N or M_ - Agatha Christie [61]
It couldn’t be done. Not without Tommy seeing him.
The manservant, then? Had he been sent ahead to lie in wait? But surely, as Tommy had crossed the hall, he had seen Appledore in the kitchen of which the door was slightly ajar? Or did he only fancy he had seen him? Perhaps that was the explanation.
Anyway it didn’t matter. The thing to do was to find out where he was now.
His eyes, accustomed to the darkness, picked out a small rectangle of dim light. A window or small grating. The air smelt chilly and musty. He was, he fancied, lying in a cellar. His hands and feet were tied and a gag in his mouth was secured by a bandage.
‘Seems rather as though I’m for it,’ thought Tommy.
He tried gingerly to move his limbs or body, but he could not succeed.
At that moment, there was a faint creaking sound and a door somewhere behind him was pushed open. A man with a candle came in. He set down the candle on the ground. Tommy recognised Appledore. The latter disappeared again and then returned carrying a tray on which was a jug of water, a glass, and some bread and cheese.
Stooping down he first tested the cords binding the other limbs. He then touched the gag.
He said in a quiet level voice:
‘I am about to take this off. You will then be able to eat and drink. If, however, you make the slightest sound, I shall replace it immediately.’
Tommy tried to nod his head which proved impossible, so he opened and shut his eyes several times instead.
Appledore, taking this for consent, carefully unknotted the bandage.
His mouth freed, Tommy spent some minutes easing his jaw. Appledore held the glass of water to his lips. He swallowed at first with difficulty, then more easily. The water did him the world of good.
He murmured stiffly:
‘That’s better. I’m not quite so young as I was. Now for the eats, Fritz–or is it Franz?’
The man said quietly:
‘My name here is Appledore.’
He held the slice of bread and cheese up and Tommy bit at it hungrily.
The meal washed down with water, he then asked:
‘And what’s the next part of the programme?’
For answer, Appledore picked up the gag again.
Tommy said quickly:
‘I want to see Commander Haydock.’
Appledore shook his head. Deftly he replaced the gag and went out.
Tommy was left to meditate in darkness. He was awakened from a confused sleep by the sound of the door reopening. This time Haydock and Appledore came in together. The gag was removed and the cords that held his arms were loosened so that he could sit up and stretch his arms.
Haydock had an automatic pistol with him.
Tommy, without much inward confidence, began to play his part.
He said indignantly:
‘Look here, Haydock, what’s the meaning of all this? I’ve been set upon–kidnapped–’
The Commander was gently shaking his head.
He said:
‘Don’t waste your breath. It’s not worth it.’
‘Just because you’re a member of our Secret Service, you think you can–’
Again the other shook his head.
‘No, no, Meadowes. You weren’t taken in by that story. No need to keep up the pretence.’
But Tommy showed no signs of discomfiture. He argued to himself that the other could not really be sure. If he continued to play his part–
‘Who the devil do you think you are?’ he demanded. ‘However great your powers you’ve no right to behave like this. I’m perfectly capable of holding my tongue about any of our vital secrets!’
The other said coldly:
‘You do your stuff very well, but I may tell you that it’s immaterial to me whether you’re a member of the British Intelligence, or merely a muddling amateur–’
‘Of all the damned cheek–’
‘Cut it out, Meadowes.’
‘I tell you–’
Haydock thrust a ferocious face forwards.
‘Be quiet, damn you. Earlier on it would have mattered to find out who you were and who sent you. Now it doesn’t matter. The time’s short, you see. And you didn’t have the chance to report to anyone what you’d found out.’
‘The police will be looking for me as soon as I’m reported missing.’
Haydock showed his teeth in a sudden gleam.
‘I’ve had the police here this evening. Good