Secret of Chimneys - Agatha Christie [69]
‘I followed you first,’ said Virginia. ‘Bill was only second in the race.’
‘And the other fellow had the sense to stay still and sneak out through the door. I wonder he didn’t meet the rescuing crowd.’
‘That would present no difficulties,’ said Lemoine. ‘He would be a rescuer in advance of the rest, that was all.’
‘Do you really think this Arsène Lupin fellow is actually among the household now?’ asked Bill, his eyes sparkling.
‘Why not?’ said Lemoine. ‘He could pass perfectly as a servant. For all we may know, he may be Boris Anchoukoff, the trusted servant of the late Prince Michael.’
‘He is an odd-looking bloke,’ agreed Bill.
But Anthony was smiling.
‘That’s hardly worthy of you, M. Lemoine,’ he said gently.
The Frenchman smiled too.
‘You’ve taken him on as your valet now, haven’t you, Mr Cade?’ asked Superintendent Battle.
‘Battle, I take off my hat to you. You know everything. But just as a matter of detail, he’s taken me on, not I him.’
‘Why was that, I wonder, Mr Cade?’
‘I don’t know,’ said Anthony lightly. ‘It’s a curious taste, but perhaps he may have liked my face. Or he may think I murdered his master and wish to establish himself in a handy position for executing revenge upon me.’
He rose and went over to the windows, pulling the curtains.
‘Daylight,’ he said, with a slight yawn. ‘There won’t be any more excitements now.’
Lemoine rose also.
‘I will leave you,’ he said. ‘We shall perhaps meet again later in the day.’
With a graceful bow to Virginia, he stepped out of the window.
‘Bed,’ said Virginia, yawning. ‘It’s all been very exciting. Come on, Bill, go to bed like a good little boy. The breakfast-table will see us not, I fear.’
Anthony stayed at the window looking after the retreating form of M. Lemoine.
‘You wouldn’t think it,’ said Battle behind him, ‘but that’s supposed to be the cleverest detective in France.’
‘I don’t know that I wouldn’t,’ said Anthony thoughtfully. ‘I rather think I would.’
‘Well,’ said Battle, ‘he was right about the excitements of this night being over. By the way, do you remember my telling you about that man they’d found shot near Staines?’
‘Yes. Why?’
‘Nothing. They’ve identified him, that’s all. It seems he was called Giuseppe Manuelli. He was a waiter at the Blitz in London. Curious, isn’t it?’
Chapter 20
Battle and Anthony Confer
Anthony said nothing. He continued to stare out of the window. Superintendent Battle looked for some time at his motionless back.
‘Well, goodnight, sir,’ he said at last, and moved to the door.
Anthony stirred.
‘Wait a minute, Battle.’
The superintendent halted obediently. Anthony left the window. He drew out a cigarette from his case and lighted it. Then, between two puffs of smoke, he said:
‘You seem very interested in this business at Staines?’
‘I wouldn’t go as far as that, sir. It’s unusual, that’s all.’
‘Do you think the man was shot where he was found, or do you think he was killed elsewhere and the body brought to that particular spot afterwards?’
‘I think he was shot somewhere else, and the body brought there in a car.’
‘I think so too,’ said Anthony.
Something in the emphasis of his tone made the dectective look up sharply.
‘Any ideas of your own, sir? Do you know who brought him there?’
‘Yes,’ said Anthony. ‘I did.’
He was a little annoyed at the absolutely unruffled calm preserved by the other.
‘I must say you take these shocks very well, Battle,’ he remarked.
‘“Never display emotion.” That was a rule that was given to me once, and I’ve found it very useful.’
‘You live up to it, certainly,’ said Anthony. ‘I can’t say I’ve ever seen you ruffled. Well, do you want to hear the whole story?’
‘If you please, Mr Cade.’
Anthony pulled up two of the chairs, both men sat down, and Anthony recounted the events of the preceding Thursday night.
Battle listened immovably. There was a far-off twinkle in his eyes as Anthony finished.