Reading Help Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie. Ch.I-XIII
`
` "Yes." `
` `
` "She is----" `
` `
` But Tommy heard no more. A crashing blow descended on his head, `
` and all was darkness. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER IX `
` `
` TUPPENCE ENTERS DOMESTIC SERVICE `
` `
` WHEN Tommy set forth on the trail of the two men, it took all `
` Tuppence's self-command to refrain from accompanying him. `
` However, she contained herself as best she might, consoled by the `
` reflection that her reasoning had been justified by events. The `
` two men had undoubtedly come from the second floor flat, and that `
` one slender thread of the name "Rita" had set the Young `
` Adventurers once more upon the track of the abductors of Jane `
` Finn. `
` `
` The question was what to do next? Tuppence hated letting the `
` grass grow under her feet. Tommy was amply employed, and `
` debarred from joining him in the chase, the girl felt at a loose `
` end. She retraced her steps to the entrance hall of the mansions. `
` It was now tenanted by a small lift-boy, who was polishing brass `
` fittings, and whistling the latest air with a good deal of vigour `
` and a reasonable amount of accuracy. `
` `
` He glanced round at Tuppence's entry. There was a certain amount `
` of the gamin element in the girl, at all events she invariably `
` got on well with small boys. A sympathetic bond seemed instantly `
` to be formed. She reflected that an ally in the enemy's camp, so `
` to speak, was not to be despised. `
` `
` "Well, William," she remarked cheerfully, in the best approved `
` hospital-early-morning style, "getting a good shine up?" `
` `
` The boy grinned responsively. `
` `
` "Albert, miss," he corrected. `
` `
` "Albert be it," said Tuppence. She glanced mysteriously round `
` the hall. The effect was purposely a broad one in case Albert `
` should miss it. She leaned towards the boy and dropped her voice: `
` "I want a word with you, Albert." `
` `
` Albert ceased operations on the fittings and opened his mouth `
` slightly. `
` `
` "Look! Do you know what this is?" With a dramatic gesture she `
` flung back the left side of her coat and exposed a small `
` enamelled badge. It was extremely unlikely that Albert would have `
` any knowledge of it--indeed, it would have been fatal for `
` Tuppence's plans, since the badge in question was the device of a `
` local training corps originated by the archdeacon in the early `
` days of the war. Its presence in Tuppence's coat was due to the `
` fact that she had used it for pinning in some flowers a day or `
` two before. But Tuppence had sharp eyes, and had noted the corner `
` of a threepenny detective novel protruding from Albert's pocket, `
` and the immediate enlargement of his eyes told her that her `
` tactics were good, and that the fish would rise to the bait. `
` `
` "American Detective Force!" she hissed. `
` `
` Albert fell for it. `
` `
` "Lord!" he murmured ecstatically. `
` `
` Tuppence nodded at him with the air of one who has established a `
` thorough understanding. `
` `
` "Know who I'm after?" she inquired genially. `
` `
` Albert, still round-eyed, demanded breathlessly: `
` `
` "One of the flats?" `
` `
` Tuppence nodded and jerked a thumb up the stairs. `
` `
` "No. 20. Calls herself Vandemeyer. Vandemeyer! Ha! ha!" `
` `
` Albert's hand stole to his pocket. `
` `
` "A crook?" he queried eagerly. `
` `
` "A crook? I should say so. Ready Rita they call her in the `
` States." `
` `
` "Ready Rita," repeated Albert deliriously. "Oh, ain't it just `
` like the pictures!" `
` `
` It was. Tuppence was a great frequenter of the kinema. `
` `
` "Annie always said as how she was a bad lot," continued the boy. `
` `
` "Who's Annie?" inquired Tuppence idly. `
` `
` " 'Ouse-parlourmaid. She's leaving to-day. Many's the time `
` Annie's said to me: 'Mark my words, Albert, I wouldn't wonder if `
` the police was to come after her one of these days.' dust like `
