Reading Help Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie. Ch.I-XIII
`
` Nothing happened and, after waiting some minutes, Tuppence `
` pressed the bell again, keeping her finger on the button for some `
` little while. At last she heard footsteps inside, and a moment `
` later Mrs. Vandemeyer herself opened the door. She lifted her `
` eyebrows at the sight of the girl. `
` `
` "You?" `
` `
` "I had a touch of toothache, ma'am," said Tuppence glibly. "So `
` thought it better to come home and have a quiet evening." `
` `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer said nothing, but she drew back and let Tuppence `
` pass into the hall. `
` `
` "How unfortunate for you," she said coldly. "You had better go `
` to bed." `
` `
` "Oh, I shall be all right in the kitchen, ma'am. Cook will----" `
` `
` "Cook is out," said Mrs. Vandemeyer, in a rather disagreeable `
` tone. "I sent her out. So you see you had better go to bed." `
` `
` Suddenly Tuppence felt afraid. There was a ring in Mrs. `
` Vandemeyer's voice that she did not like at all. Also, the other `
` woman was slowly edging her up the passage. Tuppence turned at `
` bay. `
` `
` "I don't want----" `
` `
` Then, in a flash, a rim of cold steel touched her temple, and `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer's voice rose cold and menacing: `
` `
` "You damned little fool! Do you think I don't know? No, don't `
` answer. If you struggle or cry out, I'll shoot you like a dog." `
` `
` The rim of steel pressed a little harder against the girl's `
` temple. `
` `
` "Now then, march," went on Mrs. Vandemeyer. "This way--into my `
` room. In a minute, when I've done with you, you'll go to bed as I `
` told you to. And you'll sleep--oh yes, my little spy, you'll `
` sleep all right!" `
` `
` There was a sort of hideous geniality in the last words which `
` Tuppence did not at all like. For the moment there was nothing `
` to be done, and she walked obediently into Mrs. Vandemeyer's `
` bedroom. The pistol never left her forehead. The room was in a `
` state of wild disorder, clothes were flung about right and left, `
` a suit-case and a hat box, half-packed, stood in the middle of `
` the floor. `
` `
` Tuppence pulled herself together with an effort. Her voice shook `
` a little, but she spoke out bravely. `
` `
` "Come now," she said. "This is nonsense. You can't shoot me. `
` Why, every one in the building would hear the report." `
` `
` "I'd risk that," said Mrs. Vandemeyer cheerfully. "But, as long `
` as you don't sing out for help, you're all right--and I don't `
` think you will. You're a clever girl. You deceived ME all right. `
` I hadn't a suspicion of you! So I've no doubt that you understand `
` perfectly well that this is where I'm on top and you're `
` underneath. Now then--sit on the bed. Put your hands above your `
` head, and if you value your life don't move them." `
` `
` Tuppence obeyed passively. Her good sense told her that there `
` was nothing else to do but accept the situation. If she shrieked `
` for help there was very little chance of anyone hearing her, `
` whereas there was probably quite a good chance of Mrs. `
` Vandemeyer's shooting her. In the meantime, every minute of delay `
` gained was valuable. `
` `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer laid down the revolver on the edge of the `
` washstand within reach of her hand, and, still eyeing Tuppence `
` like a lynx in case the girl should attempt to move, she took a `
` little stoppered bottle from its place on the marble and poured `
` some of its contents into a glass which she filled up with water. `
` `
` "What's that?" asked Tuppence sharply. `
` `
` "Something to make you sleep soundly." `
` `
` Tuppence paled a little. `
` `
` "Are you going to poison me?" she asked in a whisper. `
` `
` "Perhaps," said Mrs. Vandemeyer, smiling agreeably. `
` `
` "Then I shan't drink it," said Tuppence firmly. "I'd much rather `
` be shot. At any rate that would make a row, and some one might `
` hear it. But I won't be killed off quietly like a lamb." `
` `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer stamped her foot. `
` `
` "Don't be a little fool! Do you really think I want a hue and `
` cry for murder out after me? If you've any sense at all, you'll `
` realize that poisoning you wouldn't suit my book at all. It's a `
` sleeping draught, that's all. You'll wake up to-morrow morning `
