingthatthewoman’sfacewassomehowfamiliartoher,butthefeelingfaded.Itwasnot,shethought,afaceeasilyforgotten.
Thewomanwasobviouslystartled,andtheflashofalarmthatflittedacrossherfacewasnotlostonTuppence.(Somethingoddhere?)
Tuppencesaid:
“Excuseme,areyoulookingforsomeone?”
Thewomanspokeinaslow,foreignvoice,pronouncingthewordscarefullyasthoughshehadlearntthembyheart.
“This’ouseisSansSouci?”
“Yes.Ilivethere.Didyouwantsomeone?”
Therewasaninfinitesimalpause,thenthewomansaid:
“Youcantellmeplease.ThereisaMr.Rosensteinthere,no?”
“Mr.Rosenstein?”Tuppenceshookherhead.“No.I’mafraidnot.Perhapshehasbeenthereandleft.ShallIaskforyou?”
Butthestrangewomanmadeaquickgestureofrefusal.Shesaid:
“No—no.Imakemistake.Excuse,please.”
Then,quickly,sheturnedandwalkedrapidlydownthehillagain.
Tuppencestoodstaringafterher.Forsomereason,hersuspicionswerearoused.Therewasacontrastbetweenthewoman’smannerandherwords.Tuppencehadanideathat“Mr.Rosenstein”wasafiction,thatthewomanhadseizedatthefirstnamethatcameintoherhead.
Tuppencehesitatedaminute,thenshestarteddownthehillaftertheother.Whatshecouldonlydescribeasa“hunch”madeherwanttofollowthewoman.
Presently,however,shestopped.Tofollowwouldbetodrawattentiontoherselfinarathermarkedmanner.ShehadclearlybeenonthepointofenteringSansSouciwhenshespoketothewoman;toreappearonhertrailwouldbetoarousesuspicionthatMrs.Blenkensopwassomethingotherthanappearedonthesurface—thatistosayifthisstrangewomanwasindeedamemberoftheenemyplot.
No,atallcostsMrs.Blenkensopmustremainwhatsheseemed.
Tuppenceturnedandretracedherstepsupthehill.SheenteredSansSouciandpausedinthehall.Thehouseseemeddeserted,aswasusualearlyintheafternoon.Bettywashavinghernap,theeldermemberswereeitherrestingorhadgoneout.
Then,asTuppencestoodinthedimhallthinkingoverherrecentencounter,afaintsoundcametoherears.Itwasasoundsheknewquitewell—thefaintechoofating.
ThetelephoneatSansSouciwasinthehall.ThesoundthatTuppencehadjustheardwasthesoundmadewhenthereceiverofanextensionistakenofforreplaced.Therewasoneextensioninthehouse—inMrs.Perenna’sbedroom.
Tommymighthavehesitated.Tuppencedidnothesitateforaminute.Verygentlyandcarefullysheliftedoffthereceiverandputittoherear.
Someonewasusingtheextension.Itwasaman’svoice.Tuppenceheard:
“—Everythinggoingwell.Onthefourth,then,asarranged.”
Awoman’svoicesaid:“Yes,carryon.”
Therewasaclickasthereceiverwasreplaced.
Tuppencestoodthere,frowning.WasthatMrs.Perenna’svoice?Difficulttosaywithonlythosethreewordstogoupon.Iftherehadbeenonlyalittlemoretotheconversation.Itmight,ofcourse,bequiteanordinaryconversation—certainlytherewasnothinginthewordsshehadoverheardtoindicateotherwise.
Ashadowobscuredthelightfromthedoor.TuppencejumpedandreplacedthereceiverasMrs.Perennaspoke.
“Suchapleasantafternoon.Areyougoingout,Mrs.Blenkensop,orhaveyoujustcomein?”
SoitwasnotMrs.PerennawhohadbeenspeakingfromMrs.Perenna’sroom.Tuppencemurmuredsomethingabouthavinghadapleasantwalkandmovedtothestaircase.
Mrs.Perennamovedalongthehallafterher.Sheseemedbiggerthanusual.Tuppencewasconsciousofherasastrongathleticwoman.
Shesaid:
“Imustgetmythingsoff,”andhurriedupthestairs.AssheturnedthecornerofthelandingshecollidedwithMrs.O’Rourke,whosevastbulkbarredthetopofthestairs.
“Dear,dear,now,Mrs.Blenkensop,it’sagreathurryyouseemtobein.”
Shedidnotmoveaside,juststoodtheresmilingdownatTuppencejustbelowher.Therewas,asalways,afrighteningqualityaboutMrs.O’Rourke’ssmile.
Andsuddenly,fornoreason,Tuppencefeltafraid.
ThebigsmilingIrishwoman,withherdeepvoice,barringherway,andbelowMrs.Perennaclosinginatthefootofthestairs.
Tuppenceglancedoverhershoulder.WasitherfancythattherewassomethingdefinitelymenacinginMrs.Perenna’supturnedface?Absurd,shetoldherself,absurd.Inbroaddaylight—inacommonplaceseasideboardinghouse.Butthehousewassoveryquiet.Notasound.Andsheherselfhereonthestairsbetweenthetwoofthem.SurelytherewassomethingalittlequeerinMrs.O’Rourke’ssmile—somefixedferociousqualityaboutit,Tuppencethoughtwildly,“likeacatwithamouse.”
Andthensuddenlythetensionbroke.Alittlefiguredartedalongthetoplandingutteringshrillsquealsofmirth.LittleBettySprotinvestandknickers.DartingpastMrs.O’Rourke,shoutinghappily,“Peekbo,”assheflungherselfonTuppence.
Theatmospherehadchanged.Mrs.O’Rourke,abiggenialfigure,wascryingout:
“Ah,thedarlin.’It’sagreatgirlshe’sgetting.”
Below,Mrs.Perennahadturnedawaytothedoorthatledintothekitchen.Tuppence,Betty’shandclaspedinhers,passedMrs.O’RourkeandranalongthepassagetowhereMrs.Sprotwaswaitingtoscoldthetruant.
Tuppencewentinwiththechild.
Shefeltaqueersenseofreliefatthedomesticatmosphere—thechild’sclotheslyingabout,thewoollytoys,thepaintedcrib,thesheeplikeandsomewhatunattractivefaceofMr.Sprotinitsframeonthedressingtable,theburbleofMrs.Sprot’sdenunciationoflaundrypricesandreallyshethoughtMrs.Perennawasalittleunfairinrefusingtosanctionguestshavingtheirownelectricirons—
Allsonormal,soreassuring,soeveryday.
Andyet—justnow—onthestairs.
“Nerves,”saidTuppencetoherself.“Justnerves!”
Buthaditbeennerves?SomeonehadbeentelephoningfromMrs.Perenna’sroom.Mrs.O’Rourke?Surelyaveryoddthingtodo.Itensured,ofcourse,thatyouwouldnotbeoverheardbythehousehold.
Itmusthavebeen,Tuppencethought,averyshortconversation.Themerestbriefexchangeofwords.
“Everythinggoingwell.Onthefourthasarranged.”
Itmightmeannothing—oragooddeal.
Thefourth.Wasthatadate?Thefourth,sayofamonth?
Oritmightmeanthefourthseat,orthefourthlamppost,orthefourthbreakwater—impossibletoknow.
ItmightjustconceivablymeantheForthBridge.Therehadbeenanattempttoblowthatupinthelastwar.
Diditmeananythingatall?
Itmightquiteeasilyhavebeentheconfirmationofsomeperfectlyordinaryappointment.Mrs.PerennamighthavetoldMrs.O’Rourkeshecouldusethetelephoneinherbedroomanytimeshewantedtodoso.
Andtheatmosphereonthestairs,thattensemoment,mighthavebeenjustherownoverwroughtnerves….
Thequiethouse—thefeelingthattherewassomethingsinister—somethingevil
“Sticktofacts,Mrs.Blenkensop,”saidTuppencesternly.“Andgetonwithyourjob.”
Five
CommanderHaydockturnedouttobeamostgenialhost.HewelcomedMr.MeadowesandMajorBletchleywithenthusiasm,andinsistedonshowingtheformer“allovermylittleplace.”
Smugglers’Resthadbeenoriginallyacoupleofcoastguards’cottagesstandingonthecliffoverlookingthesea.Therewasasmallcovebelow,buttheaccesstoitwasperilous,onlytobeattemptedbyadventurousboys.
ThenthecottageshadbeenboughtbyaLondonbusinessmanwhohadthrownthemintooneandattemptedhalfheartedlytomakeagarden.Hehadcomedownoccasionallyforshortperiodsinsummer.
Afterthat,thecottageshadremainedemptyforsomeyears,beingletwithamodicumoffurnituretosummervisitors.
“Then,someyearsago,”explainedHaydock,“itwassoldtoamancalledHahn.HewasaGerman,andifyouaskme,hewasneithermoreorlessthanaspy.”
Tommy’searsquickened.
“That’sinteresting,”hesaid,puttingdowntheglassfromwhichhehadbeensippingsherry.
“Damnedthoroughfellowstheyare,”saidHaydock.“Gettingreadyeventhenforthisshow—atleastthatismyopinion.Lookatthesituationofthisplace.Perfectforsignallingouttosea.Covebelowwhereyoucouldlandamotorboat.Completelyisolatedowingtothecontourofthecliff.Ohyes,don’ttellmethatfellowHahnwasn’taGermanagent.”
MajorBletchleysaid:
“Ofcoursehewas.”
“Whathappenedtohim?”askedTommy.
“Ah!”saidHaydock.“Therebyhangsatale.Hahnspentalotofmoneyonthisplace.Hehadawaycutdowntothebeachforonething—concretesteps—expensivebusiness.Thenhehadthewholeofthehousedoneover—bathrooms,everyexpensivegadgetyoucanimagine.Andwhodidhesettodoallthis?Notalocalman.No,afirmfromLondon,soitwassaid—butalotofthemenwhocamedownwereforeigners.Someofthemdidn’tspeakawordofEnglish.Don’tyouagreewithmethatthatsoundsextremelyfishy?”
“Alittleodd,certainly,”agreedTommy.
“Iwasintheneighbourhoodmyselfatthetime,livinginabungalow,andIgotinterestedinwhatthisfellowwasupto.Iusedtohangabouttowatchtheworkmen.NowI’lltellyouthis—theydidn’tlikeit—theydidn’tlikeitatall.Onceortwicetheywerequitethreateningaboutit.Whyshouldtheybeifeverythingwasallsquareandaboveboard?”
Bletchleynoddedagreement.
“Yououghttohavegonetotheauthorities,”hesaid.
“JustwhatIdiddo,mydearfellow.Madeapositivenuisanceofmyselfpesteringthepolice.”
Hepouredhimselfoutanotherdrink.
“AndwhatdidIgetformypains?Politeinattention.Blindanddeaf,that’swhatwewereinthiscountry.AnotherwarwithGermanywasoutofthequestion—therewaspeaceinEurope—ourrelationswithGermanywereexcellent.Naturalsympathybetweenusnowadays.Iwasregardedasanoldfossil,awarmaniac,adiehardoldsailor.WhatwasthegoodofpointingouttopeoplethattheGermanswerebuildingthefinestAirForceinEuropeandnotjusttoflyroundandhavepicnics!”
MajorBletchleysaidexplosively:
“Nobodybelievedit!Damnedfools!‘Peaceinourtime.’‘Appeasement.’Allalotofblah!”
Haydocksaid,hisfaceredderthanusualwithsuppressedanger:“Awarmonger,that’swhattheycalledme.Thesortofchap,theysaid,whowasanobstacletopeace.Peace!IknewwhatourHunfriendswereat!Andmindthis,theypreparethingsalongtimebeforehand.IwasconvincedthatMr.Hahnwasuptonogood.Ididn’tlikehisforeignworkmen.Ididn’tlikethewayhewasspendingmoneyonthisplace.Ikeptonbadgeringawayatpeople.”
“Stoutfellow,”saidBletchleyappreciatively.
“Andfinally,”saidtheCommander,“Ibegantomakeanimpression.WehadanewChiefConstabledownhere—retiredsoldier.Andhehadthesensetolistentome.Hisfellowsbegantonosearound.Sureenough,Hahndecamped.Justslippedoutanddisappearedonefinenight.Thepolicewentoverthisplacewithasearch-warrant.Inasafewhichhadbeenbuilt-ininthediningroomtheyfoundawirelesstransmitterandsomeprettydamagingdocuments.Alsoabigstoreplaceunderthegarageforpetrol—greattanks.IcantellyouIwascock-a-hoopoverthat.FellowsattheclubusedtoragmeaboutmyGermanspycomplex.Theydriedupafterthat.Troublewithusinthiscountryisthatwe’resoabsurdlyunsuspicious.”
“It’sacrime.Fools—that’swhatweare—fools.Whydon’tweinternalltheserefugees?”MajorBletchleywaswellaway.
“EndofthestorywasIboughttheplacewhenitcameintothemarket,”continuedtheCommander,nottobesidetrackedfromhispetstory.“Comeandhavealookround,Meadowes?”
“Thanks,I’dliketo.”
CommanderHaydockwasasfullofzestasaboyashedidthehonoursoftheestablishment.Hethrewopenthebigsafeinthediningroomtoshowwherethesecretwirelesshadbeenfound.Tommywastakenouttothegarageandwasshownwherethebigpetroltankshadlainconcealed,andfinally,afterasuperficialglanceatthetwoexcellentbathrooms,thespeciallighting,andthevariouskitchen“gadgets,”hewastakendownthesteepconcretedpathtothelittlecovebeneath,whilstCommanderHaydocktoldhimalloveragainhowextremelyusefulthewholelayoutwouldbetoanenemyinwartime.
Hewastakenintothecavewhichgavetheplaceitsname,andHaydockpointedoutenthusiasticallyhowitcouldhavebeenused.
MajorBletchleydidnotaccompanythetwomenontheirtour,butremainedpeacefullysippinghisdrinkontheterrace.TommygatheredthattheCommander’sspyhuntwithitssuccessfulissuewasthatgoodgentleman’sprincipaltopicofconversation,andthathisfriendshadhearditmanytimes.
Infact,MajorBletchleysaidasmuchwhentheywerewalkingdowntoSansSoucialittlelater.
“Goodfellow,Haydock,”hesaid.“Buthe’snotcontenttoletagoodthingalone.We’veheardallaboutthatbusinessagainandagainuntilwe’resickofit.He’sasproudofthewholebagoftricksupthereasacatofitskittens.”
Thesimilewasnottoofar-fetched,andTommyassentedwithasmile.
TheconversationthenturningtoMajorBletchley’sownsuccessfulunmaskingofadishonestbearerin1923,Tommy’sattentionwasfreetopursueitsowninwardlineofthoughtpunctuatedbysympathetic“Notreallys?”—“Youdon’tsayso?”and“Whatanextraordinarybusiness”whichwasallMajorBletchleyneededinthewayofencouragement.
MorethanevernowTommyfeltthatwhenthedyingFarquharhadmentionedSansSoucihehadbeenontherighttrack.Here,inthisoutoftheworldspot,preparationshadbeenmadealongtimebeforehand.ThearrivaloftheGermanHahnandhisextensiveinstallationshowedclearlyenoughthatthisparticularpartofthecoasthadbeenselectedforarallyingpoint,afocusofenemyactivity.
ThatparticulargamehadbeendefeatedbytheunexpectedactivityofthesuspiciousCommanderHaydock.RoundonehadgonetoBritain.ButsupposingthatSmugglers’Resthadbeenonlythefirstoutpostofacomplicatedschemeofattack?Smugglers’Rest,thatistosay,hadrepresentedseacommunications.Itsbeach,inaccessiblesaveforthepathdownfromabove,wouldlenditselfadmirablytotheplan.Butitwasonlyapartofthewhole.
DefeatedonthatpartoftheplanbyHaydock,whathadbeentheenemy’sresponse?Mightnothehavefallenbackuponthenextbestthing—thatistosay,SansSouci.TheexposureofHahnhadcomeaboutfouryearsago.Tommyhadanidea,fromwhatSheilaPerennahadsaid,thatitwasverysoonafterthatthatMrs.PerennahadreturnedtoEnglandand
ItwouldseemthereforethatLeahamptonwasdefinitelyanenemycentre—thattherewerealreadyinstallationsandaffiliationsintheneighbourhood.
Hisspiritsrose.ThedepressionengenderedbytheharmlessandfutileatmosphereofSansSoucidisappeared.Innocentasitseemed,thatinnocencewasnomorethanskindeep.Behindthatinnocuousmaskthingsweregoingon.
Andthefocusofitall,sofarasTommycouldjudge,wasMrs.Perenna.ThefirstthingtodowastoknowmoreaboutMrs.Perenna,topenetratebehindherapparentlysimpleroutineofrunningherboardingestablishment.Hercorrespondence,heracquaintances,hersocialorwar-workingactivities—somewhereinallthesemustlietheessenceofherrealactivities.IfMrs.Perennawastherenownedwomanagent—M—thenitwasshewhocontrolledthewholeoftheFifthColumnactivitiesinthiscountry.Heridentitywouldbeknowntofew—onlytothoseatthetop.Butcommunicationsshemusthavewithherchiefsofstaff,anditwasthosecommunicationsthatheandTuppencehadgottotap.
Attherightmoment,asTommysawwellenough,Smugglers’Restcouldbeseizedandheld—byafewstalwartsoperatingfromSansSouci.Thatmomentwasnotyet,butitmightbeverynear.
OncetheGermanarmywasestablishedincontrolofthechannelportsinFranceandBelgium,theycouldconcentrateontheinvasionandsubjugationofBritain,andthingswerecertainlygoingverybadlyinFranceatthemoment.
Britain’sNavywasall-powerfulonthesea,sotheattackmustcomebyairandbyinternaltreachery—andifthethreadsofinternaltreacherywereinMrs.Perenna’skeepingtherewasnotimetolose.
MajorBletchley’swordschimedinwithhisthoughts:
“Isaw,youknow,thattherewasnotimetolose.IgotholdofAbdul,mysyce—goodfellow,Abdul—”
Thestorydronedon.
Tommywasthinking:
“WhyLeahampton?Anyreason?It’soutofthemainstream—bitofabackwater.Conservative,old-fashioned.Allthosepointsmakeitdesirable.Isthereanythingelse?”
Therewasastretchofflatagriculturalcountrybehinditrunninginland.Alotofpasture.Suitable,therefore,forthelandingoftroop-carryingairplanesorofparachutetroops.Butthatwastrueofmanyotherplaces.Therewasalsoabigchemicalworkswhere,itmightbenoted,CarlvonDeinimwasemployed
CarlvonDeinim.Howdidhefitin?Onlytoowell.Hewasnot,asGranthadpointedout,therealhead.Acog,only,inthemachine.Liabletosuspicionandinternmentatanymoment.Butinthemeantimehemighthaveaccomplishedwhathadbeenhistask.HehadmentionedtoTuppencethathewasworkingondecontaminationproblemsandontheimmunisingofcertaingases.Therewereprobabilitiesthere—probabilitiesunpleasanttocontemplate.
Carl,Tommydecided(alittlereluctantly),wasinit.Apity,becauseheratherlikedthefellow.Well,hewasworkingforhiscountry—takinghislifeinhishands.Tommyhadrespectforsuchanadversary—downhimbyallmeans—afiringpartywastheend,butyouknewthatwhenyoutookonyourjob.
Itwasthepeoplewhobetrayedtheirownland—fromwithin—thatreallyrousedaslowvindictivepassioninhim.ByGod,he’dgetthem!
“—Andthat’showIgotthem!”TheMajorwounduphisstorytriumphantly.“Prettysmartbitofwork,eh?”
UnblushinglyTommysaid:
“MostingeniousthingI’veheardinmylife,Major.”
II
Mrs.Blenkensopwasreadingaletteronthinforeignpaperstampedoutsidewiththecensor’smark.
Incidentallythedirectresultofherconversationwith“Mr.Faraday.”
“DearRaymond,”shemurmured.“IwassohappyabouthimoutinEgypt,andnow,itseems,thereisabigchangeround.Allverysecret,ofcourse,andhecan’tsayanything—justthattherereallyisamarvellousplanandthatI’mtobereadyforsomebigsurprisesoon.I’mgladtoknowwherehe’sbeingsent,butIreallydon’tseewhy—”
Bletchleygrunted.
“Surelyhe’snotallowedtotellyouthat?”
Tuppencegaveadeprecatinglaughandlookedroundthebreakfasttableasshefoldedupherpreciousletter.
“Oh!wehaveourmethods,”shesaidarchly.“DearRaymondknowsthatifonlyIknowwhereheisorwherehe’sgoingIdon’tworryquitesomuch.It’squiteasimpleway,too.Justacertainword,youknow,andafterittheinitiallettersofthenextwordsspellouttheplace.Ofcourseitmakesratherafunnysentencesometimes—butRaymondisreallymostingenious.I’msurenobodywouldnotice.”
Littlemurmursaroseroundthetable.Themomentwaswellchosen;everybodyhappenedtobeatthebreakfasttabletogetherforonce.
Bletchley,hisfaceratherred,said:
“You’llexcuseme,Mrs.Blenkensop,butthat’sadamnedfoolishthingtodo.MovementsoftroopsandairsquadronsarejustwhattheGermanswanttoknow.”
“Oh,butInevertellanyone,”criedTuppence.“I’mvery,verycareful.”
“Allthesameit’sanunwisethingtodo—andyourboywillgetintotroubleoveritsomeday.”
“Oh,Idohopenot.I’mhismother,yousee.Amotheroughttoknow.”
“IndeedandIthinkyou’reright,”boomedoutMrs.O’Rourke.“Wildhorseswouldn’tdragtheinformationfromyou—weknowthat.”
“Letterscanberead,”saidBletchley
“I’mverycarefulnevertoleaveletterslyingabout,”saidTuppencewithanairofoutrageddignity.“Ialwayskeepthemlockedup.”
Bletchleyshookhisheaddoubtfully.
III
Itwasagreymorningwiththewindblowingcoldlyfromthesea.Tuppencewasaloneatthefarendofthebeach.
Shetookfromherbagtwolettersthatshehadjustcalledforatasmallnewsagent’sinthetown.
Theyhadtakensometimeincomingsincetheyhadbeenreaddressedthere,thesecondtimetoaMrs.Spender.Tuppencelikedcrossinghertracks.HerchildrenbelievedhertobeinCornwallwithanoldaunt.
Sheopenedthefirstletter.
“DearestMother,“LotsoffunnythingsIcouldtellyouonlyImustn’t.We’reputtingupagoodshow,Ithink.FiveGermanplanesbeforebreakfastistoday’smarketquotation.Bitofamessatthemomentandallthat,butwe’llgetthereallrightintheend.“It’sthewaytheymachine-gunthepoorciviliandevilsontheroadsthatgetsme.Itmakesusallseered.GusandTrundleswanttoberememberedtoyou.They’restillgoingstrong.“Don’tworryaboutme.I’mallright.Wouldn’thavemissedthisshowfortheworld.LovetooldCarrotTop—havetheW.O.givenhimajobyet?“Yoursever,“Derek.”
Tuppence’seyeswereverybrightandshiningasshereadandrereadthis.
Thensheopenedtheotherletter.
“DearestMum,“How’soldAuntGracie?Goingstrong?Ithinkyou’rewonderfultostickit.Icouldn’t.“Nonews.Myjobisveryinteresting,butsohush-hushIcan’ttellyouaboutit.ButIreallydofeelI’mdoingsomethingworthwhile.Don’tfretaboutnotgettinganywarworktodo—it’ssosillyalltheseelderlywomenrushingaboutwantingtodothings.Theyonlyreallywantpeoplewhoareyoungandefficient.IwonderhowCarrotsisgettingonathisjobupinScotland?Justfillingupforms,Isuppose.Stillhe’llbehappytofeelheisdoingsomething.“Lotsoflove,“Deborah.”
Tuppencesmiled.
Shefoldedtheletters,smoothedthemlovingly,andthenundertheshelterofabreakwatershestruckamatchandsetthemonfire.Shewaiteduntiltheywerereducedtoashes.
Takingoutherfountainpenandasmallwritingpad,shewroterapidly.
“Langherne,
Cornwall.
“DearestDeb,“ItseemssoremotefromthewarherethatIcanhardlybelievethereisawargoingon.Verygladtogetyourletterandknowthatyourworkisinteresting.“AuntGraciehasgrownmuchmorefeebleandveryhazyinhermind.Ithinksheisgladtohavemehere.Shetalksagooddealabouttheolddaysandsometimes,Ithink,confusesmewithmyownmother.Theyaregrowingmorevegetablesthanusual—haveturnedtherosegardenintopotatoes.IhelpoldSikesabit.ItmakesmefeelIamdoingsomethinginthewar.Yourfatherseemsabitdisgruntled,butIthink,asyousay,hetooisgladtobedoingsomething.“Lovefromyour“TUPPENNYMOTHER.”
Shetookafreshsheet.
“DarlingDerek,“Agreatcomforttogetyourletter.Sendfieldpostcardsoftenifyouhaven’ttimetowrite.“I’vecomedowntobewithAuntGracieabit.Sheisveryfeeble.Shewilltalkofyouasthoughyouweresevenandgavemetenshillingsyesterdaytosendyouasatip.“I’mstillontheshelfandnobodywantsmyinvaluableservices!Extraordinary!Yourfather,asItoldyou,hasgotajobintheMinistryofRequirements.Heisupnorthsomewhere.Betterthannothing,butnotwhathewanted,pooroldCarrotTop.StillIsupposewe’vegottobehumbleandtakeabackseatandleavethewartoyouyoungidiots.“Iwon’tsay‘Takecareofyourself,’becauseIgatherthatthewholepointisthatyoushoulddojusttheopposite.Butdon’tgoandbestupid“Lotsoflove,“TUPPENCE.”
Sheputthelettersintoenvelopes,addressedandstampedthem,andpostedthemonherwaybacktoSansSouci.
Asshereachedthebottomofthecliffherattentionwascaughtbytwofiguresstandingtalkingalittlewayup.
Tuppencestoppeddead.ItwasthesamewomanshehadseenyesterdayandtalkingtoherwasCarlvonDeinim.
RegretfullyTuppencenotedthefactthattherewasnocover.Shecouldnotgetnearthemunseenandoverhearwhatwasbeingsaid.
Moreover,atthatmoment,theyoungGermanturnedhisheadandsawher.Ratherabruptly,thetwofiguresparted.Thewomancamerapidlydownthehill,crossingtheroadandpassingTuppenceontheotherside.
CarlvonDeinimwaiteduntilTuppencecameuptohim.
Then,gravelyandpolitely,hewishedhergoodmorning.
Tuppencesaidimmediately:
“Whataveryodd-lookingwomanthatwastowhomyouweretalking,Mr.Deinim.”
“Yes.ItisaCentralEuropeantype.SheisaPole.”
“Really?A—afriendofyours?”
Tuppence’stonewasaverygoodcopyoftheinquisitivevoiceofAuntGracieinheryoungerdays.
“Notatall,”saidCarlstiffly.“Ineversawthewomanbefore.”
“Ohreally.Ithought—”Tuppencepausedartistically.
“Sheaskedmeonlyforadirection.IspeakGermantoherbecauseshedoesnotunderstandmuchEnglish.”
“Isee.Andshewasaskingthewaysomewhere?”
“SheaskedmeifIknewaMrs.Gottliebnearhere.Idonot,andshesaysshehas,perhaps,gotthenameofthehousewrong.”
“Isee,”saidTuppencethoughtfully.
Mr.Rosenstein.Mrs.Gottlieb.
ShestoleaswiftglanceatCarlvonDeinim.Hewaswalkingbesideherwithasetstiffface.
Tuppencefeltadefinitesuspicionofthisstrangewoman.Andshefeltalmostconvincedthatwhenshehadfirstcaughtsightofthem,thewomanandCarlhadbeenalreadytalkingsometimetogether.
CarlvonDeinim?
CarlandSheilathatmorning.“Youmustbecareful.”
Tuppencethought:
“Ihope—Ihopetheseyoungthingsaren’tinit!”
Soft,shetoldherself,middle-agedandsoft!That’swhatshewas!TheNazicreedwasayouthcreed.Naziagentswouldinallprobabilitybeyoung.CarlandSheila.TommysaidSheilawasn’tinit.Yes,butTommywasaman,andSheilawasbeautifulwithaqueerbreathtakingbeauty.
CarlandSheila,andbehindthemthatenigmaticfigure:Mrs.Perenna.Mrs.Perenna,sometimesthevolublecommonplaceguesthousehostess,sometimes,forfleetingminutes,atragic,violentpersonality.
Tuppencewentslowlyupstairstoherbedroom.
Thatevening,whenshewenttobed,shepulledoutthelongdrawerofherbureau.Atonesideofitwasasmalljapannedboxwithaflimsycheaplock.Tuppenceslippedongloves,unlockedthebox,andopenedit.Apileofletterslayinside.Onthetopwastheonereceivedthatmorningfrom“Raymond.”Tuppenceunfoldeditwithdueprecautions.
Thenherlipssetgrimly.Therehadbeenaneyelashinthefoldofthepaperthismorning.Theeyelashwasnottherenow.
Shewenttothewashstand.Therewasalittlebottlelabelledinnocently:“Greypowder”withadose.
AdroitlyTuppencedustedalittleofthepowderontotheletterandontothesurfaceoftheglossyjapannedenamelofthebox.
Therewerenofingerprintsoneitherofthem.
AgainTuppencenoddedherheadwithacertaingrimsatisfaction.
Forthereshouldhavebeenfingerprints—herown.
Aservantmighthavereadthelettersoutofcuriosity,thoughitseemedunlikely—certainlyunlikelythatsheshouldhavegonetothetroubleoffindingakeytofitthebox.
Butaservantwouldnotthinkofwipingofffingerprints.
Mrs.Perenna?Sheila?Somebodyelse?Somebody,atleast,whowasinterestedinthemovementsofBritisharmedforces.
IV
Tuppence’splanofcampaignhadbeensimpleinitsoutlines.First,ageneralsizingupofprobabilitiesandpossibilities.Second,anexperimenttodeterminewhethertherewasorwasnotaninmateofSansSouciwhowasinterestedintroopmovementsandanxioustoconcealthefact.Third—whothatpersonwas?
ItwasconcerningthatthirdoperationthatTuppenceponderedasshelayinbedthefollowingmorning.HertrainofthoughtwasslightlyhamperedbyBettySprot,whohadprancedinatanearlyhour,precedingindeedthecupofsomewhattepidinkyliquidknownasMorningTea.
Bettywasbothactiveandvoluble.ShehadtakenagreatfancytoTuppence.SheclimbeduponthebedandthrustanextremelytatteredpicturebookunderTuppence’snose,commandingwithbrevity:
“Wead.”
Tuppencereadobediently.
“Gooseygooseygander,whitherwillyouwander?
“Upstairs,downstairs,inmylady’schamber.”
Bettyrolledwithmirth—repeatinginanecstasy:
“Upstares—upstares—upstares—”andthenwithasuddenclimax,“Down—”andproceededtorolloffthebedwithathump.
Thisproceedingwasrepeatedseveraltimesuntilitpalled.ThenBettycrawledaboutthefloor,playingwithTuppence’sshoesandmutteringbusilytoherselfinherownparticularidiom:
“Agdo—bahpit—soo—soodah—putch—”
Releasedtoflybacktoitsownperplexities,Tuppence’smindforgotthechild.Thewordsofthenurseryrhymeseemedtomockather.
“Goosey—goosey,gander,whithershallyewander?”
Whitherindeed?Goosey,thatwasher,GanderwasTommy.Itwas,atanyrate,whattheyappearedtobe!TuppencehadtheheartiestcontemptforMrs.Blenkensop.Mr.Meadowes,thethought,wasalittlebetter—stolid,British,unimaginative—quiteincrediblystupid.Bothofthem,shehoped,fittingnicelyintothebackgroundofSansSouci.Bothsuchpossiblepeopletobethere.
