PartnersinCrime
ATommyandTuppenceCollection
Contents
TitlePage
1AFairyintheFlat
2APotofTea
3TheAffairofthePinkPearl
4TheAdventureoftheSinisterStranger
5FinessingtheKing
6TheGentlemanDressedinNewspaper
7TheCaseoftheMissingLady
8Blindman’sBuff
9TheManintheMist
10TheCrackler
11TheSunningdaleMystery
12TheHouseofLurkingDeath
13TheUnbreakableAlibi
14TheClergyman’sDaughter
15TheRedHouse
16TheAmbassador’sBoots
17TheManWhoWasNo.16
AbouttheAuthor
TheAgathaChristieCollection
RelatedProducts
Copyright
AboutthePublisher
One
AFAIRYINTHEFLAT
Mrs.ThomasBeresfordshiftedherpositiononthedivanandlookedgloomilyoutofthewindowoftheflat.Theprospectwasnotanextendedone,consistingsolelyofasmallblockofflatsontheothersideoftheroad.Mrs.Beresfordsighedandthenyawned.
“Iwish,”shesaid,“somethingwouldhappen.”
Herhusbandlookedupreprovingly.
“Becareful,Tuppence,thiscravingforvulgarsensationalarmsme.”
Tuppencesighedandclosedhereyesdreamily.
“SoTommyandTuppenceweremarried,”shechanted,“andlivedhappilyeverafterwards.Andsixyearslatertheywerestilllivingtogetherhappilyeverafterwards.Itisextraordinary,”shesaid,“howdifferenteverythingalwaysisfromwhatyouthinkitisgoingtobe.”
“Averyprofoundstatement,Tuppence.Butnotoriginal.Eminentpoetsandstillmoreeminentdivineshavesaiditbefore—andifyouwillexcusemesayingso,havesaiditbetter.”
“Sixyearsago,”continuedTuppence,“Iwouldhaveswornthatwithsufficientmoneytobuythingswith,andwithyouforahusband,alllifewouldhavebeenonegrandsweetsong,asoneofthepoetsyouseemtoknowsomuchaboutputsit.”
“Isitmeorthemoneythatpallsuponyou?”inquiredTommycoldly.
“Pallsisn’texactlytheword,”saidTuppencekindly.“I’musedtomyblessings,that’sall.Justasoneneverthinkswhataboonitistobeabletobreathethroughone’snoseuntilonehasacoldinthehead.”
“ShallIneglectyoualittle?”suggestedTommy.“Takeotherwomenabouttonightclubs.Thatsortofthing.”
“Useless,”saidTuppence.“Youwouldonlymeetmetherewithothermen.AndIshouldknowperfectlywellthatyoudidn’tcarefortheotherwomen,whereasyouwouldneverbequitesurethatIdidn’tcarefortheothermen.Womenaresomuchmorethorough.”
“It’sonlyinmodestythatmenscoretopmarks,”murmuredherhusband.“Butwhatisthematterwithyou,Tuppence?Whythisyearningdiscontent?”
“Idon’tknow.Iwantthingstohappen.Excitingthings.Wouldn’tyouliketogochasingGermanspiesagain,Tommy?Thinkofthewilddaysofperilwewentthroughonce.OfcourseIknowyou’remoreorlessintheSecretServicenow,butit’spureofficework.”
“Youmeanyou’dlikethemtosendmeintodarkestRussiadisguisedasaBolshevikbootlegger,orsomethingofthatsort?”
“Thatwouldn’tbeanygood,”saidTuppence.“Theywouldn’tletmegowithyouandI’mthepersonwhowantssomethingtodosobadly.Somethingtodo.ThatiswhatIkeepsayingalldaylong.”
“Women’ssphere,”suggestedTommy,wavinghishand.
“Twentyminutes’workafterbreakfasteverymorningkeepstheflaggoingtoperfection.Youhavenothingtocomplainof,haveyou?”
“Yourhousekeepingissoperfect,Tuppence,astobealmostmonotonous.”
“Idolikegratitude,”saidTuppence.
“You,ofcourse,havegotyourwork,”shecontinued,“buttellme,Tommy,don’tyoueverhaveasecretyearningforexcitement,forthingstohappen?”
“No,”saidTommy,“atleastIdon’tthinkso.Itisallverywelltowantthingstohappen—theymightnotbepleasantthings.”
“Howprudentmenare,”sighedTuppence.“Don’tyoueverhaveawildsecretyearningforromance—adventure—life?”
“Whathaveyoubeenreading,Tuppence?”askedTommy.
“Thinkhowexcitingitwouldbe,”wentonTuppence,“ifweheardawildrappingatthedoorandwenttoopenitandinstaggeredadeadman.”
“Ifhewasdeadhecouldn’tstagger,”saidTommycritically.
“YouknowwhatImean,”saidTuppence.“Theyalwaysstaggerinjustbeforetheydieandfallatyourfeet,justgaspingoutafewenigmaticwords.‘TheSpottedLeopard,’orsomethinglikethat.”
“IadviseacourseofSchopenhauerorEmmanuelKant,”saidTommy.
“Thatsortofthingwouldbegoodforyou,”saidTuppence.“Youaregettingfatandcomfortable.”
“Iamnot,”saidTommyindignantly.“Anywayyoudoslimmingexercisesyourself.”
“Everybodydoes,”saidTuppence.“WhenIsaidyouweregettingfatIwasreallyspeakingmetaphorically,youaregettingprosperousandsleekandcomfortable.”
“Idon’tknowwhathascomeoveryou,”saidherhusband.
“Thespiritofadventure,”murmuredTuppence.“Itisbetterthanalongingforromanceanyway.Ihavethatsometimestoo.Ithinkofmeetingaman,areallyhandsomeman—”
“Youhavemetme,”saidTommy.“Isn’tthatenoughforyou?”
“Abrown,leanman,terrificallystrong,thekindofmanwhocanrideanythingandlassoeswildhorses—”
“Completewithsheepskintrousersandacowboyhat,”interpolatedTommysarcastically.
“—andhaslivedintheWilds,”continuedTuppence.“Ishouldlikehimtofallsimplymadlyinlovewithme.Ishould,ofcourse,rebuffhimvirtuouslyandbetruetomymarriagevows,butmyheartwouldsecretlygoouttohim.”
“Well,”saidTommy,“IoftenwishthatImaymeetareallybeautifulgirl.Agirlwithcorn-colouredhairwhowillfalldesperatelyinlovewithme.OnlyIdon’tthinkIrebuffher—infactIamquitesureIdon’t.”
“That,”saidTuppence,“isnaughtytemper.”
“What,”saidTommy,“isreallythematterwithyou,Tuppence?Youhavenevertalkedlikethisbefore.”
“No,butIhavebeenboilingupinsideforalongtime,”saidTuppence.“Youseeitisverydangeroustohaveeverythingyouwant—includingenoughmoneytobuythings.Ofcoursetherearealwayshats.”
“Youhavegotaboutfortyhatsalready,”saidTommy,“andtheyalllookalike.”
“Hatsarelikethat,”saidTuppence.“Theyarenotreallyalike.Therearenuancesinthem.IsawratheraniceoneinViolette’sthismorning.”
“Ifyouhaven’tanythingbettertodothangoingonbuyinghatsyoudon’tneed—”
“That’sit,”saidTuppence,“that’sexactlyit.IfIhadsomethingbettertodo.IsupposeIoughttotakeupgoodworks.Oh,Tommy,Idowishsomethingexcitingwouldhappen.Ifeel—Ireallydofeelitwouldbegoodforus.Ifwecouldfindafairy—”
“Ah!”saidTommy.“Itiscuriousyoursayingthat.”
Hegotupandcrossedtheroom.OpeningadrawerofthewritingtablehetookoutasmallsnapshotprintandbroughtittoTuppence.
“Oh!”saidTuppence,“soyouhavegotthemdeveloped.Whichisthis,theoneyoutookofthisroomortheoneItook?”
“TheoneItook.Yoursdidn’tcomeout.Youunderexposedit.Youalwaysdo.”
“Itisniceforyou,”saidTuppence,“tothinkthatthereisonethingyoucandobetterthanme.”
“Afoolishremark,”saidTommy,“butIwillletitpassforthemoment.WhatIwantedtoshowyouwasthis.”
Hepointedtoasmallwhitespeckonthephotograph.
“Thatisascratchonthefilm,”saidTuppence.
“Notatall,”saidTommy.“That,Tuppence,isafairy.”
“Tommy,youidiot.”
“Lookforyourself.”
Hehandedheramagnifyingglass.Tuppencestudiedtheprintattentivelythroughit.Seenthusbyaslightstretchoffancythescratchonthefilmcouldbeimaginedtorepresentasmall-wingedcreatureonthefender.
“Ithasgotwings,”criedTuppence.“Whatfun,areallivefairyinourflat.ShallwewritetoConanDoyleaboutit?Oh,Tommy.Doyouthinkshe’llgiveuswishes?”
“Youwillsoonknow,”saidTommy.“Youhavebeenwishinghardenoughforsomethingtohappenalltheafternoon.”
Atthatminutethedooropened,andatallladoffifteenwhoseemedundecidedastowhetherhewasabutlerorapageboyinquiredinatrulymagnificentmanner.
“Areyouathome,madam?Thefrontdoorbellhasjustrung.”
“IwishAlbertwouldn’tgotothePictures,”sighedTuppence,aftershehadsignifiedherassent,andAlberthadwithdrawn.“He’scopyingaLongIslandbutlernow.ThankgoodnessI’vecuredhimofaskingforpeople’scardsandbringingthemtomeonasalver.”
Thedooropenedagain,andAlbertannounced:“Mr.Carter,”muchasthoughitwereaRoyaltitle.
“TheChief,”mutteredTommy,ingreatsurprise.
Tuppencejumpedupwithagladexclamation,andgreetedatallgrey-hairedmanwithpiercingeyesandatiredsmile.
“Mr.Carter,Iamgladtoseeyou.”
“That’sgood,Mrs.Tommy.Nowanswermeaquestion.How’slifegenerally?”
“Satisfactory,butdull,”repliedTuppencewithatwinkle.
“Betterandbetter,”saidMr.Carter.“I’mevidentlygoingtofindyouintherightmood.”
“This,”saidTuppence,“soundsexciting.”
Albert,stillcopyingtheLongIslandbutler,broughtintea.WhenthisoperationwascompletedwithoutmishapandthedoorhadclosedbehindhimTuppenceburstoutoncemore.
“Youdidmeansomething,didn’tyou,Mr.Carter?AreyougoingtosendusonamissionintodarkestRussia?”
“Notexactlythat,”saidMr.Carter.
“Butthereissomething.”
“Yes—thereissomething.Idon’tthinkyouarethekindwhoshrinksfromrisks,areyou,Mrs.Tommy?”
Tuppence’seyessparkledwithexcitement.
“ThereiscertainworktobedonefortheDepartment—andIfancied—Ijustfancied—thatitmightsuityoutwo.”
“Goon,”saidTuppence.
“IseethatyoutaketheDailyLeader,”continuedMr.Carter,pickingupthatjournalfromthetable.
HeturnedtotheadvertisementcolumnandindicatingacertainadvertisementwithhisfingerpushedthepaperacrosstoTommy.
“Readthatout,”hesaid.
Tommycomplied.
“TheInternationalDetectiveAgency,TheodoreBlunt,Manager.PrivateInquiries.LargestaffofconfidentialandhighlyskilledInquiryAgents.Utmostdiscretion.Consultationsfree.118HalehamSt.,W.C.”
HelookedinquiringlyatMr.Carter.Thelatternodded.“Thatdetectiveagencyhasbeenonitslastlegsforsometime,”hemurmured.“Friendofmineacquireditforameresong.We’rethinkingofsettingitgoingagain—say,forasixmonths’trial.Andduringthattime,ofcourse,itwillhavetohaveamanager.”
“WhataboutMr.TheodoreBlunt?”askedTommy.
“Mr.Blunthasbeenratherindiscreet,I’mafraid.Infact,ScotlandYardhavehadtointerfere.Mr.BluntisbeingdetainedatHerMajesty’sexpense,andhewon’ttellushalfofwhatwe’dliketoknow.”
“Isee,sir,”saidTommy.“Atleast,IthinkIsee.”
“Isuggestthatyouhavesixmonthsleavefromtheoffice.Illhealth.And,ofcourse,ifyouliketorunaDetectiveAgencyunderthenameofTheodoreBlunt,it’snothingtodowithme.”
TommyeyedhisChiefsteadily.
“Anyinstructions,sir?”
“Mr.Bluntdidsomeforeignbusiness,Ibelieve.LookoutforblueletterswithaRussianstamponthem.Fromahammerchantanxioustofindhiswifewhocameasarefugeetothiscountrysomeyearsago.Moistenthestampandyou’llfindthenumber16writtenunderneath.Makeacopyoftheselettersandsendtheoriginalsontome.Alsoifanyone
“Iunderstand,sir,”saidTommy.“Andapartfromtheseinstructions?”
Mr.Carterpickeduphisglovesfromthetableandpreparedtodepart.
“YoucanruntheAgencyasyouplease.Ifancied”—hiseyestwinkledalittle—“thatitmightamuseMrs.Tommytotryherhandatalittledetectivework.”
Two
APOTOFTEA
Mr.andMrs.BeresfordtookpossessionoftheofficesoftheInternationalDetectiveAgencyafewdayslater.TheywereonthesecondfloorofasomewhatdilapidatedbuildinginBloomsbury.Inthesmallouteroffice,AlbertrelinquishedtheroleofaLongIslandbutler,andtookupthatofofficeboy,apartwhichheplayedtoperfection.Apaperbagofsweets,inkyhands,andatousledheadwashisconceptionofthecharacter.
Fromtheouteroffice,twodoorsledintoinneroffices.Ononedoorwaspaintedthelegend“Clerks.”Ontheother“Private.”Behindthelatterwasasmallcomfortableroomfurnishedwithanimmensebusiness-likedesk,alotofartisticallylabelledfiles,allempty,andsomesolidleather-seatedchairs.BehindthedesksatthepseudoMr.BlunttryingtolookasthoughhehadrunaDetectiveAgencyallhislife.Atelephone,ofcourse,stoodathiselbow.Tuppenceandhehadrehearsedseveralgoodtelephoneeffects,andAlbertalsohadhisinstructions.
IntheadjoiningroomwasTuppence,atypewriter,thenecessarytablesandchairsofaninferiortypetothoseintheroomofthegreatChief,andagasringformakingtea.
Nothingwaswanting,infact,saveclients.
Tuppence,inthefirstecstasiesofinitiation,hadafewbrighthopes.
“Itwillbetoomarvellous,”shedeclared.“Wewillhuntdownmurderers,anddiscoverthemissingfamilyjewels,andfindpeoplewho’vedisappearedanddetectembezzlers.”
AtthispointTommyfeltithisdutytostrikeamorediscouragingnote.
“Calmyourself,Tuppence,andtrytoforgetthecheapfictionyouareinthehabitofreading.Ourclientèle,ifwehaveanyclientèleatall—willconsistsolelyofhusbandswhowanttheirwivesshadowed,andwiveswhowanttheirhusbandsshadowed.Evidencefordivorceisthesolepropofprivateinquiryagents.”
“Ugh!”saidTuppence,wrinklingafastidiousnose.“Weshan’ttouchdivorcecases.Wemustraisethetoneofournewprofession.”
“Ye-es,”saidTommydoubtfully.
Andnowaweekafterinstallationtheycomparednotesratherruefully.
“Threeidioticwomenwhosehusbandsgoawayforweekends,”sighedTommy.“AnyonecomewhilstIwasoutatlunch?”
“Afatoldmanwithaflightywife,”sighedTuppencesadly.“I’vereadinthepapersforyearsthatthedivorceevilwasgrowing,butsomehowIneverseemedtorealiseituntilthislastweek.I’msickandtiredofsaying,‘Wedon’tundertakedivorcecases.’”
“We’veputitintheadvertisementsnow,”Tommyremindedher.“Soitwon’tbesobad.”
“I’msureweadvertiseinthemosttemptingwaytoo,”saidTuppenceinamelancholyvoice.“Allthesame,I’mnotgoingtobebeaten.Ifnecessary,Ishallcommitacrimemyself,andyouwilldetectit.”
“Andwhatgoodwouldthatdo?ThinkofmyfeelingswhenIbidyouatenderfarewellatBowStreet—orisitVineStreet?”
“Youarethinkingofyourbachelordays,”saidTuppencepointedly.
“TheOldBailey,thatiswhatImean,”saidTommy.
“Well,”saidTuppence,“somethinghasgottobedoneaboutit.Hereweareburstingwithtalentandnochanceofexercisingit.”
“Ialwayslikeyourcheeryoptimism,Tuppence.Youseemtohavenodoubtwhateverthatyouhavetalenttoexercise.”
“Ofcourse,”saidTuppence,openinghereyesverywide.
“Andyetyouhavenoexpertknowledgewhatever.”
“Well,Ihavereadeverydetectivenovelthathasbeenpublishedinthelasttenyears.”
“SohaveI,”saidTommy,“butIhaveasortoffeelingthatthatwouldn’treallyhelpusmuch.”
“Youalwayswereapessimist,Tommy.Beliefinoneself—thatisthegreatthing.”
“Well,youhavegotitallright,”saidherhusband.
“Ofcourseitiseasyindetectivestories,”saidTuppencethoughtfully,“becauseoneworksbackwards.Imeanifoneknowsthesolutiononecanarrangetheclues.Iwondernow—”
Shepausedwrinklingherbrows.
“Yes?”saidTommyinquiringly.
“Ihavegotasortofidea,”saidTuppence.“Ithasn’tquitecomeyet,butit’scoming.”Sheroseresolutely.“IthinkIshallgoandbuythathatItoldyouabout.”
“Oh,God!”saidTommy,“anotherhat!”
“It’saveryniceone,”saidTuppencewithdignity.
Shewentoutwitharesolutelookonherface.
OnceortwiceinthefollowingdaysTommyinquiredcuriouslyabouttheidea.Tuppencemerelyshookherheadandtoldhimtogivehertime.
Andthen,onegloriousmorning,thefirstclientarrived,andallelsewasforgotten.
TherewasaknockontheouterdooroftheofficeandAlbert,whohadjustplacedanaciddropbetweenhislips,roaredoutanindistinct“Comein.”Hethenswallowedtheaciddropwholeinhissurpriseanddelight.ForthislookedliketheRealThing.
Atallyoungman,exquisitelyandbeautifullydressed,stoodhesitatinginthedoorway.
“Atoff,ifevertherewasone,”saidAlberttohimself.Hisjudgementinsuchmatterswasgood.
Theyoungmanwasabouttwenty-fouryearsofage,hadbeautifullyslickedbackhair,atendencytopinkrimsroundtheeyes,andpracticallynochintospeakof.
Inanecstasy,Albertpressedabuttonunderhisdeskandalmostimmediatelyaperfectfusiladeoftypingbrokeoutfromthedirectionof“Clerks.”Tuppencehadrushedtothepostofduty.Theeffectofthishumofindustrywastooverawetheyoungmanstillfurther.
“Isay,”heremarked.“Isthisthewhatnot—detectiveagency—Blunt’sBrilliantDetectives?Allthatsortofstuff,youknow?Eh?”
“Didyouwant,sir,tospeaktoMr.Blunthimself?”inquiredAlbert,withanairofdoubtsastowhethersuchathingcouldbemanaged.
“Well—yes,laddie,thatwasthejollyoldidea.Canitbedone?”
“Youhaven’tanappointment,Isuppose?”
Thevisitorbecamemoreandmoreapologetic.
“AfraidIhaven’t.”
“It’salwayswise,sir,toringuponthephonefirst.Mr.Bluntissoterriblybusy.He’sengagedonthetelephoneatthemoment.CalledintoconsultationbyScotlandYard.”
Theyoungmanseemedsuitablyimpressed
Albertloweredhisvoice,andimpartedinformationinafriendlyfashion.
“ImportanttheftofdocumentsfromaGovernmentOffice.TheywantMr.Blunttotakeupthecase.”
“Oh!really.Isay.Hemustbenoendofafellow.”
“TheBoss,sir,”saidAlbert,“isIt.”
Theyoungmansatdownonahardchair,completelyunconsciousofthefactthathewasbeingsubjectedtokeenscrutinybytwopairsofeyeslookingthroughcunninglycontrivedpeepholes—thoseofTuppence,intheintervalsoffrenziedtyping,andthoseofTommyawaitingthesuitablemoment.
PresentlyabellrangwithviolenceonAlbert’sdesk.
“TheBossisfreenow.Iwillfindoutwhetherhecanseeyou,”saidAlbert,anddisappearedthroughthedoormarked“Private.”
Hereappearedimmediately.
“Willyoucomethisway,sir?”
Thevisitorwasusheredintotheprivateoffice,andapleasant-facedyoungmanwithredhairandanairofbriskcapabilityrosetogreethim.
“Sitdown.Youwishtoconsultme?IamMr.Blunt.”
“Oh!Really.Isay,you’reawfullyyoung,aren’tyou?”
“ThedayoftheOldMenisover,”saidTommy,wavinghishand.“Whocausedthewar?TheOldMen.Whoisresponsibleforthepresentstateofunemployment?TheOldMen.Whoisresponsibleforeverysinglerottenthingthathashappened?AgainIsay,theOldMen!”
“Iexpectyouareright,”saidtheclient,“Iknowafellowwhoisapoet—atleasthesaysheisapoet—andhealwaystalkslikethat.”
“Letmetellyouthis,sir,notapersononmyhighlytrainedstaffisadayovertwenty-five.Thatisthetruth.”
SincethehighlytrainedstaffconsistedofTuppenceandAlbert,thestatementwastruthitself.
“Andnow—thefacts,”saidMr.Blunt.
“Iwantyoutofindsomeonethat’smissing,”blurtedouttheyoungman.
“Quiteso.Willyougivemethedetails?”
“Well,yousee,it’sratherdifficult.Imean,it’safrightfullydelicatebusinessandallthat.Shemightbefrightfullywaxyaboutit.Imean—well,it’ssodasheddifficulttoexplain.”
HelookedhelplesslyatTommy.Tommyfeltannoyed.Hehadbeenonthepointofgoingouttolunch,butheforesawthatgettingthefactsoutofthisclientwouldbealongandtediousbusiness.
“Didshedisappearofherownfreewill,ordoyoususpectabduction?”hedemandedcrisply.
“Idon’tknow,”saidtheyoungman.“Idon’tknowanything.”
Tommyreachedforapadandpencil.
“Firstofall,”hesaid,“willyougivemeyourname?Myofficeboyistrainednevertoasknames.Inthatwayconsultationscanremaincompletelyconfidential.”
“Oh!rather,”saidtheyoungman.“Jollygoodidea.Myname—er—myname’sSmith.”
“Oh!no,”saidTommy.“Therealone,please.”
Hisvisitorlookedathiminawe.
“Er—St.Vincent,”hesaid.“LawrenceSt.Vincent.”
“It’sacuriousthing,”saidTommy,“howveryfewpeopletherearewhoserealnameisSmith.Personally,Idon’tknowanyonecalledSmith.ButninemenoutoftenwhowishtoconcealtheirrealnamegivethatofSmith.Iamwritingamonographuponthesubject.”
Atthatmomentabuzzerpurreddiscreetlyonhisdesk.ThatmeantthatTuppencewasrequestingtotakehold.Tommy,whowantedhislunch,andwhofeltprofoundlyunsympathetictowardsMr.St.Vincent,wasonlytoopleasedtorelinquishthehelm.
“Excuseme,”hesaid,andpickedupthetelephone.
Acrosshisfacethereshotrapidchanges—surprise,consternation,slightelation.
“Youdon’tsayso,”hesaidintothephone.“ThePrimeMinisterhimself?Ofcourse,inthatcase,Iwillcomeroundatonce.”
Hereplacedthereceiveronthehook,andturnedtohisclient.
“Mydearsir,Imustaskyoutoexcuseme.Amosturgentsummons.Ifyouwillgivethefactsofthecasetomyconfidentialsecretary,shewilldealwiththem.”
Hestrodetotheadjoiningdoor.
“MissRobinson.”
Tuppence,veryneatanddemurewithsmoothblackheadanddaintycollarsandcuffs,trippedin.Tommymadethenecessaryintroductionsanddeparted.
“Aladyyoutakeaninterestinhasdisappeared,Iunderstand,Mr.St.Vincent,”saidTuppence,inhersoftvoice,asshesatdownandtookupMr.Blunt’spadandpencil.“Ayounglady?”
“Oh!rather,”saidSt.Vincent.“Young—and—and—awfullygood-lookingandallthatsortofthing.”
Tuppence’sfacegrewgrave.
“Dearme,”shemurmured.“Ihopethat—”
“Youdon’tthinkanything’sreallyhappenedtoher?”demandedMr.St.Vincent,inlivelyconcern.
“Oh!wemusthopeforthebest,”saidTuppence,withakindoffalsecheerfulnesswhichdepressedMr.St.Vincenthorribly.
“Oh!lookhere,MissRobinson.Isay,youmustdosomething.Sparenoexpense.Iwouldn’thaveanythinghappentoherfortheworld.Youseemawfullysympathetic,andIdon’tmindtellingyouinconfidencethatIsimplyworshipthegroundthatgirlwalkson.She’satopper,anabsolutetopper.”
“Pleasetellmehernameandallabouther.”
“Hername’sJeanette—Idon’tknowhersecondname.Sheworksinahatshop—MadameViolette’sinBrookStreet—butshe’sasstraightastheymakethem.Hastickedmeoffnoendoftimes—Iwentroundthereyesterday—waitingforhertocomeout—alltheotherscame,butnother.ThenIfoundthatshe’dneverturnedupthatmorningtoworkatall—sentnomessageeither—oldMadamewasfuriousaboutit.Igottheaddressofherlodgings,andIwentroundthere.Shehadn’tcomehomethenightbefore,andtheydidn’tknowwhereshewas.Iwassimplyfrantic.Ithoughtofgoingtothepolice.ButIknewthatJeanettewouldbeabsolutelyfuriouswithmefordoingthatifshewerereallyallrightandhadgoneoffonherown.ThenIrememberedthatsheherselfhadpointedoutyouradvertisementtomeonedayinthepaperandtoldmethatoneofthewomenwho’dbeeninbuyinghatshadsimplyravedaboutyourabilityanddiscretionandallthatsortofthing.SoItoddledalonghererightaway.”
“Isee,”saidTuppence.“Whatistheaddressofherlodgings?”
Theyoungmangaveittoher.
“That’sall,Ithink,”saidTuppencereflectively.“Thatistosay—amItounderstandthatyouareengagedtothisyounglady?”
Mr.St.Vincentturnedabrickred.
“Well,no—notexactly.Ineversaidanything.ButIcantellyouthis,ImeantoaskhertomarrymeassoonaseverIseeher—ifIeverdoseeheragain.”
Tuppencelaidasideherpad.
“Doyouwishforourspecialtwenty-fourhourservice?”sheaskedinbusinessliketones.
“What’sthat?”
“Thefeesaredoubled,butweputallouravailablestaffontothecase.Mr.St.Vincent,iftheladyisalive,Ishallbeabletotellyouwheresheisbythistimetomorrow.”
“What?Isay,that’swonderful.”
“Weonlyemployexperts—andweguaranteeresults,”saidTuppencecrisply.
“ButIsay,youknow.Youmusthavethemosttoppingstaff.”
“Oh!wehave,”saidTuppence.“Bytheway,youhaven’tgivenmeadescriptionoftheyounglady.”
“She’sgotthemostmarvelloushair—sortofgoldenbutverydeep,likeajollyoldsunset—that’sit,ajollyoldsunset.Youknow,Inevernoticedthingslikesunsetsuntillately.Poetrytoo,there’salotmoreinpoetrythanIeverthought.”
“Redhair,”saidTuppenceunemotionally,writingitdown.“Whatheightshouldyousaytheladywas?”
“Oh!tallish,andshe’sgotrippingeyes,darkblue,Ithink.Andasortofdecidedmannerwithher—takesafellowupshortsometimes.”
Tuppencewrotedownafewwordsmore,thenclosedhernotebookandrose.
“Ifyouwillcallheretomorrowattwoo’clock,Ithinkweshallhavenewsofsomekindforyou,”shesaid.“Goodmorning,Mr.St.Vincent.”
WhenTommyreturnedTuppencewasjustconsultingapageofDebrett.
“I’vegotallthedetails,”shesaidsuccinctly.“LawrenceSt.VincentisthenephewandheiroftheEarlofCheriton.Ifwepullthisthroughweshallgetpublicityinthehighestplaces.”
Tommyreadthroughthenotesonthepad
“Whatdoyoureallythinkhashappenedtothegirl?”heasked.
“Ithink,”saidTuppence,“thatshehasfledatthedictatesofherheart,feelingthatshelovesthisyoungmantoowellforherpeaceofmind.”
Tommylookedatherdoubtfully.
“Iknowtheydoitinbooks,”hesaid,“butI’veneverknownanygirlwhodiditinreallife.”
“No?”saidTuppence.“Well,perhapsyou’reright.ButIdaresayLawrenceSt.Vincentwillswallowthatsortofslush.He’sfullofromanticnotionsjustnow.Bytheway,Iguaranteedresultsintwenty-fourhours—ourspecialservice.”
“Tuppence—youcongenitalidiot,whatmadeyoudothat?”
“Theideajustcameintomyhead.Ithoughtitsoundedratherwell.Don’tyouworry.Leaveittomother.Motherknowsbest.”
ShewentoutleavingTommyprofoundlydissatisfied.
Presentlyherose,sighed,andwentouttodowhatcouldbedone,cursingTuppence’soverferventimagination.
Whenhereturnedwearyandjadedathalfpastfour,hefoundTuppenceextractingabagofbiscuitsfromtheirplaceofconcealmentinoneofthefiles.
“Youlookhotandbothered,”sheremarked.“Whathaveyoubeendoing?”
Tommygroaned.
“Makingaroundofthehospitalswiththatgirl’sdescription.”
“Didn’tItellyoutoleaveittome?”demandedTuppence.
“Youcan’tfindthatgirlsingle-handedbeforetwoo’clocktomorrow.”
“Ican—andwhat’smore,Ihave!”
“Youhave?Whatdoyoumean?”
“Asimpleproblem,Watson,verysimpleindeed.”
“Whereisshenow?”
Tuppencepointedahandoverhershoulder.
“She’sinmyofficenextdoor.”
“Whatisshedoingthere?”
Tuppencebegantolaugh.
“Well,”shesaid,“earlytrainingwilltell,andwithakettle,agasring,andhalfapoundofteastaringherintheface,theresultisaforegoneconclusion.
“Yousee,”continuedTuppencegently.“MadameViolette’siswhereIgoformyhats,andtheotherdayIranacrossanoldpalofhospitaldaysamongstthegirlsthere.Shegaveupnursingafterthewarandstartedahatshop,failed,andtookthisjobatMadameViolette’s.Wefixedupthewholethingbetweenus.ShewastorubtheadvertisementwellintoyoungSt.Vincent,andthendisappear.WonderfulefficiencyofBlunt’sBrilliantDetectives.Publicityforus,andthenecessaryfilliptoyoungSt.Vincenttobringhimtothepointofproposing.Janetwasindespairaboutit.”
“Tuppence,”saidTommy.“Youtakemybreathaway!ThewholethingisthemostimmoralbusinessIeverheardof.Youaidandabetthisyoungmantomarryoutofhisclass—”
“Stuff,”saidTuppence.“Janetisasplendidgirl—andthequeerthingisthatshereallyadoresthatweek-kneedyoungman.Youcanseewithhalfaglancewhathisfamilyneeds.Somegoodredbloodinit.Janetwillbethemakingofhim.She’lllookafterhimlikeamother,easedownthecocktailsandthenightclubsandmakehimleadagoodhealthycountrygentleman’slife.Comeandmeether.”
TuppenceopenedthedooroftheadjoiningofficeandTommyfollowedher.
Atallgirlwithlovelyauburnhair,andapleasantface,putdownthesteamingkettleinherhand,andturnedwithasmilethatdisclosedanevenrowofwhiteteeth.
“Ihopeyou’llforgiveme,NurseCowley—Mrs.Beresford,Imean.Ithoughtthatverylikelyyou’dbequitereadyforacupofteayourself.Many’sthepotofteayou’vemadeformeinthehospitalatthreeo’clockinthemorning.”
“Tommy,”saidTuppence.“Letmeintroduceyoutomyoldfriend,NurseSmith.”
“Smith,didyousay?Howcurious!”saidTommyshakinghands.“Eh?Oh!nothing—alittlemonographthatIwasthinkingofwriting.”
“Pullyourselftogether,Tommy,”saidTuppence.
Shepouredhimoutacupoftea.
“Now,then,let’sdrinktogether.Here’stothesuccessoftheInternationalDetectiveAgency.Blunt’sBrilliantDetectives!Maytheyneverknowfailure!”
Three
THEAFFAIROFTHEPINKPEARL
“Whatonearthareyoudoing?”demandedTuppence,assheenteredtheinnersanctumoftheInternationalDetectiveAgency—(Slogan—Blunt’sBrilliantDetectives)anddiscoveredherlordandmasterproneonthefloorinaseaofbooks.
Tommystruggledtohisfeet.
“Iwastryingtoarrangethesebooksonthetopshelfofthatcupboard,”hecomplained.“Andthedamnedchairgaveway.”
“Whatarethey,anyway?”askedTuppence,pickingupavolume.“TheHoundoftheBaskervilles.Iwouldn’tmindreadingthatagainsometime.”
“Youseetheidea?”saidTommy,dustinghimselfwithcare.“HalfhourswiththeGreatMasters—thatsortofthing.Yousee,Tuppence,Ican’thelpfeelingthatwearemoreorlessamateursatthisbusiness—ofcourseamateursinonesensewecannothelpbeing,butitwoulddonoharmtoacquirethetechnique,sotospeak.Thesebooksaredetectivestoriesbytheleadingmastersoftheart.Iintendtotrydifferentstyles,andcompareresults.”
“H’m,”saidTuppence.“Ioftenwonderhowthesedetectiveswouldhavegotoninreallife.”Shepickedupanothervolume.“You’llfindadifficultyinbeingaThorndyke.You’venomedicalexperience,andlesslegal,andIneverheardthatsciencewasyourstrongpoint.”
“Perhapsnot,”saidTommy.“ButatanyrateI’veboughtaverygoodcamera,andIshallphotographfootprintsandenlargethenegativesandallthatsortofthing.Now,monami,useyourlittlegreycells—whatdoesthisconveytoyou?”
Hepointedtothebottomshelfofthecupboard.Onitlayasomewhatfuturisticdressinggown,aturkishslipper,andaviolin.
“Obvious,mydearWatson,”saidTuppence.
“Exactly,”saidTommy.“TheSherlockHolmestouch.”
Hetookuptheviolinanddrewthebowidlyacrossthestrings,causingTuppencetogiveawailofagony.
Atthatmomentthebuzzerrangonthedesk,asignthataclienthadarrivedintheouterofficeandwasbeingheldinparleybyAlbert,theofficeboy.
Tommyhastilyreplacedtheviolininthecupboardandkickedthebooksbehindthedesk.
“Notthatthere’sanygreathurry,”heremarked.“AlbertwillbehandingthemoutthestuffaboutmybeingengagedwithScotlandYardonthephone.Getintoyourofficeandstarttyping,Tuppence.Itmakestheofficesoundbusyandactive.No,onsecondthoughtsyoushallbetakingnotesinshorthandfrommydictation.Let’shavealookbeforewegetAlberttosendthevictimin.”
Theyapproachedthepeepholewhichhadbeenartisticallycontrivedsoastocommandaviewoftheouteroffice.
TheclientwasagirlofaboutTuppence’sage,tallanddarkwitharatherhaggardfaceandscornfuleyes.
“Clothescheapandstriking,”remarkedTuppence.“Haveherin,Tommy.”
InanotherminutethegirlwasshakinghandswiththecelebratedMr.Blunt,whilstTuppencesatbywitheyesdemurelydowncast,andpadandpencilinhand.
“Myconfidentialsecretary,MissRobinson,”saidMr.Bluntwithawaveofhishand.“Youmayspeakfreelybeforeher.”Thenhelaybackforaminute,half-closedhiseyesandremarkedinatiredtone:“Youmustfindtravellinginabusverycrowdedatthistimeofday.”
“Icameinataxi,”saidthegirl.
“Oh!”saidTommyaggrieved.Hiseyesrestedreproachfullyonabluebusticketprotrudingfromherglove.Thegirl’seyesfollowedhisglance,andshesmiledanddrewitout.
“Youmeanthis?Ipickedituponthepavement.Alittleneighbourofourscollectsthem.”
Tuppencecoughed,andTommythrewabalefulglareather.
“Wemustgettobusiness,”hesaidbriskly.“Youareinneedofourservices,Miss—?”
“KingstonBruceismyname,”saidthegirl.“WeliveatWimbledon.Lastnightaladywhoisstayingwithuslostavaluablepinkpearl.Mr.St.Vincentwasalsodiningwithus,andduringdinnerhehappenedtomentionyourfirm.Mymothersentmeofftoyouthismorningtoaskyouifyouwouldlookintothematterforus.”
Thegirlspokesullenly,almostdisagreeably.Itwasclearasdaylightthatsheandhermotherhadnotagreedoverthematter.Shewashereunderprotest.
“Isee,”saidTommy,alittlepuzzled.“Youhavenotcalledinthepolice?”
“No,”saidMissKingstonBruce,“wehaven’t.Itwouldbeidiotictocallinthepoliceandthenfindthesillythinghadrolledunderthefireplace,orsomethinglikethat.”
“Oh!”saidTommy.“Thenthejewelmayonlybelostafterall?”
MissKingstonBruceshruggedhershoulders.
“Peoplemakesuchafussaboutthings,”shemurmured.Tommyclearedhisthroat.
“Ofcourse,”hesaiddoubtfully.“Iamextremelybusyjustnow—”
“Iquiteunderstand,”saidthegirl,risingtoherfeet.TherewasaquickgleamofsatisfactioninhereyeswhichTuppence,forone,didnotmiss.
“Nevertheless,”continuedTommy.“IthinkIcanmanagetorundowntoWimbledon.Willyougivemetheaddress,please?”
“TheLaurels,EdgeworthRoad.”
“Makeanoteofit,please,MissRobinson.”
MissKingstonBrucehesitated,thensaidratherungraciously.
“We’llexpectyouthen.Goodmorning.”
“Funnygirl,”saidTommywhenshehadleft.“Icouldn’tquitemakeherout.”
“Iwonderifshestolethethingherself,”remarkedTuppencemeditatively.“Comeon,Tommy,let’sputawaythesebooksandtakethecarandgodownthere.Bytheway,whoareyougoingtobe,SherlockHolmesstill?”
“IthinkIneedpracticeforthat,”saidTommy.“Icameratheracropperoverthatbusticket,didn’tI?”
“Youdid,”saidTuppence.“IfIwereyouIshouldn’ttrytoomuchonthatgirl—she’sassharpasaneedle.She’sunhappytoo,poordevil.”
“Isupposeyouknowallaboutheralready,”saidTommywithsarcasm,“simplyfromlookingattheshapeofhernose!”
“I’lltellyoumyideaofwhatweshallfindatTheLaurels,”saidTuppence,quiteunmoved.“Ahouseholdofsnobs,verykeentomoveinthebestsociety;thefather,ifthereisafather,issuretohaveamilitarytitle.Thegirlfallsinwiththeirwayoflifeanddespisesherselffordoingso.”
Tommytookalastlookatthebooksnowneatlyarrangedupontheshelf.
“Ithink,”hesaidthoughtfully,“thatIshallbeThorndyketoday.”
“Ishouldn’thavethoughttherewasanythingmedico-legalaboutthiscase,”remarkedTuppence.
“Perhapsnot,”saidTommy.“ButI’msimplydyingtousethatnewcameraofmine!It’ssupposedtohavethemostmarvellouslensthateverwasorcouldbe.”
“Iknowthosekindoflenses,”saidTuppence.“Bythetimeyou’veadjustedtheshutterandstoppeddownandcalculatedtheexposureandkeptyoureyeonthespiritlevel,yourbraingivesout,andyouyearnforthesimpleBrownie.”
“OnlyanunambitioussouliscontentwiththesimpleBrownie.”
“Well,IbetIshallgetbetterresultswithitthanyouwill.”
Tommyignoredthechallenge.
“Ioughttohavea‘Smoker’sCompanion,’”hesaidregretfully.“Iwonderwhereonebuysthem?”
“There’salwaysthepatentcorkscrewAuntAramintagaveyoulastChristmas,”saidTuppencehelpfully.
“That’strue,”saidTommy.“Acurious-lookingengineofdestructionIthoughtitatthetime,andratherahumorouspresenttogetfromastrictlyteetotalaunt.”
“I,”saidTuppence,“shallbePolton.”
Tommylookedatherscornfully.
“Poltonindeed.Youcouldn’tbegintodooneofthethingsthathedoes.”
“Yes,Ican,”saidTuppence.“IcanrubmyhandstogetherwhenI’mpleased.That’squiteenoughtogetonwith.Ihopeyou’regoingtotakeplastercastsoffootprints?”
Tommywasreducedtosilence.Havingcollectedthecorkscrewtheywentroundtothegarage,gotoutthecarandstartedforWimbledon.
TheLaurelswasabighouse.Itransomewhattogablesandturrets,hadanairofbeingverynewlypaintedandwassurroundedwithneatflowerbedsfilledwithscarletgeraniums.
Atallmanwithaclose-croppedwhitemoustache,andanexaggeratedlymartialbearingopenedthedoorbeforeTommyhadtimetoring.
“I’vebeenlookingoutforyou,”heexplainedfussily.“Mr.Blunt,isitnot?IamColonelKingstonBruce.Willyoucomeintomystudy?”
Heletthemintoasmallroomatthebackofthehouse.
“YoungSt.Vincentwastellingmewonderfulthingsaboutyourfirm.I’venoticedyouradvertisementsmyself.Thisguaranteedtwenty-fourhours’serviceofyours—amarvellousnotion.That’sexactlywhatIneed.”
InwardlyanathematisingTuppenceforherirresponsibilityininventingthisbrilliantdetail,Tommyreplied:“Justso,Colonel.”
“Thewholethingismostdistressing,sir,mostdistressing.”
“Perhapsyouwouldkindlygivemethefacts,”saidTommy,withahintofimpatience.
“CertainlyIwill—atonce.Wehaveatthepresentmomentstayingwithusaveryoldanddearfriendofours,LadyLauraBarton.DaughterofthelateEarlofCarrowway.Thepresentearl,herbrother,madeastrikingspeechintheHouseofLordstheotherday.AsIsay,sheisanoldanddearfriendofours.SomeAmericanfriendsofminewhohavejustcomeover,theHamiltonBetts,weremostanxioustomeether.‘Nothingeasier,’Isaid.‘Sheisstayingwithmenow.Comedownfortheweekend.’YouknowwhatAmericansareabouttitles,Mr.Blunt.”
“AndothersbesideAmericanssometimes,ColonelKingstonBruce.”
“Alas!onlytootrue,mydearsir.NothingIhatemorethanasnob.Well,asIwassaying,theBettscamedownfortheweekend.Lastnight—wewereplayingbridgeatthetime—theclaspofapendantMrs.HamiltonBettswaswearingbroke,soshetookitoffandlaiditdownonasmalltable,meaningtotakeitupstairswithherwhenshewent.This,however,sheforgottodo.Imustexplain,Mr.Blunt,thatthependantconsistedoftwosmalldiamondwings,andabigpinkpearldependingfromthem.ThependantwasfoundthismorninglyingwhereMrs.Bettshadleftit,butthepearl,apearlofenormousvalue,hadbeenwrenchedoff.”
“Whofoundthependant?”
“Theparlourmaid—GladysHill.”
“Anyreasontosuspecther?”
“Shehasbeenwithussomeyears,andwehavealwaysfoundherperfectlyhonest.But,ofcourse,oneneverknows—”
“Exactly.Willyoudescribeyourstaff,andalsotellmewhowaspresentatdinnerlastnight?”
“Thereisthecook—shehasbeenwithusonlytwomonths,butthenshewouldhavenooccasiontogonearthedrawingroom—thesameappliestothekitchenmaid.Thenthereisthehousemaid,AliceCummings.Shealsohasbeenwithusforsomeyears.AndLadyLaura’smaid,ofcourse.SheisFrench.”
ColonelKingstonBrucelookedveryimpressiveashesaidthis.Tommy,unaffectedbytherevelationofthemaid’snationality,said:“Exactly.Andthepartyatdinner?”
“Mr.andMrs.Betts,ourselves—mywifeanddaughter—andLadyLaura.YoungSt.Vincentwasdiningwithus,andMr.Rennielookedinafterdinnerforawhile.”
“WhoisMr.Rennie?”
“Amostpestilentialfellow—anarrantsocialist.Goodlooking,ofcourse,andwithacertainspeciouspowerofargument.Butaman,Idon’tmindtellingyou,whomIwouldn’ttrustayard.Adangeroussortoffellow.”
“Infact,”saidTommydrily,“itisMr.Renniewhomyoususpect?”
“Ido,Mr.Blunt.I’msure,holdingtheviewshedoes,thathecanhavenoprincipleswhatsoever.Whatcouldhavebeeneasierforhimthantohavequietlywrenchedoffthepearlatamomentwhenwewereallabsorbedinourgame?Therewereseveralabsorbingmoments—aredoublednotrumphand,Iremember,andalsoapainfulargumentwhenmywifehadthemisfortunetorevoke.”
“Quiteso,”saidTommy.“Ishouldjustliketoknowonething—whatisMrs.Betts’sattitudeinallthis?”
“Shewantedmetocallinthepolice,”saidColonelKingstonBrucereluctantly.“Thatis,whenwehadsearchedeverywhereincasethepearlhadonlydroppedoff.”
“Butyoudissuadedher?”
“Iwasveryaversetotheideaofpublicityandmywifeanddaughterbackedmeup.ThenmywiferememberedyoungSt.Vincentspeakingaboutyourfirmatdinnerlastnight—andthetwenty-fourhours’specialservice.”
“Yes,”saidTommy,withaheavyheart
“Yousee,inanycase,noharmwillbedone.Ifwecallinthepolicetomorrow,itcanbesupposedthatwethoughtthejewelmerelylostandwerehuntingforit.Bytheway,nobodyhasbeenallowedtoleavethehousethismorning.”
“Exceptyourdaughter,ofcourse,”saidTuppence,speakingforthefirsttime.
“Exceptmydaughter,”agreedtheColonel.“Shevolunteeredatoncetogoandputthecasebeforeyou.”
Tommyrose.
“Wewilldoourbesttogiveyousatisfaction,Colonel,”hesaid.“Ishouldliketoseethedrawingroom,andthetableonwhichthependantwaslaiddown.IshouldalsoliketoaskMrs.Bettsafewquestions.Afterthat,Iwillinterviewtheservants—orrathermyassistant,MissRobinson,willdoso.”
Hefelthisnervequailingbeforetheterrorsofquestioningtheservants.
ColonelKingstonBrucethrewopenthedoorandledthemacrossthehall.Ashedidso,aremarkcametothemclearlythroughtheopendooroftheroomtheywereapproachingandthevoicethatuttereditwasthatofthegirlwhohadcometoseethemthatmorning.
“Youknowperfectlywell,Mother,”shewassaying,“thatshedidbringhomeateaspooninhermuff.”
InanotherminutetheywerebeingintroducedtoMrs.KingstonBruce,aplaintiveladywithalanguidmanner.MissKingstonBruceacknowledgedtheirpresencewithashortinclinationofthehead.Herfacewasmoresullenthanever.
Mrs.KingstonBrucewasvoluble.
“—butIknowwhoIthinktookit,”sheended.“Thatdreadfulsocialistyoungman.HelovestheRussiansandtheGermansandhatestheEnglish—whatelsecanyouexpect?”
“Henevertouchedit,”saidMissKingstonBrucefiercely.“Iwaswatchinghim—allthetime.Icouldn’thavefailedtoseeifhehad.”
Shelookedatthemdefiantlywithherchinup.
TommycreatedadiversionbyaskingforaninterviewwithMrs.Betts.WhenMrs.KingstonBrucehaddepartedaccompaniedbyherhusbandanddaughtertofindMrs.Betts,hewhistledthoughtfully.
“Iwonder,”hesaidgently,“whoitwaswhohadateaspooninhermuff?”
“JustwhatIwasthinking,”repliedTuppence.
Mrs.Betts,followedbyherhusband,burstintotheroom.Shewasabigwomanwithadeterminedvoice.Mr.HamiltonBettslookeddyspepticandsubdued.
“Iunderstand,Mr.Blunt,thatyouareaprivateinquiryagent,andonewhohustlesthingsthroughatagreatrate?”
“Hustle,”saidTommy,“ismymiddlename,Mrs.Betts.Letmeaskyouafewquestions.”
Thereafterthingsproceededrapidly.Tommywasshownthedamagedpendant,thetableonwhichithadlain,andMr.Bettsemergedfromhistaciturnitytomentionthevalue,indollars,ofthestolenpearl.
Andwithal,Tommyfeltanirritatingcertaintythathewasnotgettingon.
“Ithinkthatwilldo,”hesaid,atlength.“MissRobinson,willyoukindlyfetchthespecialphotographicapparatusfromthehall?”
MissRobinsoncomplied.
“Alittleinventionofmyown,”saidTommy.“Inappearance,yousee,itisjustlikeanordinarycamera.”
HehadsomeslightsatisfactioninseeingthattheBettswereimpressed.
Hephotographedthependant,thetableonwhichithadlain,andtookseveralgeneralviewsoftheapartment.Then“MissRobinson”wasdelegatedtointerviewtheservants,andinviewoftheeagerexpectancyonthefacesofColonelKingstonBruceandMrs.Betts,Tommyfeltcalledupontosayafewauthoritativewords.
“Thepositionamountstothis,”hesaid.“Eitherthepearlisstillinthehouse,oritisnotstillinthehouse.”
“Quiteso,”saidtheColonelwithmorerespectthanwas,perhaps,quitejustifiedbythenatureoftheremark.
“Ifitisnotinthehouse,itmaybeanywhere—butifitisinthehouse,itmustnecessarilybeconcealedsomewhere—”
“Andasearchmustbemade,”brokeinColonelKingstonBruce.“Quiteso.Igiveyoucarteblanche,Mr.Blunt.Searchthehousefromattictocellar.”
“Oh!Charles,”murmuredMrs.KingstonBrucetearfully,“doyouthinkthatiswise?Theservantswon’tlikeit.I’msurethey’llleave.”
“Wewillsearchtheirquarterslast,”saidTommysoothingly.“Thethiefissuretohavehiddenthegeminthemostunlikelyplace.”
“Iseemtohavereadsomethingofthekind,”agreedtheColonel.
“Quiteso,”saidTommy.“YouprobablyrememberthecaseofRexvBailey,whichcreatedaprecedent.”
“Oh—er—yes,”saidtheColonel,lookingpuzzled.
“Now,themostunlikelyplaceisintheapartmentofMrs.Betts,”continuedTommy.
“My!Wouldn’tthatbetoocute?”saidMrs.Bettsadmiringly.
Withoutmoreadoshetookhimuptoherroom,whereTommyoncemoremadeuseofthespecialphotographicapparatus.
PresentlyTuppencejoinedhimthere.
“Youhavenoobjection,Ihope,Mrs.Betts,tomyassistant’slookingthroughyourwardrobe?”
“Why,notatall.Doyouneedmehereanylonger?”
Tommyassuredherthattherewasnoneedtodetainher,andMrs.Bettsdeparted.
“Wemightaswellgoonbluffingitout,”saidTommy.“ButpersonallyIdon’tbelievewe’veadog’schanceoffindingthething.Curseyouandyourtwenty-fourhours’stunt,Tuppence.”
“Listen,”saidTuppence.“Theservantsareallright,I’msure,butImanagedtogetsomethingoutoftheFrenchmaid.ItseemsthatwhenLadyLaurawasstayinghereayearago,shewentouttoteawithsomefriendsoftheKingstonBruces,andwhenshegothomeateaspoonfelloutofhermuff.Everyonethoughtitmusthavefalleninbyaccident.But,talkingaboutsimilarrobberies,Igotholdofalotmore.LadyLauraisalwaysstayingaboutwithpeople.Shehasn’tgotabean,Igather,andshe’soutforcomfortablequarterswithpeopletowhomatitlestillmeanssomething.Itmaybeacoincidence—oritmaybesomethingmore,butfivedistincttheftshavetakenplacewhilstshehasbeenstayinginvarioushouses,sometimestrivialthings,sometimesvaluablejewels.”
“Whew!”saidTommy,andgaveventtoaprolongedwhistle.“Where’stheoldbird’sroom,doyouknow?”
“Justacrossthepassage.”
“ThenIthink,Iratherthink,thatwe’lljustslipacrossandinvestigate.”
Theroomoppositestoodwithitsdoorajar.Itwasaspaciousapartment,withwhiteenamelledfitmentsandrosepinkcurtains.Aninnerdoorledtoabathroom.Atthedoorofthisappearedaslim,darkgirl,veryneatlydressed.
Tuppencecheckedtheexclamationofastonishmentonthegirl’slips.
