N or M_ - Agatha Christie [32]
‘Well?’ said Tuppence.
Slowly, Tommy nodded his head. He looked rather unhappy.
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I got something. But Lord, what a day. Perpetually with an eye to the crack of the door. I’ve got quite a stiff neck.’
‘Never mind your neck,’ said Tuppence unfeelingly. ‘Tell me.’
‘Well, the maids went in to do the bed and the room, of course. And Mrs Perenna went in–but that was when the maids were there and she was just blowing them up about something. And the kid ran in once and came out with a woolly dog.’
‘Yes, yes. Anyone else?’
‘One person,’ said Tommy slowly.
‘Who?’
‘Carl von Deinim.’
‘Oh!’ Tuppence felt a swift pang. So, after all–
‘When?’ she asked.
‘Lunch time. He came out from the dining-room early, came up to his room, then sneaked across the passage and into yours. He was there about a quarter of an hour.’
He paused.
‘That settles it, I think?’
Tuppence nodded.
Yes, it settled it all right. Carl von Deinim could have had no reason for going into Mrs Blenkensop’s bedroom and remaining there for a quarter of an hour save one. His complicity was proved. He must be, Tuppence thought, a marvellous actor…
His words to her that morning had rung so very true. Well, perhaps they had been true in a way. To know when to use the truth was the essence of successful deception. Carl von Deinim was a patriot all right; he was an enemy agent working for his country. One could respect him for that. Yes–but destroy him too.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said slowly.
‘So am I,’ said Tommy. ‘He’s a good chap.’
Tuppence said:
‘You and I might be doing the same thing in Germany.’
Tommy nodded. Tuppence went on.
‘Well, we know more or less where we are. Carl von Deinim working in with Sheila and her mother. Probably Mrs Perenna is the big noise. Then there is that foreign woman who was talking to Carl yesterday. She’s in it somehow.’
‘What do we do now?’
‘We must go through Mrs Perenna’s room sometime. There might be something there that would give us a hint. And we must tail her–see where she goes and whom she meets. Tommy, let’s get Albert down here.’
Tommy considered the point.
Many years ago Albert, a pageboy in a hotel, had joined forces with the young Beresfords and shared their adventures. Afterwards he had entered their service and been the sole domestic prop of the establishment. Some six years ago he had married and was now the proud proprietor of The Duck and Dog pub in South London.
Tuppence continued rapidly:
‘Albert will be thrilled. We’ll get him down here. He can stay at the pub near the station and he can shadow the Perennas for us–or anyone else.’
‘What about Mrs Albert?’
‘She was going to her mother in Wales with the children last Monday. Because of air raids. It all fits in perfectly.’
‘Yes, that’s a good idea, Tuppence. Either of us following the woman about would be rather conspicuous. Albert will be perfect. Now another thing–I think we ought to watch out for that so-called Polish woman who was talking to Carl and hanging about here. It seems to me that she probably represents the other end of the business–and that’s what we’re anxious to find.’
‘Oh yes, I do agree. She comes here for orders, or to take messages. Next time we see her, one of us must follow her and find out more about her.’
‘What about looking through Mrs Perenna’s room–and Carl’s too, I suppose?’
‘I don’t suppose you’ll find anything in his. After all, as a German, the police are liable to search it and so he’d be careful not to have anything suspicious. The Perenna is going to be difficult. When she’s out of the house, Sheila is often there, and there’s Betty and Mrs Sprot running about all over the landings, and Mrs O’Rourke spends a lot of time in her bedroom.’
She paused. ‘Lunch time is the best.’
‘Master Carl’s time?’
‘Exactly. I could have a headache and go to my room–no, someone might come up and want to minister to me. I know, I’ll just come in quietly before lunch and go up to my room without telling anyone. Then, after lunch, I can say I had a headache.’
‘Hadn’t I better do it? My