Reading Help Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie. Ch.I-XIII
`
` "I lived last with a Miss Dufferin, The Parsonage, Llanelly. I `
` was with her two years." `
` `
` "And then you thought you would get more money by coming to `
` London, I suppose? Well, it doesn't matter to me. I will give `
` you L50--L60--whatever you want. You can come in at once?" `
` `
` "Yes, ma'am. To-day, if you like. My box is at Paddington." `
` `
` "Go and fetch it in a taxi, then. It's an easy place. I am out `
` a good deal. By the way, what's your name?" `
` `
` "Prudence Cooper, ma'am." `
` `
` "Very well, Prudence. Go away and fetch your box. I shall be `
` out to lunch. The cook will show you where everything is." `
` `
` "Thank you, ma'am." `
` `
` Tuppence withdrew. The smart Annie was not in evidence. In the `
` hall below a magnificent hall porter had relegated Albert to the `
` background. Tuppence did not even glance at him as she passed `
` meekly out. `
` `
` The adventure had begun, but she felt less elated than she had `
` done earlier in the morning. It crossed her mind that if the `
` unknown Jane Finn had fallen into the hands of Mrs. Vandemeyer, `
` it was likely to have gone hard with her. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER X `
` `
` ENTER SIR JAMES PEEL EDGERTON `
` `
` TUPPENCE betrayed no awkwardness in her new duties. The daughters `
` of the archdeacon were well grounded in household tasks. They `
` were also experts in training a "raw girl," the inevitable result `
` being that the raw girl, once trained, departed elsewhere where `
` her newly acquired knowledge commanded a more substantial `
` remuneration than the archdeacon's meagre purse allowed. `
` `
` Tuppence had therefore very little fear of proving inefficient. `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer's cook puzzled her. She evidently went in deadly `
` terror of her mistress. The girl thought it probable that the `
` other woman had some hold over her. For the rest, she cooked `
` like a chef, as Tuppence had an opportunity of judging that `
` evening. Mrs. Vandemeyer was expecting a guest to dinner, and `
` Tuppence accordingly laid the beautifully polished table for two. `
` She was a little exercised in her own mind as to this visitor. It `
` was highly possible that it might prove to be Whittington. `
` Although she felt fairly confident that he would not recognize `
` her, yet she would have been better pleased had the guest proved `
` to be a total stranger. However, there was nothing for it but to `
` hope for the best. `
` `
` At a few minutes past eight the front door bell rang, and `
` Tuppence went to answer it with some inward trepidation. She was `
` relieved to see that the visitor was the second of the two men `
` whom Tommy had taken upon himself to follow. `
` `
` He gave his name as Count Stepanov. Tuppence announced him, and `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer rose from her seat on a low divan with a quick `
` murmur of pleasure. `
` `
` "It is delightful to see you, Boris Ivanovitch," she said. `
` `
` "And you, madame!" He bowed low over her hand. `
` `
` Tuppence returned to the kitchen. `
` `
` "Count Stepanov, or some such," she remarked, and affecting a `
` frank and unvarnished curiosity: "Who's he?" `
` `
` "A Russian gentleman, I believe." `
` `
` "Come here much?" `
` `
` "Once in a while. What d'you want to know for?" `
` `
` "Fancied he might be sweet on the missus, that's all," explained `
` the girl, adding with an appearance of sulkiness: "How you do `
` take one up!" `
` `
` "I'm not quite easy in my mind about the souffle," explained the `
` other. `
` `
` "You know something," thought Tuppence to herself, but aloud she `
` only said: "Going to dish up now? Right-o." `
` `
` Whilst waiting at table, Tuppence listened closely to all that `
` was said. She remembered that this was one of the men Tommy was `
` shadowing when she had last seen him. Already, although she `
` would hardly admit it, she was becoming uneasy about her partner. `
` Where was he? Why had no word of any kind come from him? She had `
` arranged before leaving the Ritz to have all letters or messages `
` sent on at once by special messenger to a small stationer's shop `
` near at hand where Albert was to call in frequently. True, it was `