` none the worse. I simply don't want the bother of tying you up `
` and gagging you. That's the alternative--and you won't like it, I `
` can tell you! I can be very rough if I choose. So drink this `
` down like a good girl, and you'll be none the worse for it." `
` `
` In her heart of hearts Tuppence believed her. The arguments she `
` had adduced rang true. It was a simple and effective method of `
` getting her out of the way for the time being. Nevertheless, the `
` girl did not take kindly to the idea of being tamely put to sleep `
` without as much as one bid for freedom. She felt that once Mrs. `
` Vandemeyer gave them the slip, the last hope of finding Tommy `
` would be gone. `
` `
` Tuppence was quick in her mental processes. All these `
` reflections passed through her mind in a flash, and she saw where `
` a chance, a very problematical chance, lay, and she determined to `
` risk all in one supreme effort. `
` `
` Accordingly, she lurched suddenly off the bed and fell on her `
` knees before Mrs. Vandemeyer, clutching her skirts frantically. `
` `
` "I don't believe it," she moaned. "It's poison--I know it's `
` poison. Oh, don't make me drink it"--her voice rose to a `
` shriek--"don't make me drink it!" `
` `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer, glass in hand, looked down with a curling lip at `
` this sudden collapse. `
` `
` "Get up, you little idiot! Don't go on drivelling there. How you `
` ever had the nerve to play your part as you did I can't think." `
` She stamped her foot. "Get up, I say." `
` `
` But Tuppence continued to cling and sob, interjecting her sobs `
` with incoherent appeals for mercy. Every minute gained was to `
` the good. Moreover, as she grovelled, she moved imperceptibly `
` nearer to her objective. `
` `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer gave a sharp impatient exclamation, and jerked `
` the girl to her knees. `
` `
` "Drink it at once!" Imperiously she pressed the glass to the `
` girl's lips. `
` `
` Tuppence gave one last despairing moan. `
` `
` "You swear it won't hurt me?" she temporized. `
` `
` "Of course it won't hurt you. Don't be a fool." `
` `
` "Will you swear it?" `
` `
` "Yes, yes," said the other impatiently. "I swear it." `
` `
` Tuppence raised a trembling left hand to the glass. `
` `
` "Very well." Her mouth opened meekly. `
` `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer gave a sigh of relief, off her guard for the `
` moment. Then, quick as a flash, Tuppence jerked the glass upward `
` as hard as she could. The fluid in it splashed into Mrs. `
` Vandemeyer's face, and during her momentary gasp, Tuppence's `
` right hand shot out and grasped the revolver where it lay on the `
` edge of the washstand. The next moment she had sprung back a `
` pace, and the revolver pointed straight at Mrs. Vandemeyer's `
` heart, with no unsteadiness in the hand that held it. `
` `
` In the moment of victory, Tuppence betrayed a somewhat `
` unsportsmanlike triumph. `
` `
` "Now who's on top and who's underneath?" she crowed. `
` `
` The other's face was convulsed with rage. For a minute Tuppence `
` thought she was going to spring upon her, which would have placed `
` the girl in an unpleasant dilemma, since she meant to draw the `
` line at actually letting off the revolver. However, with an `
` effort Mrs. Vandemeyer controlled herself, and at last a slow `
` evil smile crept over her face. `
` `
` "Not a fool, then, after all! You did that well, girl. But you `
` shall pay for it--oh, yes, you shall pay for it! I have a long `
` memory!" `
` `
` "I'm surprised you should have been gulfed so easily," said `
` Tuppence scornfully. "Did you really think I was the kind of `
` girl to roll about on the floor and whine for mercy?" `
` `
` "You may do--some day!" said the other significantly. `
` `
` The cold malignity of her manner sent an unpleasant chill down `
` Tuppence's spine, but she was not going to give in to it. `
` `
` "Supposing we sit down," she said pleasantly. "Our present `
` attitude is a little melodramatic. No--not on the bed. Draw a `
` chair up to the table, that's right. Now I'll sit opposite you `
` with the revolver in front of me--just in case of accidents. `
` Splendid. Now, let's talk." `
` `
` "What about?" said Mrs. Vandemeyer sullenly. `
` `
` Tuppence eyed her thoughtfully for a minute. She was remembering `
` several things. Boris's words, "I believe you would sell--us!" `