“ThisisElise,Mr.Blunt,”shesaidprimly.“LadyLaura’smaid.”
Tommysteppedacrossthethresholdofthebathroom,andapprovedinwardlyitssumptuousandup-to-datefittings.HesettoworktodispelthewidestareofsuspicionontheFrenchgirl’sface.
“Youarebusywithyourduties,eh,MademoiselleElise?”
“Yes,Monsieur,IcleanMilady’sbath.”
“Well,perhapsyou’llhelpmewithsomephotographyinstead.Ihaveaspecialkindofcamerahere,andIamphotographingtheinteriorsofalltheroomsinthishouse.”
Hewasinterruptedbythecommunicatingdoortothebedroombangingsuddenlybehindhim.Elisejumpedatthesound.
“Whatdidthat?”
“Itmusthavebeenthewind,”saidTuppence.
“Wewillcomeintotheotherroom,”saidTommy.
Elisewenttoopenthedoorforthem,butthedoorknobrattledaimlessly.
“What’sthematter?”saidTommysharply.
“Ah,Monsieur,butsomebodymusthavelockeditontheotherside.”Shecaughtupatowelandtriedagain.Butthistimethedoorhandleturnedeasilyenough,andthedoorswungopen.
“Voilàcequiestcurieux.Itmusthavebeenstuck,”saidElise.
Therewasnooneinthebedroom.
Tommyfetchedhisapparatus.TuppenceandEliseworkedunderhisorders.Butagainandagainhisglancewentbacktothecommunicatingdoor.
“Iwonder,”hesaidbetweenhisteeth—“Iwonderwhythatdoorstuck?”
Heexamineditminutely,shuttingandopeningit.Itfittedperfectly.
“Onepicturemore,”hesaidwithasigh.“Willyouloopbackthatrosecurtain,MademoiselleElise?Thankyou.Justholditso.”
Thefamiliarclickoccurred.HehandedaglassslidetoElisetohold,relinquishedthetripodtoTuppence,andcarefullyreadjustedandclosedthecamera.
HemadesomeeasyexcusetogetridofElise,andassoonasshewasoutoftheroom,hecaughtholdofTuppenceandspokerapidly.
“Lookhere,I’vegotanidea.Canyouhangonhere?Searchalltherooms—thatwilltakesometime.Tryandgetaninterviewwiththeoldbird—LadyLaura—butdon’talarmher.Tellheryoususpecttheparlourmaid.Butwhateveryoudodon’tletherleavethehouse.I’mgoingoffinthecar.I’llbebackassoonasIcan.”
“Allright,”saidTuppence.“Butdon’tbetoococksure.You’veforgottenonething.
“Thegirl.There’ssomethingfunnyaboutthatgirl.Listen,I’vefoundoutthetimeshestartedfromthehousethismorning.Ittookhertwohourstogettoouroffice.That’snonsense.Wheredidshegobeforeshecametous?”
“There’ssomethinginthat,”admittedherhusband.“Well,followupanyoldclueyoulike,butdon’tletLadyLauraleavethehouse.What’sthat?”
Hisquickearhadcaughtafaintrustleoutsideonthelanding.Hestrodeacrosstothedoor,buttherewasnoonetobeseen.
“Well,solong,”hesaid,“I’llbebackassoonasIcan.”
II
Tuppencewatchedhimdriveoffinthecarwithafaintmisgiving.Tommywasverysure—sheherselfwasnotsosure.Therewereoneortwothingsshedidnotquiteunderstand.
Shewasstillstandingbythewindow,watchingtheroad,whenshesawamanleavetheshelterofagatewayopposite,crosstheroadandringthebell.
InaflashTuppencewasoutoftheroomanddownthestairs.GladysHill,theparlourmaid,wasemergingfromthebackpartofthehouse,butTuppencemotionedherbackauthoritatively.Thenshewenttothefrontdoorandopenedit.
Alankyyoungmanwithill-fittingclothesandeagerdarkeyeswasstandingonthestep.
Hehesitatedamoment,andthensaid:
“IsMissKingstonBrucein?”
“Willyoucomeinside?”saidTuppence
Shestoodasidetolethimenter,closingthedoor.
“Mr.Rennie,Ithink?”shesaidsweetly.
Heshotaquickglanceather.
“Er—yes.”
“Willyoucomeinhere,please?”
Sheopenedthestudydoor.Theroomwasempty,andTuppenceentereditafterhim,closingthedoorbehindher.Heturnedonherwithafrown.
“IwanttoseeMissKingstonBruce.”
“Iamnotquitesurethatyoucan,”saidTuppencecomposedly.
“Lookhere,whothedevilareyou?”saidMr.Rennierudely.
“InternationalDetectiveAgency,”saidTuppencesuccinctly—andnoticedMr.Rennie’suncontrollablestart.
“Pleasesitdown,Mr.Rennie,”shewenton.“Tobeginwith,weknowallaboutMissKingstonBruce’svisittoyouthismorning.”
Itwasaboldguess,butitsucceeded.Perceivinghisconsternation,Tuppencewentonquickly.
“Therecoveryofthepearlisthegreatthing,Mr.Rennie.Nooneinthishouseisanxiousfor—publicity.Can’twecometosomearrangement?”
Theyoungmanlookedatherkeenly.
“Iwonderhowmuchyouknow,”hesaidthoughtfully.“Letmethinkforamoment.”
Heburiedhisheadinhishands—thenaskedamostunexpectedquestion.
“Isay,isitreallytruethatyoungSt.Vincentisengagedtobemarried?”
“Quitetrue,”saidTuppence.“Iknowthegirl.”
Mr.Renniesuddenlybecameconfidential
“It’sbeenhell,”heconfided.“They’vebeenaskinghermorning,noonandnight—chuckingBeatriceathishead.Allbecausehe’llcomeintoatitlesomeday.IfIhadmyway—”
“Don’tlet’stalkpolitics,”saidTuppencehastily.“Doyoumindtellingme,Mr.Rennie,whyyouthinkMissKingstonBrucetookthepearl?”
“I—Idon’t.”
“Youdo,”saidTuppencecalmly.“Youwaittoseethedetective,asyouthink,driveoffandthecoastclear,andthenyoucomeandaskforher.It’sobvious.Ifyou’dtakenthepearlyourself,youwouldn’tbehalfsoupset.”
“Hermannerwassoodd,”saidtheyoungman.“Shecamethismorningandtoldmeabouttherobbery,explainingthatshewasonherwaytoafirmofprivatedetectives.Sheseemedanxioustosaysomething,andyetnotabletogetitout.”
“Well,”saidTuppence.“AllIwantisthepearl.You’dbettergoandtalktoher.”
ButatthatmomentColonelKingstonBruceopenedthedoor.
“Lunchisready,MissRobinson.Youwilllunchwithus,Ihope.The—”
Thenhestoppedandglaredattheguest
“Clearly,”saidMr.Rennie,“youdon’twanttoaskmetolunch.Allright,I’llgo.”
“Comebacklater,”whisperedTuppence,ashepassedher.
TuppencefollowedColonelKingstonBruce,stillgrowlingintohismoustacheaboutthepestilentialimpudenceofsomepeople,intoamassivediningroomwherethefamilywasalreadyassembled.OnlyonepersonpresentwasunknowntoTuppence.
“This,LadyLaura,isMissRobinson,whoiskindlyassistingus.”
LadyLaurabentherhead,andthenproceededtostareatTuppencethroughherpince-nez.Shewasatall,thinwoman,withasadsmile,agentlevoice,andveryhardshrewdeyes.Tuppencereturnedherstare,andLadyLaura’seyesdropped.
AfterlunchLadyLauraenteredintoconversationwithanairofgentlecuriosity.Howwastheinquiryproceeding?Tuppencelaidsuitablestressonthesuspicionattachingtotheparlourmaid,buthermindwasnotreallyonLadyLaura.LadyLauramightconcealteaspoonsandotherarticlesinherclothing,butTuppencefeltfairlysurethatshehadnottakenthepinkpearl.
PresentlyTuppenceproceededwithhersearchofthehouse.Timewasgoingon.TherewasnosignofTommy,and,whatmatteredfarmoretoTuppence,therewasnosignofMr.Rennie.SuddenlyTuppencecameoutofabedroomandcollidedwithBeatriceKingstonBruce,whowasgoingdownstairs.Shewasfully-dressedforthestreet.
“I’mafraid,”saidTuppence,“thatyoumustn’tgooutjustnow.”
Theothergirllookedatherhaughtily.
“WhetherIgooutornotisnobusinessofyours,”shesaidcoldly.
“ItismybusinesswhetherIcommunicatewiththepoliceornot,though,”saidTuppence.
Inaminutethegirlhadturnedashypale.
“Youmustn’t—youmustn’t—Iwon’tgoout—butdon’tdothat.”SheclungtoTuppencebeseechingly.
“MydearMissKingstonBruce,”saidTuppence,smiling,“thecasehasbeenperfectlycleartomefromthestart—I—”
Butshewasinterrupted.Inthestressofherencounterwiththegirl,Tuppencehadnotheardthefrontdoorbell.Now,toherastonishment,Tommycameboundingupthestairs,andinthehallbelowshecaughtsightofabigburlymanintheactofremovingabowlerhat.
“DetectiveInspectorMarriotofScotlandYard,”hesaidwithagrin.
Withacry,BeatriceKingstonBrucetoreherselffromTuppence’sgraspanddasheddownthestairs,justasthefrontdoorwasopenedoncemoretoadmitMr.Rennie.
“Nowyouhavetornit,”saidTuppencebitterly.
“Eh?”saidTommy,hurryingintoLadyLaura’sroom.Hepassedonintothebathroomandpickedupalargecakeofsoapwhichhebroughtoutinhishands.TheInspectorwasjustmountingthestairs.
“Shewentquitequietly,”heannounced.“She’sanoldhandandknowswhenthegameisup.Whataboutthepearl?”
“Iratherfancy,”saidTommy,handinghimthesoap,“thatyou’llfinditinhere.”
TheInspector’seyeslitupappreciatively.
“Anoldtrick,andagoodone.Cutacakeofsoapinhalf,scoopoutaplaceforthejewel,clapittogetheragain,andsmooththejoinwelloverwithhotwater.Averysmartpieceofworkonyourpart,sir.”
Tommyacceptedthecomplimentgracefully.HeandTuppencedescendedthestairs.ColonelKingstonBrucerushedathimandshookhimwarmlybythehand.
“Mydearsir,Ican’tthankyouenough.LadyLaurawantstothankyoualso—”
“Iamgladwehavegivenyousatisfaction,”saidTommy.“ButI’mafraidIcan’tstop.Ihaveamosturgentappointment.MemberoftheCabinet.”
Hehurriedouttothecarandjumpedin.Tuppencejumpedinbesidehim.
“ButTommy,”shecried.“Haven’ttheyarrestedLadyLauraafterall?”
“Oh!”saidTommy.“Didn’tItellyou?They’venotarrestedLadyLaura.They’vearrestedElise.”
“Yousee,”hewenton,asTuppencesatdumbfounded,“I’veoftentriedtoopenadoorwithsoaponmyhandsmyself.Itcan’tbedone—yourhandsslip.SoIwonderedwhatElisecouldhavebeendoingwiththesoaptogetherhandsassoapyasallthat.Shecaughtupatowel,youremember,sotherewerenotracesofsoaponthehandleafterwards.Butitoccurredtomethatifyouwereaprofessionalthief,itwouldn’tbeabadplantobemaidtoaladysuspectedofkleptomaniawhostayedaboutagooddealindifferenthouses.SoImanagedtogetaphotoofheraswellasoftheroom,inducedhertohandleaglassslideandtoddledofftodearoldScotlandYard.Lightningdevelopmentofnegative,successfulidentificationoffingerprints—andphoto.Elisewasalonglostfriend.Usefulplace,ScotlandYard.”
“Andtothink,”saidTuppence,findinghervoice,“thatthosetwoyoungidiotswereonlysuspectingeachotherinthatweakwaytheydoitinbooks.Butwhydidn’tyoutellmewhatyouwereuptowhenyouwentoff?”
“Inthefirstplace,IsuspectedthatElisewaslisteningonthelanding,andinthesecondplace—”
“Yes?”
“Mylearnedfriendforgets,”saidTommy.“Thorndykenevertellsuntilthelastmoment.Besides,Tuppence,youandyourpalJanetSmithputoneoveronmelasttime.Thismakesusallsquare.”
Four
THEADVENTUREOFTHESINISTERSTRANGER
“It’sbeenadarneddullday,”saidTommy,andyawnedwidely.
“Nearlyteatime,”saidTuppenceandalsoyawned.
BusinesswasnotbriskintheInternationalDetectiveAgency.Theeagerlyexpectedletterfromthehammerchanthadnotarrivedandbonafidecaseswerenotforthcoming.
Albert,theofficeboy,enteredwithasealedpackagewhichhelaidonthetable.
“TheMysteryoftheSealedPacket,”murmuredTommy.“DiditcontainthefabulouspearlsoftheRussianGrandDuchess?OrwasitaninfernalmachinedestinedtoblowBlunt’sBrilliantDetectivestopieces?”
“Asamatteroffact,”saidTuppence,tearingopenthepackage.“It’smyweddingpresenttoFrancisHaviland.Rathernice,isn’tit?”
Tommytookaslendersilvercigarettecasefromheroutstretchedhand,notedtheinscriptionengravedinherownhandwriting,“FrancisfromTuppence,”openedandshutthecase,andnoddedapprovingly.
“Youdothrowyourmoneyabout,Tuppence,”heremarked.“I’llhaveonelikeit,onlyingold,formybirthdaynextmonth.FancywastingathinglikethatonFrancisHaviland,whoalwayswasandalwayswillbeoneofthemostperfectassesGodevermade!”
“YouforgetIusedtodrivehimaboutduringthewar,whenhewasaGeneral.Ah!thosewerethegoodolddays.”
“Theywere,”agreedTommy.“Beautifulwomenusedtocomeandsqueezemyhandinhospital,Iremember.ButIdon’tsendthemallweddingpresents.Idon’tbelievethebridewillcaremuchforthisgiftofyours,Tuppence.”
“It’sniceandslimforthepocket,isn’tit?”saidTuppence,disregardinghisremarks.
Tommyslippeditintohisownpocket.
“Justright,”hesaidapprovingly.“Hullo,hereisAlbertwiththeafternoonpost.VerypossiblytheDuchessofPerthshireiscommissioningustofindherprizePeke.”
Theysortedthroughtheletterstogether.SuddenlyTommygaveventtoaprolongedwhistleandhelduponeoftheminhishand.
“AblueletterwithaRussianstamponit.DoyourememberwhattheChiefsaid?Weweretolookoutforletterslikethat.”
“Howexciting,”saidTuppence.“Somethinghashappenedatlast.Openitandseeifthecontentsareuptoschedule.Ahammerchant,wasn’tit?Halfaminute.Weshallwantsomemilkfortea.Theyforgottoleaveitthismorning.I’llsendAlbertoutforit.”
Shereturnedfromtheouteroffice,afterdespatchingAlbertonhiserrand,tofindTommyholdingthebluesheetofpaperinhishand.
“Aswethought,Tuppence,”heremarked.“AlmostwordforwordwhattheChiefsaid.”
Tuppencetooktheletterfromhimandreadit.
ItwascouchedincarefulstiltedEnglish,andpurportedtobefromoneGregorFeodorsky,whowasanxiousfornewsofhiswife.TheInternationalDetectiveAgencywasurgedtosparenoexpenseindoingtheirutmosttotraceher.FeodorskyhimselfwasunabletoleaveRussiaatthemomentowingtoacrisisintheporktrade.
“Iwonderwhatitreallymeans,”saidTuppencethoughtfully,smoothingoutthesheetonthetableinfrontofher.
“Codeofsomekind,Isuppose,”saidTommy.“That’snotourbusiness.OurbusinessistohanditovertotheChiefassoonaspossible.Betterjustverifyitbysoakingoffthestampandseeingifthenumber16isunderneath.”
“Allright,”saidTuppence.“ButIshouldthink—”
Shestoppeddead,andTommy,surprisedbyhersuddenpause,lookeduptoseeaman’sburlyfigureblockingthedoorway.
Theintruderwasamanofcommandingpresence,squarelybuilt,withaveryroundheadandapowerfuljaw.Hemighthavebeenaboutforty-fiveyearsofage.
“Imustbegyourpardon,”saidthestranger,advancingintotheroom,hatinhand.“Ifoundyourouterofficeemptyandthisdooropen,soIventuredtointrude.ThisisBlunt’sInternationalDetectiveAgency,isitnot?”
“Certainlyitis.”
“Andyouare,perhaps,Mr.Blunt?Mr.TheodoreBlunt?”
“IamMr.Blunt.Youwishtoconsultme?Thisismysecretary,MissRobinson.”
Tuppenceinclinedherheadgracefully,butcontinuedtoscrutinisethestrangernarrowlythroughherdowncasteyelashes.Shewaswonderinghowlonghehadbeenstandinginthedoorway,andhowmuchhehadseenandheard.ItdidnotescapeherobservationthatevenwhilehewastalkingtoTommy,hiseyeskeptcomingbacktothebluepaperinherhand.
Tommy’svoice,sharpwithawarningnote,recalledhertotheneedsofthemoment.
“MissRobinson,please,takenotes.Now,sir,willyoukindlystatethematteronwhichyouwishtohavemyadvice?”
Tuppencereachedforherpadandpencil
Thebigmanbeganinratheraharshvoice.
“MynameisBower.Dr.CharlesBower.IliveinHampstead,whereIhaveapractice.Ihavecometoyou,Mr.Blunt,becauseseveralratherstrangeoccurrenceshavehappenedlately.”
“Yes,Dr.Bower?”
“TwiceinthecourseofthelastweekIhavebeensummonedbytelephonetoanurgentcase—ineachcasetofindthatthesummonshasbeenafake.ThefirsttimeIthoughtapracticaljokehadbeenplayeduponme,butonmyreturnthesecondtimeIfoundthatsomeofmyprivatepapershadbeendisplacedanddisarranged,andnowIbelievethatthesamethinghadhappenedthefirsttime.Imadeanexhaustivesearchandcametotheconclusionthatmywholedeskhadbeenthoroughlyransacked,andthevariouspapersreplacedhurriedly.”
Dr.BowerpausedandgazedatTommy.
“Well,Mr.Blunt?”
“Well,Dr.Bower,”repliedtheyoungman,smiling.
“Whatdoyouthinkofit,eh?”
“Well,firstIshouldlikethefacts.Whatdoyoukeepinyourdesk?”
“Myprivatepapers.”
“Exactly.Now,whatdothoseprivatepapersconsistof?Whatvaluearetheytothecommonthief—oranyparticularperson?”
“TothecommonthiefIcannotseethattheywouldhaveanyvalueatall,butmynotesoncertainobscurealkaloidswouldbeofinteresttoanyonepossessedoftechnicalknowledgeofthesubject.Ihavebeenmakingastudyofsuchmattersforthelastfewyears.Thesealkaloidsaredeadlyandvirulentpoisons,andareinaddition,almostuntraceable.Theyyieldnoknownreactions.”
“Thesecretofthemwouldbeworthmoney,then?”
“Tounscrupulouspersons,yes.”
“Andyoususpect—whom?”
Thedoctorshruggedhismassiveshoulders.
“AsfarasIcantell,thehousewasnotenteredforciblyfromtheoutside.Thatseemstopointtosomememberofmyhousehold,andyetIcannotbelieve—”Hebrokeoffabruptly,thenbeganagain,hisvoiceverygrave.
“Mr.Blunt,Imustplacemyselfinyourhandsunreservedly.Idarenotgotothepoliceinthematter.OfmythreeservantsIamalmostentirelysure.Theyhaveservedmelongandfaithfully.Still,oneneverknows.ThenIhavelivingwithmemytwonephews,BertramandHenry.Henryisagoodboy—averygoodboy—hehasnevercausedmeanyanxiety,anexcellenthardworkingyoungfellow.Bertram,Iregrettosay,isofquiteadifferentcharacter—wild,extravagant,andpersistentlyidle.”
“Isee,”saidTommythoughtfully.“YoususpectyournephewBertramofbeingmixedupinthisbusiness.NowIdon’tagreewithyou.Isuspectthegoodboy—Henry.”
“Butwhy?”
“Tradition.Precedent.”Tommywavedhishandairily.“Inmyexperience,thesuspiciouscharactersarealwaysinnocent—andviceversa,mydearsir.Yes,decidedly,IsuspectHenry.”
“Excuseme,Mr.Blunt,”saidTuppence,interruptinginadeferentialtone.“DidIunderstandDr.Bowertosaythatthesenoteson—er—obscurealkaloids—arekeptinthedeskwiththeotherpapers?”
“Theyarekeptinthedesk,mydearyounglady,butinasecretdrawer,thepositionofwhichisknownonlytomyself.Hencetheyhavesofardefiedthesearch.”
“Andwhatexactlydoyouwantmetodo,Dr.Bower?”askedTommy.“Doyouanticipatethatafurthersearchwillbemade?”
“Ido,Mr.Blunt.Ihaveeveryreasontobelieveso.ThisafternoonIreceivedatelegramfromapatientofminewhomIorderedtoBournemouthafewweeksago.Thetelegramstatesthatmypatientisinacriticalcondition,andbegsmetocomedownatonce.RenderedsuspiciousbytheeventsIhavetoldyouof,Imyselfdespatchedatelegram,prepaid,tothepatientinquestion,andelicitedthefactthathewasingoodhealthandhadsentnosummonstomeofanykind.ItoccurredtomethatifIpretendedtohavebeentakenin,anddulydepartedtoBournemouth,weshouldhaveaverygoodchanceoffindingthemiscreantsatwork.They—orhe—willdoubtlesswaituntilthehouseholdhasretired
“Hoping,infact,tocatchthemintheact.”Tommydrummedthoughtfullyonthetablewithapaperknife.“Yourplanseemstomeanexcellentone,Dr.Bower.Icannotseeanyhitchinit.Letmesee,youraddressis—?”
“TheLarches,Hangman’sLane—ratheralonelypart,Iamafraid.ButwecommandmagnificentviewsovertheHeath.”
“Quiteso,”saidTommy.
Thevisitorrose.
“ThenIshallexpectyoutonight,Mr.Blunt.OutsideTheLarchesat—shallwesay,fiveminutestoeleven—tobeonthesafeside?”
“Certainly.Fiveminutestoeleven.Goodafternoon,Dr.Bower.”
Tommyrose,pressedabuzzeronhisdesk,andAlbertappearedtoshowtheclientout.Thedoctorwalkedwithadecidedlimp,buthispowerfulphysiquewasevidentinspiteofit.
“Anuglycustomertotackle,”murmuredTommytohimself.“Well,Tuppence,oldgirl,whatdoyouthinkofit?”
“I’lltellyouinoneword,”saidTuppence.“Clubfoot!”
“What?”
“IsaidClubfoot!Mystudyoftheclassicshasnotbeeninvain.Tommy,thisthing’saplant.Obscurealkaloidsindeed—Ineverheardaweakerstory.”
“EvenIdidnotfinditveryconvincing,”admittedherhusband.
“Didyouseehiseyesontheletter?Tommy,he’soneofthegang.They’vegotwisetothefactthatyou’renottherealMr.Blunt,andthey’reoutforourblood.”
“Inthatcase,”saidTommy,openingthesidecupboardandsurveyinghisrowsofbookswithanaffectionateeye,“ourroleiseasytoselect.WearethebrothersOkewood!AndIamDesmond,”headdedfirmly.
Tuppenceshruggedhershoulders.
“Allright.Haveityourownway.I’dassoonbeFrancis.Franciswasmuchthemoreintelligentofthetwo.Desmondalwaysgetsintoamess,andFrancisturnsupasthegardenerorsomethinginthenickoftimeandsavesthesituation.”
“Ah!”saidTommy,“butIshallbeasuperDesmond.WhenIarriveattheLarches—”
Tuppenceinterruptedhimunceremoniously.
“You’renotgoingtoHampsteadtonight?”
“Whynot?”
“Walkintoatrapwithyoureyesshut!”
“No,mydeargirl,walkintoatrapwithmyeyesopen.There’salotofdifference.Ithinkourfriend,Dr.Bower,willgetalittlesurprise.”
“Idon’tlikeit,”saidTuppence.“YouknowwhathappenswhenDesmonddisobeystheChief’sordersandactsonhisown.Ourorderswerequiteclear.Tosendonthelettersatonceandtoreportimmediatelyonanythingthathappened.”
“You’venotgotitquiteright,”saidTommy.“Weweretoreportimmediatelyifanyonecameinandmentionedthenumber16.Nobodyhas.”
“That’saquibble,”saidTuppence.
“It’snogood.I’vegotafancyforplayingalonehand.MydearoldTuppence,Ishallbeallright.Ishallgoarmedtotheteeth.TheessenceofthewholethingisthatIshallbeonmyguardandtheywon’tknowit.TheChiefwillbepattingmeonthebackforagoodnight’swork.”
“Well,”saidTuppence.“Idon’tlikeit.Thatman’sasstrongasagorilla.”
“Ah!”saidTommy,“butthinkofmyblue-nosedautomatic.”
ThedooroftheouterofficeopenedandAlbertappeared.Closingthedoorbehindhim,heapproachedthemwithanenvelopeinhishand.
“Agentlemantoseeyou,”saidAlbert.“WhenIbegantheusualstuntofsayingyouwereengagedwithScotlandYard,hetoldmeheknewallaboutthat.SaidhecamefromScotlandYardhimself!Andhewrotesomethingonacardandstuckitupinthisenvelope.”
Tommytooktheenvelopeandopenedit.Ashereadthecard,agrinpassedacrosshisface.
“Thegentlemanwasamusinghimselfatyourexpensebyspeakingthetruth,Albert,”heremarked.“Showhimin.”
HetossedthecardtoTuppence.ItborethenameDetectiveInspectorDymchurch,andacrossitwasscrawledinpencil—“AfriendofMarriot’s.”
InanotherminutetheScotlandYarddetectivewasenteringtheinneroffice.Inappearance,InspectorDymchurchwasofthesametypeasInspectorMarriot,shortandthickset,withshrewdeyes.
“Goodafternoon,”saidthedetectivebreezily.“Marriot’sawayinSouthWales,butbeforehewentheaskedmetokeepaneyeonyoutwo,andonthisplaceingeneral.Oh,blessyou,sir,”hewenton,asTommyseemedabouttointerrupthim,“weknowallaboutit.It’snotourdepartment,andwedon’tinterfere.Butsomebody’sgotwiselatelytothefactthatallisnotwhatitseems.You’vehadagentlemanherethisafternoon.Idon’tknowwhathecalledhimself,andIdon’tknowwhathisrealnameis,butIknowjustalittleabouthim.Enoughtowanttoknowmore.AmIrightinassumingthathemadeadatewithyouforsomeparticularspotthisevening?”
“Quiteright.”
“Ithoughtasmuch.16WesterhamRoad,FinsburyPark—wasthatit?”
“You’rewrongthere,”saidTommywithasmile.“Deadwrong.TheLarches,Hampstead.”
Dymchurchseemedhonestlytakenaback.Clearlyhehadnotexpectedthis.
“Idon’tunderstandit,”hemuttered.“Itmustbeanewlayout.TheLarches,Hampstead,yousaid?”
“Yes.I’mtomeethimthereateleveno’clocktonight.”
“Don’tyoudoit,sir.”
“There!”burstfromTuppence.
Tommyflushed.
“Ifyouthink,Inspector—”hebeganheatedly.
ButtheInspectorraisedasoothinghand.
“I’lltellyouwhatIthink,Mr.Blunt.Theplaceyouwanttobeateleveno’clocktonightishereinthisoffice.”
“What?”criedTuppence,astonished.
“Hereinthisoffice.NevermindhowIknow—departmentsoverlapsometimes—butyougotoneofthosefamous‘Blue’letterstoday.Oldwhat’s-his-nameisafterthat.HeluresyouuptoHampstead,makesquitesureofyourbeingoutoftheway,andstepsinhereatnightwhenallthebuildingisemptyandquiettohaveagoodsearchroundathisleisure.”
“Butwhyshouldhethinktheletterwouldbehere?He’dknowIshouldhaveitonmeorelsehavepassediton.”
“Beggingyourpardon,sir,that’sjustwhathewouldn’tknow.Hemayhavetumbledtothefactthatyou’renottheoriginalMr.Blunt,butheprobablythinksthatyou’reabonafidegentlemanwho’sboughtthebusiness.Inthatcase,theletterwouldbeallinthewayofregularbusinessandwouldbefiledassuch.”
“Isee,”saidTuppence.
“Andthat’sjustwhatwe’vegottolethimthink.We’llcatchhimred-handedheretonight.”
“Sothat’stheplan,isit?”
“Yes.It’sthechanceofalifetime.Now,letmesee,what’sthetime?Sixo’clock.Whattimedoyouusuallyleavehere,sir?”
“Aboutsix.”
“Youmustseemtoleavetheplaceasusual.Actuallywe’llsneakbacktoitassoonaspossible.Idon’tbelievethey’llcomeheretillabouteleven,butofcoursetheymight.Ifyou’llexcuseme,I’lljustgoandtakealookroundoutsideandseeifIcanmakeoutanyonewatchingtheplace.”
Dymchurchdeparted,andTommybegananargumentwithTuppence.
Itlastedsometimeandwasheatedandacrimonious.IntheendTuppencesuddenlycapitulated.
“Allright,”shesaid.“Igivein.I’llgohomeandsittherelikeagoodlittlegirlwhilstyoutacklecrooksandhobnobwithdetectives—butyouwait,youngman.I’llbeevenwithyouyetforkeepingmeoutofthefun.”
Dymchurchreturnedatthatmoment.
“Coastseemsclearenough,”hesaid.“Butyoucan’ttell.Betterseemtoleaveintheusualmanner.Theywon’tgoonwatchingtheplaceonceyou’vegone.”
TommycalledAlbertandgavehiminstructionstolockup.
Thenthefourofthemmadetheirwaytothegaragenearbywherethecarwasusuallyleft.TuppencedroveandAlbertsatbesideher.Tommyandthedetectivesatbehind.
Presentlytheywereheldupbyablockinthetraffic.Tuppencelookedoverhershoulderandnodded.Tommyandthedetectiveopenedtheright-handdoorandsteppedoutintothemiddleofOxfordStreet.InaminuteortwoTuppencedroveon.
II
“Betternotgoinjustyet,”saidDymchurchasheandTommyhurriedintoHalehamStreet.“You’vegotthekeyallright?”
Tommynodded.
“Thenwhataboutabiteofdinner?It’searly,butthere’salittleplacehererightopposite.We’llgetatablebythewindow,sothatwecanwatchtheplaceallthetime.”
Theyhadaverywelcomelittlemeal,inthemannerthedetectivehadsuggested.TommyfoundInspectorDymchurchquiteanentertainingcompanion.Mostofhisofficialworkhadlainamongstinternationalspies,andhehadtalestotellwhichastonishedhissimplelistener.
Theyremainedinthelittlerestaurantuntileighto’clock,whenDymchurchsuggestedamove.
“It’squitedarknow,sir,”heexplained.“Weshallbeabletoslipinwithoutanyonebeingthewiser.”
Itwas,ashesaid,quitedark.Theycrossedtheroad,lookedquicklyupanddownthedesertedstreet,andslippedinsidetheentrance.Thentheymountedthestairs,andTommyinsertedhiskeyinthelockoftheouteroffice.
Justashedidso,heheard,ashethought,Dymchurchwhistlebesidehim.
“Whatareyouwhistlingfor?”heaskedsharply.
“Ididn’twhistle,”saidDymchurch,verymuchastonished.“Ithoughtyoudid.”
“Well,someone—”beganTommy.
Hegotnofurther.Strongarmsseizedhimfrombehind,andbeforehecouldcryout,apadofsomethingsweetandsicklywaspressedoverhismouthandnose.
Hestruggledvaliantly,butinvain.Thechloroformdiditswork.Hisheadbegantowhirlandthefloorheavedupanddowninfrontofhim.Choking,helostconsciousness….
Hecametohimselfpainfully,butinfullpossessionofhisfaculties.Thechloroformhadbeenonlyawhiff.Theyhadkepthimunderlongenoughtoforceagagintohismouthandensurethathedidnotcryout.
Whenhecametohimself,hewashalf-lying,half-sitting,proppedagainstthewallinacornerofhisowninneroffice.Twomenwerebusilyturningoutthecontentsofthedeskandransackingthecupboards,andastheyworkedtheycursedfreely.
“Swelpme,guv’nor,”saidthetallerofthetwohoarsely,“we’veturnedthewholeb—yplaceupsidedownandinsideout.It’snotthere.”
“Itmustbehere,”snarledtheother.“Itisn’tonhim.Andthere’snootherplaceitcanbe.”
Ashespokeheturned,andtoTommy’sutteramazementhesawthatthelastspeakerwasnoneotherthanInspectorDymchurch.ThelattergrinnedwhenhesawTommy’sastonishedface.
“Soouryoungfriendisawakeagain,”hesaid.“Andalittlesurprised—yes,alittlesurprised.Butitwassosimple.WesuspectthatallisnotasitshouldbewiththeInternationalDetectiveAgency.Ivolunteertofindoutifthatisso,ornot.IfthenewMr.Bluntisindeedaspy,hewillbesuspicious,soIsendfirstmydearoldfriend,CarlBauer.Carlistoldtoactsuspiciouslyandpitchanimprobabletale.Hedoesso,andthenIappearonthescene.IusedthenameofInspectorMarriottogainconfidence.Therestiseasy.”
Helaughed.
Tommywasdyingtosayseveralthings,butthegaginhismouthpreventedhim.Also,hewasdyingtodoseveralthings—mostlywithhishandsandfeet—butalas,thattoohadbeenattendedto.Hewassecurelybound.
Thethingthatamazedhimmostwastheastoundingchangeinthemanstandingoverhim.AsInspectorDymchurchthefellowhadbeenatypicalEnglishman.Now,noonecouldhavemistakenhimforamomentforanythingbutawell-educatedforeignerwhotalkedEnglishperfectlywithoutatraceofaccent.
“Coggins,mygoodfriend,”saidtheerstwhileInspector,addressinghisruffianlylookingassociate,“takeyourlifepreserverandstandbytheprisoner.Iamgoingtoremovethegag.Youunderstand,mydearMr.Blunt,doyounot,thatitwouldbecriminallyfoolishonyourparttocryout?ButIamsureyoudo.Foryourage,youarequiteanintelligentlad.”
Verydeftlyheremovedthegagandsteppedback.
Tommyeasedhisstiffjaws,rolledhistongueroundhismouth,swallowedtwice—andsaidnothingatall.
“Icongratulateyouonyourrestraint,”saidtheother.“Youappreciatetheposition,Isee.Haveyounothingatalltosay?”
“WhatIhavetosaywillkeep,”saidTommy.“Anditwon’tspoilbywaiting.”
“Ah!WhatIhavetosaywillnotkeep.InplainEnglish,Mr.Blunt,whereisthatletter?”
“Mydearfellow,Idon’tknow,”saidTommycheerfully.“Ihaven’tgotit.ButyouknowthataswellasIdo.IshouldgoonlookingaboutifIwereyou.IliketoseeyouandfriendCogginsplayinghide-and-seektogether.”
Theother’sfacedarkened.
“Youarepleasedtobeflippant,Mr.Blunt.Youseethatsquareboxoverthere.ThatisCoggins’slittleoutfit.Initthereisvitriol…yes,vitriol…andironsthatcanbeheatedinthefire,sothattheyareredhotandburn….”
Tommyshookhisheadsadly.
“Anerrorindiagnosis,”hemurmured.“TuppenceandIlabelledthisadventurewrong.It’snotaClubfootstory.It’saBull-dogDrummond,andyouaretheinimitableCarlPeterson.”
“Whatisthisnonsenseyouaretalking,”snarledtheother.
“Ah!”saidTommy.“Iseeyouareunacquaintedwiththeclassics.Apity.”
“Ignorantfool!Willyoudowhatwewantorwillyounot?ShallItellCogginstogetouthistoolsandbegin?”
“Don’tbesoimpatient,”saidTommy.“OfcourseI’lldowhatyouwant,assoonasyoutellmewhatitis.Youdon’tsupposeIwanttobecarveduplikeafilletedsoleandfriedonagridiron?Iloathebeinghurt.”
Dymchurchlookedathimincontempt.
“Gott!WhatcowardsaretheseEnglish.”
“Commonsense,mydearfellow,merelycommonsense.Leavethevitriolaloneandletuscomedowntobrasstacks.”
“Iwanttheletter.”
“I’vealreadytoldyouIhaven’tgotit.”
“Weknowthat—wealsoknowwhomusthaveit.Thegirl.”
“Verypossiblyyou’reright,”saidTommy.“ShemayhaveslippeditintoherhandbagwhenyourpalCarlstartledus.”
“Oh,youdonotdeny.Thatiswise.Verygood,youwillwritetothisTuppence,asyoucallher,biddingherbringtheletterhereimmediately.”
“Ican’tdothat,”beganTommy.
Theothercutinbeforehehadfinishedthesentence.
“Ah!Youcan’t?Well,weshallsoonsee.Coggins!”
“Don’tbeinsuchahurry,”saidTommy.“Anddowaitfortheendofthesentence.IwasgoingtosaythatIcan’tdothatunlessyouuntiemyarms.Hangitall,I’mnotoneofthosefreakswhocanwritewiththeirnosesortheirelbows.”
“Youarewillingtowrite,then?”
“Ofcourse.Haven’tIbeentellingyousoallalong?I’mallouttobepleasantandobliging.Youwon’tdoanythingunkindtoTuppence,ofcourse.I’msureyouwon’t.She’ssuchanicegirl.”
“Weonlywanttheletter,”saidDymchurch,buttherewasasingularlyunpleasantsmileonhisface.
AtanodfromhimthebrutalCogginskneltdownandunfastenedTommy’sarms.Thelatterswungthemtoandfro.
“That’sbetter,”hesaidcheerfully.“WillkindCogginshandmemyfountainpen?It’sonthetable,Ithink,withmyothermiscellaneousproperty.”
Scowling,themanbroughtittohim,andprovidedasheetofpaper.
“Becarefulwhatyousay,”Dymchurchsaidmenacingly.“Weleaveittoyou,butfailuremeans—death—andslowdeathatthat.”
“Inthatcase,”saidTommy,“Iwillcertainlydomybest.”
Hereflectedaminuteortwo,thenbegantoscribblerapidly.
“Howwillthisdo?”heasked,handingoverthecompletedepistle.
DearTuppence,Canyoucomealongatonceandbringthatblueletterwithyou?Wewanttodecodeithereandnow.Inhaste,Francis.
“Francis?”queriedthebogusInspector,withliftedeyebrows.“Wasthatthenameshecalledyou?”
“Asyouweren’tatmychristening,”saidTommy,“Idon’tsupposeyoucanknowwhetherit’smynameornot.ButIthinkthecigarettecaseyoutookfrommypocketisaprettygoodproofthatI’mspeakingthetruth.”
Theothersteppedovertothetableandtookupthecase,read“FrancisfromTuppence”withafaintgrinandlaiditdownagain.
“Iamgladtofindyouarebehavingsosensibly,”hesaid.“Coggins,givethatnotetoVassilly.Heisonguardoutside.Tellhimtotakeitatonce.”
Thenexttwentyminutespassedslowly,thetenminutesafterthatmoreslowlystill.Dymchurchwasstridingupanddownwithafacethatgrewdarkeranddarker.OnceheturnedmenacinglyonTommy
“Ifyouhavedaredtodouble-crossus,”hegrowled.
“Ifwe’dhadapackofcardshere,wemighthavehadagameofpicquettopassthetime,”drawledTommy.“Womenalwayskeeponewaiting.Ihopeyou’renotgoingtobeunkindtolittleTuppencewhenshecomes?”
“Oh,no,”saidDymchurch.“Weshallarrangeforyoutogotothesameplace—together.”
“Willyou,youswine,”saidTommyunderhisbreath.
Suddenlytherewasastirintheouteroffice.AmanwhomTommyhadnotyetseenpokedhisheadinandgrowledsomethinginRussian.
“Good,”saidDymchurch.“Sheiscoming—andcomingalone.”
ForamomentafaintanxietycaughtatTommy’sheart.
ThenextminuteheheardTuppence’svoice.
“Oh!thereyouare,InspectorDymchurch.I’vebroughttheletter.WhereisFrancis?”
Withthelastwordsshecamethroughthedoor,andVassillysprangonherfrombehind,clappinghishandoverhermouth.Dymchurchtorethehandbagfromhergraspandturnedoveritscontentsinafrenziedsearch.
SuddenlyheutteredanejaculationofdelightandheldupablueenvelopewithaRussianstamponit.Cogginsgaveahoarseshout.
Andjustinthatminuteoftriumphtheotherdoor,thedoorintoTuppence’sownoffice,openednoiselesslyandInspectorMarriotandtwomenarmedwithrevolverssteppedintotheroom,withthesharpcommand:“Handsup.”
Therewasnofight.Theothersweretakenatahopelessdisadvantage.Dymchurch’sautomaticlayonthetable,andthetwootherswerenotarmed.
“Averynicelittlehaul,”saidInspectorMarriotwithapproval,ashesnappedthelastpairofhandcuffs.“Andwe’llhavemoreastimegoeson,Ihope.”
Whitewithrage,DymchurchglaredatTuppence.
“Youlittledevil,”hesnarled.“Itwasyouputthemontous.”
Tuppencelaughed.
“Itwasn’tallmydoing.Ioughttohaveguessed,Iadmit,whenyoubroughtinthenumbersixteenthisafternoon.ButitwasTommy’snoteclinchedmatters.IrangupInspectorMarriot,gotAlberttomeethimwiththeduplicatekeyoftheoffice,andcamealongmyselfwiththeemptyblueenvelopeinmybag.TheletterIforwardedaccordingtomyinstructionsassoonasIhadpartedwithyoutwothisafternoon.”
Butonewordhadcaughttheother’sattention.
“Tommy?”hequeried.
Tommy,whohadjustbeenreleasedfromhisbonds,cametowardsthem.
“Welldone,brotherFrancis,”hesaidtoTuppence,takingbothherhandsinhis.AndtoDymchurch:“AsItoldyou,mydearfellow,youreallyoughttoreadtheclassics.”
Five
FINESSINGTHEKING
ItwasawetWednesdayintheofficesoftheInternationalDetectiveAgency.TuppencelettheDailyLeaderfallidlyfromherhand.
“DoyouknowwhatI’vebeenthinking,Tommy?”
“It’simpossibletosay,”repliedherhusband.“Youthinkofsomanythings,andyouthinkofthemallatonce.”
“Ithinkit’stimewewentdancingagain.”
TommypickeduptheDailyLeaderhastily.
“Ouradvertisementlookswell,”heremarked,hisheadononeside.“Blunt’sBrilliantDetectives.Doyourealise,Tuppence,thatyouandyoualoneareBlunt’sBrilliantDetectives?There’sgloryforyou,asHumptyDumptywouldsay.”
“Iwastalkingaboutdancing.”
“There’sacuriouspointthatIhaveobservedaboutnewspapers.Iwonderifyouhaveevernoticedit.TakethesethreecopiesoftheDailyLeader.Canyoutellmehowtheydifferonefromtheother?”
Tuppencetookthemwithsomecuriosity.
“Itseemsfairlyeasy,”sheremarkedwitheringly.“Oneistoday’s,oneisyesterday’s,andoneisthedaybefore’s.”
“Positivelyscintillating,mydearWatson.Butthatwasnotmymeaning.Observetheheadline,‘DailyLeader.’Comparethethree—doyouseeanydifferencebetweenthem?”
“No,Idon’t,”saidTuppence,“andwhat’smore,Idon’tbelievethereisany.”
TommysighedandbroughtthetipsofhisfingerstogetherinthemostapprovedSherlockHolmesfashion.
“Exactly.Yetyoureadthepapersasmuch—infact,morethanIdo.ButIhaveobservedandyouhavenot.Ifyouwilllookattoday’sDailyLeader,youwillseethatinthemiddleofthedownstrokeoftheDisasmallwhitedot,andthereisanotherintheLofthesameword.Butinyesterday’spaperthewhitedotisnotinDAILYatall.TherearetwowhitedotsintheLofLEADER.ThatofthedaybeforeagainhastwodotsintheDofDAILY.Infact,thedot,ordots,areinadifferentpositioneveryday.”
“Why?”askedTuppence.
“That’sajournalisticsecret.”
“Meaningyoudon’tknow,andcan’tguess.”
“Iwillmerelysaythis—thepracticeiscommontoallnewspapers.”
“Aren’tyouclever?”saidTuppence.“Especiallyatdrawingredherringsacrossthetrack.Let’sgobacktowhatweweretalkingaboutbefore.”
“Whatwerewetalkingabout?”
“TheThreeArtsBall.”
Tommygroaned.
“No,no,Tuppence.NottheThreeArtsBall.I’mnotyoungenough.IassureyouI’mnotyoungenough.”
“WhenIwasaniceyounggirl,”saidTuppence,“Iwasbroughtuptobelievethatmen—especiallyhusbands—weredissipatedbeings,fondofdrinkinganddancingandstayinguplateatnight.Ittookanexceptionallybeautifulandcleverwifetokeepthemathome.Anotherillusiongone!AllthewivesIknowarehankeringtogooutanddance,andweepingbecausetheirhusbandswillwearbedroomslippersandgotobedathalfpastnine.Andyoudodancesonicely,Tommydear.”
“Gentlywiththebutter,Tuppence.”
“Asamatteroffact,”saidTuppence,“it’snotpurelyforpleasurethatIwanttogo.I’mintriguedbythisadvertisement.”
ShepickeduptheDailyLeaderagainandreaditout.
“Ishouldgothreehearts.12tricks.AceofSpades.NecessarytofinessetheKing.”
“Ratheranexpensivewayoflearningbridge,”wasTommy’scomment.
“Don’tbeanass.That’snothingtodowithbridge.Yousee,IwaslunchingwithagirlyesterdayattheAceofSpades.It’saqueerlittleundergrounddeninChelsea,andshetoldmethatit’squitethefashionatthesebigshowstotrundleroundthereinthecourseoftheeveningforbaconandeggsandWelshrarebits—Bohemiansortofstuff.It’sgotscreened-offboothsallaroundit.Prettyhotplace,Ishouldsay.”
“Andyourideais—?”
“ThreeheartsstandsfortheThreeArtsBall,tomorrownight,12tricksistwelveo’clock,andtheAceofSpadesistheAceofSpades.”
“AndwhataboutitsbeingnecessarytofinessetheKing?”
“Well,that’swhatIthoughtwe’dfindout.”
“Ishouldn’twonderifyouweren’tright,Tuppence,”saidTommymagnanimously.“ButIdon’tquiteseewhyyouwanttobuttinuponotherpeople’sloveaffairs.”
“Ishan’tbuttin.WhatI’mproposingisaninterestingexperimentindetectivework.Weneedpractice.”
“Businessiscertainlynottoobrisk,”agreedTommy.“Allthesame,Tuppence,whatyouwantistogototheThreeArtsBallanddance!Talkofredherrings.”
Tuppencelaughedshamelessly.
“Beasport,Tommy.Tryandforgetyou’rethirty-twoandhavegotonegreyhairinyourlefteyebrow.”
“Iwasalwaysweakwherewomenwereconcerned,”murmuredherhusband.“HaveIgottomakeanassofmyselfinfancydress?”
“Ofcourse,butyoucanleavethattome.I’vegotasplendididea.”
Tommylookedatherwithsomemisgiving.HewasalwaysprofoundlymistrustfulofTuppence’sbrilliantideas.
Whenhereturnedtotheflatonthefollowingevening,Tuppencecameflyingoutofherbedroomtomeethim.
“It’scome,”sheannounced.
“What’scome?”
“Thecostume.Comeandlookatit.”
Tommyfollowedher.Spreadoutonthebedwasacompletefireman’skitwithshininghelmet.
“GoodGod!”groanedTommy.“HaveIjoinedtheWembleyfirebrigade?”
“Guessagain,”saidTuppence.“Youhaven’tcaughttheideayet.Useyourlittlegreycells,monami.Scintillate,Watson.Beabullthathasbeenmorethantenminutesinthearena.”
“Waitaminute,”saidTommy.“Ibegintosee.Thereisadarkpurposeinthis.Whatareyougoingtowear,Tuppence?”
“Anoldsuitofyourclothes,anAmericanhatandsomehornspectacles.”
“Crude,”saidTommy.“ButIcatchtheidea.McCartyincog.AndIamRiordan.”
“That’sit.IthoughtweoughttopractiseAmericandetectivemethodsaswellasEnglishones.JustforonceIamgoingtobethestar,andyouwillbethehumbleassistant.”
“Don’tforget,”saidTommywarningly,“thatit’salwaysaninnocentremarkbythesimpleDennythatputsMcCartyontherighttrack.”
ButTuppenceonlylaughed.Shewasinhighspirits.
Itwasamostsuccessfulevening.Thecrowds,themusic,thefantasticdresses—everythingconspiredtomaketheyoungcoupleenjoythemselves.Tommyforgothisroleoftheboredhusbanddraggedoutagainsthiswill.
Attenminutestotwelvetheydroveoffinthecartothefamous—orinfamous—AceofSpades.AsTuppencehadsaid,itwasanundergroundden,meanandtawdryinappearance,butitwasneverthelesscrowdedwithcouplesinfancydress.Therewereclosed-inboothsroundthewalls,andTommyandTuppencesecuredoneofthese.Theyleftthedoorspurposelyalittleajarsothattheycouldseewhatwasgoingonoutside.
“Iwonderwhichtheyare—ourpeople,Imean,”saidTuppence.“WhataboutthatColumbineovertherewiththeredMephistopheles?”
“IfancythewickedMandarinandtheladywhocallsherselfaBattleship—moreofafastCruiser,Ishouldsay.”
“Isn’thewitty?”saidTuppence.“Alldoneonalittledropofdrink!Who’sthiscomingindressedastheQueenofHearts—ratheragoodget-up,that.”
Thegirlinquestionpassedintotheboothnexttothem,accompaniedbyherescort,whowas“thegentlemandressedinnewspaper”fromAliceinWonderland.Theywerebothwearingmasks—itseemedtoberatheracommoncustomattheAceofSpades.
“I’msurewe’reinarealdenofiniquity,”saidTuppencewithapleasedface.“Scandalsallroundus.Whataroweveryonemakes.”
Acry,asofprotest,rangoutfromtheboothnextdoorandwascoveredbyaman’sloudlaugh.Everybodywaslaughingandsinging.Theshrillvoicesofthegirlsroseabovetheboomingoftheirmaleescorts.
“Whataboutthatshepherdess?”demandedTommy.“TheonewiththecomicFrenchman.Theymightbeourlittlelot.”
“Anyonemightbe,”confessedTuppence.“I’mnotgoingtobother.Thegreatthingisthatweareenjoyingourselves.”
“Icouldhaveenjoyedmyselfbetterinanothercostume,”grumbledTommy.“You’venoideaoftheheatofthisone.”
“Cheerup,”saidTuppence.“Youlooklovely.”
“I’mgladofthat,”saidTommy.“It’smorethanyoudo.You’rethefunniestlittleguyI’veeverseen.”
“Willyoukeepaciviltongueinyourhead,Denny,myboy.Hullo,thegentlemaninnewspaperisleavinghisladyalone.Where’shegoing,doyouthink?”
“Goingtohurryupthedrinks,Iexpect,”saidTommy.“Iwouldn’tminddoingthesamething.”
“He’salongtimedoingit,”saidTuppence,whenfourorfiveminuteshadpassed.“Tommy,wouldyouthinkmeanawfulass—”Shepaused.
Suddenlyshejumpedup.
“Callmeanassifyoulike.I’mgoinginnextdoor.”
“Lookhere,Tuppence—youcan’t—”
“I’veafeelingthere’ssomethingwrong.Iknowthereis.Don’ttryandstopme.”
Shepassedquicklyoutoftheirownbooth,andTommyfollowedher.Thedoorsoftheonenextdoorwereclosed.Tuppencepushedthemapartandwentin,Tommyonherheels.
ThegirldressedastheQueenofHeartssatinthecornerleaningupagainstthewallinaqueerhuddledposition.Hereyesregardedthemsteadilythroughhermask,butshedidnotmove.Herdresswascarriedoutinabolddesignofredandwhite,butonthelefthandsidethepatternseemedtohavegotmixed.Therewasmoreredthanthereshouldhavebeen….
WithacryTuppencehurriedforward.Atthesametime,Tommysawwhatshehadseen,thehiltofajewelleddaggerjustbelowtheheart.Tuppencedroppedonherkneesbythegirl’sside.
“Quick,Tommy,she’sstillalive.Getholdofthemanagerandmakehimgetadoctoratonce.”
“Right.Mindyoudon’ttouchthehandleofthatdagger,Tuppence.”
“I’llbecareful.Goquickly.”
Tommyhurriedout,pullingthedoorstobehindhim.Tuppencepassedherarmroundthegirl.Thelattermadeafaintgesture,andTuppencerealisedthatshewantedtogetridofthemask.Tuppenceunfasteneditgently.Shesawafresh,flower-likeface,andwidestarryeyesthatwerefullofhorror,suffering,andakindofdazedbewilderment.