` that. But she's a stunner to look at, ain't she?" `
` `
` "She's some peach," allowed Tuppence carelessly. "Finds it `
` useful in her lay-out, you bet. Has she been wearing any of the `
` emeralds, by the way?" `
` `
` "Emeralds? Them's the green stones, isn't they?" `
` `
` Tuppence nodded. `
` `
` "That's what we're after her for. You know old man Rysdale?" `
` `
` Albert shook his head. `
` `
` "Peter B. Rysdale, the oil king?" `
` `
` "It seems sort of familiar to me." `
` `
` "The sparklers belonged to him. Finest collection of emeralds in `
` the world. Worth a million dollars!" `
` `
` "Lumme!" came ecstatically from Albert. "It sounds more like the `
` pictures every minute." `
` `
` Tuppence smiled, gratified at the success of her efforts. `
` `
` "We haven't exactly proved it yet. But we're after her. `
` And"--she produced a long-drawn-out wink--"I guess she won't get `
` away with the goods this time." `
` `
` Albert uttered another ejaculation indicative of delight. `
` `
` "Mind you, sonny, not a word of this," said Tuppence suddenly. "I `
` guess I oughtn't to have put you wise, but in the States we know `
` a real smart lad when we see one." `
` `
` "I'll not breathe a word," protested Albert eagerly. "Ain't there `
` anything I could do? A bit of shadowing, maybe, or such like?" `
` `
` Tuppence affected to consider, then shook her head. `
` `
` "Not at the moment, but I'll bear you in mind, son. What's this `
` about the girl you say is leaving?" `
` `
` "Annie? Regular turn up, they 'ad. As Annie said, servants is `
` some one nowadays, and to be treated accordingly, and, what with `
` her passing the word round, she won't find it so easy to get `
` another." `
` `
` "Won't she?" said Tuppence thoughtfully. "I wonder----" `
` `
` An idea was dawning in her brain. She thought a minute or two, `
` then tapped Albert on the shoulder. `
` `
` "See here, son, my brain's got busy. How would it be if you `
` mentioned that you'd got a young cousin, or a friend of yours `
` had, that might suit the place. You get me?" `
` `
` "I'm there," said Albert instantly. "You leave it to me, miss, `
` and I'll fix the whole thing up in two ticks." `
` `
` "Some lad!" commented Tuppence, with a nod of approval. "You `
` might say that the young woman could come in right away. You let `
` me know, and if it's O.K. I'll be round to-morrow at eleven `
` o'clock." `
` `
` "Where am I to let you know to?" `
` `
` "Ritz," replied Tuppence laconically. "Name of Cowley." `
` `
` Albert eyed her enviously. `
` `
` "It must be a good job, this tec business." `
` `
` "It sure is," drawled Tuppence, "especially when old man Rysdale `
` backs the bill. But don't fret, son. If this goes well, you `
` shall come in on the ground floor." `
` `
` With which promise she took leave of her new ally, and walked `
` briskly away from South Audley Mansions, well pleased with her `
` morning's work. `
` `
` But there was no time to be lost. She went straight back to the `
` Ritz and wrote a few brief words to Mr. Carter. Having `
` dispatched this, and Tommy not having yet returned--which did not `
` surprise her--she started off on a shopping expedition which, `
` with an interval for tea and assorted creamy cakes, occupied her `
` until well after six o'clock, and she returned to the hotel `
` jaded, but satisfied with her purchases. Starting with a cheap `
` clothing store, and passing through one or two second-hand `
` establishments, she had finished the day at a well-known `
` hairdresser's. Now, in the seclusion of her bedroom, she `
` unwrapped that final purchase. Five minutes later she smiled `
` contentedly at her reflection in the glass. With an actress's `
` pencil she had slightly altered the line of her eyebrows, and `
` that, taken in conjunction with the new luxuriant growth of fair `
` hair above, so changed her appearance that she felt confident `