Allthesame,onemustnotrelax—aslipwassoeasy.Shehadmadeonetheotherday—nothingthatmattered,butjustasufficientindicationtowarnhertobecareful.Suchaneasyapproachtointimacyandgoodrelations—anindifferentknitteraskingforguidance.Butshehadforgottenthatoneevening,herfingershadslippedintotheirownpractisedefficiency,theneedlesclickingbusilywiththeevennoteoftheexperiencedknitter.Mrs.O’Rourkehadnoticedit.Sincethen,shehadcarefullystruckamediumcourse—notsoclumsyasshehadbeenatfirst—butnotsorapidasshecouldbe.
“Agboobate?”demandedBetty.Shereiteratedthequestion:“Agboobate?”
“Lovely,darling,”saidTuppenceabsently.“Beautiful.”
Satisfied,Bettyrelapsedintomurmursagain.
Hernextstep,Tuppencethought,couldbemanagedeasilyenough.ThatistosaywiththeconnivanceofTommy.Shesawexactlyhowtodoit—
Lyingthereplanning,timeslippedby.Mrs.Sprotcamein,breathless,toseekforBetty.
“Oh,heresheis.Icouldn’tthinkwhereshehadgotto.Oh,Betty,younaughtygirl—oh,dear,Mrs.Blenkensop,Iamsosorry.”
Tuppencesatupinbed.Betty,withanangelicface,wascontemplatingherhandiwork.
ShehadremovedallthelacesfromTuppence’sshoesandhadimmersedtheminatoothglassofwater.Shewasproddingthemnowwithagleefulfinger.
TuppencelaughedandcutshortMrs.Sprot’sapologies.
“Howfrightfullyfunny.Don’tworry,Mrs.Sprot,they’llrecoverallright.It’smyfault.Ishouldhavenoticedwhatshewasdoing.Shewasratherquiet.”
“Iknow,”Mrs.Sprotsighed.“Wheneverthey’requiet,it’sabadsign.I’llgetyousomemorelacesthismorning,Mrs.Blenkensop.”
“Don’tbother,”saidTuppence.“They’lldrynonetheworse.”
Mrs.SprotboreBettyawayandTuppencegotuptoputherplanintoexecution.
Six
TommylookedrathergingerlyatthepacketthatTuppencethrustuponhim.
“Isthisit?”
“Yes.Becareful.Don’tgetitoveryou.”
Tommytookadelicatesniffatthepacketandrepliedwithenergy.
“No,indeed.Whatisthisfrightfulstuff?”
“Asafoetida,”repliedTuppence.“Apinchofthatandyouwillwonderwhyyourboyfriendisnolongerattentive,astheadvertisementssay.”
“ShadesofBO,”murmuredTommy.
Shortlyafterthat,variousincidentsoccurred.
ThefirstwasthesmellinMr.Meadowes’room.
Mr.Meadowes,notacomplainingmanbynature,spokeaboutitmildlyatfirst,thenwithincreasingfirmness.
Mrs.Perennawassummonedintoconclave.Withallthewilltoresistintheworld,shehadtoadmitthattherewasasmell.Apronouncedunpleasantsmell.Perhaps,shesuggested,thegastapofthefirewasleaking.
Bendingdownandsniffingdubiously,Tommyremarkedthathedidnotthinkthesmellcamefromthere.Norfromunderthefloor.Hehimselfthought,definitely—adeadrat.
Mrs.Perennaadmittedthatshehadheardofsuchthings—butshewassuretherewerenoratsatSansSouci.Perhapsamouse—thoughsheherselfhadneverseenamouse.
Mr.Meadowessaidwithfirmnessthathethoughtthesmellindicatedatleastarat—andheadded,stillmorefirmly,thathewasnotgoingtosleepanothernightintheroomuntilthematterhadbeenseento.HewouldaskMrs.Perennatochangehisroom.
Mrs.Perennasaid,“Ofcourse,shehadjustbeenabouttosuggestthesamething.Shewasafraidthattheonlyroomvacantwasratherasmalloneandunfortunatelyithadnoseaview,butifMr.Meadowesdidnotmindthat—”
Mr.Meadowesdidnot.Hisonlywishwastogetawayfromthesmell.Mrs.Perennathereuponaccompaniedhimtoasmallbedroom,thedoorofwhichhappenedtobejustoppositethedoorofMrs.Blenkensop’sroom,andsummonedtheadenoidalsemi-idioticBeatriceto“moveMr.Meadowes’things.”Shewould,sheexplained,sendfor“aman”totakeupthefloorandsearchfortheoriginofthesmell.
Mattersweresettledsatisfactorilyonthisbasis.
II
ThesecondincidentwasMr.Meadowes’hayfever.Thatwaswhathecalleditatfirst.Laterheadmitteddoubtfullythathemightjustpossiblyhavecaughtcold.Hesneezedagooddeal,andhiseyesran.IftherewasafaintelusivesuggestionofrawonionfloatinginthebreezeinthevicinityofMr.Meadowes’largesilkhandkerchiefnobodynoticedthefact,andindeedapungentamountofeaudecolognemaskedthemorepenetratingodour.
Finally,defeatedbyincessantsneezingandnoseblowing,Mr.Meadowesretiredtobedfortheday.
ItwasonthemorningofthatdaythatMrs.BlenkensopreceivedaletterfromhersonDouglas.SoexcitedandthrilledwasMrs.BlenkensopthateverybodyatSansSouciheardaboutit.Theletterhadnotbeencensoredatall,sheexplained,becausefortunatelyoneofDouglas’sfriendscomingonleavehadbroughtit,soforonceDouglashadbeenabletowritequitefully.
“Anditjustshows,”declaredMrs.Blenkensop,waggingherheadsagely,“howlittleweknowreallyofwhatisgoingon.”
Afterbreakfastshewentupstairstoherroom,openedthejapannedboxandputtheletteraway.Betweenthefoldedpagesweresomeunnoticeablegrainsofricepowder.Sheclosedtheboxagain,pressingherfingersfirmlyonitssurface.
Assheleftherroomshecoughed,andfromoppositecamethesoundofahighlyhistrionicsneeze.
Tuppencesmiledandproceededdownstairs.
ShehadalreadymadeknownherintentionofgoinguptoLondonfortheday—toseeherlawyeronsomebusinessandtodoalittleshopping.
Nowshewasgivenagoodsend-offbytheassembledboardersandentrustedwithvariouscommissions—“onlyifyouhavetime,ofcourse.”
MajorBletchleyheldhimselfalooffromthisfemalechatter.Hewasreadinghispaperandutteringappropriatecommentsaloud.“DamnedswinesofGermans.Machine-gunningcivilianrefugeesontheroads.Damnedbrutes.IfIwereourpeople—”
Tuppencelefthimstilloutliningwhathewoulddoifhewereinchargeofoperations.
ShemadeadetourthroughthegardentoaskBettySprotwhatshewouldlikeasapresentfromLondon.
Bettyecstaticallyclaspingasnailintwohothandsgurgledappreciatively.InresponsetoTuppence’ssuggestions—“Apussy.Apicturebook?Somecolouredchalkstodrawwith?”—Bettydecided,“Bettydwar.”SothecolouredchalkswerenoteddownonTuppence’slist.
AsshepassedonmeaningtorejointhedrivebythepathattheendofthegardenshecameunexpectedlyuponCarlvonDeinim.Hewasstandingleaningonthewall.Hishandswereclenched,andasTuppenceapproachedheturnedonher,hisusuallyimpassivefaceconvulsedwithemotion.
Tuppencepausedinvoluntarilyandasked:
“Isanythingthematter?”
“Ach,yes,everythingisthematter.”Hisvoicewashoarseandunnatural.“Youhaveasayingherethatathingisneitherfish,flesh,fowl,norgoodredherring,haveyounot?”
Tuppencenodded.
Carlwentonbitterly:
“ThatiswhatIam.Itcannotgoon,thatiswhatIsay.Itcannotgoon.Itwouldbebest,Ithink,toendeverything.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Theyoungmansaid:
“Youhavespokenkindlytome.Youwould,Ithink,understand.Ifledfrommyowncountrybecauseofinjusticeandcruelty.Icameheretofindfreedom.IhatedNaziGermany.But,alas,IamstillaGerman.Nothingcanalterthat.”
Tuppencemurmured:
“Youmayhavedifficulties,Iknow—”
“Itisnotthat.IamaGerman,Itellyou.Inmyheart—inmyfeeling.Germanyisstillmycountry.WhenIreadofGermancitiesbombed,ofGermansoldiersdying,ofGermanaeroplanesbroughtdown—theyaremypeoplewhodie.Whenthatoldfire-eatingMajorreadsoutfromhispaper,whenhesay‘thoseswine’—Iammovedtofury—Icannotbearit.”
Headdedquietly:
“AndsoIthinkitwouldbebest,perhaps,toenditall.Yes,toendit.”
Tuppencetookholdofhimfirmlybythearm.
“Nonsense,”shesaidrobustly.“Ofcourseyoufeelasyoudo.Anyonewould.Butyou’vegottostickit.”
“Iwishtheywouldinternme.Itwouldbeeasierso.”
“Yes,probablyitwould.Butinthemeantimeyou’redoingusefulwork—orsoI’veheard.UsefulnotonlytoEnglandbuttohumanity.You’reworkingondecontaminationproblems,aren’tyou?”
Hisfacelitupslightly.
“Ahyes,andIbegintohavemuchsuccess.Aprocessverysimple,easilymadeandnotcomplicatedtoapply.”
“Well,”saidTuppence,“that’sworthdoing.Anythingthatmitigatessufferingisworthwhile—andanythingthat’sconstructiveandnotdestructive.Naturallywe’vegottocalltheothersidenames.They’redoingjustthesameinGermany.HundredsofMajorBletchleys—foamingatthemouth.IhatetheGermansmyself.‘TheGermans,’Isay,andfeelwavesofloathing.ButwhenIthinkofindividualGermans,motherssittinganxiouslywaitingfornewsoftheirsons,andboysleavinghometofight,andpeasantsgettingintheharvests,andlittleshopkeepersandsomeofthenicekindlyGermanpeopleIknow,Ifeelquitedifferent.Iknowthenthattheyarejusthumanbeingsandthatwe’reallfeelingalike.That’stherealthing.Theotherisjustthewarmaskthatyouputon.It’sapartofwar—probablyanecessarypart—butit’sephemeral.”
Asshespokeshethought,asTommyhaddonenotlongbefore,ofNurseCavell’swords:“Patriotismisnotenough.Imusthavenohatredinmyheart.”
Thatsayingofamosttrulypatrioticwomanhadalwaysseemedtothemboththehigh-watermarkofsacrifice.
CarlvonDeinimtookherhandandkissedit.Hesaid:
“Ithankyou.Whatyousayisgoodandtrue.Iwillhavemorefortitude.”
“Oh,dear,”thoughtTuppenceasshewalkeddowntheroadintothetown.“HowveryunfortunatethatthepersonIlikebestinthisplaceshouldbeaGerman.Itmakeseverythingcockeyed!”
III
Tuppencewasnothingifnotthorough.AlthoughshehadnowishtogotoLondon,shejudgeditwisetodoexactlyasshehadsaidshewasgoingtodo.Ifshemerelymadeanexcursionsomewherefortheday,somebodymightseeherandthefactwouldgetroundtoSansSouci.
No,Mrs.BlenkensophadsaidshewasgoingtoLondon,andtoLondonshemustgo.
Shepurchasedathirdreturn,andwasjustleavingthebooking-officewindowwhensheranintoSheilaPerenna.
“Hallo,”saidSheila.“Whereareyouoffto?Ijustcametoseeaboutaparcelwhichseemstohavegoneastray.”
Tuppenceexplainedherplans.
“Oh,yes,ofcourse,”saidSheilacarelessly.“Idorememberyousayingsomethingaboutit,butIhadn’trealiseditwastodayyouweregoing.I’llcomeandseeyouintothetrain.”
Sheilawasmoreanimatedthanusual.Shelookedneitherbad-temperednorsulky.ShechattedquiteamiablyaboutsmalldetailsofdailylifeatSansSouci.SheremainedtalkingtoTuppenceuntilthetrainleftthestation.
Afterwavingfromthewindowandwatchingthegirl’sfigurerecede,Tuppencesatdowninhercornerseatagainandgaveherselfuptoseriousmeditation.
Wasit,shewondered,anaccidentthatSheilahadhappenedtobeatthestationjustatthattime?Orwasitaproofofenemythoroughness?DidMrs.PerennawanttomakequitesurethatthegarrulousMrs.BlenkensopreallyhadgonetoLondon?
Itlookedverymuchlikeit.
IV
ItwasnotuntilthenextdaythatTuppencewasabletohaveaconferencewithTommy.TheyhadagreednevertoattempttocommunicatewitheachotherundertheroofofSansSouci.
Mrs.BlenkensopmetMr.Meadowesasthelatter,hishayfeversomewhatabated,wastakingagentlestrollonthefront.Theysatdownononeofthepromenadeseats.
“Well?”saidTuppence.
Slowly,Tommynoddedhishead.Helookedratherunhappy.
“Yes,”hesaid.“Igotsomething.ButLord,whataday.Perpetuallywithaneyetothecrackofthedoor.I’vegotquiteastiffneck.”
“Nevermindyourneck,”saidTuppenceunfeelingly.“Tellme.”
“Well,themaidswentintodothebedandtheroom,ofcourse.AndMrs.Perennawentin—butthatwaswhenthemaidswerethereandshewasjustblowingthemupaboutsomething.Andthekidraninonceandcameoutwithawoollydog.”
“Yes,yes.Anyoneelse?”
“Oneperson,”saidTommyslowly.
“Who?”
“CarlvonDeinim.”
“Oh!”Tuppencefeltaswiftpang.So,afterall—
“When?”sheasked.
“Lunchtime.Hecameoutfromthediningroomearly,cameuptohisroom,thensneakedacrossthepassageandintoyours.Hewasthereaboutaquarterofanhour.”
Hepaused.
“Thatsettlesit,Ithink?”
Tuppencenodded.
Yes,itsettleditallright.CarlvonDeinimcouldhavehadnoreasonforgoingintoMrs.Blenkensop’sbedroomandremainingthereforaquarterofanhoursaveone.Hiscomplicitywasproved.Hemustbe,Tuppencethought,amarvellousactor….
Hiswordstoherthatmorninghadrungsoverytrue.Well,perhapstheyhadbeentrueinaway.Toknowwhentousethetruthwastheessenceofsuccessfuldeception.CarlvonDeinimwasapatriotallright;hewasanenemyagentworkingforhiscountry.Onecouldrespecthimforthat.Yes—butdestroyhimtoo.
“I’msorry,”shesaidslowly.
“SoamI,”saidTommy.“He’sagoodchap.”
Tuppencesaid:
“YouandImightbedoingthesamethinginGermany.”
Tommynodded.Tuppencewenton.
“Well,weknowmoreorlesswhereweare.CarlvonDeinimworkinginwithSheilaandhermother.ProbablyMrs.Perennaisthebignoise.ThenthereisthatforeignwomanwhowastalkingtoCarlyesterday.She’sinitsomehow.”
“Whatdowedonow?”
“WemustgothroughMrs.Perenna’sroomsometime.Theremightbesomethingtherethatwouldgiveusahint.Andwemusttailher—seewhereshegoesandwhomshemeets.Tommy,let’sgetAlbertdownhere.”
Tommyconsideredthepoint.
ManyyearsagoAlbert,apageboyinahotel,hadjoinedforceswiththeyoungBeresfordsandsharedtheiradventures.Afterwardshehadenteredtheirserviceandbeenthesoledomesticpropoftheestablishment.SomesixyearsagohehadmarriedandwasnowtheproudproprietorofTheDuckandDogpubinSouthLondon.
Tuppencecontinuedrapidly:
“Albertwillbethrilled.We’llgethimdownhere.HecanstayatthepubnearthestationandhecanshadowthePerennasforus—oranyoneelse.”
“WhataboutMrs.Albert?”
“ShewasgoingtohermotherinWaleswiththechildrenlastMonday.Becauseofairraids.Itallfitsinperfectly.”
“Yes,that’sagoodidea,Tuppence.Eitherofusfollowingthewomanaboutwouldberatherconspicuous.Albertwillbeperfect.Nowanotherthing—Ithinkweoughttowatchoutforthatso-calledPolishwomanwhowastalkingtoCarlandhangingabouthere.Itseemstomethatsheprobablyrepresentstheotherendofthebusiness—andthat’swhatwe’reanxioustofind.”
“Ohyes,Idoagree.Shecomesherefororders,ortotakemessages.Nexttimeweseeher,oneofusmustfollowherandfindoutmoreabouther.”
“WhataboutlookingthroughMrs.Perenna’sroom—andCarl’stoo,Isuppose?”
“Idon’tsupposeyou’llfindanythinginhis.Afterall,asaGerman,thepoliceareliabletosearchitandsohe’dbecarefulnottohaveanythingsuspicious.ThePerennaisgoingtobedifficult.Whenshe’soutofthehouse,Sheilaisoftenthere,andthere’sBettyandMrs.Sprotrunningaboutalloverthelandings,andMrs.O’Rourkespendsalotoftimeinherbedroom.”
Shepaused.“Lunchtimeisthebest.”
“MasterCarl’stime?”
“Exactly.Icouldhaveaheadacheandgotomyroom—no,someonemightcomeupandwanttoministertome.Iknow,I’lljustcomeinquietlybeforelunchandgouptomyroomwithouttellinganyone.Then,afterlunch,IcansayIhadaheadache.”
“Hadn’tIbetterdoit?Myhayfevercouldrecrudescetomorrow.”
“Ithinkithadbetterbeme.IfI’mcaughtIcouldalwayssayIwaslookingforaspirinorsomething.OneofthegentlemenboardersinMrs.Perenna’sroomwouldcausefarmorespeculation.”
Tommygrinned.
“Ofascandalouscharacter.”
Thenthesmiledied.Helookedgraveandanxious.
“Assoonaswecan,oldthing.Thenewsisbadtoday.Wemustgetontosomethingsoon.”
V
Tommycontinuedhiswalkandpresentlyenteredthepostoffice,whereheputthroughacalltoMr.Grant,andreported“therecentoperationwassuccessfulandourfriendCisdefinitelyinvolved.”
Thenhewrotealetterandpostedit.ItwasaddressedtoMr.AlbertBatt,TheDuckandDog,GlamorganSt.,Kennington.
ThenheboughthimselfaweeklypaperwhichprofessedtoinformtheEnglishworldofwhatwasreallygoingtohappenandstrolledinnocentlybackinthedirectionofSansSouci.
PresentlyhewashailedbytheheartyvoiceofCommanderHaydockleaningfromhistwo-seatercarandshouting,“Hallo,Meadowes,wantalift?”
Tommyacceptedaliftgratefullyandgotin.
“Soyoureadthatrag,doyou?”demandedHaydock,glancingatthescarletcoveroftheInsideWeeklyNews.
Mr.Meadowesdisplayedtheslightconfusionofallreadersoftheperiodicalinquestionwhenchallenged.
“Awfulrag,”heagreed.“Butsometimes,youknow,theyreallydoseemtoknowwhat’sgoingonbehindthescenes.”
“Andsometimesthey’rewrong.”
“Oh,quiteso.”
“Truthofitis,”saidCommanderHaydock,steeringrathererraticallyroundaone-wayislandandnarrowlymissingcollisionwithalargevan,“whenthebeggarsareright,oneremembersit,andwhenthey’rewrongyouforgetit.”
“Doyouthinkthere’sanytruthinthisrumouraboutStalinhavingapproachedus?”
“Wishfulthinking,myboy,wishfulthinking,”saidCommanderHaydock.“TheRusskysareascrookedashellandalwayshavebeen.Don’ttrust’em,that’swhatIsay.Hearyou’vebeenundertheweather?”
“Justatouchofhayfever.Igetitaboutthistimeofyear.”
“Yes,ofcourse.Neversufferedfromitmyself,butIhadapalwhodid.UsedtolayhimoutregularlyeveryJune.Feelingfitenoughforagameofgolf?”
Tommysaidhe’dlikeitverymuch.
“Right.Whatabouttomorrow?Tellyouwhat,I’vegottogotoameetingaboutthisParashotbusiness,raisingacorpsoflocalvolunteers—jollygoodideaifyouaskme.Timewewereallmadetopullourweight.Soshallwehavearoundaboutsix?”
“Thanksverymuch.I’dliketo.”
“Good.Thenthat’ssettled.”
TheCommanderdrewupabruptlyatthegateofSansSouci.
“How’sthefairSheila?”heasked.
“Quitewell,Ithink.Ihaven’tseenmuchofher.”
Haydockgavehisloudbarkinglaugh.
“Notasmuchasyou’dliketo,Ibet!Good-lookinggirlthat,butdamnedrude.SheseestoomuchofthatGermanfellow.Damnedunpatriotic,Icallit.Daresayshe’sgotnouseforoldfogieslikeyouandme,butthereareplentyofniceladsgoingaboutinourownServices.WhytakeupwithabloodyGerman?Thatsortofthingrilesme.”
Mr.Meadowessaid:
“Becareful,he’sjustcomingupthehillbehindus.”
“Don’tcareifhedoeshear!Ratherhopehedoes.I’dliketokickMasterCarl’sbehindforhim.AnydecentGerman’sfightingforhiscountry—notslinkingoverheretogetoutofit!”
“Well,”saidTommy,“it’sonelessGermantoinvadeEnglandatallevents.”
“Youmeanhe’sherealready?Haha!Rathergood,Meadowes!NotthatIbelievethistommyrotaboutinvasion.Weneverhavebeeninvadedandneverwillbe.We’vegotaNavy,thankGod!”
WithwhichpatrioticannouncementtheCommanderletinhisclutchwithajerkandthecarleapedforwardupthehilltoSmugglers’Rest.
VI
TuppencearrivedatthegatesofSansSouciattwentyminutestotwo.Sheturnedofffromthedriveandwentthroughthegardenandintothehousethroughtheopendrawing-roomwindow.AsmellofIrishstewandtheclatterofplatesandmurmurofvoicescamefromafar.SansSouciwashardatworkonitsmiddaymeal.
Tuppencewaitedbythedrawing-roomdooruntilMartha,themaid,hadpassedacrossthehallandintothediningroom,thensheranquicklyupthestairs,shoeless.
Shewentintoherroom,putonhersoftfeltbedroomslippers,andthenwentalongthelandingandintoMrs.Perenna’sroom.
Onceinsideshelookedroundherandfeltacertaindistastesweepoverher.Notanicejob,this.QuiteunpardonableifMrs.PerennawassimplyMrs.Perenna.Pryingintopeople’sprivateaffairs—
Tuppenceshookherself,animpatientterriershakethatwasareminiscenceofhergirlhood.Therewasawaron!
Shewentovertothedressingtable.
Quickanddeftinhermovements,shehadsoongonethroughthecontentsofthedrawersthere.Inthetallbureau,oneofthedrawerswaslocked.Thatseemedmorepromising.
Tommyhadbeenentrustedwithcertaintoolsandhadreceivedsomebriefinstructiononthemanipulationofthem.TheseindicationshehadpassedontoTuppence.
Adefttwistortwoofthewristandthedraweryielded.
Therewasacashboxcontainingtwentypoundsinnotesandsomepilesofsilver—alsoajewelcase.Andtherewereaheapofpapers.TheselastwerewhatinterestedTuppencemost.Rapidlyshewentthroughthem;necessarilyitwasacursoryglance.Shecouldnotaffordtimeformore.
PapersrelatingtoamortgageonSansSouci,abankaccount,letters.Timeflewpast;Tuppenceskimmedthroughthedocuments,concentratingfuriouslyonanythingthatmightbearadoublemeaning.TwolettersfromafriendinItaly,rambling,discursiveletters,seeminglyquiteharmless.Butpossiblynotsoharmlessastheysounded.AletterfromoneSimonMortimer,ofLondon—adrybusinesslikelettercontainingsolittleofmomentthatTuppencewonderedwhyithadbeenkept.WasMr.Mortimernotsoharmlessasheseemed?AtthebottomofthepilealetterinfadedinksignedPatandbeginning“ThiswillbethelastletterI’llbewritingyou,Eileenmydarling—”
No,notthat!Tuppencecouldnotbringherselftoreadthat!Sherefoldedit,tidiedthelettersontopofitandthen,suddenlyalert,pushedthedrawerto—notimetorelockit—andwhenthedooropenedandMrs.Perennacamein,shewassearchingvaguelyamongstthebottlesonthewashstand.
Mrs.Blenkensopturnedaflustered,butfoolishfacetowardsherhostess.
“Oh,Mrs.Perenna,doforgiveme.Icameinwithsuchablindingheadache,andIthoughtIwouldliedownonmybedwithalittleaspirin,andIcouldn’tfindmine,soIthoughtyouwouldn’tmind—IknowyoumusthavesomebecauseyouofferedittoMissMintontheotherday.”
Mrs.Perennasweptintotheroom.Therewasasharpnessinhervoiceasshesaid:
“Why,ofcourse,Mrs.Blenkensop,whyeverdidn’tyoucomeandaskme?”
“Well,ofcourse,yes,Ishouldhavedonereally.ButIknewyouwereallatlunch,andIdosohate,youknow,makingafuss—”
PassingTuppence,Mrs.Perennacaughtupthebottleofaspirinfromthewashstand.
“Howmanywouldyoulike?”shedemandedcrisply.
Mrs.Blenkensopacceptedthree.EscortedbyMrs.Perennashecrossedtoherownroomandhastilydemurredtothesuggestionofahot-waterbottle.
Mrs.Perennausedherpartingshotasshelefttheroom.
“Butyouhavesomeaspirinofyourown,Mrs.Blenkensop.I’veseenit.”
Tuppencecriedquickly:
“Oh,Iknow.IknowI’vegotsomesomewhere,but,sostupidofme,Isimplycouldn’tlaymyhandsonit.”
Mrs.Perennasaidwithaflashofherbigwhiteteeth:
“Well,haveagoodrestuntilteatime.”
Shewentout,closingthedoorbehindher.Tuppencedrewadeepbreath,lyingonherbedrigidlylestMrs.Perennashouldreturn.
Hadtheothersuspectedanything?Thoseteeth,sobigandsowhite—thebettertoeatyouwith,mydear.Tuppencealwaysthoughtofthatwhenshenoticedthoseteeth.Mrs.Perenna’shandstoo,bigcruel-lookinghands.
ShehadappearedtoacceptTuppence’spresenceinherbedroomquitenaturally.Butlatershewouldfindthebureaudrawerunlocked.Wouldshesuspectthen?Orwouldshethinkshehadleftitunlockedherselfbyaccident?Onediddosuchthings.HadTuppencebeenabletoreplacethepapersinsuchawaythattheylookedmuchthesameasbefore?
Surely,evenifMrs.Perennadidnoticeanythingamissshewouldbemorelikelytosuspectoneoftheservantsthanshewould“Mrs.Blenkensop.”Andifshedidsuspectthelatter,wouldn’titbeamerecaseofsuspectingherofunduecuriosity?Therewerepeople,Tuppenceknew,whodidpokeandpry.
Butthen,ifMrs.PerennaweretherenownedGermanagentM.,shewouldbesuspiciousofcounterespionage.
Hadanythinginherbearingrevealedunduealertness?
Shehadseemednaturalenough—onlythatonesharplypointedremarkabouttheaspirin.
Suddenly,Tuppencesatuponherbed.Sherememberedthatheraspirin,togetherwithsomeiodineandabottleofsodamints,wereatthebackofthewriting-tabledrawerwhereshehadshovedthemwhenunpacking.
Itwouldseem,therefore,thatshewasnottheonlypersontosnoopinotherpeople’srooms.Mrs.Perennahadgottherefirst.
Seven
OnthefollowingdayMrs.SprotwentuptoLondon.
AfewtentativeremarksonherparthadledimmediatelytovariousoffersonthepartoftheinhabitantsofSansSoucitolookafterBetty.
WhenMrs.Sprot,withmanyfinaladjurationstoBettytobeaverygoodgirl,haddeparted,BettyattachedherselftoTuppence,whohadelectedtotakemorningduty.
“Play,”saidBetty.“Playhideseek.”
Shewastalkingmoreeasilyeverydayandhadadoptedamostfetchinghabitoflayingherheadononeside,fixingherinterlocutorwithabewitchingsmileandmurmuring“Peese.”
Tuppencehadintendedtakingherforawalk,butitwasraininghard,sothetwoofthemadjournedtothebedroomwhereBettyledthewaytothebottomdrawerofthebureauwhereherplaythingswerekept.
“HideBonzo,shallwe?”askedTuppence.
ButBettyhadchangedhermindanddemandedinstead:
“Weadmestory.”
Tuppencepulledoutarathertatteredbookfromoneendofthecupboard—tobeinterruptedbyasquealfromBetty.
“No,no.Nasty…Bad….”
Tuppencestaredatherinsurpriseandthendownatthebook,whichwasacolouredversionofLittleJackHorner.
“WasJackabadboy?”sheasked.“Becausehepulledoutaplum?”
Bettyreiteratedwithemphasis:
“B-a-ad!”andwithaterrificeffort,“Dirrrty!”
SheseizedthebookfromTuppenceandreplaceditintheline,thentuggedoutanidenticalbookfromtheotherendoftheshelf,announcingwithabeamingsmile:
“K-k-kleanni’ticeJackorner!”
Tuppencerealisedthatthedirtyandwornbookshadbeenreplacedbynewandcleanereditionsandwasratheramused.Mrs.SprotwasverymuchwhatTuppencethoughtofas“thehygienicmother.”Alwaysterrifiedofgerms,ofimpurefood,orofthechildsuckingasoiledtoy.
Tuppence,broughtupinafreeandeasyrectorylife,wasalwaysrathercontemptuousofexaggeratedhygieneandhadbroughtupherowntwochildrentoabsorbwhatshecalleda“reasonableamount”ofdirt.However,sheobedientlytookoutthecleancopyofJackHornerandreadittothechildwiththecommentspropertotheoccasion.Bettymurmuring“That’sJack!—Plum!—InaPie!”pointingouttheseinterestingobjectswithastickyfingerthatbadefairtosoonconsignthissecondcopytothescrapheap.TheyproceededtoGooseyGooseyGanderandTheOldWomanWhoLivedinaShoe,andthenBettyhidthebooksandTuppencetookanamazinglylongtimetofindeachofthem,toBetty’sgreatglee,andsothemorningpassedrapidlyaway.
AfterlunchBettyhadherrestanditwasthenthatMrs.O’RourkeinvitedTuppenceintoherroom.
Mrs.O’Rourke’sroomwasveryuntidyandsmeltstronglyofpeppermint,andstalecakewithafaintodourofmothballsadded.TherewerephotographsoneverytableofMrs.O’Rourke’schildrenandgrandchildrenandniecesandnephewsandgreat-niecesandgreat-nephews.ThereweresomanyofthemthatTuppencefeltasthoughshewerelookingatarealisticallyproducedplayofthelateVictorianperiod.
“’Tisagrandwayyouhavewithchildren,Mrs.Blenkensop,”observedMrs.O’Rourkegenially.
“Ohwell,”saidTuppence,“withmyowntwo—”
Mrs.O’Rourkecutinquickly:
“Two?ItwasthreeboysIunderstoodyouhad?”
“Ohyes,three.ButtwoofthemareverynearinageandIwasthinkingofthedaysspentwiththem.”
“Ah!Isee.Sitdownnow,Mrs.Blenkensop.Makeyourselfathome.”
TuppencesatdownobedientlyandwishedthatMrs.O’Rourkedidnotalwaysmakeherfeelsouncomfortable.ShefeltnowexactlylikeHanselorGretelacceptingthewitch’sinvitation.
“Tellmenow,”saidMrs.O’Rourke.“WhatdoyouthinkofSansSouci?”
Tuppencebeganasomewhatgushingspeechofeulogy,butMrs.O’Rourkecuthershortwithoutceremony.
“WhatI’dbeaskingyouisifyoudon’tfeelthere’ssomethingoddabouttheplace?”
“Odd?No,Idon’tthinkso.”
“NotaboutMrs.Perenna?You’reinterestedinher,youmustallow.I’veseenyouwatchingherandwatchingher.”
Tuppenceflushed.
“She—she’saninterestingwoman.”
“Sheisnotthen,”saidMrs.O’Rourke.“She’sacommonplacewomanenough—thatisifshe’swhatsheseems.Butperhapssheisn’t.Isthatyouridea?”
“Really,Mrs.O’Rourke,Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.”
