Postern of Fate (Tommy and Tuppence Series) - Agatha Christie [94]
‘I’ve taken up coffee,’ said Albert, reappearing suddenly, ‘and an extra cup for Miss Mullins wot’s up there now with a gardening book or something.’
‘I see,’ said Tommy. ‘Yes. Yes, it’s all going very well. Where’s Hannibal?’
‘Shut him in the bathroom.’
‘Did you latch the door very tight, because he won’t like that, you know?’
‘No, sir, I’ve done just what you said.’
Tommy went upstairs. Mr Crispin came just behind him. Tommy gave a little tap on the bedroom door and then went in. From the bathroom door Hannibal gave one more outspoken bark of defiance, then he leapt at the door from the inside, the latch gave, he shot out into the room. He gave one quick glance at Mr Crispin, then came forward and lunged with all his might, growling furiously, at Miss Mullins.
‘Oh dear,’ said Tuppence, ‘oh dear.’
‘Good boy, Hannibal,’ said Tommy, ‘good boy. Don’t you think so?’
He turned his head to Mr Crispin.
‘Knows his enemies, doesn’t he–and your enemies.’
‘Oh dear,’ said Tuppence. ‘Has Hannibal bitten you?’
‘A very nasty nip,’ said Miss Mullins, rising to her feet and scowling at Hannibal.
‘His second one, isn’t it?’ said Tommy. ‘Chased you out of our pampas grass, didn’t he?’
‘He knows what’s what,’ said Mr Crispin. ‘Doesn’t he, Dodo, my dear? Long time since I’ve seen you, Dodo, isn’t it?’
Miss Mullins got up, shot a glance at Tuppence, at Tommy and at Mr Crispin.
‘Mullins,’ said Mr Crispin. ‘Sorry I’m not up to date. Is that a married name or are you now known as Miss Mullins?’
‘I am Iris Mullins, as I always was.’
‘Ah, I thought you were Dodo. You used to be Dodo to me. Well, dear, I think–nice to have seen you, but I think we’d better get out of here quickly. Drink your coffee. I expect that’s all right. Mrs Beresford? I’m very pleased to meet you. If I might advise you, I shouldn’t drink your coffee.’
‘Oh dear, let me take the cup away.’
Miss Mullins pressed forward. In a moment Crispin stood between her and Tuppence.
‘No, Dodo dear, I wouldn’t do that,’ he said. ‘I’d rather have charge of it myself. The cup belongs to the house, you know, and of course it would be nice to have an analysis of exactly what’s in it just now. Possibly you brought a little dose with you, did you? Quite easy to put a little dose into the cup as you’re handing it to the invalid or the supposed invalid.’
‘I assure you I did no such thing. Oh, do call your dog off.’
Hannibal showed every desire to pursue her down the staircase.
‘He wants to see you off the premises,’ said Tommy. ‘He’s rather particular about that. He likes biting people who are going out through the front door. Ah, Albert, there you are. I thought you’d be just outside the other door. Did you see what happened, by any chance?’
Albert put his head round the dressing-room door across the room.
‘I saw all right. I watched her through the crack of the hinge. Yes. Put something in the missus’s cup, she did. Very neat. Good as a conjuror, but she did it all right.’
‘I don’t know what you mean,’ said Miss Mullins. ‘I–oh dear, oh dear, I must go. I’ve got an appointment. It’s very important.’
She shot out of the room and down the stairs. Hannibal gave one glance and went after her. Mr Crispin showed no sign of animosity, but he too left hurriedly in pursuit.
‘I hope she’s a good runner,’ said Tuppence, ‘because if she isn’t Hannibal will catch up with her. My word, he’s a good guard dog, isn’t he?’
‘Tuppence, that was Mr Crispin, sent us by Mr Solomon. Came at a very good moment, didn’t he? I think he’s been waiting his time to see what might be going to happen. Don’t break that cup and don’t pour any of that coffee away until we’ve got a bottle or something to put it in. It’s going to be analysed and we’re going to find out what’s in it. Put your best dressing-gown on, Tuppence, and come down to the sitting-room and we’ll have some drinks there before lunch.’
II
‘And now, I suppose,’ said Tuppence, ‘we shall never know what any of it