“Mydear,”saidTuppence,verygently.“Canyouspeakatall?Willyoutellme,ifyoucan,whodidthis?”
Shefelttheeyesfixthemselvesonherface.Thegirlwassighing,thedeeppalpitatingsighsofafailingheart.AndstillshelookedsteadilyatTuppence.Thenherlipsparted.
“Bingodidit—”shesaidinastrainedwhisper.
Thenherhandsrelaxed,andsheseemedtonestledownonTuppence’sshoulder.
Tommycamein,twomenwithhim.Thebiggerofthetwocameforwardwithanairofauthority,theworddoctorwrittenalloverhim.
Tuppencerelinquishedherburden.
“She’sdead,I’mafraid,”shesaidwithacatchinhervoice.
Thedoctormadeaswiftexamination.
“Yes,”hesaid.“Nothingtobedone.Wehadbetterleavethingsastheyaretillthepolicecome.Howdidthethinghappen?”
Tuppenceexplainedratherhaltingly,slurringoverherreasonsforenteringthebooth.
“It’sacuriousbusiness,”saidthedoctor.“Youheardnothing?”
“Iheardhergiveakindofcry,butthenthemanlaughed.NaturallyIdidn’tthink—”
“Naturallynot,”agreedthedoctor.“Andthemanworeamaskyousay.Youwouldn’trecognisehim?”
“I’mafraidnot.Wouldyou,Tommy?”
“No.Stillthereishiscostume.”
“Thefirstthingwillbetoidentifythispoorlady,”saidthedoctor.“Afterthat,well,Isupposethepolicewillgetdowntothingsprettyquickly.Itoughtnottobeadifficultcase.Ah,heretheycome.”
Six
THEGENTLEMANDRESSEDINNEWSPAPER
Itwasafterthreeo’clockwhen,wearyandsickatheart,thehusbandandwifereachedhome.SeveralhourspassedbeforeTuppencecouldsleep.Shelaytossingfromsidetoside,seeingalwaysthatflower-likefacewiththehorror-strickeneyes.
ThedawnwascominginthroughtheshutterswhenTuppencefinallydroppedofftosleep.Aftertheexcitement,shesleptheavilyanddreamlessly.ItwasbroaddaylightwhensheawoketofindTommy,upanddressed,standingbythebedside,shakinghergentlybythearm.
“Wakeup,oldthing.InspectorMarriotandanothermanarehereandwanttoseeyou.”
“Whattimeisit?”
“Justoneleven.I’llgetAlicetobringyouyourtearightaway.”
“Yes,do.TellInspectorMarriotI’llbethereintenminutes.”
Aquarterofanhourlater,Tuppencecamehurryingintothesittingroom.InspectorMarriot,whowassittinglookingverystraightandsolemn,rosetogreether.
“Goodmorning,Mrs.Beresford.ThisisSirArthurMerivale.”
Tuppenceshookhandswithatallthinmanwithhaggardeyesandgreyinghair.
“It’saboutthissadbusinesslastnight,”saidInspectorMarriot.“IwantSirArthurtohearfromyourownlipswhatyoutoldme—thewordsthepoorladysaidbeforeshedied.SirArthurhasbeenveryhardtoconvince.”
“Ican’tbelieve,”saidtheother,“andIwon’tbelieve,thatBingoHaleeverhurtahairofVere’shead.”
InspectorMarriotwenton.
“We’vemadesomeprogresssincelastnight,Mrs.Beresford,”hesaid.“FirstofallwemanagedtoidentifytheladyasLadyMerivale.WecommunicatedwithSirArthurhere.Herecognisedthebodyatonce,andwashorrifiedbeyondwords,ofcourse.ThenIaskedhimifheknewanyonecalledBingo.”
“Youmustunderstand,Mrs.Beresford,”saidSirArthur,“thatCaptainHale,whoisknowntoallhisfriendsasBingo,isthedearestpalIhave.Hepracticallyliveswithus.Hewasstayingatmyhousewhentheyarrestedhimthismorning.Icannotbutbelievethatyouhavemadeamistake—itwasnothisnamethatmywifeuttered.”
“Thereisnopossibilityofmistake,”saidTuppencegently.“Shesaid,‘Bingodidit—’”
“Yousee,SirArthur,”saidMarriot.
Theunhappymansankintoachairandcoveredhisfacewithhishands.
“It’sincredible.Whatearthlymotivecouldtherebe?Oh,Iknowyouridea,InspectorMarriot.YouthinkHalewasmywife’slover,butevenifthatwereso—whichIdon’tadmitforamoment—whatmotivewasthereforkillingher?”
InspectorMarriotcoughed.
“It’snotaverypleasantthingtosay,sir.ButCaptainHalehasbeenpayingalotofattentiontoacertainyoungAmericanladyoflate—ayoungladywithaconsiderableamountofmoney.IfLadyMerivalelikedtoturnnasty,shecouldprobablystophismarriage.”
“Thisisoutrageous,Inspector.”
SirArthursprangangrilytohisfeet.Theothercalmedhimwithasoothinggesture.
“Ibegyourpardon,I’msure,SirArthur.YousaythatyouandCaptainHalebothdecidedtoattendthisshow.Yourwifewasawayonavisitatthetime,andyouhadnoideathatshewastobethere?”
“Nottheleastidea.”
“Justshowhimthatadvertisementyoutoldmeabout,Mrs.Beresford.”
Tuppencecomplied.
“Thatseemstomeclearenough.ItwasinsertedbyCaptainHaletocatchyourwife’seye.Theyhadalreadyarrangedtomeetthere.Butyouonlymadeupyourmindtogothedaybefore,henceitwasnecessarytowarnher.Thatistheexplanationofthephrase,‘NecessarytofinessetheKing.’Youorderedyourcostumefromatheatricalfirmatthelastminute,butCaptainHale’swasahome-madeaffair.HewentastheGentlemandressedinNewspaper.Doyouknow,SirArthur,whatwefoundclaspedinthedeadlady’shand?Afragmenttornfromanewspaper.MymenhaveorderstotakeCaptainHale’scostumeawaywiththemfromyourhouse.IshallfinditattheYardwhenIgetback.Ifthere’satearinitcorrespondingtothemissingpiece—well,it’llbetheendofthecase.”
“Youwon’tfindit,”saidSirArthur.“IknowBingoHale.”
ApologisingtoTuppencefordisturbingher,theytooktheirleave.
Latethateveningtherewasaringatthebell,andsomewhattotheastonishmentoftheyoungpairInspectorMarriotoncemorewalkedin.
“IthoughtBlunt’sBrilliantDetectiveswouldliketohearthelatestdevelopments,”hesaid,withahintofasmile.
“Theywould,”saidTommy.“Haveadrink?”
HeplacedmaterialshospitablyatInspectorMarriot’selbow.
“It’saclearcase,”saidthelatter,afteraminuteortwo.“Daggerwasthelady’sown—theideawastohavemadeitlooklikesuicideevidently,butthankstoyoutwobeingonthespot,thatdidn’tcomeoff.We’vefoundplentyofletters—they’dbeencarryingontogetherforsometime,that’sclear—withoutSirArthurtumblingtoit.Thenwefoundthelastlink—”
“Thelastwhat?”saidTuppencesharply.
“Thelastlinkinthechain—thatfragmentoftheDailyLeader.Itwastornfromthedresshewore—fitsexactly.Oh,yes,it’saperfectlyclearcase.Bytheway,Ibroughtroundaphotographofthosetwoexhibits—Ithoughttheymightinterestyou.It’sveryseldomthatyougetsuchaperfectlyclearcase.”
“Tommy,”saidTuppence,whenherhusbandreturnedfromshowingtheScotlandYardmanout,“whydoyouthinkInspectorMarriotkeepsrepeatingthatit’saperfectlyclearcase?”
“Idon’tknow.Smugsatisfaction,Isuppose.”
“Notabitofit.He’stryingtogetusirritated.Youknow,Tommy,butchers,forinstance,knowsomethingaboutmeat,don’tthey?”
“Ishouldsayso,butwhatonearth—”
“Andinthesameway,greengrocersknowallaboutvegetables,andfishermenaboutfish.Detectives,professionaldetectives,mustknowallaboutcriminals.Theyknowtherealthingwhentheyseeit—andtheyknowwhenitisn’ttherealthing.Marriot’sexpertknowledgetellshimthatCaptainHaleisn’tacriminal—butallthefactsaredeadagainsthim.AsalastresourceMarriotisegginguson,hopingagainsthopethatsomelittledetailorotherwillcomebacktous—somethingthathappenedlastnight—whichwillthrowadifferentlightonthings.Tommy,whyshouldn’titbesuicide,afterall?”
“Rememberwhatshesaidtoyou.”
“Iknow—buttakethatadifferentway.ItwasBingo’sdoing—hisconductthatdrovehertokillherself.It’sjustpossible.”
“Just.Butitdoesn’texplainthatfragmentofnewspaper.”
“Let’shavealookatMarriot’sphotographs.IforgottoaskhimwhatHale’saccountofthematterwas.”
“Iaskedhimthatinthehalljustnow.HaledeclaredhehadneverspokentoLadyMerivaleattheshow.Sayssomebodyshovedanoteintohishandwhichsaid,“Don’ttryandspeaktometonight.Arthursuspects.”Hecouldn’tproducethepieceofpaper,though,anditdoesn’tsoundaverylikelystory.Anyway,youandIknowhewaswithherattheAceofSpades,becausewesawhim.”
Tuppencenoddedandporedoverthetwophotographs.
OnewasatinyfragmentwiththelegendDAILYLE—andtheresttornoff.TheotherwasthefrontsheetoftheDailyLeaderwiththesmallroundtearatthetopofit.Therewasnodoubtaboutit.Thosetwofittedtogetherperfectly.
“Whatareallthosemarksdowntheside?”askedTommy.
“Stitches,”saidTuppence.“Whereitwassewntotheothers,youknow.”
“Ithoughtitmightbeanewschemeofdots,”saidTommy.Thenhegaveaslightshiver.“Myword,Tuppence,howcreepyitmakesonefeel.TothinkthatyouandIwerediscussingdotsandpuzzlingoverthatadvertisement—allaslightheartedasanything.”
Tuppencedidnotanswer.Tommylookedatherandwasstartledtoobservethatshewasstaringaheadofher,hermouthslightlyopen,andabewilderedexpressiononherface.
“Tuppence,”saidTommygently,shakingherbythearm,“what’sthematterwithyou?Areyoujustgoingtohaveastrokeorsomething?”
ButTuppenceremainedmotionless.Presentlyshesaidinafarawayvoice:
“DenisRiordan.”
“Eh?”saidTommy,staring.
“It’sjustasyousaid.Onesimpleinnocentremark!Findmeallthisweek’sDailyLeaders.”
“Whatareyouupto?”
“I’mbeingMcCarty.I’vebeenworryinground,andthankstoyou,I’vegotanotionatlast.ThisisthefrontsheetofTuesday’spaper.IseemtorememberthatTuesday’spaperwastheonewithtwodotsintheLofLEADER.ThishasadotintheDofDAILY—andoneintheLtoo.Getmethepapersandlet’smakesure.”
Theycomparedthemanxiously.Tuppencehadbeenquiterightinherremembrance
“Yousee?Thisfragmentwasn’ttornfromTuesday’spaper.”
“ButTuppence,wecan’tbesure.Itmaymerelybedifferenteditions.”
“Itmay—butatanyrateit’sgivenmeanidea.Itcan’tbecoincidence—that’scertain.There’sonlyonethingitcanbeifI’mrightinmyidea.RingupSirArthur,Tommy.Askhimtocomeroundhereatonce.SayI’vegotimportantnewsforhim.ThengetholdofMarriot.ScotlandYardwillknowhisaddressifhe’sgonehome.”
SirArthurMerivale,verymuchintriguedbythesummons,arrivedattheflatinabouthalfanhour’stime.Tuppencecameforwardtogreethim.
“Imustapologiseforsendingforyouinsuchaperemptoryfashion,”shesaid.“ButmyhusbandandIhavediscoveredsomethingthatwethinkyououghttoknowatonce.Dositdown.”
SirArthursatdown,andTuppencewenton.
“Youare,Iknow,veryanxioustoclearyourfriend.”
SirArthurshookhisheadsadly.
“Iwas,butevenIhavehadtogiveintotheoverwhelmingevidence.”
“WhatwouldyousayifItoldyouthatchancehasplacedinmyhandsapieceofevidencethatwillcertainlyclearhimofallcomplicity?”
“Ishouldbeoverjoyedtohearit,Mrs.Beresford.”
“Supposing,”continuedTuppence,“thatIhadcomeacrossagirlwhowasactuallydancingwithCaptainHalelastnightattwelveo’clock—thehourwhenhewassupposedtobeattheAceofSpades.”
“Marvellous!”criedSirArthur.“Iknewtherewassomemistake.PoorVeremusthavekilledherselfafterall.”
“Hardlythat,”saidTuppence.“Youforgettheotherman.”
“Whatotherman?”
“TheonemyhusbandandIsawleavethebooth.Yousee,SirArthur,theremusthavebeenasecondmandressedinnewspaperattheball.Bytheway,whatwasyourowncostume?”
“Mine?Iwentasaseventeenthcenturyexecutioner.”
“Howveryappropriate,”saidTuppencesoftly.
“Appropriate,Mrs.Beresford.Whatdoyoumeanbyappropriate?”
“Forthepartyouplayed.ShallItellyoumyideasonthesubject,SirArthur?Thenewspaperdressiseasilyputonoverthatofanexecutioner.PreviouslyalittlenotehasbeenslippedintoCaptainHale’shand,askinghimnottospeaktoacertainlady.Buttheladyherselfknowsnothingofthatnote.ShegoestotheAceofSpadesattheappointedtimeandseesthefiguresheexpectstosee.Theygointothebooth.Hetakesherinhisarms,Ithink,andkissesher—thekissofaJudas,andashekisseshestrikeswiththedagger.Sheonlyuttersonefaintcryandhecoversthatwithalaugh.Presentlyhegoesaway—andtothelast,horrifiedandbewildered,shebelievesherloveristhemanwhokilledher.
“Butshehastornasmallfragmentfromthecostume.Themurderernoticesthat—heisamanwhopaysgreatattentiontodetail.TomakethecaseabsolutelyclearagainsthisvictimthefragmentmustseemtohavebeentornfromCaptainHale’scostume.Thatwouldpresentgreatdifficultiesunlessthetwomenhappenedtobelivinginthesamehouse.Then,ofcourse,thethingwouldbesimplicityitself.HemakesanexactduplicateofthetearinCaptainHale’scostume—thenheburnshisownandpreparestoplaythepartoftheloyalfriend.”
Tuppencepaused.
“Well,SirArthur?”
SirArthurroseandmadeherabow.
“Therathervividimaginationofacharmingladywhoreadstoomuchfiction.”
“Youthinkso?”saidTommy.
“Andahusbandwhoisguidedbyhiswife,”saidSirArthur.“Idonotfancyyouwillfindanybodytotakethematterseriously.”
Helaughedoutloud,andTuppencestiffenedinherchair.
“Iwouldsweartothatlaughanywhere,”shesaid.“IhearditlastintheAceofSpades.Andyouareunderalittlemisapprehensionaboutusboth.Beresfordisourrealname,butwehaveanother.”
Shepickedupacardfromthetableandhandedittohim.SirArthurreaditaloud.
“InternationalDetectiveAgency…”Hedrewhisbreathsharply.“Sothatiswhatyoureallyare!ThatwaswhyMarriotbroughtmeherethismorning.Itwasatrap—”
Hestrolledtothewindow.
“Afineviewyouhavefromhere,”hesaid.“RightoverLondon.”
“InspectorMarriot,”criedTommysharply.
InaflashtheInspectorappearedfromthecommunicatingdoorintheoppositewall.
AlittlesmileofamusementcametoSirArthur’slips.
“Ithoughtasmuch,”hesaid.“Butyouwon’tgetmethistime,I’mafraid,Inspector.Iprefertotakemyownwayout.”
Andputtinghishandsonthesill,hevaultedcleanthroughthewindow.
Tuppenceshriekedandclappedherhandstoherearstoshutoutthesoundshehadalreadyimagined—thesickeningthudfarbeneath.InspectorMarriotutteredanoath.
“Weshouldhavethoughtofthewindow,”hesaid.“Though,mindyou,itwouldhavebeenadifficultthingtoprove.I’llgodownand—and—seetothings.”
“Poordevil,”saidTommyslowly.“Ifhewasfondofhiswife—”
ButtheInspectorinterruptedhimwithasnort.
“Fondofher?That’sasmaybe.Hewasathiswits’endwheretoturnformoney.LadyMerivalehadalargefortuneofherown,anditallwenttohim.Ifshe’dboltedwithyoungHale,he’dneverhaveseenapennyofit.”
“Thatwasit,wasit?”
“Ofcourse,fromtheverystart,IsensedthatSirArthurwasabadlot,andthatCaptainHalewasallright.Weknowprettywellwhat’swhatattheYard—butit’sawkwardwhenyou’reupagainstfacts.I’llbegoingdownnow—IshouldgiveyourwifeaglassofbrandyifIwereyou,Mr.Beresford—it’sbeenupsettinglikeforher.”
“Greengrocers,”saidTuppenceinalowvoiceasthedoorclosedbehindtheimperturbableInspector,“butchers,fishermen,detectives.Iwasright,wasn’tI?Heknew.”
Tommy,whohadbeenbusyatthesideboard,approachedherwithalargeglass.
“Drinkthis.”
“Whatisit?Brandy?”
“No,it’salargecocktail—suitableforatriumphantMcCarty.Yes,Marriot’srightallround—thatwasthewayofit.Aboldfinesseforgameandrubber.”
Tuppencenodded.
“Buthefinessedthewrongwayround.”
“Andso,”saidTommy,“exittheKing.”
Seven
THECASEOFTHEMISSINGLADY
ThebuzzeronMr.Blunt’sdesk—InternationalDetectiveAgency,Manager,TheodoreBlunt—uttereditswarningcall.TommyandTuppencebothflewtotheirrespectivepeepholeswhichcommandedaviewoftheouteroffice.ThereitwasAlbert’sbusinesstodelaytheprospectiveclientwithvariousartisticdevices.
“Iwillsee,sir,”hewassaying.“ButI’mafraidMr.Bluntisverybusyjustatpresent.HeisengagedwithScotlandYardonthephonejustnow.”
“I’llwait,”saidthevisitor.“Ihaven’tgotacardwithme,butmynameisGabrielStavansson.”
Theclientwasamagnificentspecimenofmanhood,standingoversixfoothigh.Hisfacewasbronzedandweather-beaten,andtheextraordinaryblueofhiseyesmadeanalmoststartlingcontrasttothebrownskin.
Tommyswiftlymadeuphismind.Heputonhishat,pickedupsomeglovesandopenedthedoor.Hepausedonthethreshold.
“Thisgentlemaniswaitingtoseeyou,Mr.Blunt,”saidAlbert.
AquickfrownpassedoverTommy’sface.Hetookouthiswatch.
“IamdueattheDuke’sataquartertoeleven,”hesaid.Thenhelookedkeenlyatthevisitor.“Icangiveyouafewminutesifyouwillcomethisway.”
Thelatterfollowedhimobedientlyintotheinneroffice,whereTuppencewassittingdemurelywithpadandpencil.
“Myconfidentialsecretary,MissRobinson,”saidTommy.“Now,sir,perhapsyouwillstateyourbusiness?Beyondthefactthatitisurgent,thatyoucamehereinataxi,andthatyouhavelatelybeenintheArctic—orpossiblytheAntarctic,Iknownothing.”
Thevisitorstaredathiminamazement.
“Butthisismarvellous,”hecried.“Ithoughtdetectivesonlydidsuchthingsinbooks!Yourofficeboydidnotevengiveyoumyname!”
Tommysigheddeprecatingly.
“Tut,tut,allthatwasveryeasy,”hesaid.“TheraysofthemidnightsunwithintheArcticcirclehaveapeculiaractionupontheskin—theactinicrayshavecertainproperties.Iamwritingalittlemonographonthesubjectshortly.Butallthisiswideofthepoint.Whatisitthathasbroughtyoutomeinsuchdistressofmind?”
“Tobeginwith,Mr.Blunt,mynameisGabrielStavansson—”
“Ah!ofcourse,”saidTommy.“Thewell-knownexplorer.YouhaverecentlyreturnedfromtheregionoftheNorthPole,Ibelieve?”
“IlandedinEnglandthreedaysago.Afriendwhowascruisinginnorthernwatersbroughtmebackonhisyacht.OtherwiseIshouldnothavegotbackforanotherfortnight.NowImusttellyou,Mr.Blunt,thatbeforeIstartedonthislastexpeditiontwoyearsago,IhadthegreatgoodfortunetobecomeengagedtoMrs.MauriceLeighGordon—”
Tommyinterrupted.
“Mrs.LeighGordonwas,beforehermarriage—?”
“TheHonourableHermioneCrane,seconddaughterofLordLanchester,”reeledoffTuppenceglibly.
Tommythrewheraglanceofadmiration.
“Herfirsthusbandwaskilledinthewar,”addedTuppence.
GabrielStavanssonnodded.
“Thatisquitecorrect.AsIwassaying,HermioneandIbecameengaged.Ioffered,ofcourse,togiveupthisexpedition,butshewouldn’thearofsuchathing—blessher!She’stherightkindofwomanforanexplorer’swife.Well,myfirstthoughtonlandingwastoseeHermione.IsentatelegramfromSouthampton,andrusheduptotownbythefirsttrain.Iknewthatshewaslivingforthetimebeingwithanauntofhers,LadySusanClonray,inPontStreet,andIwentstraightthere.Tomygreatdisappointment,IfoundthatHermywasawayvisitingsomefriendsinNorthumberland.LadySusanwasquiteniceaboutit,aftergettingoverherfirstsurpriseatseeingme.AsItoldyou,Iwasn’texpectedforanotherfortnight.ShesaidHermywouldbereturninginafewdays’time.ThenIaskedforheraddress,buttheoldwomanhummedandhawed—saidHermywasstayingatoneortwodifferentplacesandthatshewasn’tquitesurewhatordershewastakingthemin.Imayaswelltellyou,Mr.Blunt,thatLadySusanandIhavenevergotonverywell.She’soneofthosefatwomenwithdoublechins.Iloathefatwomen—alwayshave—fatwomenandfatdogsareanabominationuntotheLord—andunfortunatelytheysooftengotogether!It’sanidiosyncrasyofmine,Iknow—butthereitis—Inevercangetonwithafatwoman.”
“Fashionagreeswithyou,Mr.Stavansson,”saidTommydryly.“Andeveryonehastheirownpetaversion—thatofthelateLordRobertswascats.”
“Mindyou,I’mnotsayingthatLadySusanisn’taperfectlycharmingwoman—shemaybe,butI’venevertakentoher.I’vealwaysfelt,deepdown,thatshedisapprovedofourengagement,andIfeelsurethatshewouldinfluenceHermyagainstmeifthatwerepossible.I’mtellingyouthisforwhatit’sworth.Countitoutasprejudiceifyoulike.Well,togoonwithmystory,I’mthekindofobstinatebrutewholikeshisownway.Ididn’tleavePontStreetuntilI’dgotoutofherthenamesandaddressesofthepeopleHermywaslikelytobestayingwith.ThenItookthemailtrainnorth.”
“Youare,Iperceive,amanofaction,Mr.Stavansson,”saidTommy,smiling.
“Thethingcameuponmelikeabombshell.Mr.Blunt,noneofthesepeoplehadseenasignofHermy.Ofthethreehouses,onlyonehadbeenexpectingher—LadySusanmusthavemadeabloomerovertheothertwo—andshehadputoffhervisitthereatthelastmomentbytelegram.IreturnedposthastetoLondon,ofcourse,andwentstraighttoLadySusan.Iwilldoherthejusticetosaythatsheseemedupset.SheadmittedthatshehadnoideawhereHermycouldbe.Allthesame,shestronglynegativedanyideaofgoingtothepolice.ShepointedoutthatHermywasnotasillyyounggirl,butanindependentwomanwhohadalwaysbeeninthehabitofmakingherownplans.Shewasprobablycarryingoutsomeideaofherown.
“IthoughtitquitelikelythatHermydidn’twanttoreportallhermovementstoLadySusan.ButIwasstillworried.Ihadthatqueerfeelingonegetswhensomethingiswrong.IwasjustleavingwhenatelegramwasbroughttoLadySusan.Shereaditwithanexpressionofreliefandhandedittome.Itranasfollows:“Changedmyplans.JustofftoMonteCarloforaweek.—Hermy.”
Tommyheldouthishand.
“Youhavegotthetelegramwithyou?”
“No,Ihaven’t.ButitwashandedinatMaldon,Surrey.Inoticedthatatthetime,becauseitstruckmeasodd.WhatshouldHermybedoingatMaldon.She’dnofriendstherethatIhadeverheardof.”
“Youdidn’tthinkofrushingofftoMonteCarlointhesamewaythatyouhadrushednorth?”
“Ithoughtofit,ofcourse.ButIdecidedagainstit.Yousee,Mr.Blunt,whilstLadySusanseemedquitesatisfiedbythattelegram,Iwasn’t.Itstruckmeasoddthatsheshouldalwaystelegraph,notwrite.Alineortwoinherownhandwritingwouldhavesetallmyfearsatrest.Butanyonecansignatelegram‘Hermy.’ThemoreIthoughtitover,themoreuneasyIgot.IntheendIwentdowntoMaldon.Thatwasyesterdayafternoon.It’safair-sizedplace—goodlinksthereandallthat—twohotels.IinquiredeverywhereIcouldthinkof,buttherewasn’tasignthatHermyhadeverbeenthere.ComingbackinthetrainIreadyouradvertisementandIthoughtI’dputituptoyou.IfHermyhasreallygoneofftoMonteCarlo,Idon’twanttosetthepoliceonhertrackandmakeascandal,butI’mnotgoingtobesentoffonawildgoosechasemyself.IstayhereinLondon,incase—incasethere’sbeenfoulplayofanykind.”
Tommynoddedthoughtfully.
“Whatdoyoususpectexactly?”
“Idon’tknow.ButIfeelthere’ssomethingwrong.”
Withaquickmovement,Stavanssontookacasefromhispocketandlaiditopenbeforethem.
“ThatisHermione,”hesaid.“Iwillleaveitwithyou.”
Thephotographrepresentedatall,willowywoman,nolongerinherfirstyouth,butwithacharmingfranksmileandlovelyeyes.
“Now,Mr.Stavansson,”saidTommy,“thereisnothingyouhaveomittedtotellme?”
“Nothingwhatever.”
“Nodetail,howeversmall?”
“Idon’tthinkso.”
Tommysighed.
“Thatmakesthetaskharder,”heobserved.“Youmustoftenhavenoticed,Mr.Stavansson,inreadingofcrime,howonesmalldetailisallthegreatdetectiveneedstosethimonthetrack.Imaysaythatthiscasepresentssomeunusualfeatures.Ihave,Ithink,partiallysolveditalready,buttimewillshow.”
Hepickedupaviolinwhichlayonthetableanddrewthebowonceortwiceacrossthestrings.Tuppencegroundherteeth,andeventheexplorerblenched.Theperformerlaidtheinstrumentdownagain.
“AfewchordsfromMosgovskensky,”hemurmured.“Leavemeyouraddress,Mr.Stavansson,andIwillreportprogresstoyou.”
Asthevisitorlefttheoffice,Tuppencegrabbedtheviolin,andputtingitinthecupboardturnedthekeyinthelock.
“IfyoumustbeSherlockHolmes,”sheobserved,“I’llgetyouanicelittlesyringeandabottlelabelledcocaine,butforGod’ssakeleavethatviolinalone.Ifthatniceexplorermanhadn’tbeenassimpleasachild,he’dhaveseenthroughyou.AreyougoingonwiththeSherlockHolmestouch?”
“IflattermyselfthatIhavecarrieditthroughverywellsofar,”saidTommywithsomecomplacence.“Thedeductionsweregood,weren’tthey?Ihadtoriskthetaxi.Afterall,it’stheonlysensiblewayofgettingtothisplace.”
“It’sluckyIhadjustreadthebitabouthisengagementinthismorning’sDailyMirror,”remarkedTuppence.
“Yes,thatlookedwellfortheefficiencyofBlunt’sBrilliantDetectives.ThisisdecidedlyaSherlockHolmescase.EvenyoucannothavefailedtonoticethesimilaritybetweenitandthedisappearanceofLadyFrancesCarfax.”
“DoyouexpecttofindMrs.LeighGordon’sbodyinacoffin?”
“Logically,historyshouldrepeatitself.Actually—well,whatdoyouthink?”
“Well,”saidTuppence.“Themostobviousexplanationseemstobethatforsomereasonorother,Hermy,ashecallsher,isafraidtomeetherfiancé,andthatLadySusanisbackingherup.Infact,toputitbluntly,she’scomeacropperofsomekind,andhasgotthewindupaboutit.”
“Thatoccurredtomealso,”saidTommy.“ButIthoughtwe’dbettermakeprettycertainbeforesuggestingthatexplanationtoamanlikeStavansson.WhataboutarundowntoMaldon,oldthing?Anditwoulddonoharmtotakesomegolfclubswithus.”
Tuppenceagreeing,theInternationalDetectiveAgencywasleftinthechargeofAlbert.
Maldon,thoughawell-knownresidentialplace,didnotcoveralargearea.TommyandTuppence,makingeverypossibleinquirythatingenuitycouldsuggest,neverthelessdrewacompleteblank.ItwasastheywerereturningtoLondonthatabrilliantideaoccurredtoTuppence
“Tommy,whydidtheyputMaldon,Surrey,onthetelegram?”
“BecauseMaldonisinSurrey,idiot.”
“Idiotyourself—Idon’tmeanthat.Ifyougetatelegramfrom—Hastings,say,orTorquay,theydon’tputthecountyafterit.ButfromRichmond,theydoputRichmond,Surrey.That’sbecausetherearetwoRichmonds.”
Tommy,whowasdriving,slowedup.
“Tuppence,”hesaidaffectionately,“yourideaisnotsodusty.Letusmakeinquiriesatyonderpostoffice.”
Theydrewupbeforeasmallbuildinginthemiddleofavillagestreet.AveryfewminutessufficedtoelicittheinformationthatthereweretwoMaldons.Maldon,Surrey,andMaldon,Sussex,thelatter,atinyhamletbutpossessedofatelegraphoffice.
“That’sit,”saidTuppenceexcitedly.“StavanssonknewMaldonwasinSurrey,sohehardlylookedatthewordbeginningwithSafterMaldon.”
“Tomorrow,”saidTommy,“we’llhavealookatMaldon,Sussex.”
Maldon,Sussex,wasaverydifferentpropositiontoitsSurreynamesake.Itwasfourmilesfromarailwaystation,possessedtwopublichouses,twosmallshops,apostandtelegraphofficecombinedwithasweetandpicturepostcardbusiness,andaboutsevensmallcottages.TuppencetookontheshopswhilstTommybetookhimselftotheCockandSparrow.Theymethalfanhourlater.
“Well?”saidTuppence.
“Quitegoodbeer,”saidTommy,“butnoinformation.”
“You’dbettertrytheKing’sHead,”saidTuppence.“I’mgoingbacktothepostoffice.There’sasouroldwomanthere,butIheardthemyelltoherthatdinnerwasready.”
Shereturnedtotheplaceandbeganexaminingpostcards.Afresh-facedgirl,stillmunching,cameoutofthebackroom.
“I’dlikethese,please,”saidTuppence.“AnddoyoumindwaitingwhilstIjustlookoverthesecomicones?”
Shesortedthroughapacket,talkingasshedidso.
“I’meversodisappointedyoucouldn’ttellmemysister’saddress.She’sstayingnearhereandI’velostherletter.LeighGordon,hernameis.”
Thegirlshookherhead.
“Idon’trememberit.Andwedon’tgetmanylettersthroughhereeither—soIprobablyshouldifI’dseenitonaletter.ApartfromtheGrange,thereisn’tmanybighousesroundabout.”
“WhatistheGrange?”askedTuppence.“Whodoesitbelongto?”
“Dr.Horristonhasit.It’sturnedintoanursinghomenow.Nervecasesmostly,Ibelieve.Ladiesthatcomedownforrestcures,andallthatsortofthing.Well,it’squietenoughdownhere,heavenknows.”Shegiggled.
Tuppencehastilyselectedafewcardsandpaidforthem.
“That’sDoctorHorriston’scarcomingalongnow,”exclaimedthegirl.
Tuppencehurriedtotheshopdoor.Asmalltwo-seaterwaspassing.Atthewheelwasatalldarkmanwithaneatblackbeardandapowerfulunpleasantface.Thecarwentstraightondownthestreet.TuppencesawTommycrossingtheroadtowardsher.
“Tommy,IbelieveI’vegotit.DoctorHorriston’snursinghome.”
“IheardaboutitattheKing’sHead,andIthoughttheremightbesomethinginit.Butifshe’shadanervousbreakdownoranythingofthatsort,herauntandherfriendswouldknowaboutitsurely.”
“Ye-es.Ididn’tmeanthat.Tommy,didyouseethatmaninthetwo-seater?”
“Unpleasant-lookingbrute,yes.”
“ThatwasDoctorHorriston.”
Tommywhistled.
“Shiftylookingbeggar.Whatdoyousayaboutit,Tuppence?ShallwegoandhavealookattheGrange?”
Theyfoundtheplaceatlast,abigramblinghouse,surroundedbydesertedgrounds,withaswiftmillstreamrunningbehindthehouse.
“Dismalsortofabode,”saidTommy.“Itgivesmethecreeps,Tuppence.Youknow,I’veafeelingthisisgoingtoturnoutafarmoreseriousmatterthanwethoughtatfirst.”
“Oh,don’t.Ifonlyweareintime.Thatwoman’sinsomeawfuldanger;Ifeelitinmybones.”
“Don’tletyourimaginationrunawaywithyou.”
“Ican’thelpit.Imistrustthatman.Whatshallwedo?IthinkitwouldbeagoodplanifIwentandrangthebellalonefirstandaskedboldlyforMrs.LeighGordonjusttoseewhatanswerIget.Because,afterall,itmaybeperfectlyfairandaboveboard.”
Tuppencecarriedoutherplan.Thedoorwasopenedalmostimmediatelybyamanservantwithanimpassiveface.
“IwanttoseeMrs.LeighGordon,ifsheiswellenoughtoseeme.”
Shefanciedthattherewasamomentaryflickeroftheman’seyelashes,butheansweredreadilyenough.
“Thereisnooneofthatnamehere,madam.”
“Oh,surely.ThisisDoctorHorriston’splace,TheGrange,isitnot?”
“Yes,madam,butthereisnobodyofthenameofMrs.LeighGordonhere.”
Baffled,TuppencewasforcedtowithdrawandholdafurtherconsultationwithTommyoutsidethegate.
“Perhapshewasspeakingthetruth.Afterall,wedon’tknow.”
“Hewasn’t.Hewaslying.I’msureofit.”
“Waituntilthedoctorcomesback,”saidTommy.“ThenI’llpassmyselfoffasajournalistanxioustodiscusshisnewsystemofrestcurewithhim.Thatwillgivemeachanceofgettinginsideandstudyingthegeographyoftheplace.”
Thedoctorreturnedabouthalfanhourlater.Tommygavehimaboutfiveminutes,thenheinturnmarcheduptothefrontdoor.Buthetooreturnedbaffled.
“Thedoctorwasengagedandcouldn’tbedisturbed.Andheneverseesjournalists.Tuppence,you’reright.There’ssomethingfishyaboutthisplace.It’sideallysituated—milesfromanywhere.Anymortalthingcouldgoonhere,andnoonewouldeverknow.”
“Comeon,”saidTuppence,withdetermination.
“Whatareyougoingtodo?”
“I’mgoingtoclimboverthewallandseeifIcan’tgetuptothehousequietlywithoutbeingseen.”
“Right.I’mwithyou.”
Thegardenwassomewhatovergrownandaffordedamultitudeofcover.TommyandTuppencemanagedtoreachthebackofthehouseunobserved.
Heretherewasawideterracewithsomecrumblingstepsleadingdownfromit.Inthemiddlesomefrenchwindowsopenedontotheterrace,buttheydarednotstepoutintotheopen,andthewindowswheretheywerecrouchingweretoohighforthemtobeabletolookin.Itdidnotseemasthoughtheirreconnaissancewouldbemuchuse,whensuddenlyTuppencetightenedhergraspofTommy’sarm.
Someonewasspeakingintheroomclosetothem.Thewindowwasopenandthefragmentofconversationcameclearlytotheirears.
“Comein,comein,andshutthedoor,”saidaman’svoiceirritably.“Aladycameaboutanhourago,yousaid,andaskedforMrs.LeighGordon?”
Tuppencerecognisedtheansweringvoiceasthatoftheimpassivemanservant.
“Yes,sir.”
“Yousaidshewasn’there,ofcourse?”
“Ofcourse,sir.”
“Andnowthisjournalistfellow,”fumedtheother.
Hecamesuddenlytothewindow,throwingupthesash,andthetwooutside,peeringthroughascreenofbushes,recognisedDr.Horriston.
“It’sthewomanImindmostabout,”continuedthedoctor.“Whatdidshelooklike?”
“Young,good-looking,andverysmartlydressed,sir.”
TommynudgedTuppenceintheribs.
“Exactly,”saidthedoctorbetweenhisteeth,“asIfeared.SomefriendoftheLeighGordonwoman’s.It’sgettingverydifficult.Ishallhavetotakesteps—”
Heleftthesentenceunfinished.TommyandTuppenceheardthedoorclose.Therewassilence.
GingerlyTommyledtheretreat.Whentheyhadreachedalittleclearingnotfaraway,butoutofearshotfromthehouse,hespoke.
“Tuppence,oldthing,thisisgettingserious.Theymeanmischief.IthinkweoughttogetbacktotownatonceandseeStavansson.”
TohissurpriseTuppenceshookherhead
“Wemuststaydownhere.Didn’tyouhearhimsayhewasgoingtotakesteps—Thatmightmeananything.”
“Theworstofitiswe’vehardlygotacasetogotothepoliceon.”
“Listen,Tommy.WhynotringupStavanssonfromthevillage?I’llstayaroundhere.”
“Perhapsthatisthebestplan,”agreedherhusband.“ButIsay—Tuppence—”
“Well?”
“Takecareofyourself—won’tyou?”
“OfcourseIshall,yousillyoldthing.Cutalong.”
ItwassometwohourslaterthatTommyreturned.HefoundTuppenceawaitinghimnearthegate.
“Well?”
“Icouldn’tgetontoStavansson.ThenItriedLadySusan.Shewasouttoo.ThenIthoughtofringingupoldBrady.IaskedhimtolookupHorristonintheMedicalDirectoryorwhateverthethingcallsitself.”
“Well,whatdidDr.Bradysay?”
“Oh,heknewthenameatonce.Horristonwasonceabonafidedoctor,buthecameacropperofsomekind.Bradycalledhimamostunscrupulousquack,andsaidhe,personally,wouldn’tbesurprisedatanything.Thequestionis,whatarewetodonow?”
“Wemuststayhere,”saidTuppenceinstantly.“I’veafeelingtheymeansomethingtohappentonight.Bytheway,agardenerhasbeenclippingivyroundthehouse.Tommy,Isawwhereheputtheladder.”
“Goodforyou,Tuppence,”saidherhusbandappreciatively.“Thentonight—”
“Assoonasit’sdark—”
“Weshallsee—”
“Whatweshallsee.”
TommytookhisturnatwatchingthehousewhilstTuppencewenttothevillageandhadsomefood.
Thenshereturnedandtheytookupthevigiltogether.Atnineo’clocktheydecidedthatitwasdarkenoughtocommenceoperations.Theywerenowabletocircleroundthehouseinperfectfreedom.SuddenlyTuppenceclutchedTommybythearm.
“Listen.”
Thesoundshehadheardcameagain,bornefaintlyonthenightair.Itwasthemoanofawomaninpain.Tuppencepointedupwardtoawindowonthefirstfloor.
“Itcamefromthatroom,”shewhispered.
Againthatlowmoanrentthestillnessofthenight.
Thetwolistenersdecidedtoputtheiroriginalplanintoaction.Tuppenceledthewaytowhereshehadseenthegardenerputtheladder.Betweenthemtheycarriedittothesideofthehousefromwhichtheyhadheardthemoaning.Alltheblindsofthegroundfloorroomsweredrawn,butthisparticularwindowupstairswasunshuttered.
Tommyputtheladderasnoiselesslyaspossibleagainstthesideofthehouse.
“I’llgoup,”whisperedTuppence.“Youstaybelow.Idon’tmindclimbingladdersandyoucansteadyitbetterthanIcould.Andincasethedoctorshouldcomeroundthecorneryou’dbeabletodealwithhimandIshouldn’t.”
NimblyTuppenceswarmeduptheladderandraisedherheadcautiouslytolookinatthewindow.Thensheduckeditswiftly,butafteraminuteortwobroughtitveryslowlyupagain.Shestayedthereforaboutfiveminutes.Thenshedescendedagain.
“It’sher,”shesaidbreathlesslyandungrammatically.“But,oh,Tommy,it’shorrible.She’slyingthereinbed,moaning,andturningtoandfro—andjustasIgotthereawomandressedasanursecamein.Shebentoverherandinjectedsomethinginherarmandthenwentawayagain.Whatshallwedo?”
“Issheconscious?”
“Ithinkso.I’malmostsuresheis.Ifancyshemaybestrappedtothebed.I’mgoingupagain,andifIcanI’mgoingtogetintothatroom.”
“Isay,Tuppence—”
“IfI’minanysortofdanger,I’llyellforyou.Solong.”
AvoidingfurtherargumentTuppencehurrieduptheladderagain.Tommysawhertrythewindow,thennoiselesslypushupthesash.Anothersecondandshehaddisappearedinside.
AndnowanagonisingtimecameforTommy.Hecouldhearnothingatfirst.TuppenceandMrs.LeighGordonmustbetalkinginwhispersiftheyweretalkingatall.Presentlyhedidhearalowmurmurofvoicesanddrewabreathofrelief.Butsuddenlythevoicesstopped.Deadsilence.
Tommystrainedhisears.Nothing.Whatcouldtheybedoing?
Suddenlyahandfellonhisshoulder.
“Comeon,”saidTuppence’svoiceoutofthedarkness.
“Tuppence!Howdidyougethere?”
“Throughthefrontdoor.Let’sgetoutofthis.”
“Getoutofthis?”
“That’swhatIsaid.”
“But—Mrs.LeighGordon?”
InatoneofindescribablebitternessTuppencereplied:
“Gettingthin!”
Tommylookedather,suspectingirony.
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“WhatIsay.Gettingthin.Slinkiness.Reductionofweight.Didn’tyouhearStavanssonsayhehatedfatwomen?Inthetwoyearshe’sbeenaway,hisHermyhasputonweight.GotapanicwhensheknewhewascomingbackandrushedofftodothisnewtreatmentofDr.Horriston’s.It’sinjectionsofsomesort,andhemakesadeadlysecretofit,andchargesthroughthenose.Idaresayheisaquack—buthe’sadamnedsuccessfulone!Stavanssoncomeshomeafortnighttoosoon,whenshe’sonlybeginningthetreatment.LadySusanhasbeensworntosecrecyandplaysup.Andwecomedownhereandmakeblitheringidiotsofourselves!”
Tommydrewadeepbreath.
“Ibelieve,Watson,”hesaidwithdignity,“thatthereisaverygoodconcertattheQueen’sHalltomorrow.Weshallbeinplentyoftimeforit.Andyouwillobligemebynotplacingthiscaseuponyourrecords.Ithasabsolutelynodistinctivefeatures.”
Eight
BLINDMAN’SBUFF
“Right,”saidTommy,andreplacedthereceiveronitshook.
ThenheturnedtoTuppence.
“ThatwastheChief.Seemstohavegotthewindupaboutus.Itappearsthatthepartieswe’reafterhavegotwisetothefactthatI’mnotthegenuineMr.TheodoreBlunt.We’retoexpectexcitementsatanyminute.TheChiefbegsyouasafavourtogohomeandstayathome,andnotmixyourselfupinitanymore.Apparentlythehornet’snestwe’vestirredupisbiggerthananyoneimagined.”
“Allthataboutmygoinghomeisnonsense,”saidTuppencedecidedly.“WhoisgoingtolookafteryouifIgohome?Besides,Ilikeexcitement.Businesshasn’tbeenverybriskjustlately.”
“Well,onecan’thavemurdersandrobberieseveryday,”saidTommy.“Bereasonable.Now,myideaisthis.Whenbusinessisslack,weoughttodoacertainamountofhomeexerciseseveryday.”
“Lieonourbacksandwaveourfeetintheair?Thatsortofthing?”
“Don’tbesoliteralinyourinterpretation.WhenIsayexercises,Imeanexercisesinthedetectiveart.Reproductionsofthegreatmasters.Forinstance—”
FromthedrawerbesidehimTommytookoutaformidabledarkgreeneyeshade,coveringbotheyes.Thisheadjustedwithsomecare.Thenhedrewawatchfromhispocket.
“Ibroketheglassthismorning,”heremarked.“Thatpavedthewayforitsbeingthecrystallesswatchwhichmysensitivefingerstouchsolightly.”
“Becareful,”saidTuppence.“Younearlyhadtheshorthandoffthen.”
“Givemeyourhand,”saidTommy.Heheldit,onefingerfeelingforthepulse.“Ah!thekeyboardofsilence.Thiswomanhasnotgotheartdisease.”
“Isuppose,”saidTuppence,“thatyouareThornleyColton?”
“Justso,”saidTommy.“TheblindProblemist.Andyou’rethingummybob,theblack-haired,apple-cheekedsecretary—”
“Thebundleofbabyclothespickeduponthebanksoftheriver,”finishedTuppence.
“AndAlbertistheFee,aliasShrimp.”
“Wemustteachhimtosay,‘Gee,’”saidTuppence.“Andhisvoiceisn’tshrill.It’sdreadfullyhoarse.”
“Againstthewallbythedoor,”saidTommy,“youperceivetheslimhollowcanewhichheldinmysensitivehandtellsmesomuch.”
Heroseandcannonedintoachair.
“Damn!”saidTommy.“Iforgotthatchairwasthere.”
“Itmustbebeastlytobeblind,”saidTuppencewithfeeling.
“Rather,”agreedTommyheartily.“I’msorrierforallthosepoordevilswholosttheireyesightinthewarthanforanyoneelse.Buttheysaythatwhenyouliveinthedarkyoureallydodevelopspecialsenses.That’swhatIwanttotryandseeifonecouldn’tdo.Itwouldbejollyhandytotrainoneselftobesomegoodinthedark.Now,Tuppence,beagoodSydneyThames.Howmanystepstothatcane?”
Tuppencemadeadesperateguess.
“Threestraight,fiveleft,”shehazarded.
Tommypacedituncertainly,Tuppenceinterruptingwithacryofwarningassherealisedthatthefourthstepleftwouldtakehimslapagainstthewall.
“There’salotinthis,”saidTuppence.“You’venoideahowdifficultitistojudgehowmanystepsareneeded.”
“It’sjollyinteresting,”saidTommy.“CallAlbertin.I’mgoingtoshakehandswithyouboth,andseeifIknowwhichiswhich.”
“Allright,”saidTuppence,“butAlbertmustwashhishandsfirst.They’resuretobestickyfromthosebeastlyaciddropshe’salwayseating.”
Albert,introducedtothegame,wasfullofinterest.
Tommy,thehandshakescompleted,smiledcomplacently.
“Thekeyboardofsilencecannotlie,”hemurmured.“ThefirstwasAlbert,thesecond,you,Tuppence.”
“Wrong!”shriekedTuppence.“Keyboardofsilenceindeed!Youwentbymydressring.AndIputthatonAlbert’sfinger.”
Variousotherexperimentswerecarriedout,withindifferentsuccess.
“Butit’scoming,”declaredTommy.“Onecan’texpecttobeinfalliblestraightaway.Itellyouwhat.It’sjustlunchtime.YouandIwillgototheBlitz,Tuppence.Blindmanandhiskeeper.Somejollyusefultipstobepickedupthere.”
“Isay,Tommy,weshallgetintotrouble.”
“No,weshan’t.Ishallbehavequitelikethelittlegentleman.ButIbetyouthatbytheendofluncheonIshallbestartlingyou.”
Allprotestsbeingthusoverborne,aquarterofanhourlatersawTommyandTuppencecomfortablyensconcedatacornertableintheGoldRoomoftheBlitz.
TommyranhisfingerslightlyovertheMenu.
“Pilaffdehomarandgrilledchickenforme,”hemurmured.
Tuppencealsomadeherselection,andthewaitermovedaway.
“Sofar,sogood,”saidTommy.“Nowforamoreambitiousventure.Whatbeautifullegsthatgirlintheshortskirthas—theonewhohasjustcomein.”
“Howwasthatdone,Thorn?”
“Beautifullegsimpartaparticularvibrationtothefloor,whichisreceivedbymyhollowcane.Or,tobehonest,inabigrestaurantthereisnearlyalwaysagirlwithbeautifullegsstandinginthedoorwaylookingforherfriends,andwithshortskirtsgoingabout,she’dbesuretotakeadvantageofthem.”
Themealproceeded.
“Themantwotablesfromusisaverywealthyprofiteer,Ifancy,”saidTommycarelessly.“Jew,isn’the?”
“Prettygood,”saidTuppenceappreciatively.“Idon’tfollowthatone.”
“Ishan’ttellyouhowit’sdoneeverytime.Itspoilsmyshow.Theheadwaiterisservingchampagnethreetablesofftotheright.Astoutwomaninblackisabouttopassourtable.”
“Tommy,howcanyou—”
“Aha!You’rebeginningtoseewhatIcando.That’sanicegirlinbrownjustgettingupatthetablebehindyou.”
“Snoo!”saidTuppence.“It’sayoungmaningrey.”
“Oh!”saidTommy,momentarilydisconcerted.
Andatthatmomenttwomenwhohadbeensittingatatablenotfaraway,andwhohadbeenwatchingtheyoungpairwithkeeninterest,gotupandcameacrosstothecornertable.
“Excuseme,”saidtheelderofthetwo,atall,well-dressedmanwithaneyeglass,andasmallgreymoustache.“ButyouhavebeenpointedouttomeasMr.TheodoreBlunt.MayIaskifthatisso?”
Tommyhesitatedaminute,feelingsomewhatatadisadvantage.Thenhebowedhishead.
“Thatisso.IamMr.Blunt!”
“Whatanunexpectedpieceofgoodfortune!Mr.Blunt,Iwasgoingtocallatyourofficesafterlunch.Iamintrouble—verygravetrouble.But—excuseme—youhavehadsomeaccidenttoyoureyes?”
“Mydearsir,”saidTommyinamelancholyvoice,“I’mblind—completelyblind.”
“What?”
“Youareastonished.Butsurelyyouhaveheardofblinddetectives?”
“Infiction.Neverinreallife.AndIhavecertainlyneverheardthatyouwereblind.”
“Manypeoplearenotawareofthefact,”murmuredTommy.“Iamwearinganeyeshadetodaytosavemyeyeballsfromglare.Butwithoutit,quiteahostofpeoplehaveneversuspectedmyinfirmity—ifyoucallitthat.Yousee,myeyescannotmisleadme.But,enoughofallthis.Shallwegoatoncetomyoffice,orwillyougivemethefactsofthecasehere?Thelatterwouldbebest,Ithink.”
Awaiterbroughtuptwoextrachairs,andthetwomensatdown.Thesecondmanwhohadnotyetspoken,wasshorter,sturdyinbuild,andverydark.
“Itisamatterofgreatdelicacy,”saidtheoldermandroppinghisvoiceconfidentially.HelookeduncertainlyatTuppence.Mr.Bluntseemedtofeeltheglance.
“Letmeintroducemyconfidentialsecretary,”hesaid.“MissGanges.FoundonthebanksoftheIndianriver—amerebundleofbabyclothes.Verysadhistory.MissGangesismyeyes.Sheaccompaniesmeeverywhere.”
Thestrangeracknowledgedtheintroductionwithabow.
“ThenIcanspeakout.Mr.Blunt,mydaughter,agirlofsixteen,hasbeenabductedundersomewhatpeculiarcircumstances.Idiscoveredthishalfanhourago.ThecircumstancesofthecaseweresuchthatIdarednotcallinthepolice.Instead,Irangupyouroffice.Theytoldmeyouwereouttolunch,butwouldbebackbyhalfpasttwo.Icameinherewithmyfriend,CaptainHarker—”
Theshortmanjerkedhisheadandmutteredsomething.
“Bythegreatestgoodfortuneyouhappenedtobelunchingherealso.Wemustlosenotime.Youmustreturnwithmetomyhouseimmediately.”
Tommydemurredcautiously.
“Icanbewithyouinhalfanhour.Imustreturntomyofficefirst.”
CaptainHarker,turningtoglanceatTuppence,mayhavebeensurprisedtoseeahalfsmilelurkingforamomentatthecornersofhermouth.
