N or M_ - Agatha Christie [70]
‘I don’t know what you mean, Dr Binion. I landed by parachute this morning.’
Again Haydock smiled–definitely an unpleasant smile.
He said:
‘A few yards of canvas thrust into a bush create a wonderful illusion. And I am not Dr Binion, dear lady. Dr Binion is, officially, my dentist–he is good enough to lend me his surgery now and again.’
‘Indeed?’ said Tuppence.
‘Indeed, Mrs Blenkensop! Or perhaps you would prefer me to address you by your real name of Beresford?’
Again there was a poignant silence. Tuppence drew a deep breath.
Haydock nodded.
‘The game’s up, you see. “You’ve walked into my parlour,” said the spider to the fly.’
There was a faint click and a gleam of blue steel showed in his hand. His voice took on a grim note as he said:
‘And I shouldn’t advise you to make any noise or try to arouse the neighbourhood! You’d be dead before you got so much as a yelp out, and even if you did manage to scream it wouldn’t arouse attention. Patients under gas, you know, often cry out.’
Tuppence said composedly:
‘You seem to have thought of everything. Has it occurred to you that I have friends who know where I am?’
‘Ah! Still harping on the blue-eyed boy–actually brown-eyed! Young Anthony Marsdon. I’m sorry, Mrs Beresford, but young Anthony happens to be one of our most stalwart supporters in this country. As I said just now, a few yards of canvas creates a wonderful effect. You swallowed the parachute idea quite easily.’
‘I don’t see the point of all this rigmarole!’
‘Don’t you? We don’t want your friends to trace you too easily, you see. If they pick up your trail it will lead to Yarrow and to a man in a car. The fact that a hospital nurse, of quite different facial appearance, walked into Leatherbarrow between one and two will hardly be connected with your disappearance.’
‘Very elaborate,’ said Tuppence.
Haydock said:
‘I admire your nerve, you know. I admire it very much. I’m sorry to have to coerce you–but it’s vital that we should know just exactly how much you did discover at Sans Souci.’
Tuppence did not answer.
Haydock said quietly:
‘I’d advise you, you know, to come clean. There are certain–possibilities–in a dentist’s chair and instruments.’
Tuppence merely threw him a scornful look.
Haydock leant back in his chair. He said slowly:
‘Yes–I dare say you’ve got a lot of fortitude–your type often has. But what about the other half of the picture?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I’m talking about Thomas Beresford, your husband, who has lately been living at Sans Souci under the name of Mr Meadowes, and who is now very conveniently trussed up in the cellar of my house.’
Tuppence said sharply:
‘I don’t believe it.’
‘Because of the Penny Plain letter? Don’t you realise that that was just a smart bit of work on the part of young Anthony. You played into his hands nicely when you gave him the code.’
Tuppence’s voice trembled.
‘Then Tommy–then Tommy–’
‘Tommy,’ said Commander Haydock, ‘is where he has been all along–completely in my power! It’s up to you now. If you answer my questions satisfactorily, there’s a chance for him. If you don’t–well, the original plan holds. He’ll be knocked on the head, taken out to sea and put overboard.’
Tuppence was silent for a minute or two–then she said:
‘What do you want to know?’
‘I want to know who employed you, what your means of communication with that person or persons are, what you have reported so far, and exactly what you know?’
Tuppence shrugged her shoulders.
‘I could tell you what lies I choose,’ she pointed out.
‘No, because I shall proceed to test what you say.’ He drew his chair a little nearer. His manner was now definitely appealing. ‘My dear woman–I know just what you feel about it all, but believe me when I say I really do admire both you and your husband immensely. You’ve got grit and pluck. It’s people like you that will be needed in the new State–the State that will arise in this country when your present imbecile Government is vanquished. We want to turn some of our enemies into friends–those that are worthwhile. If I have to give the order that