“Haveyoueverstoppedtothinkthatmanyofusarethatway—differenttowhatweseemonthesurface.Mr.Meadowes,now.He’sapuzzlingkindofman.SometimesI’dsayhewasatypicalEnglishman,stupidtothecore,andthere’sothertimesI’llcatchalookorawordthat’snotstupidatall.It’soddthat,don’tyouthinkso?”
Tuppencesaidfirmly:
“Oh,IreallythinkMr.Meadowesisverytypical.”
“Thereareothers.Perhapsyou’llknowwhoI’llbemeaning?”
Tuppenceshookherhead.
“Thename,”saidMrs.O’Rourkeencouragingly,“beginswithanS.”
Shenoddedherheadseveraltimes.
Withasuddensparkofangerandanobscureimpulsetospringtothedefenceofsomethingyoungandvulnerable,Tuppencesaidsharply:
“Sheila’sjustarebel.Oneusuallyis,atthatage.”
Mrs.O’Rourkenoddedherheadseveraltimes,lookingjustlikeanobesechinamandarinthatTuppencerememberedonherAuntGracie’smantelpiece.Avastsmiletiltedupthecornersofhermouth.Shesaidsoftly:
“Youmayn’tknowit,butMissMinton’sChristiannameisSophia.”
“Oh,”Tuppencewastakenaback.“WasitMissMintonyoumeant?”
“Itwasnot,”saidMrs.O’Rourke.
Tuppenceturnedawaytothewindow.Queerhowthisoldwomancouldaffecther,spreadingaboutheranatmosphereofunrestandfear.“Likeamousebetweenacat’spaws,”thoughtTuppence.“That’swhatIfeellike….”
Thisvastsmilingmonumentaloldwoman,sittingthere,almostpurring—andyettherewasthepatpatofpawsplayingwithsomethingthatwasn’t,inspiteofthepurring,tobeallowedtogetaway….
“Nonsense—allnonsense!Iimaginethesethings,”thoughtTuppence,staringoutofthewindowintothegarden.Therainhadstopped.Therewasagentlepatterofraindropsoffthetrees.
Tuppencethought:“Itisn’tallmyfancy.I’mnotafancifulperson.Thereissomething,somefocusofevilthere.IfIcouldsee—”
Herthoughtsbrokeoffabruptly.
Atthebottomofthegardenthebushespartedslightly.Inthegapafaceappeared,staringstealthilyupatthehouse.ItwasthefaceoftheforeignwomanwhohadstoodtalkingtoCarlvonDeinimintheroad.
Itwassostill,sounblinkinginitsregard,thatitseemedtoTuppenceasthoughitwasnothuman.Staring,staringupatthewindowsofSansSouci.Itwasdevoidofexpression,andyettherewas—yes,undoubtedlytherewas—menaceaboutit.Immobile,implacable.Itrepresentedsomespirit,someforce,alientoSansSouciandthecommonplacebanalityofEnglishguesthouselife.“So,”Tuppencethought,“mightJaelhavelooked,awaitingtodrivethenailthroughtheforeheadofsleepingSisera.”
ThesethoughtstookonlyasecondortwotoflashthroughTuppence’smind.Turningabruptlyfromthewindow,shemurmuredsomethingtoMrs.O’Rourke,hurriedoutoftheroomandrandownstairsandoutofthefrontdoor.
Turningtotherightsherandownthesidegardenpathtowhereshehadseentheface.Therewasnoonetherenow.Tuppencewentthroughtheshrubberyandoutontotheroadandlookedupanddownthehill.Shecouldseenoone.Wherehadthewomangone?
Vexed,sheturnedandwentbackintothegroundsofSansSouci.Couldshehaveimaginedthewholething?No,thewomanhadbeenthere.
Obstinatelyshewanderedroundthegarden,peeringbehindbushes.Shegotverywetandfoundnotraceofthestrangewoman.Sheretracedherstepstothehousewithavaguefeelingofforeboding—aqueerformlessdreadofsomethingabouttohappen.
Shedidnotguess,wouldneverhaveguessed,whatthatsomethingwasgoingtobe.
II
Nowthattheweatherhadcleared,MissMintonwasdressingBettypreparatorytotakingheroutforawalk.TheyweregoingdowntothetowntobuyacelluloidducktosailinBetty’sbath.
Bettywasveryexcitedandcaperedsoviolentlythatitwasextremelydifficulttoinsertherarmsintoherwoollypullover.Thetwosetofftogether,Bettychatteringviolently:“Byaduck.Byaduck.ForBettibarf.ForBettibarf,”andderivinggreatpleasurefromaceaselessreiterationoftheseimportantfacts
Twomatches,leftcarelesslycrossedonthemarbletableinthehall,informedTuppencethatMr.MeadoweswasspendingtheafternoononthetrailofMrs.Perenna.Tuppencebetookherselftothedrawing-roomandthecompanyofMr.andMrs.Cayley.
Mr.Cayleywasinafretfulmood.HehadcometoLeahampton,heexplained,forabsoluterestandquiet,andwhatquietcouldtherebewithachildinthehouse?Alldaylongitwenton,screamingandrunningabout,jumpingupanddownonthefloors—
HiswifemurmuredpacificallythatBettywasreallyadearlittlemite,buttheremarkmetwithnofavour.
“Nodoubt,nodoubt,”saidMr.Cayley,wrigglinghislongneck.“Buthermothershouldkeepherquiet.Thereareotherpeopletoconsider.Invalids,peoplewhosenervesneedrepose.”
Tuppencesaid:“It’snoteasytokeepachildofthatagequiet.It’snotnatural—therewouldbesomethingwrongwiththechildifshewasquiet.”
Mr.Cayleygobbledangrily.
“Nonsense—nonsense—thisfoolishmodernspirit.Lettingchildrendoexactlyastheyplease.Achildshouldbemadetositdownquietlyand—andnurseadoll—orread,orsomething.”
“She’snotthreeyet,”saidTuppence,smiling.“Youcanhardlyexpecthertobeabletoread.”
“Well,somethingmustbedoneaboutit.IshallspeaktoMrs.Perenna.Thechildwassinging,singinginherbedbeforeseveno’clockthismorning.Ihadhadabadnightandjustdroppedofftowardsmorning—anditwokemerightup.”
“It’sveryimportantthatMr.Cayleyshouldgetasmuchsleepaspossible,”saidMrs.Cayleyanxiously.“Thedoctorsaidso.”
“Youshouldgotoanursinghome,”saidTuppence.
“Mydearlady,suchplacesareruinouslyexpensiveandbesidesit’snottherightatmosphere.Thereisasuggestionofillnessthatreactsunfavourablyonmysubconscious.”
“Brightsociety,thedoctorsaid,”Mrs.Cayleyexplainedhelpfully.“Anormallife.Hethoughtaguesthousewouldbebetterthanjusttakingafurnishedhouse.Mr.Cayleywouldnotbesolikelytobrood,andwouldbestimulatedbyexchangingideaswithotherpeople.”
Mr.Cayley’smethodofexchangingideaswas,sofarasTuppencecouldjudge,amererecitalofhisownailmentsandsymptomsandtheexchangeconsistedinthesympatheticorunsympatheticreceptionofthem.
Adroitly,Tuppencechangedthesubject.
“Iwishyouwouldtellme,”shesaid,“ofyourownviewsonlifeinGermany.Youtoldmeyouhadtravelledthereagooddealinrecentyears.Itwouldbeinterestingtohavethepointofviewofanexperiencedmanoftheworldlikeyourself.Icanseeyouarethekindofman,quiteunswayedbyprejudice,whocouldreallygiveaclearaccountofconditionsthere.”
Flattery,inTuppence’sopinion,shouldalwaysbelaidonwithatrowelwhereamanwasconcerned.Mr.Cayleyroseatoncetothebait.
“Asyousay,dearlady,Iamcapableoftakingaclearunprejudicedview.Now,inmyopinion—”
Whatfollowedconstitutedamonologue.Tuppence,throwinginanoccasional“Nowthat’sveryinteresting”or“Whatashrewdobserveryouare,”listenedwithanattentionthatwasnotassumedfortheoccasion.ForMr.Cayley,carriedawaybythesympathyofhislistener,wasdisplayinghimselfasadecidedadmireroftheNazisystem.Howmuchbetteritwouldhavebeen,hehinted,ifdidnotsay,forEnglandandGermanytohavealliedthemselvesagainsttherestofEurope.
ThereturnofMissMintonandBetty,thecelluloidduckdulyobtained,brokeinuponthemonologue,whichhadextendedunbrokenfornearlytwohours.Lookingup,TuppencecaughtratheracuriousexpressiononMrs.Cayley’sface.Shefoundithardtodefine.Itmightbemerelypardonablewifelyjealousyatthemonopolyofherhusband’sattentionby
TeawasthenextmoveandhardonthatcamethereturnofMrs.SprotfromLondonexclaiming:
“IdohopeBetty’sbeengoodandnottroublesome?Haveyoubeenagoodgirl,Betty?”TowhichBettyrepliedlaconicallybythesingleword:
“Dam!”
This,however,wasnottoberegardedasanexpressionofdisapprovalathermother’sreturn,butmerelyasarequestforblackberrypreserve.
ItelicitedadeepchucklefromMrs.O’Rourkeandareproachful:
“Please,Betty,dear,”fromtheyounglady’sparent.
Mrs.Sprotthensatdown,drankseveralcupsoftea,andplungedintoaspiritednarrativeofherpurchasesinLondon,thecrowdonthetrain,whatasoldierrecentlyreturnedfromFrancehadtoldtheoccupantsofhercarriage,andwhatagirlbehindthestockingcounterhadtoldherofastockingshortagetocome.
Theconversationwas,infact,completelynormal.Itwasprolongedafterwardsontheterraceoutside,forthesunwasnowshiningandthewetdayathingofthepast.
Bettyrushedhappilyabout,makingmysteriousexpeditionsintothebushesandreturningwithalaurelleaf,oraheapofpebbleswhichsheplacedinthelapofoneofthegrown-upswithaconfusedandunintelligibleexplanationofwhatitrepresented.Fortunatelysherequiredlittlecooperationinhergame,beingsatisfiedwithanoccasional“Hownice,darling.Isitreally?”
NeverhadtherebeenaneveningmoretypicalofSansSouciatitsmostharmless.Chatter,gossip,speculationsastothecourseofthewar—CanFrancerally?WillWeygandpullthingstogether?WhatisRussialikelytodo?CouldHitlerinvadeEnglandifhetried?WillParisfallifthe“bulge”isnotstraightenedout?Wasittruethat…?Ithadbeensaidthat…Anditwasrumouredthat….
Politicalandmilitaryscandalwashappilybandiedabout.
Tuppencethoughttoherself:“Chatterbugsadanger?Nonsense,they’reasafetyvalve.Peopleenjoytheserumours.Itgivesthemthestimulationtocarryonwiththeirownprivateworriesandanxieties.”Shecontributedanicetit-bitprefixedby“Mysontoldme—ofcoursethisisquiteprivate,youunderstand—”
Suddenly,withastart,Mrs.Sprotglancedatherwatch.
“Goodness,it’snearlyseven.Ioughttohaveputthatchildtobedhoursago.Betty—Betty!”
ItwassometimesinceBettyhadreturnedtotheterrace,thoughnoonehadnoticedherdefection.
Mrs.Sprotcalledherwithrisingimpatience.
“Bett—eeee!Wherecanthechildbe?”
Mrs.O’Rourkesaidwithherdeeplaugh:
“Uptomischief,I’venodoubtofit.’Tisalwaysthewaywhenthere’speace.”
“Betty!Iwantyou.”
TherewasnoanswerandMrs.Sprotroseimpatiently.
“IsupposeImustgoandlookforher.Iwonderwhereshecanbe?”
MissMintonsuggestedthatshewashidingsomewhereandTuppence,withmemoriesofherownchildhood,suggestedthekitchen.ButBettycouldnotbefound,eitherinsideoroutsidethehouse.Theywentroundthegardencalling,lookingalloverthebedrooms.TherewasnoBettyanywhere.
Mrs.Sprotbegantogetannoyed.
“It’sverynaughtyofher—verynaughtyindeed!Doyouthinkshecanhavegoneoutontheroad?”
TogethersheandTuppencewentouttothegateandlookedupanddownthehill.Therewasnooneinsightexceptatradesman’sboywithabicyclestandingtalkingtoamaidatthedoorofSt.Lucian’sopposite.
OnTuppence’ssuggestion,sheandMrs.Sprotcrossedtheroadandthelatteraskedifeitherofthemhadnoticedalittlegirl.Theybothshooktheirheadsandthentheservantasked,withsuddenrecollection:
“Alittlegirlinagreencheckedginghamdress?”
Mrs.Sprotsaideagerly:
“That’sright.”
“Isawherabouthalfanhourago—goingdowntheroadwithawoman.”
Mrs.Sprotsaidwithastonishment:
“Withawoman?Whatsortofawoman?”
Thegirlseemedslightlyembarrassed.
“Well,whatI’dcallanodd-lookingkindofwoman.Aforeignershewas.Queerclothes.Akindofshawlthingandnohat,andastrangesortofface—queerlike,ifyouknowwhatImean.I’veseenheraboutonceortwicelately,andtotellthetruthIthoughtshewasabitwanting—ifyouknowwhatImean,”sheaddedhelpfully.
InaflashTuppencerememberedthefaceshehadseenthatafternoonpeeringthroughthebushesandtheforebodingthathadsweptoverher.
Butshehadneverthoughtofthewomaninconnectionwiththechild,couldnotunderstanditnow.
Shehadlittletimeformeditation,however,forMrs.Sprotalmostcollapsedagainsther.
“OhBetty,mylittlegirl.She’sbeenkidnapped.She—whatdidthewomanlooklike—agipsy?”
Tuppenceshookherheadenergetically.
“No,shewasfair,veryfair,abroadfacewithhighcheekbonesandblueeyessetveryfarapart.”
ShesawMrs.Sprotstaringatherandhastenedtoexplain.
“Isawthewomanthisafternoon—peeringthroughthebushesatthebottomofthegarden.AndI’venoticedherhangingabout.CarlvonDeinimwasspeakingtoheroneday.Itmustbethesamewoman.”
Theservantgirlchimedintosay:
“That’sright.Fair-hairedshewas.Andwanting,ifyouaskme.Didn’tunderstandnothingthatwassaidtoher.”
“OhGod,”moanedMrs.Sprot.“WhatshallIdo?”
Tuppencepassedanarmroundher.
“Comebacktothehouse,havealittlebrandyandthenwe’llringupthepolice.It’sallright.We’llgetherback.”
Mrs.Sprotwentwithhermeekly,murmuringinadazedfashion:
“Ican’timaginehowBettywouldgolikethatwithastranger.”
“She’sveryyoung,”saidTuppence.“Notoldenoughtobeshy.”
Mrs.Sprotcriedoutweakly:
“SomedreadfulGermanwoman,Iexpect.She’llkillmyBetty.”
“Nonsense,”saidTuppencerobustly.“Itwillbeallright.Iexpectshe’sjustsomewomanwho’snotquiterightinherhead.”Butshedidnotbelieveherownwords—didnotbelieveforonemomentthatthecalmblondewomanwasanirresponsiblelunatic.
Carl!WouldCarlknow?HadCarlsomethingtodowiththis?
Afewminuteslatershewasinclinedtodoubtthis.CarlvonDeinim,liketherest,seemedamazed,unbelieving,completelysurprised.
Assoonasthefactsweremadeplain,MajorBletchleyassumedcontrol.
“Nowthen,dearlady,”hesaidtoMrs.Sprot.“Sitdownhere—justdrinkalittledropofthis—brandy—itwon’thurtyou—andI’llgetstraightontothepolicestation.”
Mrs.Sprotmurmured:
“Waitaminute—theremightbesomething—”
ShehurriedupthestairsandalongthepassagetohersandBetty’sroom.
Aminuteortwolatertheyheardherfootstepsrunningwildlyalongthelanding.SherusheddownthestairslikeadementedwomanandclutchedMajorBletchley’shandfromthetelephonereceiver,whichhewasjustabouttolift.
“No,no,”shepanted.“Youmustn’t—youmustn’t….”
Andsobbingwildly,shecollapsedintoachair.
Theycrowdedroundher.Inaminuteortwo,sherecoveredhercomposure.Sittingup,withMrs.Cayley’sarmroundher,sheheldsomethingoutforthemtosee.
“Ifoundthisonthefloorofmyroom.Ithadbeenwrappedroundastoneandthrownthroughthewindow.Look—lookwhatitsays.”
Tommytookitfromherandunfoldedit.
Itwasanote,writteninaqueerstiffforeignhandwriting,bigandbold.
WEHAVEGOTYOURCHILDINSAFEKEEPING.YOUWILLBETOLDWHATTODOINDUECOURSE.IFYOUGOTOTHEPOLICEYOURCHILDWILLBEKILLED.SAYNOTHING.WAITFORINSTRUCTIONS.IFNOT—
Itwassignedwithaskullandcrossbones.
Mrs.Sprotwasmoaningfaintly:
“Betty—Betty—”
Everyonewastalkingatonce.“Thedirtymurderingscoundrels”fromMrs.O’Rourke.“Brutes!”fromSheilaPerenna.“Fantastic,fantastic—Idon’tbelieveawordofit.Sillypracticaljoke”fromMr.Cayley.“Oh,thedearweemite”fromMissMinton.“Idonotunderstand.Itisincredible”fromCarlvonDeinim.AndaboveeveryoneelsethestentorianvoiceofMajorBletchley.
“Damnednonsense.Intimidation.Wemustinformthepoliceatonce.They’llsoongettothebottomofit.”
Oncemorehemovedtowardsthetelephone.ThistimeascreamofoutragedmotherhoodfromMrs.Sprotstoppedhim.
Heshouted:
“Butmydearmadam,it’sgottobedone.Thisisonlyacrudedevicetopreventyougettingonthetrackofthesescoundrels.”
“They’llkillher.”
“Nonsense.Theywouldn’tdare.”
“Iwon’thaveit,Itellyou.I’mhermother.It’sformetosay.”
“Iknow.Iknow.That’swhatthey’recountingon—yourfeelinglikethat.Verynatural.Butyoumusttakeitfromme,asoldierandanexperiencedmanoftheworld,thepolicearewhatweneed.”
“No!”
Bletchley’seyeswentroundseekingallies.
“Meadowes,youagreewithme?”
SlowlyTommynodded.
“Cayley?Look,Mrs.Sprot,bothMeadowesandCayleyagree.”
Mrs.Sprotsaidwithsuddenenergy:
“Men!Allofyou!Askthewomen!”
Tommy’seyessoughtTuppence.Tuppencesaid,hervoicelowandshaken:
“I—IagreewithMrs.Sprot.”
Shewasthinking:“Deborah!Derek!Ifitwerethem,I’dfeellikeher.Tommyandtheothersareright,I’venodoubt,butallthesameIcouldn’tdoit.Icouldn’triskit.”
Mrs.O’Rourkewassaying:
“Nomotheralivecouldriskitandthat’safact.”
Mrs.Cayleymurmured:
“Idothink,youknow,that—well—”andtailedoffintoincoherence.
MissMintonsaidtremulously:
“Suchawfulthingshappen.We’dneverforgiveourselvesifanythinghappenedtodearlittleBetty.”
Tuppencesaidsharply:
“Youhaven’tsaidanything,Mr.vonDeinim?”
Carl’sblueeyeswereverybright.Hisfacewasamask.Hesaidslowlyandstiffly:
“Iamaforeigner.IdonotknowyourEnglishpolice.Howcompetenttheyare—howquick.”
Someonehadcomeintothehall.ItwasMrs.Perenna,hercheekswereflushed.Evidentlyshehadbeenhurryingupthehill.Shesaid:
“What’sallthis?”Andhervoicewascommanding,imperious,notthecomplaisantguesthousehostess,butawomanofforce.
Theytoldher—aconfusedtaletoldbytoomanypeople,butshegraspeditquickly.
Andwithhergraspingofit,thewholethingseemed,inaway,tobepasseduptoherforjudgement.ShewastheSupremeCourt.
Sheheldthehastilyscrawlednoteaminute,thenshehandeditback.Herwordscamesharpandauthoritative.
“Thepolice?They’llbenogood.Youcan’trisktheirblundering.Takethelawintoyourownhands.Goafterthechildyourselves.”
Bletchleysaid,shrugginghisshoulders:
“Verywell.Ifyouwon’tcallthepolice,it’sthebestthingtobedone.”
Tommysaid:
“Theycan’thavegotmuchofastart.”
“Halfanhour,themaidsaid,”Tuppenceputin.
“Haydock,”saidBletchley.“Haydock’sthemantohelpus.He’sgotacar.Thewoman’sunusuallooking,yousay?Andaforeigner?Oughttoleaveatrailthatwecanfollow.Comeon,there’snotimetobelost.You’llcomealong,Meadowes?”
Mrs.Sprotgotup.
“I’mcomingtoo.”
“Now,mydearlady,leaveittous—”
“I’mcomingtoo.”
“Oh,well—”
Hegavein—murmuringsomethingaboutthefemaleofthespeciesbeingdeadlierthanthemale.
III
IntheendCommanderHaydock,takinginthesituationwithcommendableNavalrapidity,drovethecar,Tommysatbesidehim,andbehindwereBletchley,Mrs.SprotandTuppence.NotonlydidMrs.Sprotclingtoher,butTuppencewastheonlyone(withtheexceptionofCarlvonDeinim)whoknewthemysteriouskidnapperbysight.
TheCommanderwasagoodorganiserandaquickworker.Innexttonotimehehadfilledupthecarwithpetrol,tossedamapofthedistrictandalargerscalemapofLeahamptonitselftoBletchleyandwasreadytostartoff.
Mrs.Sprothadrunupstairsagain,presumablytoherroomtogetacoat.ButwhenshegotintothecarandtheyhadstarteddownthehillshedisclosedtoTuppencesomethinginherhandbag.Itwasasmallpistol.
Shesaidquietly:
“IgotitfromMajorBletchley’sroom.Irememberedhismentioningonedaythathehadone.”
Tuppencelookedalittledubious.
“Youdon’tthinkthat—?”
Mrs.Sprotsaid,hermouthathinline:
“Itmaycomeinuseful.”
Tuppencesatmarvellingatthestrangeforcesmaternitywillsetlooseinanordinarycommonplaceyoungwoman.ShecouldvisualiseMrs.Sprot,thekindofwomanwhowouldnormallydeclareherselffrightenedtodeathoffirearms,coollyshootingdownanypersonwhohadharmedherchild.
Theydrovefirst,ontheCommander’ssuggestion,totherailwaystation.AtrainhadleftLeahamptonabouttwentyminutesearlieranditwaspossiblethatthefugitiveshadgonebyit.
Atthestationtheyseparated,theCommandertakingtheticketcollector,Tommythebookingoffice,andBletchleytheportersoutside.TuppenceandMrs.Sprotwentintotheladies’roomonthechancethatthewomanhadgoneintheretochangeherappearancebeforetakingthetrain.
Oneandalldrewablank.Itwasnowmoredifficulttoshapeacourse.Inallprobability,asHaydockpointedout,thekidnappershadhadacarwaiting,andonceBettyhadbeenpersuadedtocomeawaywiththewoman,theyhadmadetheirgetawayinthat.Itwashere,asBletchleypointedoutoncemore,thatthecooperationofthepolicewassovital.Itneededanorganisationofthatkindwhocouldsendoutmessagesalloverthecountry,coveringthedifferentroads.
Mrs.Sprotmerelyshookherhead,herlipspressedtightlytogether.
Tuppencesaid:
“Wemustputourselvesintheirplaces.Wherewouldtheyhavewaitedinthecar?SomewhereasnearSansSouciaspossible,butwhereacarwouldn’tbenoticed.Nowlet’sthink.ThewomanandBettywalkdownthehilltogether.Atthebottomistheesplanade.Thecarmighthavebeendrawnupthere.Solongasyoudon’tleaveitunattendedyoucanstopthereforquiteawhile.TheonlyotherplacesarethecarparkinJames’sSquare,alsoquitenear,orelseoneofthesmallstreetsthatleadofffromtheesplanade.”
Itwasatthatmomentthatasmallman,withadiffidentmannerandpincenez,steppeduptothemandsaid,stammeringalittle:
“Excuseme…Nooffence,Ihope…butIc-ccouldn’thelpoverhearingwhatyouwereaskingtheporterjustnow”(henowdirectedhisremarkstoMajorBletchley).“Iwasnotlistening,ofcourse,justcomedowntoseeaboutaparcel—extraordinaryhowlongthingsaredelayedjustnow—movementsoftroops,theysay—butreallymostdifficultwhenit’sperishable—theparcel,Imean—andso,yousee,Ihappenedtooverhear—andreallyitdidseemthemostwonderfulcoincidence….”
Mrs.Sprotsprangforward.Sheseizedhimbythearm.
“You’veseenher?You’veseenmylittlegirl?”
“Ohreally,yourlittlegirl,yousay?Nowfancythat—”
Mrs.Sprotcried:“Tellme.”Andherfingersbitintothelittleman’sarmsothathewinced.
Tuppencesaidquickly:
“Pleasetellusanythingyouhaveseenasquicklyasyoucan.Weshallbemostgratefulifyouwould.”
“Oh,well,really,ofcourse,itmaybenothingatall.Butthedescriptionfittedsowell—”
Tuppencefeltthewomanbesidehertrembling,butsheherselfstrovetokeephermannercalmandunhurried.Sheknewthetypewithwhichtheyweredealing—fussy,muddle-headed,diffident,incapableofgoingstraighttothepointandworseifhurried.Shesaid:
“Pleasetellus.”
“Itwasonly—mynameisRobbins,bytheway,EdwardRobbins—”
“Yes,Mr.Robbins?”
“IliveatWhitewaysinErnesCliffRoad,oneofthosenewhousesonthenewroad—mostlaboursaving,andreallyeveryconvenience,andabeautifulviewandthedownsonlyastone’sthrowaway.”
TuppencequelledMajorBletchley,whoshesawwasabouttobreakout,withaglance,andsaid:
“Andyousawthelittlegirlwearelookingfor?”
“Yes,Ireallythinkitmustbe.Alittlegirlwithaforeign-lookingwoman,yousaid?ItwasreallythewomanInoticed.Because,ofcourse,weareallonthelookoutnowadaysforFifthColumnists,aren’twe?Asharplookout,thatiswhattheysay,andIalwaystrytodoso,andso,asIsay,Inoticedthiswoman.Anurse,Ithought,oramaid—alotofspiescameoverhereinthatcapacity,andthiswomanwasmostunusuallookingandwalkinguptheroadandontothedowns—withalittlegirl—andthelittlegirlseemedtiredandratherlagging,andhalf-pastseven,well,mostchildrengotobedthen,soIlookedatthewomanprettysharply.Ithinkitflusteredher.Shehurrieduptheroad,pullingthechildafterher,andfinallypickedherupandwentonupthepathoutontothecliff,whichIthoughtstrange,youknow,becausetherearenohousesthereatall—nothing—notuntilyougettoWhitehaven—aboutfivemilesoverthedowns—afavouritewalkforhikers.ButinthiscaseIthoughtitodd.Iwonderedifthewomanwasgoingtosignal,perhaps.Onehearsofsomuchenemyactivity,andshecertainlylookeduneasywhenshesawmestaringather.”
CommanderHaydockwasbackinthecarandhadstartedtheengine.Hesaid:
“ErnesCliffRoad,yousay.That’srighttheothersideofthetown,isn’tit?”
“Yes,yougoalongtheesplanadeandpasttheoldtownandthenup—”
Theothershadjumpedin,notlisteningfurthertoMr.Robbins.
Tuppencecalledout:
“Thankyou,Mr.Robbins,”andtheydroveoff,leavinghimstaringafterthemwithhismouthopen.
Theydroverapidlythroughthetown,avoidingaccidentsmorebygoodluckthanbyskill.Buttheluckheld.Theycameoutatlastatamassofstragglingbuildingdevelopment,somewhatmarredbyproximitytothegasworks.Aseriesoflittleroadsleduptowardsthedowns,stoppingabruptlyashortwayupthehill.ErnesCliffRoadwasthethirdofthese.
CommanderHaydockturnedsmartlyintoitanddroveup.Attheendtheroadpeteredoutontobarehillside,upwhichafootpathmeanderedupwards.
“Bettergetoutandwalkhere,”saidBletchley.
Haydocksaiddubiously:
“Couldalmosttakethecarup.Ground’sfirmenough.BitbumpybutIthinkshecoulddoit.”
Mrs.Sprotcried:
“Ohyes,please,please…Wemustbequick.”
TheCommandermurmuredtohimself:
“Hopetogoodnesswe’reaftertherightlot.Thatlittlepipsqueakmayhaveseenanywomanwithakid.”
Thecargroaneduneasilyasitplougheditswayupovertheroughground.Thegradientwassevere,buttheturfwasshortandspringy.Theycameoutwithoutmishaponthetopoftherise.HeretheviewwasuninterruptedtillitrestedinthedistanceonthecurveofWhitehavenBay.
Bletchleysaid:
“Notabadidea.Thewomancouldspendthenightuphereifneedbe,dropdownintoWhitehaventomorrowmorningandtakeatrainthere.”
Haydocksaid:
“NosignofthemasfarasIcansee.”
Hewasstandingupholdingsomefieldglassesthathehadthoughtfullybroughtwithhimtohiseyes.Suddenlyhisfigurebecametenseashefocusedtheglassesontwosmallmovingdots.
“Got’em,byJove….”
Hedroppedintothedriver’sseatagainandthecarbucketedforward.Thechasewasashortonenow.Shotupintheair,tossedfromsidetoside,theoccupantsofthecargainedrapidlyonthosetwosmalldots.Theycouldbedistinguishednow—atallfigureandashortone—nearerstill,awomanholdingachildbythehand—stillnearer,yes,achildinagreenginghamfrock.Betty.
Mrs.Sprotgaveastrangledcry.
“Allrightnow,mydear,”saidMajorBletchley,pattingherkindly.“We’vegot’em.”
Theywenton.Suddenlythewomanturnedandsawthecaradvancingtowardsher.
Withacryshecaughtupthechildinherarmsandbeganrunning.
Sheran,notforwards,butsidewaystowardstheedgeofthecliff.
Thecar,afterafewyards,couldnotfollow;thegroundwastoounevenandblockedwithbigboulders.Itstoppedandtheoccupantstumbledout.
Mrs.Sprotwasoutfirstandrunningwildlyafterthetwofugitives.
Theothersfollowedher.
Whentheywerewithintwentyyards,theotherwomanturnedatbay.Shewasstandingnowattheveryedgeofthecliff.Withahoarsecrysheclutchedthechildcloser.
Haydockcriedout:
“MyGod,she’sgoingtothrowthekidoverthecliff….”
Thewomanstoodthere,clutchingBettytightly.Herfacewasdisfiguredwithafrenzyofhate.Sheutteredalonghoarsesentencethatnoneofthemunderstood.Andstillsheheldthechildandlookedfromtimetotimeatthedropbelow—notayardfromwhereshestood.
Itseemedclearthatshewasthreateningtothrowthechildoverthecliff.
Allofthemstoodthere,dazed,terrified,unabletomoveforfearofprecipitatingacatastrophe.
Haydockwastuggingathispocket.Hepulledoutaservicerevolver.
Heshouted:“Putthatchilddown—orIfire.”
Theforeignwomanlaughed.Sheheldthechildclosertoherbreast.Thetwofiguresweremouldedintoone.
Haydockmuttered:
“Idaren’tshoot.I’dhitthechild.”
Tommysaid:
“Thewoman’scrazy.She’lljumpoverwiththechildinanothermoment.”
Haydocksaidagain,helplessly:
“Idaren’tshoot—”
Butatthatmomentashotrangout.Thewomanswayedandfell,thechildstillclaspedinherarms.
Themenranforward,Mrs.Sprotstoodswaying,thesmokingpistolinherhands,hereyesdilated.
Shetookafewstiffstepsforward.
Tommywaskneelingbythebodies.Heturnedthemgently.Hesawthewoman’sface—notedappreciativelyitsstrangewildbeauty.Theeyesopened,lookedathim,thenwentblank.Withasigh,thewomandied,shotthroughthehead.
