Postern of Fate (Tommy and Tuppence Series) - Agatha Christie [72]
‘Something like that,’ said Tuppence.
‘So perhaps that’s why you come here. Because, you know, we had something here once–well it was a very, very long time ago–but it was the same thing, as you might say. He was a submarine officer. He sold plans of submarines. Mind you, it’s only stories as I’ve heard people say.’
‘I see,’ said Tuppence. ‘Yes. No, it’s not the reason we came here. We just came here because it’s a nice house to live in. I’ve heard these same rumours going about only I don’t know exactly what happened.’
‘Well, I’ll try and tell you some time. Of course, one doesn’t always know what’s right or not but things aren’t always known properly.’
‘How did your friend Clarence manage to know so much about it?’
‘Well, he heard from Mick, you know. He used to live a short time up by where the blacksmith used to be. He’s been gone a long time, but he heard a lot from different people. And our uncle, old Isaac, he knew a good deal about it. He used to tell us things sometimes.’
‘So he did know a good deal about it all?’ said Tuppence.
‘Oh yes. That’s why I wondered, you know, when he was coshed the other day if that could be the reason. That he might have known a bit too much and–he told it all to you. So they did him in. That’s what they do nowadays. They do people in, you know, if they know too much of anything that’s going to involve them with the police or anything.’
‘You think your Uncle Isaac–you think he knew a good deal about it?’
‘Well, I think things got told him, you know. He heard a lot here and there. Didn’t often talk of it but sometimes he would. Of an evening, you know, after smoking a pipe or hearing me and Clarrie talk and my other friend, Tom Gillingham. He used to want to know, too, and Uncle Izzy would tell us this, that and the other. Of course we didn’t know if he was making it up or not. But I think he’d found things and knew where some things were. And he said if some people knew where they were there might be something interesting.’
‘Did he?’ said Tuppence. ‘Well, I think that’s very interesting to us also. You must try and remember some of the things he said or suggested some time because, well, it might lead to finding out who killed him. Because he was killed. It wasn’t an accident, was it?’
‘We thought at first it must have been an accident. You know, he had a bit of a heart or something and he used to fall down now and again or get giddy or have turns. But it seems–I went to the inquest, you know–as though he’d been done in deliberate.’
‘Yes,’ said Tuppence, ‘I think he was done in deliberate.’
‘And you don’t know why?’ said Henry.
Tuppence looked at Henry. It seemed to her as though she and Henry were for the moment two police dogs on the same scent.
‘I think it was deliberate, and I think that you, because he was your relation, and I too, would like to know who it was who did such a cruel and wicked thing. But perhaps you do know or have some idea already, Henry.’
‘I don’t have a proper idea, I don’t,’ said Henry. ‘One just hears things and I know people that Uncle Izzy says–said–now and then had got it in for him for some reason and he said that was because he knew a bit too much about them and about what they knew and about something that happened. But it’s always someone who’s been dead so many years ago that one can’t really remember it or get at it properly.’
‘Well,’ said Tuppence, ‘I think you’ll have to help us, Henry.’
‘You mean you’ll let me sort of be in it with you? I mean, doing a bit of finding out any time?’
‘Yes,’ said Tuppence, ‘if you can hold your tongue about what you find out. I mean, tell me, but don’t go talking to all your friends about it because that way things would get around.’
‘I see. And then they might tell the coshers and go for you and Mr Beresford, mightn’t they?’
‘They might,’ said Tuppence, ‘and I’d rather they didn