“No,no,thatwillnotdo.Youmustreturnwithme.”Thegrey-hairedmantookacardfromhispocketandhandeditacrossthetable.“Thatismyname.”
Tommyfingeredit.
“Myfingersarehardlysensitiveenoughforthat,”hesaidwithasmile,andhandedittoTuppence,whoreadoutinalowvoice:“TheDukeofBlairgowrie.”
Shelookedwithgreatinterestattheirclient.TheDukeofBlairgowriewaswell-knowntobeamosthaughtyandinaccessiblenoblemanwhohadmarriedasawife,thedaughterofaChicagoporkbutcher,manyyearsyoungerthanhimself,andofalivelytemperamentthatauguredillfortheirfuturetogether.Therehadbeenrumoursofdisaccordlately.
“Youwillcomeatonce,Mr.Blunt?”saidtheDuke,withatingeofacerbityinhismanner.
Tommyyieldedtotheinevitable.
“MissGangesandIwillcomewithyou,”hesaidquietly.“Youwillexcusemyjuststoppingtodrinkalargecupofblackcoffee?Theywillserveitimmediately.Iamsubjecttoverydistressingheadaches,theresultofmyeyetrouble,andthecoffeesteadiesmynerves.”
Hecalledawaiterandgavetheorder.ThenhespoketoTuppence.
“MissGanges—IamlunchingheretomorrowwiththeFrenchPrefectofPolice.Justnotedowntheluncheon,andgiveittotheheadwaiterwithinstructionstoreservememyusualtable.IamassistingtheFrenchpoliceinanimportantcase.Thefee”—hepaused—“isconsiderable.Areyouready,MissGanges.”
“Quiteready,”saidTuppence,herstylopoised.
“Wewillstartwiththatspecialsaladofshrimpsthattheyhavehere.Thentofollow—letmesee,tofollow—Yes,OmeletteBlitz,andperhapsacoupleofTournedosàl’Etranger.”
Hepausedandmurmuredapologetically:
“Youwillforgiveme,Ihope.Ah!yes,Souffleensurprise.Thatwillconcludetherepast.Amostinterestingman,theFrenchPrefect.Youknowhim,perhaps?”
Theotherrepliedinthenegative,asTuppenceroseandwenttospeaktotheheadwaiter.Presentlyshereturned,justasthecoffeewasbrought.
Tommydrankalargecupofit,sippingitslowly,thenrose.
“Mycane,MissGanges?Thankyou.Directions,please?”
ItwasamomentofagonyforTuppence.
“Oneright,eighteenstraight.Aboutthefifthstep,thereisawaiterservingthetableonyourleft.”
Swinginghiscanejauntily,Tommysetout.Tuppencekeptclosebesidehim,andendeavouredunobtrusivelytosteerhim.Allwentwelluntiltheywerejustpassingoutthroughthedoorway.Amanenteredratherhurriedly,andbeforeTuppencecouldwarntheblindMr.Blunt,hehadbargedrightintothenewcomer.Explanationsandapologiesensued.
AtthedooroftheBlitz,asmartlandaulettewaswaiting.TheDukehimselfaidedMr.Blunttogetin.
“Yourcarhere,Harker?”heaskedoverhisshoulder.
“Yes.Justroundthecorner.”
“TakeMissGangesinit,willyou.”
Beforeanotherwordcouldbesaid,hehadjumpedinbesideTommy,andthecarrolledsmoothlyaway.
“Averydelicatematter,”murmuredtheDuke.“Icansoonacquaintyouwithallthedetails.”
Tommyraisedhishandtohishead.
“Icanremovemyeyeshadenow,”heobservedpleasantly.“Itwasonlytheglareofartificiallightintherestaurantnecessitateditsuse.”
Buthisarmwasjerkeddownsharply.Atthesametimehefeltsomethinghardandroundbeingpokedbetweenhisribs.
“No,mydearMr.Blunt,”saidtheDuke’svoice—butavoicethatseemedsuddenlydifferent.“Youwillnotremovethateyeshade.Youwillsitperfectlystillandnotmoveinanyway.Youunderstand?Idon’twantthispistolofminetogooff.Yousee,IhappennottobetheDukeofBlairgowrieatall.Iborrowedhisnamefortheoccasion,knowingthatyouwouldnotrefusetoaccompanysuchacelebratedclient.Iamsomethingmuchmoreprosaic—ahammerchantwhohaslosthiswife.”
Hefeltthestarttheothergave.
“Thattellsyousomething,”helaughed.“Mydearyoungman,youhavebeenincrediblyfoolish.I’mafraid—I’mverymuchafraidthatyouractivitieswillbecurtailedinfuture.”
Hespokethelastwordswithasinisterrelish.
Tommysatmotionless.Hedidnotreplytotheother’staunts.
Presentlythecarslackeneditspaceanddrewup.
“Justaminute,”saidthepseudoDuke.HetwistedahandkerchiefdeftlyintoTommy’smouth,anddrewuphisscarfoverit.
“Incaseyoushouldbefoolishenoughtothinkofcallingforhelp,”heexplainedsuavely.
Thedoorofthecaropenedandthechauffeurstoodready.HeandhismastertookTommybetweenthemandpropelledhimrapidlyupsomestepsandinatthedoorofahouse.
Thedoorclosedbehindthem.Therewasarichorientalsmellintheair.Tommy’sfeetsankdeepintovelvetpile.Hewaspropelledinthesamefashionupaflightofstairsandintoaroomwhichhejudgedtobeatthebackofthehouse.Herethetwomenboundhishandstogether.Thechauffeurwentoutagain,andtheotherremovedthegag.
“Youmayspeakfreelynow,”heannouncedpleasantly.“Whathaveyoutosayforyourself,youngman?”
Tommyclearedhisthroatandeasedtheachingcornersofhismouth.
“Ihopeyouhaven’tlostmyhollowcane,”hesaidmildly.“Itcostmealottohavethatmade.”
“Youhavenerve,”saidtheother,afteraminute’spause.“Orelseyouarejustafool.Don’tyouunderstandthatIhavegotyou—gotyouinthehollowofmyhand?Thatyou’reabsolutelyinmypower?Thatnoonewhoknowsyouiseverlikelytoseeyouagain.”
“Can’tyoucutoutthemelodrama?”askedTommyplaintively.“HaveIgottosay,‘Youvillain,I’llfoilyouyet?’Thatsortofthingissoverymuchoutofdate.”
“Whataboutthegirl?”saidtheother,watchinghim.“Doesn’tthatmoveyou?”
“Puttingtwoandtwotogetherduringmyenforcedsilencejustnow,”saidTommy.“IhavecometotheinevitableconclusionthatthatchattyladHarkerisanotherofthedoersofdesperatedeeds,andthatthereforemyunfortunatesecretarywillshortlyjointhislittleteaparty.”
“Rightastoonepoint,butwrongontheother.Mrs.Beresford—yousee,Iknowallaboutyou—Mrs.Beresfordwillnotbebroughthere.ThatisalittleprecautionItook.Itoccurredtomethatjustprobablyyourfriendsinhighplacesmightbekeepingyoushadowed.Inthatcase,bydividingthepursuit,youcouldnotbothbetrailed.Ishouldstillkeeponeinmyhands.Iamwaitingnow—”
Hebrokeoffasthedooropened.Thechauffeurspoke.
“We’venotbeenfollowed,sir.It’sallclear.”
“Good.Youcango,Gregory.”
Thedoorclosedagain.
“Sofar,sogood,”saidthe“Duke.”“Andnowwhatarewetodowithyou,Mr.BeresfordBlunt?”
“Iwishyou’dtakethisconfoundedeyeshadeoffme,”saidTommy.
“Ithinknot.Withiton,youaretrulyblind—withoutityouwouldseeaswellasIdo—andthatwouldnotsuitmylittleplan.ForIhaveaplan.Youarefondofsensationalfiction,Mr.Blunt.Thislittlegamethatyouandyourwifewereplayingtodayprovesthat.NowI,too,havearrangedalittlegame—somethingratheringenious,asIamsureyouwilladmitwhenIexplainittoyou
“Yousee,thisflooronwhichyouarestandingismadeofmetal,andhereandthereonitssurfacearelittleprojections.Itouchaswitch—so.”Asharpclicksounded.“Nowtheelectriccurrentisswitchedon.Totreadononeofthoselittleknobsnowmeans—death!Youunderstand?Ifyoucouldsee…butyoucannotsee.Youareinthedark.Thatisthegame—Blindman’sBuffwithdeath.Ifyoucanreachthedoorinsafety—freedom!ButIthinkthatlongbeforeyoureachityouwillhavetroddenononeofthedangerspots.Andthatwillbeveryamusing—forme!”
HecameforwardandunboundTommy’shands.Thenhehandedhimhiscanewithalittleironicalbow.
“TheblindProblemist.Letusseeifhewillsolvethisproblem.Ishallstandherewithmypistolready.Ifyouraiseyourhandstoyourheadtoremovethateyeshade,Ishoot.Isthatclear?”
“Perfectlyclear,”saidTommy.Hewasratherpale,butdetermined.“Ihaven’tadog’schance,Isuppose?”
“Oh!that—”theothershruggedhisshoulders.
“Damnedingeniousdevil,aren’tyou?”saidTommy.“Butyou’veforgottenonething.MayIlightacigarettebytheway?Mypoorlittleheart’sgoingpit-a-pat.”
“Youmaylightacigarette—butnotricks.Iamwatchingyou,remember,withthepistolready.”
“I’mnotaperformingdog,”saidTommy.“Idon’tdotricks.”Heextractedacigarettefromhiscase,thenfeltforamatchbox.“It’sallright.I’mnotfeelingforarevolver.ButyouknowwellenoughthatI’mnotarmed.Allthesame,asIsaidbefore,you’veforgottenonething.”
“Whatisthat?”
Tommytookamatchfromthebox,andhelditreadytostrike.
“I’mblindandyoucansee.That’sadmitted.Theadvantageiswithyou.Butsupposingwewerebothinthedark—eh?Where’syouradvantagethen?”
Hestruckthematch.
“Thinkingofshootingattheswitchofthelights?Plungingtheroomintodarkness?Itcan’tbedone.”
“Justso,”saidTommy.“Ican’tgiveyoudarkness.Butextremesmeet,youknow.Whataboutlight?”
Ashespoke,hetouchedthematchtosomethingheheldinhishand,andthrewitdownuponthetable.
Ablindingglarefilledtheroom.
Justforaminute,blindedbytheintensewhitelight,the“Duke”blinkedandfellback,hispistolhandlowered.
Heopenedhiseyesagaintofeelsomethingsharpprickinghisbreast.
“Dropthatpistol,”orderedTommy.“Dropitquick.Iagreewithyouthatahollowcaneisaprettyrottenaffair.SoIdidn’tgetone.Agoodswordstickisaveryusefulweapon,though.Don’tyouthinkso?Almostasusefulasmagnesiumwire.Dropthatpistol.”
Obedienttothenecessityofthatsharppoint,themandroppedit.Then,withalaugh,hesprangback.
“ButIstillhavetheadvantage,”hemocked.“ForIcansee,andyoucannot.”
“That’swhereyou’rewrong,”saidTommy.“Icanseeperfectly.Theeyeshade’safake.IwasgoingtoputoneoveronTuppence.Makeoneortwobloomerstobeginwith,andthenputinsomeperfectlymarvellousstufftowardstheendoflunch.Why,blessyou,Icouldhavewalkedtothedoorandavoidedalltheknobswithperfectease.ButIdidn’ttrustyoutoplayasportinggame.You’dneverhaveletmegetoutofthisalive.Carefulnow—”
For,withhisfacedistortedwithrage,the“Duke”sprangforward,forgettinginhisfurytolookwhereheputhisfeet.
Therewasasuddenbluecrackleofflame,andheswayedforaminute,thenfelllikealog.Afaintodourofsingedfleshfilledtheroom,minglingwithastrongersmellofozone.”
“Whew,”saidTommy.
Hewipedhisface.
Then,movinggingerly,andwitheveryprecaution,hereachedthewall,andtouchedtheswitchhehadseentheothermanipulate.
Hecrossedtheroomtothedoor,openeditcarefully,andlookedout.Therewasnooneabout.Hewentdownthestairsandoutthroughthefrontdoor.
Safeinthestreet,helookedupatthehousewithashudder,notingthenumber.Thenhehurriedtothenearesttelephonebox.
Therewasamomentofagonisinganxiety,andthenawell-knownvoicespoke.
“Tuppence,thankgoodness!”
“Yes,I’mallright.Igotallyourpoints.TheFee,Shrimp,CometotheBlitzandfollowthetwostrangers.Albertgotthereintime,andwhenwewentoffinseparatecars,followedmeinataxi,sawwheretheytookme,andrangupthepolice.”
“Albert’sagoodlad,”saidTommy.“Chivalrous.Iwasprettysurehe’dchoosetofollowyou.ButI’vebeenworried,allthesame.I’vegotlotstotellyou.I’mcomingstraightbacknow.AndthefirstthingIshalldowhenIgetbackistowriteathumpingbigchequeforSt.Dunstan’s.Lord,itmustbeawfulnottobeabletosee.”
Nine
THEMANINTHEMIST
Tommywasnotpleasedwithlife.Blunt’sBrilliantDetectiveshadmetwithareverse,distressingtotheirprideifnottotheirpockets.CalledinprofessionallytoelucidatethemysteryofastolenpearlnecklaceatAdlingtonHall,Adlington,Blunt’sBrilliantDetectiveshadfailedtomakegood.WhilstTommy,hardonthetrackofagamblingCountess,wastrackingherinthedisguiseofaRomanCatholicpriest,andTuppencewas“gettingoff”withthenephewofthehouseonthegolflinks,thelocalInspectorofPolicehadunemotionallyarrestedthesecondfootmanwhoprovedtobeathiefwell-knownatheadquarters,andwhoadmittedhisguiltwithoutmakinganybonesaboutit.
TommyandTuppence,therefore,hadwithdrawnwithwhatdignitytheycouldmuster,andwereatthepresentmomentsolacingthemselveswithcocktailsattheGrandAdlingtonHotel.Tommystillworehisclericaldisguise.
“HardlyaFatherBrowntouch,that,”heremarkedgloomily.“AndyetI’vegotjusttherightkindofumbrella.”
“Itwasn’taFatherBrownproblem,”saidTuppence.“Oneneedsacertainatmospherefromthestart.Onemustbedoingsomethingquiteordinary,andthenbizarrethingsbegintohappen.That’stheidea.”
“Unfortunately,”saidTommy,“wehavetoreturntotown.Perhapssomethingbizarrewillhappenonthewaytothestation.”
Heraisedtheglasshewasholdingtohislips,buttheliquidinitwassuddenlyspilled,asaheavyhandsmackedhimontheshoulder,andavoicetomatchthehandboomedoutwordsofgreeting.
“Uponmysoul,itis!OldTommy!AndMrs.Tommytoo.Wheredidyoublowinfrom?Haven’tseenorheardanythingofyouforyears.”
“Why,it’sBulger!”saidTommy,settingdownwhatwasleftofthecocktail,andturningtolookattheintruder,abigsquare-shoulderedmanofthirtyyearsofage,witharoundredbeamingface,anddressedingolfingkit.“GoodoldBulger!”
“ButIsay,oldchap,”saidBulger(whoserealname,bytheway,wasMarvynEstcourt),“Ineverknewyou’dtakenorders.Fancyyouablinkingparson.”
Tuppenceburstoutlaughing,andTommylookedembarrassed.Andthentheysuddenlybecameconsciousofafourthperson
Atall,slendercreature,withverygoldenhairandveryroundblueeyes,almostimpossiblybeautiful,withaneffectofreallyexpensiveblacktoppedbywonderfulermines,andverylargepearlearrings.Shewassmiling.Andhersmilesaidmanythings.Itasserted,forinstance,thatsheknewperfectlywellthatsheherselfwasthethingbestworthlookingat,certainlyinEngland,andpossiblyinthewholeworld.Shewasnotvainaboutitinanyway,butshejustknew,withcertaintyandconfidence,thatitwasso.
BothTommyandTuppencerecognisedherimmediately.TheyhadseenherthreetimesinTheSecretoftheHeart,andanequalnumberoftimesinthatothergreatsuccess,PillarsofFire,andininnumerableotherplays.Therewas,perhaps,nootheractressinEnglandwhohadsofirmaholdontheBritishpublic,asMissGildaGlen.ShewasreportedtobethemostbeautifulwomaninEngland.Itwasalsorumouredthatshewasthestupidest.
“Oldfriendsofmine,MissGlen,”saidEstcourt,withatingeofapologyinhisvoiceforhavingpresumed,evenforamoment,toforgetsucharadiantcreature.“TommyandMrs.Tommy,letmeintroduceyoutoMissGildaGlen.”
Theringofprideinhisvoicewasunmistakable.Bymerelybeingseeninhiscompany,MissGlenhadconferredgreatgloryuponhim.
TheactresswasstaringwithfrankinterestatTommy.
“Areyoureallyapriest?”sheasked.“ARomanCatholicpriest,Imean?BecauseIthoughttheydidn’thavewives.”
Estcourtwentoffinaboomoflaughteragain.
“That’sgood,”heexploded.“Youslydog,Tommy.Gladhehasn’trenouncedyou,Mrs.Tommy,withalltherestofthepompsandvanities.”
GildaGlentooknotthefaintestnoticeofhim.ShecontinuedtostareatTommywithpuzzledeyes.
“Areyouapriest?”shedemanded.
“Veryfewofusarewhatweseemtobe,”saidTommygently.“Myprofessionisnotunlikethatofapriest.Idon’tgiveabsolution—butIlistentoconfessions—I—”
“Don’tyoulistentohim,”interruptedEstcourt.“He’spullingyourleg.”
“Ifyou’renotaclergyman,Idon’tseewhyyou’redresseduplikeone,”shepuzzled.“Thatis,unless—”
“Notacriminalflyingfromjustice,”saidTommy.“Theotherthing.”
“Oh!”shefrowned,andlookedathimwithbeautifulbewilderedeyes.
“Iwonderifshe’llevergetthat,”thoughtTommytohimself.“NotunlessIputitinwordsofonesyllableforher,Ishouldsay.”
Aloudhesaid:
“Knowanythingaboutthetrainsbacktotown,Bulger?We’vegottobepushingforhome.Howfarisittothestation?”
“Tenminutes”walk.Butnohurry.Nexttrainupisthe6:35andit’sonlyabouttwentytosixnow.You’vejustmissedone.”
“Whichwayisittothestationfromhere?”
“Sharptotheleftwhenyouturnoutofthehotel.Then—letmesee—downMorgan’sAvenuewouldbethebestway,wouldn’tit?”
“Morgan’sAvenue?”MissGlenstartedviolently,andstaredathimwithstartledeyes.
“Iknowwhatyou’rethinkingof,”saidEstcourt,laughing.“TheGhost.Morgan’sAvenueisboundedbythecemeteryononeside,andtraditionhasitthatapolicemanwhomethisdeathbyviolencegetsupandwalksonhisoldbeat,upanddownMorgan’sAvenue.Aspookpoliceman!Canyoubeatit?Butlotsofpeoplesweartohavingseenhim.”
“Apoliceman?”saidMissGlen.Sheshiveredalittle.“Buttherearen’treallyanyghosts,arethere?Imean—therearen’tsuchthings?”
Shegotup,foldingherwraptighterroundher.
“Goodbye,”shesaidvaguely.
ShehadignoredTuppencecompletelythroughout,andnowshedidnotevenglanceinherdirection.But,overhershoulder,shethrewonepuzzledquestioningglanceatTommy.
Justasshegottothedoor,sheencounteredatallmanwithgreyhairandapuffyface,whoutteredanexclamationofsurprise.Hishandonherarm,heledherthroughthedoorway,talkinginananimatedfashion.
“Beautifulcreature,isn’tshe?”saidEstcourt.“Brainsofarabbit.Rumourhasitthatshe’sgoingtomarryLordLeconbury.ThatwasLeconburyinthedoorway.”
“Hedoesn’tlookaverynicesortofmantomarry,”remarkedTuppence.
Estcourtshruggedhisshoulders.
“Atitlehasakindofglamourstill,Isuppose,”hesaid.“AndLeconburyisnotanimpoverishedpeerbyanymeans.She’llbeinclover.Nobodyknowswhereshesprangfrom.Prettynearthegutter,Idaresay.There’ssomethingdeucedmysteriousaboutherbeingdownhereanyway.She’snotstayingatthehotel.AndwhenItriedtofindoutwhereshewasstaying,shesnubbedme—snubbedmequitecrudely,intheonlywaysheknows.BlessedifIknowwhatit’sallabout.”
Heglancedathiswatchandutteredanexclamation.
“Imustbeoff.Jollygladtohaveseenyoutwoagain.Wemusthaveabustintowntogethersomenight.Solong.”
Hehurriedaway,andashedidso,apageapproachedwithanoteonasalver.Thenotewasunaddressed.
“Butit’sforyou,sir,”hesaidtoTommy.“FromMissGildaGlen.”
Tommytoreitopenandreaditwithsomecuriosity.Insidewereafewlineswritteninastragglinguntidyhand.
I’mnotsure,butIthinkyoumightbeabletohelpme.Andyou’llbegoingthatwaytothestation.CouldyoubeatTheWhiteHouse,Morgan’sAvenue,attenminutespastsix?Yourssincerely,GildaGlen.
Tommynoddedtothepage,whodeparted,andthenhandedthenotetoTuppence.
“Extraordinary!”saidTuppence.“Isitbecauseshestillthinksyou’reapriest?”
“No,”saidTommythoughtfully.“Ishouldsayit’sbecauseshe’satlasttakeninthatI’mnotone.Hullo!what’sthis?”
“This,”wasayoungmanwithflamingredhair,apugnaciousjaw,andappallinglyshabbyclothes.Hehadwalkedintotheroomandwasnowstridingupanddownmutteringtohimself.
“Hell!”saidthered-hairedman,loudlyandforcibly.“That’swhatIsay—Hell!”
Hedroppedintoachairneartheyoungcoupleandstaredatthemmoodily.
“Damnallwomen,that’swhatIsay,”saidtheyoungman,eyeingTuppenceferociously.“Oh!allright,kickuparowifyoulike.Havemeturnedoutofthehotel.Itwon’tbeforthefirsttime.Whyshouldn’twesaywhatwethink?Whyshouldwegoaboutbottlingupourfeelings,andsmirking,andsayingthingsexactlylikeeveryoneelse.Idon’tfeelpleasantandpolite.Ifeellikegettingholdofsomeoneroundthethroatandgraduallychokingthemtodeath.”
Hepaused.
“Anyparticularperson?”askedTuppence.“Orjustanybody?”
“Oneparticularperson,”saidtheyoungmangrimly.
“Thisisveryinteresting,”saidTuppence.“Won’tyoutellussomemore?”
“Myname’sReilly,”saidthered-hairedman.“JamesReilly.Youmayhaveheardit.IwrotealittlevolumeofPacifistpoems—goodstuff,althoughIsayso.”
“Pacifistpoems?”saidTuppence.
“Yes—whynot?”demandedMr.Reillybelligerently.
“Oh!nothing,”saidTuppencehastily.
“I’mforpeaceallthetime,”saidMr.Reillyfiercely.“ToHellwithwar.Andwomen!Women!Didyouseethatcreaturewhowastrailingaroundherejustnow?GildaGlen,shecallsherself.GildaGlen!God!howI’veworshippedthatwoman.AndI’lltellyouthis—ifshe’sgotaheartatall,it’sonmyside.Shecaredonceforme,andIcouldmakehercareagain.Andifshesellsherselftothatmuckheap,Leconbury—well,Godhelpher.I’dassoonkillherwithmyownhands.”
Andonthis,suddenly,heroseandrushedfromtheroom.
Tommyraisedhiseyebrows.
“Asomewhatexcitablegentleman,”hemurmured.“Well,Tuppence,shallwestart?”
Afinemistwascomingupastheyemergedfromthehotelintothecoolouterair.ObeyingEstcourt’sdirections,theyturnedsharptotheleft,andinafewminutestheycametoaturninglabelledMorgan’sAvenue.
Themisthadincreased.Itwassoftandwhite,andhurriedpasttheminlittleeddyingdrifts.Totheirleftwasthehighwallofthecemetery,ontheirrightarowofsmallhouses.Presentlytheseceased,andahighhedgetooktheirplace.
“Tommy,”saidTuppence.“I’mbeginningtofeeljumpy.Themist—andthesilence.Asthoughweweremilesfromanywhere.”
“Onedoesfeellikethat,”agreedTommy.“Allaloneintheworld.It’stheeffectofthemist,andnotbeingabletoseeaheadofone.”
Tuppencenodded.
“Justourfootstepsechoingonthepavement.What’sthat?”
“What’swhat?”
“IthoughtIheardotherfootstepsbehindus.”
“You’llbeseeingtheghostinaminuteifyouworkyourselfuplikethis,”saidTommykindly.“Don’tbesonervy.Areyouafraidthespookpolicemanwilllayhishandsonyourshoulder?”
Tuppenceemittedashrillsqueal.
“Don’t,Tommy.Nowyou’veputitintomyhead.”
Shecranedherheadbackoverhershoulder,tryingtopeerintothewhiteveilthatwaswrappedallroundthem.
“Theretheyareagain,”shewhispered.“No,they’reinfrontnow.Oh!Tommy,don’tsayyoucan’thearthem?”
“Idohearsomething.Yes,it’sfootstepsbehindus.Somebodyelsewalkingthiswaytocatchthetrain.Iwonder—”
Hestoppedsuddenly,andstoodstill,andTuppencegaveagasp.
Forthecurtainofmistinfrontofthemsuddenlypartedinthemostartificialmanner,andthere,nottwentyfeetaway,agiganticpolicemansuddenlyappeared,asthoughmaterialisedoutofthefog.Oneminutehewasnotthere,thenextminutehewas—soatleastitseemedtotherathersuperheatedimaginationsofthetwowatchers.Thenasthemistrolledbackstillmore,alittlesceneappeared,asthoughsetonastage.
Thebigbluepoliceman,ascarletpillarbox,andontherightoftheroadtheoutlinesofawhitehouse.
“Red,white,andblue,”saidTommy.“It’sdamnedpictorial.Comeon,Tuppence,there’snothingtobeafraidof.”
For,ashehadalreadyseen,thepolicemanwasarealpoliceman.And,moreover,hewasnotnearlysogiganticashehadatfirstseemedloomingupoutofthemist.
Butastheystartedforward,footstepscamefrombehindthem.Amanpassedthem,hurryingalong.Heturnedinatthegateofthewhitehouse,ascendedthesteps,andbeatadeafeningtattooupontheknocker.Hewasadmittedjustastheyreachedthespotwherethepolicemanwasstandingstaringafterhim.
“There’sagentlemanseemstobeinahurry,”commentedthepoliceman.
Hespokeinaslowreflectivevoice,asonewhosethoughtstooksometimetomature.
“He’sthesortofgentlemanalwayswouldbeinahurry,”remarkedTommy.
Thepoliceman’sstare,slowandrathersuspicious,cameroundtorestonhisface.
“Friendofyours?”hedemanded,andtherewasdistinctsuspicionnowinhisvoice.
“No,”saidTommy.“He’snotafriendofmine,butIhappentoknowwhoheis.NameofReilly.”
“Ah!”saidthepoliceman.“Well,I’dbetterbegettingalong.”
“CanyoutellmewheretheWhiteHouseis?”askedTommy.
Theconstablejerkedhisheadsideways.
“Thisisit.Mrs.Honeycott’s.”Hepaused,andadded,evidentlywiththeideaofgivingthemvaluableinformation,“Nervousparty.Alwayssuspectingburglarsisaround.Alwaysaskingmetohavealookaroundtheplace.Middle-agedwomengetlikethat.”
“Middle-aged,eh?”saidTommy.“Doyouhappentoknowifthere’sayoungladystayingthere?”
“Ayounglady,”saidthepoliceman,ruminating.“Ayounglady.No,Ican’tsayIknowanythingaboutthat.”
“Shemayn’tbestayinghere,Tommy,”saidTuppence.“Andanyway,shemayn’tbehereyet.Shecouldonlyhavestartedjustbeforewedid.”
“Ah!”saidthepolicemansuddenly.“NowthatIcallittomind,ayoungladydidgoinatthisgate.IsawherasIwascominguptheroad.Aboutthreeorfourminutesagoitmightbe.”
“Witherminefurson?”askedTuppenceeagerly.
“Shehadsomekindofwhiterabbitroundherthroat,”admittedthepoliceman
Tuppencesmiled.Thepolicemanwentoninthedirectionfromwhichtheyhadjustcome,andtheypreparedtoenterthegateoftheWhiteHouse.
Suddenly,afaint,muffledcrysoundedfrominsidethehouse,andalmostimmediatelyafterwardsthefrontdooropenedandJamesReillycamerushingdownthesteps.Hisfacewaswhiteandtwisted,andhiseyesglaredinfrontofhimunseeingly.Hestaggeredlikeadrunkenman.
HepassedTommyandTuppenceasthoughhedidnotseethem,mutteringtohimselfwithakindofdreadfulrepetition.
“MyGod!MyGod!Oh,myGod!”
Heclutchedatthegatepost,asthoughtosteadyhimself,andthen,asthoughanimatedbysuddenpanic,heracedoffdowntheroadashardashecouldgointheoppositedirectionfromthattakenbythepoliceman.
II
TommyandTuppencestaredateachotherinbewilderment.
“Well,”saidTommy,“something’shappenedinthathousetoscareourfriendReillyprettybadly.”
Tuppencedrewherfingerabsentlyacrossthegatepost.
“Hemusthaveputhishandonsomewetredpaintsomewhere,”shesaididly.
“H’m,”saidTommy.“Ithinkwe’dbettergoinsideratherquickly.Idon’tunderstandthisbusiness.”
Inthedoorwayofthehouseawhite-cappedmaidservantwasstanding,almostspeechlesswithindignation.
“Didyoueverseethelikesofthatnow,Father,”sheburstout,asTommyascendedthesteps.“Thatfellowcomeshere,asksfortheyounglady,rushesupstairswithouthoworbyyourleave.Sheletsoutascreechlikeawildcat—andwhatwonder,poorprettydear,andstraightawayhecomesrushingdownagain,withthewhitefaceonhim,likeonewho’sseenaghost.Whatwillbethemeaningofitall?”
“Whoareyoutalkingwithatthefrontdoor,Ellen?”demandedasharpvoicefromtheinteriorofthehall.
“Here’sMissus,”saidEllen,somewhatunnecessarily.
Shedrewback,andTommyfoundhimselfconfrontingagrey-haired,middle-agedwoman,withfrostyblueeyesimperfectlyconcealedbypince-nez,andasparefigurecladinblackwithbugletrimming
“Mrs.Honeycott?”saidTommy.“IcameheretoseeMissGlen.”
“Mrs.Honeycottgavehimasharpglance,thenwentontoTuppenceandtookineverydetailofherappearance.
“Oh,youdid,didyou?”shesaid.“Well,you’dbettercomeinside.”
Sheledthewayintothehallandalongitintoaroomatthebackofthehouse,facingonthegarden.Itwasafair-sizedroom,butlookedsmallerthanitwas,owingtothelargeamountofchairsandtablescrowdedintoit.Abigfireburnedinthegrate,andachintz-coveredsofastoodatonesideofit.Thewallpaperwasasmallgreystripewithafestoonofrosesroundthetop.Quantitiesofengravingsandoilpaintingscoveredthewalls.
ItwasaroomalmostimpossibletoassociatewiththeexpensivepersonalityofMissGildaGlen.
“Sitdown,”saidMrs.Honeycott.“Tobeginwith,you’llexcusemeifIsayIdon’tholdwiththeRomanCatholicreligion.NeverdidIthinktoseeaRomanCatholicpriestinmyhouse.ButifGilda’sgoneovertotheScarletWoman,it’sonlywhat’stobeexpectedinalifelikehers—andIdaresayitmightbeworse.Shemightn’thaveanyreligionatall.IshouldthinkmoreofRomanCatholicsiftheirpriestsweremarried—Ialwaysspeakmymind.Andtothinkofthoseconvents—quantitiesofbeautifulyounggirlsshutupthere,andnooneknowingwhatbecomesofthem—well,itwon’tbearthinkingabout.”
Mrs.Honeycottcametoafullstop,anddrewadeepbreath.
Withoutenteringuponadefenceofthecelibacyofthepriesthoodortheothercontroversialpointstouchedupon,Tommywentstraighttothepoint.
“Iunderstand,Mrs.Honeycott,thatMissGlenisinthishouse.”
“Sheis.Mindyou,Idon’tapprove.Marriageismarriageandyourhusband’syourhusband.Asyoumakeyourbed,soyoumustlieonit.”
“Idon’tquiteunderstand—”beganTommy,bewildered.
“Ithoughtasmuch.That’sthereasonIbroughtyouinhere.YoucangouptoGildaafterI’vespokenmymind.Shecametome—afteralltheseyears,thinkofit!—andaskedmetohelpher.Wantedmetoseethismanandpersuadehimtoagreetoadivorce.ItoldherstraightoutI’dhavenothingwhatevertodowithit.Divorceissinful.ButIcouldn’trefusemyownsistershelterinmyhouse,couldInow?”
“Yoursister?”exclaimedTommy.
“Yes,Gilda’smysister.Didn’tshetellyou?”
Tommystaredatheropenmouthed.Thethingseemedfantasticallyimpossible.ThenherememberedthattheangelicbeautyofGildaGlenhadbeeninevidenceformanyyears.Hehadbeentakentoseeheractasquiteasmallboy.Yes,itwaspossibleafterall.Butwhatapiquantcontrast.Soitwasfromthislowermiddle-classrespectabilitythatGildaGlenhadsprung.Howwellshehadguardedhersecret!
“Iamnotyetquiteclear,”hesaid.“Yoursisterismarried?”
“Ranawaytobemarriedasagirlofseventeen,”saidMrs.Honeycottsuccinctly.“Somecommonfellowfarbelowherinstation.Andourfatherareverend.Itwasadisgrace.Thensheleftherhusbandandwentonthestage.Playacting!I’veneverbeeninsideatheatreinmylife.Iholdnotruckwithwickedness.Now,afteralltheseyears,shewantstodivorcetheman.Meanstomarrysomebigwig,Isuppose.Butherhusband’sstandingfirm—nottobebulliedandnottobebribed—Iadmirehimforit.”
“Whatishisname?”askedTommysuddenly.
“That’sanextraordinarythingnow,butIcan’tremember!It’snearlytwentyyearsago,youknow,sinceIheardit.Myfatherforbadeittobementioned.AndI’verefusedtodiscussthematterwithGilda.SheknowswhatIthink,andthat’senoughforher.”
“Itwasn’tReilly,wasit?”
“Mighthavebeen.Ireallycan’tsay.It’sgonecleanoutofmyhead.”
“ThemanImeanwasherejustnow.”
“Thatman!Ithoughthewasanescapedlunatic.I’dbeeninthekitchengivingorderstoEllen.I’djustgotbackintothisroom,andwaswonderingwhetherGildahadcomeinyet(shehasalatchkey),whenIheardher.Shehesitatedaminuteortwointhehallandthenwentstraightupstairs.Aboutthreeminuteslaterallthistremendousrat-tattingbegan.Iwentoutintothehall,andjustsawamanrushingupstairs.Thentherewasasortofcryupstairs,andpresentlydownhecameagainandrushedoutlikeamadman.Prettygoingson.”
Tommyrose.
“Mrs.Honeycott,letusgoupstairsatonce.Iamafraid—”
“Whatof?”
“Afraidthatyouhavenoredwetpaintinthehouse.”
Mrs.Honeycottstaredathim.
“OfcourseIhaven’t.”
“ThatiswhatIfeared,”saidTommygravely.“Pleaseletusgotoyoursister’sroomatonce.”
Momentarilysilenced,Mrs.Honeycottledtheway.TheycaughtaglimpseofElleninthehall,backinghastilyintooneoftherooms.
Mrs.Honeycottopenedthefirstdooratthetopofthestairs.TommyandTuppenceenteredclosebehindher.
Suddenlyshegaveagaspandfellback.
Amotionlessfigureinblackanderminelaystretchedonthesofa.Thefacewasuntouched,abeautifulsoullessfacelikeamaturechildasleep.Thewoundwasonthesideofthehead,aheavyblowwithsomebluntinstrumenthadcrushedintheskull.Bloodwasdrippingslowlyontothefloor,butthewounditselfhadlongceasedtobleed….
Tommyexaminedtheprostratefigure,hisfaceverywhite.
“So,”hesaidatlast,“hedidn’tstrangleherafterall.”
“Whatdoyoumean?Who?”criedMrs.Honeycott.“Isshedead?”
“Oh,yes,Mrs.Honeycott,she’sdead.Murdered.Thequestionis—bywhom?Notthatitismuchofaquestion.Funny—forallhisrantingwords,Ididn’tthinkthefellowhadgotitinhim.”
Hepausedaminute,thenturnedtoTuppencewithdecision.
“Willyougooutandgetapoliceman,orringupthepolicestationfromsomewhere?”
Tuppencenodded.Shetoo,wasverywhite.TommyledMrs.Honeycottdownstairsagain.
“Idon’twanttheretobeanymistakeaboutthis,”hesaid.“Doyouknowexactlywhattimeitwaswhenyoursistercamein?”
“Yes,Ido,”saidMrs.Honeycott.“BecauseIwasjustsettingtheclockonfiveminutesasIhavetodoeveryevening.Itlosesjustfiveminutesaday.Itwasexactlyeightminutespastsixbymywatch,andthatneverlosesorgainsasecond.”
Tommynodded.Thatagreedperfectlywiththepoliceman’sstory.Hehadseenthewomanwiththewhitefursgoinatthegate,probablythreeminuteshadelapsedbeforeheandTuppencehadreachedthesamespot.Hehadglancedathisownwatchthenandhadnotedthatitwasjustoneminuteafterthetimeoftheirappointment.
TherewasjustthefaintchancethatsomeonemighthavebeenwaitingforGildaGlenintheroomupstairs.Butifso,hemuststillbehidinginthehouse.NoonebutJamesReillyhadleftit.
Heranupstairsandmadeaquickbutefficientsearchofthepremises.Buttherewasnooneconcealedanywhere.
ThenhespoketoEllen.Afterbreakingthenewstoher,andwaitingforherfirstlamentationsandinvocationstothesaintstohaveexhaustedthemselves,heaskedafewquestions.
HadanyoneelsecometothehousethatafternoonaskingforMissGlen?Noonewhatsoever.Hadsheherselfbeenupstairsatallthatevening?Yesshe’dgoneupatsixo’clockasusualtodrawthecurtains—oritmighthavebeenafewminutesaftersix.Anywayitwasjustbeforethatwildfellowcamebreakingtheknockerdown.She’drundownstairstoanswerthedoor.Andhimablack-heartedmurdererallthetime.
Tommyletitgoatthat.ButhestillfeltacuriouspityforReilly,andunwillingnesstobelievetheworstofhim.AndyettherewasnooneelsewhocouldhavemurderedGildaGlen.Mrs.HoneycottandEllenhadbeentheonlytwopeopleinthehouse.
Heheardvoicesinthehall,andwentouttofindTuppenceandthepolicemanfromthebeatoutside.Thelatterhadproducedanotebook,andaratherbluntpencil,whichhelickedsurreptitiously.Hewentupstairsandsurveyedthevictimstolidly,merelyremarkingthatifhewastotouchanythingtheInspectorwouldgivehimbeans.HelistenedtoallMrs.Honeycott’shystericaloutburstsandconfusedexplanations,andoccasionallyhewrotesomethingdown.Hispresencewascalmingandsoothing.
Tommyfinallygothimaloneforaminuteortwoonthestepsoutsideerehedepartedtotelephoneheadquarters.
“Lookhere,”saidTommy,“yousawthedeceasedturninginatthegate,yousay.Areyousureshewasalone?”
“Oh!shewasaloneallright.Nobodywithher.”
“Andbetweenthattimeandwhenyoumetus,nobodycameoutofthegate?”
“Notasoul.”
“You’dhaveseenthemiftheyhad?”
“OfcourseIshould.Nobodycomeouttillthatwildchapdid.”
Themajestyofthelawmovedportentouslydownthestepsandpausedbythewhitegatepost,whichboretheimprintofahandinred.
“Kindofamateurhemusthavebeen,”hesaidpityingly.“Toleaveathinglikethat.”
Thenheswungoutintotheroad.
III
Itwasthedayafterthecrime.TommyandTuppencewerestillattheGrandHotel,butTommyhadthoughtitprudenttodiscardhisclericaldisguise.
JamesReillyhadbeenapprehended,andwasincustody.Hissolicitor,Mr.Marvell,hadjustfinishedalengthyconversationwithTommyonthesubjectofthecrime.
“IneverwouldhavebelieveditofJamesReilly,”hesaidsimply.“He’salwaysbeenamanofviolentspeech,butthat’sall.”
Tommynodded.
“Ifyoudisperseenergyinspeech,itdoesn’tleaveyoutoomuchoverforaction.WhatIrealiseisthatIshallbeoneoftheprincipalwitnessesagainsthim.Thatconversationhehadwithmejustbeforethecrimewasparticularlydamning.And,inspiteofeverything,Iliketheman,andiftherewasanyoneelsetosuspect,Ishouldbelievehimtobeinnocent.What’shisownstory?”
Thesolicitorpurseduphislips.
“Hedeclaresthathefoundherlyingtheredead.Butthat’simpossible,ofcourse.He’susingthefirstliethatcomesintohishead.”
“Because,ifhehappenedtobespeakingthetruth,itwouldmeanthatthegarrulousMrs.Honeycottcommittedthecrime—andthatisfantastic.Yes,hemusthavedoneit.”
“Themaidheardhercryout,remember.”
“Themaid—yes—”
Tommywassilentamoment.Thenhesaidthoughtfully.
“Whatcredulouscreaturesweare,really.Webelieveevidenceasthoughitweregospeltruth.Andwhatisitreally?Onlytheimpressionconveyedtothemindbythesenses—andsupposethey’rethewrongimpressions?”
Thelawyershruggedhisshoulders.
“Oh!weallknowthatthereareunreliablewitnesses,witnesseswhoremembermoreandmoreastimegoeson,withnorealintentiontodeceive.”
“Idon’tmeanonlythat.Imeanallofus—wesaythingsthataren’treallyso,andneverknowthatwe’vedoneso.Forinstance,bothyouandI,withoutdoubt,havesaidsometimeorother,‘There’sthepost,’whenwhatwereallymeantwasthatwe’dheardadoubleknockandtherattleoftheletter-box.Ninetimesoutoftenwe’dberight,anditwouldbethepost,butjustpossiblythetenthtimeitmightbeonlyalittleurchinplayingajokeonus.SeewhatImean?”
“Ye-es,”saidMr.Marvellslowly.“ButIdon’tseewhatyou’redrivingat?”
“Don’tyou?I’mnotsosurethatIdomyself.ButI’mbeginningtosee.It’slikethestick,Tuppence.Youremember?Oneendofitpointedoneway—buttheotherendalwayspointstheoppositeway.Itdependswhetheryougetholdofitbytherightend.Doorsopen—buttheyalsoshut.Peoplegoupstairs,buttheyalsogodownstairs.Boxesshut,buttheyalsoopen.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”demandedTuppence.
“It’ssoridiculouslyeasy,really,”saidTommy.“Andyetit’sonlyjustcometome.Howdoyouknowwhenaperson’scomeintothehouse.Youhearthedooropenandbangto,andifyou’reexpectinganyonetocomein,youwillbequitesureitisthem.Butitmightjustaseasilybesomeonegoingout.”
“ButMissGlendidn’tgoout?”
“No,Iknowshedidn’t.Butsomeoneelsedid—themurderer.”
“Buthowdidshegetin,then?”
“ShecameinwhilstMrs.HoneycottwasinthekitchentalkingtoEllen.Theydidn’thearher.Mrs.Honeycottwentbacktothedrawingroom,wonderedifhersisterhadcomeinandbegantoputtheclockright,andthen,asshethought,sheheardhercomeinandgoupstairs.”
“Well,whataboutthat?Thefootstepsgoingupstairs?”
“ThatwasEllen,goinguptodrawthecurtains.Youremember,Mrs.Honeycottsaidhersisterpausedbeforegoingup.ThatpausewasjustthetimeneededforEllentocomeoutfromthekitchenintothehall.Shejustmissedseeingthemurderer.”
“But,Tommy,”criedTuppence.“Thecryshegave?”
“ThatwasJamesReilly.Didn’tyounoticewhatahigh-pitchedvoicehehas?Inmomentsofgreatemotion,menoftensquealjustlikeawoman.”
“Butthemurderer?We’dhaveseenhim?”
“Wedidseehim.Weevenstoodtalkingtohim.Doyourememberthesuddenwaythatpolicemanappeared?Thatwasbecausehesteppedoutofthegate,justafterthemistclearedfromtheroad.Itmadeusjump,don’tyouremember?Afterall,thoughweneverthinkofthemasthat,policemenaremenjustlikeanyothermen.Theyloveandtheyhate.Theymarry.
“IthinkGildaGlenmetherhusbandsuddenlyjustoutsidethatgate,andtookhiminwithhertothrashthematterout.Hehadn’tReilly’sreliefofviolentwords,remember.Hejustsawred—andhehadhistruncheonhandy….”
Ten
THECRACKLER
“Tuppence,”saidTommy.“Weshallhavetomoveintoamuchlargeroffice.”
“Nonsense,”saidTuppence.“Youmustn’tgetswollen-headedandthinkyouareamillionairejustbecauseyousolvedtwoorthreetwopennyhalfpennycaseswiththeaidofthemostamazingluck.”
“Whatsomecallluck,otherscallskill.”
“Ofcourse,ifyoureallythinkyouareSherlockHolmes,Thorndyke,McCartyandtheBrothersOkewoodallrolledintoone,thereisnomoretobesaid.PersonallyIwouldmuchratherhaveluckonmysidethanalltheskillintheworld.”
“Perhapsthereissomethinginthat,”concededTommy.“Allthesame,Tuppence,wedoneedalargeroffice.”
“Why?”
“Theclassics,”saidTommy.“WeneedseveralhundredsofyardsofextrabookshelfifEdgarWallaceistobeproperlyrepresented.”
“Wehaven’thadanEdgarWallacecaseyet.”
“I’mafraidwenevershall,”saidTommy.“Ifyounoticeheneverdoesgivetheamateursleuthmuchofachance.ItisallsternScotlandYardkindofstuff—therealthingandnobasecounterfeit.”
Albert,theofficeboy,appearedatthedoor.
“InspectorMarriottoseeyou,”heannounced.
“ThemysterymanofScotlandYard,”murmuredTommy.
“ThebusiestoftheBusies,”saidTuppence.“Orisit‘Noses?’IalwaysgetmixedbetweenBusiesandNoses.”
TheInspectoradvanceduponthemwithabeamingsmileofwelcome.
“Well,andhowarethings?”heaskedbreezily.“Nonetheworseforourlittleadventuretheotherday?”
“Oh,rathernot,”saidTuppence.“Too,toomarvellous,wasn’tit?”
“Well,Idon’tknowthatIwoulddescribeitexactlythatwaymyself,”saidMarriotcautiously.
“Whathasbroughtyouheretoday,Marriot?”askedTommy.“Notjustsolicitudeforournervoussystems,isit?”
“No,”saidtheInspector.“ItisworkforthebrilliantMr.Blunt.”
“Ha!”saidTommy.“Letmeputmybrilliantexpressionon.”
“Ihavecometomakeyouaproposition,Mr.Beresford.Whatwouldyousaytoroundingupareallybiggang?”
“Istheresuchathing?”askedTommy.
“Whatdoyoumean,istheresuchathing?”
“Ialwaysthoughtthatgangswereconfinedtofiction—likemastercrooksandsupercriminals.”
“Themastercrookisn’tverycommon,”agreedtheInspector.“ButLordblessyou,sir,there’sanyamountofgangsknockingabout.”
“Idon’tknowthatIshouldbeatmybestdealingwithagang,”saidTommy.“Theamateurcrime,thecrimeofquietfamilylife—thatiswhereIflattermyselfthatIshine.Dramaofstrongdomesticinterest.That’sthething—withTuppenceathandtosupplyallthoselittlefemininedetailswhicharesoimportant,andsoapttobeignoredbythedensermale.”
HiseloquencewasarrestedabruptlyasTuppencethrewacushionathimandrequestedhimnottotalknonsense.
“Willhaveyourlittlebitoffun,won’tyou,sir?”saidInspectorMarriot,smilingpaternallyatthemboth.“Ifyou’llnottakeoffenceatmysayingso,it’sapleasuretoseetwoyoungpeopleenjoyinglifeasmuchasyoutwodo.”
“Doweenjoylife?”saidTuppence,openinghereyesverywide.“Isupposewedo.I’veneverthoughtaboutitbefore.”
“Toreturntothatgangyouweretalkingabout,”saidTommy.“Inspiteofmyextensiveprivatepractice—duchesses,millionaires,andallthebestcharwomen—Imight,perhaps,condescendtolookintothematterforyou.Idon’tliketoseeScotlandYardatfault.You’llhavetheDailyMailafteryoubeforeyouknowwhereyouare.”
“AsIsaidbefore,youmusthaveyourbitoffun.Well,it’slikethis.”Againhehitchedhischairforward.“There’sanyamountofforgednotesgoingaboutjustnow—hundredsof’em!TheamountofcounterfeitTreasurynotesincirculationwouldsurpriseyou.Mostartisticbitofworkitis.Here’soneof’em.”
HetookaonepoundnotefromhispocketandhandedittoTommy.
“Looksallright,doesn’tit?”
Tommyexaminedthenotewithgreatinterest.
“ByJove,I’dneverspottherewasanythingwrongwiththat.”
“Nomorewouldmostpeople.Nowhere’sagenuineone.I’llshowyouthedifferences—veryslighttheyare,butyou’llsoonlearntotellthemapart.Takethismagnifyingglass.”
Attheendoffiveminutes’coachingbothTommyandTuppencewerefairlyexpert.
“Whatdoyouwantustodo,InspectorMarriot?”askedTuppence.“Justkeepoureyesopenforthesethings?”
“Agreatdealmorethanthat,Mrs.Beresford.I’mpinningmyfaithonyoutogettothebottomofthematter.Yousee,we’vediscoveredthatthenotesarebeingcirculatedfromtheWestEnd.Somebodyprettyhighupinthesocialscaleisdoingthedistributing.They’repassingthemtheothersideoftheChannelaswell.Nowthere’sacertainpersonwhoisinterestingusverymuch.AMajorLaidlaw—perhapsyou’veheardthename?”
“IthinkIhave,”saidTommy.“Connectedwithracing,isn’tthatit?”
“Yes.MajorLaidlawisprettywell-knowninconnectionwiththeTurf.There’snothingactuallyagainsthim,butthere’sageneralimpressionthathe’sbeenabittoosmartoveroneortworathershadytransactions.Menintheknowlookqueerwhenhe’smentioned.Nobodyknowsmuchofhispastorwherehecamefrom.He’sgotaveryattractiveFrenchwifewho’sseenabouteverywherewithatrainofadmirers.Theymustspendalotofmoney,theLaidlaws,andI’dliketoknowwhereitcomesfrom.”
“Possiblyfromthetrainofadmirers,”suggestedTommy.
“That’sthegeneralidea.ButI’mnotsosure.Itmaybecoincidence,butalotofnoteshavebeenforthcomingfromacertainverysmartlittlegamblingclubwhichismuchfrequentedbytheLaidlawsandtheirset.Thisracing,gamblingsetgetridofalotofloosemoneyinnotes.Therecouldn’tbeabetterwayofgettingitintocirculation.”
“Andwheredowecomein?”
“Thisway.YoungSt.Vincentandhiswifearefriendsofyours,Iunderstand?They’reprettythickwiththeLaidlawset—thoughnotasthickastheywere.Throughthemitwillbeeasyforyoutogetafootinginthesamesetinawaythatnoneofourpeoplecouldattempt.There’snolikelihoodoftheirspottingyou.You’llhaveanidealopportunity.”
“Whathavewegottofindoutexactly?”
“Wheretheygetthestufffrom,iftheyarepassingit.”
“Quiteso,”saidTommy.“MajorLaidlawgoesoutwithanemptysuitcase.WhenhereturnsitiscrammedtotheburstingpointwithTreasurynotes.Howisitdone?Isleuthhimandfindout.Isthattheidea?”
“Moreorless.Butdon’tneglectthelady,andherfather,M.Heroulade.RememberthenotesarebeingpassedonbothsidesoftheChannel.”
“MydearMarriot,”exclaimedTommyreproachfully,“Blunt’sBrilliantDetectivesdonotknowthemeaningofthewordneglect.”
TheInspectorrose.
“Well,goodlucktoyou,”hesaid,anddeparted.
“Slush,”saidTuppenceenthusiastically.
“Eh?”saidTommy,perplexed.
“Counterfeitmoney,”explainedTuppence.“Itisalwayscalledslush.IknowI’mright.Oh,Tommy,wehavegotanEdgarWallacecase.AtlastweareBusies.”
“Weare,”saidTommy.“AndweareouttogettheCrackler,andwewillgethimgood.”
“DidyousaytheCacklerortheCrackler?”