Unhurt,littleBettySprotwriggledoutandrantowardsthewomanstandinglikeastatue.
Then,atlast,Mrs.Sprotcrumpled.Sheflungawaythepistolanddroppeddown,clutchingthechildtoher.
Shecried:
“She’ssafe—she’ssafe—oh,Betty—Betty.”Andthen,inalow,awedwhisper:
“DidI—didI—killher?”
Tuppencesaidfirmly:
“Don’tthinkaboutit—don’tthinkaboutit.ThinkaboutBetty.JustthinkaboutBetty.”
Mrs.Sprotheldthechildcloseagainsther,sobbing.
Tuppencewentforwardtojointhemen.
Haydockmurmured:
“Bloodymiracle.Icouldn’thavebroughtoffashotlikethat.Don’tbelievethewoman’severhandledapistolbeforeeither—sheerinstinct.Amiracle,that’swhatitis.”
Tuppencesaid:
“ThankGod!Itwasanearthing!”Andshelookeddownatthesheerdroptotheseabelowandshuddered.
Eight
Theinquestonthedeadwomanwasheldsomedayslater.TherehadbeenanadjournmentwhilstthepoliceidentifiedherasacertainVandaPolonska,aPolishrefugee.
Afterthedramaticsceneonthecliffs,Mrs.SprotandBetty,theformerinastateofcollapse,hadbeendrivenbacktoSansSouci,wherehotbottles,nicecupsoftea,amplecuriosity,andfinallyastiffdollopofbrandyhadbeenadministeredtothehalf-faintingheroineofthenight.
CommanderHaydockhadimmediatelygotintouchwiththepolice,andunderhisguidancetheyhadgoneouttothesceneofthetragedyonthecliff.
Butforthedisturbingwarnews,thetragedywouldprobablyhavebeengivenmuchgreaterspaceinthepapersthanitwas.Actuallyitoccupiedonlyonesmallparagraph.
BothTuppenceandTommyhadtogiveevidenceattheinquest,andincaseanyreportersshouldthinkfittotakepicturesofthemoreunimportantwitnesses,Mr.Meadoweswasunfortunateenoughtogetsomethinginhiseyewhichnecessitatedahighlydisfiguringeyeshade.Mrs.Blenkensopwaspracticallyobliteratedbyherhat.
However,suchinterestastherewasfocuseditselfentirelyonMrs.SprotandCommanderHaydock.Mr.Sprot,hystericallysummonedbytelegraph,rusheddowntoseehiswife,buthadtogobackagainthesameday.Heseemedanamiablebutnotveryinterestingyoungman.
TheinquestopenedwiththeformalidentificationofthebodybyacertainMrs.Calfont,athin-lipped,gimlet-eyedwomanwhohadbeendealingforsomemonthswithrefugeerelief.
Polonska,shesaid,hadcometoEnglandincompanywithacousinandhiswifewhowereheronlyrelatives,sofarassheknew.Thewoman,inheropinion,wasslightlymental.SheunderstoodfromherthatshehadbeenthroughscenesofgreathorrorinPolandandthatherfamily,includingseveralchildren,hadallbeenkilled.Thewomanseemednotatallgratefulforanythingdoneforher,andwassuspiciousandtaciturn.Shemutteredtoherselfalot,anddidnotseemnormal.Adomesticpostwasfoundforher,butshehadleftitwithoutnoticesomeweeksagoandwithoutreportingtothepolice.
Thecoroneraskedwhythewoman’srelativeshadnotcomeforward,andatthispointInspectorBrasseymadeanexplanation.
ThecoupleinquestionwerebeingdetainedundertheDefenceoftheRealmActforanoffenceinconnectionwithaNavaldockyard.Hestatedthatthesetwoalienshadposedasrefugeestoenterthecountry,buthadimmediatelytriedtoobtainemploymentnearaNavalbase.Thewholefamilywaslookeduponwithsuspicion.Theyhadhadalargersumofmoneyintheirpossessionthancouldbeaccountedfor.NothingwasactuallyknownagainstthedeceasedwomanPolonska—exceptthathersentimentswerebelievedtohavebeenanti-British.Itwaspossiblethatshealsohadbeenanenemyagent,andthatherpretendedstupiditywasassumed.
Mrs.Sprot,whencalled,dissolvedatonceintotears.Thecoronerwasgentlewithher,leadinghertactfullyalongthepathofwhathadoccurred.
“It’ssoawful,”gaspedMrs.Sprot.“Soawfultohavekilledsomeone.Ididn’tmeantodothat—ImeanIneverthought—butitwasBetty—andIthoughtthatwomanwasgoingtothrowheroverthecliffandIhadtostopher—andoh,dear—Idon’tknowhowIdidit.”
“Youareaccustomedtotheuseoffirearms?”
“Oh,no!Onlythoseriflesatregattas—atfairs—whenyoushootatbooths,andeventhenIneverusedtohitanything.Oh,dear—IfeelasthoughI’dmurderedsomeone.”
Thecoronersoothedherandaskedifshehadevercomeincontactwiththedeadwoman.
“Oh,no.I’dneverseenherinmylife.Ithinkshemusthavebeenquitemad—becauseshedidn’tevenknowmeorBetty.”
Inreplytofurtherquestions,Mrs.SprotsaidthatshehadattendedasewingpartyforcomfortsforPolishrefugees,butthatthatwastheextentofherconnectionwithPolesinthiscountry.
Haydockwasthenextwitness,andhedescribedthestepshehadtakentotrackdownthekidnapperandwhathadeventuallyhappened.
“Youareclearinyourmindthatthewomanwasdefinitelypreparingtojumpoverthecliff?”
“Eitherthatortothrowthechildover.Sheseemedtobequitedementedwithhate.Itwouldhavebeenimpossibletoreasonwithher.Itwasamomentforimmediateaction.Imyselfconceivedtheideaoffiringandcripplingher,butshewasholdingupthechildasashield.IwasafraidofkillingthechildifIfired.Mrs.Sprottooktheriskandwassuccessfulinsavingherlittlegirl’slife.”
Mrs.Sprotbegantocryagain.
Mrs.Blenkensop’sevidencewasshort—amereconfirmingoftheCommander’sevidence.
Mr.Meadowesfollowed.
“YouagreewithCommanderHaydockandMrs.Blenkensopastowhatoccurred?”
“Ido.Thewomanwasdefinitelysodistraughtthatitwasimpossibletogetnearher.Shewasabouttothrowherselfandthechildoverthecliff.”
Therewaslittlemoreevidence.ThecoronerdirectedthejurythatVandaPolonskacametoherdeathbythehandofMrs.Sprotandformallyexoneratedthelatterfromblame.Therewasnoevidencetoshowwhatwasthestateofthedeadwoman’smind.ShemighthavebeenactuatedbyhateofEngland.SomeofthePolish“comforts”distributedtorefugeesborethenamesoftheladiessendingthem,anditwaspossiblethatthewomangotMrs.Sprot’snameandaddressthisway,butitwasnoteasytogetatherreasonforkidnappingthechild—possiblysomecrazymotivequiteincomprehensibletothenormalmind.Polonska,accordingtoherownstory,hadsufferedgreatbereavementinherowncountry,andthatmighthaveturnedherbrain.Ontheotherhand,shemightbeanenemyagent.
Theverdictwasinaccordancewiththecoroner’ssummingup.
II
OnthedayfollowingtheinquestMrs.BlenkensopandMr.Meadowesmettocomparenotes.
“ExitVandaPolonskaandablankwallasusual,”saidTommygloomily.
Tuppencenodded.
“Yes,theysealupbothends,don’tthey?Nopapers,nohintsofanykindastowherethemoneycamefromthatsheandhercousinshad,norecordofwhomtheyhaddealingswith.”
“Toodamnedefficient,”saidTommy.
Headded:“Youknow,Tuppence,Idon’tlikethelookofthings.”
Tuppenceassented.Thenewswasindeedfarfromreassuring.
TheFrenchArmywasinretreatanditseemeddoubtfulifthetidecouldbeturned.EvacuationfromDunkirkwasinprogress.ItwasclearlyamatterofafewdaysonlybeforeParisfell.TherewasageneraldismayattherevelationoflackofequipmentandofmaterialforresistingtheGermans’greatmechanisedunits.
Tommysaid:
“Isitonlyourusualmuddlingandslowness?Orhastherebeendeliberateengineeringbehindthis?”
“Thelatter,Ithink,butthey’llneverbeabletoproveit.”
“No.Ouradversariesaretoodamnedcleverforthat.”
“Wearecombingoutalotoftherotnow.”
“Oh,yes,we’reroundinguptheobviouspeople,butIdon’tbelievewe’vegotatthebrainsthatarebehinditall.Brains,organisation,awholecarefullythought-outplan—aplanwhichusesourhabitsofdilatoriness,andourpettyfeuds,andourslownessforitsownends.”
Tuppencesaid:
“That’swhatwe’reherefor—andwehaven’tgotresults.”
“We’vedonesomething,”Tommyremindedher.
“CarlvonDeinimandVandaPolonska,yes.Thesmallfry.”
“Youthinktheywereworkingtogether?”
“Ithinktheymusthavebeen,”saidTuppencethoughtfully.“RememberIsawthemtalking.”
“ThenCarlvonDeinimmusthaveengineeredthekidnapping?”
“Isupposeso.”
“Butwhy?”
“Iknow,”saidTuppence.“That’swhatIkeepthinkingandthinkingabout.Itdoesn’tmakesense.”
“Whykidnapthatparticularchild?WhoaretheSprots?They’venomoney—soitisn’transom.They’reneitherofthememployedbyGovernmentinanycapacity.”
“Iknow,Tommy.Itjustdoesn’tmakeanysenseatall.”
“Hasn’tMrs.Sprotanyideaherself?”
“Thatwoman,”saidTuppencescornfully,“hasn’tgotthebrainsofahen.Shedoesn’tthinkatall.Justsaysit’sthesortofthingthewickedGermanswoulddo.”
“Sillyass,”saidTommy.“TheGermansareefficient.Iftheysendoneoftheiragentstokidnapabrat,it’sforsomereason.”
“I’veafeeling,youknow,”saidTuppence,“thatMrs.Sprotcouldgetatthereasonifonlyshe’dthinkaboutit.Theremustbesomething—somepieceofinformationthatsheherselfhasinadvertentlygotholdof,perhapswithoutknowingwhatitisexactly.”
“Saynothing.Waitforinstructions,”TommyquotedfromthenotefoundonMrs.Sprot’sbedroomfloor.“Damnitall,thatmeanssomething.”
“Ofcourseitdoes—itmust.TheonlythingIcanthinkofisthatMrs.Sprot,orherhusband,hasbeengivensomethingtokeepbysomeoneelse—givenit,perhaps,justbecausetheyaresuchhumdrumordinarypeoplethatnoonewouldeversuspecttheyhadit—whatever‘it’maybe.”
“It’sanidea,that.”
“Iknow—butit’sawfullylikeaspystory.Itdoesn’tseemrealsomehow.”
“HaveyouaskedMrs.Sprottorackherbrainsabit?”
“Yes,butthetroubleisthatsheisn’treallyinterested.AllshecaresaboutisgettingBettyback—that,andhavinghystericsbecauseshe’sshotsomeone.”
“Funnycreatures,women,”musedTommy.“Therewasthatwoman,wentoutthatdaylikeanavengingfury,she’dhaveshotdownaregimentincoldbloodwithoutturningahairjusttogetherchildback,andthen,havingshotthekidnapperbyaperfectlyincrediblefluke,shebreaksdownandcomesalloversqueamishaboutit.”
“Thecoronerexoneratedherallright,”saidTuppence.
“Naturally.ByJove,Iwouldn’thaveriskedfiringwhenshedid.”
Tuppencesaid:
“Nomorewouldshe,probably,ifshe’dknownmoreaboutit.Itwassheerignoranceofthedifficultyoftheshotthatmadeherbringitoff.”
Tommynodded.
“QuiteBiblical,”hesaid.“DavidandGoliath.”
“Oh!”saidTuppence.
“Whatisit,oldthing?”
“Idon’tquiteknow.Whenyousaidthatsomethingtwangedsomewhereinmybrain,andnowit’sgoneagain!”
“Veryuseful,”saidTommy.
“Don’tbescathing.Thatsortofthingdoeshappensometimes.”
“Gentlemenwhodrawabowataventure,wasthatit?”
“No,itwas—waitaminute—IthinkitwassomethingtodowithSolomon.”
“Cedars,temples,alotofwivesandconcubines?”
“Stop,”saidTuppence,puttingherhandstoherears.“You’remakingitworse.”
“Jews?”saidTommyhopefully.“TribesofIsrael?”
ButTuppenceshookherhead.Afteraminuteortwoshesaid:
“IwishIcouldrememberwhoitwasthatwomanremindedmeof.”
“ThelateVandaPolonska?”
“Yes.ThefirsttimeIsawher,herfaceseemedvaguelyfamiliar.”
“Doyouthinkyouhadcomeacrosshersomewhereelse?”
“No,I’msureIhadn’t.”
“Mrs.PerennaandSheilaareatotallydifferenttype.”
“Oh,yes,itwasn’tthem.Youknow,Tommy,aboutthosetwo.I’vebeenthinking.”
“Toanygoodpurpose?”
“I’mnotsure.It’saboutthatnote—theoneMrs.SprotfoundonthefloorinherroomwhenBettywaskidnapped.”
“Well?”
“Allthataboutitsbeingwrappedroundastoneandthrownthroughthewindowisrubbish.Itwasputtherebysomeone—readyforMrs.Sprottofind—andIthinkitwasMrs.Perennawhoputitthere.”
“Mrs.Perenna,Carl,VandaPolonska—allworkingtogether.”
“Yes.DidyounoticehowMrs.Perennacameinjustatthecriticalmomentandclinchedthings—nottoringupthepolice?Shetookcommandofthewholesituation.”
“Soshe’sstillyourselectionforM.”
“Yes,isn’tsheyours?”
“Isupposeso,”saidTommyslowly.
“Why,Tommy,haveyougotanotheridea?”
“It’sprobablyanawfullydudone.”
“Tellme.”
“No,I’drathernot.I’venothingtogoon.Nothingwhatever.ButifI’mright,it’snotMwe’reupagainst,butN.”
Hethoughttohimself.
“Bletchley.Isupposehe’sallright.Whyshouldn’thebe?He’satrueenoughtype—almosttootrue,andafterall,itwashewhowantedtoringupthepolice.Yes,buthecouldhavebeenprettysurethatthechild’smothercouldn’tstandfortheidea.Thethreateningnotemadesureofthat.Hecouldaffordtourgetheoppositepointofview—”
Andthatbroughthimbackagaintothevexing,teasingproblemtowhichasyethecouldfindnoanswer.
WhykidnapBettySprot?
III
TherewasacarstandingoutsideSansSoucibearingthewordPoliceonit.
AbsorbedinherownthoughtsTuppencetooklittlenoticeofthat.Sheturnedinatthedrive,andenteringthefrontdoorwentstraightupstairstoherownroom.
Shestopped,takenaback,onthethreshold,asatallfigureturnedawayfromthewindow.
“Dearme,”saidTuppence.“Sheila?”
Thegirlcamestraighttowardsher.NowTuppencesawhermoreclearly,sawtheblazingeyesdeepsetinthewhitetragicface.
Sheilasaid:
“I’mgladyou’vecome.I’vebeenwaitingforyou.”
“What’sthematter?”
Thegirl’svoicewasquietanddevoidofemotion.Shesaid:
“TheyhavearrestedCarl!”
“Thepolice?”
“Yes.”
“Oh,dear,”saidTuppence.Shefeltinadequatetothesituation.QuietasSheila’svoicehadbeen,Tuppencewasundernoapprehensionastowhatlaybehindit.
Whethertheywerefellowconspiratorsornot,thisgirllovedCarlvonDeinim,andTuppencefeltherheartachinginsympathywiththistragicyoungcreature.
Sheilaasked:
“WhatshallIdo?”
ThesimpleforlornquestionmadeTuppencewince.Shesaidhelplessly:
“Oh,mydear.”
Sheilasaid,andhervoicewaslikeamourningharp:
“They’vetakenhimaway.Ishallneverseehimagain.”
Shecriedout:
“WhatshallIdo?WhatshallIdo?”Andflingingherselfdownonherkneesbythebedsheweptherheartout.
Tuppencestrokedthedarkhead.Shesaidpresently,inaweakvoice:
“It—itmaynotbetrue.Perhapstheyareonlygoingtointernhim.Afterall,heisanenemyalien,youknow.”
“That’snotwhattheysaid.They’researchinghisroomnow.”
Tuppencesaidslowly,“Well,iftheyfindnothing—”
“Theywillfindnothing,ofcourse!Whatshouldtheyfind?”
“Idon’tknow.Ithoughtperhapsyoumight?”
“I?”
Herscorn,heramazementweretoorealtobefeigned.AnysuspicionsTuppencehadhadthatSheilaPerennawasinvolveddiedatthismoment.Thegirlknewnothing,hadneverknownanything.
Tuppencesaid:
“Ifheisinnocent—”
Sheilainterruptedher.
“Whatdoesitmatter?Thepolicewillmakeacaseagainsthim.”
Tuppencesaidsharply:
“Nonsense,mydearchild,thatreallyisn’ttrue.”
“TheEnglishpolicewilldoanything.Mymothersaysso.”
“Yourmothermaysayso,butshe’swrong.Iassureyouthatitisn’tso.”
Sheilalookedatherdoubtfullyforaminuteortwo.Thenshesaid:
“Verywell.Ifyousayso.Itrustyou.”
Tuppencefeltveryuncomfortable.Shesaidsharply:
“Youtrusttoomuch,Sheila.YoumayhavebeenunwisetotrustCarl.”
“Areyouagainsthimtoo?Ithoughtyoulikedhim.Hethinkssotoo.”
Touchingyoungthings—withtheirfaithinone’slikingforthem.Anditwastrue—shehadlikedCarl—shedidlikehim.
Ratherwearilyshesaid:
“Listen,Sheila,likingornotlikinghasnothingtodowithfacts.ThiscountryandGermanyareatwar.Therearemanywaysofservingone’scountry.Oneofthemistogetinformation—andtoworkbehindthelines.Itisabravethingtodo,forwhenyouarecaught,itis”—hervoicebrokealittle—“theend.”
Sheilasaid:
“YouthinkCarl—”
“Mightbeworkingforhiscountrythatway?Itisapossibility,isn’tit?”
“No,”saidSheila.
“Itwouldbehisjob,yousee,tocomeoverhereasarefugee,toappeartobeviolentlyanti-Naziandthentogatherinformation.”
Sheilasaidquietly:
“It’snottrue.IknowCarl.Iknowhisheartandhismind.Hecaresmostforscience—forhiswork—forthetruthandtheknowledgeinit.HeisgratefultoEnglandforlettinghimworkhere.Sometimes,whenpeoplesaycruelthings,hefeelsGermanandbitter.ButhehatestheNazisalways,andwhattheystandfor—theirdenialoffreedom.”
Tuppencesaid:“Hewouldsayso,ofcourse.”
Sheilaturnedreproachfuleyesuponher
“Soyoubelieveheisaspy?”
“Ithinkitis”—Tuppencehesitated—“apossibility.”
Sheilawalkedtothedoor.
“Isee.I’msorryIcametoaskyoutohelpus.”
“ButwhatdidyouthinkIcoulddo,dearchild?”
“Youknowpeople.YoursonsareintheArmyandNavy,andI’veheardyousaymorethanoncethattheyknewinfluentialpeople.Ithoughtperhapsyoucouldgetthemto—todo—something?”
Tuppencethoughtofthosemythicalcreatures,DouglasandRaymondandCyril.
“I’mafraid,”shesaid,“thattheycouldn’tdoanything.”
Sheilaflungherheadup.Shesaidpassionately:
“Thenthere’snohopeforus.They’lltakehimawayandshuthimup,andoneday,earlyinthemorning,they’llstandhimagainstawallandshoothim—andthatwillbetheend.”
Shewentout,shuttingthedoorbehindher.
“Oh,damn,damn,damntheIrish!”thoughtTuppenceinafuryofmixedfeelings.“Whyhavetheygotthatterriblepoweroftwistingthingsuntilyoudon’tknowwhereyouare?IfCarlvonDeinim’saspy,hedeservestobeshot.Imusthangontothat,notletthisgirlwithherIrishvoicebewitchmeintothinkingit’sthetragedyofaheroandamartyr!”
SherecalledthevoiceofafamousactressspeakingalinefromRiderstotheSea:
“It’sthefinequiettimethey’llbehaving….”
Poignant…carryingyouawayonatideoffeeling….
Shethought:“Ifitweren’ttrue.Oh,ifonlyitweren’ttrue….”
Yet,knowingwhatshedid,howcouldshedoubt?
IV
ThefishermanontheendoftheOldPiercastinhislineandreeleditcautiouslyin.
“Nodoubtwhatever,I’mafraid,”hesaid.
“Youknow,”saidTommy,“I’msorryaboutit.He’s—well,he’sanicechap.”
“Theyare,mydearfellow,theyusuallyare.Itisn’ttheskunksandtheratsofalandwhovolunteertogototheenemy’scountry.It’sthebravemen.Weknowthatwellenough.Butthereitis,thecaseisproved.”
“Nodoubtwhatever,yousay?”
“Nodoubtatall.Amonghischemicalformulaewasalistofpeopleinthefactorytobeapproached,aspossibleFascistsympathisers.Therewasalsoaverycleverschemeofsabotageandachemicalprocessthat,appliedtofertilisers,wouldhavedevastatedlargeareasoffoodstocks.AllwellupMasterCarl’sstreet.”
Ratherunwillingly,Tommysaid,secretlyanathematisingTuppence,whohadmadehimpromisetosayit:
“Isupposeit’snotpossiblethatthesethingscouldhavebeenplantedonhim?”
Mr.Grantsmiled,ratheradiabolicalsmile.
“Oh,”hesaid.“Yourwife’sidea,nodoubt.”
“Well—er—yes,asamatteroffactitis.”
“He’sanattractivelad,”saidMr.Granttolerantly.
Thenhewenton:
“No,seriously,Idon’tthinkwecantakethatsuggestionintoaccount.He’dgotasupplyofsecretink,youknow.That’saprettygoodclinchingtest.Anditwasn’tobviousasitwouldhavebeenifplanted.Itwasn’t‘Themixturetobetakenwhenrequired’onthewashhandstand,oranythinglikethat.Infact,itwasdamnedingenious.Onlycameacrossthemethodoncebefore,andthenitwaswaistcoatbuttons.Steepedinthestuff,youknow.Whenthefellowwantstouseit,hesoaksabuttoninwater.CarlvonDeinim’swasn’tbuttons.Itwasashoelace.Prettyneat.”
“Oh!”SomethingstirredinTommy’smind—vague—whollynebulous….
Tuppencewasquicker.Assoonasheretailedtheconversationtoher,sheseizedonthesalientpoint.
“Ashoelace?Tommy,thatexplainsit!”
“What?”
“Betty,youidiot!Don’tyourememberthatfunnythingshedidinmyroom,takingoutmylacesandsoakingtheminwater.Ithoughtatthetimeitwasafunnythingtothinkofdoing.But,ofcourse,she’dseenCarldoitandwasimitatinghim.Hecouldn’triskhertalkingaboutit,andarrangedwiththatwomanforhertobekidnapped.”
Tommysaid,“Thenthat’sclearedup.”
“Yes.It’snicewhenthingsbegintofallintoshape.Onecanputthembehindyouandgetonabit.”
“Weneedtogeton.”
Tuppencenodded.
Thetimesweregloomyindeed.Francehadastonishinglyandsuddenlycapitulated—tothebewildermentanddismayofherownpeople.
ThedestinationoftheFrenchNavywasindoubt.
NowthecoastsofFrancewereentirelyinthehandsofGermany,andthetalkofinvasionwasnolongeraremotecontingency.
Tommysaid:
“CarlvonDeinimwasonlyalinkinthechain.Mrs.Perenna’sthefountainhead.”
“Yes,we’vegottogetthegoodsonher.Butitwon’tbeeasy.”
“No.Afterall,ifshe’sthebrainsofthewholethingonecan’texpectittobe.”
“SoMisMrs.Perenna?”
Tommysupposedshemustbe.Hesaidslowly:
“Youreallythinkthegirlisn’tinthisatall?”
“I’mquitesureofit.”
Tommysighed.
“Well,youshouldknow.Butifso,it’stoughluckonher.Firstthemansheloves—andthenhermother.She’snotgoingtohavemuchleft,isshe?”
“Wecan’thelpthat.”
“Yes,butsupposingwe’rewrong—thatMorNissomeoneelse?”
Tuppencesaidrathercoldly:
“Soyou’restillharpingonthat?Areyousureitisn’tacaseofwishfulthinking?”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“SheilaPerenna—that’swhatImean.”
“Aren’tyoubeingratherabsurd,Tuppence?”
“No,I’mnot.She’sgotroundyou,Tommy,justlikeanyotherman—”
Tommyrepliedangrily:
“Notatall.It’ssimplythatI’vegotmyownideas.”
“Whichare?”
“IthinkI’llkeepthemtomyselfforabit.We’llseewhichofusisright.”
“Well,Ithinkwe’vegottogoalloutafterMrs.Perenna.Findoutwhereshegoes,whomshemeets—everything.Theremustbealinksomewhere.You’dbetterputAlbertontoherthisafternoon.”
“Youcandothat.I’mbusy.”
“Why,whatareyoudoing?”
Tommysaid:
“I’mplayinggolf.”
Nine
“Seemsquitelikeoldtimes,doesn’tit,madam?”saidAlbert.Hebeamedhappily.Thoughnow,inhismiddleyears,runningsomewhattofat,Alberthadstilltheromanticboy’sheartwhichhadfirstledhimintoassociationswithTommyandTuppenceintheiryoungandadventurousdays.
“Rememberhowyoufirstcameacrossme?”demandedAlbert.“Cleanin’ofthebrasses,Iwas,inthosetopnotchflats.Coo,wasn’tthathallporteranastybitofgoods?Alwaysontome,hewas.Andthedayyoucomealongandstrungmeatale!Packofliesitwastoo,allaboutacrookcalledReadyRita.Notbutwhatsomeofitdidn’tturnouttobetrue.Andsincethen,asyoumightsay,I’veneverlookedback.Many’stheadventureswehadaforeweallsettleddown,sotospeak.”
Albertsighed,and,byanaturalassociationofideas,TuppenceinquiredafterthehealthofMrs.Albert.
“Oh,themissusisallright—butshedoesn’ttaketotheWelshmuch,shesays.ThinkstheyoughttolearnproperEnglish,andasforraids—why,they’vehadtwotherealready,andholesinthefieldwhatyoucouldputamotorcarin,soshesays.So—how’sthatforsafety?MightaswellbeinKennington,shesays,whereshewouldn’thavetoseeallthemelancholytreesandcouldgetgoodcleanmilkinabottle.”
“Idon’tknow,”saidTuppence,suddenlystricken,“thatweoughttogetyouintothis,Albert.”
“Nonsense,madam,”saidAlbert.“Didn’tItryandjoinupandtheyweresohaughtytheywouldn’tlookatme.Waitformyagegrouptobecalledup,theysaid.AndmeinthepinkofhealthandonlytooeagertogetatthemperishingGermans—ifyou’llexcusethelanguage.YoujusttellmehowIcanputaspokeintheirwheelandspoiltheirgoingson—andI’mthere.FifthColumn,that’swhatwe’reupagainst,sothepaperssay—thoughwhat’shappenedtotheotherfourtheydon’tmention.Butthelongandshortofitis,I’mreadytoassistyouandCaptainBeresfordinanywayyouliketoindicate.”
“Good.NowI’lltellyouwhatwewantyoutodo.”
II
“HowlonghaveyouknownBletchley?”askedTommyashesteppedofftheteeandwatchedwithapprovalhisballleapingdownthecentreofthefairway.
CommanderHaydock,whohadalsodoneagooddrive,hadapleasedexpressiononhisfaceasheshoulderedhisclubsandreplied:
“Bletchley?Letmesee.Oh!Aboutninemonthsorso.Hecameherelastautumn.”
“Friendoffriendsofyours,Ithinkyousaid?”Tommysuggestedmendaciously
“DidI?”TheCommanderlookedalittlesurprised.“No,Idon’tthinkso.RatherfancyImethimhereattheclub.”
“Bitofamysteryman,Igather?”
TheCommanderwasclearlysurprisedthistime.
“Mysteryman?OldBletchley?”Hesoundedfranklyincredulous.
Tommysighedinwardly.Hesupposedhewasimaginingthings.
Heplayedhisnextshotandtoppedit.Haydockhadagoodironshotthatstoppedjustshortofthegreen.Asherejoinedtheother,hesaid:
“WhatonearthmakesyoucallBletchleyamysteryman?Ishouldhavesaidhewasapainfullyprosaicchap—typicalArmy.Bitsetinhisideasandallthat—narrowlife,anArmylife—butmystery!”
Tommysaidvaguely:
“Ohwell,Ijustgottheideafromsomethingsomebodysaid—”
Theygotdowntothebusinessofputting.TheCommanderwonthehole.
“Threeupandtwotoplay,”heremarkedwithsatisfaction.
Then,asTommyhadhoped,hismind,freeofthepreoccupationofthematch,harkedbacktowhatTommyhadsaid.
“Whatsortofmysterydoyoumean?”heasked.
Tommyshruggedhisshoulders.
“Oh,itwasjustthatnobodyseemedtoknowmuchabouthim.”
“HewasintheRugbyshires.”
“Oh,youknowthatdefinitely?”
“Well,I—well,no,Idon’tknowmyself.Isay,Meadowes,what’stheidea?NothingwrongaboutBletchley,isthere?”
“No,no,ofcoursenot.”Tommy’sdisclaimercamehastily.Hehadstartedhishare.HecouldnowsitbackandwatchtheCommander’smindchasingafterit
“Alwaysstruckmeasanalmostabsurdlytypicalsortofchap,”saidHaydock.
“Justso,justso.”
“Ah,yes—seewhatyoumean.Bittoomuchofatype,perhaps?”
“I’mleadingthewitness,”thoughtTommy.“Stillperhapssomethingmaycropupoutoftheoldboy’smind.”
“Yes,Idoseewhatyoumean,”theCommanderwentonthoughtfully.“AndnowIcometothinkofitI’veneveractuallycomeacrossanyonewhoknewBletchleybeforehecamedownhere.Hedoesn’thaveanyoldpalstostay—nothingofthatkind.”
“Ah!”saidTommy,andadded,“Shallweplaythebye?Mightaswellgetabitmoreexercise.It’salovelyevening.”
Theydroveoff,thenseparatedtoplaytheirnextshots.Whentheymetagainonthegreen,Haydocksaidabruptly:
“Tellmewhatyouheardabouthim.”
“Nothing—nothingatall.”
“Noneedtobesocautiouswithme,Meadowes.Ihearallsortsofrumours.Youunderstand?Everyonecomestome.I’mknowntobeprettykeenonthesubject.What’stheidea—thatBletchleyisn’twhatheseemstobe?”
“Itwasonlythemerestsuggestion.”
“Whatdotheythinkheis?AHun?Nonsense,theman’sasEnglishasyouandI.”
“Oh,yes,I’msurehe’squiteallright.”
“Why,he’salwaysyellingformoreforeignerstobeinterned.LookhowviolenthewasagainstthatyoungGermanchap—andquiteright,too,itseems.IheardunofficiallyfromtheChiefConstablethattheyfoundenoughtohangvonDeinimadozentimesover.He’dgotaschemetopoisonthewatersupplyofthewholecountryandhewasactuallyworkingoutanewgas—workingonitinoneofourfactories.MyGod,theshortsightednessofourpeople!Fancylettingthefellowinsidetheplacetobeginwith.Believeanything,ourGovernmentwould!Ayoungfellowhasonlytocometothiscountryjustbeforewarstartsandwhineabitaboutpersecution,andtheyshutbotheyesandlethimintoalloursecrets.TheywerejustasdenseaboutthatfellowHahn—”
TommyhadnointentionoflettingtheCommanderrunaheadonthewell-groovedtrack.Hedeliberatelymissedaputt.
