Secret of Chimneys - Agatha Christie [94]
George’s flood of eloquence was arrested. Moving unobtrusively to the great man’s side, Superintendent Battle whispered a few words in his ear. George looked perplexed and baffled.
‘Very well, if you say so,’ he remarked grudgingly. Then added in a louder tone, ‘I’m sure we are all willing to listen to what Mr Cade has to say.’
Anthony ignored the palpable condescension of the other’s tone.
‘It’s just a little idea of mine, that’s all,’ he said cheerfully. ‘Probably all of you know that we got hold of a certain message in cipher the other day. There was a reference to Richmond, and some numbers.’ He paused. ‘Well, we had a shot at solving it–and we failed. Now in the late Count Stylptitch’s memoirs (which I happen to have read) there is a reference to a certain dinner–a “flower” dinner which everyone attended wearing a badge representing a flower. The Count himself wore the exact duplicate of that curious device we found in the cavity in the secret passage. It represented a rose. If you remember, it was all rows of things–buttons, letter Es, and finally rows of knitting. Now, gentlemen, what is there in this house that is arranged in rows? Books, isn’t that so? Add to that, that in the catalogue of Lord Caterham’s library there is a book called The Life of the Earl of Richmond, and I think you will get a very fair idea of the hiding-place. Starting at the volume in question, and using the numbers to denote shelves and books, I think you will find that the–er–object of our search is concealed in a dummy book, or in a cavity behind a particular book.’
Anthony looked round modestly, obviously waiting for applause.
‘Upon my word, that’s very ingenious,’ said Lord Caterham.
‘Quite ingenious,’ admitted George condescendingly. ‘But it remains to be seen–’
Anthony laughed.
‘The proof of the pudding’s in the eating–eh? Well, I’ll soon settle that for you.’ He sprang to his feet. ‘I’ll go to the library–’
He got no farther. M. Lemoine moved forward from the window.
‘Just one moment, Mr Cade. You permit, Lord Caterham?’
He went to the writing-table, and hurriedly scribbled a few lines. He sealed them up in an envelope, and then rang the bell. Tredwell appeared in answer to it. Lemoine handed him the note.
‘See that that is delivered at once, if you please.’
‘Very good, sir,’ said Tredwell.
With his usual dignified tread he withdrew.
Anthony, who had been standing, irresolute, sat down again.
‘What’s the big idea, Lemoine?’ he asked gently.
There was a sudden sense of strain in the atmosphere.
‘If the jewel is where you say it is–well, it has been there for over seven years–a quarter of an hour more does not matter.’
‘Go on,’ said Anthony. ‘That wasn’t all you wanted to say?’
‘No, it was not. At this juncture it is–unwise to permit any one person to leave the room. Especially if that person has rather questionable antecedents.’
Anthony raised his eyebrows and lighted a cigarette.
‘I suppose a vagabond life is not very respectable,’ he mused.
‘Two months ago, Mr Cade, you were in South Africa. That is admitted. Where were you before that?’
Anthony leaned back in his chair, idly blowing smoke rings.
‘Canada. Wild North-west.’
‘Are you sure you were not in prison? A French prison?’
Automatically, Superintendent Battle moved a step nearer the door, as if to cut off a retreat that way, but Anthony showed no signs of doing anything dramatic.
Instead, he stared at the French detective, and then burst out laughing.
‘My poor Lemoine. It is a monomania with you! You do indeed see King Victor everywhere. So you fancy that I am that interesting gentleman?’
‘Do you deny it?’
Anthony brushed a fleck of ash from his coat-sleeve.
‘I never deny anything that amuses me,’ he said lightly. ‘But the accusation is really too ridiculous.’
‘Ah! you think so?’ The Frenchman leant forward. His face was twitching