The Seven Dials Mystery - Agatha Christie [81]
He went outside.
‘Stevens!’
‘Yes, sir?’
‘Just go out and get me some cigarettes, will you? I’ve run out.’
‘Very good, sir.’
Jimmy waited till he heard the front door close. Then he came back into the sitting-room. Bill was just in the act of setting down his empty glass. He looked better, more purposeful and more master of himself.
‘Now then,’ said Jimmy. ‘I’ve sent Stevens out so that we can’t be overheard. Are you going to tell me all about it?’
‘It’s so incredible.’
‘Then it’s sure to be true. Come on, out with it.’
Bill drew a deep breath.
‘I will. I’ll tell you everything.’
Chapter 30
An Urgent Summons
Loraine, playing with a small and delectable puppy, was somewhat surprised when Bundle rejoined her after an absence of twenty minutes, in a breathless state and with an indescribable expression on her face.
‘Whoof,’ said Bundle, sinking on to a garden seat. ‘Whoof.’
‘What’s the matter?’ asked Loraine, looking at her curiously.
‘George is the matter–George Lomax.’
‘What’s he been doing?’
‘Proposing to me. It was awful. He spluttered and he stuttered, but he would go through with it–he must have learnt it out of a book, I think. There was no stopping him. Oh, how I hate men who splutter! And, unfortunately, I didn’t know the reply.’
‘You must have known what you wanted to do.’
‘Naturally I’m not going to marry an apologetic idiot like George. What I mean is, I didn’t know the correct reply from the book of etiquette. I could only just say flatly: “No, I won’t.” What I ought to have said was something about being very sensible of the honour he had done me and so on and so on. But I got so rattled that in the end I jumped out of the window and bolted.’
‘Really, Bundle, that’s not like you.’
‘Well, I never dreamt of such a thing happening. George–who I always thought hated me–and he did too. What a fatal thing it is to pretend to take an interest in a man’s pet subject. You should have heard the drivel George talked about my girlish mind and the pleasure it would be to form it. My mind! If George knew one quarter of what was going on in my mind, he’d faint with horror!’
Loraine laughed. She couldn’t help it.
‘Oh, I know it’s my own fault. I let myself in for this. There’s Father dodging round that rhododendron. Hallo, Father.’
Lord Caterham approached with a hangdog expression.
‘Lomax gone, eh?’ he remarked with somewhat forced geniality.
‘A nice business you let me in for,’ said Bundle. ‘George told me he had your full approval and sanction.’
‘Well,’ said Lord Caterham, ‘what did you expect me to say? As a matter of fact, I didn’t say that at all, or anything like it.’
‘I didn’t really think so,’ said Bundle. ‘I assumed that George had talked you into a corner and reduced you to such a state that you could only nod your head feebly.’
‘That’s very much what happened. How did he take it? Badly?’
‘I didn’t wait to see,’ said Bundle. ‘I’m afraid I was rather abrupt.’
‘Oh well,’ said Lord Caterham. ‘Perhaps that was the best way. Thank goodness in the future Lomax won’t always be running over as he has been in the habit of doing, worrying me about things. Everything is for the best they say. Have you seen my jigger anywhere?’
‘A mashie shot or two would steady my nerves, I think,’ said Bundle. ‘I’ll take you on for sixpence, Loraine.’
An hour passed very peacefully. The three returned to the house in a harmonious spirit. A note lay on the hall table.
‘Mr Lomax left that for you, my lord,’ explained Tredwell. ‘He was much disappointed to find that you had gone out.’
Lord Caterham tore it open. He uttered a pained ejaculation and turned upon his daughter. Tredwell had retired.
‘Really, Bundle, you might have made yourself clear, I think.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, read this.’
Bundle took it and read:
‘My dear Caterham,–I am sorry not to have had a word with you. I thought I made it clear that I wanted to see you again after my interview with Eileen. She, dear child, was evidently quite unaware of the feelings I