“Hardlines,”criedHaydock.Heplayedacarefulshot.Theballrolledintothehole.
“Myhole.Abitoffyourgametoday.Whatwerewetalkingabout?”
Tommysaidfirmly:
“AboutBletchleybeingperfectlyallright.”
“Ofcourse.Ofcourse.Iwondernow—Ididheararatherfunnystoryabouthim—didn’tthinkanythingofitatthetime—”
Here,toTommy’sannoyance,theywerehailedbytwoothermen.Thefourreturnedtotheclubhousetogetherandhaddrinks.Afterthat,theCommanderlookedathiswatchandremarkedthatheandMeadowesmustbegettingalong.TommyhadacceptedaninvitationtosupperwiththeCommander.
Smugglers’Restwasinitsusualconditionofapple-pieorder.Atallmiddle-agedmanservantwaitedonthemwiththeprofessionaldeftnessofawaiter.SuchperfectservicewassomewhatunusualtofindoutsideofaLondonrestaurant.
Whenthemanhadlefttheroom,Tommycommentedonthefact.
“Yes,IwasluckytogetAppledore.”
“Howdidyougetholdofhim?”
“Heansweredanadvertisementasamatteroffact.Hehadexcellentreferences,wasclearlyfarsuperiortoanyoftheotherswhoappliedandaskedremarkablylowwages.Iengagedhimonthespot.”
Tommysaidwithalaugh:
“Thewarhascertainlyrobbedusofmostofourgoodrestaurantservice.Practicallyallgoodwaiterswereforeigners.Itdoesn’tseemtocomenaturallytotheEnglishman.”
“Bittooservile,that’swhy.Bowingandscrapingdoesn’tcomekindlytotheEnglishbulldog.”
Sittingoutside,sippingcoffee,Tommygentlyasked:
“Whatwasityouweregoingtosayonthelinks?Somethingaboutafunnystory—aproposofBletchley.”
“Whatwasitnow?Hallo,didyouseethat?Lightbeingshownoutatsea.Where’smytelescope?”
Tommysighed.Thestarsintheircoursesseemedtobefightingagainsthim.TheCommanderfussedintothehouseandoutagain,sweptthehorizonwithhisglass,outlinedawholesystemofsignallingbytheenemytolikelyspotsonshore,mostoftheevidenceforwhichseemedtobenonexistent,andproceededtogiveagloomypictureofasuccessfulinvasioninthenearfuture.
“Noorganisation,nopropercoordination.You’reanLDVyourself,Meadowes—youknowwhatit’slike.WithamanlikeoldAndrewsincharge—”
Thiswaswell-wornground.ItwasCommanderHaydock’spetgrievance.HeoughttobethemanincommandandhewasquitedeterminedtooustColAndrewsifitcouldpossiblybedone.
ThemanservantbroughtoutwhiskyandliqueurswhiletheCommanderwasstillholdingforth.
“—andwe’restillhoneycombedwithspies—riddledwith’em.Itwasthesameinthelastwar—hairdressers,waiters—”
Tommy,leaningback,catchingtheprofileofAppledoreasthelatterhovereddeft-footed,thought—“Waiters?YoucouldcallthatfellowFritzeasierthanAppledore….”
Well,whynot?ThefellowspokeperfectEnglish,true,butthenmanyGermansdid.TheyhadperfectedtheirEnglishbyyearsinEnglishrestaurants.Andtheracialtypewasnotunlike.Fair-haired,blue-eyed—oftenbetrayedbytheshapeofthehead—yes,thehead—wherehadheseenaheadlately….
Hespokeonanimpulse.ThewordsfittedinappositelyenoughwithwhattheCommanderwasjustsaying.
“Allthesedamnedformstofillin.Nogoodatall,Meadowes.Seriesofidioticquestions—”
Tommysaid:
“Iknow.Suchas‘Whatisyourname?’AnswerNorM.”
Therewasaswerve—acrash.Appledore,theperfectservant,hadblundered.AstreamofcrêmedementhesoakedoverTommy’scuffandhand.
Themanstammered,“Sorry,sir.”
Haydockblazedoutinfury:
“Youdamnedclumsyfool!Whatthehelldoyouthinkyou’redoing?”
Hisusuallyredfacewasquitepurplewithanger.Tommythought,“TalkofanArmytemper—Navybeatsithollow!”Haydockcontinuedwithastreamofabuse.Appledorewasabjectinapologies.
Tommyfeltuncomfortablefortheman,butsuddenly,asthoughbymagic,theCommander’swrathpassedandhewashisheartyselfagain.
“Comealongandhaveawash.Beastlystuff.Itwouldbethecrêmedementhe.”
Tommyfollowedhimindoorsandwassooninthesumptuousbathroomwiththeinnumerablegadgets.Hecarefullywashedoffthestickysweetstuff.TheCommandertalkedfromthebedroomnextdoor.Hesoundedalittleshamefaced.
“AfraidIletmyselfgoabit.PooroldAppledore—heknowsIletgoabitmorethanImeanalways.”
Tommyturnedfromthewashbasindryinghishands.Hedidnotnoticethatacakeofsoaphadslippedontothefloor.Hisfootsteppedonit.Thelinoleumwashighlypolished.
AmomentlaterTommywasdoingawildballetdancerstep.Heshotacrossthebathroom,armsoutstretched.Onecameupagainsttheright-handtapofthebath,theotherpushedheavilyagainstthesideofasmallbathroomcabinet.Itwasanextravagantgestureneverlikelytobeachievedexceptbysomecatastrophesuchashadjustoccurred.
Hisfootskiddedheavilyagainsttheendpanelofthebath.
Thethinghappenedlikeaconjuringtrick.Thebathslidoutfromthewall,turningonaconcealedpivot.Tommyfoundhimselflookingintoadimrecess.Hehadnodoubtwhateverastowhatoccupiedthatrecess.Itcontainedatransmittingwirelessapparatus.
TheCommander’svoicehadceased.Heappearedsuddenlyinthedoorway.Andwithaclick,severalthingsfellintoplaceinTommy’sbrain.
Hadhebeenblinduptonow?Thatjovialfloridface—thefaceofa“heartyEnglishman”—wasonlyamask.Whyhadhenotseenitallalongforwhatitwas—thefaceofabad-temperedoverbearingPrussianofficer.Tommywashelped,nodoubt,bytheincidentthathadjusthappened.Foritrecalledtohimanotherincident,aPrussianbullyturningonasubordinateandratinghimwiththeJunker’strueinsolence.SohadCommanderHaydockturnedonhissubordinatethateveningwhenthelatterhadbeentakenunawares.
Anditallfittedin—itfittedinlikemagic.Thedoublebluff.TheenemyagentHahn,sentfirst,preparingtheplace,employingforeignworkmen,drawingattentiontohimself,andproceedingfinallytothenextstageintheplan,hisownunmaskingbythegallantBritishsailorCommanderHaydock.AndthenhownaturalthattheEnglishmanshouldbuytheplaceandtellthestorytoeveryone,boringthembyconstantrepetition.AndsoN,securelysettledinhisappointedplace,withseacommunicationsandhissecretwirelessandhisstaffofficersatSansSoucicloseathand,isreadytocarryoutGermany’splan.
Tommywasunabletoresistaflashofgenuineadmiration.Thewholethinghadbeensoperfectlyplanned.HehimselfhadneversuspectedHaydock—hehadacceptedHaydockasthegenuinearticle—onlyacompletelyunforeseenaccidenthadgiventheshowaway.
AllthispassedthroughTommy’smindinafewseconds.Heknew,onlytoowell,thathewas,thathemustnecessarilybe,indeadlyperil.Ifonlyhecouldactthepartofthecredulousthick-headedEnglishmanwellenough.
HeturnedtoHaydockwithwhathehopedwasanatural-soundinglaugh.
“ByJove,oneneverstopsgettingsurprisesatyourplace.WasthisanotherofHahn’slittlegadgets?Youdidn’tshowmethistheotherday.”
Haydockwasstandingstill.Therewasatensityabouthisbigbodyasitstoodthereblockingthedoor.
“Morethanamatchforme,”Tommythought.“Andthere’sthatconfoundedservant,too.”
ForaninstantHaydockstoodasthoughmouldedinstone,thenherelaxed.Hesaidwithalaugh:
“Damnedfunny,Meadowes.Youwentskatingoverthefloorlikeaballetdancer!Don’tsupposeathinglikethatwouldhappenonceinathousandtimes.Dryyourhandsandcomeintotheotherroom.”
Tommyfollowedhimoutofthebathroom.Hewasalertandtenseineverymuscle.Somehoworotherhemustgetsafelyawayfromthishousewithhisknowledge.CouldhesucceedinfoolingHaydock?Thelatter’stonesoundednaturalenough.
WithanarmroundTommy’sshoulders,acasualarm,perhaps(orperhapsnot),Haydockshepherdedhimintothesittingroom.Turning,heshutthedoorbehindthem.
“Lookhere,oldboy,I’vegotsomethingtosaytoyou.”
Hisvoicewasfriendly,natural—justashadeembarrassed.HemotionedtoTommytositdown.
“It’sabitawkward,”hesaid.“Uponmyword,it’sabitawkward!Nothingforit,though,buttotakeyouintomyconfidence.Onlyyou’llhavetokeepdarkaboutit,Meadowes.Youunderstandthat?”
Tommyendeavouredtothrowanexpressionofeagerinterestuponhisface.
Haydocksatdownanddrewhischairconfidentiallyclose.
“Yousee,Meadowes,it’slikethis.Nobody’ssupposedtoknowitbutI’mworkingonIntelligenceMI42BX—that’smydepartment.Everheardofit?”
Tommyshookhisheadandintensifiedtheeagerexpression.
“Well,it’sprettysecret.Kindofinnerring,ifyouknowwhatImean.Wetransmitcertaininformationfromhere—butitwouldbeabsolutelyfatalifthatfactgotout,youunderstand?”
“Ofcourse,ofcourse,”saidMr.Meadowes.“Mostinteresting!Naturallyyoucancountonmenottosayaword.”
“Yes,that’sabsolutelyvital.Thewholethingisextremelyconfidential.”
“Iquiteunderstand.Yourworkmustbemostthrilling.Reallymostthrilling.Ishouldlikesomuchtoknowmoreaboutit—butIsupposeImustn’taskthat?”
“No,I’mafraidnot.It’sverysecret,yousee.”
“Ohyes,Isee.Ireallydoapologise—amostextraordinaryaccident—”
Hethoughttohimself,“Surelyhecan’tbetakenin?Hecan’timagineI’dfallforthisstuff?”
Itseemedincredibletohim.Thenhereflectedthatvanityhadbeentheundoingofmanymen.CommanderHaydockwasacleverman,abigfellow—thismiserablechapMeadoweswasastupidBritisher—thesortofmanwhowouldbelieveanything!IfonlyHaydockcontinuedtothinkthat.
Tommywentontalking.Hedisplayedkeeninterestandcuriosity.Heknewhemustn’taskquestionsbut—HesupposedCommanderHaydock’sworkmustbeverydangerous?HadheeverbeeninGermany,workingthere?
Haydockrepliedgeniallyenough.HewasintenselytheBritishsailornow—thePrussianofficerhaddisappeared.ButTommy,watchinghimwithanewvision,wonderedhowhecouldeverhavebeendeceived.Theshapeofthehead—thelineofthejaw—nothingBritishaboutthem.
PresentlyMr.Meadowesrose.Itwasthesupremetest.Woulditgooffallright?
“Ireallymustbegoingnow—gettingquitelate—feelterriblyapologetic,butcanassureyouwillnotsayawordtoanybody.”
(“It’snowornever.Willheletmegoornot?Imustbeready—astraighttohisjawwouldbebest—”)
Talkingamiablyandwithpleasurableexcitement,Mr.Meadowesedgedtowardsthedoor.
Hewasinthehall…hehadopenedthefrontdoor….
ThroughthedoorontherighthecaughtaglimpseofAppledoresettingthebreakfastthingsreadyonatrayforthemorning.(Thedamnedfoolsweregoingtolethimgetawaywithit!)
Thetwomenstoodintheporch,chatting—fixingupanothermatchfornextSaturday.
Tommythoughtgrimly:“There’llbenonextSaturdayforyou,myboy.”
Voicescamefromtheroadoutside.Twomenreturningfromatrampontheheadland.TheywerementhatbothTommyandtheCommanderknewslightly.Tommyhailedthem.Theystopped.Haydockandheexchangedafewwordswiththem,allstandingatthegate,thenTommywavedagenialfarewelltohishostandsteppedoffwiththetwomen.
Hehadgotawaywithit.
Haydock,damnedfool,hadbeentakenin!
HeheardHaydockgobacktohishouse,goinandshutthedoor.Tommytrampedcarefullydownthehillwithhistwonew-foundfriends.
Weatherlookedlikelytochange.
OldMonroewasoffhisgameagain.
ThatfellowAshbyrefusedtojointheLDV.Saiditwasnodamnedgood.Prettythick,that.YoungMarsh,theassistantcaddymaster,wasaconscientiousobjector.Didn’tMeadowesthinkthatmatteroughttobeputuptothecommittee.TherehadbeenaprettybadraidonSouthamptonthenightbeforelast—quitealotofdamagedone.WhatdidMeadowesthinkaboutSpain?Weretheyturningnasty?Ofcourse,eversincetheFrenchcollapse—
Tommycouldhaveshoutedaloud.Suchgoodcasualnormaltalk.Astrokeofprovidencethatthesetwomenhadturnedupjustatthatmoment.
HesaidgoodbyetothematthegateofSansSouciandturnedin.
Hewalkedupthedrivewhistlingsoftlytohimself.
Hehadjustturnedthedarkcornerbytherhododendronswhensomethingheavydescendedonhishead.Hecrashedforward,pitchingintoblacknessandoblivion
Ten
“DidyousayThreeSpades,Mrs.Blenkensop?”
Yes,Mrs.BlenkensophadsaidThreeSpades.Mrs.Sprot,returningbreathlessfromthetelephone:“Andthey’vechangedthetimeoftheARPexam,again,it’stoobad,”demandedtohavethebiddingagain.
MissMinton,asusual,delayedthingsbyceaselessreiterations.
“WasitTwoClubsIsaid?Areyousure?Iratherthought,youknow,thatitmighthavebeenoneNoTrump—Ohyes,ofcourse,Iremembernow.Mrs.CayleysaidOneHeart,didn’tshe?IwasgoingtosayoneNoTrumpalthoughIhadn’tquitegotthecount,butIdothinkoneshouldplayapluckygame—andthenMrs.CayleysaidOneHeartandsoIhadtogoTwoClubs.Ialwaysthinkit’ssodifficultwhenonehastwoshortsuits—”
“Sometimes,”Tuppencethoughttoherself,“itwouldsavetimeifMissMintonjustputherhanddownonthetabletoshowthemall.Shewasquiteincapableofnottellingexactlywhatwasinit.”
“Sonowwe’vegotitright,”saidMissMintontriumphantly.“OneHeart,TwoClubs.”
“TwoSpades,”saidTuppence.
“Ipassed,didn’tI?”saidMrs.Sprot.
TheylookedatMrs.Cayley,whowasleaningforwardlistening.MissMintontookupthetale.
“ThenMrs.CayleysaidTwoHeartsandIsaidThreeDiamonds.”
“AndIsaidThreeSpades,”saidTuppence.
“Pass,”saidMrs.Sprot.
Mrs.Cayleysatinsilence.Atlastsheseemedtobecomeawarethateveryonewaslookingather.
“Ohdear,”sheflushed.“I’msosorry.IthoughtperhapsMr.Cayleyneededme.Ihopehe’sallrightoutthereontheterrace.”
Shelookedfromonetotheotherofthem.
“Perhaps,ifyoudon’tmind,I’dbetterjustgoandsee.Iheardratheranoddnoise.Perhapshe’sdroppedhisbook.”
Sheflutteredoutofthewindow.Tuppencegaveanexasperatedsigh.
“Sheoughttohaveastringtiedtoherwrist,”shesaid.“Thenhecouldpullitwhenhewantedher.”
“Suchadevotedwife,”saidMissMinton.“It’sverynicetosee,isn’tit?”
“Isit?”saidTuppence,whowasfeelingfarfromgood-tempered.
Thethreewomensatinsilenceforaminuteortwo.
“Where’sSheilatonight?”askedMissMinton.
“Shewenttothepictures,”saidMrs.Sprot.
“Where’sMrs.Perenna?”askedTuppence.
“Shesaidshewasgoingtodoaccountsinherroom,”saidMissMinton.“Poordear.Sotiring,doingaccounts.”
“She’snotbeendoingaccountsallevening,”saidMrs.Sprot,“becauseshecameinjustnowwhenIwastelephoninginthehall.”
“Iwonderwhereshe’dbeen,”saidMissMinton,whoselifewastakenupwithsuchsmallwonderments.“Nottothepictures,theywouldn’tbeoutyet.”
“Shehadn’tgotahaton,”saidMrs.Sprot.“Noracoat.HerhairwasallanyhowandIthinkshe’dbeenrunningorsomething.Quiteoutofbreath.Sheranupstairswithoutawordandsheglared—positivelyglaredatme—andI’msureIhadn’tdoneanything.”
Mrs.Cayleyreappearedatthewindow.
“Fancy,”shesaid.“Mr.Cayleyhaswalkedallroundthegardenbyhimself.Hequiteenjoyedit,hesaid.Suchamildnight.”
Shesatdownagain.
“Letmesee—oh,doyouthinkwecouldhavethebiddingoveragain?”
Tuppencesuppressedarebellioussigh.TheyhadthebiddingalloveragainandshewaslefttoplayThreeSpades.
Mrs.Perennacameinjustastheywerecuttingforthenextdeal.
“Didyouenjoyyourwalk?”askedMissMinton.
Mrs.Perennastaredather.Itwasafierceandunpleasantstare.Shesaid:
“I’venotbeenout.”
“Oh—oh—IthoughtMrs.Sprotsaidyou’dcomeinjustnow.”
Mrs.Perennasaid:
“Ijustwentoutsidetolookattheweather.”
Hertonewasdisagreeable.ShethrewahostileglanceatthemeekMrs.Sprot,whoflushedandlookedfrightened.
“Justfancy,”saidMrs.Cayley,contributingheritemofnews.“Mr.Cayleywalkedallroundthegarden.”
Mrs.Perennasaidsharply:
“Whydidhedothat?”
Mrs.Cayleysaid:
“Itissuchamildnight.Hehasn’tevenputonhissecondmufflerandhestilldoesn’twanttocomein.Idohopehewon’tgetachill.”
Mrs.Perennasaid:
“Thereareworsethingsthanchills.Abombmightcomeanyminuteandblowusalltobits!”
“Oh,dear,Ihopeitwon’t.”
“Doyou?Iratherwishitwould.”
Mrs.Perennawentoutofthewindow.Thefourbridgeplayersstaredafterher.
“Sheseemsveryoddtonight,”saidMrs.Sprot.
MissMintonleanedforward.
“Youdon’tthink,doyou—”Shelookedfromsidetoside.Theyallleanednearertogether.MissMintonsaidinasibilantwhisper:
“Youdon’tsuspect,doyou,thatshedrinks?”
“Oh,dear,”saidMrs.Cayley.“Iwondernow?Thatwouldexplainit.Shereallyisso—sounaccountablesometimes.Whatdoyouthink,Mrs.Blenkensop?”
“Oh,Idon’treallythinkso.Ithinkshe’sworriedaboutsomething.Er—it’syourcall,Mrs.Sprot.”
“Dearme,whatshallIsay?”askedMrs.Sprot,surveyingherhand.
Nobodyvolunteeredtotellher,thoughMissMinton,whohadbeengazingwithunabashedinterestintoherhand,mighthavebeeninapositiontoadvise.
“Thatisn’tBetty,isit?”demandedMrs.Sprot,herheadupraised.
“No,itisn’t,”saidTuppencefirmly
“Shefeltthatshemightscreamunlesstheycouldgetonwiththegame.
Mrs.Sprotlookedatherhandvaguely,hermindstillapparentlymaternal.Thenshesaid:
“Oh,OneDiamond,Ithink.”
Thecallwentround.Mrs.Cayleyled.
“WhenindoubtleadaTrump,theysay,”shetwittered,andlaiddowntheNineofDiamonds.
Adeepgenialvoicesaid:
“’TisthecurseofScotlandthatyou’veplayedthere!”
Mrs.O’Rourkestoodinthewindow.Shewasbreathingdeeply—hereyesweresparkling.Shelookedslyandmalicious.Sheadvancedintotheroom.
“Justanicequietgameofbridge,isit?”
“What’sthatinyourhand?”askedMrs.Sprot,withinterest.
“’Tisahammer,”saidMrs.O’Rourkeamiably.“Ifounditlyinginthedrive.Nodoubtsomeoneleftitthere.”
“It’safunnyplacetoleaveahammer,”saidMrs.Sprotdoubtfully.
“Itisthat,”agreedMrs.O’Rourke.
Sheseemedinaparticularlygoodhumour.Swingingthehammerbyitshandleshewentoutintothehall.
“Letmesee,”saidMissMinton.“What’strumps?”
Thegameproceededforfiveminuteswithoutfurtherinterruption,andthenMajorBletchleycamein.HehadbeentothepicturesandproceededtotellthemindetailtheplotofWanderingMinstrel,laidinthereignofRichardtheFirst.TheMajor,asamilitaryman,criticisedatsomelengththecrusadingbattlescenes.
Therubberwasnotfinished,forMrs.Cayley,lookingatherwatch,discoveredthelatenessofthehourwithshrilllittlecriesofhorrorandrushedouttoMr.Cayley.Thelatter,asaneglectedinvalid,enjoyedhimselfagreatdeal,coughinginasepulchralmanner,shiveringdramaticallyandsayingseveraltimes:
“Quiteallright,mydear.Ihopeyouenjoyedyourgame.Itdoesn’tmatteraboutmeatall.EvenifIhavecaughtaseverechill,whatdoesitreallymatter?There’sawaron!”
II
Atbreakfastthenextmorning,Tuppencewasawareatonceofacertaintensionintheatmosphere.
Mrs.Perenna,herlipspursedverytightlytogether,wasdistinctlyacridinthefewremarksshemade.Shelefttheroomwithwhatcouldonlybedescribedasaflounce.
MajorBletchley,spreadingmarmaladethicklyonhistoast,gaveventtoadeepchuckle.
“Touchoffrostintheair,”heremarked.“Well,well!Onlytobeexpected,Isuppose.”
“Why,whathashappened?”demandedMissMinton,leaningforwardeagerly,herthinnecktwitchingwithpleasurableanticipation.
“Don’tknowthatIoughttotelltalesoutofschool,”repliedtheMajorirritatingly.
“Oh!MajorBletchley!”
“Dotellus,”saidTuppence.
MajorBletchleylookedthoughtfullyathisaudience:MissMinton,Mrs.Blenkensop,Mrs.CayleyandMrs.O’Rourke.Mrs.SprotandBettyhadjustleft.Hedecidedtotalk.
“It’sMeadowes,”hesaid.“Beenoutonthetilesallnight.Hasn’tcomehomeyet.”
“What?”exclaimedTuppence.
MajorBletchleythrewherapleasedandmaliciousglance.Heenjoyedthediscomfitureofthedesigningwidow.
“Bitofagaydog,Meadowes,”hechortled.“ThePerenna’sannoyed.Naturally.”
“Ohdear,”saidMissMinton,flushingpainfully.Mrs.Cayleylookedshocked.Mrs.O’Rourkemerelychuckled.
“Mrs.Perennatoldmealready,”shesaid.“Ah,well,theboyswillbetheboys.”
MissMintonsaideagerly:
“Oh,butsurely—perhapsMr.Meadoweshasmetwithanaccident.Intheblackout,youknow.”
“Goodoldblackout,”saidMajorBletchley.“Responsibleforalot.Icantellyou,it’sbeenaneyeopenerbeingonpatrolintheLDV.Stoppingcarsandallthat.Theamountofwives‘justseeingtheirhusbandshome.’Anddifferentnamesontheiridentitycards!Andthewifeorthehusbandcomingbacktheotherwayaloneafewhourslater.Haha!”Hechuckled,thenquicklycomposedhisfaceashereceivedthefullblastofMrs.Blenkensop’sdisapprovingstare.
“Humannature—abithumorous,eh?”hesaidappeasingly.
“Oh,butMr.Meadowes,”bleatedMissMinton.“Hemayreallyhavemetwithanaccident.Beenknockeddownbyacar.”
“That’llbehisstory,Iexpect,”saidtheMajor.“Carhithimandknockedhimoutandhecametointhemorning.”
“Hemayhavebeentakentohospital.”
“They’dhaveletusknow.Afterall,he’scarryinghisidentitycard,isn’the?”
“Ohdear,”saidMrs.Cayley,“IwonderwhatMr.Cayleywillsay?”
Thisrhetoricalquestionremainedunanswered.Tuppence,risingwithanassumptionofaffronteddignity,gotupandlefttheroom.
MajorBletchleychuckledwhenthedoorclosedbehindher.
“PooroldMeadowes,”hesaid.“Thefairwidow’sannoyedaboutit.Thoughtshe’dgotherhooksintohim.”
“Oh,MajorBletchley,”bleatedMissMinton.
MajorBletchleywinked.
“RememberyourDickens?Bewareofwidders,Sammy.”
III
TuppencewasalittleupsetbyTommy’sunannouncedabsence,butshetriedtoreassureherself.Hemightpossiblyhavestrucksomehottrailandgoneoffuponit.Thedifficultiesofcommunicationwitheachotherundersuchcircumstanceshadbeenforeseenbythemboth,andtheyhadagreedthattheotheronewasnottobeundulyperturbedbyunexplainedabsences.Theyhadarrangedcertaincontrivancesbetweenthemforsuchemergencies.
Mrs.Perennahad,accordingtoMrs.Sprot,beenoutlastnight.Thevehemenceofherowndenialofthefactonlymadethatabsenceofhersmoreinterestingtospeculateupon.
ItwaspossiblethatTommyhadtrailedheronhersecreterrandandhadfoundsomethingworthfollowingup.
DoubtlesshewouldcommunicatewithTuppenceinhisspecialway,orelseturnup,veryshortly.
Nevertheless,Tuppencewasunabletoavoidacertainfeelingofuneasiness.ShedecidedthatinherroleofMrs.Blenkensopitwouldbeperfectlynaturaltodisplaysomecuriosityandevenanxiety.ShewentwithoutmoreadoinsearchofMrs.Perenna.
Mrs.Perennawasinclinedtobeshortwithheruponthesubject.Shemadeitclearthatsuchconductonthepartofoneofherlodgerswasnottobecondonedorglossedover.Tuppenceexclaimedbreathlessly:
“Oh,buthemayhavemetwithanaccident.I’msurehemusthavedone.He’snotatallthatsortofman—notatalllooseinhisideas,oranythingofthatkind.Hemusthavebeenrundownbyacarorsomething.”
“Weshallprobablysoonhearonewayoranother,”saidMrs.Perenna.
ButthedayworeonandtherewasnosignofMr.Meadowes.
Intheevening,Mrs.Perenna,urgedonbythepleasofherboarders,agreedextremelyreluctantlytoringupthepolice.
Asergeantcalledatthehousewithanotebookandtookparticulars.Certainfactswerethenelicited.Mr.MeadoweshadleftCommanderHaydock’shouseathalf-pastten.FromtherehehadwalkedwithaMr.WaltersandaDr.CurtisasfarasthegateofSansSouci,wherehehadsaidgoodbyetothemandturnedintothedrive.
Fromthatmoment,Mr.Meadowesseemedtohavedisappearedintospace.
InTuppence’smind,twopossibilitiesemergedfromthis.
Whenwalkingupthedrive,TommymayhaveseenMrs.Perennacomingtowardshim,haveslippedintothebushesandthenhavefollowedher.Havingobservedherrendezvouswithsomeunknownperson,hemightthenhavefollowedthelatter,whilstMrs.PerennareturnedtoSansSouci.Inthatcase,hewasprobablyverymuchalive,andbusyonatrail.Inwhichcasethewell-meantendeavoursofthepolicetofindhimmightprovemostembarrassing.
Theotherpossibilitywasnotsopleasant.Itresolveditselfintotwopictures—onethatofMrs.Perennareturning“outofbreathanddishevelled”—theother,onethatwouldnotbelaidaside,apictureofMrs.O’Rourkestandingsmilinginthewindow,holdingaheavyhammer.
Thathammerhadhorriblepossibilities.
Forwhatshouldahammerbedoinglyingoutside?
Astowhohadwieldedit,thatwasmoredifficult.AgooddealdependedontheexacttimewhenMrs.Perennahadreenteredthehouse.Itwascertainlysomewhereintheneighbourhoodofhalf-pastten,butnoneofthebridgepartyhappenedtohavenotedthetimeexactly.Mrs.Perennahaddeclaredvehementlythatshehadnotbeenoutexceptjusttolookattheweather.Butonedoesnotgetoutofbreathjustlookingattheweather.ItwasclearlyextremelyvexingtohertohavebeenseenbyMrs.Sprot.Withordinaryluckthefourladiesmighthavebeensafelyaccountedforasbusyplayingbridge.
Whathadthetimebeenexactly?
Tuppencefoundeverybodyextremelyvagueonthesubject.
Ifthetimeagreed,Mrs.Perennawasclearlythemostlikelysuspect.Buttherewereotherpossibilities.OftheinhabitantsofSansSouci,threehadbeenoutatthetimeofTommy’sreturn.MajorBletchleyhadbeenoutatthecinema—buthehadbeentoitalone,andthewaythathehadinsistedonretailingthewholepicturesometiculouslymightsuggesttoasuspiciousmindthathewasdeliberatelyestablishinganalibi.
ThentherewasthevaletudinarianMr.Cayleywhohadgoneforawalkallroundthegarden.ButfortheaccidentofMrs.Cayley’sanxietyoverherspouse,noonemighthaveeverheardofthatwalkandmighthaveimaginedMr.Cayleytohaveremainedsecurelyencasedinrugslikeamummyinhischairontheterrace.(Ratherunlikehim,really,toriskthecontaminationofthenightairsolong.)
AndtherewasMrs.O’Rourkeherself,swingingthehammer,andsmiling…
IV
“What’sthematter,Deb?You’relookingworried,mysweet.”
DeborahBeresfordstarted,andthenlaughed,lookingfranklyintoTonyMarsdon’ssympatheticbrowneyes.ShelikedTony.Hehadbrains—wasoneofthemostbrilliantbeginnersinthecodingdepartment—andwasthoughtlikelytogofar.
Deborahenjoyedherjob,thoughshefounditmadesomewhatstrenuousdemandsonherpowersofconcentration.Itwastiring,butitwasworthwhileanditgaveherapleasantfeelingofimportance.Thiswasrealwork—notjusthangingaboutahospitalwaitingforachancetonurse.
Shesaid:
“Oh,nothing.Justfamily!Youknow.”
“Familiesareabittrying.What’syoursbeenupto?”
“It’smymother.Totellthetruth,I’mjustabitworriedabouther.”
“Why?What’shappened?”
“Well,yousee,shewentdowntoCornwalltoafrightfullytryingoldauntofmine.Seventy-eightandcompletelygaga.”
“Soundsgrim,”commentedtheyoungmansympathetically.
“Yes,itwasreallyverynobleofMother.Butshewasratherhippedanywaybecausenobodyseemedtowantherinthiswar.Ofcourse,shenursedanddidthingsinthelastone—butit’sallquitedifferentnow,andtheydon’twantthesemiddle-agedpeople.Theywantpeoplewhoareyoungandonthespot.Well,asIsay,Mothergotabithippedoveritall,andsoshewentoffdowntoCornwalltostaywithAuntGracie,andshe’sbeendoingabitinthegarden,extravegetablegrowingandallthat.”
“Quitesound,”commentedTony.
“Yes,muchthebestthingshecoulddo.She’squiteactivestill,youknow,”saidDeborahkindly.
“Well,thatsoundsallright.”
“Ohyes,itisn’tthat.Iwasquitehappyabouther—hadaletteronlytwodaysagosoundingquitecheerful.”
“What’sthetrouble,then?”