` and her answer, "The price would have to be enormous," given `
`
` Nothing happened and, after waiting some minutes, Tuppence `
` pressed the bell again, keeping her finger on the button for some `
` little while. At last she heard footsteps inside, and a moment `
` later Mrs. Vandemeyer herself opened the door. She lifted her `
` eyebrows at the sight of the girl. `
` `
` "You?" `
` `
` "I had a touch of toothache, ma'am," said Tuppence glibly. "So `
` thought it better to come home and have a quiet evening." `
` `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer said nothing, but she drew back and let Tuppence `
` pass into the hall. `
` `
` "How unfortunate for you," she said coldly. "You had better go `
` to bed." `
` `
` "Oh, I shall be all right in the kitchen, ma'am. Cook will----" `
` `
` "Cook is out," said Mrs. Vandemeyer, in a rather disagreeable `
` tone. "I sent her out. So you see you had better go to bed." `
` `
` Suddenly Tuppence felt afraid. There was a ring in Mrs. `
` Vandemeyer's voice that she did not like at all. Also, the other `
` woman was slowly edging her up the passage. Tuppence turned at `
` bay. `
` `
` "I don't want----" `
` `
` Then, in a flash, a rim of cold steel touched her temple, and `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer's voice rose cold and menacing: `
` `
` "You damned little fool! Do you think I don't know? No, don't `
` answer. If you struggle or cry out, I'll shoot you like a dog." `
` `
` The rim of steel pressed a little harder against the girl's `
` temple. `
` `
` "Now then, march," went on Mrs. Vandemeyer. "This way--into my `
` room. In a minute, when I've done with you, you'll go to bed as I `
` told you to. And you'll sleep--oh yes, my little spy, you'll `
` sleep all right!" `
` `
` There was a sort of hideous geniality in the last words which `
` Tuppence did not at all like. For the moment there was nothing `
` to be done, and she walked obediently into Mrs. Vandemeyer's `
` bedroom. The pistol never left her forehead. The room was in a `
` state of wild disorder, clothes were flung about right and left, `
` a suit-case and a hat box, half-packed, stood in the middle of `
` the floor. `
` `
` Tuppence pulled herself together with an effort. Her voice shook `
` a little, but she spoke out bravely. `
` `
` "Come now," she said. "This is nonsense. You can't shoot me. `
` Why, every one in the building would hear the report." `
` `
` "I'd risk that," said Mrs. Vandemeyer cheerfully. "But, as long `
` as you don't sing out for help, you're all right--and I don't `
` think you will. You're a clever girl. You deceived ME all right. `
` I hadn't a suspicion of you! So I've no doubt that you understand `
` perfectly well that this is where I'm on top and you're `
` underneath. Now then--sit on the bed. Put your hands above your `
` head, and if you value your life don't move them." `
` `
` Tuppence obeyed passively. Her good sense told her that there `
` was nothing else to do but accept the situation. If she shrieked `
` for help there was very little chance of anyone hearing her, `
` whereas there was probably quite a good chance of Mrs. `
` Vandemeyer's shooting her. In the meantime, every minute of delay `
` gained was valuable. `
` `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer laid down the revolver on the edge of the `
` washstand within reach of her hand, and, still eyeing Tuppence `
` like a lynx in case the girl should attempt to move, she took a `
` little stoppered bottle from its place on the marble and poured `
` some of its contents into a glass which she filled up with water. `
` `
` "What's that?" asked Tuppence sharply. `
` `
` "Something to make you sleep soundly." `
` `
` Tuppence paled a little. `
` `
` "Are you going to poison me?" she asked in a whisper. `
` `
` "Perhaps," said Mrs. Vandemeyer, smiling agreeably. `
` `
` "Then I shan't drink it," said Tuppence firmly. "I'd much rather `
` be shot. At any rate that would make a row, and some one might `
` hear it. But I won't be killed off quietly like a lamb." `
` `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer stamped her foot. `
` `
` "Don't be a little fool! Do you really think I want a hue and `
` cry for murder out after me? If you've any sense at all, you'll `
` realize that poisoning you wouldn't suit my book at all. It's a `
` sleeping draught, that's all. You'll wake up to-morrow morning `
` none the worse. I simply don't want the bother of tying you up `