` only yesterday morning that she had parted from Tommy, and she `
` told herself that any anxiety on his behalf would be absurd. `
` Still, it was strange that he had sent no word of any kind. `
` `
` But, listen as she might, the conversation presented no clue. `
` Boris and Mrs. Vandemeyer talked on purely indifferent subjects: `
` plays they had seen, new dances, and the latest society gossip. `
` After dinner they repaired to the small boudoir where Mrs. `
` Vandemeyer, stretched on the divan, looked more wickedly `
` beautiful than ever. Tuppence brought in the coffee and liqueurs `
` and unwillingly retired. As she did so, she heard Boris say: `
` `
` "New, isn't she?" `
` `
` "She came in to-day. The other was a fiend. This girl seems all `
` right. She waits well." `
` `
` Tuppence lingered a moment longer by the door which she had `
` carefully neglected to close, and heard him say: `
` `
` "Quite safe, I suppose?" `
` `
` "Really, Boris, you are absurdly suspicious. I believe she's the `
` cousin of the hall porter, or something of the kind. And nobody `
` even dreams that I have any connection with our--mutual friend, `
` Mr. Brown." `
` `
` "For heaven's sake, be careful, Rita. That door isn't shut." `
` `
` "Well, shut it then," laughed the woman. `
` `
` Tuppence removed herself speedily. `
` `
` She dared not absent herself longer from the back premises, but `
` she cleared away and washed up with a breathless speed acquired `
` in hospital. Then she slipped quietly back to the boudoir door. `
` The cook, more leisurely, was still busy in the kitchen and, if `
` she missed the other, would only suppose her to be turning down `
` the beds. `
` `
` Alas! The conversation inside was being carried on in too low a `
` tone to permit of her hearing anything of it. She dared not `
` reopen the door, however gently. Mrs. Vandemeyer was sitting `
` almost facing it, and Tuppence respected her mistress's lynx-eyed `
` powers of observation. `
` `
` Nevertheless, she felt she would give a good deal to overhear `
` what was going on. Possibly, if anything unforeseen had `
` happened, she might get news of Tommy. For some moments she `
` reflected desperately, then her face brightened. She went quickly `
` along the passage to Mrs. Vandemeyer's bedroom, which had long `
` French windows leading on to a balcony that ran the length of the `
` flat. Slipping quickly through the window, Tuppence crept `
` noiselessly along till she reached the boudoir window. As she had `
` thought it stood a little ajar, and the voices within were `
` plainly audible. `
` `
` Tuppence listened attentively, but there was no mention of `
` anything that could be twisted to apply to Tommy. Mrs. `
` Vandemeyer and the Russian seemed to be at variance over some `
` matter, and finally the latter exclaimed bitterly: `
` `
` "With your persistent recklessness, you will end by ruining us!" `
` `
` "Bah!" laughed the woman. "Notoriety of the right kind is the `
` best way of disarming suspicion. You will realize that one of `
` these days--perhaps sooner than you think!" `
` `
` "In the meantime, you are going about everywhere with Peel `
` Edgerton. Not only is he, perhaps, the most celebrated K.C. in `
` England, but his special hobby is criminology! It is madness!" `
` `
` "I know that his eloquence has saved untold men from the `
` gallows," said Mrs. Vandemeyer calmly. "What of it? I may need `
` his assistance in that line myself some day. If so, how fortunate `
` to have such a friend at court--or perhaps it would be more to `
` the point to say IN court." `
` `
` Boris got up and began striding up and down. He was very `
` excited. `
` `
` "You are a clever woman, Rita; but you are also a fool! Be guided `
` by me, and give up Peel Edgerton." `
` `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer shook her head gently. `
` `
` "I think not." `
` `
` "You refuse?" There was an ugly ring in the Russian's voice. `
` `
` "I do." `
` `
` "Then, by Heaven," snarled the Russian, "we will see----" But `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer also rose to her feet, her eyes flashing. `
` `
` "You forget, Boris," she said. "I am accountable to no one. I `
` take my orders only from--Mr. Brown." `
` `
` The other threw up his hands in despair. `
` `
` "You are impossible," he muttered. "Impossible! Already it may `
