Secret of Chimneys - Agatha Christie [35]
‘In here, my dear fellow, in here,’ cried Lord Caterham, hastily swallowing his mouthful of ham.
George had no intention of climbing in through the window. He disappeared through the front door, and reappeared ushered in by Tredwell, who withdrew at once.
‘Have some breakfast,’ said Lord Caterham, shaking him by the hand. ‘What about a kidney?’
George waved the kidney aside impatiently.
‘This is a terrible calamity, terrible, terrible.’
‘It is indeed. Some haddock?’
‘No, no. It must be hushed up–at all costs it must be hushed up.’
As Bundle had prophesied, George began to splutter.
‘I understand your feelings,’ said Lord Caterham sympathetically. ‘Try an egg and bacon, or some haddock.’
‘A totally unforeseen contingency–national calamity–concessions jeopardized–’
‘Take time,’ said Lord Caterham. ‘And take some food. What you need is some food, to pull you together. Poached eggs now? There were some poached eggs here a minute or two ago.’
‘I don’t want any food,’ said George. ‘I’ve had breakfast, and even if I hadn’t had any I shouldn’t want it. We must think what is to be done. You have told no one as yet?’
‘Well, there’s Bundle and myself. And the local police. And Cartwright. And all the servants of course.’
George groaned.
‘Pull yourself together, my dear fellow,’ said Lord Caterham kindly. ‘(I wish you’d have some breakfast.) You don’t seem to realize that you can’t hush up a dead body. It’s got to be buried and all that sort of thing. Very unfortunate, but there it is.’
George became suddenly calm.
‘You are right, Caterham. You have called in the local police, you say? That will not do. We must have Battle.’
‘Battle, murder and sudden death,’ inquired Lord Caterham, with a puzzled face.
‘No, no, you misunderstand me. I referred to Superintendent Battle of Scotland Yard. A man of the utmost discretion. He worked with us in that deplorable business of the Party funds.’
‘What was that?’ asked Lord Caterham, with some interest.
But George’s eye had fallen upon Bundle, as she sat half in and half out of the window, and he remembered discretion just in time. He rose.
‘We must waste no time. I must send off some wires at once.’
‘If you write them out, Bundle will send them through the telephone.’
George pulled out a fountain pen and began to write with incredible rapidity. He handed the first one to Bundle, who read it with a great deal of interest.
‘God! what a name,’ she remarked. ‘Baron How Much?’
‘Baron Lolopretjzyl.’
Bundle blinked.
‘I’ve got it, but it will take some conveying to the post office.’
George continued to write. Then he handed his labours to Bundle and addressed the master of the house:
‘The best thing that you can do, Caterham–’
‘Yes,’ said Lord Caterham apprehensively.
‘Is to leave everything in my hands.’
‘Certainly,’ said Lord Caterham, with alacrity. ‘Just what I was thinking myself. You’ll find the police and Dr Cartwright in the Council Chamber. With the–er –with the body, you know. My dear Lomax, I place Chimneys unreservedly at your disposal. Do anything you like.’
‘Thank you,’ said George. ‘If I should want to consult you–’
But Lord Caterham had faded unobtrusively through the farther door. Bundle had observed his retreat with a grim smile.
‘I’ll send off those telegrams at once,’ she said. ‘You know your way to the Council Chamber?’
‘Thank you, Lady Eileen.’
George hurried from the room.
Chapter 11
Superintendent Battle Arrives
So apprehensive was Lord Caterham of being consulted by George that he spent the whole morning making a tour of his estate. Only the pangs of hunger drew him homeward. He also reflected that by now the worst would surely be over.
He sneaked into the house quietly by a small side door. From there he slipped neatly into his sanctum. He flattered himself that his entrance had not been observed, but there he was mistaken. The watchful Tredwell let nothing escape him. He presented himself at the door.
‘You’ll excuse me, my