The Seven Dials Mystery - Agatha Christie [44]
As Colonel Melrose had predicted, the whole affair was very simple. Bundle gave her evidence. The doctor gave his. Evidence was given of rifle practice in the neighbourhood. A verdict of death by misadventure was brought in.
After the proceedings were over, Colonel Melrose volunteered to drive Bundle back to Chimneys, and Jimmy Thesiger returned to London.
For all his light-hearted manner, Bundle’s story had impressed him profoundly. He set his lips closely together.
‘Ronny, old boy,’ he murmured, ‘I’m going to be up against it. And you’re not here to join in the game.’
Another thought flashed into his mind. Loraine! Was she in danger?
After a minute or two’s hesitation, he went over to the telephone and rang her up.
‘It’s me–Jimmy. I thought you’d like to know the result of the inquest. Death by misadventure.’
‘Oh, but–’
‘Yes, but I think there’s something behind that. The coroner had had a hint. Someone’s at work to hush it up. I say, Loraine–’
‘Yes?’
‘Look here. There’s–there’s some funny business going about. You’ll be very careful, won’t you? For my sake.’
He heard the quick note of alarm that sprang into her voice.
‘Jimmy–but then it’s dangerous–for you.’
He laughed.
‘Oh, that’s all right. I’m the cat that had nine lives. Bye-bye, old thing.’
He rang off and remained a minute or two lost in thought. Then he summoned Stevens.
‘Do you think you could go out and buy me a pistol, Stevens?’
‘A pistol, sir?’
True to his training, Stevens betrayed no hint of surprise.
‘What kind of a pistol would you be requiring?’
‘The kind where you put your finger on the trigger and the thing goes on shooting until you take it off again.’
‘An automatic, sir.’
‘That’s it,’ said Jimmy. ‘An automatic. And I should like it to be a blue-nosed one–if you and the shopman know what that is. In American stories, the hero always takes his blue-nosed automatic from his hip pocket.’
Stevens permitted himself a faint, discreet smile.
‘Most American gentlemen that I have known, sir, carry something very different in their hip pockets,’ he observed.
Jimmy Thesiger laughed.
Chapter 16
The House Party at the Abbey
Bundle drove over to Wyvern Abbey just in time for tea on Friday afternoon. George Lomax came forward to welcome her with considerable empressement.
‘My dear Eileen,’ he said, ‘I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see you here. You must forgive my not having invited you when I asked your father, but to tell the truth I never dreamed that a party of this kind would apeal to you. I was both–er–surprised and–er–delighted when Lady Caterham told me of your–er–interest in–er–politics.’
‘I wanted to come so much,’ said Bundle in a simple, ingenuous manner.
‘Mrs Macatta will not arrive till the later train,’ explained George. ‘She was speaking at a meeting in Manchester last night. Do you know Thesiger? Quite a young fellow, but a remarkable grasp of foreign politics. One would hardly suspect it from his appearance.’
‘I know Mr Thesiger,’ said Bundle, and she shook hands solemnly with Jimmy, who she observed had parted his hair in the middle in the endeavour to add earnestness to his expression.
‘Look here,’ said Jimmy in a low hurried voice, as George temporarily withdrew. ‘You mustn’t be angry, but I’ve told Bill about our little stunt.’
‘Bill?’ said Bundle, annoyed.
‘Well, after all,’ said Jimmy, ‘Bill is one of the lads, you know. Ronny was a pal of his and so was Gerry.’
‘Oh! I know,’ said Bundle.
‘But you think it’s a pity? Sorry.’
‘Bill’s all right, of course. It isn’t that,’ said Bundle. ‘But he’s–well, Bill’s a born blunderer.’
‘Not mentally very agile?’ suggested Jimmy. ‘But you forget one thing–Bill’s got a very hefty fist. And I’ve an idea that a hefty fist is going to come in handy.’
‘Well, perhaps you’re right. How did he take it?’
‘Well, he clutched his head a good bit, but–I mean the facts took some driving home. But