` and gagging you. That's the alternative--and you won't like it, I `
` can tell you! I can be very rough if I choose. So drink this `
` down like a good girl, and you'll be none the worse for it." `
` `
` In her heart of hearts Tuppence believed her. The arguments she `
` had adduced rang true. It was a simple and effective method of `
` getting her out of the way for the time being. Nevertheless, the `
` girl did not take kindly to the idea of being tamely put to sleep `
` without as much as one bid for freedom. She felt that once Mrs. `
` Vandemeyer gave them the slip, the last hope of finding Tommy `
` would be gone. `
` `
` Tuppence was quick in her mental processes. All these `
` reflections passed through her mind in a flash, and she saw where `
` a chance, a very problematical chance, lay, and she determined to `
` risk all in one supreme effort. `
` `
` Accordingly, she lurched suddenly off the bed and fell on her `
` knees before Mrs. Vandemeyer, clutching her skirts frantically. `
` `
` "I don't believe it," she moaned. "It's poison--I know it's `
` poison. Oh, don't make me drink it"--her voice rose to a `
` shriek--"don't make me drink it!" `
` `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer, glass in hand, looked down with a curling lip at `
` this sudden collapse. `
` `
` "Get up, you little idiot! Don't go on drivelling there. How you `
` ever had the nerve to play your part as you did I can't think." `
` She stamped her foot. "Get up, I say." `
` `
` But Tuppence continued to cling and sob, interjecting her sobs `
` with incoherent appeals for mercy. Every minute gained was to `
` the good. Moreover, as she grovelled, she moved imperceptibly `
` nearer to her objective. `
` `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer gave a sharp impatient exclamation, and jerked `
` the girl to her knees. `
` `
` "Drink it at once!" Imperiously she pressed the glass to the `
` girl's lips. `
` `
` Tuppence gave one last despairing moan. `
` `
` "You swear it won't hurt me?" she temporized. `
` `
` "Of course it won't hurt you. Don't be a fool." `
` `
` "Will you swear it?" `
` `
` "Yes, yes," said the other impatiently. "I swear it." `
` `
` Tuppence raised a trembling left hand to the glass. `
` `
` "Very well." Her mouth opened meekly. `
` `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer gave a sigh of relief, off her guard for the `
` moment. Then, quick as a flash, Tuppence jerked the glass upward `
` as hard as she could. The fluid in it splashed into Mrs. `
` Vandemeyer's face, and during her momentary gasp, Tuppence's `
` right hand shot out and grasped the revolver where it lay on the `
` edge of the washstand. The next moment she had sprung back a `
` pace, and the revolver pointed straight at Mrs. Vandemeyer's `
` heart, with no unsteadiness in the hand that held it. `
` `
` In the moment of victory, Tuppence betrayed a somewhat `
` unsportsmanlike triumph. `
` `
` "Now who's on top and who's underneath?" she crowed. `
` `
` The other's face was convulsed with rage. For a minute Tuppence `
` thought she was going to spring upon her, which would have placed `
` the girl in an unpleasant dilemma, since she meant to draw the `
` line at actually letting off the revolver. However, with an `
` effort Mrs. Vandemeyer controlled herself, and at last a slow `
` evil smile crept over her face. `
` `
` "Not a fool, then, after all! You did that well, girl. But you `
` shall pay for it--oh, yes, you shall pay for it! I have a long `
` memory!" `
` `
` "I'm surprised you should have been gulfed so easily," said `
` Tuppence scornfully. "Did you really think I was the kind of `
` girl to roll about on the floor and whine for mercy?" `
` `
` "You may do--some day!" said the other significantly. `
` `
` The cold malignity of her manner sent an unpleasant chill down `
` Tuppence's spine, but she was not going to give in to it. `
` `
` "Supposing we sit down," she said pleasantly. "Our present `
` attitude is a little melodramatic. No--not on the bed. Draw a `
` chair up to the table, that's right. Now I'll sit opposite you `
` with the revolver in front of me--just in case of accidents. `
` Splendid. Now, let's talk." `
` `
` "What about?" said Mrs. Vandemeyer sullenly. `
` `
` Tuppence eyed her thoughtfully for a minute. She was remembering `
` several things. Boris's words, "I believe you would sell--us!" `
` and her answer, "The price would have to be enormous," given `
`