The Man in the Brown Suit - Agatha Christie [54]
‘It would hardly be respectable,’ said Suzanne, dimpling. ‘I should have to pretend a fatal passion for him as an excuse.’
‘On the other hand, if you were there when he arrived, it would all be perfectly simple and natural. Besides, I don’t think we ought to lose sight of the other two entirely.’
‘Oh, Anne, you surely can’t suspect Colonel Race or Sir Eustace?’
‘I suspect everybody,’ I said darkly, ‘and if you’ve read any detective stories, Suzanne, you must know that it’s always the most unlikely person who’s the villain. Lots of criminals have been cheerful fat men like Sir Eustace.’
‘Colonel Race isn’t particularly fat–or particularly cheerful either.’
‘Sometimes they’re lean and saturnine,’ I retorted. ‘I don’t say I seriously suspect either of them, but, after all, the woman was murdered in Sir Eustace’s house–’
‘Yes, yes, we needn’t go over all that again. I’ll watch him for you, Anne, and if he gets any fatter and any more cheerful, I’ll send you a telegram at once. “Sir E. swelling highly suspicious. Come at once.”’
‘Really, Suzanne,’ I cried, ‘you seem to think all this is a game!’
‘I know I do,’ said Suzanne, unabashed. ‘It seems like that. It’s your fault, Anne. I’ve got imbued with your “Let’s have an adventure” spirit. It doesn’t seem a bit real. Dear me, if Clarence knew that I was running about Africa tracking dangerous criminals, he’d have a fit.’
‘Why don’t you cable him about it?’ I asked sarcastically.
Suzanne’s sense of humour always fails her when it comes to sending cables. She considered my suggestion in perfectly good faith.
‘I might. It would have to be a very long one.’ Her eyes brightened at the thought. ‘But I think it’s better not. Husbands always want to interfere with perfectly harmless amusements.’
‘Well,’ I said, summing up the situation, ‘you will keep an eye on Sir Eustace and Colonel Race–’
‘I know why I’ve got to watch Sir Eustace,’ interrupted Suzanne, ‘because of his figure and his humorous conversation. But I think it’s carrying it rather far to suspect Colonel Race; I do indeed. Why, he’s something to do with the Secret Service. Do you know, Anne, I believe the best thing we could do would be to confide in him and tell him the whole story.’
I objected vigorously to this unsporting proposal. I recognized in it the disastrous effects of matrimony. How often have I not heard a perfectly intelligent female say, in the tone of one clinching an argument, ‘Edgar says–’ And all the time you are perfectly aware that Edgar is a perfect fool. Suzanne, by reason of her married state, was yearning to lean upon some man or other.
However, she promised faithfully that she would not breathe a word to Colonel Race, and we went on with our plan-making.
‘It’s quite clear that I must stay here and watch Pagett, and this is the best way to do it. I must pretend to leave for Durban this evening, take my luggage down and so on, but really I shall go to some small hotel in the town. I can alter my appearance a little–wear a fair toupee and one of those thick white lace veils, and I shall have a much better chance of seeing what he’s really at if he thinks I’m safely out of the way.’
Suzanne approved this plan heartily. We made due and ostentatious preparations, inquiring once more about the departure of the train at the office and packing my luggage.
We dined together in the restaurant. Colonel Race did not appear, but Sir Eustace and Pagett were at their table in the window. Pagett left the table half-way through the meal, which annoyed me, as I had planned to say goodbye to him. However, doubtless Sir Eustace would do as well. I went over to him when I had finished.
‘Goodbye, Sir Eustace,’ I said. ‘I’m off tonight to Durban.’
Sir Eustace sighed heavily.
‘So I heard. You wouldn’t like me to come with you, would you?’
‘I should love it.’
‘Nice girl. Sure you won’t change your mind and come and look for lions in Rhodesia?’
‘Quite sure.