“TheCrackler.”
“Oh,whatisaCrackler?”
“AnewwordthatIhavecoined,”saidTommy.“Descriptiveofonewhopassesfalsenotesintocirculation.Banknotescrackle,thereforeheiscalledacrackler.Nothingcouldbemoresimple.”
“Thatisratheragoodidea,”saidTuppence.“Itmakesitseemmorereal.IliketheRustlermyself.Muchmoredescriptiveandsinister.”
“No,”saidTommy,“IsaidtheCracklerfirst,andIsticktoit.”
“Ishallenjoythiscase,”saidTuppence.“Lotsofnightclubsandcocktailsinit.Ishallbuysomeeyelash-blacktomorrow.”
“Youreyelashesareblackalready,”objectedherhusband.
“Icouldmakethemblacker,”saidTuppence.“Andcherrylipstickwouldbeusefultoo.Thatultrabrightkind.”
“Tuppence,”saidTommy,“you’rearealrakeatheart.Whatagoodthingitisthatyouaremarriedtoasobersteadymiddle-agedmanlikemyself.”
“Youwait,”saidTuppence.“WhenyouhavebeentothePythonClubabit,youwon’tbesosoberyourself.”
Tommyproducedfromacupboardvariousbottles,twoglasses,andacocktailshaker.
“Let’sstartnow,”hesaid.“Weareafteryou,Crackler,andwemeantogetyou.”
II
MakingtheacquaintanceoftheLaidlawsprovedaneasyaffair.TommyandTuppence,young,well-dressed,eagerforlife,andwithapparentlymoneytoburn,weresoonmadefreeofthatparticularcoterieinwhichtheLaidlawshadtheirbeing.
MajorLaidlawwasatall,fairman,typicallyEnglishinappearance,withaheartysportsmanlikemanner,slightlybeliedbythehardlinesroundhiseyesandtheoccasionalquicksidewaysglancethatassortedoddlywithhissupposedcharacter.
Hewasaverydexterouscardplayer,andTommynoticedthatwhenthestakeswerehighheseldomrosefromthetablealoser.
MargueriteLaidlawwasquiteadifferentproposition.Shewasacharmingcreature,withtheslendernessofawoodnymphandthefaceofaGreuzepicture.HerdaintybrokenEnglishwasfascinating,andTommyfeltthatitwasnowondermostmenwereherslaves.SheseemedtotakeagreatfancytoTommyfromthefirst,andplayinghispart,heallowedhimselftobesweptintohertrain.
“MyTommee,”shewouldsay;“butpositivelyIcannotgowithoutmyTommee.His’air,eeteesthecolourofthesunset,eeseetnot?”
Herfatherwasamoresinisterfigure.Verycorrect,veryupright,withhislittleblackbeardandhiswatchfuleyes.
Tuppencewasthefirsttoreportprogress.ShecametoTommywithtenonepoundnotes.
“Havealookatthese.They’rewrong’uns,aren’tthey?”
TommyexaminedthemandconfirmedTuppence’sdiagnosis.
“Wheredidyougetthemfrom?”
“Thatboy,JimmyFaulkener.MargueriteLaidlawgavethemtohimtoputonahorseforher.IsaidIwantedsmallnotesandgavehimatennerinexchange.”
“Allnewandcrisp,”saidTommythoughtfully.“Theycan’thavepassedthroughmanyhands.IsupposeyoungFaulkenerisallright?”
“Jimmy?Oh,he’sadear.HeandIarebecominggreatfriends.”
“SoIhavenoticed,”saidTommycoldly.“Doyoureallythinkitisnecessary?”
“Oh,itisn’tbusiness,”saidTuppencecheerfully.“It’spleasure.He’ssuchaniceboy.I’mgladtogethimoutofthatwoman’sclutches.You’venoideaoftheamountofmoneyshe’scosthim.”
“Itlookstomeasthoughheweregettingratherapashforyou,Tuppence.”
“I’vethoughtthesamemyselfsometimes.It’snicetoknowone’sstillyoungandattractive,isn’tit?”
“Yourmoraltone,Tuppence,isdeplorablylow.Youlookatthesethingsfromthewrongpointofview.”
“Ihaven’tenjoyedmyselfsomuchforyears,”declaredTuppenceshamelessly.“Andanyway,whataboutyou?DoIeverseeyounowadays?Aren’tyoualwayslivinginMargueriteLaidlaw’spocket?”
“Business,”saidTommycrisply.
“Butsheisattractive,isn’tshe?”
“Notmytype,”saidTommy.“Idon’tadmireher.”
“Liar,”laughedTuppence.“ButIalwaysdidthinkI’drathermarryaliarthanafool.”
“Isuppose,”saidTommy,“thatthere’snoabsolutenecessityforahusbandtobeeither?”
ButTuppencemerelythrewhimapityingglanceandwithdrew.
AmongstMrs.Laidlaw’strainofadmirerswasasimplebutextremelywealthygentlemanofthenameofHankRyder.
Mr.RydercamefromAlabama,andfromthefirsthewasdisposedtomakeafriendandconfidantofTommy.
“That’sawonderfulwoman,sir,”saidMr.RyderfollowingthelovelyMargueritewithreverentialeyes.“Plumbfullofcivilisation.Can’tbeatlagaieFrance,canyou?WhenI’mnearher,IfeelasthoughIwasoneoftheAlmighty’searliestexperiments.Iguesshe’dgottogethishandinbeforeheattemptedanythingsolovelyasthatperfectlylovelywoman.”
Tommyagreeingpolitelywiththesesentiments,Mr.Ryderunburdenedhimselfstillfurther.
“Seemskindofashamealovelycreaturelikethatshouldhavemoneyworries.”
“Hasshe?”askedTommy.
“Youbetchalifeshehas.Queerfish,Laidlaw.She’sskeeredofhim.Toldmeso.Daren’ttellhimaboutherlittlebills.”
“Aretheylittlebills?”askedTommy.
“Well—whenIsaylittle!Afterall,awoman’sgottowearclothes,andthelessthereareofthemthemoretheycost,thewayIfigureitout.Andaprettywomanlikethatdoesn’twanttogoaboutinlastseason’sgoods.Cardstoo,thepoorlittlething’sbeenmightyunluckyatcards.Why,shelostfiftytomelastnight.”
“ShewontwohundredfromJimmyFaulkenerthenightbefore,”saidTommydrily.
“Didsheindeed?Thatrelievesmymindsome.Bytheway,thereseemstobealotofdudnotesfloatingaroundinyourcountryjustnow.Ipaidinabunchatmybankthismorning,andtwenty-fiveofthemweredown-and-outers,sothepolitegentlemanbehindthecounterinformedme.”
“That’sratheralargeproportion.Weretheynewlooking?”
“Newandcrispastheymake’em.Why,theyweretheonesMrs.Laidlawpaidovertome,Ireckon.Wonderwhereshegot’emfrom.Oneofthesetoughsontheracecourseaslikelyasnot.”
“Yes,”saidTommy.“Verylikely.”
“Youknow,Mr.Beresford,I’mnewtothissortofhighlife.Alltheseswelldamesandtherestoftheoutfit.Onlymademypileashortwhileback.CamerightovertoYurroptoseelife.”
Tommynodded.HemadeamentalnotetotheeffectthatwiththeaidofMargueriteLaidlawMr.Ryderwouldprobablyseeagooddealoflifeandthatthepricechargedwouldbeheavy.
Meantime,forthesecondtime,hehadevidencethattheforgednoteswerebeingdistributedprettynearathand,andthatinallprobabilityMargueriteLaidlawhadahandintheirdistribution.
Onthefollowingnighthehimselfwasgivenaproof.
ItwasatthatsmallselectmeetingplacementionedbyInspectorMarriot.Therewasdancingthere,buttherealattractionoftheplacelaybehindapairofimposingfoldingdoors.Thereweretworoomstherewithgreenbaize-coveredtables,wherevastsumschangedhandsnightly.
MargueriteLaidlaw,risingatlasttogo,thrustaquantityofsmallnotesintoTommy’shands.
“Theyaresobulkee,Tommee—youwillchangethem,yes?Abeegnote.Seemysosweetleetlebag,itbulgeshimtodistraction.”
Tommybroughtherthehundredpoundnotesheaskedfor.Theninaquietcornerheexaminedthenotesshehadgivenhim.Atleastaquarterofthemwerecounterfeit.
Butwheredidshegethersuppliesfrom?Tothathehadasyetnoanswer.BymeansofAlbert’scooperation,hewasalmostsurethatLaidlawwasnottheman.Hismovementshadbeenwatchedcloselyandhadyieldednoresult.
Tommysuspectedherfather,thesaturnineM.Heroulade.HewenttoandfrotoFrancefairlyoften.Whatcouldbesimplerthantobringthenotesacrosswithhim?Afalsebottomtothetrunk—somethingofthatkind.
TommystrolledslowlyoutoftheClub,absorbedinthesethoughts,butwassuddenlyrecalledtoimmediatenecessities.OutsideinthestreetwasMr.HankP.Ryder,anditwasclearatoncethatMr.Ryderwasnotstrictlysober.Atthemomenthewastryingtohanghishatontheradiatorofacar,andmissingitbysomeincheseverytime.
“Thisgoddarnedhatshtand,thisgoddarnedhatshtand,”saidMr.Rydertearfully.“NotlikethatintheShtates.Mancanhanguphishateverynight—everynight,sir.You’rewearingtwohatshs.Neversheenamanwearingtwohatshsbefore.Mustbeeffect—climate.”
“PerhapsI’vegottwoheads,”saidTommygravely.
“Shoyouhave,”saidMr.Ryder.“Thatshodd.Thatshremarkablefac.”Letshhaveacocktail.Prohibition—probishunthatshwhatshdonemein.IguessI’mdrunk—constootionallydrunk.Cocktailsh—mixed’em—Angel’sKiss—that’sMarguerite—lovelycreature,fono’metoo.HorshesNeck,twoMartinis—threeRoadtoRuinsh—no,roadshtoroon—mixed’emall—inabeertankard.BetmeIwouldn’t—Ishaid—tohell,Ishaid—”
Tommyinterrupted.
“That’sallright,”hesaidsoothingly.“Nowwhataboutgettinghome?”
“Nohometogoto,”saidMr.Rydersadly,andwept.
“Whathotelareyoustayingat?”askedTommy.
“Can’tgohome,”saidMr.Ryder.“Treasurehunt.Swellthingtodo.Shedidit.Whitechapel—whiteheartsh,whiteheadsnshorrowtothegrave—”
ButMr.Ryderbecamesuddenlydignified.Hedrewhimselferectandattainedasuddenmiraculouscommandoverhisspeech.
“Youngman,I’mtellingyou.Margeetookme.Inhercar.Treasurehunting.Englisharistocrashyalldoit.Underthecobblestones.Fivehundredpoundsh.Solemnthought,’tissolemnthought.I’mtellingyou,youngman.You’vebeenkindtome.I’vegotyourwelfareatheart,sir,atheart.WeAmericans—”
Tommyinterruptedhimthistimewithevenlessceremony.
“What’sthatyousay?Mrs.Laidlawtookyouinacar?”
TheAmericannoddedwithakindofowlishsolemnity.
“ToWhitechapel?”Againthatowlishnod.
“Andyoufoundfivehundredpoundsthere?”
Mr.Ryderstruggledforwords.
“S-shedid,”hecorrectedhisquestioner.“Leftmeoutside.Outsidethedoor.Alwaysleftoutside.It’skindersad.Outside—alwaysoutside.”
“Wouldyouknowyourwaythere?”
“Iguessso.HankRyderdoesn’tlosehisbearings—”
Tommyhauledhimalongunceremoniously.Hefoundhisowncarwhereitwaswaiting,andpresentlytheywerebowlingeastward.ThecoolairrevivedMr.Ryder.AfterslumpingagainstTommy’sshoulderinakindofstupor,heawokeclearheadedandrefreshed.
“Say,boy,wherearewe?”hedemanded
“Whitechapel,”saidTommycrisply.“IsthiswhereyoucamewithMrs.Laidlawtonight?”
“Itlookskinderfamiliar,”admittedMr.Ryder,lookinground.“Seemstomeweturnedofftotheleftsomewheredownhere.That’sit—thatstreetthere.”
Tommyturnedoffobediently.Mr.Ryderissueddirections.
“That’sit.Sure.Androundtotheright.Say,aren’tthesmellsawful.Yes,pastthatpubatthecorner—sharpround,andstopatthemouthofthatlittlealley.Butwhat’sthebigidea?Handittome.Someoftheoofleftbehind?Arewegoingtoputoneoveronthem?”
“That’sexactlyit,”saidTommy.“We’regoingtoputoneoveronthem.Ratherajoke,isn’tit?”
“I’lltelltheworld,”assentedMr.Ryder.“ThoughI’mjustamitehazedaboutitall,”heendedwistfully.
TommygotoutandassistedMr.Rydertoalightalso.Theyadvancedintothealleyway.Ontheleftwerethebacksofarowofdilapidatedhouses,mostofwhichhaddoorsopeningintothealley.Mr.Rydercametoastopbeforeoneofthesedoors.
“Inhereshewent,”hedeclared.“Itwasthisdoor—I’mplumbcertainofit.”
“Theyalllookveryalike,”saidTommy.“RemindsmeofthestoryofthesoldierandthePrincess.Youremember,theymadeacrossonthedoortoshowwhichoneitwas.Shallwedothesame?”
Laughing,hedrewapieceofwhitechalkfromhispocketandmadearoughcrosslowdownonthedoor.Thenhelookedupatvariousdimshapesthatprowledhighonthewallsofthealley,oneofwhichwasutteringablood-curdlingyawl
“Lotsofcatsabout,”heremarkedcheerfully.
“Whatistheprocedure?”askedMr.Ryder.“Dowestepinside?”
“Adoptingdueprecautions,wedo,”saidTommy.
Heglancedupanddownthealleyway,thensoftlytriedthedoor.Ityielded.Hepusheditopenandpeeredintoadimyard.
Noiselesslyhepassedthrough,Mr.Ryderonhisheels.
“Gee,”saidthelatter,“there’ssomeonecomingdownthealley.”
Heslippedoutsideagain.Tommystoodstillforaminute,thenhearingnothingwenton.Hetookatorchfromhispocketandswitchedonthelightforabriefsecond.Thatmomentaryflashenabledhimtoseehiswayahead.Hepushedforwardandtriedthecloseddooraheadofhim.Thattoogave,andverysoftlyhepusheditopenandwentin.
Afterstandingstillasecondandlistening,heagainswitchedonthetorch,andatthatflash,asthoughatagivensignal,theplaceseemedtoriseroundhim.Twomenwereinfrontofhim,twomenwerebehindhim.Theyclosedinonhimandborehimdown.
“Lights,”growledavoice.
Anincandescentgasburnerwaslit.ByitslightTommysawacircleofunpleasingfaces.Hiseyeswanderedgentlyroundtheroomandnotedsomeoftheobjectsinit.
“Ah!”hesaidpleasantly.“Theheadquartersofthecounterfeitingindustry,ifIamnotmistaken.”
“Shutyourjaw,”growledoneofthemen.
ThedooropenedandshutbehindTommy,andagenialandwell-knownvoicespoke
“Gothim,boys.That’sright.Now,Mr.Busy,letmetellyouyou’reupagainstit.”
“Thatdearoldword,”saidTommy.“Howitthrillsme.Yes.IamtheMysteryManofScotlandYard.Why,it’sMr.HankRyder.Thisisasurprise.”
“Iguessyoumeanthattoo.I’vebeenlaughingfittobustallthisevening—leadingyouherelikealittlechild.Andyousopleasedwithyourcleverness.Why,sonny,Iwasontoyoufromthestart.Youweren’tinwiththatcrowdforyourhealth.Iletyouplayaboutforawhile,andwhenyougotrealsuspiciousofthelovelyMarguerite,Isaidtomyself:‘Now’sthetimetoleadhimtoit.’Iguessyourfriendswon’tbehearingofyouforsometime.”
“Goingtodomein?That’sthecorrectexpression,Ibelieve.Youhavegotitinforme.”
“You’vegotanerveallright.No,weshan’tattemptviolence.Justkeepyouunderrestraint,sotospeak.”
“I’mafraidyou’rebackingthewronghorse,”saidTommy.“I’venointentionofbeing‘keptunderrestraint,’asyoucallit.”
Mr.Rydersmiledgenially.Fromoutsideacatutteredamelancholycrytothemoon.
“Bankingonthatcrossyouputonthedoor,eh,sonny?”saidMr.Ryder.“Ishouldn’tifIwereyou.BecauseIknowthatstoryyoumentioned.HearditwhenIwasalittleboy.Isteppedbackintothealleywaytoenactthepartofthedogwitheyesasbigascartwheels.Ifyouwereinthatalleynow,youwouldobservethateverydoorinthealleyismarkedwithanidenticalcross.”
Tommydroppedhisheaddespondently.
“Thoughtyouweremightyclever,didn’tyou?”saidRyder.
Asthewordslefthislipsasharprappingsoundedonthedoor.
“What’sthat?”hecried,starting.
Atthesametimeanassaultbeganonthefrontofthehouse.Thedooratthebackwasaflimsyaffair.ThelockgavealmostimmediatelyandInspectorMarriotshowedinthedoorway.
“Welldone,Marriot,”saidTommy.“Youwerequiterightastothedistrict.I’dlikeyoutomaketheacquaintanceofMr.HankRyderwhoknowsallthebestfairytales.
“Yousee,Mr.Ryder,”headdedgently,“I’vehadmysuspicionsofyou.Albert(thatimportant-lookingboywiththebigearsisAlbert)hadorderstofollowonhismotorcycleifyouandIwentoffjoyridingatanytime.AndwhilstIwasostentatiouslymarkingachalkcrossonthedoortoengageyourattention,Ialsoemptiedalittlebottleofvalerianontheground.Nastysmell,butcatsloveit.AllthecatsintheneighbourhoodwereassembledoutsidetomarktherighthousewhenAlbertandthepolicearrived.”
HelookedatthedumbfoundedMr.Ryderwithasmile,thenrosetohisfeet.
“IsaidIwouldgetyouCrackler,andIhavegotyou,”heobserved.
“Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?”askedMr.Ryder.“Whatdoyoumean—Crackler?”
“Youwillfinditintheglossaryofthenextcriminaldictionary,”saidTommy.“Etymologydoubtful.”
Helookedroundhimwithahappysmile.
“Andalldonewithoutanose,”hemurmuredbrightly.“Goodnight,Marriot.Imustgonowtowherethehappyendingofthestoryawaitsme.Norewardliketheloveofagoodwoman—andtheloveofagoodwomanawaitsmeathome—thatis,Ihopeitdoes,butoneneverknowsnowadays.Thishasbeenaverydangerousjob,Marriot.DoyouknowCaptainJimmyFaulkener?Hisdancingissimplytoomarvellous,andasforhistasteincocktails—!Yes,Marriot,ithasbeenaverydangerousjob.”
Eleven
THESUNNINGDALEMYSTERY
“Doyouknowwherewearegoingtolunchtoday,Tuppence?”
Mrs.Beresfordconsideredthequestion.
“TheRitz?”shesuggestedhopefully.
“Thinkagain.”
“ThatnicelittleplaceinSoho?”
“No.”Tommy’stonewasfullofimportance.“AnABCshop.Thisone,infact.”
Hedrewherdeftlyinsideanestablishmentofthekindindicated,andsteeredhertoacornermarble-toppedtable.
“Excellent,”saidTommywithsatisfaction,asheseatedhimself.“Couldn’tbebetter.”
“Whyhasthiscrazeforthesimplelifecomeuponyou?”demandedTuppence.
“Yousee,Watson,butyoudonotobserveIwondernowwhetheroneofthesehaughtydamselswouldcondescendtonoticeus?Splendid,shedriftsthisway.Itistruethatsheappearstobethinkingofsomethingelse,butdoubtlesshersubconsciousmindisfunctioningbusilywithsuchmattersashamandeggsandpotsoftea.Chopandfriedpotatoes,please,miss,andalargecoffee,arollandbutter,andaplateoftongueforthelady.”
Thewaitressrepeatedtheorderinascornfultone,butTuppenceleantforwardsuddenlyandinterruptedher.
“No,notachopandfriedpotatoes.Thisgentlemanwillhaveacheesecakeandaglassofmilk.”
“Acheesecakeandamilk,”saidthewaitresswithevendeeperscorn,ifthatwerepossible.Stillthinkingofsomethingelse,shedriftedawayagain.
“Thatwasuncalledfor,”saidTommycoldly.
“ButI’mright,aren’tI?YouaretheOldManintheCorner?Where’syourpieceofstring?”
Tommydrewalongtwistedmeshofstringfromhispocketandproceededtotieacoupleofknotsinit.
“Completetothesmallestdetail,”hemurmured.
“Youmadeasmallmistakeinorderingyourmeal,though.”
“Womenaresoliteral-minded,”saidTommy.“Ifthere’sonethingIhateit’smilktodrink,andcheesecakesarealwayssoyellowandbilious-looking.”
“Beanartist,”saidTuppence.“Watchmeattackmycoldtongue.Jollygoodstuff,coldtongue.Nowthen,I’mallreadytobeMissPollyBurton.Tiealargeknotandbegin.”
“Firstofall,”saidTommy,“speakinginastrictlyunofficialcapacity,letmepointoutthis.Businessisnottoobrisklately.Ifbusinessdoesnotcometous,wemustgotobusiness.Applyourmindstooneofthegreatpublicmysteriesofthemoment.Whichbringsmetothepoint—theSunningdaleMystery.”
“Ah!”saidTuppence,withdeepinterest.“TheSunningdaleMystery!”
Tommydrewacrumpledpieceofnewspaperfromhispocketandlaiditonthetable.
“ThatisthelatestportraitofCaptainSessleasitappearedintheDailyLeader.”
“Justso,”saidTuppence.“Iwondersomeonedoesn’tsuethesenewspaperssometimes.Youcanseeit’samanandthat’sall.”
“WhenIsaidtheSunningdaleMystery,Ishouldhavesaidtheso-calledSunningdaleMystery,”wentonTommyrapidly.
“Amysterytothepoliceperhaps,butnottoanintelligentmind.”
“Tieanotherknot,”saidTuppence.
“Idon’tknowhowmuchofthecaseyouremember,”continuedTommyquietly.
“Allofit,”saidTuppence,“butdon’tletmecrampyourstyle.”
“Itwasjustoverthreeweeksago,”saidTommy,“thatthegruesomediscoverywasmadeonthefamousgolflinks.Twomembersoftheclub,whowereenjoyinganearlyround,werehorrifiedtofindthebodyofamanlyingfacedownwardsontheseventhtee.EvenbeforetheyturnedhimovertheyhadguessedhimtobeCaptainSessle,awell-knownfigureonthelinks,andwhoalwaysworeagolfcoatofapeculiarlybrightbluecolour.
“CaptainSesslewasoftenseenoutonthelinksearlyinthemorning,practising,anditwasthoughtatfirstthathehadbeensuddenlyovercomebysomeformofheartdisease.Butexaminationbyadoctorrevealedthesinisterfactthathehadbeenmurdered,stabbedtotheheartwithasignificantobject,awoman’shatpin.Hewasalsofoundtohavebeendeadatleasttwelvehours.
“Thatputanentirelydifferentcomplexiononthematter,andverysoonsomeinterestingfactscametolight.PracticallythelastpersontoseeCaptainSesslealivewashisfriendandpartner,Mr.HollabyofthePorcupineAssuranceCo,andhetoldhisstoryasfollows:
“Sessleandhehadplayedaroundearlierintheday.Afterteatheothersuggestedthattheyshouldplayafewmoreholesbeforeitgottoodarktosee.Hollabyassented.Sessleseemedingoodspirits,andwasinexcellentform.Thereisapublicfootpaththatcrossesthelinks,andjustastheywereplayinguptothesixthgreen,Hollabynoticedawomancomingalongit.Shewasverytall,anddressedinbrown,buthedidnotobserveherparticularly,andSessle,hethought,didnotnoticeheratall
“Thefootpathinquestioncrossedinfrontoftheseventhtee,”continuedTommy.“Thewomanhadpassedalongthisandwasstandingatthefartherside,asthoughwaiting.CaptainSesslewasthefirsttoreachthetee,asMr.Hollabywasreplacingthepininthehole.Asthelattercametowardsthetee,hewasastonishedtoseeSessleandthewomantalkingtogether.Ashecamenearer,theybothturnedabruptly,Sesslecallingoverhisshoulder:‘Shan’tbeaminute.’
“Thetwoofthemwalkedoffsidebyside,stilldeepinearnestconversation.Thefootpaththereleavesthecourse,and,passingbetweenthetwonarrowhedgesofneighbouringgardens,comesoutontheroadtoWindlesham.
“CaptainSesslewasasgoodashisword.Hereappearedwithinaminuteortwo,muchtoHollaby’ssatisfaction,astwootherplayerswerecomingupbehindthem,andthelightwasfailingrapidly.Theydroveoff,andatonceHollabynoticedthatsomethinghadoccurredtoupsethiscompanion.Notonlydidhefoozlehisdrivebadly,buthisfacewasworriedandhisforeheadcreasedinabigfrown.Hehardlyansweredhiscompanion’sremarks,andhisgolfwasatrocious.Evidentlysomethinghadoccurredtoputhimcompletelyoffhisgame.
“Theyplayedthatholeandtheeighth,andthenCaptainSessledeclaredabruptlythatthelightwastoobadandthathewasoffhome.Justatthatpointthereisanotherofthosenarrow‘slips’leadingtotheWindleshamroad,andCaptainSessledepartedthatway,whichwasashortcuttohishome,asmallbungalowontheroadinquestion.Theothertwoplayerscameup,aMajorBarnardandMr.Lecky,andtothemHollabymentionedCaptainSessle’ssuddenchangeofmanner.Theyalsohadseenhimspeakingtothewomaninbrown,buthadnotbeennearenoughtoseeherface.Allthreemenwonderedwhatshecouldhavesaidtoupsettheirfriendtothatextent.
“Theyreturnedtotheclubhousetogether,andasfaraswasknownatthetime,werethelastpeopletoseeCaptainSesslealive.ThedaywasaWednesday,andonWednesdaycheapticketstoLondonareissued.ThemanandwifewhoranCaptainSessle’ssmallbungalowwereupintown,accordingtocustom,anddidnotreturnuntilthelatetrain.Theyenteredthebungalowasusual,andsupposedtheirmastertobeinhisroomasleep.Mrs.Sessle,hiswife,wasawayonavisit.
“ThemurderoftheCaptainwasaninedays’wonder.Nobodycouldsuggestamotiveforit.Theidentityofthetallwomaninbrownwaseagerlydiscussed,butwithoutresult.Thepolicewere,asusual,blamedfortheirsupineness—mostunjustly,astimewastoshow.Foraweeklater,agirlcalledDorisEvanswasarrestedandchargedwiththemurderofCaptainAnthonySessle.
“Thepolicehadhadlittletoworkupon.Astrandoffairhaircaughtinthedeadman’sfingersandafewthreadsofflame-colouredwoolcaughtononeofthebuttonsofhisbluecoat.Diligentinquiriesattherailwaystationandelsewherehadelicitedthefollowingfacts.
“Ayounggirldressedinaflame-colouredcoatandskirthadarrivedbytrainthateveningaboutseveno’clockandhadaskedthewaytoCaptainSessle’shouse.Thesamegirlhadreappearedagainatthestation,twohourslater.Herhatwasawryandherhairtousled,andsheseemedinastateofgreatagitation.Sheinquiredaboutthetrainsbacktotown,andwascontinuallylookingoverhershoulderasthoughafraidofsomething.
“Ourpoliceforceisinmanywaysverywonderful.Withthisslenderevidencetogoupon,theymanagedtotrackdownthegirlandidentifyherasoneDorisEvans.Shewaschargedwithmurderandcautionedthatanythingshemightsaywouldbeusedagainsther,butsheneverthelesspersistedinmakingastatement,andthisstatementsherepeatedagainindetail,withoutanysubsequentvariation,atthesubsequentproceedings.
“Herstorywasthis.Shewasatypistbyprofession,andhadmadefriendsoneevening,inacinema,withawell-dressedman,whodeclaredhehadtakenafancytoher.Hisname,hetoldher,wasAnthony,andhesuggestedthatsheshouldcomedowntohisbungalowatSunningdale.Shehadnoideathen,oratanyothertime,thathehadawife.ItwasarrangedbetweenthemthatsheshouldcomedownonthefollowingWednesday—theday,youwillremember,whentheservantswouldbeabsentandhiswifeawayfromhome.IntheendhetoldherhisfullnamewasAnthonySessle,andgaveherthenameofhishouse.
“Shedulyarrivedatthebungalowontheeveninginquestion,andwasgreetedbySessle,whohadjustcomeinfromthelinks.Thoughheprofessedhimselfdelightedtoseeher,thegirldeclaredthatfromthefirsthismannerwasstrangeanddifferent.Ahalf-acknowledgedfearsprangupinher,andshewishedferventlythatshehadnotcome.
“Afterasimplemeal,whichwasallreadyandprepared,Sesslesuggestedgoingoutforastroll.Thegirlconsenting,hetookheroutofthehouse,downtheroad,andalongthe‘slip’ontothegolfcourse.Andthensuddenly,justastheywerecrossingtheseventhtee,heseemedtogocompletelymad.Drawingarevolverfromhispocket,hebrandisheditintheair,declaringthathehadcometotheendofhistether.
“‘Everythingmustgo!I’mruined—donefor.Andyoushallgowithme.Ishallshootyoufirst—thenmyself.Theywillfindourbodieshereinthemorningsidebyside—togetherindeath.’
“Andsoon—alotmore.HehadholdofDorisEvansbythearm,andshe,realisingshehadtodowithamadman,madefranticeffortstofreeherself,orfailingthattogettherevolverawayfromhim.Theystruggledtogether,andinthatstrugglehemusthavetornoutapieceofherhairandgotthewoolofhercoatentangledonabutton.
“Finally,withadesperateeffort,shefreedherself,andranforherlifeacrossthegolflinks,expectingeveryminutetobeshotdownwitharevolverbullet.Shefelltwice,trippingovertheheather,buteventuallyregainedtheroadtothestationandrealisedthatshewasnotbeingpursued.
“ThatisthestorythatDorisEvanstells—andfromwhichshehasnevervaried.Shestrenuouslydeniesthatsheeverstruckathimwithahatpininself-defence—anaturalenoughthingtodounderthecircumstances,though—andonewhichmaywellbethetruth.Insupportofherstory,arevolverhasbeenfoundinthefurzebushesnearwherethebodywaslying.Ithadnotbeenfired.
“DorisEvanshasbeensentfortrial,butthemysterystillremainsamystery.Ifherstoryistobebelieved,whowasitwhostabbedCaptainSessle?Theotherwoman,thetallwomaninbrown,whoseappearancesoupsethim?Sofarnoonehasexplainedherconnectionwiththecase.Sheappearsoutofspacesuddenlyonthefootpathacrossthelinks,shedisappearsalongtheslip,andnooneeverhearsofheragain.Whowasshe?Alocalresident?AvisitorfromLondon?Ifso,didshecomebycarorbytrain?Thereisnothingremarkableaboutherexceptherheight;nooneseemstobeabletodescribeherappearance.ShecouldnothavebeenDorisEvans,forDorisEvansissmallandfair,andmoreoverwasonlyjustthenarrivingatthestation.”
“Thewife?”suggestedTuppence.“Whataboutthewife?”
“Averynaturalsuggestion.ButMrs.Sessleisalsoasmallwoman,andbesides,Mr.Hollabyknowsherwellbysight,andthereseemsnodoubtthatshewasreallyawayfromhome.Onefurtherdevelopmenthascometolight.ThePorcupineAssuranceCoisinliquidation.Theaccountsrevealthemostdaringmisappropriationoffunds.ThereasonsforCaptainSessle’swildwordstoDorisEvansarenowquiteapparent.Forsomeyearspasthemusthavebeensystematicallyembezzlingmoney.NeitherMr.Hollabynorhissonhadanyideaofwhatwasgoingon.Theyarepracticallyruined.
“Thecasestandslikethis.CaptainSesslewasonthevergeofdiscoveryandruin.Suicidewouldbeanaturalsolution,butthenatureofthewoundrulesthattheoryout.Whokilledhim?WasitDorisEvans?Wasitthemysteriouswomaninbrown?”
Tommypaused,tookasipofmilk,madeawryface,andbitcautiouslyatthecheesecake.
II
“Ofcourse,”murmuredTommy,“Isawatoncewherethehitchinthisparticularcaselay,andjustwherethepoliceweregoingastray.”
“Yes?”saidTuppenceeagerly.
Tommyshookhisheadsadly.
“IwishIdid.Tuppence,it’sdeadeasybeingtheOldManintheCorneruptoacertainpoint.Butthesolutionbeatsme.Whodidmurderthebeggar?Idon’tknow.”
Hetooksomemorenewspapercuttingsoutofhispocket.
“Furtherexhibits—Mr.Hollaby,hisson,Mrs.Sessle,DorisEvans.”
Tuppencepouncedonthelastandlookedatitforsometime.
“Shedidn’tmurderhimanyway,”sheremarkedatlast.“Notwithahatpin.”
“Whythiscertainty?”
“AladyMollytouch.She’sgotbobbedhair.Onlyonewomanintwentyuseshatpinsnowadays,anyway—longhairorshort.Hatsfittightandpullon—there’snoneedforsuchathing.”
“Still,shemighthavehadonebyher.”
“Mydearboy,wedon’tkeepthemasheirlooms!WhatonearthshouldshehavebroughtahatpindowntoSunningdalefor?”
“Thenitmusthavebeentheotherwoman,thewomaninbrown.”
“Iwishshehadn’tbeentall.Thenshecouldhavebeenthewife.Ialwayssuspectwiveswhoareawayatthetimeandsocouldn’thavehadanythingtodowithit.Ifshefoundherhusbandcarryingonwiththatgirl,itwouldbequitenaturalforhertogoforhimwithahatpin.”
“Ishallhavetobecareful,Isee,”remarkedTommy.
ButTuppencewasdeepinthoughtandrefusedtobedrawn.
“WhatweretheSessleslike?”sheaskedsuddenly.“Whatsortofthingsdidpeoplesayaboutthem?”
“AsfarasIcanmakeout,theywereverypopular.Heandhiswifeweresupposedtobedevotedtooneanother.That’swhatmakesthebusinessofthegirlsoodd.It’sthelastthingyou’dhaveexpectedofamanlikeSessle.Hewasanex-soldier,youknow.Cameintoagoodbitofmoney,retired,andwentintothisInsurancebusiness.Thelastmanintheworld,apparently,whomyouwouldhavesuspectedofbeingacrook.”
“Itisabsolutelycertainthathewasthecrook?Couldn’tithavebeentheothertwowhotookthemoney?”
“TheHollabys?Theysaythey’reruined.”
“Oh,theysay!Perhapsthey’vegotitallinabankunderanothername.Iputitfoolishly,Idaresay,butyouknowwhatImean.Supposethey’dbeenspeculatingwiththemoneyforsometime,unbeknownsttoSessle,andlostitall.ItmightbejollyconvenientforthemthatSesslediedjustwhenhedid.”
TommytappedthephotographofMr.Hollabyseniorwithhisfinger-nail.
“Soyou’reaccusingthisrespectablegentlemanofmurderinghisfriendandpartner?YouforgetthathepartedfromSessleonthelinksinfullviewofBarnardandLecky,andspenttheeveningintheDormyHouse.Besides,there’sthehatpin.”
“Botherthehatpin,”saidTuppenceimpatiently.“Thathatpin,youthink,pointstothecrimehavingbeencommittedbyawoman?”
“Naturally.Don’tyouagree?”
“No.Menarenotoriouslyold-fashioned.Ittakesthemagestoridthemselvesofpreconceivedideas.Theyassociatehatpinsandhairpinswiththefemalesex,andcallthem‘women’sweapons.’Theymayhavebeeninthepast,butthey’rebothratheroutofdatenow.Why,Ihaven’thadahatpinorahairpinforthelastfouryears.”
“Thenyouthink—?”
“ThatitwasamankilledSessle.Thehatpinwasusedtomakeitseemawoman’scrime.”
“There’ssomethinginwhatyousay,Tuppence,”saidTommyslowly.“It’sextraordinaryhowthingsseemtostraightenthemselvesoutwhenyoutalkathingover.”
Tuppencenodded.
“Everythingmustbelogical—ifyoulookatittherightway.AndrememberwhatMarriotoncesaidabouttheamateurpointofview—thatithadtheintimacy.WeknowsomethingaboutpeoplelikeCaptainSessleandhiswife.Weknowwhatthey’relikelytodo—andwhatthey’renotlikelytodo.Andwe’veeachgotourspecialknowledge.”
Tommysmiled.
“Youmean,”hesaid,“thatyouareanauthorityonwhatpeoplewithbobbedandshingledheadsarelikelytohaveintheirpossession,andthatyouhaveanintimateacquaintancewithwhatwivesarelikelytofeelanddo?”
“Somethingofthesort.”
“Andwhataboutme?Whatismyspecialknowledge?Dohusbandspickupgirls,etc?”
“No,”saidTuppencegravely.“Youknowthecourse—you’vebeenonit—notasadetectivesearchingforclues,butasagolfer.Youknowaboutgolf,andwhat’slikelytoputamanoffhisgame.”
“ItmusthavebeensomethingprettyserioustoputSessleoffhisgame.Hishandicap’stwo,andfromtheseventhteeonheplayedlikeachild,sotheysay.”
“Whosay?”
“BarnardandLecky.Theywereplayingjustbehindhim,youremember.”
“Thatwasafterhemetthewoman—thetallwomaninbrown.Theysawhimspeakingtoher,didn’tthey?”
“Yes—atleast—”
Tommybrokeoff.Tuppencelookedupathimandwaspuzzled.Hewasstaringatthepieceofstringinhisfingers,butstaringwiththeeyesofonewhoseessomethingverydifferent.
“Tommy—whatisit?”
“Bequiet,Tuppence.I’mplayingthesixthholeatSunningdale.SessleandoldHollabyareholingoutonthesixthgreenaheadofme.It’sgettingdusk,butIcanseethatbrightbluecoatofSessle’sclearlyenough.Andonthefootpathtotheleftofmethere’sawomancomingalong.Shehasn’tcrossedfromtheladies’course—that’sontheright—Ishouldhaveseenherifshehaddoneso.Andit’soddIdidn’tseeheronthefootpathbefore—fromthefifthtee,forinstance.”
Hepaused.
“YousaidjustnowIknewthecourse,Tuppence.Justbehindthesixthteethere’salittlehutorsheltermadeofturf.Anyonecouldwaitinthereuntil—therightmomentcame.Theycouldchangetheirappearancethere.Imean—tellme,Tuppence,thisiswhereyourspecialknowledgecomesinagain—woulditbeverydifficultforamantolooklikeawoman,andthenchangebacktobeingamanagain?Couldhewearaskirtoverplus-fours,forinstance?”
“Certainlyhecould.Thewomanwouldlookabitbulky,thatwouldbeall.Alongish-brownskirt,sayabrownsweaterofthekindbothmenandwomenwear,andawoman’sfelthatwithabunchofsidecurlsattachedeachside.Thatwouldbeallthatwasneeded—I’mspeaking,ofcourse,ofwhatwouldpassatadistance,whichItaketobewhatyouaredrivingat.Switchofftheskirt,takeoffthehatandcurls,andputonaman’scapwhichyoucancarryrolledupinyourhand,andthereyou’dbe—backasamanagain.”
“Andthetimerequiredforthetransformation?”
“Fromwomantoman,aminuteandahalfattheoutside,probablyagooddealless.Theotherwayaboutwouldtakelonger,you’dhavetoarrangethehatandcurlsabit,andtheskirtwouldstickgettingitonovertheplusfours.”
“Thatdoesn’tworryme.It’sthetimeforthefirstthatmatters.AsItellyou,I’mplayingthesixthhole.Thewomaninbrownhasreachedtheseventhteenow.Shecrossesitandwaits.Sessleinhisbluecoatgoestowardsher.Theystandtogetheraminute,andthentheyfollowthepathroundthetreesoutofsight.Hollabyisontheteealone.Twoorthreeminutespass.I’monthegreennow.Themaninthebluecoatcomesbackanddrivesoff,foozlingbadly.Thelight’sgettingworse.Iandmypartnergoon.Aheadofusarethosetwo,Sessleslicingandtoppinganddoingeverythingheshouldn’tdo.Attheeighthgreen,Iseehimstrideoffandvanishdowntheslip.Whathappenedtohimtomakehimplaylikeadifferentman?”
“Thewomaninbrown—ortheman,ifyouthinkitwasaman.”
“Exactly,andwheretheywerestanding—outofsight,remember,ofthosecomingafterthem—there’sadeeptangleoffurzebushes.Youcouldthrustabodyinthere,anditwouldbeprettycertaintoliehiddenuntilthemorning.”
“Tommy!Youthinkitwasthen.—Butsomeonewouldhaveheard—”
“Heardwhat?Thedoctorsagreeddeathmusthavebeeninstantaneous.I’veseenmenkilledinstantaneouslyinthewar.Theydon’tcryoutasarule—justagurgle,oramoan—perhapsjustasigh,orafunnylittlecough.Sesslecomestowardstheseventhtee,andthewomancomesforwardandspeakstohim.Herecognisesher,perhaps,asamanheknowsmasquerading.Curioustolearnthewhyandwherefore,heallowshimselftobedrawnalongthefootpathoutofsight.Onestabwiththedeadlyhatpinastheywalkalong.Sesslefalls—dead.Theothermandragshisbodyintothefurzebushes,stripsoffthebluecoat,thenshedshisownskirtandthehatandcurls.HeputsonSessle’swell-knownbluecoatandcapandstridesbacktothetee.Threeminuteswoulddoit.Theothersbehindcan’tseehisface,onlythepeculiarbluecoattheyknowsowell.Theyneverdoubtthatit’sSessle—buthedoesn’tplaySessle’sbrandofgolf.Theyallsayheplayedlikeadifferentman.Ofcoursehedid.Hewasadifferentman.”
“But—”
“PointNo.2.Hisactioninbringingthegirldowntherewastheactionofadifferentman.Itwasn’tSesslewhometDorisEvansatacinemaandinducedhertocomedowntoSunningdale.ItwasamancallinghimselfSessle.Remember,DorisEvanswasn’tarresteduntilafortnightafterthetime.Sheneversawthebody.Ifshehad,shemighthavebewilderedeveryonebydeclaringthatthatwasn’tthemanwhotookheroutonthegolflinksthatnightandspokesowildlyofsuicide.Itwasacarefullylaidplot.ThegirlinviteddownforWednesdaywhenSessle’shousewouldbeempty,thenthehatpinwhichpointedtoitsbeingawoman’sdoing.Themurderermeetsthegirl,takesherintothebungalowandgiveshersupper,thentakesheroutonthelinks,andwhenhegetstothesceneofthecrime,brandisheshisrevolverandscaresthelifeoutofher.Onceshehastakentoherheels,allhehastodoistopulloutthebodyandleaveitlyingonthetee.Therevolverhechucksintothebushes.Thenhemakesaneatparceloftheskirtand—nowIadmitI’mguessing—inallprobabilitywalkstoWoking,whichisonlyaboutsixorsevenmilesaway,andgoesbacktotownfromthere.”
“Waitaminute,”saidTuppence.“There’sonethingyouhaven’texplained.WhataboutHollaby?”
“Hollaby?”
“Yes.Iadmitthatthepeoplebehindcouldn’thaveseenwhetheritwasreallySessleornot.Butyoucan’ttellmethatthemanwhowasplayingwithhimwassohypnotisedbythebluecoatthatheneverlookedathisface.”
“Mydearoldthing,”saidTommy.“That’sjustthepoint.Hollabyknewallright.Yousee,I’madoptingyourtheory—thatHollabyandhissonweretherealembezzlers.Themurderer’sgottobeamanwhoknewSessleprettywell—knew,forinstance,abouttheservantsbeingalwaysoutonaWednesday,andthathiswifewasaway.AndalsosomeonewhowasabletogetanimpressionofSessle’slatchkey.IthinkHollabyjuniorwouldfulfilalltheserequirements.He’saboutthesameageandheightasSessle,andtheywerebothclean-shavenmen.DorisEvansprobablysawseveralphotographsofthemurderedmanreproducedinthepapers,butasyouyourselfobserved—onecanjustseethatit’samanandthat’saboutall.”
“Didn’tsheeverseeHollabyinCourt?”
“Thesonneverappearedinthecaseatall.Whyshouldhe?Hehadnoevidencetogive.ItwasoldHollaby,withhisirreproachablealibi,whostoodinthelimelightthroughout.Nobodyhaseverbotheredtoinquirewhathissonwasdoingthatparticularevening.”
“Itallfitsin,”admittedTuppence.Shepausedaminuteandthenasked:“Areyougoingtotellallthistothepolice?”
“Idon’tknowifthey’dlisten.”
“They’dlistenallright,”saidanunexpectedvoicebehindhim.
TommyswungroundtoconfrontInspectorMarriot.TheInspectorwassittingatthenexttable.Infrontofhimwasapoachedegg.
“Oftendropinheretolunch,”saidInspectorMarriot.“AsIwassaying,we’lllistenallright—infactI’vebeenlistening.Idon’tmindtellingyouthatwe’venotbeenquitesatisfiedallalongoverthosePorcupinefigures.Yousee,we’vehadoursuspicionsofthoseHollabys,butnothingtogoupon.Toosharpforus.Thenthismurdercame,andthatseemedtoupsetallourideas.Butthankstoyouandthelady,sir,we’llconfrontyoungHollabywithDorisEvansandseeifsherecogniseshim.Iratherfancyshewill.That’saveryingeniousideaofyoursaboutthebluecoat.I’llseethatBlunt’sBrilliantDetectivesgetthecreditforit.”
“Youareaniceman,InspectorMarriot,”saidTuppencegratefully.
“WethinkalotofyoutwoattheYard,”repliedthatstolidgentleman.“You’dbesurprised.IfImayaskyou,sir,what’sthemeaningofthatpieceofstring?”
“Nothing,”saidTommy,stuffingitintohispocket.“Abadhabitofmine.Astothecheesecakeandthemilk—I’monadiet.Nervousdyspepsia.Busymenarealwaysmartyrstoit.”
“Ah!”saidthedetective.“Ithoughtperhapsyou’dbeenreading—well,it’sofnoconsequence.”
ButtheInspector’seyestwinkled.
Twelve
THEHOUSEOFLURKINGDEATH
“What—”beganTuppence,andthenstopped.
ShehadjustenteredtheprivateofficeofMr.Bluntfromtheadjoiningonemarked“Clerks,”andwassurprisedtobeholdherlordandmasterwithhiseyerivetedtotheprivatepeepholeintotheouteroffice.
“Ssh,”saidTommywarningly.“Didn’tyouhearthebuzzer?It’sagirl—ratheranicegirl—infactshelookstomeafrightfullynicegirl.AlbertistellingherallthattoshaboutmybeingengagedwithScotlandYard.”
“Letmesee,”demandedTuppence.
Somewhatunwillingly,Tommymovedaside.Tuppenceinherturngluedhereyetothepeephole.
“She’snotbad,”admittedTuppence.“Andherclothesaresimplythelatestshout.”
“She’sperfectlylovely,”saidTommy.“She’slikethosegirlsMasonwritesabout—youknow,frightfullysympathetic,andbeautiful,anddistinctlyintelligentwithoutbeingtoosaucy.Ithink,yes—Icertainlythink—IshallbethegreatHanaudthismorning.”
“H’m,”saidTuppence.“Ifthereisonedetectiveoutofalltheotherswhomyouaremostunlike—IshouldsayitwasHanaud.Canyoudothelightningchangesofpersonality?Canyoubethegreatcomedian,thelittlegutterboy,theseriousandsympatheticfriend—allinfiveminutes?”
“Iknowthis,”saidTommy,rappingsharplyonthedesk,“IamtheCaptainoftheShip—anddon’tyouforgetit,Tuppence.I’mgoingtohaveherin.”
Hepressedthebuzzeronhisdesk.Albertappearedusheringintheclient.
Thegirlstoppedinthedoorwayasthoughundecided.Tommycameforward.
“Comein,mademoiselle,”hesaidkindly,“andseatyourselfhere.”
TuppencechokedaudiblyandTommyturneduponherwithaswiftchangeofmanner.Histonewasmenacing.
“Youspoke,MissRobinson?Ah,no,Ithoughtnot.”
Heturnedbacktothegirl.
“Wewillnotbeseriousorformal,”hesaid.“Youwilljusttellmeaboutit,andthenwewilldiscussthebestwaytohelpyou.”
“Youareverykind,”saidthegirl.“Excuseme,butareyouaforeigner?”
AfreshchokefromTuppence.Tommyglaredinherdirectionoutofthecornerofhiseye.
“Notexactly,”hesaidwithdifficulty.“ButoflateyearsIhaveworkedagooddealabroad.MymethodsarethemethodsoftheS?reté.”
“Oh!”Thegirlseemedimpressed.
Shewas,asTommyhadindicated,averycharminggirl.Youngandslim,withatraceofgoldenhairpeepingoutfromunderherlittlebrownfelthat,andbigseriouseyes.
Thatshewasnervouscouldbeplainlyseen.Herlittlehandsweretwistingthemselvestogether,andshekeptclaspingandunclaspingthecatchofherlacqueredhandbag.
“Firstofall,Mr.Blunt,ImusttellyouthatmynameisLoisHargreaves.Iliveinagreatramblingold-fashionedhousecalledThurnlyGrange.Itisintheheartofthecountry.ThereisthevillageofThurnlynearby,butitisverysmallandinsignificant.Thereisplentyofhuntinginwinter,andwegettennisinsummer,andIhaveneverfeltlonelythere.IndeedImuchprefercountrytotownlife.
“Itellyouthissothatyoumayrealisethatinacountryvillagelikeours,everythingthathappensisofsupremeimportance.Aboutaweekago,Igotaboxofchocolatessentthroughthepost.Therewasnothinginsidetoindicatewhotheycamefrom.NowImyselfamnotparticularlyfondofchocolates,buttheothersinthehouseare,andtheboxwaspassedround.Asaresult,everyonewhohadeatenanychocolateswastakenill.Wesentforthedoctor,andaftervariousinquiriesastowhatotherthingshadbeeneaten,hetooktheremainsofthechocolatesawaywithhim,andhadthemanalysed.Mr.Blunt,thosechocolatescontainedarsenic!Notenoughtokillanyone,butenoughtomakeanyonequiteill.”
“Extraordinary,”commentedTommy.
“Dr.Burtonwasveryexcitedoverthematter.Itseemsthatthiswasthethirdoccurrenceofthekindintheneighbourhood.Ineachcaseabighousewasselected,andtheinmatesweretakenillaftereatingthemysteriouschocolates.Itlookedasthoughsomelocalpersonofweakintellectwasplayingaparticularlyfiendishpracticaljoke.”
“Quiteso,MissHargreaves.”
“Dr.BurtonputitdowntoSocialistagitation—ratherabsurdly,Ithought.ButthereareoneortwomalcontentsinThurnlyvillage,anditseemedpossiblethattheymighthavehadsomethingtodowithit.Dr.BurtonwasverykeenthatIshouldputthewholethinginthehandsofthepolice.”
“Averynaturalsuggestion,”saidTommy.“Butyouhavenotdoneso,Igather,MissHargreaves?”
“No,”admittedthegirl.“Ihatethefussandthepublicitythatwouldensue—andyousee,IknowourlocalInspector.Icanneverimaginehimfindingoutanything!Ihaveoftenseenyouradvertisements,andItoldDr.Burtonthatitwouldbemuchbettertocallinaprivatedetective.”
“Isee.”
“Yousayagreatdealaboutdiscretioninyouradvertisement.Itakethattomean—that—that—well,thatyouwouldnotmakeanythingpublicwithoutmyconsent?”
Tommylookedathercuriously,butitwasTuppencewhospoke.
“Ithink,”shesaidquietly,“thatitwouldbeaswellifMissHargreavestolduseverything.”
Shelaidespecialstressuponthelastword,andLoisHargreavesflushednervously.
“Yes,”saidTommyquickly,“MissRobinsonisright.Youmusttelluseverything.”
“Youwillnot—”shehesitated.
“Everythingyousayisunderstoodtobestrictlyinconfidence.”
“Thankyou.IknowthatIoughttohavebeenquitefrankwithyou.Ihaveareasonfornotgoingtothepolice.Mr.Blunt,thatboxofchocolateswassentbysomeoneinourhouse!”
“Howdoyouknowthat,mademoiselle?”
“It’sverysimple.I’vegotahabitofdrawingalittlesillything—threefishintertwined—wheneverIhaveapencilinmyhand.AparcelofsilkstockingsarrivedfromacertainshopinLondonnotlongago.Wewereatthebreakfasttable.I’djustbeenmarkingsomethinginthenewspaper,andwithoutthinking,Ibegantodrawmysillylittlefishonthelabeloftheparcelbeforecuttingthestringandopeningit.Ithoughtnomoreaboutthematter,butwhenIwasexaminingthepieceofbrownpaperinwhichthechocolateshadbeensent,Icaughtsightofthecorneroftheoriginallabel—mostofwhichhadbeentornoff.Mysillylittledrawingwasonit.”