“ThetroubleisthatItoldCharles,whowasgoingdowntoseehispeopleinthatpartoftheworld,togoandlookherup.Andhedid.Andshewasn’tthere.”
“Wasn’tthere?”
“No.Andshehadn’tbeenthere!Notatallapparently!”
Tonylookedalittleembarrassed.
“Ratherodd,”hemurmured.“Where’s—Imean—yourfather?”
“CarrotTop?Oh,he’sinScotlandsomewhere.InoneofthosedreadfulMinistrieswheretheyfilepapersintriplicatealldaylong.”
“Yourmotherhasn’tgonetojoinhim,perhaps?”
“Shecan’t.He’sinoneofthoseareathingswherewivescan’tgo.”
“Oh—er—well,Isupposeshe’sjustslopedoffsomewhere.”
Tonywasdecidedlyembarrassednow—especiallywithDeborah’slargeworriedeyesfixedplaintivelyuponhim.
“Yes,butwhy?It’ssoqueer.Allherletters—talkingaboutAuntGracieandthegardenandeverything.”
“Iknow,Iknow,”saidTonyhastily.“Ofcourse,she’dwantyoutothink—Imean—nowadays—well,peopledoslopeoffnowandagainifyouknowwhatImean—”
Deborah’sgaze,frombeingplaintive,becamesuddenlywrathful.
“IfyouthinkMother’sjustgoneoffweekendingwithsomeoneyou’reabsolutelywrong.Absolutely.MotherandFatheraredevotedtoeachother—reallydevoted.It’squiteajokeinthefamily.She’dnever—”
Tonysaidhastily:
“Ofcoursenot.Sorry.Ireallydidn’tmean—”
Deborah,herwrathappeased,creasedherforehead.
“Theoddthingisthatsomeonetheotherdaysaidthey’dseenMotherinLeahampton,ofallplaces,andofcourseIsaiditcouldn’tbeherbecauseshewasinCornwall,butnowIwonder—”
Tony,hismatchheldtoacigarette,pausedsuddenlyandthematchwentout.
“Leahampton?”hesaidsharply.
“Yes.JustthelastplaceyoucouldimagineMothergoingoffto.NothingtodoandalloldColonelsandmaidenladies.”
“Doesn’tsoundalikelyspot,certainly,”saidTony.
Helithiscigaretteandaskedcasually:
“Whatdidyourmotherdointhelastwar?”
Deborahansweredmechanically:
“Oh,nursedabitanddroveaGeneral—Army,Imean,notabus.Alltheusualsortofthings.”
“Oh,Ithoughtperhapsshe’dbeenlikeyou—intheIntelligence.”
“Oh,Motherwouldneverhavehadtheheadforthissortofwork.Ibelieve,though,thatsheandFatherdiddosomethinginthesleuthingline.Secretpapersandmasterspies—thatsortofthing.Ofcourse,thedarlingsexaggerateitallagooddealandmakeitallsoundasthoughithadbeenfrightfullyimportant.Wedon’treallyencouragethemtotalkaboutitmuchbecauseyouknowwhatone’sfamilyis—thesameoldstoryoverandoveragain.”
“Oh,rather,”saidTonyMarsdonheartily.“Iquiteagree.”
ItwasonthefollowingdaythatDeborah,returningtoherdigs,waspuzzledbysomethingunfamiliarintheappearanceofherroom.
Ittookherafewminutestofathomwhatitwas.Thensherangthebellanddemandedangrilyofherlandladywhathadhappenedtothebigphotographthatalwaysstoodonthetopofthechestofdrawers.
Mrs.Rowleywasaggrievedandresentful
Shecouldn’tsay,shewassure.Shehadn’ttoucheditherself.MaybeGladys—
ButGladysalsodeniedhavingremovedit.Themanhadbeenaboutthegas,shesaidhopefully.
ButDeborahdeclinedtobelievethatanemployeeoftheGasCo.wouldhavetakenafancytoandremovedtheportraitofamiddle-agedlady.
Farmorelikely,inDeborah’sopinion,thatGladyshadsmashedthephotographframeandhadhastilyremovedalltracesofthecrimetothedustbin.
Deborahdidn’tmakeafussaboutit.Sometimeorothershe’dgethermothertosendheranotherphoto.
Shethoughttoherselfwithrisingvexation:
“What’stheolddarlingupto?Shemighttellme.Ofcourse,it’sabsolutenonsensetosuggest,asTonydid,thatshe’sgoneoffwithsomeone,butallthesameit’sveryqueer….”
Eleven
ItwasTuppence’sturntotalktothefishermanontheendofthepier.
ShehadhopedagainsthopethatMr.Grantmighthavehadsomecomfortforher.Butherhopesweresoondashed.HestateddefinitelythatnonewsofanykindhadcomefromTommy.
Tuppencesaid,tryingherbesttomakehervoiceassuredandbusinesslike:
“There’snoreasontosupposethatanythinghas—happenedtohim?”
“Nonewhatever.Butlet’ssupposeithas.”
“What?”
“I’msaying—supposingithas.Whataboutyou?”
“Oh,Isee—I—carryon,ofcourse.”
“That’sthestuff.Thereistimetoweepafterthebattle.We’reinthethickofthebattlenow.Andtimeisshort.Onepieceofinformationyoubroughtushasbeenprovedcorrect.Youoverheardareferencetothefourth.Thefourthreferredtoisthefourthofnextmonth.It’sthedatefixedforthebigattackonthiscountry.”
“You’resure?”
“Fairlysure.They’remethodicalpeople,ourenemies.Alltheirplansneatlymadeandworkedout.Wishwecouldsaythesameofourselves.Planningisn’tourstrongpoint.Yes,thefourthisTheDay.Alltheseraidsaren’ttherealthing—they’remostlyreconnaissance—testingourdefencesandourreflexestoairattack.Onthefourthcomestherealthing.”
“Butifyouknowthat—”
“WeknowTheDayisfixed.Weknow,orthinkweknow,roughly,where…(Butwemaybewrongthere.)We’reasreadyaswecanbe.Butit’stheoldstoryofthesiegeofTroy.Theyknew,asweknow,allabouttheforceswithout.It’stheforceswithinwewanttoknowabout.ThemenintheWoodenHorse!Fortheyarethemenwhocandeliverupthekeysofthefortress.Adozenmeninhighplaces,incommand,invitalspots,byissuingconflictingorders,canthrowthecountryintojustthatstateofconfusionnecessaryfortheGermanplantosucceed.We’vegottohaveinsideinformationintime.”
Tuppencesaiddespairingly:
“Ifeelsofutile—soinexperienced.”
“Oh,youneedn’tworryaboutthat.We’vegotexperiencedpeopleworking,alltheexperienceandtalentwe’vegot—butwhenthere’streacherywithinwecan’ttellwhototrust.YouandBeresfordaretheirregularforces.Nobodyknowsaboutyou.That’swhyyou’vegotachancetosucceed—that’swhyyouhavesucceededuptoacertainpoint.”
“Can’tyouputsomeofyourpeopleontoMrs.Perenna?Theremustbesomeofthemyoucantrustabsolutely?”
“Oh,we’vedonethat.Workingfrom‘informationreceivedthatMrs.PerennaisamemberoftheIRAwithanti-Britishsympathies.’That’strueenough,bytheway—butwecan’tgetproofofanythingfurther.Notofthevitalfactswewant.Sosticktoit,Mrs.Beresford.Goon,anddoyourdarndest.”
“Thefourth,”saidTuppence.“That’sbarelyaweekahead?”
“It’saweekexactly.”
Tuppenceclenchedherhands.
“Wemustgetsomething!IsaywebecauseIbelieveTommyisontosomething,andthatthat’swhyhehasn’tcomeback.He’sfollowingupalead.IfIcouldonlygetsomethingtoo.Iwonderhow.IfI—”
Shefrowned,planninganewformofattack.
II
“Yousee,Albert,it’sapossibility.”
“Iseewhatyoumean,madam,ofcourse.ButIdon’tliketheideaverymuch,Imustsay.”
“Ithinkitmightwork.”
“Yes,madam,butit’sexposingyourselftoattack—that’swhatIdon’tlike—andI’msurethemasterwouldn’tlikeit.”
“We’vetriedalltheusualways.Thatistosay,we’vedonewhatwecouldkeepingundercover.Itseemstomethatnowtheonlychanceistocomeoutintotheopen.”
“Youareaware,madam,thattherebyyoumaybesacrificinganadvantage?”
“You’refrightfullyBBCinyourlanguagethisafternoon,Albert,”saidTuppence,withsomeexasperation.
Albertlookedslightlytakenabackandrevertedtoamorenaturalformofspeech.
“Iwaslisteningtoaveryinterestingtalkonpondlifelastnight,”heexplained.
“We’venotimetothinkaboutpondlifenow,”saidTuppence.
“Where’sCaptainBeresford,that’swhatI’dliketoknow?”
“SoshouldI,”saidTuppence,withapang.
“Don’tseemnatural,hisdisappearingwithoutaword.Heoughttohavetippedyouthewinkbynow.That’swhy—”
“Yes,Albert?”
“WhatImeanis,ifhe’scomeoutintheopen,perhapsyou’dbetternot.”
Hepausedtoarrangehisideasandthenwenton.
“Imean,they’veblownthegaffonhim,buttheymayn’tknowaboutyou—andsoit’suptoyoutokeepundercoverstill.”
“IwishIcouldmakeupmymind,”sighedTuppence.
“Whichwaywereyouthinkingofmanagingit,madam?”
Tuppencemurmuredthoughtfully:
“IthoughtImightlosealetterI’dwritten—makealotoffussaboutit,seemveryupset.ThenitwouldbefoundinthehallandBeatricewouldprobablyputitonthehalltable.Thentherightpersonwouldgetalookatit.”
“Whatwouldbeintheletter?”
“Oh,roughly—thatI’dbeensuccessfulindiscoveringtheidentityofthepersoninquestionandthatIwastomakeafullreportpersonallytomorrow.Then,yousee,Albert,NorMwouldhavetocomeoutintheopenandhaveashotateliminatingme.”
“Yes,andmaybethey’dmanageit,too.”
“NotifIwasonmyguard.They’dhave,Ithink,todecoymeawaysomewhere—somelonelyspot.That’swhereyou’dcomein—becausetheydon’tknowaboutyou.”
“I’dfollowthemupandcatchthemred-handed,sotospeak?”
Tuppencenodded.
“That’stheidea.Imustthinkitoutcarefully—I’llmeetyoutomorrow.”
III
Tuppencewasjustemergingfromthelocallendinglibrarywithwhathadbeenrecommendedtoherasa“nicebook”claspedunderherarmwhenshewasstartledbyavoicesaying:
“Mrs.Beresford.”
Sheturnedabruptlytoseeatalldarkyoungmanwithanagreeablebutslightlyembarrassedsmile.
Hesaid:
“Er—I’mafraidyoudon’trememberme?”
Tuppencewasthoroughlyusedtotheformula.Shecouldhavepredictedwithaccuracythewordsthatwerecomingnext.
“I—er—cametotheflatwithDeborahoneday.”
Deborah’sfriends!Somanyofthem,andall,toTuppence,lookingsingularlyalike!Somedarklikethisyoungman,somefair,anoccasionalred-hairedone—butallcastinthesamemould—pleasant,well-mannered,theirhair,inTuppence’sview,justslightlytoolong.(Butwhenthiswashinted,Deborahwouldsay,“Oh,Mother,don’tbesoterribly1916.Ican’tstandshorthair.”)
AnnoyingtohaverunacrossandbeenrecognisedbyoneofDeborah’syoungmenjustnow.However,shecouldprobablysoonshakehimoff.
“I’mAnthonyMarsdon,”explainedtheyoungman.
Tuppencemurmuredmendaciously,“Oh,ofcourse,”andshookhands.
TonyMarsdonwenton:
“I’mawfullygladtohavefoundyou,Mrs.Beresford.Yousee,I’mworkingatthesamejobasDeborah,andasamatteroffactsomethingratherawkwardhashappened.”
“Yes?”saidTuppence.“Whatisit?”
“Well,yousee,Deborah’sfoundoutthatyou’renotdowninCornwallasshethought,andthatmakesitabitawkward,doesn’tit,foryou?”
“Oh,bother,”saidTuppence,concerned.“Howdidshefindout?”
TonyMarsdonexplained.Hewentonratherdiffidently:
“Deborah,ofcourse,hasnoideaofwhatyou’rereallydoing.”
Hepauseddiscreetly,andthenwenton:
“It’simportant,Iimagine,thatsheshouldn’tknow.Myjob,actually,isratherthesameline.I’msupposedtobejustabeginnerinthecodingdepartment.ReallymyinstructionsaretoexpressviewsthataremildlyFascist—admirationoftheGermansystem,insinuationsthataworkingalliancewithHitlerwouldn’tbeabadthing—allthatsortofthing—justtoseewhatresponseIget.There’sagooddealofrotgoingon,yousee,andwewanttofindoutwho’satthebottomofit.”
“Roteverywhere,”thoughtTuppence.
“ButassoonasDebtoldmeaboutyou,”continuedtheyoungman,“IthoughtI’dbettercomestraightdownandwarnyousothatyoucancookupalikelystory.Yousee,Ihappentoknowwhatyouaredoingandthatit’sofvitalimportance.Itwouldbefatalifanyhintofwhoyouaregotabout.Ithoughtperhapsyoucouldmakeitseemasthoughyou’djoinedCaptainBeresfordinScotlandorwhereverheis.Youmightsaythatyou’dbeenallowedtoworkwithhimthere.”
“Imightdothat,certainly,”saidTuppencethoughtfully.
TonyMarsdonsaidanxiously:
“Youdon’tthinkI’mbuttingin?”
“No,no,I’mverygratefultoyou.”
Tonysaidratherinconsequentially:
“I’m—well—yousee—I’mratherfondofDeborah.”
Tuppenceflashedhimanamusedquickglance.
Howfarawayitseemed,thatworldofattentiveyoungmenandDebwithherrudenesstothemthatneverseemedtoputthemoff.Thisyoungmanwas,shethought,quiteanattractivespecimen.
Sheputasidewhatshecalledtoherself“peacetimethoughts”andconcentratedonthepresentsituation.
Afteramomentortwoshesaidslowly:
“Myhusbandisn’tinScotland.”
“Isn’the?”
“No,he’sdownherewithme.Atleasthewas!Now—he’sdisappeared.”
“Isay,that’sbad—orisn’tit?Washeontosomething?”
Tuppencenodded.
“Ithinkso.That’swhyIdon’tthinkthathisdisappearinglikethisisreallyabadsign.Ithink,soonerorlater,he’llcommunicatewithme—inhisownway.”Shesmiledalittle.
Tonysaid,withsomeslightembarrassment:
“Ofcourse,youknowthegamewell,Iexpect.Butyououghttobecareful.”
Tuppencenodded.
“Iknowwhatyoumean.Beautifulheroinesinbooksarealwayseasilydecoyedaway.ButTommyandIhaveourmethods.We’vegotaslogan,”shesmiled.“Pennyplainandtuppencecoloured.”
“What?”Theyoungmanstaredatherasthoughshehadgonemad.
“IoughttoexplainthatmyfamilynicknameisTuppence.”
“Oh,Isee.”Theyoungman’sbrowcleared.“Ingenious—what?”
“Ihopeso.”
“Idon’twanttobuttin—butcouldn’tIhelpinanyway?”
“Yes,”saidTuppencethoughtfully.“Ithinkperhapsyoumight.”
Twelve
Afterlongaeonsofunconsciousness,Tommybegantobeawareofafieryballswimminginspace.Inthecentreofthefieryballwasacoreofpain,theuniverseshrank,thefieryballswungmoreslowly—hediscoveredsuddenlythatthenucleusofitwashisownachinghead.
Slowlyhebecameawareofotherthings—ofcoldcrampedlimbs,ofhunger,ofaninabilitytomovehislips.
Slowerandslowerswungthefieryball…ItwasnowThomasBeresford’sheadanditwasrestingonsolidground.Verysolidground.Infactsomethingsuspiciouslylikestone.
Yes,hewaslyingonhardstones,andhewasinpain,unabletomove,extremelyhungry,coldanduncomfortable.
Surely,althoughMrs.Perenna’sbedshadneverbeenundulysoft,thiscouldnotbe—
Ofcourse—Haydock!Thewireless!TheGermanwaiter!TurninginatthegatesofSansSouci….
Someone,creepingupbehindhim,hadstruckhimdown.Thatwasthereasonofhisachinghead.
Andhe’dthoughthe’dgotawaywithitallright!SoHaydock,afterall,hadn’tbeenquitesuchafool?
Haydock?HaydockhadgonebackintoSmugglers’Rest,andclosedthedoor.HowhadhemanagedtogetdownthehillandbewaitingforTommyinthegroundsofSansSouci?
Itcouldn’tbedone.NotwithoutTommyseeinghim.
Themanservant,then?Hadhebeensentaheadtolieinwait?Butsurely,asTommyhadcrossedthehall,hehadseenAppledoreinthekitchenofwhichthedoorwasslightlyajar?Ordidheonlyfancyhehadseenhim?Perhapsthatwastheexplanation.
Anywayitdidn’tmatter.Thethingtodowastofindoutwherehewasnow.
Hiseyes,accustomedtothedarkness,pickedoutasmallrectangleofdimlight.Awindoworsmallgrating.Theairsmeltchillyandmusty.Hewas,hefancied,lyinginacellar.Hishandsandfeetweretiedandagaginhismouthwassecuredbyabandage.
“SeemsratherasthoughI’mforit,”thoughtTommy.
Hetriedgingerlytomovehislimbsorbody,buthecouldnotsucceed.
Atthatmoment,therewasafaintcreakingsoundandadoorsomewherebehindhimwaspushedopen.Amanwithacandlecamein.Hesetdownthecandleontheground.TommyrecognisedAppledore.Thelatterdisappearedagainandthenreturnedcarryingatrayonwhichwasajugofwater,aglass,andsomebreadandcheese.
Stoopingdownhefirsttestedthecordsbindingtheotherlimbs.Hethentouchedthegag.
Hesaidinaquietlevelvoice:
“Iamabouttotakethisoff.Youwillthenbeabletoeatanddrink.If,however,youmaketheslightestsound,Ishallreplaceitimmediately.”
Tommytriedtonodhisheadwhichprovedimpossible,soheopenedandshuthiseyesseveraltimesinstead.
Appledore,takingthisforconsent,carefullyunknottedthebandage.
Hismouthfreed,Tommyspentsomeminuteseasinghisjaw.Appledoreheldtheglassofwatertohislips.Heswallowedatfirstwithdifficulty,thenmoreeasily.Thewaterdidhimtheworldofgood.
Hemurmuredstiffly:
“That’sbetter.I’mnotquitesoyoungasIwas.Nowfortheeats,Fritz—orisitFranz?”
Themansaidquietly:
“MynamehereisAppledore.”
HeheldthesliceofbreadandcheeseupandTommybitatithungrily.
Themealwasheddownwithwater,hethenasked:
“Andwhat’sthenextpartoftheprogramme?”
Foranswer,Appledorepickedupthegagagain.
Tommysaidquickly:
“IwanttoseeCommanderHaydock.”
Appledoreshookhishead.Deftlyhereplacedthegagandwentout.
Tommywaslefttomeditateindarkness.Hewasawakenedfromaconfusedsleepbythesoundofthedoorreopening.ThistimeHaydockandAppledorecameintogether.Thegagwasremovedandthecordsthatheldhisarmswereloosenedsothathecouldsitupandstretchhisarms.
Haydockhadanautomaticpistolwithhim.
Tommy,withoutmuchinwardconfidence,begantoplayhispart.
Hesaidindignantly:
“Lookhere,Haydock,what’sthemeaningofallthis?I’vebeensetupon—kidnapped—”
TheCommanderwasgentlyshakinghishead.
Hesaid:
“Don’twasteyourbreath.It’snotworthit.”
“Justbecauseyou’reamemberofourSecretService,youthinkyoucan—”
Againtheothershookhishead.
“No,no,Meadowes.Youweren’ttakeninbythatstory.Noneedtokeepupthepretence.”
ButTommyshowednosignsofdiscomfiture.Hearguedtohimselfthattheothercouldnotreallybesure.Ifhecontinuedtoplayhispart—
“Whothedevildoyouthinkyouare?”hedemanded.“Howevergreatyourpowersyou’venorighttobehavelikethis.I’mperfectlycapableofholdingmytongueaboutanyofourvitalsecrets!”
Theothersaidcoldly:
“Youdoyourstuffverywell,butImaytellyouthatit’simmaterialtomewhetheryou’reamemberoftheBritishIntelligence,ormerelyamuddlingamateur—”
“Ofallthedamnedcheek—”
“Cutitout,Meadowes.”
“Itellyou—”
Haydockthrustaferociousfaceforwards.
“Bequiet,damnyou.Earlieronitwouldhavematteredtofindoutwhoyouwereandwhosentyou.Nowitdoesn’tmatter.Thetime’sshort,yousee.Andyoudidn’thavethechancetoreporttoanyonewhatyou’dfoundout.”
“ThepolicewillbelookingformeassoonasI’mreportedmissing.”
Haydockshowedhisteethinasuddengleam.
“I’vehadthepoliceherethisevening.Goodfellows—bothfriendsofmine.TheyaskedmeallaboutMr.Meadowes.Veryconcernedabouthisdisappearance.Howheseemedthatevening—whathesaid.Theyneverdreamt,howshouldthey,thatthemantheyweretalkingaboutwaspracticallyunderneaththeirfeetwheretheyweresitting.It’squiteclear,yousee,thatyouleftthishousewellandalive.They’dneverdreamoflookingforyouhere.”
“Youcan’tkeepmehereforever,”Tommysaidvehemently.
HaydocksaidwitharesumptionofhismostBritishmanner:
“Itwon’tbenecessary,mydearfellow.Onlyuntiltomorrownight.There’saboatdueinatmylittlecove—andwe’rethinkingofsendingyouonavoyageforyourhealth—thoughactuallyIdon’tthinkyou’llbealive,orevenonboard,whentheyarriveattheirdestination.”
“Iwonderyoudidn’tknockmeontheheadstraightaway.”
“It’ssuchhotweather,mydearfellow.Justoccasionallyourseacommunicationsareinterrupted,andifthatweretobeso—well,adeadbodyonthepremiseshasawayofannouncingitspresence.”
“Isee,”saidTommy.
Hedidsee.Theissuewasperfectlyclear.Hewastobekeptaliveuntiltheboatarrived.Thenhewouldbekilled,ordrugged,andhisdeadbodytakenouttosea.Nothingwouldeverconnectthisbody,whenfound,withSmugglers’Rest.
“Ijustcamealong,”continuedHaydock,speakinginthemostnaturalmanner,“toaskwhetherthereisanythingwecould—er—doforyou—afterwards?”
Tommyreflected.Thenhesaid:
“Thanks—butIwon’taskyoutotakealockofmyhairtothelittlewomaninSt.John’sWood,oranythingofthatkind.She’llmissmewhenpaydaycomesalong—butIdaresayshe’llsoonfindafriendelsewhere.”
Atallcosts,hefelt,hemustcreatetheimpressionthathewasplayingalonehand.SolongasnosuspicionattacheditselftoTuppence,thenthegamemightstillbewonthrough,thoughhewasnottheretoplayit.
“Asyouplease,”saidHaydock.“Ifyoudidcaretosendamessageto—yourfriend—wewouldseethatitwasdelivered.”
Sohewas,afterall,anxioustogetalittleinformationaboutthisunknownMr.Meadowes?Verywell,then,Tommywouldkeephimguessing.
Heshookhishead.“Nothingdoing,”hesaid.
“Verywell.”WithanappearanceoftheutmostindifferenceHaydocknoddedtoAppledore.Thelatterreplacedthebondsandthegag.Thetwomenwentout,lockingthedoorbehindthem.
Lefttohisreflections,Tommyfeltanythingbutcheerful.Notonlywashefacedwiththeprospectofrapidlyapproachingdeath,buthehadnomeansofleavinganycluebehindhimastotheinformationhehaddiscovered.
Hisbodywascompletelyhelpless.Hisbrainfeltsingularlyinactive.Couldhe,hewondered,haveutilisedHaydock’ssuggestionofamessage?Perhapsifhisbrainhadbeenworkingbetter…Buthecouldthinkofnothinghelpful.
Therewas,ofcourse,stillTuppence.ButwhatcouldTuppencedo?AsHaydockhadjustpointedout,Tommy’sdisappearancewouldnotbeconnectedwithhim.TommyhadleftSmugglers’Restaliveandwell.Theevidenceoftwoindependentwitnesseswouldconfirmthat.WhoeverTuppencemightsuspect,itwouldnotbeHaydock.Andshemightnotsuspectatall.Shemightthinkthathewasmerelyfollowingupatrail.
Damnitall,ifonlyhehadbeenmoreonhisguard—
Therewasalittlelightinthecellar.Itcamethroughthegratingwhichwashighupinonecorner.Ifonlyhecouldgethismouthfree,hecouldshoutforhelp.Somebodymighthear,thoughitwasveryunlikely.
Forthenexthalf-hourhebusiedhimselfstrainingatthecordsthatboundhim,andtryingtobitethroughthegag.Itwasallinvain,however.Thepeoplewhohadadjustedthosethingsknewtheirbusiness.
Itwas,hejudged,lateafternoon.Haydock,hefancied,hadgoneout;hehadheardnosoundsfromoverhead.
Confounditall,hewasprobablyplayinggolf,speculatingattheclubhouseoverwhatcouldhavehappenedtoMeadowes!
“Dinedwithmenightbeforelast—seemedquitenormal,then.Justvanishedintotheblue.”
Tommywrithedwithfury.ThatheartyEnglishmanner!Waseveryoneblindnottoseethatbullet-headedPrussianskull?Hehimselfhadn’tseenit.Wonderfulwhatafirst-classactorcouldgetawaywith.
Soherehewas—afailure—anignominiousfailure—trusseduplikeachicken,withnoonetoguesswherehewas.
IfonlyTuppencecouldhavesecondsight!Shemightsuspect.Shehad,sometimes,anuncannyinsight….
Whatwasthat?
Hestrainedhisearslisteningtoafar-offsound.
Onlysomemanhummingatune.
Andherehewas,unabletomakeasoundtoattractanyone’sattention.
Thehummingcamenearer.Amostuntunefulnoise.
Butthetune,thoughmangled,wasrecognisable.Itdatedfromthelastwar—hadbeenrevivedforthisone.
“IfyouweretheonlygirlintheworldandIwastheonlyboy.”
Howoftenhehadhummedthatin1917.
Dashthisfellow.Whycouldn’thesingintune?
SuddenlyTommy’sbodygrewtautandrigid.Thoseparticularlapseswerestrangelyfamiliar.Surelytherewasonlyonepersonwhoalwayswentwronginthatoneparticularplaceandinthatoneparticularway!
“Albert,bygosh!”thoughtTommy.
AlbertprowlingroundSmugglers’Rest.Albertquitecloseathand,andherehewas,trussedup,unabletomovehandorfoot,unabletomakeasound…
Waitaminute.Washe?
Therewasjustonesound—notsoeasywiththemouthshutaswiththemouthopen,butitcouldbedone.
DesperatelyTommybegantosnore.Hekepthiseyesclosed,readytofeignadeepsleepifAppledoreshouldcomedown,andhesnored,hesnored….
Shortsnore,shortsnore,shortsnore—pause—longsnore,longsnore,longsnore—pause—shortsnore,shortsnore,shortsnore….
II
Albert,whenTuppencehadlefthim,wasdeeplyperturbed.
Withtheadvanceofyearshehadbecomeapersonofslowmentalprocesses,butthoseprocessesweretenacious.
Thestateofaffairsingeneralseemedtohimquitewrong.
Thewarwasallwrongtobeginwith.
“ThoseGermans,”thoughtAlbertgloomilyandalmostwithoutrancour.HeilingHitler,andgoose-steppingandoverrunningtheworldandbombingandmachine-gunning,andgenerallymakingpestilentialnuisancesofthemselves.They’dgottobestopped,notwowaysaboutit—andsofaritseemedasthoughnobodyhadbeenabletostopthem.
AndnowherewasMrs.Beresford,aniceladyifthereeverwasone,gettingherselfmixedupintroubleandlookingoutformoretrouble,andhowwashegoingtostopher?Didn’tlookasthoughhecould.UpagainstthisFifthColumnandanastylottheymustbe.Someof’emEnglishborn,too!Adisgrace,thatwas!
Andthemaster,whowasalwaystheonetoholdthemissusbackfromherimpetuousways—themasterwasmissing.
Albertdidn’tlikethatatall.Itlookedtohimasthough“thoseGermans”mightbeatthebottomofthat.
Yes,itlookedbad,itdid.Lookedasthoughhemighthavecoppedone.
Albertwasnotgiventotheexerciseofdeepreasoning.LikemostEnglishmen,hefeltsomethingstrongly,andproceededtomuddlearounduntilhehad,somehoworother,clearedupthemess.Decidingthatthemasterhadgottobefound,Albert,ratherafterthemannerofafaithfuldog,setouttofindhim.
Heacteduponnosettledplan,butproceededinexactlythesamewayashewaswonttoembarkuponthesearchforhiswife’smissinghandbagorhisownspectacleswheneitherofthoseessentialarticlesweremislaid.Thatistosay,hewenttotheplacewherehehadlastseenthemissingobjectsandstartedfromthere.
Inthiscase,thelastthingknownaboutTommywasthathehaddinedwithCommanderHaydockatSmugglers’Rest,andhadthenreturnedtoSansSouciandbeenlastseenturninginatthegate.
AlbertaccordinglyclimbedthehillasfarasthegateofSansSouci,andspentsomefiveminutesstaringhopefullyatthegate.Nothingofascintillatingcharacterhavingoccurredtohim,hesighedandwanderedslowlyupthehilltoSmugglers’Rest.
Albert,too,hadvisitedtheOrnateCinemathatweek,andhadbeenpowerfullyimpressedbythethemeofWanderingMinstrel.Romantic,itwas!Hecouldnotbutbestruckbythesimilarityofhisownpredicament.He,likethatheroofthescreen,LarryCooper,wasafaithfulBlondelseekinghisimprisonedmaster.LikeBlondel,hehadfoughtatthatmaster’ssideinbygonedays.Nowhismasterwasbetrayedbytreachery,andtherewasnonebuthisfaithfulBlondeltoseekforhimandrestorehimtothelovingarmsofQueenBerengaria.
Albertheavedasighasherememberedthemeltingstrainsof“Richard,Omonroi,”whichthefaithfultroubadourhadcroonedsofeelinglybeneathtoweraftertower.
Pityhehimselfwasn’tbetteratpickingupatune.
Tookhimalongtimetogetholdofatune,itdid.
Hislipsshapedthemselvesintoatentativewhistle.
Begunplayingtheoldtunesagainlately,theyhad.
“IfyouweretheonlygirlintheworldandIwastheonlyboy—”
Albertpausedtosurveytheneatwhite-paintedgateofSmugglers’Rest.Thatwasit,thatwaswherethemasterhadgonetodinner.
Hewentupthehillalittlefartherandcameoutonthedowns.
Nothinghere.Nothingbutgrassandafewsheep.
ThegateofSmugglers’Restswungopenandacarpassedout.Abigmaninplusfourswithgolfclubsdroveoutanddownthehill.
“ThatwouldbeCommanderHaydock,thatwould,”Albertdeduced.
HewandereddownagainandstaredatSmugglers’Rest.Atidylittleplace.Nicebitofgarden.Niceview.
Heeyeditbenignly.“Iwouldsaysuchwonderfulthingstoyou,”hehummed.
Throughasidedoorofthehouseamancameoutwithahoeandpassedoutofsightthroughalittlegate.
Albert,whogrewnasturtiumsandabitoflettuceinhisbackgarden,wasinstantlyinterested.
HeedgednearertoSmugglers’Restandpassedthroughtheopengate.Yes,tidylittleplace.
Hecircledslowlyroundit.Somewaybelowhim,reachedbysteps,wasaflatplateauplantedasavegetablegarden.Themanwhohadcomeoutofthehousewasbusydownthere.
Albertwatchedhimwithinterestforsomeminutes.Thenheturnedtocontemplatethehouse.
