Secret of Chimneys - Agatha Christie [62]
Anthony found the question very hard to determine. A matter of a yard or so made all the difference. But one point was made abundantly clear. It was quite possible that he had been mistaken in describing the light as ocurring in the second room from the end. It might equally well have been the third.
Now who occupied the third room? Anthony was determined to find that out as soon as possible. Fortune favoured him. In the hall Tredwell had just set the massive silver urn in its place on the tea-tray. Nobody else was there.
‘Hullo, Tredwell,’ said Anthony. ‘I wanted to ask you something. Who has the third room from the end on the west side? Over the Council Chamber, I mean.’
Tredwell reflected for a minute or two.
‘That would be the American gentleman’s room, sir. Mr Fish.’
‘Oh, is it? Thank you.’
‘Not at all, sir.’
Tredwell prepared to depart, then paused. The desire to be the first to impart news makes even pontifical butlers human.
‘Perhaps you have heard, sir, of what occurred last night?’
‘Not a word,’ said Anthony. ‘What did occur last night?’
‘An attempt at robbery, sir!’
‘Not really? Was anything taken?’
‘No sir. The thieves were dismantling the suits of armour in the Council Chamber when they were surprised and forced to flee. Unfortunately they got clear away.’
‘That’s very extraordinary,’ said Anthony. ‘The Council Chamber again. Did they break in that way?’
‘It is supposed, sir, that they forced the window.’
Satisfied with the interest his information had aroused, Tredwell resumed his retreat, but brought up short with a dignified apology.
‘I beg your pardon, sir. I didn’t hear you come in, and didn’t know you were standing just behind me.’
Mr Isaacstein, who had been the victim of the impact, waved his hand in a friendly fashion.
‘No harm done, my good fellow. I assure you no harm done.’
Tredwell retired looking contemptuous, and Isaacstein came forward and dropped into an easy-chair.
‘Hullo, Cade, so you’re back again. Been hearing all about last night’s little show?’
‘Yes,’ said Anthony. ‘Rather an exciting weekend, isn’t it?’
‘I should imagine that last night was the work of local men,’ said Isaacstein. ‘It seems a clumsy, amateurish affair.’
‘Is there anyone about here who collects armour?’ asked Anthony. ‘It seems a curious thing to select.’
‘Very curious,’ agreed Mr Isaacstein. He paused a minute, and then said slowly: ‘The whole position here is very unfortunate.’
There was something almost menacing in his tone.
‘I don’t quite understand,’ said Anthony.
‘Why are we all being kept here in this way? The inquest was over yesterday. The Prince’s body will be removed to London, where it is being given out that he died of heart failure. And still nobody is allowed to leave the house. Mr Lomax knows no more than I do. He refers me to Superintendent Battle.’
‘Superintendent Battle has something up his sleeve,’ said Anthony thoughtfully. ‘And it seems the essence of his plan that nobody should leave.’
‘But, excuse me, Mr Cade, you have been away.’
‘With a string tied to my leg. I’ve no doubt that I was shadowed the whole time. I shouldn’t have been given a chance of disposing of the revolver or anything of that kind.’
‘Ah, the revolver,’ said Isaacstein thoughtfully. ‘That has not yet been found, I think?’
‘Not yet.’
‘Possibly thrown into the lake in passing.’
‘Very possibly.’
‘Where is Superintendent Battle? I have not seen him this afternoon.’
‘He’s gone to London. I met him at the station.’
‘Gone to London? Really? Did he say when he would be back?’
‘Early tomorrow, so I understand.’
Virginia came in with Lord Caterham and Mr Fish. She smiled a welcome at Anthony.
‘So you’re back, Mr Cade. Have you heard all about our adventures last night?’
‘Why, trooly, Mr Cade,’ said Hiram Fish. ‘It was a night of strenuous excitement. Did you hear that I mistook Mrs Revel for one of the thugs?’
‘And in the meantime,’ said Anthony, ‘the thug?–’
‘Got clear away,’ said Mr Fish mournfully.
‘Do pour out,’ said Lord Caterham to Virginia.