Tommydrewhischairforward.
“Thatisveryserious.Itcreates,asyousay,averystrongpresumptionthatthesenderofthechocolatesisamemberofyourhousehold.ButyouwillforgivemeifIsaythatIstilldonotseewhythatfactshouldrenderyouindisposedtocallinthepolice?”
LoisHargreaveslookedhimsquarelyintheface.
“Iwilltellyou,Mr.Blunt.Imaywantthewholethinghushedup.”
Tommyretiredgracefullyfromtheposition.
“Inthatcase,”hemurmured,“weknowwhereweare.Isee,MissHargreaves,thatyouarenotdisposedtotellmewhoitisyoususpect?”
“Isuspectnoone—buttherearepossibilities.”
“Quiteso.Nowwillyoudescribethehouseholdtomeindetail?”
“Theservants,withtheexceptionoftheparlourmaid,arealloldoneswhohavebeenwithusmanyyears.Imustexplaintoyou,Mr.Blunt,thatIwasbroughtupbymyaunt,LadyRadclyffe,whowasextremelywealthy.Herhusbandmadeabigfortune,andwasknighted.ItwashewhoboughtThurnlyGrange,buthediedtwoyearsaftergoingthere,anditwasthenthatLadyRadclyffesentformetocomeandmakemyhomewithher.Iwasheronlylivingrelation.TheotherinmateofthehousewasDennisRadclyffe,herhusband’snephew.Ihavealwayscalledhimcousin,butofcourseheisreallynothingofthekind.AuntLucyalwayssaidopenlythatsheintendedtoleavehermoney,withtheexceptionofasmallprovisionforme,toDennis.ItwasRadclyffemoney,shesaid,anditoughttogotoaRadclyffe.However,whenDenniswastwenty-two,shequarrelledviolentlywithhim—oversomedebtsthathehadrunup,Ithink.Whenshedied,ayearlater,Iwasastonishedtofindthatshehadmadeawillleavingallhermoneytome.Itwas,Iknow,agreatblowtoDennis,andIfeltverybadlyaboutit.Iwouldhavegivenhimthemoneyifhewouldhavetakenit,butitseemsthatkindofthingcan’tbedone.However,assoonasIwastwenty-one,Imadeawillleavingitalltohim.That’stheleastIcando.SoifI’mrunoverbyamotor,Denniswillcomeintohisown.”
“Exactly,”saidTommy.“Andwhenwereyoutwenty-one,ifImayaskthequestion?”
“Justthreeweeksago.”
“Ah!”saidTommy.“Nowwillyougivemefullerparticularsofthemembersofyourhouseholdatthisminute?”
“Servants—or—others?”
“Both.”
“Theservants,asIsay,havebeenwithussometime.ThereisoldMrs.Holloway,thecook,andhernieceRose,thekitchenmaid.Thentherearetwoelderlyhousemaids,andHannahwhowasmyaunt’smaidandwhohasalwaysbeendevotedtome.TheparlourmaidiscalledEstherQuant,andseemsaverynicequietgirl.Asforourselves,thereisMissLogan,whowasAuntLucy’scompanion,andwhorunsthehouseforme,andCaptainRadclyffe—Dennis,youknow,whomItoldyouabout,andthereisagirlcalledMaryChilcott,anoldschoolfriendofminewhoisstayingwithus.”
Tommythoughtforamoment.
“Thatallseemsfairlyclearandstraightforward,MissHargreaves,”hesaidafteraminuteortwo.“Itakeitthatyouhavenospecialreasonforattachingsuspicionmoretoonepersonthananother?Youareonlyafraiditmightprovetobe—well—notaservant,shallwesay?”
“That’sitexactly,Mr.Blunt.Ihavehonestlynoideawhousedthatpieceofbrownpaper.Thehandwritingwasprinted.”
“Thereseemsonlyonethingtobedone,”saidTommy.“Imustbeonthespot.”
Thegirllookedathiminquiringly.
Tommywentonafteramoment’sthought
“Isuggestthatyoupreparethewayforthearrivalof—say,Mr.andMissVanDusen—Americanfriendsofyours.Willyoubeabletodothatquitenaturally?”
“Oh,yes.Therewillbenodifficultyatall.Whenwillyoucomedown—tomorrow—orthedayafter?”
“Tomorrow,ifyouplease.Thereisnotimetowaste.”
“Thatissettledthen.”
Thegirlroseandheldoutherhand.
“Onething,MissHargreaves,notaword,mind,toanyone—anyoneatall,thatwearenotwhatweseem.”
“Whatdoyouthinkofit,Tuppence?”heasked,whenhereturnedfromshowingthevisitorout.
“Idon’tlikeit,”saidTuppencedecidedly.“EspeciallyIdon’tlikethechocolateshavingsolittlearsenicinthem.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Don’tyousee?Allthosechocolatesbeingsentroundtheneighbourhoodwereablind.Toestablishtheideaofalocalmaniac.Then,whenthegirlwasreallypoisoned,itwouldbethoughttobethesamething.Yousee,butforastrokeofluck,noonewouldeverhaveguessedthatthechocolateswereactuallysentbysomeoneinthehouseitself.”
“Thatwasastrokeofluck.You’reright.Youthinkit’sadeliberateplotagainstthegirlherself?”
“I’mafraidso.IrememberreadingaboutoldLadyRadclyffe’swill.Thatgirlhascomeintoaterrificlotofmoney.”
“Yes,andshecameofageandmadeawillthreeweeksago.Itlooksbad—forDennisRadclyffe.Hegainsbyherdeath.”
Tuppencenodded.
“Theworstofitis—thatshethinkssotoo!That’swhyshewon’thavethepolicecalledin.Alreadyshesuspectshim.Andshemustbemorethanhalfinlovewithhimtoactasshehasdone.”
“Inthatcase,”saidTommythoughtfully,“whythedevildoesn’themarryher?Muchsimplerandsafer.”
Tuppencestaredathim.
“You’vesaidamouthful,”sheobserved.“Oh,boy!I’mgettingreadytobeMissVanDusen,youobserve.”
“Whyrushtocrime,whenthereisalawfulmeansnearathand?”
Tuppencereflectedforaminuteortwo.
“I’vegotit,”sheannounced.“ClearlyhemusthavemarriedabarmaidwhilstatOxford.Originofthequarrelwithhisaunt.Thatexplainseverything.”
“Thenwhynotsendthepoisonedsweetstothebarmaid?”suggestedTommy.“Muchmorepractical.Iwishyouwouldn’tjumptothesewildconclusions,Tuppence.”
“They’redeductions,”saidTuppence,withagooddealofdignity.“Thisisyourfirstcorrida,myfriend,butwhenyouhavebeentwentyminutesinthearena—”
Tommyflungtheofficecushionather.
II
“Tuppence,Isay,Tuppence,comehere.”
Itwasbreakfasttimethenextmorning.Tuppencehurriedoutofherbedroomandintothediningroom.Tommywasstridingupanddown,theopennewspaperinhishand.
“What’sthematter?”
Tommywheeledround,andshovedthepaperintoherhand,pointingtotheheadlines.
MYSTERIOUSPOISONINGCASEDEATHSFROMFIGSANDWICHES
Tuppencereadon.ThismysteriousoutbreakofptomainepoisoninghadoccurredatThurnlyGrange.ThedeathssofarreportedwerethoseofMissLoisHargreaves,theownerofthehouse,andtheparlourmaid,EstherQuant.ACaptainRadclyffeandaMissLoganwerereportedtobeseriouslyill.Thecauseoftheoutbreakwassupposedtobesomefigpasteusedinsandwiches,sinceanotherlady,aMissChilcott,whohadnotpartakenofthesewasreportedtobequitewell
“Wemustgetdownthereatonce,”saidTommy.“Thatgirl!Thatperfectlyrippinggirl!Whythedevildidn’tIgostraightdowntherewithheryesterday?”
“Ifyouhad,”saidTuppence,“you’dprobablyhaveeatenfigsandwichestoofortea,andthenyou’dhavebeendead.Comeon,let’sstartatonce.IseeitsaysthatDennisRadclyffeisseriouslyillalso.”
“Probablyshamming,thedirtyblackguard.”
TheyarrivedatthesmallvillageofThurnlyaboutmidday.AnelderlywomanwithredeyesopenedthedoortothemwhentheyarrivedatThurnlyGrange.
“Lookhere,”saidTommyquicklybeforeshecouldspeak.“I’mnotareporteroranythinglikethat.MissHargreavescametoseemeyesterday,andaskedmetocomedownhere.IsthereanyoneIcansee?”
“Dr.Burtonisherenow,ifyou’dliketospeaktohim,”saidthewomandoubtfully.“OrMissChilcott.She’smakingallthearrangements.”
ButTommyhadcaughtatthefirstsuggestion.
“Dr.Burton,”hesaidauthoritatively.“Ishouldliketoseehimatonceifheishere.”
Thewomanshowedthemintoasmallmorningroom.Fiveminuteslaterthedooropened,andatall,elderlymanwithbentshouldersandakind,butworriedface,camein.
“Dr.Burton,”saidTommy.Heproducedhisprofessionalcard.“MissHargreavescalledonmeyesterdaywithreferencetothosepoisonedchocolates.Icamedowntoinvestigatethematteratherrequest—alas!toolate.”
Thedoctorlookedathimkeenly.
“YouareMr.Blunthimself?”
“Yes.Thisismyassistant,MissRobinson.”
ThedoctorbowedtoTuppence.
“Underthecircumstances,thereisnoneedforreticence.Butfortheepisodeofthechocolates,Imighthavebelievedthesedeathstobetheresultofsevereptomainepoisoning—butptomainepoisoningofanunusuallyvirulentkind.Thereisgastrointestinalinflammationandhaemorrhage.Asitis,Iamtakingthefigpastetobeanalysed.”
“Yoususpectarsenicpoisoning?”
“No.Thepoison,ifapoisonhasbeenemployed,issomethingfarmorepotentandswiftinitsaction.Itlooksmorelikesomepowerfulvegetabletoxin.”
“Isee.Ishouldliketoaskyou,Dr.Burton,whetheryouarethoroughlyconvincedthatCaptainRadclyffeissufferingfromthesameformofpoisoning?”
Thedoctorlookedathim.
“CaptainRadclyffeisnotsufferingfromanysortofpoisoningnow.”
“Aha,”saidTommy.“I—”
“CaptainRadclyffediedatfiveo’clockthismorning.”
Tommywasutterlytakenaback.Thedoctorpreparedtodepart.
“Andtheothervictim,MissLogan?”askedTuppence.
“Ihaveeveryreasontohopethatshewillrecoversinceshehassurvivedsofar.Beinganolderwoman,thepoisonseemstohavehadlesseffectonher.Iwillletyouknowtheresultoftheanalysis,Mr.Blunt.Inthemeantime,MissChilcott,will,Iamsure,tellyouanythingyouwanttoknow.”
Ashespoke,thedooropened,andagirlappeared.Shewastall,withatannedface,andsteadyblueeyes.
Dr.Burtonperformedthenecessaryintroductions.
“Iamgladyouhavecome,Mr.Blunt,”saidMaryChilcott.“Thisaffairseemstooterrible.IsthereanythingyouwanttoknowthatIcantellyou?”
“Wheredidthefigpastecomefrom?”
“ItisaspecialkindthatcomesfromLondon.Weoftenhaveit.Noonesuspectedthatthisparticularpotdifferedfromanyoftheothers.PersonallyIdisliketheflavouroffigs.Thatexplainsmyimmunity.IcannotunderstandhowDenniswasaffected,sincehewasoutfortea.Hemusthavepickedupasandwichwhenhecamehome,Isuppose.”
TommyfeltTuppence’shandpresshisarmeversoslightly.
“Whattimedidhecomein?”heasked.
“Idon’treallyknow.Icouldfindout.”
“Thankyou,MissChilcott.Itdoesn’tmatter.Youhavenoobjection,Ihope,tomyquestioningtheservants?”
“Pleasedoanythingyoulike,Mr.Blunt.Iamnearlydistraught.Tellme—youdon’tthinktherehasbeen—foulplay?”
Hereyeswereveryanxious,assheputthequestion.
“Idon’tknowwhattothink.Weshallsoonknow.”
“Yes,IsupposeDr.Burtonwillhavethepasteanalysed.”
Quicklyexcusingherself,shewentoutbythewindowtospeaktooneofthegardeners.
“Youtakethehousemaids,Tuppence,”saidTommy,“andI’llfindmywaytothekitchen.Isay,MissChilcottmayfeelverydistraught,butshedoesn’tlookit.”
Tuppencenoddedassentwithoutreplying
Husbandandwifemethalfanhourlater
“Nowtopoolresults,”saidTommy.“Thesandwichescameoutfortea,andtheparlourmaidateone—that’showshegotitintheneck.CookispositiveDennisRadclyffehadn’treturnedwhenteawasclearedaway.Query—howdidhegetpoisoned?”
“Hecameinataquartertoseven,”saidTuppence.“Housemaidsawhimfromoneofthewindows.Hehadacocktailbeforedinner—inthelibrary.Shewasjustclearingawaytheglassnow,andluckilyIgotitfromherbeforeshewashedit.Itwasafterthatthathecomplainedoffeelingill.”
“Good,”saidTommy.“I’lltakethatglassalongtoBurton,presently.Anythingelse?”
“I’dlikeyoutoseeHannah,themaid.She’s—she’squeer.”
“Howdoyoumean—queer?”
“Shelookstomeasthoughsheweregoingoffherhead.”
“Letmeseeher.”
Tuppenceledthewayupstairs.Hannahhadasmallsittingroomofherown.Themaidsatuprightonahighchair.OnherkneeswasanopenBible.Shedidnotlooktowardsthetwostrangersastheyentered.Insteadshecontinuedtoreadaloudtoherself.
“Lethotburningcoalsfalluponthem,letthembecastintothefireandintothepit,thattheyneverriseupagain.”
“MayIspeaktoyouaminute?”askedTommy.
Hannahmadeanimpatientgesturewithherhand.
“Thisisnotime.Thetimeisrunningshort,Isay.Iwillfollowuponmineenemiesandovertakethem,neitherwillIturnagaintillIhavedestroyedthem.Soitiswritten.ThewordoftheLordhascometome.IamthescourgeoftheLord.”
“Madasahatter,”murmuredTommy.
“She’sbeengoingonlikethatallthetime,”whisperedTuppence.
Tommypickedupabookthatwaslyingopen,facedownwardsonthetable.Heglancedatthetitleandslippeditintohispocket.
Suddenlytheoldwomanroseandturnedtowardsthemmenacingly.
“Gooutfromhere.Thetimeisathand!IamtheflailoftheLord.Thewindblowethwhereitlisteth—sodoIdestroy.Theungodlyshallperish.Thisisahouseofevil—ofevil,Itellyou!BewareofthewrathoftheLordwhosehandmaidenIam.”
Sheadvanceduponthemfiercely.Tommythoughtitbesttohumourherandwithdrew.Asheclosedthedoor,hesawherpickuptheBibleagain.
“Iwonderifshe’salwaysbeenlikethat,”hemuttered.
Hedrewfromhispocketthebookhehadpickedupoffthetable.
“Lookatthat.Funnyreadingforanignorantmaid.”
Tuppencetookthebook.
“MateriaMedica,”shemurmured.Shelookedattheflyleaf,“EdwardLogan.It’sanoldbook.Tommy,IwonderifwecouldseeMissLogan?Dr.Burtonsaidshewasbetter.”
“ShallweaskMissChilcott?”
“No.Let’sgetholdofahousemaid,andsendherintoask.”
Afterabriefdelay,theywereinformedthatMissLoganwouldseethem.Theyweretakenintoabigbedroomfacingoverthelawn.Inthebedwasanoldladywithwhitehair,herdelicatefacedrawnbysuffering.
“Ihavebeenveryill,”shesaidfaintly.“AndIcan’ttalkmuch,butEllentellsmeyouaredetectives.Loiswenttoconsultyouthen?Shespokeofdoingso.”
“Yes,MissLogan,”saidTommy.“Wedon’twanttotireyou,butperhapsyoucananswerafewquestions.Themaid,Hannah,isshequiterightinherhead?”
MissLoganlookedatthemwithobvioussurprise.
“Oh,yes.Sheisveryreligious—butthereisnothingwrongwithher.”
Tommyheldoutthebookhehadtakenfromthetable.
“Isthisyours,MissLogan?”
“Yes.Itwasoneofmyfather’sbooks.Hewasagreatdoctor,oneofthepioneersofserumtherapeutics.”
Theoldlady’svoicerangwithpride.
“Quiteso,”saidTommy.“IthoughtIknewhisname.”headdedmendaciously.“Thisbooknow,didyoulendittoHannah?”
“ToHannah?”MissLoganraisedherselfinbedwithindignation.“No,indeed.Shewouldn’tunderstandthefirstwordofit.Itisahighlytechnicalbook.”
“Yes.Iseethat.YetIfounditinHannah’sroom.”
“Disgraceful,”saidMissLogan.“Iwillnothavetheservantstouchingmythings.”
“Whereoughtittobe?”
“Inthebookshelfinmysittingroom—or—stay,IlentittoMary.Thedeargirlisveryinterestedinherbs.Shehasmadeoneortwoexperimentsinmylittlekitchen.Ihavealittleplaceofmyown,youknow,whereIbrewliqueursandmakepreservesintheold-fashionedway.DearLucy,LadyRadclyffe,youknow,usedtoswearbymytansytea—awonderfulthingforacoldinthehead.PoorLucy,shewassubjecttocolds.SoisDennis.Dearboy,hisfatherwasmyfirstcousin.”
Tommyinterruptedthesereminiscences.
“Thiskitchenofyours?DoesanyoneelseuseitexceptyouandMissChilcott?”
“Hannahclearsupthere.Andsheboilsthekettlethereforourearlymorningtea.”
“Thankyou,MissLogan,”saidTommy.“ThereisnothingmoreIwanttoaskyouatpresent.Ihopewehaven’ttiredyoutoomuch.”
Helefttheroomandwentdownthestairs,frowningtohimself.
“Thereissomethinghere,mydearMr.Ricardo,thatIdonotunderstand.”
“Ihatethishouse,”saidTuppencewithashiver.“Let’sgoforagoodlongwalkandtrytothinkthingsout.”
Tommycompliedandtheysetout.Firsttheyleftthecocktailglassatthedoctor’shouse,andthensetoffforagoodtrampacrossthecountry,discussingthecaseastheydidso.
“Itmakesiteasiersomehowifoneplaysthefool,”saidTommy.“AllthisHanaudbusiness.IsupposesomepeoplewouldthinkIdidn’tcare.ButIdo,mostawfully.Ifeelthatsomehoworotherweoughttohavepreventedthis.”
“Ithinkthat’sfoolishofyou,”saidTuppence.“ItisnotasthoughweadvisedLoisHargreavesnottogotoScotlandYardoranythinglikethat.Nothingwouldhaveinducedhertobringthepoliceintothematter.Ifshehadn’tcometous,shewouldhavedonenothingatall.”
“Andtheresultwouldhavebeenthesame.Yes,youareright,Tuppence.It’smorbidtoreproachoneselfoversomethingonecouldn’thelp.WhatIwouldliketodoistomakegoodnow.”
“Andthat’snotgoingtobeeasy.”
“No,itisn’t.Therearesomanypossibilities,andyetallofthemseemwildandimprobable.SupposingDennisRadclyffeputthepoisoninthesandwiches.Heknewhewouldbeouttotea.Thatseemsfairlyplainsailing.”
“Yes,”saidTuppence,“that’sallrightsofar.Thenwecanputagainstthatthefactthathewaspoisonedhimself—sothatseemstorulehimout.Thereisonepersonwemustn’tforget—andthatisHannah.”
“Hannah?”
“Peopledoallsortsofqueerthingswhentheyhavereligiousmania.”
“Sheisprettyfargonewithittoo,”saidTommy.“YououghttodropawordtoDr.Burtonaboutit.”
“Itmusthavecomeonveryrapidly,”saidTuppence.“ThatisifwegobywhatMissLogansaid.”
“Ibelievereligiousmaniadoes,”saidTommy.“Imean,yougoonsinginghymnsinyourbedroomwiththedooropenforyears,andthenyougosuddenlyrightoverthelineandbecomeviolent.”
“ThereiscertainlymoreevidenceagainstHannahthanagainstanybodyelse,”saidTuppencethoughtfully.“AndyetIhaveanidea—”Shestopped.
“Yes?”saidTommyencouragingly.
“Itisnotreallyanidea.Isupposeitisjustaprejudice.”
“Aprejudiceagainstsomeone?”
Tuppencenodded.
“Tommy—didyoulikeMaryChilcott?”
Tommyconsidered.
“Yes,IthinkIdid.Shestruckmeasextremelycapableandbusinesslike—perhapsashadetoomuchso—butveryreliable.”
“Youdidn’tthinkitwasoddthatshedidn’tseemmoreupset?”
“Well,inawaythatisapointinherfavour.Imean,ifshehaddoneanything,shewouldmakeapointofbeingupset—layitonratherthick.”
“Isupposeso,”saidTuppence.“Andanywaytheredoesn’tseemtobeanymotiveinhercase.Onedoesn’tseewhatgoodthiswholesaleslaughtercandoher.”
“Isupposenoneoftheservantsareconcerned?”
“Itdoesn’tseemlikely.Theyseemaquiet,reliablelot.IwonderwhatEstherQuant,theparlourmaid,waslike.”
“Youmean,thatifshewasyoungandgood-lookingtherewasachancethatshewasmixedupinitsomeway.”
“ThatiswhatImean,”Tuppencesighed.“Itisallverydiscouraging.”
“Well,Isupposethepolicewillgetdowntoitallright,”saidTommy.
“Probably.Ishouldlikeittobeus.Bytheway,didyounoticealotofsmallreddotsonMissLogan’sarm?”
“Idon’tthinkIdid.Whataboutthem?”
“Theylookedasthoughtheyweremadebyahypodermicsyringe,”saidTuppence.
“ProbablyDr.Burtongaveherahypodermicinjectionofsomekind.”
“Oh,verylikely.Buthewouldn’tgiveheraboutforty.”
“Thecocainehabit,”suggestedTommyhelpfully.
“Ithoughtofthat,”saidTuppence,“buthereyeswereallright.Youcouldseeatonceifitwascocaineormorphia.Besides,shedoesn’tlookthatsortofoldlady.”
“MostrespectableandGod-fearing,”agreedTommy.
“Itisallverydifficult,”saidTuppence.“Wehavetalkedandtalkedandwedon’tseemanynearernowthanwewere.Don’tlet’sforgettocallatthedoctor’sonourwayhome.”
Thedoctor’sdoorwasopenedbyalankyboyofaboutfifteen.
“Mr.Blunt?”heinquired.“Yes,thedoctorisout,butheleftanoteforyouincaseyoushouldcall.”
HehandedthemthenoteinquestionandTommytoreitopen.
DearMr.Blunt,ThereisreasontobelievethatthepoisonemployedwasRicin,avegetabletoxalbumoseoftremendouspotency.Pleasekeepthistoyourselfforthepresent.
Tommyletthenotedrop,butpickeditupquickly.
“Ricin,”hemurmured.“Knowanythingaboutit,Tuppence?Youusedtoberatherwell-upinthesethings.”
“Ricin,”saidTuppence,thoughtfully.“Yougetitoutofcastoroil,Ibelieve.”
“Ineverdidtakekindlytocastoroil,”saidTommy.“Iammoresetagainstitthanevernow.”
“Theoil’sallright.YougetRicinfromtheseedsofthecastoroilplant.IbelieveIsawsomecastoroilplantsinthegardenthismorning—bigthingswithglossyleaves.”
“Youmeanthatsomeoneextractedthestuffonthepremises.CouldHannahdosuchathing?”
Tuppenceshookherhead.
“Doesn’tseemlikely.Shewouldn’tknowenough.”
SuddenlyTommygaveanexclamation.
“Thatbook.HaveIgotitinmypocketstill?Yes.”Hetookitout,andturnedovertheleavesvehemently.“Ithoughtso.Here’sthepageitwasopenatthismorning.Doyousee,Tuppence?Ricin!”
Tuppenceseizedthebookfromhim.
“Canyoumakeheadortailofit?Ican’t.”
“It’sclearenoughtome,”saidTuppence.Shewalkedalong,readingbusily,withonehandonTommy’sarmtosteerherself.Presentlysheshutthebookwithabang.Theywerejustapproachingthehouseagain.
“Tommy,willyouleavethistome?Justforonce,yousee,Iamthebullthathasbeenmorethantwentyminutesinthearena.”
Tommynodded.
“YoushallbetheCaptainoftheShip,Tuppence,”hesaidgravely.“We’vegottogettothebottomofthis.”
“Firstofall,”saidTuppenceastheyenteredthehouse,“ImustaskMissLoganonemorequestion.”
Sheranupstairs.Tommyfollowedher.Sherappedsharplyontheoldlady’sdoorandwentin.
“Isthatyou,mydear?”saidMissLogan.“Youknowyouaremuchtooyoungandprettytobeadetective.Haveyoufoundoutanything?”
“Yes,”saidTuppence.“Ihave.”
MissLoganlookedatherquestioningly.
“Idon’tknowaboutbeingpretty,”wentonTuppence,“butbeingyoung,IhappenedtoworkinahospitalduringtheWar.Iknowsomethingaboutserumtherapeutics.IhappentoknowthatwhenRicinisinjectedinsmalldoseshypodermically,immunityisproduced,antiricinisformed.Thatfactpavedthewayforthefoundationofserumtherapeutics.Youknewthat,MissLogan.YouinjectedRicinforsometimehypodermicallyintoyourself.Thenyouletyourselfbepoisonedwiththerest.Youhelpedyourfatherinhiswork,andyouknewallaboutRicinandhowtoobtainitandextractitfromtheseeds.YouchoseadaywhenDennisRadclyffewasoutfortea.Itwouldn’tdoforhimtobepoisonedatthesametime—hemightdiebeforeLoisHargreaves.Solongasshediedfirst,heinheritedhermoney,andathisdeathitpassestoyou,hisnext-of-kin.Youremember,youtoldusthismorningthathisfatherwasyourfirstcousin.”
TheoldladystaredatTuppencewithbalefuleyes.
Suddenlyawildfigureburstinfromtheadjoiningroom.ItwasHannah.Inherhandsheheldalightedtorchwhichshewavedfrantically.
“Truthhasbeenspoken.Thatisthewickedone.IsawherreadingthebookandsmilingtoherselfandIknew.Ifoundthebookandthepage—butitsaidnothingtome.ButthevoiceoftheLordspoketome.Shehatedmymistress,herladyship.Shewasalwaysjealousandenvious.ShehatedmyownsweetMissLois.Butthewickedshallperish,thefireoftheLordshallconsumethem.”
Wavinghertorchshesprangforwardtothebed.
Acryarosefromtheoldlady.
“Takeheraway—takeheraway.It’strue—buttakeheraway.”
TuppenceflungherselfuponHannah,butthewomanmanagedtosetfiretothecurtainsofthebedbeforeTuppencecouldgetthetorchfromherandstamponit.Tommy,however,hadrushedinfromthelandingoutside.Hetoredownthebedhangingsandmanagedtostifletheflameswitharug.ThenherushedtoTuppence’sassistance,andbetweenthemtheysubduedHannahjustasDr.Burtoncamehurryingin.
Averyfewwordssufficedtoputhimaucourantofthesituation.
Hehurriedtothebedside,liftedMissLogan’shand,thenutteredasharpexclamation.
“Theshockoffirehasbeentoomuchforher.She’sdead.Perhapsitisaswellunderthecircumstances.”
Hepaused,andthenadded,“TherewasRicininthecocktailglassaswell.”
“It’sthebestthingthatcouldhavehappened,”saidTommy,whentheyhadrelinquishedHannahtothedoctor’scare,andwerealonetogether.“Tuppence,youweresimplymarvellous.”
“Therewasn’tmuchHanaudaboutit,”saidTuppence.
“Itwastooseriousforplayacting.Istillcan’tbeartothinkofthatgirl.Iwon’tthinkofher.But,asIsaidbefore,youweremarvellous.Thehonoursarewithyou.Touseafamiliarquotation,‘Itisagreatadvantagetobeintelligentandnottolookit.’”
“Tommy,”saidTuppence,“you’reabeast.”
Thirteen
THEUNBREAKABLEALIBI
TommyandTuppencewerebusysortingcorrespondence.TuppencegaveanexclamationandhandedaletteracrosstoTommy.
“Anewclient,”shesaidimportantly.
“Ha!”saidTommy.“Whatdowededucefromthisletter,Watson?Nothingmuch,exceptthesomewhatobviousfactthatMr.—er—MontgomeryJonesisnotoneoftheworld’sbestspellers,therebyprovingthathehasbeenexpensivelyeducated.”
“MontgomeryJones?”saidTuppence.“NowwhatdoIknowaboutaMontgomeryJones?Oh,yes,Ihavegotitnow.IthinkJanetSt.Vincentmentionedhim.HismotherwasLadyAileenMontgomery,verycrustyandhigh-church,withgoldcrossesandthings,andshemarriedamancalledJoneswhoisimmenselyrich.”
“Infactthesameoldstory,”saidTommy.“Letmesee,whattimedoesthisMr.M.J.wishtoseeus?Ah,eleventhirty.”
Ateleventhirtyprecisely,averytallyoungmanwithanamiableandingenuouscountenanceenteredtheouterofficeandaddressedhimselftoAlbert,theofficeboy.
“Lookhere—Isay.CanIseeMr.—er—Blunt?”
“Haveyouanappointment,sir?”saidAlbert.
“Idon’tquiteknow.Yes,IsupposeIhave.WhatImeanis,Iwrotealetter—”
“Whatname,sir?”
“Mr.MontgomeryJones.”
“IwilltakeyournameintoMr.Blunt.”
Hereturnedafterabriefinterval.
“Willyouwaitafewminutesplease,sir.Mr.Bluntisengagedonaveryimportantconferenceatpresent.”
“Oh—er—yes—certainly,”saidMr.MontgomeryJones.
Having,hehoped,impressedhisclientsufficientlyTommyrangthebuzzeronhisdesk,andMr.MontgomeryJoneswasusheredintotheinnerofficebyAlbert.
Tommyrosetogreethim,andshakinghimwarmlybythehandmotionedtowardsthevacantchair.
“Now,Mr.MontgomeryJones,”hesaidbriskly.“Whatcanwehavethepleasureofdoingforyou?”
Mr.MontgomeryJoneslookeduncertainlyatthethirdoccupantoftheoffice.
“Myconfidentialsecretary,MissRobinson,”saidTommy.“Youcanspeakquitefreelybeforeher.Itakeitthatthisissomefamilymatterofadelicatekind?”
“Well—notexactly,”saidMr.MontgomeryJones.
“Yousurpriseme,”saidTommy.“Youarenotintroubleofanykindyourself,Ihope?”
“Oh,rathernot,”saidMr.MontgomeryJones.
“Well,”saidTommy,“perhapsyouwill—er—statethefactsplainly.”
That,however,seemedtobetheonethingthatMr.MontgomeryJonescouldnotdo.
“It’sadashedoddsortofthingIhavegottoaskyou,”hesaidhesitatingly.“I—er—Ireallydon’tknowhowtosetaboutit.”
“Wenevertouchdivorcecases,”saidTommy.
“OhLord,no,”saidMr.MontgomeryJones.“Idon’tmeanthat.Itisjust,well—it’sadeucedsillysortofajoke.That’sall.”
“Someonehasplayedapracticaljokeonyouofamysteriousnature?”suggestedTommy.
ButMr.MontgomeryJonesoncemoreshookhishead.
“Well,”saidTommy,retiringgracefullyfromtheposition,“takeyourowntimeandletushaveitinyourownwords.”
Therewasapause.
“Yousee,”saidMr.Jonesatlast,“itwasatdinner.Isatnexttoagirl.”
“Yes?”saidTommyencouragingly.
“Shewasa—ohwell,Ireallycan’tdescribeher,butshewassimplyoneofthemostsportinggirlsIevermet.She’sanAustralian,overherewithanothergirl,sharingaflatwithherinClargesStreet.She’ssimplygameforanything.Iabsolutelycan’ttellyoutheeffectthatgirlhadonme.”
“Wecanquiteimagineit,Mr.Jones,”saidTuppence.
ShesawclearlythatifMr.MontgomeryJones’stroubleswereevertobeextractedasympatheticfemininetouchwasneeded,asdistinctfromthebusinesslikemethodsofMr.Blunt.
“Wecanunderstand,”saidTuppenceencouragingly.
“Well,thewholethingcameasanabsoluteshocktome,”saidMr.MontgomeryJones,“thatagirlcouldwell—knockyouoverlikethat.Therehadbeenanothergirl—infacttwoothergirls.Onewasawfullyjollyandallthat,butIdidn’tmuchlikeherchin.Shedancedmarvellouslythough,andIhaveknownherallmylife,whichmakesafellowfeelkindofsafe,youknow.Andthentherewasoneofthegirlsatthe‘Frivolity.’Frightfullyamusing,butofcoursetherewouldbealotofructionswiththematteroverthat,andanywayIdidn’treallywanttomarryeitherofthem,butIwasthinkingaboutthings,youknow,andthen—slapoutoftheblue—Isatnexttothisgirland—”
“Thewholeworldwaschanged,”saidTuppenceinafeelingvoice.
Tommymovedimpatientlyinhischair.HewasbynowsomewhatboredbytherecitalofMr.MontgomeryJones’sloveaffairs.
“Youputitawfullywell,”saidMr.MontgomeryJones.“Thatisabsolutelywhatitwaslike.Only,youknow,Ifancyshedidn’tthinkmuchofme.Youmayn’tthinkit,butIamnotterriblyclever.”
“Oh,youmustn’tbetoomodest,”saidTuppence.
“Oh,IdorealisethatIamnotmuchofachap,”saidMr.Joneswithanengagingsmile.“Notforaperfectlymarvellousgirllikethat.ThatiswhyIjustfeelIhavegottoputthisthingthrough.It’smyonlychance.She’ssuchasportinggirlthatshewouldnevergobackonherword.”
“Well,Iamsurewewishyouluckandallthat,”saidTuppencekindly.“ButIdon’texactlyseewhatyouwantustodo.”
“OhLord,”saidMr.MontgomeryJones.“Haven’tIexplained?”
“No,”saidTommy,“youhaven’t.”
“Well,itwaslikethis.Weweretalkingaboutdetectivestories.Una—that’shername—isjustaskeenaboutthemasIam.Wegottalkingaboutoneinparticular.Itallhingesonanalibi.Thenwegottalkingaboutalibisandfakingthem.ThenIsaid—no,shesaid—nowwhichofuswasitthatsaidit?”
“Nevermindwhichofyouitwas,”saidTuppence.
“Isaiditwouldbeajollydifficultthingtodo.Shedisagreed—saiditonlywantedabitofbrainwork.Wegotallhotandexcitedaboutitandintheendshesaid,‘Iwillmakeyouasportingoffer.WhatdoyoubetthatIcanproduceanalibithatnobodycanshake?’”
“‘Anythingyoulike,’Isaid,andwesettleditthenandthere.Shewasfrightfullycocksureaboutthewholething.‘It’sanoddsonchanceforme,’shesaid.‘Don’tbesosureofthat,’Isaid.‘SupposingyouloseandIaskyouforanythingIlike?’ShelaughedandsaidshecameofagamblingfamilyandIcould.”
“Well?”saidTuppenceasMr.Jonescametoapauseandlookedatherappealingly.
“Well,don’tyousee?Itisuptome.ItistheonlychanceIhavegotofgettingagirllikethattolookatme.Youhavenoideahowsportingsheis.Lastsummershewasoutinaboatandsomeonebethershewouldn’tjumpoverboardandswimashoreinherclothes,andshedidit.”
“Itisaverycuriousproposition,”saidTommy.“IamnotquitesureIyetunderstandit.”
“Itisperfectlysimple,”saidMr.MontgomeryJones.“Youmustbedoingthissortofthingallthetime.Investigatingfakealibisandseeingwheretheyfalldown.”
“Oh—er—yes,ofcourse,”saidTommy.“Wedoalotofthatsortofwork.”
“Someonehasgottodoitforme,”saidMontgomeryJones.“Ishouldn’tbeanygoodatthatsortofthingmyself.Youhaveonlygottocatchheroutandeverythingisallright.Idaresayitseemsratherafutilebusinesstoyou,butitmeansalottomeandIampreparedtopay—er—allnecessarywhatnots,youknow.”
“Thatwillbeallright,”saidTuppence.“IamsureMr.Bluntwilltakethiscaseonforyou.”
“Certainly,certainly,”saidTommy.“Amostrefreshingcase,mostrefreshingindeed.”
Mr.MontgomeryJonesheavedasighofrelief,pulledamassofpapersfromhispocketandselectedoneofthem.“Hereitis,”hesaid.“Shesays,‘IamsendingyouproofIwasintwodistinctplacesatoneandthesametime.AccordingtoonestoryIdinedattheBonTempsRestaurantinSohobymyself,wenttotheDuke’sTheatreandhadsupperwithafriend,Mr.leMarchant,attheSavoy—butIwasalsostayingattheCastleHotel,Torquay,andonlyreturnedtoLondononthefollowingmorning.YouhavegottofindoutwhichofthetwostoriesisthetrueoneandhowImanagedtheother.’”
“There,”saidMr.MontgomeryJones.“NowyouseewhatitisthatIwantyoutodo.”
“Amostrefreshinglittleproblem,”saidTommy.“Verynaive.”
“HereisUna’sphotograph,”saidMr.MontgomeryJones.“Youwillwantthat.”
“Whatisthelady’sfullname?”inquiredTommy.
“MissUnaDrake.Andheraddressis180ClargesStreet.”
“Thankyou,”saidTommy.“Well,wewilllookintothematterforyou,Mr.MontgomeryJones.Ihopeweshallhavegoodnewsforyouveryshortly.”
“Isay,youknow,Iamnoendgrateful,”saidMr.Jones,risingtohisfeetandshakingTommybythehand.“Ithastakenanawfulloadoffmymind.”
Havingseenhisclientout,Tommyreturnedtotheinneroffice.Tuppencewasatthecupboardthatcontainedtheclassiclibrary.
“InspectorFrench,”saidTuppence.
“Eh?”saidTommy.
“InspectorFrench,ofcourse,”saidTuppence.“Healwaysdoesalibis.Iknowtheexactprocedure.Wehavetogoovereverythingandcheckit.Atfirstitwillseemallrightandthenwhenweexamineitmorecloselyweshallfindtheflaw.”
“Thereoughtnottobemuchdifficultyaboutthat,”agreedTommy.“Imean,knowingthatoneofthemisafaketostartwithmakesthethingalmostacertainty,Ishouldsay.Thatiswhatworriesme.”
“Idon’tseeanythingtoworryaboutinthat.”
“Iamworryingaboutthegirl,”saidTommy.“Shewillprobablybeletintomarrythatyoungmanwhethershewantstoornot.”
“Darling,”saidTuppence,“don’tbefoolish.Womenareneverthewildgamblerstheyappear.Unlessthatgirlwasalreadyperfectlypreparedtomarrythatpleasant,butratherempty-headedyoungman,shewouldneverhaveletherselfinforawagerofthiskind.But,Tommy,believeme,shewillmarryhimwithmoreenthusiasmandrespectifhewinsthewagerthanifshehastomakeiteasyforhimsomeotherway.”
“Youdothinkyouknowabouteverything,”saidherhusband.
“Ido,”saidTuppence.
“Andnowtoexamineourdata,”saidTommy,drawingthepaperstowardshim.“Firstthephotograph—h’m—quiteanicelookinggirl—andquiteagoodphotograph,Ishouldsay.Clearandeasilyrecognisable.”
“Wemustgetsomeothergirls’photographs,”saidTuppence.
“Why?”
“Theyalwaysdo,”saidTuppence.“Youshowfourorfivetowaitersandtheypickouttherightone.”
“Doyouthinktheydo?”saidTommy—“pickouttherightone,Imean.”
“Well,theydoinbooks,”saidTuppence.
“Itisapitythatreallifeissodifferentfromfiction,”saidTommy.“Nowthen,whathavewehere?Yes,thisistheLondonlot.DinedattheBonTempsseventhirty.WenttoDuke’sTheatreandsawDelphiniumsBlue.Counterfoiloftheatreticketenclosed.SupperattheSavoywithMr.leMarchant.Wecan,Isuppose,interviewMr.leMarchant.”
“Thattellsusnothingatall,”saidTuppence,“becauseifheishelpinghertodoithenaturallywon’tgivetheshowaway.Wecanwashoutanythinghesaysnow.”
“Well,hereistheTorquayend,”wentonTommy.“Twelveo’clockfromPaddington,hadlunchintheRestaurantCar,receiptedbillenclosed.StayedatCastleHotelforonenight.Againreceiptedbill.”
“Ithinkthisisallratherweak,”saidTuppence.“Anyonecanbuyatheatreticket,youneednevergonearthetheatre.ThegirljustwenttoTorquayandtheLondonthingisafake.”
“Ifso,itisratherasitterforus,”saidTommy.“Well,IsupposewemightaswellgoandinterviewMr.leMarchant.”
Mr.leMarchantprovedtobeabreezyyouthwhobetrayednogreatsurpriseonseeingthem.
“Unahasgotsomelittlegameon,hasn’tshe?”heasked.“Youneverknowwhatthatkidisupto.”
“Iunderstand,Mr.leMarchant,”saidTommy,“thatMissDrakehadsupperwithyouattheSavoylastTuesdayevening.”
“That’sright,”saidMr.leMarchant,“IknowitwasTuesdaybecauseUnaimpresseditonmeatthetimeandwhat’smoreshemademewriteitdowninalittlebook.”
Withsomeprideheshowedanentryfaintlypencilled.“HavingsupperwithUna.Savoy.Tuesday19th.”
“WherehadMissDrakebeenearlierintheevening?Doyouknow?”
“ShehadbeentosomerottenshowcalledPinkPeoniesorsomethinglikethat.Absoluteslosh,soshetoldme.”
“YouarequitesureMissDrakewaswithyouthatevening?”
Mr.leMarchantstaredathim.
“Why,ofcourse.Haven’tIbeentellingyou.”
“Perhapssheaskedyoutotellus,”saidTuppence.
“Well,foramatteroffactshedidsaysomethingthatwasratherdashedodd.Shesaid—whatwasitnow?‘Youthinkyouaresittingherehavingsupperwithme,Jimmy,butreallyIamhavingsuppertwohundredmilesawayinDevonshire.’Nowthatwasadashedoddthingtosay,don’tyouthinkso?Sortofastralbodystuff.Thefunnythingisthatapalofmine,DickyRice,thoughthesawherthere.”
“WhoisthisMr.Rice?”
“Oh,justafriendofmine.HehadbeendowninTorquaystayingwithanaunt.Sortofoldbeanwhoisalwaysgoingtodieandneverdoes.Dickyhadbeendowndoingthedutifulnephew.Hesaid,‘IsawthatAustraliangirloneday—Unasomethingorother.Wantedtogoandtalktoher,butmyauntcarriedmeofftochatwithanoldpussyinabathchair.’Isaid:‘Whenwasthis?’andhesaid,‘Oh,Tuesdayaboutteatime.’Itoldhim,ofcourse,thathehadmadeamistake,butitwasodd,wasn’tit?WithUnasayingthataboutDevonshirethatevening?”
“Veryodd,”saidTommy.“Tellme,Mr.leMarchant,didanyoneyouknowhavesuppernearyouattheSavoy?”
“SomepeoplecalledOglanderwereatthenexttable.”
“DotheyknowMissDrake?”
“Ohyes,theyknowher.Theyarenotfrightfulfriendsoranythingofthatkind.”
“Well,ifthere’snothingmoreyoucantellus,Mr.leMarchant,Ithinkwewillwishyougoodmorning.”
“Eitherthatchapisanextraordinarilygoodliar,”saidTommyastheyreachedthestreet,“orelseheisspeakingthetruth.”
“Yes,”saidTuppence,“Ihavechangedmyopinion.IhaveasortoffeelingnowthatUnaDrakewasattheSavoyforsupperthatnight.”
“WewillnowgototheBonTemps,”saidTommy.“Alittlefoodforstarvingsleuthsisclearlyindicated.Let’sjustgetafewgirls’photographsfirst.”
Thisprovedrathermoredifficultthanwasexpected.Turningintoaphotographersanddemandingafewassortedphotographs,theyweremetwithacoldrebuff
“Whyareallthethingsthataresoeasyandsimpleinbookssodifficultinreallife,”wailedTuppence.“Howhorriblysuspicioustheylooked.Whatdoyouthinktheythoughtwewantedtodowiththephotographs?WehadbettergoandraidJane’sflat.”
Tuppence’sfriendJaneprovedofanaccommodatingdispositionandpermittedTuppencetorummageinadrawerandselectfourspecimensofformerfriendsofJane’swhohadbeenshovedhastilyintobeoutofsightandmind.
ArmedwiththisgalaxyoffemininebeautytheyproceededtotheBonTempswherefreshdifficultiesandmuchexpenseawaitedthem.Tommyhadtogetholdofeachwaiterinturn,tiphimandthenproducetheassortedphotographs.Theresultwasunsatisfactory.AtleastthreeofthephotographswerepromisingstartersashavingdinedtherelastTuesday.TheythenreturnedtotheofficewhereTuppenceimmersedherselfinanA.B.C
“Paddingtontwelveo’clock.Torquaythreethirty-five.That’sthetrainandleMarchant’sfriend,Mr.SagoorTapiocaorsomethingsawherthereaboutteatime.”
“Wehaven’tcheckedhisstatement,remember,”saidTommy.“If,asyousaidtobeginwith,leMarchantisafriendofUnaDrake’shemayhaveinventedthisstory.”
“Oh,we’llhuntupMr.Rice,”saidTuppence.“IhaveakindofhunchthatMr.leMarchantwasspeakingthetruth.No,whatIamtryingtogetatnowisthis.UnaDrakeleavesLondonbythetwelveo’clocktrain,possiblytakesaroomatahotelandunpacks.ThenshetakesatrainbacktotownarrivingintimetogettotheSavoy.ThereisoneatfourfortygetsuptoPaddingtonatnineten.”
“Andthen?”saidTommy.
“Andthen,”saidTuppencefrowning,“itisrathermoredifficult.ThereisamidnighttrainfromPaddingtondownagain,butshecouldhardlytakethat,thatwouldbetooearly.”
“Afastcar,”suggestedTommy.
“H’m,”saidTuppence.“Itisjustontwohundredmiles.”
“Australians,Ihavealwaysbeentold,driveveryrecklessly.”
“Oh,Isupposeitcouldbedone,”saidTuppence.“Shewouldarrivethereaboutseven.”
“AreyousupposinghertohavenippedintoherbedattheCastleHotelwithoutbeingseen?Orarrivingthereexplainingthatshehadbeenoutallnightandcouldshehaveherbill,please?”
“Tommy,”saidTuppence,“weareidiots.Sheneedn’thavegonebacktoTorquayatall.Shehasonlygottogetafriendtogotothehotelthereandcollectherluggageandpayherbill.Thenyougetthereceiptedbillwiththeproperdateonit.”
“Ithinkonthewholewehaveworkedoutaverysoundhypothesis,”saidTommy.“Thenextthingtodoistocatchthetwelveo’clocktraintoTorquaytomorrowandverifyourbrilliantconclusions.”
Armedwithaportfolioofphotographs,TommyandTuppencedulyestablishedthemselvesinafirst-classcarriagethefollowingmorning,andbookedseatsforthesecondlunch.
“Itprobablywon’tbethesamediningcarattendants,”saidTommy.“Thatwouldbetoomuchlucktoexpect.IexpectweshallhavetotravelupanddowntoTorquayfordaysbeforewestriketherightones.”
“Thisalibibusinessisverytrying,”saidTuppence.“Inbooksitisallpassedoverintwoorthreeparagraphs.InspectorSomethingthenboardedthetraintoTorquayandquestionedthediningcarattendantsandsoendedthestory.”
Foronce,however,theyoungcouple’sluckwasin.InanswertotheirquestiontheattendantwhobroughttheirbillforlunchprovedtobethesameonewhohadbeenondutytheprecedingTuesday.WhatTommycalledtheten-shillingtouchthencameintoactionandTuppenceproducedtheportfolio.
“Iwanttoknow,”saidTommy,“ifanyoftheseladieshadlunchonthistrainonTuesdaylast?”
InagratifyingmannerworthyofthebestdetectivefictionthemanatonceindicatedthephotographofUnaDrake.
“Yes,sir,Irememberthatlady,andIrememberthatitwasTuesday,becausetheladyherselfdrewattentiontothefact,sayingitwasalwaystheluckiestdayintheweekforher.”
“Sofar,sogood,”saidTuppenceastheyreturnedtotheircompartment.“Andwewillprobablyfindthatshebookedatthehotelallright.ItisgoingtobemoredifficulttoprovethatshetravelledbacktoLondon,butperhapsoneoftheportersatthestationmayremember.”
Here,however,theydrewablank,andcrossingtotheupplatformTommymadeinquiriesoftheticketcollectorandofvariousporters.Afterthedistributionofhalfcrownsasapreliminarytoinquiring,twooftheporterspickedoutoneoftheotherphotographswithavagueremembrancethatsomeonelikethattravelledtotownbythefourfortythatafternoon,buttherewasnoidentificationofUnaDrake.
“Butthatdoesn’tproveanything,”saidTuppenceastheyleftthestation.“Shemayhavetravelledbythattrainandnoonenoticedher.”
“Shemayhavegonefromtheotherstation,fromTorre.”
“That’squitelikely,”saidTuppence,“however,wecanseetothatafterwehavebeentothehotel.”
TheCastleHotelwasabigoneoverlookingthesea.Afterbookingaroomforthenightandsigningtheregister,Tommyobservedpleasantly.
“IbelieveyouhadafriendofoursstayingherelastTuesday.MissUnaDrake.”
Theyoungladyinthebureaubeamedathim.
“Oh,yes,Irememberquitewell.AnAustralianyounglady,Ibelieve.”
AtasignfromTommy,Tuppenceproducedthephotograph.
“Thatisratheracharmingphotographofher,isn’tit?”saidTuppence.
“Oh,verynice,veryniceindeed,quitestylish.”
“Didshestayherelong?”inquiredTommy.
“Onlytheonenight.ShewentawaybytheexpressthenextmorningbacktoLondon.Itseemedalongwaytocomeforonenight,butofcourseIsupposeAustralianladiesdon’tthinkanythingoftravelling.”
“Sheisaverysportinggirl,”saidTommy,“alwayshavingadventures.Itwasn’there,wasit,thatshewentouttodinewithsomefriends,wentforadriveintheircarafterwards,ranthecarintoaditchandwasn’tabletogethometillmorning?”
“Oh,no,”saidtheyounglady.“MissDrakehaddinnerhereinthehotel.”
“Really,”saidTommy,“areyousureofthat?Imean—howdoyouknow?”
“Oh,Isawher.”
“IaskedbecauseIunderstoodshewasdiningwithsomefriendsinTorquay,”explainedTommy.
“Oh,no,sir,shedinedhere.”Theyoungladylaughedandblushedalittle.“Iremembershehadonamostsweetlyprettyfrock.Oneofthosenewfloweredchiffonsalloverpansies.”
“Tuppence,thistearsit,”saidTommywhentheyhadbeenshownupstairstotheirroom.
“Itdoesrather,”saidTuppence.“Ofcoursethatwomanmaybemistaken.Wewillaskthewaiteratdinner.Therecan’tbeverymanypeopleherejustatthistimeofyear.”
ThistimeitwasTuppencewhoopenedtheattack.
“CanyoutellmeifafriendofminewasherelastTuesday?”sheaskedthewaiterwithanengagingsmile.“AMissDrake,wearingafrockalloverpansies,Ibelieve.”Sheproducedaphotograph.“Thislady.”
Thewaiterbrokeintoimmediatesmilesofrecognition.
“Yes,yes,MissDrake,Irememberherverywell.ShetoldmeshecamefromAustralia.”
“Shedinedhere?”
“Yes.ItwaslastTuesday.Sheaskedmeiftherewasanythingtodoafterwardsinthetown.”
“Yes?”
“Itoldherthetheatre,thePavilion,butintheendshedecidednottogoandshestayedherelisteningtoourorchestra.”
“Oh,damn!”saidTommy,underhisbreath.
“Youdon’trememberwhattimeshehaddinner,doyou?”askedTuppence.
“Shecamedownalittlelate.Itmusthavebeenabouteighto’clock.”
“Damn,Blast,andCurse,”saidTuppenceassheandTommyleftthediningroom.“Tommy,thisisallgoingwrong.Itseemedsoclearandlovely.”
“Well,Isupposeweoughttohaveknownitwouldn’tallbeplainsailing.”
“Isthereanytrainshecouldhavetakenafterthat,Iwonder?”
“NotonethatwouldhavelandedherinLondonintimetogototheSavoy.”
“Well,”saidTuppence,“asalasthopeIamgoingtotalktothechambermaid.UnaDrakehadaroomonthesamefloorasours.”
