Secret of Chimneys - Agatha Christie [76]
On the desk, in front of George, was the packet of letters Anthony had found on his dressing-table.
‘I can’t understand it at all,’ said George irritably, as he picked up the packet. ‘They’re in code, you say?’
‘Just so, Mr Lomax.’
‘And where does he say he found them–on his dressing-table?’
Battle repeated, word for word, Anthony Cade’s account of how he had come to regain possession of the letters.
‘And he brought them at once to you? That was quite proper–quite proper. But who could have placed them in his room?’
Battle shook his head.
‘That’s the sort of thing you ought to know,’ complained George. ‘It sounds to me very fishy–very fishy indeed. What do we know about this man Cade, anyway? He appears in a most mysterious manner–under highly suspicious circumstances–and we know nothing whatever about him. I may say that I, personally, don’t care for his manner at all. You’ve made inquiries about him, I suppose?’
Superintendent Battle permitted himself a patient smile.
‘We wired at once to South Africa, and his story has been confirmed on all points. He was in Bulawayo with Mr McGrath at the time he stated. Previous to their meeting, he was employed by Messrs Castle, the tourist agents.’
‘Just what I should have expected,’ said George. ‘He has the kind of cheap assurance that succeeds in a certain type of employment. But about these letters–steps must be taken at once–at once–’
The great man puffed himself out and swelled importantly.
Superintendent Battle opened his mouth, but George forestalled him.
‘There must be no delay. These letters must be decoded without any loss of time. Let me see, who is the man? There is a man–connected with the British Museum. Knows all there is to know about ciphers. Ran the department for us during the war. Where is Miss Oscar? She will know. Name something like Win–Win–’
‘Professor Wynwood,’ said Battle.
‘Exactly. I remember perfectly now. He must be wired to immediately.’
‘I have done so, Mr Lomax, an hour ago. He will arrive by the 12.10.’
‘Oh, very good, very good. Thank heaven, something is off my mind. I shall have to be in town today. You can get along without me, I suppose?’
‘I think so, sir.’
‘Well, do your best, Battle, do your best. I am terribly rushed just at present.’
‘Just so, sir.’
‘By the way, why did not Mr Eversleigh come over with you?’
‘He was still asleep, sir. We’ve been up all night, as I told you.’
‘Oh, quite so. I am frequently up nearly the whole night myself. To do the work of thirty-six hours in twenty-four, that is my constant task! Send Mr Eversleigh over at once when you get back, will you, Battle?’
‘I will give him your message, sir.’
‘Thank you, Battle. I realize perfectly that you had to repose a certain amount of confidence in him. But do you think it was strictly necessary to take my cousin, Mrs Revel, into your confidence also?’
‘In view of the name signed to those letters, I do, Mr Lomax.’
‘An amazing piece of effrontery,’ murmured George, his brow darkened as he looked at the bundle of letters. ‘I remember the late King of Herzoslovakia. A charming fellow, but weak–deplorably weak. A tool in the hands of an unscrupulous woman. Have you any theory as to how these letters came to be restored to Mr Cade?’
‘It’s my opinion,’ said Battle, ‘that if people can’t get a thing one way–they try another.’
‘I don’t quite follow you,’ said George.
‘This crook, this King Victor, he’s well aware by now that the Council Chamber is watched. So he’ll let us have the letters, and let us do the decoding, and let us find the hiding-place. And then–trouble! But Lemoine and I between us will attend to that.’
‘You’ve got a plan, eh?’
‘I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’ve got a plan. But I’ve got an idea. It’s a very useful thing sometimes, an idea.’
Thereupon Superintendent Battle took his departure.
He had no intention of taking George any further into his