Secret of Chimneys - Agatha Christie [91]
He blushed a little as he said it. Such words do not rise easily to an Englishman’s lips, but he had observed on previous occasions the enormous effect of such phraseology upon the Baron’s mentality. True enough, the charm worked.
‘That is so,’ said the Baron approvingly, nodding his head. ‘That is entirely so.’
Even Captain Andrassy appeared to unbend a little, and nodded his head also.
‘Very good,’ said Anthony. ‘I won’t beat about the bush any more–’
‘What is that, you say?’ interrupted the Baron. ‘To beat about the bush? I do not comprehend?’
‘A mere figure of speech, Baron. To speak in plain English, you want the goods, we have them! The ship is all very well, but it lacks a figurehead. By the ship, I mean the Loyalist party of Herzoslovakia. At the present minute you lack the principal plank of your political programme. You are minus a prince! Now supposing–only supposing, that I could supply you with a prince?’
The baron stared.
‘I do not comprehend you in the least,’ he declared.
‘Sir,’ said Captain Andrassy, twirling his moustache fiercely, ‘you are insulting!’
‘Not at all,’ said Anthony. ‘I’m trying to be helpful. Supply and demand, you understand. It’s all perfectly fair and square. No princes supplied unless genuine–see trademark. If we come to terms, you’ll find it’s quite all right. I’m offering you the real genuine article–out of the bottom drawer.’
‘Not in the least,’ the Baron declared again, ‘do I comprehend you.’
‘It doesn’t really matter,’ said Anthony kindly. ‘I just want you to get used to the idea. To put it vulgarly, I’ve got something up my sleeve. Just get hold of this. You want a prince. Under certain conditions, I will undertake to supply you with one.’
The Baron and Andrassy stared at him. Anthony took up his hat and stick again and prepared to depart.
‘Just think it over. Now, Baron, there is one thing further. You must come down to Chimneys this evening–Captain Andrassy also. Several very curious things are likely to happen there. Shall we make an appointment? Say in the Council Chamber at nine o’clock? Thank you, gentlemen, I may rely upon you to be there?’
The Baron took a step forward and looked searchingly in Anthony’s face.
‘Mr Cade,’ he said, not without dignity, ‘it is not, I hope, that you wish to make fun of me?’
Anthony returned his gaze steadily.
‘Baron,’ he said, and there was a curious note in his voice, ‘when this evening is over, I think you will be the first to admit that there is more earnest than jest about this business.’
Bowing to both men, he left the room.
His next call was in the City where he sent in his card to Mr Herman Isaacstein.
After some delay, Anthony was received by a pale and exquisitely dressed underling with an engaging manner, and a military title.
‘You wanted to see Mr Isaacstein, didn’t you?’ said the young man. ‘I’m afraid he’s most awfully busy this morning–board meetings and all that sort of thing, you know. Is it anything that I can do?’
‘I must see him personally,’ said Anthony, and added carelessly, ‘I’ve just come up from Chimneys.’
The young man was slightly staggered by the mention of Chimneys.
‘Oh!’ he said doubtfully. ‘Well, I’ll see.’
‘Tell him it’s important,’ said Anthony.
‘Message from Lord Caterham?’ suggested the young man.
‘Something of the kind,’ said Anthony, ‘but it’s imperative that I should see Mr Isaacstein at once.’
Two minutes later Anthony was conducted into a sumptuous inner sanctum where he was principally impressed by the immense size and roomy depths of the leather-covered armchairs.
Mr Isaacstein rose to greet him.
‘You must forgive my looking you up like this,’ said Anthony. ‘I know that you’re a busy man, and I’m not going to waste more of your time than I can help. It’s just a little matter of business that I want to put before you.’
Isaacstein looked at him attentively for a minute or two out of his beady black eyes.
‘Have a cigar,’ he said unexpectedly, holding out an open box.