Tidylittleplace,hethoughtforthethirdtime.JustthesortofplacearetiredNavalgentlemanwouldliketohave.Thiswaswherethemasterhaddinedthatnight.
SlowlyAlbertcircledroundandroundthehouse.HelookedatitmuchashehadlookedatthegateofSansSouci—hopefully,asthoughaskingittotellhimsomething.
Andashewenthehummedsoftlytohimself,atwentieth-centuryBlondelinsearchofhismaster.
“Therewouldbesuchwonderfulthingstodo,”hummedAlbert.“Iwouldsaysuchwonderfulthingstoyou.Therewouldbesuchwonderfulthingstodo—”Gonewrongsomewhere,hadn’the?He’dhummedthatbitbefore.
Hallo,funny,sotheCommanderkeptpigs,didhe?Along-drawngruntcametohim.Funny—seemedalmostasthoughitwereunderground.Funnyplacetokeeppigs.
Couldn’tbepigs.No,itwassomeonehavingabitofshut-eye.Bitofshut-eyeinthecellar,soitseemed….
Rightkindofdayforasnooze,butfunnyplacetogoforit.HumminglikeabumblebeeAlbertapproachednearer.
That’swhereitwascomingfrom—throughthatlittlegrating.Grunt,grunt,grunt,snoooooore.Snoooooore,snoooooooore—grunt,grunt,grunt.Funnysortofsnore—remindedhimofsomething…
“Coo!”saidAlbert.“That’swhatitis—SOS.Dot,dot,dot,dash,dash,dash,dot,dot,dot.”
Helookedroundhimwithaquickglance
Thenkneelingdown,hetappedasoftmessageontheirongrilleofthelittlewindowofthecellar.
Thirteen
AlthoughTuppencewenttobedinanoptimisticframeofmind,shesufferedaseverereactioninthosewakinghoursofearlydawnwhenhumanmoralesinkstoitslowest.
Ondescendingtobreakfast,however,herspiritswereraisedbythesightofalettersittingonherplateaddressedinapainfullybackhandedscript.
ThiswasnocommunicationfromDouglas,RaymondorCyril,oranyotherofthecamouflagedcorrespondencethatarrivedpunctuallyforher,andwhichincludedthismorningabrightlycolouredBonzopostcardwithascrawled,“SorryIhaven’twrittenbefore.Allwell,Maudie,”onit.
Tuppencethrustthisasideandopenedtheletter.
“DearPatricia(itran),“AuntieGraceis,Iamafraid,muchworsetoday.Thedoctorsdonotactuallysaysheissinking,butIamafraidthattherecannotbemuchhope.IfyouwanttoseeherbeforetheendIthinkitwouldbewelltocometoday.Ifyouwilltakethe10:20traintoYarrow,afriendwillmeetyouwithhiscar.“Shalllookforwardtoseeingyouagain,dear,inspiteofthemelancholyreason.“Yoursever,“PenelopePlayne.”
ItwasallTuppencecoulddotorestrainherjubilation.
GoodoldPennyPlain!
Withsomedifficultysheassumedamourningexpression—andsighedheavilyasshelaidtheletterdown.
Tothetwosympatheticlistenerspresent,Mrs.O’RourkeandMissMinton,sheimpartedthecontentsoftheletter,andenlargedfreelyonthepersonalityofAuntGracie,herindomitablespirit,herindifferencetoairraidsanddanger,andhervanquishmentbyillness.MissMintontendedtobecuriousastotheexactnatureofAuntGracie’ssufferings,andcomparedtheminterestedlywiththediseasesofherowncousinSelina.Tuppence,hoveringslightlybetweendropsyanddiabetes,foundherselfslightlyconfused,butcompromisedoncomplicationswiththekidneys.Mrs.O’RourkedisplayedanavidinterestastowhetherTuppencewouldbenefitpecuniarilybytheoldlady’sdeathandlearnedthatdearCyrilhadalwaysbeentheoldlady’sfavouritegrandnephewaswellasbeinghergodson.
Afterbreakfast,Tuppencerangupthetailor’sandcancelledafittingofacoatandskirtforthatafternoon,andthensoughtoutMrs.Perennaandexplainedthatshemightbeawayfromhomeforanightortwo.
Mrs.Perennaexpressedtheusualconventionalsentiments.Shelookedtiredthismorning,andhadananxiousharassedexpression.
“StillnonewsofMr.Meadowes,”shesaid.“Itreallyismostodd,isitnot?”
“I’msurehemusthavemetwithanaccident,”sighedMrs.Blenkensop.“Ialwayssaidso.”
“Oh,butsurely,Mrs.Blenkensop,theaccidentwouldhavebeenreportedbythistime.”
“Well,whatdoyouthink?”askedTuppence.
Mrs.Perennashookherhead.
“Ireallydon’tknowwhattosay.Iquiteagreethathecan’thavegoneawayofhisownfreewill.Hewouldhavesentwordbynow.”
“Itwasalwaysamostunjustifiedsuggestion,”saidMrs.Blenkensopwarmly.“ThathorridMajorBletchleystartedit.No,ifitisn’tanaccident,itmustbelossofmemory.Ibelievethatisfarmorecommonthanisgenerallyknown,especiallyattimesofstresslikethosewearelivingthroughnow.”
Mrs.Perennanoddedherhead.Shepursedupherlipswithratheradoubtfulexpression.SheshotaquicklookatTuppence.
“Youknow,Mrs.Blenkensop,”shesaid,“wedon’tknowverymuchaboutMr.Meadowes,dowe?”
Tuppencesaidsharply:“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Oh,please,don’ttakemeupsosharply.Idon’tbelieveit—notforaminute.”
“Don’tbelievewhat?”
“Thisstorythat’sgoinground.”
“Whatstory?Ihaven’theardanything.”
“No—well—perhapspeoplewouldn’ttellyou.Idon’treallyknowhowitstarted.I’veanideathatMr.Cayleymentioneditfirst.Ofcoursehe’sratherasuspiciousman,ifyouknowwhatImean?”
Tuppencecontainedherselfwithasmuchpatienceaspossible.
“Pleasetellme,”shesaid.
“Well,itwasjustasuggestion,youknow,thatMr.Meadowesmightbeanenemyagent—oneofthesedreadfulFifthColumnpeople.”
TuppenceputallshecouldofanoutragedMrs.Blenkensopintoherindignant:
“Ineverheardofsuchanabsurdidea!”
“No.Idon’tthinkthere’sanythinginit.ButofcourseMr.MeadoweswasseenaboutagooddealwiththatGermanboy—andIbelieveheaskedalotofquestionsaboutthechemicalprocessesatthefactory—andsopeoplethinkthatperhapsthetwoofthemmighthavebeenworkingtogether.”
Tuppencesaid:
“Youdon’tthinkthere’sanydoubtaboutCarl,doyou,Mrs.Perenna?”
Shesawaquickspasmdistorttheotherwoman’sface.
“IwishIcouldthinkitwasnottrue.”
Tuppencesaidgently:“PoorSheila….”
Mrs.Perenna’seyesflashed.
“Herheart’sbroken,thepoorchild.Whyshoulditbethatway?Whycouldn’titbesomeoneelseshesetherheartupon?”
Tuppenceshookherhead.
“Thingsdon’thappenthatway.”
“You’reright.”Theotherspokeinadeep,bittervoice.“It’sgottobesorrowandbitternessanddustandashes.It’sgottobethewaythingstearyoutopieces….I’msickofthecruelty—theunfairnessofthisworld.I’dliketosmashitandbreakit—andletusallstartagainneartotheearthandwithouttheserulesandlawsandthetyrannyofnationovernation.I’dlike—”
Acoughinterruptedher.Adeep,throatycough.Mrs.O’Rourkewasstandinginthedoorway,hervastbulkfillingtheaperturecompletely.
“AmIinterruptingnow?”shedemanded
Likeaspongeacrossaslate,allevidenceofMrs.Perenna’soutburstvanishedfromherface—leavingintheirwakeonlythemildworriedfaceoftheproprietressofaguesthousewhoseguestswerecausingtrouble.
“No,indeed,Mrs.O’Rourke,”shesaid.“WewerejusttalkingaboutwhathadbecomeofMr.Meadowes.It’samazingthepolicecanfindnotraceofhim.”
“Ah,thepolice!”saidMrs.O’Rourkeintonesofeasycontempt.“Whatgoodwouldtheybe?Nogoodatall,atall!Onlyfitforfiningmotorcars,anddroppingonpoorwretcheswhohaven’ttakenouttheirdoglicences.”
“What’syourtheory,Mrs.O’Rourke?”askedTuppence.
“You’llhavebeenhearingthestorythat’sgoingabout?”
“AbouthisbeingaFascistandanenemyagent—yes,”saidTuppencecoldly.
“Itmightbetruenow,”saidMrs.O’Rourkethoughtfully.“Forthere’sbeensomethingaboutthemanthat’sintriguedmefromthebeginning.I’vewatchedhim,youknow,”shesmileddirectlyatTuppence—andlikeallMrs.O’Rourke’ssmilesithadavaguelyterrifyingquality—thesmileofanogress.“He’dnotthelookofamanwho’dretiredfrombusinessandhadnothingtodowithhimself.IfIwasbackingmyjudgement,I’dsayhecameherewithapurpose.”
“Andwhenthepolicegotonhistrackhedisappeared,isthatit?”demandedTuppence.
“Itmightbeso,”saidMrs.O’Rourke.“What’syouropinion,Mrs.Perenna?”
“Idon’tknow,”sighedMrs.Perenna.“It’samostvexingthingtohappen.Itmakessomuchtalk.”
“Ah!Talkwon’thurtyou.They’rehappynowoutthereontheterracewonderingandsurmising.They’llhaveitintheendthatthequiet,inoffensivemanwasgoingtoblowusallupinourbedswithbombs.”
“Youhaven’ttolduswhatyouthink?”saidTuppence.
Mrs.O’Rourkesmiled,thatsameslowferocioussmile.
“I’mthinkingthatthemanissafesomewhere—quitesafe….”
Tuppencethought:
“Shemightsaythatifsheknew…butheisn’twhereshethinksheis!”
Shewentuptoherroomtogetready.BettySprotcamerunningoutoftheCayleys’bedroomwithasmileofmischievousandimpishgleeonherface.
“Whathaveyoubeenupto,minx?”demandedTuppence.
Bettygurgled:
“Goosey,gooseygander….”
Tuppencechanted:
“Whitherwillyouwander?Upstairs!”ShesnatchedupBettyhighoverherhead.“Downstairs!”Sherolledheronthefloor—
AtthisminuteMrs.SprotappearedandBettywasledofftobeattiredforherwalk.
“Hide?”saidBettyhopefully.“Hide?”
“Youcan’tplayhide-and-seeknow,”saidMrs.Sprot.
Tuppencewentintoherroom,donnedherhat(anuisancehavingtowearahat—TuppenceBeresfordneverdid—butPatriciaBlenkensopwouldcertainlywearone,Tuppencefelt).
Somebody,shenoted,hadalteredthepositionofthehatsinherhatcupboard.Hadsomeonebeensearchingherroom?Well,letthem.Theywouldn’tfindanythingtocastdoubtonblamelessMrs.Blenkensop.
SheleftPenelopePlayne’sletterartisticallyonthedressingtableandwentdownstairsandoutofthehouse.
Itwasteno’clockassheturnedoutofthegate.Plentyoftime.Shelookedupatthesky,andindoingsosteppedintoadarkpuddlebythegatepost,butwithoutapparentlynoticingitshewenton.
Herheartwasdancingwildly.Success—success—theyweregoingtosucceed.
II
Yarrowwasasmallcountrystationwherethevillagewassomedistancefromtherailway.
Outsidethestationacarwaswaiting.Agood-lookingyoungmanwasdrivingit.HetouchedhispeakedcaptoTuppence,butthegestureseemedhardlynatural
Tuppencekickedtheoff-sidetyredubiously.
“Isn’tthisratherflat?”
“Wehaven’tgotfartogo,madam.”
Shenoddedandgotin.
Theydrove,nottowardsthevillage,buttowardsthedowns.Afterwindingupoverahill,theytookasidetrackthatdroppedsharplyintoadeepcleft.Fromtheshadowofasmallcopseoftreesafiguresteppedouttomeetthem.
ThecarstoppedandTuppence,gettingout,wenttomeetAnthonyMarsdon.
“Beresford’sallright,”hesaidquickly.“Welocatedhimyesterday.He’saprisoner—theothersidegothim—andforgoodreasonshe’sremainingputforanothertwelvehours.Yousee,there’sasmallboatdueinatacertainspot—andwewanttocatchherbadly.That’swhyBeresford’slyinglow—wedon’twanttogivetheshowawayuntilthelastminute.”
Helookedatheranxiously.
“Youdounderstand,don’tyou?”
“Oh,yes!”Tuppencewasstaringatacurioustangledmassofcanvasmaterialhalf-hiddenbythetrees.
“He’llbeabsolutelyallright,”continuedtheyoungmanearnestly.
“OfcourseTommywillbeallright,”saidTuppenceimpatiently.“Youneedn’ttalktomeasthoughIwereachildoftwo.We’rebothreadytorunafewrisks.What’sthatthingoverthere?”
“Well—”Theyoungmanhesitated.“That’sjustit.I’vebeenorderedtoputacertainpropositionbeforeyou.But—butwell,frankly,Idon’tlikedoingit.Yousee—”
Tuppencetreatedhimtoacoldstare.
“Whydon’tyoulikedoingit?”
“Well—dashit—you’reDeborah’smother.AndImean—whatwouldDebsaytomeif—if—”
“IfIgotitintheneck?”inquiredTuppence.“Personally,ifIwereyou,Ishouldn’tmentionittoher.Themanwhosaidexplanationswereamistakewasquiteright.”
Thenshesmiledkindlyathim.
“Mydearboy,Iknowexactlyhowyoufeel.Thatit’sallverywellforyouandDeborahandtheyounggenerallytorunrisks,butthatthemeremiddle-agedmustbeshielded.Allcompletenonsense,becauseifanyoneisgoingtobeliquidateditismuchbetteritshouldbethemiddle-aged,whohavehadthebestpartoftheirlives.Anyway,stoplookinguponmeasthatsacredobject,Deborah’smother,andjusttellmewhatdangerousandunpleasantjobthereisformetodo.”
“Youknow,”saidtheyoungmanwithenthusiasm,“Ithinkyou’resplendid,simplysplendid.”
“Cutoutthecompliments,”saidTuppence.“I’madmiringmyselfagooddeal,sothere’snoneedforyoutochimein.Whatexactlyisthebigidea?”
Tonyindicatedthemassofcrumpledmaterialwithagesture.
“That,”hesaid,“istheremainsofaparachute.”
“Aha,”saidTuppence.Hereyessparkled.
“Therewasjustanisolatedparachutist,”wentonMarsdon.“FortunatelytheLDVsaroundherearequiteabrightlot.Thedescentwasspotted,andtheygother.”
“Her?”
“Yes,her!Womandressedasahospitalnurse.”
“I’msorryshewasn’tanun,”saidTuppence.“Therehavebeensomanygoodstoriesgoingaroundaboutnunspayingtheirfaresinbuseswithhairymusculararms.”
“Well,shewasn’tanunandshewasn’tamanindisguise.Shewasawomanofmediumheight,middle-aged,withdarkhairandofslightbuild.”
“Infact,”saidTuppence,“awomannotunlikeme?”
“You’vehititexactly,”saidTony.
“Well?”saidTuppence.
Marsdonsaidslowly:
“Thenextpartofitisuptoyou.”
Tuppencesmiled.Shesaid:
“I’monallright.WheredoIgoandwhatdoIdo?”
“Isay,Mrs.Beresford,youreallyareasport.Magnificentnerveyou’vegot.”
“WheredoIgoandwhatdoIdo?”repeatedTuppence,impatiently.
“Theinstructionsareverymeagre,unfortunately.Inthewoman’spockettherewasapieceofpaperwiththesewordsonitinGerman.‘WalktoLeatherbarrow—dueeastfromthestonecross.14St.Asalph’sRd.Dr.Binion.’”
Tuppencelookedup.Onthehilltopnearbywasastonecross.
“That’sit,”saidTony.“Signpostshavebeenremoved,ofcourse.ButLeatherbarrow’sabiggishplace,andwalkingdueeastfromthecrossyou’reboundtostrikeit.”
“Howfar?”
“Fivemilesatleast.”
Tuppencemadeaslightgrimace.
“Healthywalkingexercisebeforelunch,”shecommented.“IhopeDr.BinionoffersmelunchwhenIgetthere.”
“DoyouknowGerman,Mrs.Beresford?”
“Hotelvarietyonly.IshallhavetobefirmaboutspeakingEnglish—saymyinstructionsweretodoso.”
“It’sanawfulrisk,”saidMarsdon.
“Nonsense.Who’stoimaginethere’sbeenasubstitution?Ordoeseveryoneknowformilesroundthatthere’sbeenaparachutistbroughtdown?”
“ThetwoLDVmenwhoreporteditarebeingkeptbytheChiefConstable.Don’twanttorisktheirtellingtheirfriendshowclevertheyhavebeen!”
“Somebodyelsemayhaveseenit—orheardaboutit?”
Tonysmiled.
“MydearMrs.Beresford,everysingledaywordgoesroundthatone,two,three,four,uptoahundredparachutistshavebeenseen!”
“That’sprobablyquitetrue,”agreedTuppence.“Well,leadmetoit.”
Tonysaid:
“We’vegotthekithere—andapolicewomanwho’sanexpertintheartofmakeup.Comewithme.”
Justinsidethecopsetherewasatumbledownshed.Atthedoorofitwasacompetent-lookingmiddle-agedwoman.
ShelookedatTuppenceandnoddedapprovingly.
Insidetheshed,seatedonanupturnedpackingcase,Tuppencesubmittedherselftoexpertministrations.Finallytheoperatorstoodback,noddedapprovinglyandremarked:
“There,now,Ithinkwe’vemadeaverynicejobofit.Whatdoyouthink,sir?”
“Verygoodindeed,”saidTony.
Tuppencestretchedoutherhandandtookthemirrortheotherwomanheld.Shesurveyedherownfaceearnestlyandcouldhardlyrepressacryofsurprise.
Theeyebrowshadbeentrimmedtoanentirelydifferentshape,alteringthewholeexpression.Smallpiecesofadhesiveplasterhiddenbycurlspulledforwardovertheearsthattightenedtheskinofthefaceandaltereditscontours.Asmallamountofnoseputtyhadalteredtheshapeofthenose,givingTuppenceanunexpectedlybeaklikeprofile.Skilfulmakeuphadaddedseveralyearstoherage,withheavylinesrunningdowneachsideofthemouth.Thewholefacehadacomplacent,ratherfoolishlook.
“It’sfrightfullyclever,”saidTuppenceadmiringly.Shetouchedhernosegingerly.
“Youmustbecareful,”theotherwomanwarnedher.Sheproducedtwoslicesofthinindiarubber.“Doyouthinkyoucouldbeartoweartheseinyourcheeks?”
“IsupposeIshallhaveto,”saidTuppencegloomily.
Sheslippedtheminandworkedherjawscarefully.
“It’snotreallytoouncomfortable,”shehadtoadmit.
TonythendiscreetlylefttheshedandTuppenceshedherownclothingandgotintothenurse’skit.Itwasnottoobadafit,thoughinclinedtostrainalittleovertheshoulders.Thedarkbluebonnetputthefinaltouchtohernewpersonality.Sherejected,however,thestoutsquare-toedshoes.
“IfI’vegottowalkfivemiles,”shesaiddecidedly,“Idoitinmyownshoes.”
Theybothagreedthatthiswasreasonable—particularlyasTuppence’sownshoesweredarkbluebroguesthatwentwellwiththeuniform.
Shelookedwithinterestintothedarkbluehandbag—powder;nolipstick;twopoundsfourteenandsixpenceinEnglishmoney;ahandkerchiefandanidentitycardinthenameofFredaElton,4ManchesterRoad,Sheffield.
Tuppencetransferredherownpowderandlipstickandstoodup,preparedtosetout.
TonyMarsdonturnedhisheadaway.Hesaidgruffly:
“Ifeelaswinelettingyoudothis.”
“Iknowjusthowyoufeel.”
“But,yousee,it’sabsolutelyvital—thatweshouldgetsomeideaofjustwhereandhowtheattackwillcome.”
Tuppencepattedhimonthearm.“Don’tyouworry,mychild.Believeitornot,I’menjoyingmyself.”
TonyMarsdonsaidagain:
“Ithinkyou’resimplywonderful!”
III
Somewhatweary,Tuppencestoodoutside14St.Asalph’sRoadandnotedthatDr.Binionwasadentalsurgeonandnotadoctor.
FromthecornerofhereyeshenotedTonyMarsdon.Hewassittinginaracy-lookingcaroutsideahousefartherdownthestreet.
IthadbeenjudgednecessaryforTuppencetowalktoLeatherbarrowexactlyasinstructed,sinceifshehadbeendriventhereinacarthefactmighthavebeennoted.
Itwascertainlytruethattwoenemyaircrafthadpassedoverthedowns,circlinglowbeforemakingoff,andtheycouldhavenotedthenurse’slonelyfigurewalkingacrosscountry.
Tony,withtheexpertpolicewoman,haddrivenoffintheoppositedirectionandhadmadeabigdetourbeforeapproachingLeatherbarrowandtakinguphispositioninSt.Asalph’sRoad.Everythingwasnowset.
“Thearenadoorsopen,”murmuredTuppence.“EnteroneChristianenrouteforthelions.Oh,well,nobodycansayI’mnotseeinglife.”
Shecrossedtheroadandrangthebell,wonderingasshedidsoexactlyhowmuchDeborahlikedthatyoungman.Thedoorwasopenedbyanelderlywomanwithastolidpeasantface—notanEnglishface.
“Dr.Binion?”saidTuppence.
Thewomanlookedherslowlyupanddown
“YouwillbeNurseElton,Isuppose.”
“Yes.”
“Thenyouwillcomeuptothedoctor’ssurgery.”
Shestoodback,thedoorclosedbehindTuppence,whofoundherselfstandinginanarrowlinoleum-linedhall.
Themaidprecededherupstairsandopenedadooronthefirstfloor.
“Pleasetowait.Thedoctorwillcometoyou.”
Shewentout,shuttingthedoorbehindher.
Averyordinarydentist’ssurgery—theappointmentssomewhatoldandshabby.
Tuppencelookedatthedentist’schairandsmiledtothinkthatforonceitheldnoneoftheusualterrors.Shehadthe“dentistfeeling”allright—butfromquitedifferentcauses.
Presentlythedoorwouldopenand“Dr.Binion”wouldcomein.WhowouldDr.Binionbe?Astranger?Orsomeoneshehadseenbefore?Ifitwasthepersonshewashalfexpectingtosee—
Thedooropened.
ThemanwhoenteredwasnotatallthepersonTuppencehadhalffanciedshemightsee!Itwassomeoneshehadneverconsideredasalikelystarter.
ItwasCommanderHaydock.
Fourteen
AfloodofwildsurmisesastothepartCommanderHaydockhadplayedinTommy’sdisappearancesurgedthroughTuppence’sbrain,butshethrustthemresolutelyaside.Thiswasamomentforkeepingallherwitsabouther.
WouldorwouldnottheCommanderrecogniseher?Itwasaninterestingquestion
Shehadsosteeledherselfbeforehandtodisplaynorecognitionorsurpriseherself,nomatterwhomshemightsee,thatshefeltreasonablysurethatsheherselfhaddisplayednosignsuntowardtothesituation.
Sherosenowtoherfeetandstoodthere,standinginarespectableattitude,asbefittedamereGermanwomaninthepresenceofaLordofcreation.
“Soyouhavearrived,”saidtheCommander.
HespokeinEnglishandhismannerwaspreciselythesameasusual.
“Yes,”saidTuppence,andadded,asthoughpresentinghercredentials:“NurseElton.”
Haydocksmiledasthoughatajoke.
“NurseElton!Excellent.”
Helookedatherapprovingly.
“Youlookabsolutelyright,”hesaidkindly.
Tuppenceinclinedherhead,butsaidnothing.Shewasleavingtheinitiativetohim.
“Youknow,Isuppose,whatyouhavetodo?”wentonHaydock.“Sitdown,please.”
Tuppencesatdownobediently.Shereplied:
“Iwastotakedetailedinstructionsfromyou.”
“Veryproper,”saidHaydock.Therewasafaintsuggestionofmockeryinhisvoice.
Hesaid:
“Youknowtheday?”
“Thefourth.”
Haydocklookedstartled.Aheavyfrowncreasedhisforehead.
“Soyouknowthat,doyou?”hemuttered.
Therewasapause,thenTuppencesaid:
“Youwilltellme,please,whatIhavetodo?”
Haydocksaid:
“Allingoodtime,mydear.”
Hepausedaminute,andthenasked:
“Youhaveheard,nodoubt,ofSansSouci?”
“No,”saidTuppence.
“Youhaven’t?”
“No,”saidTuppencefirmly.
“Let’sseehowyoudealwiththisone!”shethought.
TherewasaqueersmileontheCommander’sface.Hesaid:
“Soyouhaven’theardofSansSouci?Thatsurprisesmeverymuch—sinceIwasundertheimpression,youknow,thatyou’dbeenlivingthereforthelastmonth…”
Therewasadeadsilence.TheCommandersaid:
“Whataboutthat,Mrs.Blenkensop?”
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean,Dr.Binion.Ilandedbyparachutethismorning.”
AgainHaydocksmiled—definitelyanunpleasantsmile.
Hesaid:
“Afewyardsofcanvasthrustintoabushcreateawonderfulillusion.AndIamnotDr.Binion,dearlady.Dr.Binionis,officially,mydentist—heisgoodenoughtolendmehissurgerynowandagain.”
“Indeed?”saidTuppence.
“Indeed,Mrs.Blenkensop!OrperhapsyouwouldprefermetoaddressyoubyyourrealnameofBeresford?”
Againtherewasapoignantsilence.Tuppencedrewadeepbreath.
Haydocknodded.
“Thegame’sup,yousee.‘You’vewalkedintomyparlour,’saidthespidertothefly.”
Therewasafaintclickandagleamofbluesteelshowedinhishand.Hisvoicetookonagrimnoteashesaid:
“AndIshouldn’tadviseyoutomakeanynoiseortrytoarousetheneighbourhood!You’dbedeadbeforeyougotsomuchasayelpout,andevenifyoudidmanagetoscreamitwouldn’tarouseattention.Patientsundergas,youknow,oftencryout.”
Tuppencesaidcomposedly:
“Youseemtohavethoughtofeverything.HasitoccurredtoyouthatIhavefriendswhoknowwhereIam?”
“Ah!Stillharpingontheblue-eyedboy—actuallybrown-eyed!YoungAnthonyMarsdon.I’msorry,Mrs.Beresford,butyoungAnthonyhappenstobeoneofourmoststalwartsupportersinthiscountry.AsIsaidjustnow,afewyardsofcanvascreatesawonderfuleffect.Youswallowedtheparachuteideaquiteeasily.”
“Idon’tseethepointofallthisrigmarole!”
“Don’tyou?Wedon’twantyourfriendstotraceyoutooeasily,yousee.IftheypickupyourtrailitwillleadtoYarrowandtoamaninacar.Thefactthatahospitalnurse,ofquitedifferentfacialappearance,walkedintoLeatherbarrowbetweenoneandtwowillhardlybeconnectedwithyourdisappearance.”
“Veryelaborate,”saidTuppence.
Haydocksaid:
“Iadmireyournerve,youknow.Iadmireitverymuch.I’msorrytohavetocoerceyou—butit’svitalthatweshouldknowjustexactlyhowmuchyoudiddiscoveratSansSouci.”
Tuppencedidnotanswer.
Haydocksaidquietly:
“I’dadviseyou,youknow,tocomeclean.Therearecertain—possibilities—inadentist’schairandinstruments.”
Tuppencemerelythrewhimascornfullook.
Haydockleantbackinhischair.Hesaidslowly:
“Yes—Idaresayyou’vegotalotoffortitude—yourtypeoftenhas.Butwhatabouttheotherhalfofthepicture?”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“I’mtalkingaboutThomasBeresford,yourhusband,whohaslatelybeenlivingatSansSouciunderthenameofMr.Meadowes,andwhoisnowveryconvenientlytrussedupinthecellarofmyhouse.”
Tuppencesaidsharply:
“Idon’tbelieveit.”
“BecauseofthePennyPlainletter?Don’tyourealisethatthatwasjustasmartbitofworkonthepartofyoungAnthony.Youplayedintohishandsnicelywhenyougavehimthecode.”
Tuppence’svoicetrembled.
“ThenTommy—thenTommy—”
“Tommy,”saidCommanderHaydock,“iswherehehasbeenallalong—completelyinmypower!It’suptoyounow.Ifyouanswermyquestionssatisfactorily,there’sachanceforhim.Ifyoudon’t—well,theoriginalplanholds.He’llbeknockedonthehead,takenouttoseaandputoverboard.”
Tuppencewassilentforaminuteortwo—thenshesaid:
“Whatdoyouwanttoknow?”
“Iwanttoknowwhoemployedyou,whatyourmeansofcommunicationwiththatpersonorpersonsare,whatyouhavereportedsofar,andexactlywhatyouknow?”
Tuppenceshruggedhershoulders.
“IcouldtellyouwhatliesIchoose,”shepointedout.
“No,becauseIshallproceedtotestwhatyousay.”Hedrewhischairalittlenearer.Hismannerwasnowdefinitelyappealing.“Mydearwoman—Iknowjustwhatyoufeelaboutitall,butbelievemewhenIsayIreallydoadmirebothyouandyourhusbandimmensely.You’vegotgritandpluck.It’speoplelikeyouthatwillbeneededinthenewState—theStatethatwillariseinthiscountrywhenyourpresentimbecileGovernmentisvanquished.Wewanttoturnsomeofourenemiesintofriends—thosethatareworthwhile.IfIhavetogivetheorderthatendsyourhusband’slife,Ishalldoit—it’smyduty—butIshallfeelreallybadlyabouthavingtodoit!He’safinefellow—quiet,unassumingandclever.Letmeimpressuponyouwhatsofewpeopleinthiscountryseemtounderstand.OurLeaderdoesnotintendtoconquerthiscountryinthesensethatyouallthink.HeaimsatcreatinganewBritain—aBritainstronginitsownpower—ruledover,notbyGermans,butbyEnglishmen.AndthebesttypeofEnglishmen—Englishmenwithbrainsandbreedingandcourage.Abravenewworld,asShakespeareputsit.”
Heleanedforward.
“Wewanttodoawaywithmuddleandinefficiency.Withbriberyandcorruption.Withself-seekingandmoney-grabbing—andinthisnewstatewewantpeoplelikeyouandyourhusband—braveandresourceful—enemiesthathavebeen,friendstobe.Youwouldbesurprisedifyouknewhowmanythereareinthiscountry,asinothers,whohavesympathywithandbeliefinouraims.BetweenusallwewillcreateanewEurope—aEuropeofpeaceandprogress.Tryandseeitthatway—because,Iassureyou—itisthatway…”
Hisvoicewascompelling,magnetic.Leaningforward,helookedtheembodimentofastraightforwardBritishsailor.
Tuppencelookedathimandsearchedhermindforatellingphrase.Shewasonlyabletofindonethatwasbothchildishandrude.
“Goosey,goosey,gander!”saidTuppence….
II
Theeffectwassomagicalthatshewasquitetakenaback.
Haydockjumpedtohisfeet,hisfacewentdarkpurplewithrage,andinasecondalllikenesstoaheartyBritishsailorhadvanished.ShesawwhatTommyhadonceseen—aninfuriatedPrussian.
HesworeatherfluentlyinGerman.Then,changingtoEnglish,heshouted:
“Youinfernallittlefool!Don’tyourealiseyougiveyourselfawaycompletelyansweringlikethat?You’vedoneforyourselfnow—youandyourprecioushusband.”
Raisinghisvoicehecalled:
“Anna!”
ThewomanwhohadadmittedTuppencecameintotheroom.Haydockthrustthepistolintoherhand.
“Watchher.Shootifnecessary.”
Hestormedoutoftheroom.