` that even if she came face to face with Whittington he would not `
`
` "Yes." `
` `
` "She is----" `
` `
` But Tommy heard no more. A crashing blow descended on his head, `
` and all was darkness. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER IX `
` `
` TUPPENCE ENTERS DOMESTIC SERVICE `
` `
` WHEN Tommy set forth on the trail of the two men, it took all `
` Tuppence's self-command to refrain from accompanying him. `
` However, she contained herself as best she might, consoled by the `
` reflection that her reasoning had been justified by events. The `
` two men had undoubtedly come from the second floor flat, and that `
` one slender thread of the name "Rita" had set the Young `
` Adventurers once more upon the track of the abductors of Jane `
` Finn. `
` `
` The question was what to do next? Tuppence hated letting the `
` grass grow under her feet. Tommy was amply employed, and `
` debarred from joining him in the chase, the girl felt at a loose `
` end. She retraced her steps to the entrance hall of the mansions. `
` It was now tenanted by a small lift-boy, who was polishing brass `
` fittings, and whistling the latest air with a good deal of vigour `
` and a reasonable amount of accuracy. `
` `
` He glanced round at Tuppence's entry. There was a certain amount `
` of the gamin element in the girl, at all events she invariably `
` got on well with small boys. A sympathetic bond seemed instantly `
` to be formed. She reflected that an ally in the enemy's camp, so `
` to speak, was not to be despised. `
` `
` "Well, William," she remarked cheerfully, in the best approved `
` hospital-early-morning style, "getting a good shine up?" `
` `
` The boy grinned responsively. `
` `
` "Albert, miss," he corrected. `
` `
` "Albert be it," said Tuppence. She glanced mysteriously round `
` the hall. The effect was purposely a broad one in case Albert `
` should miss it. She leaned towards the boy and dropped her voice: `
` "I want a word with you, Albert." `
` `
` Albert ceased operations on the fittings and opened his mouth `
` slightly. `
` `
` "Look! Do you know what this is?" With a dramatic gesture she `
` flung back the left side of her coat and exposed a small `
` enamelled badge. It was extremely unlikely that Albert would have `
` any knowledge of it--indeed, it would have been fatal for `
` Tuppence's plans, since the badge in question was the device of a `
` local training corps originated by the archdeacon in the early `
` days of the war. Its presence in Tuppence's coat was due to the `
` fact that she had used it for pinning in some flowers a day or `
` two before. But Tuppence had sharp eyes, and had noted the corner `
` of a threepenny detective novel protruding from Albert's pocket, `
` and the immediate enlargement of his eyes told her that her `
` tactics were good, and that the fish would rise to the bait. `
` `
` "American Detective Force!" she hissed. `
` `
` Albert fell for it. `
` `
` "Lord!" he murmured ecstatically. `
` `
` Tuppence nodded at him with the air of one who has established a `
` thorough understanding. `
` `
` "Know who I'm after?" she inquired genially. `
` `
` Albert, still round-eyed, demanded breathlessly: `
` `
` "One of the flats?" `
` `
` Tuppence nodded and jerked a thumb up the stairs. `
` `
` "No. 20. Calls herself Vandemeyer. Vandemeyer! Ha! ha!" `
` `
` Albert's hand stole to his pocket. `
` `
` "A crook?" he queried eagerly. `
` `
` "A crook? I should say so. Ready Rita they call her in the `
` States." `
` `
` "Ready Rita," repeated Albert deliriously. "Oh, ain't it just `
` like the pictures!" `
` `
` It was. Tuppence was a great frequenter of the kinema. `
` `
` "Annie always said as how she was a bad lot," continued the boy. `
` `
` "Who's Annie?" inquired Tuppence idly. `
` `
` " 'Ouse-parlourmaid. She's leaving to-day. Many's the time `
` Annie's said to me: 'Mark my words, Albert, I wouldn't wonder if `
` the police was to come after her one of these days.' dust like `