Thechambermaidwasavolubleandinformativewoman.Yes,sherememberedtheyoungladyquitewell.Thatwasherpicturerightenough.Averyniceyounglady,verymerryandtalkative.HadtoldheralotaboutAustraliaandthekangaroos.
Theyoungladyrangthebellabouthalfpastnineandaskedforherbottletobefilledandputinherbed,andalsotobecalledthenextmorningathalfpastseven—withcoffeeinsteadoftea.
“Youdidcallherandshewasinherbed?”askedTuppence.
“Why,yes,Ma’am,ofcourse.”
“Oh,Ionlywonderedifshewasdoingexercisesoranything,”saidTuppencewildly.“Somanypeopledointheearlymorning.”
“Well,thatseemscast-ironenough,”saidTommywhenthechambermaidhaddeparted.“Thereisonlyoneconclusiontobedrawnfromit.ItistheLondonsideofthethingthatmustbefaked.”
“Mr.leMarchantmustbeamoreaccomplishedliarthanwethought,”saidTuppence.
“Wehaveawayofcheckinghisstatements,”saidTommy.“HesaidtherewerepeoplesittingatthenexttablewhomUnaknewslightly.Whatwastheirname—Oglander,thatwasit.WemusthuntuptheseOglanders,andweoughtalsotomakeinquiriesatMissDrake’sflatinClargesStreet.”
Thefollowingmorningtheypaidtheirbillanddepartedsomewhatcrestfallen.
HuntingouttheOglanderswasfairlyeasywiththeaidofthetelephonebook.Tuppencethistimetooktheoffensiveandassumedthecharacterofarepresentativeofanewillustratedpaper.ShecalledonMrs.Oglander,askingforafewdetailsoftheir“smart”supperpartyattheSavoyonTuesdayevening.ThesedetailsMrs.Oglanderwasonlytoowillingtosupply.JustasshewasleavingTuppenceaddedcarelessly.“Letmesee,wasn’tMissDrakesittingatthetablenexttoyou?IsitreallytruethatsheisengagedtotheDukeofPerth?Youknowher,ofcourse.”
“Iknowherslightly,”saidMrs.Oglander.“Averycharminggirl,Ibelieve.Yes,shewassittingatthenexttabletoourswithMr.leMarchant.MygirlsknowherbetterthanIdo.”
Tuppence’snextportofcallwastheflatinClargesStreet.HereshewasgreetedbyMissMarjoryLeicester,thefriendwithwhomMissDrakesharedaflat.
“Dotellmewhatallthisisabout?”askedMissLeicesterplaintively.“UnahassomedeepgameonandIdon’tknowwhatitis.OfcoursesheslepthereonTuesdaynight.”
“Didyouseeherwhenshecamein?”
“No,Ihadgonetobed.Shehasgotherownlatchkey,ofcourse.Shecameinaboutoneo’clock,Ibelieve.”
“Whendidyouseeher?”
“Oh,thenextmorningaboutnine—orperhapsitwasnearerten.”
AsTuppencelefttheflatshealmostcollidedwithatallgauntfemalewhowasentering.
“Excuseme,Miss,I’msure,”saidthegauntfemale.
“Doyouworkhere?”askedTuppence.
“Yes,Miss,Icomedaily.”
“Whattimedoyougethereinthemorning?”
“Nineo’clockismytime,Miss.”
Tuppenceslippedahurriedhalfcrownintothegauntfemale’shand.
“WasMissDrakeherelastTuesdaymorningwhenyouarrived?”
“Why,yes,Miss,indeedshewas.FastasleepinherbedandhardlywokeupwhenIbroughtherinhertea.”
“Oh,thankyou,”saidTuppenceandwentdisconsolatelydownthestairs.
ShehadarrangedtomeetTommyforlunchinasmallrestaurantinSohoandtheretheycomparednotes.
“IhaveseenthatfellowRice.ItisquitetruehedidseeUnaDrakeinthedistanceatTorquay.”
“Well,”saidTuppence,“wehavecheckedthesealibisallright.Here,givemeabitofpaperandapencil,Tommy.Letusputitdownneatlylikealldetectivesdo.”
1:30
UnaDrakeseeninLuncheonCaroftrain.
4o’clock
ArrivesatCastleHotel.
5o’clock
SeenbyMr.Rice.
8o’clock
Seendiningathotel.
9:30
Asksforhotwaterbottle.
11:30
SeenatSavoywithMr.leMarchant.
7:30a.m.
CalledbychambermaidatCastleHotel
9o’clock.
CalledbycharwomanatflatatClargesStreet.
Theylookedateachother.
“Well,itlookstomeasifBlunt’sBrilliantDetectivesarebeat,”saidTommy.
“Oh,wemustn’tgiveup,”saidTuppence.“Somebodymustbelying!”
“Thequeerthingisthatitstrikesmenobodywaslying.Theyallseemedperfectlytruthfulandstraightforward.”
“Yettheremustbeaflaw.Weknowthereis.Ithinkofallsortsofthingslikeprivateaeroplanes,butthatdoesn’treallygetusanyforwarder.”
“Iaminclinedtothetheoryofanastralbody.”
“Well,”saidTuppence,“theonlythingtodoistosleeponit.Yoursubconsciousworksinyoursleep.”
“H’m,”saidTommy.“Ifyoursubconsciousprovidesyouwithaperfectlygoodanswertothisriddlebytomorrowmorning,Itakeoffmyhattoit.”
Theywereverysilentallthatevening.AgainandagainTuppencerevertedtothepaperoftimes.Shewrotethingsonbitsofpaper.Shemurmuredtoherself,shesoughtperplexedlythroughRailGuides.Butintheendtheybothrosetogotobedwithnofaintglimmeroflightontheproblem.
“Thisisverydisheartening,”saidTommy.
“OneofthemostmiserableeveningsIhaveeverspent,”saidTuppence.
“WeoughttohavegonetoaMusicHall,”saidTommy.“Afewgoodjokesaboutmothers-in-lawandtwinsandbottlesofbeerwouldhavedoneusnoendofgood.”
“No,youwillseethisconcentrationwillworkintheend,”saidTuppence.“Howbusyoursubconsciouswillhavetobeinthenexteighthours!”Andonthishopefulnotetheywenttobed.
“Well,”saidTommynextmorning.“Hasthesubconsciousworked?”
“Ihavegotanidea,”saidTuppence.
“Youhave.Whatsortofanidea?”
“Well,ratherafunnyidea.NotatalllikeanythingIhaveeverreadindetectivestories.Asamatteroffactitisanideathatyouputintomyhead.”
“Thenitmustbeagoodidea,”saidTommyfirmly.“Comeon,Tuppence,outwithit.”
“Ishallhavetosendacabletoverifyit,”saidTuppence.“No,Iamnotgoingtotellyou.It’saperfectlywildidea,butit’stheonlythingthatfitsthefacts.”
“Well,”saidTommy,“Imustawaytotheoffice.Aroomfulofdisappointedclientsmustnotwaitinvain.Ileavethiscaseinthehandsofmypromisingsubordinate.”
Tuppencenoddedcheerfully.
Shedidnotputinanappearanceattheofficeallday.WhenTommyreturnedthateveningabouthalfpastfiveitwastofindawildlyexultantTuppenceawaitinghim.
“Ihavedoneit,Tommy.Ihavesolvedthemysteryofthealibi.Wecanchargeupallthesehalfcrownsandten-shillingnotesanddemandasubstantialfeeofourownfromMr.MontgomeryJonesandhecangorightoffandcollecthisgirl.”
“Whatisthesolution?”criedTommy.
“Aperfectlysimpleone,”saidTuppence.“Twins.”
“Whatdoyoumean?—Twins?”
“Why,justthat.Ofcourseitistheonlysolution.Iwillsayyouputitintomyheadlastnighttalkingaboutmothers-in-law,twins,andbottlesofbeer.IcabledtoAustraliaandgotbacktheinformationIwanted.Unahasatwinsister,Vera,whoarrivedinEnglandlastMonday.Thatiswhyshewasabletomakethisbetsospontaneously.ShethoughtitwouldbeafrightfulragonpoorMontgomeryJones.ThesisterwenttoTorquayandshestayedinLondon.”
“Doyouthinkshe’llbeterriblydespondentthatshe’slost?”askedTommy.
“No,”saidTuppence,“Idon’t.Igaveyoumyviewsaboutthatbefore.ShewillputallthekudosdowntoMontgomeryJones.Ialwaysthinkrespectforyourhusband’sabilitiesshouldbethefoundationofmarriedlife.”
“Iamgladtohaveinspiredthesesentimentsinyou,Tuppence.”
“Itisnotareallysatisfactorysolution,”saidTuppence.“NottheingenioussortofflawthatInspectorFrenchwouldhavedetected.”
“Nonsense,”saidTommy.“IthinkthewayIshowedthesephotographstothewaiterintherestaurantwasexactlylikeInspectorFrench.”
“Hedidn’thavetousenearlysomanyhalfcrownsandten-shillingnotesasweseemtohavedone,”saidTuppence.
“Nevermind,”saidTommy.“WecanchargethemallupwithadditionstoMr.MontgomeryJones.Hewillbeinsuchastateofidioticblissthathewouldprobablypaythemostenormousbillwithoutjibbingatit.”
“Soheshould,”saidTuppence.“Haven’tBlunt’sBrilliantDetectivesbeenbrilliantlysuccessful?Oh,Tommy,Idothinkweareextraordinarilyclever.Itquitefrightensmesometimes.”
“ThenextcasewehaveshallbeaRogerSheringhamcase,andyou,Tuppence,shallbeRogerSheringham.”
“Ishallhavetotalkalot,”saidTuppence.
“Youdothatnaturally,”saidTommy.“AndnowIsuggestthatwecarryoutmyprogrammeoflastnightandseekoutaMusicHallwheretheyhaveplentyofjokesaboutmothers-in-law,bottlesofbeer,andTwins.”
Fourteen
THECLERGYMAN’SDAUGHTER
“Iwish,”saidTuppence,roamingmoodilyroundtheoffice,“thatwecouldbefriendaclergyman’sdaughter.”
“Why?”askedTommy.
“Youmayhaveforgottenthefact,butIwasonceaclergyman’sdaughtermyself.Irememberwhatitwaslike.Hencethisaltruisticurge—thisspiritofthoughtfulconsiderationforothers—this—”
“YouaregettingreadytobeRogerSheringham,Isee,”saidTommy.“Ifyouwillallowmetomakeacriticism,youtalkquiteasmuchashedoes,butnotnearlysowell.”
“Onthecontrary,”saidTuppence.“Thereisafemininesubtletyaboutmyconversation,ajenesaisquoithatnogrossmalecouldeverattainto.Ihave,moreover,powersunknowntomyprototype—doImeanprototype?Wordsaresuchuncertainthings,theysooftensoundwell,butmeantheoppositeofwhatonethinkstheydo.”
“Goon,”saidTommykindly.
“Iwas.Iwasonlypausingtotakebreath.Touchingthesepowers,itismywishtodaytoassistaclergyman’sdaughter.Youwillsee,Tommy,thefirstpersontoenlisttheaidofBlunt’sBrilliantDetectiveswillbeaclergyman’sdaughter.”
“I’llbetyouitisn’t,”saidTommy
“Done,”saidTuppence.“Hist!Toyourtypewriters,Oh!Israel.Onecomes.”
Mr.Blunt’sofficewashummingwithindustryasAlbertopenedthedoorandannounced:
“MissMonicaDeane.”
Aslender,brown-hairedgirl,rathershabbilydressed,enteredandstoodhesitating.Tommycameforward.
“Goodmorning,MissDeane.Won’tyousitdownandtelluswhatwecandoforyou?Bytheway,letmeintroducemyconfidentialsecretary,MissSheringham.”
“Iamdelightedtomakeyouracquaintance,MissDeane,”saidTuppence.“YourfatherwasintheChurch,Ithink.”
“Yes,hewas.Buthowdidyouknowthat?”
“Oh!wehaveourmethods,”saidTuppence.“Youmustn’tmindmerattlingon.Mr.Bluntlikestohearmetalk.Healwayssaysitgiveshimideas.”
Thegirlstaredather.Shewasaslendercreature,notbeautiful,butpossessingawistfulprettiness.Shehadaquantityofsoftmouse-colouredhair,andhereyesweredarkblueandverylovely,thoughthedarkshadowsroundthemspokeoftroubleandanxiety.
“Willyoutellmeyourstory,MissDeane?”saidTommy.
Thegirlturnedtohimgratefully.
“It’ssuchalongramblingstory,”saidthegirl.“MynameisMonicaDeane.MyfatherwastherectorofLittleHampsleyinSuffolk.Hediedthreeyearsago,andmymotherandIwereleftverybadlyoff.Iwentoutasagoverness,butmymotherbecameaconfirmedinvalid,andIhadtocomehometolookafterher.Weweredesperatelypoor,butonedaywereceivedalawyer’slettertellingusthatanauntofmyfather’shaddiedandhadlefteverythingtome.Ihadoftenheardofthisaunt,whohadquarrelledwithmyfathermanyyearsago,andIknewthatshewasverywell-off,soitreallyseemedthatourtroubleswereatanend.Butmattersdidnotturnoutquiteaswellaswehadhoped.Iinheritedthehouseshehadlivedin,butafterpayingoneortwosmalllegacies,therewasnomoneyleft.Isupposeshemusthavelostitduringthewar,orperhapsshehadbeenlivingonhercapital.Still,wehadthehouse,andalmostatoncewehadachanceofsellingitatquiteanadvantageousprice.But,foolishlyperhaps,Irefusedtheoffer.Wewereintiny,butexpensivelodgings,andIthoughtitwouldbemuchnicertoliveintheRedHouse,wheremymothercouldhavecomfortableroomsandtakeinpayinggueststocoverourexpenses.
“Iadheredtothisplan,notwithstandingafurthertemptingofferfromthegentlemanwhowantedtobuy.Wemovedin,andIadvertisedforpayingguests.Foratime,allwentwell,wehadseveralanswerstoouradvertisement;myaunt’soldservantremainedonwithus,andsheandIbetweenusdidtheworkofthehouse.Andthentheseunaccountablethingsbegantohappen.”
“Whatthings?”
“Thequeerestthings.Thewholeplaceseemedbewitched.Picturesfelldown,crockeryflewacrosstheroomandbroke;onemorningwecamedowntofindallthefurnituremovedround.Atfirstwethoughtsomeonewasplayingapracitcaljoke,butwehadtogiveupthatexplanation.Sometimeswhenwewereallsittingdowntodinner,aterrificcrashwouldbeheardoverhead.Wewouldgoupandfindnoonethere,butapieceoffurniturethrownviolentlytotheground.”
“Apoltergeist,”criedTuppence,muchinterested.
“Yes,that’swhatDr.O’Neillsaid—thoughIdon’tknowwhatitmeans.”
“It’sasortofevilspiritthatplaystricks,”explainedTuppence,whoinrealityknewverylittleaboutthesubject,andwasnotevensurethatshehadgotthewordpoltergeistright.
“Well,atanyrate,theeffectwasdisastrous.Ourvisitorswerefrightenedtodeath,andleftassoonaspossible.Wegotnewones,andtheytoolefthurriedly.Iwasindespair,and,tocrownall,ourowntinyincomeceasedsuddenly—theCompanyinwhichitwasinvestedfailed.”
“Youpoordear,”saidTuppencesympathetically.“Whatatimeyouhavehad.DidyouwantMr.Blunttoinvestigatethis‘haunting’business?”
“Notexactly.Yousee,threedaysago,agentlemancalleduponus.HisnamewasDr.O’Neill.HetoldusthathewasamemberoftheSocietyforPhysicalResearch,andthathehadheardaboutthecuriousmanifestationsthathadtakenplaceinourhouseandwasmuchinterested.Somuchso,thathewaspreparedtobuyitfromus,andconductaseries
“Well?”
“Ofcourse,atfirst,Iwasovercomewithjoy.Itseemedthewayoutofallourdifficulties.But—”
“Yes?”
“Perhapsyouwillthinkmefanciful.PerhapsIam.But—oh!I’msureIhaven’tmadeamistake.Itwasthesameman!”
“Whatsameman?”
“Thesamemanwhowantedtobuyitbefore.Oh!I’msureI’mright.”
“Butwhyshouldn’titbe?”
“Youdon’tunderstand.Thetwomenwerequitedifferent,differentnameandeverything.Thefirstmanwasquiteyoung,aspruce,darkyoungmanofthirtyodd.Dr.O’Neillisaboutfifty,hehasagreybeardandwearsglassesandstoops.ButwhenhetalkedIsawagoldtoothonesideofhismouth.Itonlyshowswhenhelaughs.Theothermanhadatoothinjustthesameposition,andthenIlookedathisears.Ihadnoticedtheotherman’sears,becausetheywereapeculiarshapewithhardlyanylobe.Dr.O’Neill’swerejustthesame.Boththingscouldn’tbeacoincidence,couldthey?IthoughtandthoughtandfinallyIwroteandsaidIwouldlethimknowinaweek.IhadnoticedMr.Blunt’sadvertisementsometimeago—asamatteroffactinanoldpaperthatlinedoneofthekitchendrawers.Icutitoutandcameuptotown.”
“Youwerequiteright,”saidTuppence,noddingherheadwithvigour.“Thisneedslookinginto.”
“Averyinterestingcase,MissDeane,”observedTommy.
“Weshallbepleasedtolookintothisforyou—eh,MissSheringham?”
“Rather,”saidTuppence,“andwe’llgettothebottomofittoo.”
“Iunderstand,MissDeane,”wentonTommy,“thatthehouseholdconsistsofyouandyourmotherandaservant.Canyougivemeanyparticularsabouttheservant?”
“HernameisCrockett.Shewaswithmyauntabouteightortenyears.Sheisanelderlywoman,notverypleasantinmanner,butagoodservant.Sheisinclinedtogiveherselfairsbecausehersistermarriedoutofherstation.Crocketthasanephewwhomsheisalwaystellingusis‘quitethegentleman.’”
“H’m,”saidTommy,ratheratalosshowtoproceed.
TuppencehadbeeneyeingMonicakeenly,nowshespokewithsuddendecision.
“IthinkthebestplanwouldbeforMissDeanetocomeoutandlunchwithme.It’sjustoneo’clock.Icangetfulldetailsfromher.”
“Certainly,MissSheringham,”saidTommy.“Anexcellentplan.”
“Lookhere,”saidTuppence,whentheywerecomfortablyensconcedatalittletableinaneighbouringrestaurant,“Iwanttoknow:Isthereanyspecialreasonwhyyouwanttofindoutaboutallthis?”
Monicablushed.
“Well,yousee—”
“Outwithit,”saidTuppenceencouragingly.
“Well—therearetwomenwho—who—wanttomarryme.”
“Theusualstory,Isuppose?Onerich,onepoor,andthepooroneistheoneyoulike!”
“Idon’tknowhowyouknowallthesethings,”murmuredthegirl.
“That’sasortoflawofNature,”explainedTuppence.“Ithappenstoeverybody.Ithappenedtome.”
“Yousee,evenifIsellthehouse,itwon’tbringusinenoughtoliveon.Geraldisadear,buthe’sdesperatelypoor—thoughhe’saverycleverengineer;andifonlyhehadalittlecapital,hisfirmwouldtakehimintopartnership.Theother,Mr.Partridge,isaverygoodman,Iamsure—andwell-off,andifImarriedhim,itwouldbeanendtoallourtroubles.But—but—”
“Iknow,”saidTuppencesympathetically.“Itisn’tthesamethingatall.Youcangoontellingyourselfhowgoodandworthyheis,andaddinguphisqualitiesasthoughtheywereanadditionsum—anditallhasasimplyrefrigeratingeffect.”
Monicanodded.
“Well,”saidTuppence,“Ithinkitwouldbeaswellifwewentdowntotheneighbourhoodandstudiedmattersuponthespot.Whatistheaddress?”
“TheRedHouse,Stourton-in-the-Marsh.”
Tuppencewrotedowntheaddressinhernotebook.
“Ididn’taskyou,”Monicabegan—“aboutterms—”sheended,blushingalittle.
“Ourpaymentsarestrictlybyresults,”saidTuppencegravely.“IfthesecretoftheRedHouseisaprofitableone,asseemspossiblefromtheanxietydisplayedtoacquiretheproperty,weshouldexpectasmallpercentage,otherwise—nothing!”
“Thankyouverymuch,”saidthegirlgratefully.
“Andnow,”saidTuppence,“don’tworry.Everything’sgoingtobeallright.Let’senjoylunchandtalkofinterestingthings.”
Fifteen
THEREDHOUSE
“Well,”saidTommy,lookingoutofthewindowoftheCrownandAnchor,“hereweareatToadintheHole—orwhateverthisblastedvillageiscalled.”
“Letusreviewthecase,”saidTuppence.
“Byallmeans,”saidTommy.“Tobeginwith,gettingmysayinfirst,Isuspecttheinvalidmother!”
“Why?”
“MydearTuppence,grantthatthispoltergeistbusinessisallaput-upjob,gotupinordertopersuadethegirltosellthehouse,someonemusthavethrownthethingsabout.Nowthegirlsaideveryonewasatdinner—butifthemotherisathoroughgoinginvalid,she’dbeupstairsinherroom.”
“Ifshewasaninvalidshecouldhardlythrowfurnitureabout.”
“Ah!butshewouldn’tbearealinvalid.She’dbeshamming.”
“Why?”
“Thereyouhaveme,”confessedherhusband.“Iwasreallygoingonthewell-knownprincipleofsuspectingthemostunlikelyperson.”
“Youalwaysmakefunofeverything,”saidTuppenceseverely.“Theremustbesomethingthatmakesthesepeoplesoanxioustogetholdofthehouse.Andifyoudon’tcareaboutgettingtothebottomofthismatter,Ido.Ilikethatgirl.She’sadear.”
Tommynoddedseriouslyenough.
“Iquiteagree.ButInevercanresistraggingyou,Tuppence.Ofcourse,there’ssomethingqueeraboutthehouse,andwhateveritis,it’ssomethingthat’sdifficulttogetat.Otherwiseamereburglarywoulddothetrick.Buttobewillingtobuythehousemeanseitherthatyou’vegottotakeupfloorsorpulldownwalls,orelsethatthere’sacoalmineunderthebackgarden.”
“Idon’twantittobeacoalmine.Buriedtreasureismuchmoreromantic.”
“H’m,”saidTommy.“InthatcaseIthinkthatIshallpayavisittothelocalBankManager,explainthatIamstayinghereoverChristmasandprobablybuyingtheRedHouse,anddiscussthequestionofopeninganaccount.”
“Butwhy—?”
“Waitandsee.”
Tommyreturnedattheendofhalfanhour.Hiseyesweretwinkling.
“Weadvance,Tuppence.Ourinterviewproceededonthelinesindicated.Ithenaskedcasuallywhetherhehadhadmuchgoldpaidin,asisoftenthecasenowadaysinthesesmallcountrybanks—smallfarmerswhohoardeditduringthewar,youunderstand.Fromthatweproceededquitenaturallytotheextraordinaryvagariesofoldladies.IinventedanauntwhoontheoutbreakofwardrovetotheArmyandNavyStoresinafour-wheeler,andreturnedwithsixteenhams.Heimmediatelymentionedaclientofhisown,whohadinsistedondrawingouteverypennyofmoneyshehad—ingoldasfaraspossible,andwhoalsoinsistedonhavinghersecurities,bearerbondsandsuchthings,givenintoherowncustody.Iexclaimedonsuchanactoffolly,andhementionedcasuallythatshewastheformerowneroftheRedHouse.Yousee,Tuppence?Shedrewoutallthismoney,andshehiditsomewhere.YourememberthatMonicaDeanementionedthattheywereastonishedatthesmallamountofherestate?Yes,shehiditintheRedHouse,andsomeoneknowsaboutit.Icanmakeaprettygoodguesswhothatsomeoneistoo.”
“Who?”
“WhataboutthefaithfulCrockett?Shewouldknowallabouthermistress’speculiarities.”
“Andthatgold-toothedDr.O’Neill?”
“Thegentlemanlynephew,ofcourse!That’sit.Butwhereaboutsdidshehideit.YouknowmoreaboutoldladiesthanIdo,Tuppence.Wheredotheyhidethings?”
“Wrappedupinstockingsandpetticoats,undermattresses.”
Tommynodded.
“Iexpectyou’reright.Allthesame,shecan’thavedonethatbecauseitwouldhavebeenfoundwhenherthingswereturnedover.Itworriesme—yousee,anoldladylikethatcan’thavetakenupfloorsordugholesinthegarden.Allthesameit’sthereintheRedHousesomewhere.Crocketthasn’tfoundit,butsheknowsit’sthere,andoncetheygetthehousetothemselves,sheandherpreciousnephew,theycanturnitupsidedownuntiltheyfindwhatthey’reafter.We’vegottogetaheadofthem.Comeon,Tuppence.We’llgototheRedHouse.”
MonicaDeanereceivedthem.TohermotherandCrocketttheywererepresentedaswould-bepurchasersoftheRedHouse,whichwouldaccountfortheirbeingtakenalloverthehouseandgrounds.TommydidnottellMonicaoftheconclusionshehadcometo,butheaskedhervarioussearchingquestions.Ofthegarmentsandpersonalbelongingsofthedeadwoman,somehadbeengiventoCrockettandtheotherssenttovariouspoorfamilies.Everythinghadbeengonethroughandturnedout.
“Didyourauntleaveanypapers?”
“Thedeskwasfull,andthereweresomeinadrawerinherbedroom,buttherewasnothingofimportanceamongstthem.”
“Havetheybeenthrownaway?”
“No,mymotherisalwaysveryloathtothrowawayoldpapers.Thereweresomeold-fashionedrecipesamongthemwhichsheintendstogothroughoneday.”
“Good,”saidTommyapprovingly.Then,indicatinganoldmanwhowasatworkupononeoftheflowerbedsinthegarden,heasked:“Wasthatoldmanthegardenerhereinyouraunt’stime?”
“Yes,heusedtocomethreedaysaweek.Helivesinthevillage.Pooroldfellow,heispastdoinganyreallyusefulwork.Wehavehimjustonceaweektokeepthingstidiedup.Wecan’taffordmore.”
TommywinkedatTuppencetoindicatethatshewastokeepMonicawithher,andhehimselfsteppedacrosstowherethegardenerwasworking.Hespokeafewpleasantwordstotheoldman,askedhimifhehadbeenthereintheoldlady’stime,andthensaidcasually.
“Youburiedaboxforheronce,didn’tyou?”
“No,sir,Ineverburiednaughtforher.Whatshouldshewanttoburyaboxfor?”
Tommyshookhishead.Hestrolledbacktothehousefrowning.Itwastobehopedthatastudyoftheoldlady’spaperswouldyieldsomeclue—otherwisetheproblemwasahardonetosolve.Thehouseitselfwasold-fashioned,butnotoldenoughtocontainasecretroomorpassage.
Beforeleaving,Monicabroughtthemdownabigcardboardboxtiedwithstring.
“I’vecollectedallthepapers,”shewhispered.“Andthey’reinhere.Ithoughtyoucouldtakeitawaywithyou,andthenyou’llhaveplentyoftimetogooverthem—butI’msureyouwon’tfindanythingtothrowlightonthemysterioushappeningsinthishouse—”
Herwordswereinterruptedbyaterrificcrashoverhead.Tommyranquicklyupthestairs.Ajugandabasininoneofthefrontroomswaslyingonthegroundbrokentopieces.Therewasnooneintheroom.
“Theghostuptoitstricksagain,”hemurmuredwithagrin.
Hewentdownstairsagainthoughtfully.
“Iwonder,MissDeane,ifImightspeaktothemaid,Crockett,foraminute.”
“Certainly.Iwillaskhertocometoyou.”
Monicawentofftothekitchen.Shereturnedwiththeelderlymaidwhohadopenedthedoortothemearlier.
“Wearethinkingofbuyingthishouse,”saidTommypleasantly,“andmywifewaswonderingwhether,inthatcase,youwouldcaretoremainonwithus?”
Crockett’srespectablefacedisplayednoemotionofanykind.
“Thankyou,sir,”shesaid.“IshouldliketothinkitoverifImay.”
TommyturnedtoMonica.
“Iamdelightedwiththehouse,MissDeane.Iunderstandthatthereisanotherbuyerinthemarket.Iknowwhathehasofferedforthehouse,andIwillwillinglygiveahundredmore.Andmindyou,thatisagoodpriceIamoffering.”
Monicamurmuredsomethingnoncommittal,andtheBeresfordstooktheirleave.
“Iwasright,”saidTommy,astheywentdownthedrive,“Crockett’sinit.Didyounoticethatshewasoutofbreath?Thatwasfromrunningdownthebackstairsaftersmashingthejugandbasin.Sometimes,verylikely,shehasadmittedhernephewsecretly,andhehasdonealittlepoltergeisting,orwhateveryoucallit,whilstshehasbeeninnocentlywiththefamily.You’llseeDr.O’Neillwillmakeafurtherofferbeforethedayisout.”
Trueenough,afterdinner,anotewasbrought.ItwasfromMonica.
“IhavejustheardfromDr.O’Neill.Heraiseshispreviousofferby￡150.”
“Thenephewmustbeamanofmeans,”saidTommythoughtfully.“AndItellyouwhat,Tuppence,theprizehe’saftermustbewellworthwhile.”
“Oh!Oh!Oh!ifonlywecouldfindit!”
“Well,let’sgetonwiththespadework.”
Theyweresortingthroughthebigboxofpapers,awearisomeaffair,astheywerealljumbleduppell-mellwithoutanykindoforderormethod.Everyfewminutestheycomparednotes.
“What’sthelatest,Tuppence?”
“Twooldreceiptedbills,threeunimportantletters,arecipeforpreservingnewpotatoesandoneformakinglemoncheesecake.What’syours?”
“Onebill,apoemonSpring,twonewspapercuttings:‘WhyWomenbuyPearls—asoundinvestment,’and‘ManwithFourWives—ExtraordinaryStory,’andarecipeforJuggedHare.”
“It’sheartbreaking,”saidTuppence,andtheyfelltooncemore.Atlasttheboxwasempty.Theylookedateachother.
“Iputthisaside,”saidTommy,pickingupahalfsheetofnotepaper,“becauseitstruckmeaspeculiar.ButIdon’tsupposeit’sgotanythingtodowithwhatwe’relookingfor.”
“Let’sseeit.Oh!it’soneofthesefunnythings,whatdotheycallthem?Anagrams,charadesorsomething.”Shereadit:
“MyfirstyouputonglowingcoalAndintoityouputmywhole;Mysecondreallyisthefirst;Mythirdmislikesthewinterblast.”
“H’m,”saidTommycritically.“Idon’tthinkmuchofthepoet’srhymes.”
“Idon’tseewhatyoufindpeculiaraboutit,though,”saidTuppence.“Everybodyusedtohaveacollectionofthesesortofthingsaboutfiftyyearsago.Yousavedthemupforwintereveningsroundthefire.”
“Iwasn’treferringtotheverse.It’sthewordswrittenbelowitthatstrikemeaspeculiar.”
“St.Luke,xi,9,”sheread.“It’satext.”
“Yes.Doesn’tthatstrikeyouasodd?Wouldanoldladyofareligiouspersuasionwriteatextjustunderacharade?”
“Itisratherodd,”agreedTuppencethoughtfully.
“Ipresumethatyou,beingaclergyman’sdaughter,havegotyourBiblewithyou?”
“Asamatteroffact,Ihave.Aha!youdidn’texpectthat.Waitasec.”
Tuppencerantohersuitcase,extractedasmallredvolumeandreturnedtothetable.Sheturnedtheleavesrapidly.“Hereweare.Luke,chapterxi,verse9.Oh!Tommy,look.”
TommybentoverandlookedwhereTuppence’ssmallfingerpointedtoaportionoftheverseinquestion.
“Seekandyeshallfind.”
“That’sit,”criedTuppence.“We’vegotit!Solvethecryptogramandthetreasureisours—orratherMonica’s.”
“Well,let’sgettoworkonthecryptogram,asyoucallit.‘Myfirstyouputonglowingcoal.’Whatdoesthatmean,Iwonder?Then—‘Mysecondreallyisthefirst.’That’spuregibberish.”
“It’squitesimple,really,”saidTuppencekindly.“It’sjustasortofknack.Letmehaveit.”
Tommysurrendereditwillingly.Tuppenceensconcedherselfinanarmchair,andbeganmutteringtoherselfwithbentbrows.
“It’squitesimple,really,”murmuredTommywhenhalfanhourhadelapsed.
“Don’tcrow!We’rethewronggenerationforthis.I’veagoodmindtogobacktotowntomorrowandcallonsomeoldpussywhowouldprobablyreaditaseasyaswinking.It’saknack,that’sall.”
“Well,let’shaveonemoretry.”
“Therearen’tmanythingsyoucanputonglowingcoal,”saidTuppencethoughtfully.“There’swater,toputitout,orwood,orakettle.”
“Itmustbeonesyllable,Isuppose?Whataboutwood,then?”
“Youcouldn’tputanythingintowood,though.”
“There’snoonesyllablewordinsteadofwater,buttheremustbeonesyllablethingsyoucanputonafireinthekettleline.”
“Saucepans,”musedTuppence.“Fryingpans.Howaboutpan?orpot?What’sawordbeginningpanorpotthatissomethingyoucook?”
“Pottery,”suggestedTommy.“Youbakethatinthefire.Wouldn’tthatbenearenough?”
“Therestofitdoesn’tfit.Pancakes?No.Oh!bother.”
Theywereinterruptedbythelittleservingmaid,whotoldthemthatdinnerwouldbereadyinafewminutes.
“OnlyMrs.Lumley,shewantedtoknowifyoulikeyourpotatoesfried,orboiledintheirjackets?She’sgotsomeofeach.”
“Boiledintheirjackets,”saidTuppencepromptly.“Ilovepotatoes—”Shestoppeddeadwithhermouthopen.
“What’sthematter,Tuppence?Haveyouseenaghost?”
“Tommy,”criedTuppence.“Don’tyousee?That’sit!Theword,Imean.Potatoes!‘Myfirstyouputonglowingcoal’—that’spot.‘Andintoityouputmywhole.’‘Mysecondreallyisthefirst.’That’sA,thefirstletterofthealphabet.‘Mythirdmislikesthewintryblast’—coldtoesofcourse!”
“You’reright,Tuppence.Verycleverofyou.ButI’mafraidwe’vewastedanawfullotoftimeovernothing.Potatoesdon’tfitinatallwithmissingtreasure.Halfasec,though.Whatdidyoureadoutjustnow,whenweweregoingthroughthebox?SomethingaboutarecipeforNewPotatoes.Iwonderifthere’sanythinginthat.”
Herummagedhastilythroughthepileofrecipes.
“Hereitis.‘ToKEEPNEWPOTATOES.Putthenewpotatoesintotinsandburytheminthegarden.Eveninthemiddleofwinter,theywilltasteasthoughfreshlydug.’
“We’vegotit,”screamedTuppence.“That’sit.Thetreasureisinthegarden,buriedinatin.”
“ButIaskedthegardener.Hesaidhe’dneverburiedanything.”
“Yes,Iknow,butthat’sbecausepeopleneverreallyanswerwhatyousay,theyanswerwhattheythinkyoumean.Heknewhe’dneverburiedanythingoutofthecommon.We’llgotomorrowandaskhimwhereheburiedthepotatoes.”
ThefollowingmorningwasChristmasEve.Bydintofinquirytheyfoundtheoldgardener’scottage.Tuppencebroachedthesubjectaftersomeminutes’conversation.
“IwishonecouldhavenewpotatoesatChristmastime,”sheremarked.“Wouldn’ttheybegoodwithturkey?Dopeopleroundhereeverburythemintins?I’veheardthatkeepsthemfresh.”
“Ay,thattheydo,”declaredtheoldman.“OldMissDeane,uptotheRedHouse,sheallushadthreetinsburiedeverysummer,andasoftenasnotforgottohave’emdugupagain!”
“Inthebedbythehouse,asarule,didn’tshe?”
“No,overagainstthewallbythefirtree.”
Havinggottheinformationtheywanted,theysoontooktheirleaveoftheoldman,presentinghimwithfiveshillingsasaChristmasbox.
“AndnowforMonica,”saidTommy.
“Tommy!Youhavenosenseofthedramatic.Leaveittome.I’vegotabeautifulplan.Doyouthinkyoucouldmanagetobeg,borroworstealaspade?”
Somehoworother,aspadewasdulyproduced,andthatnight,late,twofiguresmighthavebeenseenstealingintothegroundsoftheRedHouse.Theplaceindicatedbythegardenerwaseasilyfound,andTommysettowork.Presentlyhisspaderangonmetal,andafewsecondslaterhehadunearthedabigbiscuittin.Itwassealedroundwithadhesiveplasterandfirmlyfasteneddown,butTuppence,bytheaidofTommy’sknife,soonmanagedtoopenit.Thenshegaveagroan.Thetinwasfullofpotatoes.Shepouredthemout,sothatthetinwascompletelyempty,buttherewerenoothercontents.
“Goondigging,Tommy.”
Itwassometimebeforeasecondtinrewardedtheirsearch.Asbefore,Tuppenceunsealedit.
“Well?”demandedTommyanxiously.
“Potatoesagain!”
“Damn!”saidTommy,andsettooncemore.
“Thethirdtimeislucky,”saidTuppenceconsolingly.
“Ibelievethewholething’samare’snest,”saidTommygloomily,buthecontinuedtodig.
Atlastathirdtinwasbroughttolight.
“Potatoesaga—”beganTuppence,thenstopped.“Oh,Tommy,we’vegotit.It’sonlypotatoesontop.Look!”
Sheheldupabigold-fashionedvelvetbag.
“Cutalonghome,”criedTommy.“It’sicycold.Takethebagwithyou.Imustshovelbacktheearth.Andmayathousandcurseslightuponyourhead,Tuppence,ifyouopenthatbagbeforeIcome!”
“I’llplayfair.Ouch!I’mfrozen.”Shebeataspeedyretreat.
Onarrivalattheinnshehadnotlongtowait.Tommywasharduponherheels,perspiringfreelyafterhisdiggingandthefinalbriskrun.
“Nowthen,”saidTommy,“theprivateinquiryagentsmakegood!Opentheloot,Mrs.Beresford.”
Insidethebagwasapackagedoneupinoilsilkandaheavychamoisleatherbag.Theyopenedthelatterfirst.Itwasfullofgoldsovereigns.Tommycountedthem.
“Twohundredpounds.Thatwasalltheywouldletherhave,Isuppose.Cutopenthepackage.”
Tuppencedidso.Itwasfullofcloselyfoldedbanknotes.TommyandTuppencecountedthemcarefully.Theyamountedtoexactlytwentythousandpounds.
“Whew!”saidTommy.“Isn’titluckyforMonicathatwe’rebothrichandhonest?What’sthatdoneupintissuepaper?”
Tuppenceunrolledthelittleparcelanddrewoutamagnificentstringofpearls,exquisitelymatched.
“Idon’tknowmuchaboutthesethings,”saidTommyslowly.“ButI’mprettysurethatthosepearlsareworthanotherfivethousandpoundsatleast.Lookatthesizeofthem.NowIseewhytheoldladykeptthatcuttingaboutpearlsbeingagoodinvestment.Shemusthaverealisedallhersecuritiesandturnedthemintonotesandjewels.”
“Oh,Tommy,isn’titwonderful?DarlingMonica.Nowshecanmarryherniceyoungmanandlivehappilyeverafterwards,likeme.”
“That’srathersweetofyou,Tuppence.Soyouarehappywithme?”
“Asamatteroffact,”saidTuppence,“Iam.ButIdidn’tmeantosayso.Itslippedout.Whatwithbeingexcited,andChristmasEve,andonethingandanother—”
“Ifyoureallyloveme,”saidTommy,“willyouanswermeonequestion?”
“Ihatethesecatches,”saidTuppence,“but—well—allright.”
“ThenhowdidyouknowthatMonicawasaclergyman’sdaughter?”
“Oh,thatwasjustcheating,”saidTuppencehappily.“Iopenedherlettermakinganappointment,andaMr.Deanewasfather’scurateonce,andhehadalittlegirlcalledMonica,aboutfourorfiveyearsyoungerthanme.SoIputtwoandtwotogether.”
“Youareashamelesscreature,”saidTommy.“Hullo,there’stwelveo’clockstriking.HappyChristmas,Tuppence.”
“HappyChristmas,Tommy.It’llbeaHappyChristmasforMonicatoo—andallowingtoUS.Iamglad.Poorthing,shehasbeensomiserable.Doyouknow,Tommy,IfeelallqueerandchokyaboutthethroatwhenIthinkofit.”
“DarlingTuppence,”saidTommy.
“DarlingTommy,”saidTuppence.“Howawfullysentimentalwearegetting.”
“Christmascomesbutonceayear,”saidTommysententiously.“That’swhatourgreat-grandmotherssaid,andIexpectthere’salotoftruthinitstill.”
Sixteen
THEAMBASSADOR’SBOOTS
“Mydearfellow,mydearfellow,”saidTuppence,andwavedaheavilybutteredmuffin.
Tommylookedatherforaminuteortwo,thenabroadgrinspreadoverhisfaceandhemurmured.
“Wedohavetobesoverycareful.”
“That’sright,”saidTuppence,delighted.“Youguessed.IamthefamousDr.FortuneandyouareSuperintendentBell.”
“WhyareyoubeingReginaldFortune?”
“Well,reallybecauseIfeellikealotofhotbutter.”
“Thatisthepleasantsideofit,”saidTommy.“Butthereisanother.Youwillhavetoexaminehorriblysmashedfacesandveryextradeadbodiesagooddeal.”
InanswerTuppencethrewacrossaletter.Tommy’seyebrowsroseinastonishment.
“RandolphWilmott,theAmericanAmbassador.Iwonderwhathewants.”
“Weshallknowtomorrowateleveno’clock.”
Punctuallytothetimenamed,Mr.RandolphWilmott,UnitedStatesAmbassadortotheCourtofSt.James,wasusheredintoMr.Blunt’soffice.Heclearedhisthroatandcommencedspeakinginadeliberateandcharacteristicmanner.
“Ihavecometoyou,Mr.Blunt—Bytheway,itisMr.BlunthimselftowhomIamspeaking,isitnot?”
“Certainly,”saidTommy.“IamTheodoreBlunt,theheadofthefirm.”
“Ialwaysprefertodealwithheadsofdepartments,”saidMr.Wilmott.“Itismoresatisfactoryineveryway.AsIwasabouttosay,Mr.Blunt,thisbusinessgetsmygoat.There’snothinginittotroubleScotlandYardabout—I’mnotapennytheworseinanyway,andit’sprobablyallduetoasimplemistake.Butallthesame,Idon’tseejusthowthatmistakearose.There’snothingcriminalinit,Idaresay,butI’dlikejusttogetthethingstraightenedout.Itmakesmemadnottoseethewhyandwhereforeofathing.”
“Absolutely,”saidTommy.
Mr.Wilmottwenton.Hewasslowandgiventomuchdetail.AtlastTommymanagedtogetawordin.
“Quiteso,”hesaid,“thepositionisthis.YouarrivedbythelinerNomadicaweekago.Insomewayyourkitbagandthekitbagofanothergentleman,Mr.RalphWesterham,whoseinitialsarethesameasyours,gotmixedup.YoutookMr.Westerham’skitbag,andhetookyours.Mr.Westerhamdiscoveredthemistakeimmediately,sentroundyourkitbagtotheEmbassy,andtookawayhisown.AmIrightsofar?”
“Thatispreciselywhatoccurred.Thetwobagsmusthavebeenpracticallyidentical,andwiththeinitialsR.W.beingthesameinbothcases,itisnotdifficulttounderstandthatanerrormighthavebeenmade.Imyselfwasnotawareofwhathadhappeneduntilmyvaletinformedmeofthemistake,andthatMr.Westerham—heisaSenator,andamanforwhomIhaveagreatadmiration—hadsentroundforhisbagandreturnedmine.”
“ThenIdon’tsee—”
“Butyouwillsee.That’sonlythebeginningofthestory.Yesterday,asitchanced,IranupagainstSenatorWesterham,andIhappenedtomentionthemattertohimjestingly.Tomygreatsurprise,hedidnotseemtoknowwhatIwastalkingabout,andwhenIexplained,hedeniedthestoryabsolutely.Hehadnottakenmybagofftheshipinmistake
“Whatanextraordinarything!”
“Mr.Blunt,itisanextraordinarything.Thereseemsnorhymeorreasoninit.Why,ifanyonewantedtostealmykitbag,hecoulddosoeasilyenoughwithoutresortingtoallthisroundaboutbusiness.Andanyway,itwasnotstolen,butreturnedtome.Ontheotherhand,ifitweretakenbymistake,whyuseSenatorWesterham’sname?It’sacrazybusiness—butjustforcuriosityImeantogettothebottomofit.Ihopethecaseisnottootrivialforyoutoundertake?”
“Notatall.Itisaveryintriguinglittleproblem,capableasyousay,ofmanysimpleexplanations,butneverthelessbafflingonthefaceofit.Thefirstthing,ofcourse,isthereasonofthesubstitution,ifsubstitutionitwas.Yousaynothingwasmissingfromyourbagwhenitcamebackintoyourpossession?”
“Mymansaysnot.Hewouldknow.”
“Whatwasinit,ifImayask?”
“Mostlyboots.”
“Boots,”saidTommy,discouraged.
“Yes,”saidMr.Wilmott.“Boots.Odd,isn’tit?”
“You’llforgivemyaskingyou,”saidTommy,“butyoudidn’tcarryanysecretpapers,oranythingofthatsortsewnintheliningofabootorscrewedintoafalseheel?”
TheAmbassadorseemedamusedbythequestion.
“Secretdiplomacyhasn’tgottothatpitch,Ihope.”
“Onlyinfiction,”saidTommywithanansweringsmile,andaslightlyapologeticmanner.“Butyousee,we’vegottoaccountforthethingsomehow.Whocameforthebag—theotherbag,Imean?”
“SupposedtobeoneofWesterham’sservants.Quiteaquiet,ordinaryman,soIunderstand.Myvaletsawnothingwrongwithhim.”
“Haditbeenunpacked,doyouknow?”
“ThatIcan’tsay.Ipresumenot.Butperhapsyou’dliketoaskthevaletafewquestions?HecantellyoumorethanIcanaboutthebusiness.”
“Ithinkthatwouldbethebestplan,Mr.Wilmott.”
TheAmbassadorscribbledafewwordsonacardandhandedittoTommy.
“IopinethatyouwouldprefertogoroundtotheEmbassyandmakeyourinquiriesthere?Ifnot,Iwillhavetheman,hisnameisRichards,bytheway—sentroundhere.”
“No,thankyou,Mr.Wilmott.IshouldprefertogototheEmbassy.”
TheAmbassadorrose,glancingathiswatch.
“Dearme,Ishallbelateforanappointment.Well,goodbye,Mr.Blunt.Ileavethematterinyourhands.”
Hehurriedaway.TommylookedatTuppence,whohadbeenscribblingdemurelyonherpadinthecharacteroftheefficientMissRobinson.
“Whataboutit,oldthing?”heasked.“Doyousee,astheoldbirdputit,anyrhymeorreasonintheproceedings?”
“Nonewhatever,”repliedTuppencecheerily.
“Well,that’sastart,anyway!Itshowsthatthereisreallysomethingverydeepatthebackofit.”
“Youthinkso?”
“It’sagenerallyacceptedhypothesis.RememberSherlockHolmesandthedepththebutterhadsunkintotheparsley—Imeantheotherwayround.I’vealwayshadadevouringwishtoknowallaboutthatcase.PerhapsWatsonwilldisinteritfromhisnotebookoneofthesedays.ThenIshalldiehappy.Butwemustgetbusy.”
“Quiteso,”saidTuppence.“Notaquickman,theesteemedWilmott,butsure.”
“Sheknowsmen,”saidTommy.“OrdoIsayheknowsmen.Itissoconfusingwhenyouassumethecharacterofamaledetective.”
“Oh,mydearfellow,mydearfellow!”
“Alittlemoreaction,Tuppence,andalittlelessrepetition.”
“Aclassicphrasecannotberepeatedtoooften,”saidTuppencewithdignity.
“Haveamuffin,”saidTommykindly.
“Notateleveno’clockinthemorning,thankyou.Sillycase,this.Boots—youknow.Whyboots?”
“Well,”saidTommy.“Whynot?”
“Itdoesn’tfit.Boots.”Sheshookherhead.“Allwrong.Whowantsotherpeople’sboots?Thewholething’smad.”
“Possiblytheygotholdofthewrongbag,”suggestedTommy.
“That’spossible.Butiftheywereafterpapers,adespatchcasewouldbemorelikely.Papersaretheonlythingsonethinksofinconnectionwithambassadors.”
“Bootssuggestfootprints,”saidTommythoughtfully.“DoyouthinktheywantedtolayatrailofWilmott’sfootstepssomewhere?”
Tuppenceconsideredthesuggestion,abandoningherrole,thenshookherhead.
“Itseemswildlyimpossible,”shesaid.“No,Ibelieveweshallhavetoresignourselvestothefactthatthebootshavenothingtodowithit.”
“Well,”saidTommywithasigh,“thenextstepistointerviewfriendRichards.Hemaybeabletothrowsomelightonthemystery.”
OnproductionoftheAmbassador’scard,TommywasadmittedtotheEmbassy,andpresentlyapaleyoungman,witharespectfulmannerandasubduedvoice,presentedhimselftoundergoexamination.
“IamRichards,sir.Mr.Wilmott’svalet.Iunderstoodyouwishedtoseeme?”
“Yes,Richards.Mr.Wilmottcalledonmethismorning,andsuggestedthatIshouldcomeroundandaskyouafewquestions.Itisthismatterofthekitbag.”
“Mr.Wilmottwasratherupsetovertheaffair,Iknow,sir.Icanhardlyseewhy,sincenoharmwasdone.IcertainlyunderstoodfromthemanwhocalledfortheotherbagthatitbelongedtoSenatorWesterham,butofcourse,Imayhavebeenmistaken.”
“Whatkindofmanwashe?”
“Middle-aged.Greyhair.Verygoodclass,Ishouldsay—mostrespectable.IunderstoodhewasSenatorWesterham’svalet.HeleftMr.Wilmott’sbagandtookawaytheother.”
“Haditbeenunpackedatall?”
“Whichone,sir?”
“Well,Imeanttheoneyoubroughtfromtheboat.ButIshouldliketoknowabouttheotheraswell—Mr.Wilmott’sown.Hadthatbeenunpacked,doyoufancy?”
“Ishouldsaynot,sir.ItwasjustasIstrappeditupontheboat.Ishouldsaythegentleman—whoeverhewas—justopenedit—realiseditwasn’this,andshutitupagain.”
“Nothingmissing?Nosmallarticle?”
“Idon’tthinkso,sir.Infact,I’mquitesure.”
“Andnowtheotherone.Hadyoustartedtounpackthat?”
“Asamatteroffact,sir,IwasjustopeningitattheverymomentSenatorWesterham’smanarrived.I’djustundonethestraps.”
“Didyouopenitatall?”
“Wejustunfastenedittogether,sir,tobesurenomistakehadbeenmadethistime.Themansaiditwasallright,andhestrappeditupagainandtookitaway.”
“Whatwasinside?Bootsalso?”
“No,sir,mostlytoiletthings,Ifancy.IknowIsawatinofbathsalts.”
Tommyabandonedthatlineofresearch.
“Youneversawanyonetamperingwithanythinginyourmaster’scabinonboardship,Isuppose?”
“Oh,no,sir.”
“Neveranythingsuspiciousofanykind?”
“AndwhatdoImeanbythat,Iwonder,”hethoughttohimselfwithatraceofamusement.“Anythingsuspicious—justwords!”
Butthemaninfrontofhimhesitated.
“NowthatIrememberit—”
“Yes,”saidTommyeagerly.“What?”
“Idon’tthinkitcouldhaveanythingtodowithit.Buttherewasayounglady.”
“Yes?Ayounglady,yousay,whatwasshedoing?”
“Shewastakenfaint,sir.Averypleasantyounglady.MissEileenO’Hara,hernamewas.Adainty-lookinglady,nottall,withblackhair.Justalittleforeign-looking.”
“Yes?”saidTommy,withevengreatereagerness.
“AsIwassaying,shewastakenqueer.JustoutsideMr.Wilmott’scabin.Sheaskedmetofetchthedoctor.Ihelpedhertothesofa,andthenwentoffforthedoctor.Iwassometimefindinghim,andwhenIfoundhimandbroughthimback,theyoungladywasnearlyallrightagain.”
“Oh!”saidTommy.
“Youdon’tthink,sir—”
“It’sdifficulttoknowwhattothink,”saidTommynoncommittally.“WasthisMissO’Haratravellingalone?”
“Yes,Ithinkso,sir.”
“Youhaven’tseenhersinceyoulanded?”
“No,sir.”
“Well,”saidTommy,afteraminuteortwospentinreflection.“Ithinkthat’sall.Thankyou,Richards.”
“Thankyou,sir.”
BackattheofficeoftheDetectiveAgency,TommyretailedhisconversationwithRichardstoTuppence,wholistenedattentively.
