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By Root 487 0

’t think I actually know them. Most of my time here, you know, I’ve lived on the other side, the moor side, of the town. Two houses there I go to regularly. One, two days a week and the other one, one day. Actually, one day isn’t enough, not to keep it right. You had old Isaac working here, didn’t you? Nice old boy. Sad he had to get himself done in by some of this violent guerrilla material that’s always going about bashing someone. The inquest was about a week ago, wasn’t it? I hear they haven’t found out who did it yet. Go about in little groups they do, and mug people. Nasty lot. Very often the younger they are, the nastier they are. That’s a nice magnolia you’ve got there. Soulangeana, isn’t it? Much the best to have. People always want the more exotic kinds but it’s better to stick to old friends when it’s magnolias in my opinion.’

‘It’s really been more the vegetables that we’re thinking about.’

‘Yes, you want to build up a good working kitchen garden, don’t you? There doesn’t seem to have been much attention paid before. People lose their spirit and think it’s better really to buy their vegetables, and not try and grow them.’

‘I’d always want to grow new potatoes and peas,’ said Tuppence, ‘and I think French beans too, because you then can have them all young.’

‘That’s right. You might as well add runner beans. Most gardeners are so proud of their runner beans that they like them a foot and a half in length. They think that’s a fine bean. Always takes a prize at a local show. But you’re quite right, you know. Young vegetables are the things that you really enjoy eating.’

Albert appeared suddenly.

‘Mrs Redcliffe on the telephone, madam,’ he said. ‘Wanted to know if you could lunch tomorrow.’

‘Tell her I’m very sorry,’ said Tuppence. ‘I’m afraid we may have to go to London tomorrow. Oh–wait a minute, Albert. Just wait while I write a word or two.’

She pulled out a small pad from her bag, wrote a few words on it and handed it to Albert.

‘Tell Mr Beresford,’ she said. ‘Tell him Miss Mullins is here and we’re in the garden. I forgot to do what he asked me to do, give him the name and address of the person he is writing to. I’ve written it here–’

‘Certainly, madam,’ said Albert, and disappeared.

Tuppence returned to the vegetable conversation.

‘I expect you’re very busy,’ she said, ‘as you are working three days already.’

‘Yes, and as I said it’s rather the other side of the town. I live the other side of town. I’ve got a small cottage there.’

At that moment Tommy arrived from the house. Hannibal was with him, running round in large circles. Hannibal reached Tuppence first. He stopped still for a moment, spread out his paws, and then rushed at Miss Mullins with a fierce array of barking. She took a step or two back in some alarm.

‘This is our terrible dog,’ said Tuppence. ‘He doesn’t really bite, you know. At least very seldom. It’s usually only the postman he likes to bite.’

‘All dogs bite postmen, or try to,’ said Miss Mullins.

‘He’s a very good guard dog,’ said Tuppence. ‘He’s a Manchester Terrier, you know, and they are good guard dogs. He protects the house in a wonderful way. He won’t let anyone near it or come inside and he looks after me very carefully. He evidently regards me as his principal charge in life.’

‘Oh well, of course I suppose it’s a good thing nowadays.’

‘I know. There are so many robberies about,’ said Tuppence. ‘Lots of our friends, you know, have had burglars. Some even who come in in broad daylight in the most extraordinary way. They set up ladders and take window-sashes out or pretend to be window-cleaners–oh, up to all kinds of tricks. So it’s a good thing to let it be known that there’s a fierce dog in the house, I think.’

‘I think perhaps you’re quite right.’

‘Here is my husband,’ said Tuppence. ‘This is Miss Mullins, Tommy. Mrs Griffin very kindly told her that we wanted someone who could possibly do some gardening for us.’

‘Would this be too heavy work for you perhaps, Miss Mullins?’

‘Of course not,’ said Miss Mullins in her deep voice. ‘Oh, I can dig with anyone. You