` be too late. They say Peel Edgerton can SMELL a criminal! How do `
`
` "I lived last with a Miss Dufferin, The Parsonage, Llanelly. I `
` was with her two years." `
` `
` "And then you thought you would get more money by coming to `
` London, I suppose? Well, it doesn't matter to me. I will give `
` you L50--L60--whatever you want. You can come in at once?" `
` `
` "Yes, ma'am. To-day, if you like. My box is at Paddington." `
` `
` "Go and fetch it in a taxi, then. It's an easy place. I am out `
` a good deal. By the way, what's your name?" `
` `
` "Prudence Cooper, ma'am." `
` `
` "Very well, Prudence. Go away and fetch your box. I shall be `
` out to lunch. The cook will show you where everything is." `
` `
` "Thank you, ma'am." `
` `
` Tuppence withdrew. The smart Annie was not in evidence. In the `
` hall below a magnificent hall porter had relegated Albert to the `
` background. Tuppence did not even glance at him as she passed `
` meekly out. `
` `
` The adventure had begun, but she felt less elated than she had `
` done earlier in the morning. It crossed her mind that if the `
` unknown Jane Finn had fallen into the hands of Mrs. Vandemeyer, `
` it was likely to have gone hard with her. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER X `
` `
` ENTER SIR JAMES PEEL EDGERTON `
` `
` TUPPENCE betrayed no awkwardness in her new duties. The daughters `
` of the archdeacon were well grounded in household tasks. They `
` were also experts in training a "raw girl," the inevitable result `
` being that the raw girl, once trained, departed elsewhere where `
` her newly acquired knowledge commanded a more substantial `
` remuneration than the archdeacon's meagre purse allowed. `
` `
` Tuppence had therefore very little fear of proving inefficient. `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer's cook puzzled her. She evidently went in deadly `
` terror of her mistress. The girl thought it probable that the `
` other woman had some hold over her. For the rest, she cooked `
` like a chef, as Tuppence had an opportunity of judging that `
` evening. Mrs. Vandemeyer was expecting a guest to dinner, and `
` Tuppence accordingly laid the beautifully polished table for two. `
` She was a little exercised in her own mind as to this visitor. It `
` was highly possible that it might prove to be Whittington. `
` Although she felt fairly confident that he would not recognize `
` her, yet she would have been better pleased had the guest proved `
` to be a total stranger. However, there was nothing for it but to `
` hope for the best. `
` `
` At a few minutes past eight the front door bell rang, and `
` Tuppence went to answer it with some inward trepidation. She was `
` relieved to see that the visitor was the second of the two men `
` whom Tommy had taken upon himself to follow. `
` `
` He gave his name as Count Stepanov. Tuppence announced him, and `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer rose from her seat on a low divan with a quick `
` murmur of pleasure. `
` `
` "It is delightful to see you, Boris Ivanovitch," she said. `
` `
` "And you, madame!" He bowed low over her hand. `
` `
` Tuppence returned to the kitchen. `
` `
` "Count Stepanov, or some such," she remarked, and affecting a `
` frank and unvarnished curiosity: "Who's he?" `
` `
` "A Russian gentleman, I believe." `
` `
` "Come here much?" `
` `
` "Once in a while. What d'you want to know for?" `
` `
` "Fancied he might be sweet on the missus, that's all," explained `
` the girl, adding with an appearance of sulkiness: "How you do `
` take one up!" `
` `
` "I'm not quite easy in my mind about the souffle," explained the `
` other. `
` `
` "You know something," thought Tuppence to herself, but aloud she `
` only said: "Going to dish up now? Right-o." `
` `
` Whilst waiting at table, Tuppence listened closely to all that `
` was said. She remembered that this was one of the men Tommy was `
` shadowing when she had last seen him. Already, although she `
` would hardly admit it, she was becoming uneasy about her partner. `
` Where was he? Why had no word of any kind come from him? She had `
` arranged before leaving the Ritz to have all letters or messages `
` sent on at once by special messenger to a small stationer's shop `
` near at hand where Albert was to call in frequently. True, it was `
` only yesterday morning that she had parted from Tommy, and she `