TuppencelookedappealinglyatAnna,whostoodinfrontofherwithanimpassiveface.
“Wouldyoureallyshootme?”saidTuppence.
Annaansweredquietly:
“Youneednottrytogetroundme.Inthelastwarmysonwaskilled,myOtto.Iwasthirty-eight,then—Iamsixty-twonow—butIhavenotforgotten.”
Tuppencelookedatthebroad,impassiveface.ItremindedherofthePolishwoman,VandaPolonska.Thatsamefrighteningferocityandsinglenessofpurpose.Motherhood—unrelenting!So,nodoubt,feltmanyquietMrs.JonesesandMrs.SmithsalloverEngland.Therewasnoarguingwiththefemaleofthespecies—themotherdeprivedofheryoung.
SomethingstirredintherecessesofTuppence’sbrain—somenaggingrecollection—somethingthatshehadalwaysknownbuthadneversucceededingettingintotheforefrontofhermind.Solomon—Solomoncameintoitsomewhere….
Thedooropened.CommanderHaydockcamebackintotheroom.
Hehowledout,besidehimselfwithrage:
“Whereisit?Wherehaveyouhiddenit?”
Tuppencestaredathim.Shewascompletelytakenaback.Whathewassayingdidnotmakesensetoher.
Shehadtakennothingandhiddennothing.
HaydocksaidtoAnna:
“Getout.”
Thewomanhandedthepistoltohimandlefttheroompromptly.
Haydockdroppedintoachairandseemedtobestrivingtopullhimselftogether.Hesaid:
“Youcan’tgetawaywithit,youknow.I’vegotyou—andI’vegotwaysofmakingpeoplespeak—notprettyways.You’llhavetotellthetruthintheend.Nowthen,whathaveyoudonewithit?”
Tuppencewasquicktoseethathere,atleast,wassomethingthatgaveherthepossibilityofbargaining.Ifonlyshecouldfindoutwhatitwasshewassupposedtohaveinherpossession.
Shesaidcautiously:
“HowdoyouknowI’vegotit?”
“Fromwhatyousaid,youdamnedlittlefool.Youhaven’tgotitonyou—thatweknow,sinceyouchangedcompletelyintothiskit.”
“SupposeIpostedittosomeone?”saidTuppence.
“Don’tbeafool.Everythingyoupostedsinceyesterdayhasbeenexamined.Youdidn’tpostit.No,there’sonlyonethingyoucouldhavedone.HiddenitinSansSoucibeforeyouleftthismorning.Igiveyoujustthreeminutestotellmewherethathiding-placeis.”
Heputhiswatchdownonthetable.
“Threeminutes,Mrs.ThomasBeresford.”
Theclockonthemantelpieceticked.
Tuppencesatquitestillwithablankimpassiveface.
Itrevealednothingoftheracingthoughtsbehindit.
Inaflashofbewilderinglightshesaweverything—sawthewholebusinessrevealedintermsofblindingclarityandrealisedatlastwhowasthecentreandpivotofthewholeorganisation.
ItcamequiteasashocktoherwhenHaydocksaid:
“Tensecondsmore…”
Likeoneinadreamshewatchedhim,sawthepistolarmrise,heardhimcount:
“One,two,three,four,five—”
Hehadreachedeightwhentheshotrangoutandhecollapsedforwardonhischair,anexpressionofbewildermentonhisbroadredface.Sointenthadhebeenonwatchinghisvictimthathehadbeenunawareofthedoorbehindhimslowlyopening.
InaflashTuppencewasonherfeet.Shepushedherwaypasttheuniformedmeninthedoorway,andseizedonatweed-cladarm.
“Mr.Grant.”
“Yes,yes,mydear,it’sallrightnow—you’vebeenwonderful—”
Tuppencebrushedasidethesereassurances.
“Quick!There’snotimetolose.You’vegotacarhere?”
“Yes.”Hestared.
“Afastone?WemustgettoSansSouciatonce.Ifonlywe’reintime.Beforetheytelephonehere,andgetnoanswer.”
Twominuteslatertheywereinthecar,anditwasthreadingitswaythroughthestreetsofLeatherbarrow.Thentheywereoutintheopencountryandtheneedleofthespeedometerwasrising.
Mr.Grantaskednoquestions.HewascontenttositquietlywhilstTuppencewatchedthespeedometerinanagonyofapprehension.Thechauffeurhadbeengivenhisordersandhedrovewithallthespeedofwhichthecarwascapable.
Tuppenceonlyspokeonce.
“Tommy?”
“Quiteallright.Releasedhalfanhourago.”
Shenodded.
Now,atlast,theywerenearingLeahampton.Theydartedandtwistedthroughthetown,upthehill.
TuppencejumpedoutandsheandMr.Grantranupthedrive.Thehalldoor,asusual,wasopen.Therewasnooneinsight.Tuppenceranlightlyupthestairs
Shejustglancedinsideherownroominpassing,andnotedtheconfusionofopendrawersanddisorderedbed.Shenoddedandpassedon,alongthecorridorandintotheroomoccupiedbyMr.andMrs.Cayley.
Theroomwasempty.Itlookedpeacefulandsmeltslightlyofmedicines.
Tuppenceranacrosstothebedandpulledatthecoverings.
TheyfelltothegroundandTuppenceranherhandunderthemattress.SheturnedtriumphantlytoMr.Grantwithatatteredchild’spicturebookinherhand
“Hereyouare.It’sallinhere—”
“Whaton—?”
Theyturned.Mrs.Sprotwasstandinginthedoorwaystaring.
“Andnow,”saidTuppence,“letmeintroduceyoutoM!Yes.Mrs.Sprot!Ioughttohaveknownitallalong.”
ItwaslefttoMrs.Cayleyarrivinginthedoorwayamomentlatertointroducetheappropriateanticlimax.
“Ohdear,”saidMrs.Cayley,lookingwithdismayatherspouse’sdismantledbed.“WhateverwillMr.Cayleysay?”
Fifteen
“Ioughttohaveknownitallalong,”saidTuppence.
Shewasrevivinghershatterednervesbyageneroustotofoldbrandy,andwasbeamingalternatelyatTommyandatMr.Grant—andatAlbert,whowassittinginfrontofapintofbeerandgrinningfromeartoear.
“Tellusallaboutit,Tuppence,”urgedTommy.
“Youfirst,”saidTuppence.
“There’snotmuchformetotell,”saidTommy.“Sheeraccidentletmeintothesecretofthewirelesstransmitter.IthoughtI’dgetawaywithit,butHaydockwastoosmartforme.”
Tuppencenoddedandsaid:
“HetelephonedtoMrs.Sprotatonce.Andsheranoutintothedriveandlaidinwaitforyouwiththehammer.Shewasonlyawayfromthebridgetableforaboutthreeminutes.Ididnoticeshewasalittleoutofbreath—butIneversuspectedher.”
“Afterthat,”saidTommy,“thecreditbelongsentirelytoAlbert.Hecamesniffingroundlikeafaithfuldog.Ididsomeimpassionedmorsesnoringandhecottonedontoit.HewentofftoMr.Grantwiththenewsandthetwoofthemcamebacklatethatnight.Moresnoring!Resultwas,Iagreedtoremainputsoastocatchtheseaforceswhentheyarrived.”
Mr.Grantaddedhisquota.
“WhenHaydockwentoffthismorning,ourpeopletookchargeatSmugglers’Rest.Wenabbedtheboatthisevening.”
“Andnow,Tuppence,”saidTommy.“Yourstory.”
“Well,tobeginwith,I’vebeenthemostfrightfulfoolallalong!IsuspectedeverybodyhereexceptMrs.Sprot!Ididoncehaveaterriblefeelingofmenace,asthoughIwasindanger—thatwasafterIoverheardthetelephonemessageaboutthefourthofthemonth.Therewerethreepeoplethereatthetime—IputdownmyfeelingofapprehensiontoeitherMrs.PerennaorMrs.O’Rourke.Quitewrong—itwasthecolourlessMrs.Sprotwhowasthereallydangerouspersonality.
“Iwentmuddlingon,asTommyknows,untilafterhedisappeared.ThenIwasjustcookingupaplanwithAlbertwhensuddenly,outoftheblue,AnthonyMarsdonturnedup.Itseemedallrighttobeginwith—theusualsortofyoungmanthatDeboftenhasintow.Buttwothingsmademethinkabit.FirstIbecamemoreandmoresureasItalkedtohimthatIhadn’tseenhimbeforeandthatheneverhadbeentotheflat.Thesecondwasthat,thoughheseemedtoknowallaboutmyworkingatLeahampton,heassumedthatTommywasinScotland.Now,thatseemedallwrong.Ifheknewaboutanyone,itwouldbeTommyheknewabout,sinceIwasmoreorlessunofficial.Thatstruckmeasveryodd
“Mr.GranthadtoldmethatFifthColumnistswereeverywhere—inthemostunlikelyplaces.Sowhyshouldn’toneofthembeworkinginDeborah’sshow?Iwasn’tconvinced,butIwassuspiciousenoughtolayatrapforhim.ItoldhimthatTommyandIhadfixedupacodeforcommunicatingwitheachother.Ourrealone,ofcourse,wasaBonzopostcard,butItoldAnthonyafairytaleaboutthePennyplain,tuppencecolouredsaying.
“AsIhoped,herosetoitbeautifully!Igotaletterthismorningwhichgavehimawaycompletely.
“Thearrangementshadbeenallworkedoutbeforehand.AllIhadtodowastoringupatailorandcancelafitting.Thatwasanintimationthatthefishhadrisen.”
“Coo-er!”saidAlbert.“Itdidn’thalfgivemeaturn.Idroveupwithabaker’svanandwedumpedapoolofstuffjustoutsidethegate.Aniseed,itwas—orsmeltlikeit.”
“Andthen—”Tuppencetookupthetale.“Icameoutandwalkedinit.Ofcourseitwaseasyforthebaker’svantofollowmetothestationandsomeonecameupbehindmeandheardmebooktoYarrow.Itwasafterthatthatitmighthavebeendifficult.”
“Thedogsfollowedthescentwell,”saidMr.Grant.“TheypickeditupatYarrowstationandagainonthetrackthetyrehadmadeafteryourubbedyourshoeonit.Itledusdowntothecopseandupagaintothestonecrossandafteryouwhereyouhadwalkedoverthedowns.Theenemyhadnoideawecouldfollowyoueasilyaftertheythemselveshadseenyoustartanddrivenoffthemselves.”
“Allthesame,”saidAlbert,“itgavemeaturn.Knowingyouwereinthathouseandnotknowingwhatmightcometoyou.Gotinabackwindow,wedid,andnabbedtheforeignwomanasshecamedownthestairs.Comeinjustinthenickoftime,wedid.”
“Iknewyou’dcome,”saidTuppence.“ThethingwasformetospinthingsoutaslongasIcould.I’dhavepretendedtotellifIhadn’tseenthedooropening.WhatwasreallyexcitingwasthewayIsuddenlysawthewholethingandwhatafoolI’dbeen.”
“Howdidyouseeit?”askedTommy.
“Goosey,goosey,gander,”saidTuppencepromptly.“WhenIsaidthattoCommanderHaydockhewentabsolutelylivid.Andnotjustbecauseitwassillyandrude.No,Isawatoncethatitmeantsomethingtohim.Andthentherewastheexpressiononthatwoman’sface—Anna—itwaslikethePolishwoman’s,andthen,ofcourse,IthoughtofSolomonandIsawthewholething.”
Tommygaveasighofexasperation.
“Tuppence,ifyousaythatonceagain,I’llshootyoumyself.Sawallwhat?AndwhatonearthhasSolomongottodowithit?”
“DoyourememberthattwowomencametoSolomonwithababyandbothsaiditwashers,butSolomonsaid,‘Verywell,cutitintwo.’Andthefalsemothersaid,‘Allright.’Buttherealmothersaid,‘No,lettheotherwomanhaveit.’Yousee,shecouldn’tfaceherchildbeingkilled.Well,thatnightthatMrs.Sprotshottheotherwoman,youallsaidwhatamiracleitwasandhoweasilyshemighthaveshotthechild.Ofcourse,itoughttohavebeenquiteplainthen!Ifithadbeenherchild,shecouldn’thaveriskedthatshotforaminute.ItmeantthatBettywasn’therchild.Andthat’swhysheabsolutelyhadtoshoottheotherwoman.”
“Why?”
“Because,ofcourse,theotherwomanwasthechild’srealmother.”Tuppence’svoiceshookalittle.
“Poorthing—poorhuntedthing.ShecameoverapennilessrefugeeandgratefullyagreedtoletMrs.Sprotadoptherbaby.”
“WhydidMrs.Sprotwanttoadoptthechild?”
“Camouflage!Supremepsychologicalcamouflage.Youjustcan’tconceiveofamasterspydraggingherkidintothebusiness.That’sthemainreasonwhyIneverconsideredMrs.Sprotseriously.Simplybecauseofthechild.ButBetty’srealmotherhadaterriblehankeringforherbabyandshefoundoutMrs.Sprot’saddressandcamedownhere.Shehungaboutwaitingforherchance,andatlastshegotitandwentoffwiththechild.
“Mrs.Sprot,ofcourse,wasfrantic.Atallcostsshedidn’twantthepolice.Soshewrotethatmessageandpretendedshefounditinherbedroom,andropedinCommanderHaydocktohelp.Then,whenwe’dtrackeddownthewretchedwoman,shewastakingnochances,andshother…Farfromnotknowinganythingaboutfirearms,shewasaveryfineshot!Yes,shekilledthatwretchedwoman—andbecauseofthatI’venopityforher.Shewasbadthroughandthrough.”
Tuppencepaused,thenshewenton:
“AnotherthingthatoughttohavegivenmeahintwasthelikenessbetweenVandaPolonskaandBetty.ItwasBettythewomanremindedmeofallalong.Andthenthechild’sabsurdplaywithmyshoelaces.Howmuchmorelikelythatshe’dseenherso-calledmotherdothat—notCarlvonDeinim!ButassoonasMrs.Sprotsawwhatthechildwasdoing,sheplantedalotofevidenceinCarl’sroomforustofindandaddedthemastertouchofashoelacedippedinsecretink.”
“I’mgladthatCarlwasn’tinit,”saidTommy.“Ilikedhim.”
“He’snotbeenshot,hashe?”askedTuppenceanxiously,notingthepasttense.
Mr.Grantshookhishead.
“He’sallright,”hesaid.“AsamatteroffactI’vegotalittlesurpriseforyouthere.”
Tuppence’sfacelitupasshesaid:
“I’mterriblyglad—forSheila’ssake!OfcoursewewereidiotstogoonbarkingupthewrongtreeafterMrs.Perenna.”
“ShewasmixedupinsomeIRAactivities,nothingmore,”saidMr.Grant.
“IsuspectedMrs.O’Rourkealittle—andsometimestheCayleys—”
“AndIsuspectedBletchley,”putinTommy.
“Andallthetime,”saidTuppence,“itwasthatmilkandwatercreaturewejustthoughtofas—Betty’smother.”
“Hardlymilkandwater,”saidMr.Grant.“Averydangerouswomanandaverycleveractress.And,I’msorrytosay,Englishbybirth.”
Tuppencesaid:
“ThenI’venopityoradmirationforher—itwasn’tevenhercountryshewasworkingfor.”ShelookedwithfreshcuriosityatMr.Grant.“Youfoundwhatyouwanted?”
Mr.Grantnodded.
“Itwasallinthatbatteredsetofduplicatechildren’sbooks.”
“TheonesthatBettysaidwere‘nasty,’”Tuppenceexclaimed.
“Theywerenasty,”saidMr.Grantdryly.“LittleJackHornercontainedveryfulldetailsofournavaldispositions.JohnnyHeadinAirdidthesamefortheAirForce.Militarymatterswereappropriatelyembodiedin:ThereWasaLittleManandHeHadaLittleGun.”
“AndGoosey,Goosey,Gander?”askedTuppence.
Mr.Grantsaid:
“Treatedwiththeappropriatereagent,thatbookcontainswrittenininvisibleinkafulllistofallprominentpersonageswhoarepledgedtoassistaninvasionofthiscountry.AmongstthemweretwoChiefConstables,anAirVice-Marshal,twoGenerals,theHeadofanArmamentsWorks,aCabinetMinister,manyPoliceSuperintendents,CommandersofLocalVolunteerDefenceOrganisations,andvariousmilitaryandnavallesserfry,aswellasmembersofourownIntelligenceForce.”
TommyandTuppencestared.
“Incredible!”saidtheformer.
Grantshookhishead.
“YoudonotknowtheforceoftheGermanpropaganda.Itappealstosomethinginman,somedesireorlustforpower.Thesepeoplewerereadytobetraytheircountrynotformoney,butinakindofmegalomaniacalprideinwhatthey,theythemselves,weregoingtoachieveforthatcountry.Ineverylandithasbeenthesame.ItistheCultofLucifer—Lucifer,SonoftheMorning.Prideandadesireforpersonalglory!”
Headded:
“Youcanrealisethat,withsuchpersonstoissuecontradictoryordersandconfuseoperations,howthethreatenedinvasionwouldhavehadeverychancetosucceed.”
“Andnow?”saidTuppence.
Mr.Grantsmiled.
“Andnow,”hesaid,“letthemcome!We’llbereadyforthem!”
Sixteen
“Darling,”saidDeborah.“DoyouknowIalmostthoughtthemostterriblethingsaboutyou?”
“Didyou?”saidTuppence.“When?”
Hereyesrestedaffectionatelyonherdaughter’sdarkhead.
“ThattimewhenyouslopedofftoScotlandtojoinFatherandIthoughtyouwerewithAuntGracie.Ialmostthoughtyouwerehavinganaffairwithsomeone.”
“Oh,Deb,didyou?”
“Notreally,ofcourse.Notatyourage.AndofcourseIknewyouandCarrotToparedevotedtoeachother.ItwasreallyanidiotcalledTonyMarsdonwhoputitintomyhead.Doyouknow,Mother—IthinkImighttellyou—hewasfoundafterwardstobeaFifthColumnist.Healwaysdidtalkratheroddly—howthingswouldbejustthesame,perhapsbetterifHitlerdidwin.”
“Didyou—er—likehimatall?”
“Tony?Ohno—hewasalwaysratherabore.Imustdancethis.”
Shefloatedawayinthearmsofafair-hairedyoungman,smilingupathimsweetly.Tuppencefollowedtheirrevolutionsforafewminutes,thenhereyesshiftedtowhereatallyoungmaninAirForceuniformwasdancingwithafair-hairedslendergirl.
“Idothink,Tommy,”saidTuppence,“thatourchildrenarerathernice.”
“Here’sSheila,”saidTommy.
HegotupasSheilaPerennacametowardstheirtable.
Shewasdressedinanemeraldeveningdresswhichshowedupherdarkbeauty.Itwasasullenbeautytonightandshegreetedherhostandhostesssomewhatungraciously.
“I’vecome,yousee,”shesaid,“asIpromised.ButIcan’tthinkwhyyouwantedtoaskme.”
“Becausewelikeyou,”saidTommysmiling.
“Doyoureally?”saidSheila.“Ican’tthinkwhy.I’vebeenperfectlyfoultoyouboth.”
Shepausedandmurmured:
“ButIamgrateful.”
Tuppencesaid:
“Wemustfindanicepartnertodancewithyou.”
“Idon’twanttodance.Iloathedancing.Icamejusttoseeyoutwo.”
“Youwilllikethepartnerwe’veaskedtomeetyou,”saidTuppencesmiling.
“I—”Sheilabegan.Thenstopped—forCarlvonDeinimwaswalkingacrossthefloor.
Sheilalookedathimlikeonedazed.Shemuttered:
“You—”
“I,myself,”saidCarl.
TherewassomethingalittledifferentaboutCarlvonDeinimthisevening.Sheilastaredathim,atrifleperplexed.Thecolourhadcomeuponhercheeks,turningthemadeepglowingred.
Shesaidalittlebreathlessly:
“Iknewthatyouwouldbeallrightnow—butIthoughttheywouldstillkeepyouinterned?”
Carlshookhishead.
“Thereisnoreasontointernme.”
Hewenton:
“Youhavegottoforgiveme,Sheila,fordeceivingyou.Iamnot,yousee,CarlvonDeinimatall.Itookhisnameforreasonsofmyown.”
HelookedquestioninglyatTuppence,whosaid:
“Goahead.Tellher.”
“CarlvonDeinimwasmyfriend.IknewhiminEnglandsomeyearsago.IrenewedacquaintanceshipwithhiminGermanyjustbeforethewar.Iwastherethenonspecialbusinessforthiscountry.”
“YouwereintheIntelligence?”askedSheila.
“Yes.WhenIwasthere,queerthingsbegantohappen.OnceortwiceIhadsomeverynearescapes.Myplanswereknownwhentheyshouldnothavebeenknown.Irealisedthattherewassomethingwrongandthat‘therot,’toexpressitintheirterms,hadpenetratedactuallyintotheserviceinwhichIwas.Ihadbeenletdownbymyownpeople.CarlandIhadacertainsuperficiallikeness(mygrandmotherwasaGerman),hencemysuitabilityforworkinGermany.CarlwasnotaNazi.Hewasinterestedsolelyinhisjob—ajobImyselfhadalsopractised—researchchemistry.Hedecided,shortlybeforewarbrokeout,toescapetoEngland.Hisbrothershadbeensenttoconcentrationcamps.Therewould,hethought,begreatdifficultiesinthewayofhisownescape,butinanalmostmiraculousfashionallthesedifficultiessmoothedthemselvesout.Thefact,whenhementionedittome,mademesomewhatsuspicious.WhyweretheauthoritiesmakingitsoeasyforvonDeinimtoleaveGermanywhenhisbrothersandotherrelationswereinconcentrationcampsandhehimselfwassuspectedbecauseofhisanti-Nazisympathies?ItseemedasthoughtheywantedhiminEnglandforsomereason.Myownpositionwasbecomingincreasinglyprecarious.Carl’slodgingswereinthesamehouseasmineandonedayIfoundhim,tomysorrow,lyingdeadonhisbed.Hehadsuccumbedtodepressionandtakenhisownlife,leavingaletterbehindwhichIreadandpocketed.
“Idecidedthentoeffectasubstitution.IwantedtogetoutofGermany—andIwantedtoknowwhyCarlwasbeingencouragedtodoso.Idressedhisbodyinmyclothesandlaiditonmybed.Itwasdisfiguredbytheshothehadfiredintohishead.Mylandlady,Iknew,wassemiblind.
“WithCarlvonDeinim’spapersItravelledtoEnglandandwenttotheaddresstowhichhehadbeenrecommendedtogo.TheaddresswasSansSouci.
“WhilstIwasthereIplayedthepartofCarlvonDeinimandneverrelaxed.Ifoundarrangementshadbeenmadeformetoworkinthechemicalfactorythere.AtfirstIthoughtthattheideawasIshouldbecompelledtodoworkfortheNazis.Irealisedlaterthatthepartforwhichmypoorfriendhadbeencastwasthatofscapegoat.
“WhenIwasarrestedonfakedevidence,Isaidnothing.Iwantedtoleavetherevelationofmyownidentityaslateaspossible.Iwantedtoseewhatwouldhappen.
“ItwasonlyafewdaysagothatIwasrecognisedbyoneofourpeopleandthetruthcameout.”
Sheilasaidreproachfully:
“Youshouldhavetoldme.”
Hesaidgently:
“Ifyoufeellikethat—Iamsorry.”
Hiseyeslookedintohers.Shelookedathimangrilyandproudly—thentheangermelted.Shesaid:
“Isupposeyouhadtodowhatyoudid…”
“Darling—”
Hecaughthimselfup.
“Comeanddance…”
Theymovedofftogether.
Tuppencesighed.
“What’sthematter?”saidTommy.
“IdohopeSheilawillgooncaringforhimnowthatheisn’taGermanoutcastwitheveryoneagainsthim.”
“Shelooksasthoughshecaresallright.”
“Yes,buttheIrishareterriblyperverse.AndSheilaisabornrebel.”
“Whydidhesearchyourroomthatday?That’swhatledusupthegardenpathsoterribly.”
Tommygavealaugh.
“IgatherhethoughtMrs.Blenkensopwasn’taveryconvincingperson.Infact—whileweweresuspectinghimhewassuspectingus.”
“Hallo,youtwo,”saidDerekBeresfordasheandhispartnerdancedpasthisparents’table.“Whydon’tyoucomeanddance?”
Hesmiledencouraginglyatthem.
“Theyaresokindtous,bless’em,”saidTuppence.
Presentlythetwinsandtheirpartnersreturnedandsatdown.
Dereksaidtohisfather:
“Gladyougotajoballright.Notveryinteresting,Isuppose?”
“Mainlyroutine,”saidTommy.
“Nevermind,you’redoingsomething.That’sthegreatthing.”
“AndI’mgladMotherwasallowedtogoandworktoo,”saidDeborah.“Shelookseversomuchhappier.Itwasn’ttoodull,wasit,Mother?”
“Ididn’tfinditatalldull,”saidTuppence.
“Good,”saidDeborah.Sheadded:“Whenthewar’sover,I’llbeabletotellyousomethingaboutmyjob.It’sreallyfrightfullyinteresting,butveryconfidential.”
“Howthrilling,”saidTuppence.
“Oh,itis!Ofcourse,it’snotsothrillingasflying—”
ShelookedenviouslyatDerek.
Shesaid,“He’sgoingtoberecommendedfor—”
Dereksaidquickly:
“Shutup,Deb.”
Tommysaid:
“Hallo,Derek,whathaveyoubeenupto?”
“Oh,nothingmuch—sortofshowallofusaredoing.Don’tknowwhytheypitchedonme,”murmuredtheyoungairman,hisfacescarlet.Helookedasembarrassedasthoughhehadbeenaccusedofthemostdeadlyofsins.
Hegotupandthefair-hairedgirlgotuptoo.
Dereksaid:
“Mustn’tmissanyofthis—lastnightofmyleave.”
“Comeon,Charles,”saidDeborah.
Thetwoofthemfloatedawaywiththeirpartners.
Tuppenceprayedinwardly:
“Ohletthembesafe—don’tletanythinghappentothem…”
ShelookeduptomeetTommy’seyes.Hesaid,“Aboutthatchild—shallwe?”
“Betty?Oh,Tommy,I’mgladyou’vethoughtofit,too!Ithoughtitwasjustmebeingmaternal.Youreallymeanit?”
“Thatweshouldadopther?Whynot?She’shadarawdeal,anditwillbefunforustohavesomethingyounggrowingup.”
“OhTommy!”
Shestretchedoutherhandandsqueezedhis.Theylookedateachother.
“Wealwaysdowantthesamethings,”saidTuppencehappily.
Deborah,passingDerekonthefloor,murmuredtohim:
“Justlookatthosetwo—actuallyholdinghands!They’rerathersweet,aren’tthey?Wemustdoallwecantomakeuptothemforhavingsuchadulltimeinthiswar….”
AbouttheAuthor
AgathaChristieisthemostwidelypublishedauthorofalltimeandinanylanguage,outsoldonlybytheBibleandShakespeare.HerbookshavesoldmorethanabillioncopiesinEnglishandanotherbillioninahundredforeignlanguages.Sheistheauthorofeightycrimenovelsandshort-storycollections,nineteenplays,twomemoirs,andsixnovelswrittenunderthenameMaryWestmacott.
ShefirsttriedherhandatdetectivefictionwhileworkinginahospitaldispensaryduringWorldWarI,creatingthenowlegendaryHerculePoirotwithherdebutnovelTheMysteriousAffairatStyles.WithTheMurderintheVicarage,publishedin1930,sheintroducedanotherbelovedsleuth,MissJaneMarple.Additionalseriescharactersincludethehusband-and-wifecrime-fightingteamofTommyandTuppenceBeresford,privateinvestigatorParkerPyne,andScotlandYarddetectivesSuperintendentBattleandInspectorJapp.
ManyofChristie’snovelsandshortstorieswereadaptedintoplays,films,andtelevisionseries.TheMousetrap,hermostfamousplayofall,openedin1952andisthelongest-runningplayinhistory.Amongherbest-knownfilmadaptationsareMurderontheOrientExpress(1974)andDeathontheNile(1978),withAlbertFinneyandPeterUstinovplayingHerculePoirot,respectively.OnthesmallscreenPoirothasbeenmostmemorablyportrayedbyDavidSuchet,andMissMarplebyJoanHicksonandsubsequentlyGeraldineMcEwanandJuliaMcKenzie.
ChristiewasfirstmarriedtoArchibaldChristieandthentoarchaeologistSirMaxMallowan,whomsheaccompaniedonexpeditionstocountriesthatwouldalsoserveasthesettingsformanyofhernovels.In1971sheachievedoneofBritain’shighesthonorswhenshewasmadeaDameoftheBritishEmpire.Shediedin1976attheageofeighty-five.Heronehundredandtwentiethanniversarywascelebratedaroundtheworldin2010.
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THEAGATHACHRISTIECOLLECTION
TheManintheBrownSuit
TheSecretofChimneys
TheSevenDialsMystery
TheMysteriousMr.Quin
TheSittafordMystery
ParkerPyneInvestigates
WhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?
MurderIsEasy
TheRegattaMysteryandOtherStories
AndThenThereWereNone
TowardsZero
DeathComesastheEnd
SparklingCyanide
TheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStories
CrookedHouse
ThreeBlindMiceandOtherStories
TheyCametoBaghdad
DestinationUnknown
OrdealbyInnocence
DoubleSinandOtherStories
ThePaleHorse
StaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStories
EndlessNight
PassengertoFrankfurt
TheGoldenBallandOtherStories
TheMousetrapandOtherPlays
TheHarlequinTeaSetandOtherStories
TheHerculePoirotMysteries
TheMysteriousAffairatStyles
TheMurderontheLinks
PoirotInvestigates
TheMurderofRogerAckroyd
TheBigFour
TheMysteryoftheBlueTrain
PerilatEndHouse
LordEdgwareDies
MurderontheOrientExpress
ThreeActTragedy
DeathintheClouds
TheA.B.C.Murders
MurderinMesopotamia
CardsontheTable
MurderintheMews
DumbWitness
DeathontheNile
AppointmentwithDeath
HerculePoirot’sChristmas
SadCypress
One,Two,BuckleMyShoe
EvilUndertheSun
FiveLittlePigs
TheHollow
TheLaborsofHercules
TakenattheFlood
TheUnderDogandOtherStories
Mrs.McGinty’sDead
AftertheFuneral
HickoryDickoryDock
DeadMan’sFolly
CatAmongthePigeons
TheClocks
ThirdGirl
Hallowe’enParty
ElephantsCanRemember
Curtain:Poirot’sLastCase
TheMissMarpleMysteries
TheMurderattheVicarage
TheBodyintheLibrary
TheMovingFinger
AMurderIsAnnounced
TheyDoItwithMirrors
APocketFullofRye
4:50fromPaddington
TheMirrorCrack’dfromSidetoSide
ACaribbeanMystery
AtBertram’sHotel
Nemesis
SleepingMurder
MissMarple:TheCompleteShortStories
TheTommyandTuppenceMysteries
TheSecretAdversary
PartnersinCrime
NorM?
BythePrickingofMyThumbs
PosternofFate
Memoirs
AnAutobiography
Come,TellMeHowYouLive
Copyright
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thecharacters,incidents,anddialoguearedrawnfromtheauthor’simaginationandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
AGATHACHRISTIE?TOMMYANDTUPPENCE?NORM??.Copyright?1941AgathaChristieLimited.Allrightsreserved.
NORM??1941.PublishedbypermissionofG.P.Putnam’sSons,amemberofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenonexclusive,nontransferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthisebookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,decompiled,reverse-engineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereinafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofHarperCollinsebooks.Forinformation,addressHarperCollinsPublishers,10East53rdStreet,NewYork,NY10022.
Formoreinformationabouteducationaluse,teachersshouldvisitwww.HarperAcademic.com.
FIRSTWILLIAMMORROWTRADEPAPERBACKPUBLISHED2012
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataisavailableuponrequest.
ISBN978-0-06-207432-4
EpubEdition?JANUARY2012ISBN:978-0-06-200669-1
1213141516DIX/BVG10987654321
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