“Whatdoyouthinkofit,Tuppence?”
“Oh,mydearfellow,wedoctorsarealwaysscepticalofasuddenfaintness!Soveryconvenient.AndEileenaswellasO’Hara.AlmosttooimpossiblyIrish,don’tyouthink?”
“It’ssomethingtogouponatlast.DoyouknowwhatIamgoingtodo,Tuppence?Advertiseforthelady.”
“What?”
“Yes,anyinformationrespectingMissEileenO’Haraknowntohavetravelledsuchandsuchashipandsuchandsuchadate.Eithershe’llansweritherselfifshe’sgenuine,orsomeonemaycomeforwardtogiveusinformationabouther.Sofar,it’stheonlyhopeofaclue.”
“You’llalsoputheronherguard,remember.”
“Well,”saidTommy,“one’sgottorisksomething.”
“Istillcan’tseeanysenseinthething,”saidTuppence,frowning.“IfagangofcrooksgetholdoftheAmbassador’sbagforanhourortwo,andthensenditback,whatpossiblegoodcanitdothem.Unlesstherearepapersinittheywanttocopy,andMr.Wilmottswearstherewasnothingofthekind.”
Tommystaredatherthoughtfully.
“Youputthesethingsratherwell,Tuppence,”hesaidatlast.“You’vegivenmeanidea.”
II
Itwastwodayslater.Tuppencewasouttolunch.Tommy,aloneintheaustereofficeofMr.TheodoreBlunt,wasimprovinghismindbyreadingthelatestsensationalthriller.
ThedooroftheofficeopenedandAlbertappeared.
“Ayoungladytoseeyou,sir.MissCicelyMarch.Shesaysshehascalledinanswertoanadvertisement.”
“Showherinatonce,”criedTommy,thrustinghisnovelintoaconvenientdrawer.
Inanotherminute,Alberthadusheredintheyounglady.Tommyhadjusttimetoseethatshewasfair-hairedandextremelypretty,whentheamazingoccurrencehappened.
ThedoorthroughwhichAlberthadjustpassedoutwasrudelyburstopen.Inthedoorwaystoodapicturesquefigure—abigdarkman,Spanishinappearance,withaflamingredtie.Hisfeaturesweredistortedwithrage,andinhishandwasagleamingpistol.
“SothisistheofficeofMr.BusybodyBlunt,”hesaidinperfectEnglish.Hisvoicewaslowandvenomous.“Handsupatonce—orIshoot.”
Itsoundednoidlethreat.Tommy’shandswentupobediently.Thegirl,crouchedagainstthewall,gaveagaspofterror.
“Thisyoungladywillcomewithme,”saidtheman.“Yes,youwill,mydear.Youhaveneverseenmebefore,butthatdoesn’tmatter.Ican’thavemyplansruinedbyasillylittlechitlikeyou.IseemtorememberthatyouwereoneofthepassengersontheNomadic.Youmusthavebeenpeeringintothingsthatdidn’tconcernyou—butI’venointentionoflettingyoublabanysecretstoMr.Blunthere.Averyclevergentleman,Mr.Blunt,withhisfancyadvertisements.Butasithappens,Ikeepaneyeontheadvertisementcolumns.That’showIgotwisetohislittlegame.”
“Youinterestmeexceedingly,”saidTommy.“Won’tyougoon?”
“Cheekwon’thelpyou,Mr.Blunt.Fromnowon,you’reamarkedman.Giveupthisinvestigation,andwe’llleaveyoualone.Otherwise—Godhelpyou!Deathcomesswiftlytothosewhothwartourplans.”
Tommydidnotreply.Hewasstaringovertheintruder’sshoulderasthoughhesawaghost.
Asamatteroffacthewasseeingsomethingthatcausedhimfarmoreapprehensionthananyghostcouldhavedone.Uptonow,hehadnotgivenathoughttoAlbertasafactorinthegame.HehadtakenforgrantedthatAlberthadalreadybeendealtwithbythemysteriousstranger.Ifhehadthoughtofhimatall,itwasasonelyingstunnedonthecarpetintheouteroffice.
HenowsawthatAlberthadmiraculouslyescapedthestranger’sattention.ButinsteadofrushingouttofetchapolicemaningoodsoundBritishfashion,Alberthadelectedtoplayalonehand.Thedoorbehindthestrangerhadopenednoiselessly,andAlbertstoodintheapertureenvelopedinacoilofrope.
AnagonisedyelpofprotestburstfromTommy,buttoolate.Firedwithenthusiasm,Albertflungaloopofropeovertheintruder’shead,andjerkedhimbackwardsoffhisfeet.
Theinevitablehappened.ThepistolwentoffwitharoarandTommyfeltthebulletscorchhisearinpassing,ereitburieditselfintheplasterbehindhim
“I’vegothim,sir,”criedAlbert,flushedwithtriumph.“I’velassoedhim.I’vebeenpractisingwithalassoinmysparetime,sir.Canyougivemeahand?He’sveryviolent.”
Tommyhastenedtohisfaithfulhenchman’sassistance,mentallydeterminingthatAlbertshouldhavenofurthersparetime.
“Youdamnedidiot,”hesaid.“Whydidn’tyougoforapoliceman?Owingtothisfool’splayofyours,heasnearasanythingpluggedmethroughthehead.Whew!I’veneverhadsuchanearescape.”
“Lassoedhiminthenickoftime,Idid,”saidAlbert,hisardourquiteundamped.“It’swonderfulwhatthosechapscandoontheprairies,sir.”
“Quiteso,”saidTommy,“butwe’renotontheprairies.Wehappentobeinahighlycivilisedcity.Andnow,mydearsir,”headdedtohisprostratefoe.“Whatarewegoingtodowithyou?”
Astreamofoathsinaforeignlanguagewashisonlyreply.
“Hush,”saidTommy.“Idon’tunderstandawordofwhatyou’resaying,butI’vegotashrewdideait’snotthekindoflanguagetousebeforealady.You’llexcusehim,won’tyou,Miss—doyouknow,intheexcitementofthislittleupset,I’vequiteforgottenyourname?”
“March,”saidthegirl.Shewasstillwhiteandshaken.ButshecameforwardnowandstoodbyTommylookingdownontherecumbentfigureofthediscomfitedstranger.“Whatareyougoingtodowithhim?”
“Icouldfetchabobbynow,”saidAlberthelpfully.
ButTommy,lookingup,caughtaveryfaintnegativemovementofthegirl’shead,andtookhiscueaccordingly.
“We’lllethimoffthistime,”heremarked.“NeverthelessIshallgivemyselfthepleasureofkickinghimdownstairs—ifit’sonlytoteachhimmannerstoalady.”
Heremovedtherope,hauledthevictimtohisfeet,andpropelledhimbrisklythroughtheouteroffice.
Aseriesofshrillyelpswasheardandthenathud.Tommycameback,flushedbutsmiling.
Thegirlwasstaringathimwithroundeyes.
“Didyou—hurthim?”
“Ihopeso,”saidTommy.“Butthesedagoesmakeapracticeofcryingoutbeforethey’rehurt—soIcan’tbequitesureaboutit.Shallwecomebackintomyoffice,MissMarch,andresumeourinterruptedconversation?Idon’tthinkweshallbeinterruptedagain.”
“I’llhavemylassoready,sir,incase,”saidthehelpfulAlbert.
“Putitaway,”orderedTommysternly.
Hefollowedthegirlintotheinnerofficeandsatdownathisdesk,whilstshetookachairfacinghim.
“Idon’tquiteknowwheretobegin,”saidthegirl.“Asyouheardthatmansay,IwasapassengerontheNomadic.Theladyyouadvertisedabout,MissO’Hara,wasalsoonboard.”
“Exactly,”saidTommy.“ThatweknowalreadybutIsuspectyoumustknowsomethingaboutherdoingsonboardthatboat,orelsethatpicturesquegentlemanwouldnothavebeeninsuchahurrytointervene.”
“Iwilltellyoueverything.TheAmericanAmbassadorwasonboard.Oneday,asIwaspassinghiscabin,Isawthiswomaninside,andshewasdoingsomethingsoextraordinarythatIstoppedtowatch.Shehadaman’sbootinherhand—”
“Aboot?”criedTommyexcitedly.“I’msorry,MissMarch,goon.”
“Withalittlepairofscissors,shewasslittingupthelining.Thensheseemedtopushsomethinginside.Justatthatminutethedoctorandanothermancamedownthepassage,andimmediatelyshedroppedbackonthecouchandgroaned.Iwaited,andIgatheredfromwhatwasbeingsaidthatshehadpretendedtofeelfaint.Isaypretended—becausewhenIfirstcaughtsightofher,shewasobviouslyfeelingnothingofthekind.”
Tommynodded.
“Well?”
“Iratherhatetotellyouthenextpart.Iwas—curious.Andalso,I’dbeenreadingsillybooks,andIwonderedifshe’dputabomborapoisonedneedleorsomethinglikethatinMr.Wilmott’sboot.Iknowit’sabsurd—butIdidthinkso.Anyway,nexttimeIpassedtheemptycabin,Islippedinandexaminedtheboot.Idrewoutfromtheliningaslipofpaper.JustasIhaditinmyhand,Iheardthestewardcoming,andIhurriedoutsoasnottobecaught.Thefoldedpaperwasstillinmyhand.WhenIgotintomyowncabinIexaminedit.Mr.Blunt,itwasnothingbutsomeversesfromtheBible.”
“VersesfromtheBible?”saidTommy,verymuchintrigued.
“AtleastIthoughtsoatthetime.Icouldn’tunderstandit,butIthoughtperhapsitwastheworkofareligiousmaniac.Anyway,Ididn’tfeelitwasworthwhilereplacingit.IkeptitwithoutthinkingmuchaboutituntilyesterdaywhenIusedittomakeintoaboatformylittlenephewtosailinhisbath.Asthepapergotwet,Isawaqueerkindofdesigncomingoutalloverit.Ihastilytookitoutofthebath,andsmootheditoutflatagain.Thewaterhadbroughtoutthehiddenmessage.Itwasakindoftracing—andlookedlikethemouthofaharbour.ImmediatelyafterthatIreadyouradvertisement.”
Tommysprangfromhischair.
“Butthisismostimportant.Iseeitallnow.Thattracingisprobablytheplanofsomeimportantharbourdefences.Ithadbeenstolenbythiswoman.Shefearedsomeonewasonhertrack,andnotdaringtoconcealitamongstherownbelongings,shecontrivedthishidingplace.Later,sheobtainedpossessionofthebaginwhichthebootwaspacked—onlytodiscoverthatthepaperhadvanished.Tellme,MissMarch,youhavebroughtthispaperwithyou?”
Thegirlshookherhead.
“It’satmyplaceofbusiness.IrunabeautyparlourinBondStreet.Iamreallyanagentforthe‘Cyclamen’preparationsinNewYork.ThatiswhyIhadbeenoverthere.Ithoughtthepapermightbeimportant,soIlockeditupinthesafebeforecomingout.OughtnotScotlandYardtoknowaboutit?”
“Yes,indeed.”
“Thenshallwegotherenow,getitout,andtakeitstraighttoScotlandYard?”
“Iamverybusythisafternoon,”saidTommy,adoptinghisprofessionalmannerandconsultinghiswatch.“TheBishopofLondonwantsmetotakeupacaseforhim.Averycuriousproblem,concerningsomevestmentsandtwocurates.”
“Theninthatcase,”saidMissMarch,rising,“Iwillgoalone.”
Tommyraisedahandinprotest.
“AsIwasabouttosay,”hesaid,“theBishopmustwait.IwillleaveafewwordswithAlbert.Iamconvinced,MissMarch,thatuntilthatpaperhasbeensafelydepositedwithScotlandYardyouareinactivedanger.”
“Doyouthinkso?”saidthegirldoubtfully.
“Idon’tthinkso,I’msure.Excuseme.”Hescribbledsomewordsonthepadinfrontofhim,thentoreofftheleafandfoldedit.
Takinghishatandstick,heintimatedtothegirlthathewasreadytoaccompanyher.IntheouterofficehehandedthefoldedpapertoAlbertwithanairofimportance.
“Iamcalledoutonanurgentcase.Explainthattohislordshipifhecomes.HerearemynotesonthecaseforMissRobinson.”
“Verygood,sir,”saidAlbert,playingup.“AndwhatabouttheDuchess’spearls?”
Tommywavedhishandirritably.
“Thatmustwaitalso.”
HeandMissMarchhurriedout.HalfwaydownthestairstheyencounteredTuppencecomingup.Tommypassedherwithabrusque:“Lateagain,MissRobinson.Iamcalledoutonanimportantcase.”
Tuppencestoodstillonthestairsandstaredafterthem.Then,withraisedeyebrows,shewentonuptotheoffice.
Astheyreachedthestreet,ataxicamesailinguptothem.Tommy,onthepointofhailingit,changedhismind.
“Areyouagoodwalker,MissMarch?”heaskedseriously.
“Yes,why?Hadn’twebettertakethattaxi?Itwillbequicker.”
“Perhapsyoudidnotnotice.Thattaxidriverhasjustrefusedafarealittlelowerdownthestreet.Hewaswaitingforus.Yourenemiesareonthelookout.Ifyoufeelequaltoit,itwouldbebetterforustowalktoBondStreet.Inthecrowdedstreetstheywillnotbeabletoattemptmuchagainstus.”
“Verywell,”saidthegirl,ratherdoubtfully.
Theywalkedwestwards.Thestreets,asTommyhadsaid,werecrowded,andprogresswasslow.Tommykeptasharplookout.Occasionallyhedrewthegirltoonesidewithaquickgesture,thoughsheherselfhadseennothingsuspicious.
Suddenlyglancingather,hewasseizedwithcompunction.
“Isay,youlookawfullydoneup.Theshockofthatman.Comeintothisplaceandhaveagoodcupofstrongcoffee.Isupposeyouwouldn’thearofanipofbrandy.”
Thegirlshookherhead,withafaintsmile.
“Coffeebeitthen,”saidTommy.“Ithinkwecansafelyriskitsbeingpoisoned.”
Theylingeredsometimeovertheircoffee,andfinallysetoffatabriskerpace.
“We’vethrownthemoff,Ithink,”saidTommy,lookingoverhisshoulder.
CyclamenLtdwasasmallestablishmentinBondStreet,withpalepinktaffetacurtains,andoneortwojarsoffacecreamandacakeofsoapdecoratingthewindow.
CicelyMarchentered,andTommyfollowed.Theplaceinsidewastiny.Ontheleftwasaglasscounterwithtoiletpreparations.Behindthiscounterwasamiddle-agedwomanwithgreyhairandanexquisitecomplexion,whoacknowledgedCicelyMarch’sentrancewithafaintinclinationoftheheadbeforecontinuingtotalktothecustomershewasserving
Thiscustomerwasasmalldarkwoman.Herbackwastothemandtheycouldnotseeherface.ShewasspeakinginslowdifficultEnglish.Ontherightwasasofaandacoupleofchairswithsomemagazinesonatable.Heresattwomen—apparentlyboredhusbandswaitingfortheirwives.
CicelyMarchpassedstraightonthroughadoorattheendwhichsheheldajarforTommytofollowher.Ashedidso,thewomancustomerexclaimed,“Ah,butIthinkthatisanamicoofmine,”andrushedafterthem,insertingherfootinthedoorjustintimetopreventitsclosing.Atthesametimethetwomenrosetotheirfeet.Onefollowedherthroughthedoor,theotheradvancedtotheshopattendantandclappedhishandoverhermouthtodrownthescreamrisingtoherlips.
Inthemeantime,thingswerehappeningratherquicklybeyondtheswingdoor.AsTommypassedthroughaclothwasflungoverhishead,andasicklyodourassailedhisnostrils.Almostassoonhowever,itwasjerkedoffagain,andawoman’sscreamrangout.
Tommyblinkedalittleandcoughedashetookinthesceneinfrontofhim.Onhisrightwasthemysteriousstrangerofafewhoursago,andbusilyfittinghandcuffsuponhimwasoneoftheboredmenfromtheshopparlour.JustinfrontofhimwasCicelyMarchwrestlingvainlytofreeherself,whilstthewomancustomerfromtheshopheldherfirmlypinioned.Asthelatterturnedherhead,andtheveilsheworeunfasteneditselfandfelloff,thewell-knownfeaturesofTuppencewererevealed.
“Welldone,Tuppence,”saidTommy,movingforward.“Letmegiveyouahand.Ishouldn’tstruggleifIwereyou,MissO’Hara—ordoyouprefertobecalledMissMarch?”
“ThisisInspectorGrace,Tommy,”saidTuppence.“AssoonasIreadthenoteyouleftIrangupScotlandYard,andInspectorGraceandanothermanmetmeoutsidehere.”
“Verygladtogetholdofthisgentleman,”saidtheInspector,indicatinghisprisoner.“He’swantedbadly.Butwe’veneverhadcausetosuspectthisplace—thoughtitwasagenuinebeautyshop.”
“Yousee,”explainedTommygently,“wedohavetobesoverycareful!WhyshouldanyonewanttheAmbassador’sbagforanhourorso?Iputthequestiontheotherwayround.Supposingitwastheotherbagthatwastheimportantone.SomeonewantedthatbagtobeintheAmbassador’spossessionforanhourorso.Muchmoreilluminating!DiplomaticluggageisnotsubjectedtotheindignitiesofaCustomsexamination.Clearlysmuggling.Butsmugglingofwhat?Nothingtoobulky.AtonceIthoughtofdrugs.Thenthatpicturesquecomedywasenactedinmyoffice.They’dseenmyadvertisementandwantedtoputmeoffthescent—orfailingthat,outofthewayaltogether.ButIhappenedtonoticeanexpressionofblankdismayinthecharminglady’seyeswhenAlbertdidhislassoact.Thatdidn’tfitinverywellwithhersupposedpart.Thestranger’sattackwasmeanttoassuremyconfidenceinher.Iplayedthepartofthecreduloussleuthwithallmymight—swallowedherratherimpossiblestoryandpermittedhertoluremehere,carefullyleavingbehindfullinstructionsfordealingwiththesituation.UndervariouspretextsIdelayedourarrival,soastogiveyouallplentyoftime.”
CicelyMarchwaslookingathimwithastonyexpression.
“Youaremad.Whatdoyouexpecttofindhere?”
“RememberingthatRichardssawatinofbathsalts,whatdoyousayaboutbeginningwiththebathsalts,eh,Inspector?”
“Averysoundidea,sir.”
Hepickeduponeofthedaintypinktins,andemptieditonthetable.Thegirllaughed.
“Genuinecrystals,eh?”saidTommy.“Nothingmoredeadlythancarbonateofsoda?”
“Trythesafe,”suggestedTuppence.
Therewasasmallwallsafeinthecorner.Thekeywasinthelock.Tommyswungitopenandgaveashoutofsatisfaction.Thebackofthesafeopenedoutintoabigrecessinthewall,andthatrecesswasstackedwiththesameeleganttinsofbathsalts.Rowsandrowsofthem.Hetookoneoutandprisedupthelid.Thetopshowedthesamepinkcrystals,butunderneathwasafinewhitepowder.
TheInspectorutteredanejaculation.
“You’vegotit,sir.Tentoone,thattin’sfullofpurecocaine.Weknewtherewasadistributingareasomewhereroundhere,handytotheWestEnd,butwehaven’tbeenabletogetacluetoit.Thisisafinecoupofyours,sir.”
“RatheratriumphforBlunt’sBrilliantDetectives,”saidTommytoTuppence,astheyemergedintothestreettogether.“It’sagreatthingtobeamarriedman.YourpersistentschoolinghasatlasttaughtmetorecogniseperoxidewhenIseeit.Goldenhairhasgottobethegenuinearticletotakemein.WewillconcoctabusinesslikelettertotheAmbassador,informinghimthatthematterhasbeendealtwithsatisfactorily.Andnow,mydearfellow,whatabouttea,andlotsofhotbutteredmuffins?”
Seventeen
THEMANWHOWASNO.16
TommyandTuppencewereclosetedwiththeChiefinhisprivateroom.Hiscommendationhadbeenwarmandsincere.
“Youhavesucceededadmirably.Thankstoyouwehavelaidourhandsonnolessthanfiveveryinterestingpersonages,andfromthemwehavereceivedmuchvaluableinformation.MeanwhileIlearnfromacreditablesourcethatheadquartersinMoscowhavetakenalarmatthefailureoftheiragentstoreport.IthinkthatinspiteofallourprecautionstheyhavebeguntosuspectthatallisnotwellatwhatImaycallthedistributingcentre—theofficeofMr.TheodoreBlunt—theInternationalDetectiveBureau.”
“Well,”saidTommy,“Isupposetheywereboundtotumbletoitsometimeorother,sir.”
“Asyousay,itwasonlytobeexpected.ButIamalittleworried—aboutMrs.Tommy.”
“Icanlookafterherallright,sir,”saidTommy,atexactlythesameminuteasTuppencesaid,“Icantakecareofmyself.”
“H’m,”saidMr.Carter.“Excessiveself-confidencewasalwaysacharacteristicofyoutwo.Whetheryourimmunityisentirelyduetoyourownsuperhumancleverness,orwhetherasmallpercentageofluckcreepsin,I’mnotpreparedtosay.Butluckchanges,youknow.However,Iwon’targuethepoint.FrommyextensiveknowledgeofMrs.Tommy,Isupposeit’squiteuselesstoaskhertokeepoutofthelimelightforthenextweekortwo?”
Tuppenceshookherheadveryenergetically.
“ThenallIcandoistogiveyoualltheinformationthatIcan.WehavereasontobelievethataspecialagenthasbeendespatchedfromMoscowtothiscountry.Wedon’tknowwhatnameheistravellingunder,wedon’tknowwhenhewillarrive.Butwedoknowsomethingabouthim.Heisamanwhogaveusgreattroubleinthewar,anubiquitouskindoffellowwhoturnedupallovertheplacewhereweleastwantedhim.HeisaRussianbybirth,andanaccomplishedlinguist—somuchsothathecanpassashalfadozenothernationalities,includingourown.Heisalsoapastmasterintheartofdisguise.Andhehasbrains.ItwashewhodevisedtheNo.16code.
“Whenandhowhewillturnup,Idonotknow.ButIamfairlycertainthathewillturnup.Wedoknowthis—hewasnotpersonallyacquaintedwiththerealMr.TheodoreBlunt.Ithinkthathewillturnupatyouroffice,onthepretextofacasewhichhewillwishyoutotakeup,andwilltryyouwiththepasswords.Thefirst,asyouknow,isthementionofthenumbersixteen—whichisrepliedtobyasentencecontainingthesame
Afterafewmoreinstructions,andageneraldiscussionoftactics,thetwoyoungpeopledepartedandmadetheirwayasrapidlyaspossibletotheofficesofBlunt’sBrilliantDetectives.
“It’slate,”saidTommy,lookingathiswatch.“Justontwelveo’clock.We’vebeenalongtimewiththeChief.Ihopewehaven’tmissedaparticularlyspicycase.”
“Onthewhole,”saidTuppence,“we’venotdonebadly.Iwastabulatingresultstheotherday.We’vesolvedfourbafflingmurdermysteries,roundedupagangofcounterfeiters,dittogangofsmugglers—”
“Actuallytwogangs,”interpolatedTommy.“Sowehave!I’mgladofthat.‘Gangs’soundssoprofessional.”
Tuppencecontinued,tickingofftheitemsonherfingers.
“Onejewelrobbery,twoescapesfromviolentdeath,onecaseofmissingladyreducingherfigure,oneyounggirlbefriended,analibisuccessfullyexploded,andalas!onecasewherewemadeutterfoolsofourselves.Onthewhole,jollygood!We’reveryclever,Ithink.”
“Youwouldthinkso,”saidTommy.“Youalwaysdo.NowIhaveasecretfeelingthatonceortwicewe’vebeenratherlucky.”
“Nonsense,”saidTuppence.“Alldonebythelittlegreycells.”
“Well,Iwasdamnedluckyonce,”saidTommy.“ThedaythatAlbertdidhislassoact!Butyouspeak,Tuppence,asthoughitwasallover?”
“Soitis,”saidTuppence.Sheloweredhervoiceimpressively.“Thisisourlastcase.Whentheyhavelaidthesuperspybytheheels,thegreatdetectivesintendtoretireandtaketobeekeepingorvegetablemarrowgrowing.It’salwaysdone.”
“Tiredofit,eh?”
“Ye-es,IthinkIam.Besides,we’resosuccessfulnow—theluckmightchange.”
“Who’stalkingaboutlucknow?”askedTommytriumphantly.
AtthatmomenttheyturnedinatthedoorwayoftheblockofbuildingsinwhichtheInternationalDetectiveBureauhaditsoffices,andTuppencedidnotreply.
Albertwasondutyintheouteroffice,employinghisleisureinbalancing,orendeavouringtobalance,theofficeruleruponhisnose.
Withasternfrownofreproof,thegreatMr.Bluntpassedintohisownprivateoffice.Divestinghimselfofhisovercoatandhat,heopenedthecupboard,ontheshelvesofwhichreposedhisclassiclibraryofthegreatdetectivesoffiction.
“Thechoicenarrows,”murmuredTommy.“OnwhomshallImodelmyselftoday?”
Tuppence’svoice,withanunusualnoteinit,madehimturnsharply.
“Tommy,”shesaid,“whatdayofthemonthisit?”
“Letmesee—theeleventh—why?”
“Lookatthecalendar.”
Hangingonthewallwasoneofthosecalendarsfromwhichyoutearaleafeveryday.ItborethelegendofSundaythe16th.TodaywasMonday.
“ByJove,that’sodd.Albertmusthavetornofftoomany.Carelesslittledevil.”
“Idon’tbelievehedid,”saidTuppence.“Butwe’llaskhim.”
Albert,summonedandquestioned,seemedveryastonished.Hesworehehadonlytornofftwoleaves,thoseofSaturdayandSunday.Hisstatementwaspresentlysupported,forwhereasthetwoleavestornoffbyAlbertwerefoundinthegrate,thesucceedingoneswerelyingneatlyinthewastepaperbasket.
“Aneatandmethodicalcriminal,”saidTommy.“Who’sbeenherethismorning,Albert?Aclientofanykind?”
“Justone,sir.”
“Whatwashelike?”
“Itwasashe.Ahospitalnurse.Veryupsetandanxioustoseeyou.Saidshe’dwaituntilyoucame.Iputherin‘Clerks’becauseitwaswarmer.”
“Andfromthereshecouldwalkinhere,ofcourse,withoutyourseeingher.Howlonghasshebeengone?”
“Abouthalfanhour,sir.Saidshe’dcallagainthisafternoon.Anicemotherly-lookingbody.”
“Anicemotherly—oh,getout,Albert.”
Albertwithdrew,injured.
“Queerstart,that,”saidTommy.“Itseemsalittlepurposeless.Putsusonourguard.Isupposethereisn’tabombconcealedinthefireplaceoranythingofthatkind?”
Hereassuredhimselfonthatpoint,thenheseatedhimselfatthedeskandaddressedTuppence.
“Monami,”hesaid,“weareherefacedwithamatteroftheutmostgravity.Yourecall,doyounot,themanwhowasNo.4.HimwhomIcrushedlikeaneggshellintheDolomites—withtheaidofhighexplosives,bienentendu.Buthewasnotreallydead—ah,no,theyareneverreallydead,thesesupercriminals.Thisistheman—butevenmoreso,ifImayputit.Heisthe4squared—inotherwords,heisnowtheNo.16.Youcomprehend,myfriend?”
“Perfectly,”saidTuppence.“YouarethegreatHerculePoirot.”
“Exactly.Nomoustaches,butlotsofgreycells.”
“I’veafeeling,”saidTuppence,“thatthisparticularadventurewillbecalledthe‘TriumphofHastings.’”
“Never,”saidTommy.“Itisn’tdone.Oncetheidiotfriend,alwaystheidiotfriend.There’sanetiquetteinthesematters.Bytheway,monami,canyounotpartyourhairinthemiddleinsteadofoneside?Thepresenteffectisunsymmetricalanddeplorable.”
ThebuzzerrangsharplyonTommy’sdesk.Hereturnedthesignal,andAlbertappearedbearingacard.
“PrinceVladiroffsky,”readTommy,inalowvoice.HelookedatTuppence.“Iwonder—Showhimin,Albert.”
Themanwhoenteredwasofmiddle-height,gracefulinbearing,withafairbeard,andapparentlyaboutthirty-fiveyearsofage.
“Mr.Blunt?”heinquired.HisEnglishwasperfect.“Youhavebeenmosthighlyrecommendedtome.Willyoutakeupacaseforme?”
“Ifyouwillgivemethedetails—?”
“Certainly.Itconcernsthedaughterofafriendofmine—agirlofsixteen.Weareanxiousfornoscandal—youunderstand.”
“Mydearsir,”saidTommy,“thisbusinesshasbeenrunningsuccessfullyforsixteenyearsowingtoourstrictattentiontothatparticularprinciple.”
Hefanciedhesawasuddengleamintheother’seye.Ifso,itpassedasquicklyasitcame.
“Youhavebranches,Ibelieve,ontheothersideoftheChannel?”
“Oh,yes.Asamatteroffact,”hebroughtoutthewordwithgreatdeliberation.“ImyselfwasinBerlinonthe13thoflastmonth.”
“Inthatcase,”saidthestranger,“itishardlynecessarytokeepupthelittlefiction.Thedaughterofmyfriendcanbeconvenientlydismissed.YouknowwhoIam—atanyrateIseeyouhavehadwarningofmycoming.”
Henoddedtowardsthecalendaronthewall.
“Quiteso,”saidTommy.
“Myfriends—Ihavecomeoverheretoinvestigatematters.Whathasbeenhappening?”
“Treachery,”saidTuppence,nolongerabletoremainquiescent.
TheRussianshiftedhisattentiontoher,andraisedhiseyebrows.
“Ahha,thatisso,isit?Ithoughtasmuch.WasitSergius?”
“Wethinkso,”saidTuppenceunblushingly.
“Itwouldnotsurpriseme.Butyouyourselves,youareundernosuspicion?”
“Idonotthinkso.Wehandleagooddealofbonafidebusiness,yousee,”explainedTommy.
TheRussiannodded.
“Thatiswise.Allthesame,IthinkitwouldbebetterifIdidnotcomehereagain.ForthemomentIamstayingattheBlitz.IwilltakeMarise—thisisMarise,Isuppose?”
Tuppencenodded.
“Whatissheknownashere?”
“Oh,MissRobinson.”
“Verywell,MissRobinson,youwillreturnwithmetotheBlitzandlunchwithmethere.Wewillallmeetatheadquartersatthreeo’clock.Isthatclear?”HelookedatTommy.
“Perfectlyclear,”repliedTommy,wonderingwhereonearthheadquartersmightbe.
ButheguessedthatitwasjustthoseheadquartersthatMr.Carterwassoanxioustodiscover.
Tuppenceroseandslippedonherlongblackcoatwithitsleopardskincollar.Then,demurely,shedeclaredherselfreadytoaccompanythePrince.
Theywentouttogether,andTommywasleftbehind,apreytoconflictingemotions.
Supposingsomethinghadgonewrongwiththedictaphone?Supposingthemysterioushospitalnursehadsomehoworotherlearntofitsinstallation,andhadrenderedituseless.
Heseizedthetelephoneandcalledacertainnumber.Therewasamoment’sdelay,andthenawell-knownvoicespoke.
“QuiteO.K.ComeroundtotheBlitzatonce.”
FiveminuteslaterTommyandMr.CartermetinthePalmCourtoftheBlitz.Thelatterwascrispandreassuring.
“You’vedoneexcellently.ThePrinceandthelittleladyareatlunchintherestaurant.I’vegottwoofmymeninthereaswaiters.Whetherhesuspects,orwhetherhedoesn’t—andI’mfairlysurehedoesn’t—we’vegothimontoast.Therearetwomenpostedupstairstowatchhissuite,andmoreoutsidereadytofollowwherevertheygo.Don’tbeworriedaboutyourwife.She’llbekeptinsightthewholetime.I’mnotgoingtorunanyrisks.”
OccasionallyoneoftheSecretServicemencametoreportprogress.Thefirsttimeitwasawaiter,whotooktheirordersforcocktails,thesecondtimeitwasafashionablevacant-facedyoungman.
“They’recomingout,”saidMr.Carter.“We’llretirebehindthispillarincasetheysitdownhere,butIfancyhe’lltakeheruptohissuite.Ah,yes,Ithoughtso.”
Fromtheirpostofvantage,TommysawtheRussianandTuppencecrossthehallandenterthelift.
Theminutespassed,andTommybegantofidget.
“Doyouthink,sir.Imean,aloneinthatsuite—”
“Oneofmymen’sinside—behindthesofa.Don’tworry,man.”
AwaitercrossedthehallandcameuptoMr.Carter.
“Gotthesignaltheywerecomingup,sir—buttheyhaven’tcome.Isitallright?”
“What?”Mr.Carterspunround.“Isawthemgointotheliftmyself.Just,”heglancedupattheclock—“fourandahalfminutesago.Andtheyhaven’tshownup….”
Hehurriedacrosstotheliftwhichhadjustatthatminutecomedownagain,andspoketotheuniformedattendant.
“Youtookupagentlemanwithafairbeardandayoungladyafewminutesagotothesecondfloor.”
“Notthesecondfloor,sir.Thirdfloorthegentlemanaskedfor.”
“Oh!”TheChiefjumpedin,motioningTommytoaccompanyhim.“Takeusuptothethirdfloor,please.”
“Idon’tunderstandthis,”hemurmuredinalowvoice.“Butkeepcalm.Everyexitfromthehoteliswatched,andI’vegotamanonthethirdflooraswell—oneveryfloor,infact.Iwastakingnochances.”
Theliftdooropenedonthethirdfloorandtheysprangout,hurryingdownthecorridor.Halfwayalongit,amandressedasawaitercametomeetthem.
“It’sallright,Chief.They’reinNo.318.”
Carterbreathedasighofrelief.
“That’sallright.Nootherexit?”
“It’sasuite,butthereareonlythesetwodoorsintothecorridor,andtogetoutfromanyoftheserooms,they’dhavetopassustogettothestaircaseorthelifts.”
“That’sallrightthen.Justtelephonedownandfindoutwhoissupposedtooccupythissuite.”
Thewaiterreturnedinaminuteortwo.
“Mrs.CortlandtVanSnyderofDetroit.”
Mr.Carterbecameverythoughtful.
“Iwondernow.IsthisMrs.VanSnyderanaccomplice,orisshe—”
Heleftthesentenceunfinished.
“Hearanynoisefrominside?”heaskedabruptly.
“Notathing.Butthedoorsfitwell.Onecouldn’thopetohearmuch.”
Mr.Cartermadeuphismindsuddenly.
“Idon’tlikethisbusiness.We’regoingin.Gotthemasterkey?”
“Ofcourse,sir.”
“CallupEvansandClydesly.”
Reinforcedbytheothertwomen,theyadvancedtowardsthedoorofthesuite.Itopenednoiselesslywhenthefirstmaninsertedhiskey.
Theyfoundthemselvesinasmallhall.Totherightwastheopendoorofabathroom,andinfrontofthemwasthesittingroom.Ontheleftwasacloseddoorandfrombehinditafaintsound—ratherlikeanasthmaticpug—couldbeheard.Mr.Carterpushedthedooropenandentered.
Theroomwasabedroom,withabigdoublebed,ornatelycoveredwithabedspreadofroseandgold.Onit,boundhandandfoot,withhermouthsecuredbyagagandhereyesalmoststartingoutofherheadwithpainandrage,wasamiddle-agedfashionably-dressedwoman.
OnabrieforderfromMr.Carter,theothermenhadcoveredthewholesuite.OnlyTommyandhisChiefhadenteredthebedroom.Asheleantoverthebedandstrovetounfastentheknots,Carter’seyeswentrovingroundtheroominperplexity.SaveforanimmensequantityoftrulyAmericanluggage,theroomwasempty.TherewasnosignoftheRussianorTuppence.
Inanotherminutethewaitercamehurryingin,andreportedthattheotherroomswerealsoempty.Tommywenttothewindow,onlytodrawbackandshakehishead.Therewasnobalcony—nothingbutasheerdroptothestreetbelow.
“Certainitwasthisroomtheyentered?”askedCarterperemptorily.
“Sure.Besides—”Themanindicatedthewomanonthebed.
Withtheaidofapen-knife,CarterpartedthescarfthatwashalfchokingheranditwasatonceclearthatwhateverhersufferingstheyhadnotdeprivedMrs.CortlandtVanSnyderoftheuseofhertongue.
Whenshehadexhaustedherfirstindignation,Mr.Carterspokemildly.
“Wouldyoumindtellingmeexactlywhathappened—fromthebeginning?”
“IguessI’llsuethehotelforthis.It’saperfectoutrage.Iwasjustlookingformybottleof‘Killagrippe,’whenamansprungonmefrombehindandbrokealittleglassbottlerightundermynose,andbeforeIcouldgetmybreathIwasallin.WhenIcametoIwaslyinghere,alltrussedup,andgoodnessknowswhat’shappenedtomyjewels.He’sgottenthelot,Iguess.”
“Yourjewelsarequitesafe,Ifancy,”saidMr.Carterdrily.Hewheeledroundandpickedupsomethingfromthefloor.“YouwerestandingjustwhereIamwhenhespranguponyou?”
“That’sso,”assentedMrs.VanSnyder.
ItwasafragmentofthinglassthatMr.Carterhadpickedup.HesniffeditandhandedittoTommy.
“Ethylchloride,”hemurmured.“Instantanaesthetic.Butitonlykeepsoneunderforamomentortwo.Surelyhemuststillhavebeenintheroomwhenyoucameto,Mrs.VanSnyder?”
“Isn’tthatjustwhatI’mtellingyou?Oh!itdrovemehalfcrazytoseehimgettingawayandmenotabletomoveordoanythingatall.”
“Gettingaway?”saidMr.Cartersharply.“Whichway?”
“Throughthatdoor.”Shepointedtooneintheoppositewall.“Hehadagirlwithhim,butsheseemedkindoflimpasthoughshe’dhadadoseofthesamedope.”
Carterlookedaquestionathishenchman.
“Leadsintothenextsuite,sir.Butdoubledoors—supposedtobeboltedoneachside.”
Mr.Carterexaminedthedoorcarefully.Thenhestraightenedhimselfupandturnedtowardsthebed.
“Mrs.VanSnyder,”hesaidquietly,“doyoustillpersistinyourassertionthatthemanwentoutthisway?”
“Why,certainlyhedid.Whyshouldn’the?”
“Becausethedoorhappenstobeboltedonthisside,”saidMr.Carterdryly.Herattledthehandleashespoke.
AlookoftheutmostastonishmentspreadoverMrs.VanSnyder’sface.
“Unlesssomeoneboltedthedoorbehindhim,”saidMr.Carter,“hecannothavegoneoutthatway.”
HeturnedtoEvans,whohadjustenteredtheroom.
“Surethey’renotanywhereinthissuite?Anyothercommunicatingdoors?”
“No,sir,andI’mquitesure.”
Carterturnedhisgazethiswayandthatabouttheroom.Heopenedthebighangingwardrobe,lookedunderthebed,upthechimneyandbehindallthecurtains.Finally,struckbyasuddenidea,anddisregardingMrs.VanSnyder’sshrillprotests,heopenedthelargewardrobetrunkandrummagedswiftlyintheinterior.
SuddenlyTommy,whohadbeenexaminingthecommunicatingdoor,gaveanexclamation.
“Comehere,sir,lookatthis.Theydidgothisway.”
Thebolthadbeenverycleverlyfiledthrough,soclosetothesocketthatthejoinwashardlyperceptible.
“Thedoorwon’topenbecauseit’slockedontheotherside,”explainedTommy.
Inanotherminutetheywereoutinthecorridoragainandthewaiterwasopeningthedooroftheadjoiningsuitewithhispasskey.Thissuitewasuntenanted.Whentheycametothecommunicatingdoor,theysawthatthesameplanhadbeenadopted.Thebolthadbeenfiledthrough,andthedoorwaslocked,thekeyhavingbeenremoved.ButnowhereinthesuitewasthereanysignofTuppenceorthefair-beardedRussianandtherewasnoothercommunicatingdoor,onlytheoneonthecorridor.
“ButI’dhaveseenthemcomeout,”protestedthewaiter.“Icouldn’thavehelpedseeingthem.Icantakemyoaththeyneverdid.”
“Damnitall,”criedTommy.“Theycan’thavevanishedintothinair!”
Carterwascalmagainnow,hiskeenbrainworking.
“Telephonedownandfindoutwhohadthissuitelastandwhen.”
Evanswhohadcomewiththem,leavingClydeslyonguardintheothersuite,obeyed.Presentlyheraisedhisheadfromthetelephone.
“AninvalidFrenchlad,M.PauldeVareze.Hehadahospitalnursewithhim.Theyleftthismorning.”
AnexclamationburstfromtheotherSecretServiceman,thewaiter.Hehadgonedeathlypale.
“Theinvalidboy—thehospitalnurse,”hestammered.“I—theypassedmeinthepassage.Ineverdreamed—Ihadseenthemsooftenbefore.”
“Areyousuretheywerethesame?”criedMr.Carter.“Areyousure,man?Youlookedatthemwell?”
Themanshookhishead.
“Ihardlyglancedatthem.Iwaswaiting,youunderstand,onthealertfortheothers,themanwiththefairbeardandthegirl.”
“Ofcourse,”saidMr.Carter,withagroan.“Theycountedonthat.”
Withasuddenexclamation,Tommystoopeddownandpulledsomethingfromunderthesofa.Itwasasmallrolled-upbundleofblack.Tommyunrolleditandseveralarticlesfellout.TheoutsidewrapperwasthelongblackcoatTuppencehadwornthatday.Insidewasherwalkingdress,herhatandalongfairbeard.”
“It’sclearenoughnow,”hesaidbitterly.“They’vegother—gotTuppence.ThatRussiandevilhasgivenustheslip.Thehospitalnurseandtheboywereaccomplices.Theystayedhereforadayortwotogetthehotelpeopleaccustomedtotheirpresence.Themanmusthaverealisedatlunchthathewastrappedandproceededtocarryouthisplan.Probablyhecountedontheroomnextdoorbeingemptysinceitwaswhenhefixedthebolts.AnywayhemanagedtosilenceboththewomannextdoorandTuppence,broughtherinhere,dressedherinboy’sclothes,alteredhisownappearance,andwalkedoutboldasbrass.Theclothesmusthavebeenhiddenready.ButIdon’tquiteseehowhemanagedTuppence’sacquiescence.”
“Icansee,”saidMr.Carter.Hepickedupalittleshiningpieceofsteelfromthecarpet.“That’safragmentofahypodermicneedle.Shewasdoped.”
“MyGod!”groanedTommy.“Andhe’sgotclearaway.”
“Wedon’tknowthat,”saidCarterquickly.“Remembereveryexitiswatched.”
“Foramanandagirl.Notforahospitalnurseandaninvalidboy.They’llhaveleftthehotelbynow.”
Such,oninquiry,provedtobethecase.Thenurseandherpatienthaddrivenawayinataxisomefiveminutesearlier.
“Lookhere,Beresford,”saidMr.Carter,“forGod’ssakepullyourselftogether.YouknowthatIwon’tleaveastoneunturnedtofindthatgirl.I’mgoingbacktomyofficeatonceandinlessthanfiveminuteseveryresourceofthedepartmentwillbeatwork.We’llgetthemyet.”
“Willyou,sir?He’sacleverdevil,thatRussian.Lookatthecunningofthiscoupofhis.ButIknowyou’lldoyourbest.Only—prayGodit’snottoolate.They’vegotitinforusbadly.”
HelefttheBlitzHotelandwalkedblindlyalongthestreet,hardlyknowingwherehewasgoing.Hefeltcompletelyparalysed.Wheretosearch?Whattodo?
HewentintotheGreenPark,anddroppeddownuponaseat.Hehardlynoticedwhensomeoneelsesatdownattheoppositeend,andwasquitestartledtohearawell-knownvoice.
“Ifyouplease,sir,ifImightmakesobold—”
Tommylookedup.
“Hullo,Albert,”hesaiddully.
“Iknowallaboutit,sir—butdon’ttakeonso.”
“Don’ttakeon—”Hegaveashortlaugh.“Easilysaid,isn’tit?”
“Ah,butthink,sir.Blunt’sBrilliantDetectives!Neverbeaten.Andifyou’llexcusemysayingsoIhappenedtooverhearwhatyouandtheMissuswasraggingaboutthismorning.Mr.Poirot,andhislittlegreycells.Well,sir,whynotuseyourlittlegreycells,andseewhatyoucando.”
“It’seasiertouseyourlittlegreycellsinfictionthanitisinfact,myboy.”
“Well,”saidAlbertstoutly,“Idon’tbelieveanybodycouldputtheMissusout,forgoodandall.Youknowwhatsheis,sir,justlikeoneofthoserubberbonesyoubuyforlittledorgs—guaranteedindestructible.”
“Albert,”saidTommy,“youcheerme.”
“Thenwhataboutusingyourlittlegreycells,sir?”
“You’reapersistentlad,Albert.Playingthefoolhasservedusprettywelluptonow.We’lltryitagain.Letusarrangeourfactsneatly,andwithmethod.Attenminutespasttwoexactly,ourquarryentersthelift.Fiveminuteslaterwespeaktotheliftman,andhavingheardwhathesayswealsogouptothethirdfloor.Atsay,nineteenminutespasttwoweenterthesuiteofMrs.VanSnyder.Andnow,whatsignificantfactstrikesus?”
Therewasapause,nosignificantfactstrikingeitherofthem.
“Therewasn’tsuchathingasatrunkintheroom,wasthere?”askedAlbert,hiseyeslightingsuddenly.
“Monami,”saidTommy,“youdonotunderstandthepsychologyofanAmericanwomanwhohasjustreturnedfromParis.Therewere,Ishouldsay,aboutnineteentrunksintheroom.”
“WhatImeantersayis,atrunk’sahandythingifyou’vegotadeadbodyaboutyouwanttogetridof—notthatsheisdead,foraminute.”
“Wesearchedtheonlytwotherewerebigenoughtocontainabody.Whatisthenextfactinchronologicalorder?”
“You’vemissedoneout—whentheMissusandtheblokedressedupasahospitalnursepassedthewaiterinthepassage.”
“Itmusthavebeenjustbeforewecameupinthelift,”saidTommy.“Theymusthavehadanarrowescapeofmeetingusfacetoface.Prettyquickwork,that.I—”
Hestopped.
“Whatisit,sir?”
“Besilent,monami.Ihavethekindoflittleidea—colossal,stupendous—thatalwayscomessoonerorlatertoHerculePoirot.Butifso—ifthat’sit—Oh,Lord,IhopeI’mintime.”
HeracedoutofthePark,Alberthardonhisheels,inquiringbreathlesslyasheran,“What’sup,sir?Idon’tunderstand.”
“That’sallright,”saidTommy.“You’renotsupposedto.Hastingsneverdid.Ifyourgreycellsweren’tofaveryinferiorordertomine,whatfundoyouthinkIshouldgetoutofthisgame?I’mtalkingdamnedrot—butIcan’thelpit.You’reagoodlad,Albert.YouknowwhatTuppenceisworth—she’sworthadozenofyouandme.”
Thustalkingbreathlesslyasheran,TommyreenteredtheportalsoftheBlitz.HecaughtsightofEvans,anddrewhimasidewithafewhurriedwords.Thetwomenenteredthelift,Albertwiththem.
“Thirdfloor,”saidTommy.
AtthedoorofNo.318theypaused.Evanshadapasskey,anduseditforthwith.Withoutawordofwarning,theywalkedstraightintoMrs.VanSnyder’sbedroom.Theladywasstilllyingonthebed,butwasnowarrayedinabecomingnegligee.Shestaredattheminsurprise
“Pardonmyfailuretoknock,”saidTommypleasantly.“ButIwantmywife.Doyoumindgettingoffthatbed?”
“Iguessyou’vegoneplumbcrazy,”criedMrs.VanSnyder.
Tommysurveyedherthoughtfully,hisheadononeside.
“Veryartistic,”hepronounced,“butitwon’tdo.Welookedunderthebed—butnotinit.Irememberusingthathidingplacemyselfwhenyoung.Horizontallyacrossthebed,underneaththebolster.Andthatnicewardrobetrunkallreadytotakeawaythebodyinlater.Butwewereabittooquickforyoujustnow.You’dhadtimetodopeTuppence,putherunderthebolster,andbegaggedandboundbyyouraccomplicesnextdoor,andI’lladmitweswallowedyourstoryallrightforthemoment.Butwhenonecametothinkitout—withorderandmethod—impossibletodrugagirl,dressherinboys’clothes,gagandbindanotherwoman,andchangeone’sownappearance—allinfiveminutes.Simplyaphysicalimpossibility.Thehospitalnurseandtheboyweretobeadecoy.Weweretofollowthattrail,andMrs.VanSnyderwastobepitiedasavictim.Justhelptheladyoffthebed,willyou,Evans?Youhaveyourautomatic?Good.”
Protestingshrilly,Mrs.VanSnyderwashauledfromherplaceofrepose.Tommytoreoffthecoveringsandthebolster
There,lyinghorizontallyacrossthetopofthebedwasTuppence,hereyesclosed,andherfacewaxen.ForamomentTommyfeltasuddendread,thenhesawtheslightriseandfallofherbreast.Shewasdrugged—notdead.
HeturnedtoAlbertandEvans.
“Andnow,Messieurs,”hesaiddramatically,“thefinalcoup!”
Withaswift,unexpectedgestureheseizedMrs.VanSnyderbyherelaboratelydressedhair.Itcameoffinhishand.
“AsIthought,”saidTommy.“No.16!”
II
ItwasabouthalfanhourlaterwhenTuppenceopenedhereyesandfoundadoctorandTommybendingoverher.
Overtheeventsofthenextquarterofanhouradecentveilhadbetterbedrawn,butafterthatperiodthedoctordepartedwiththeassurancethatallwasnowwell.
“Monami,Hastings,”saidTommyfondly.“HowIrejoicethatyouarestillalive.”
“HavewegotNo.16?”
“OncemoreIhavecrushedhimlikeaneggshell—inotherwords,Carter’sgothim.Thelittlegreycells!Bytheway,I’mraisingAlbert’swages.”
“Tellmeallaboutit.”
Tommygaveheraspiritednarrative,withcertainomissions.
“Weren’tyouhalffranticaboutme?”askedTuppencefaintly.
“Notparticularly.Onemustkeepcalm,youknow.”
“Liar!”saidTuppence.“Youlookquitehaggardstill.”
“Well,perhaps,Iwasjustalittleworried,darling.Isay—we’regoingtogiveitupnow,aren’twe?”
“Certainlyweare.”
Tommygaveasighofrelief.
“Ihopedyou’dbesensible.Afterashocklikethis—”
“It’snottheshock.YouknowInevermindshocks.”
“Arubberbone—indestructible,”murmuredTommy.
“I’vegotsomethingbettertodo,”continuedTuppence.“Somethingeversomuchmoreexciting.SomethingI’veneverdonebefore.”
Tommylookedatherwithlivelyapprehension.
“Iforbidit,Tuppence.”
“Youcan’t,”saidTuppence.“It’salawofnature.”
“Whatareyoutalkingabout,Tuppence?”
“I’mtalking,”saidTuppence,“ofOurBaby.Wivesdon’twhispernowadays.Theyshout.OURBABY!Tommy,isn’teverythingmarvellous?”
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.
Visitwww.AuthorTracker.comforexclusiveinformationonyourfavoriteHarperCollinsauthors.
www.AgathaChristie.com
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?PARTNERSINCRIME?.Copyright?1929AgathaChristieLimited.Allrightsreserved.
PARTNERSINCRIME?1929.PublishedbypermissionofG.P.Putnam’sSons,amemberofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenonexclusive,nontransferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthisebookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,decompiled,reverse-engineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereinafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofHarperCollinsebooks.
Formoreinformationabouteducationaluse,teachersshouldvisitwww.HarperAcademic.com.
FIRSTWILLIAMMORROWTRADEPAPERBACKPUBLISHED2012
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataisavailableuponrequest.
ISBN978-0-06-207436-2
EpubEdition?JANUARY2012ISBN:9780061749056
Version09192012
1213141516DIX/BVG10987654321
AboutthePublisher
Australia
HarperCollinsPublishers(Australia)Pty.Ltd.
Level13,201ElizabethStreet
Sydney,NSW2000,Australia
http://www.harpercollins.com.au/ebooks
Canada
HarperCollinsCanada
2BloorStreetEast–20thFloor
Toronto,ON,M4W,1A8,Canada
http://www.harpercollins.ca
NewZealand
HarperCollinsPublishers(NewZealand)Limited
P.O.Box1
Auckland,NewZealand
http://www.harpercollins.co.nz
UnitedKingdom
HarperCollinsPublishersLtd.
77-85FulhamPalaceRoad
London,W68JB,UK
http://www.harpercollins.co.uk
UnitedStates
HarperCollinsPublishersInc.
10East53rdStreet
NewYork,NY10022
http://www.harpercollins.com
© Copyright Notice
The copyright of the article belongs to the author. Please do not reprint without permission.
THE END
No comments yet