` told herself that any anxiety on his behalf would be absurd. `
` Still, it was strange that he had sent no word of any kind. `
` `
` But, listen as she might, the conversation presented no clue. `
` Boris and Mrs. Vandemeyer talked on purely indifferent subjects: `
` plays they had seen, new dances, and the latest society gossip. `
` After dinner they repaired to the small boudoir where Mrs. `
` Vandemeyer, stretched on the divan, looked more wickedly `
` beautiful than ever. Tuppence brought in the coffee and liqueurs `
` and unwillingly retired. As she did so, she heard Boris say: `
` `
` "New, isn't she?" `
` `
` "She came in to-day. The other was a fiend. This girl seems all `
` right. She waits well." `
` `
` Tuppence lingered a moment longer by the door which she had `
` carefully neglected to close, and heard him say: `
` `
` "Quite safe, I suppose?" `
` `
` "Really, Boris, you are absurdly suspicious. I believe she's the `
` cousin of the hall porter, or something of the kind. And nobody `
` even dreams that I have any connection with our--mutual friend, `
` Mr. Brown." `
` `
` "For heaven's sake, be careful, Rita. That door isn't shut." `
` `
` "Well, shut it then," laughed the woman. `
` `
` Tuppence removed herself speedily. `
` `
` She dared not absent herself longer from the back premises, but `
` she cleared away and washed up with a breathless speed acquired `
` in hospital. Then she slipped quietly back to the boudoir door. `
` The cook, more leisurely, was still busy in the kitchen and, if `
` she missed the other, would only suppose her to be turning down `
` the beds. `
` `
` Alas! The conversation inside was being carried on in too low a `
` tone to permit of her hearing anything of it. She dared not `
` reopen the door, however gently. Mrs. Vandemeyer was sitting `
` almost facing it, and Tuppence respected her mistress's lynx-eyed `
` powers of observation. `
` `
` Nevertheless, she felt she would give a good deal to overhear `
` what was going on. Possibly, if anything unforeseen had `
` happened, she might get news of Tommy. For some moments she `
` reflected desperately, then her face brightened. She went quickly `
` along the passage to Mrs. Vandemeyer's bedroom, which had long `
` French windows leading on to a balcony that ran the length of the `
` flat. Slipping quickly through the window, Tuppence crept `
` noiselessly along till she reached the boudoir window. As she had `
` thought it stood a little ajar, and the voices within were `
` plainly audible. `
` `
` Tuppence listened attentively, but there was no mention of `
` anything that could be twisted to apply to Tommy. Mrs. `
` Vandemeyer and the Russian seemed to be at variance over some `
` matter, and finally the latter exclaimed bitterly: `
` `
` "With your persistent recklessness, you will end by ruining us!" `
` `
` "Bah!" laughed the woman. "Notoriety of the right kind is the `
` best way of disarming suspicion. You will realize that one of `
` these days--perhaps sooner than you think!" `
` `
` "In the meantime, you are going about everywhere with Peel `
` Edgerton. Not only is he, perhaps, the most celebrated K.C. in `
` England, but his special hobby is criminology! It is madness!" `
` `
` "I know that his eloquence has saved untold men from the `
` gallows," said Mrs. Vandemeyer calmly. "What of it? I may need `
` his assistance in that line myself some day. If so, how fortunate `
` to have such a friend at court--or perhaps it would be more to `
` the point to say IN court." `
` `
` Boris got up and began striding up and down. He was very `
` excited. `
` `
` "You are a clever woman, Rita; but you are also a fool! Be guided `
` by me, and give up Peel Edgerton." `
` `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer shook her head gently. `
` `
` "I think not." `
` `
` "You refuse?" There was an ugly ring in the Russian's voice. `
` `
` "I do." `
` `
` "Then, by Heaven," snarled the Russian, "we will see----" But `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer also rose to her feet, her eyes flashing. `
` `
` "You forget, Boris," she said. "I am accountable to no one. I `
` take my orders only from--Mr. Brown." `
` `
` The other threw up his hands in despair. `
` `
` "You are impossible," he muttered. "Impossible! Already it may `
` be too late. They say Peel Edgerton can SMELL a criminal! How do `
`