` that. But she's a stunner to look at, ain't she?" `
` `
` "She's some peach," allowed Tuppence carelessly. "Finds it `
` useful in her lay-out, you bet. Has she been wearing any of the `
` emeralds, by the way?" `
` `
` "Emeralds? Them's the green stones, isn't they?" `
` `
` Tuppence nodded. `
` `
` "That's what we're after her for. You know old man Rysdale?" `
` `
` Albert shook his head. `
` `
` "Peter B. Rysdale, the oil king?" `
` `
` "It seems sort of familiar to me." `
` `
` "The sparklers belonged to him. Finest collection of emeralds in `
` the world. Worth a million dollars!" `
` `
` "Lumme!" came ecstatically from Albert. "It sounds more like the `
` pictures every minute." `
` `
` Tuppence smiled, gratified at the success of her efforts. `
` `
` "We haven't exactly proved it yet. But we're after her. `
` And"--she produced a long-drawn-out wink--"I guess she won't get `
` away with the goods this time." `
` `
` Albert uttered another ejaculation indicative of delight. `
` `
` "Mind you, sonny, not a word of this," said Tuppence suddenly. "I `
` guess I oughtn't to have put you wise, but in the States we know `
` a real smart lad when we see one." `
` `
` "I'll not breathe a word," protested Albert eagerly. "Ain't there `
` anything I could do? A bit of shadowing, maybe, or such like?" `
` `
` Tuppence affected to consider, then shook her head. `
` `
` "Not at the moment, but I'll bear you in mind, son. What's this `
` about the girl you say is leaving?" `
` `
` "Annie? Regular turn up, they 'ad. As Annie said, servants is `
` some one nowadays, and to be treated accordingly, and, what with `
` her passing the word round, she won't find it so easy to get `
` another." `
` `
` "Won't she?" said Tuppence thoughtfully. "I wonder----" `
` `
` An idea was dawning in her brain. She thought a minute or two, `
` then tapped Albert on the shoulder. `
` `
` "See here, son, my brain's got busy. How would it be if you `
` mentioned that you'd got a young cousin, or a friend of yours `
` had, that might suit the place. You get me?" `
` `
` "I'm there," said Albert instantly. "You leave it to me, miss, `
` and I'll fix the whole thing up in two ticks." `
` `
` "Some lad!" commented Tuppence, with a nod of approval. "You `
` might say that the young woman could come in right away. You let `
` me know, and if it's O.K. I'll be round to-morrow at eleven `
` o'clock." `
` `
` "Where am I to let you know to?" `
` `
` "Ritz," replied Tuppence laconically. "Name of Cowley." `
` `
` Albert eyed her enviously. `
` `
` "It must be a good job, this tec business." `
` `
` "It sure is," drawled Tuppence, "especially when old man Rysdale `
` backs the bill. But don't fret, son. If this goes well, you `
` shall come in on the ground floor." `
` `
` With which promise she took leave of her new ally, and walked `
` briskly away from South Audley Mansions, well pleased with her `
` morning's work. `
` `
` But there was no time to be lost. She went straight back to the `
` Ritz and wrote a few brief words to Mr. Carter. Having `
` dispatched this, and Tommy not having yet returned--which did not `
` surprise her--she started off on a shopping expedition which, `
` with an interval for tea and assorted creamy cakes, occupied her `
` until well after six o'clock, and she returned to the hotel `
` jaded, but satisfied with her purchases. Starting with a cheap `
` clothing store, and passing through one or two second-hand `
` establishments, she had finished the day at a well-known `
` hairdresser's. Now, in the seclusion of her bedroom, she `
` unwrapped that final purchase. Five minutes later she smiled `
` contentedly at her reflection in the glass. With an actress's `
` pencil she had slightly altered the line of her eyebrows, and `
` that, taken in conjunction with the new luxuriant growth of fair `
` hair above, so changed her appearance that she felt confident `
` that even if she came face to face with Whittington he would not `
`