Secret of Chimneys - Agatha Christie [43]
‘Is that so? And when is the inquest?’
‘May be tomorrow, may not be until Monday. We’ve got to arrange for the autopsy and see the coroner.
‘I get you,’ said Mr Fish. ‘Under the circumstances, though it will be a melancholy party.’
Battle led the way to the door.
‘We’d best get out of here,’ he said. ‘We’re keeping it locked still.’
He waited for the other two to pass through, and then turned the key and removed it.
‘I opine,’ said Mr Fish, ‘that you are seeking for fingerprints?’
‘Maybe,’ said the superintendent laconically.
‘I should say too, that, on a night such as last night, an intruder would have left footprints on the hardwood floor.’
‘None inside, plenty outside.’
‘Mine,’ explained Anthony cheerfully.
The innocent eyes of Mr Fish swept over him.
‘Young man,’ he said, ‘you surprise me.’
They turned a corner, and came out into the big wide hall, panelled like the Council Chamber in old oak, and with a wide gallery above it. Two other figures came into sight at the far end.
‘Aha!’ said Mr Fish. ‘Our genial host.’
This was such a ludicrous description of Lord Caterham that Anthony had to turn his head away to conceal a smile.
‘And with him,’ continued the American, ‘is a lady whose name I did not catch last night. But she is bright–she is very bright.’
With Lord Caterham was Virginia Revel.
Anthony had been anticipating this meeting all along. He had no idea how to act. He must leave it to Virginia. Although he had full confidence in her presence of mind, he had not the slightest idea what line she would take. He was not long left in doubt.
‘Why, it’s Mr Cade,’ said Virginia. She held out both hands to him. ‘So you found you could come down after all?’
‘My dear Mrs Revel, I had no idea Mr Cade was a friend of yours,’ said Lord Caterham.
‘He’s a very old friend,’ said Virginia, smiling at Anthony, with a mischievous glint in her eye. ‘I ran across him in London unexpectedly yesterday, and told him I was coming down here.’
Anthony was quick to give her her pointer.
‘I explained to Mrs Revel,’ he said, ‘that I had been forced to refuse your kind invitation–since it had really been extended to quite a different man. And I couldn’t very well foist a perfect stranger on you under false pretences.’
‘Well, well, my dear fellow,’ said Lord Caterham, ‘that’s all over and done with now. I’ll send down to the Cricketers for your bag.’
‘It’s very kind of you, Lord Caterham, but–’
‘Nonsense, of course you must come to Chimneys. Horrible place, the Cricketers–to stay in, I mean.’
‘Of course, you must come, Mr Cade,’ said Virginia softly.
Anthony realized the altered tone of his surroundings. Already Virginia had done much for him. He was no longer an ambiguous stranger. Her position was so assured and unassailable that anyone for whom she vouched was accepted as a matter of course. He thought of the pistol in the tree at Burnham Beeches, and smiled inwardly.
‘I’ll send for your traps,’ said Lord Caterham to Anthony. ‘I suppose, in the circumstances, we can’t have any shooting. A pity. But there it is. And I don’t know what the devil to do with Isaacstein. It’s all very unfortunate.’
The depressed peer sighed heavily.
‘That’s settled, then,’ said Virginia. ‘You can begin to be useful right away, Mr Cade, and take me out on the lake. It’s very peaceful there and far from crime and all that sort of thing. Isn’t it awful for poor Lord Caterham having a murder done in his house? But it’s George’s fault really. This is George’s party, you know.’
‘Ah!’ said Lord Caterham. ‘But I should never have listened to him!’
He assumed the air of a strong man betrayed by a single weakness.
‘One can’t help listening to George,’ said Virginia. ‘He always holds you so that you can’t get away. I’m thinking of patenting a detachable lapel.’
‘I wish you would,’ chuckled her host. ‘I’m glad you’re coming to us, Cade. I need support.’
‘I appreciate your kindness very much, Lord Caterham,’ said Anthony. ‘Especially,’ he added, ‘when I’m such a