The Seven Dials Mystery - Agatha Christie [82]
‘Believe me, dear Caterham,
‘Your sincere friend,
‘George Lomax.’
‘Well,’ said Bundle. ‘Well, I’m damned!’
Words failed her.
‘The man must be mad,’ said Lord Caterham. ‘No one could write those things about you, Bundle, unless they were slightly touched in the head. Poor chap, poor chap. But what persistence! I don’t wonder he got into the Cabinet. It would serve him right if you did marry him, Bundle.’
The telephone rang and Bundle moved forward to answer it. In another minute George and his proposal were forgotten, and she was beckoning eagerly to Loraine. Lord Caterham went off to his own sanctum.
‘It’s Jimmy,’ said Bundle. ‘And he’s tremendously excited about something.’
‘Thank goodness I’ve caught you,’ said Jimmy’s voice. ‘There’s no time to be lost. Loraine’s there, too?’
‘Yes, she’s here.’
‘Well, look here, I haven’t got time to explain everything–in fact, I can’t through the telephone. But Bill has been round to see me with the most amazing story you ever heard. If it’s true–well, if it’s true, it’s the biggest scoop of the century. Now, look here, this is what you’ve got to do. Come up to town at once, both of you. Garage the car somewhere and go straight to the Seven Dials Club. Do you think that when you get there you can get rid of that footman fellow?’
‘Alfred? Rather. You leave that to me.’
‘Good. Get rid of him and watch out for me and Bill. Don’t show yourselves at the windows, but when we drive up, let us in at once. See?’
‘Yes.’
‘That’s all right then. Oh, Bundle, don’t let on that you’re going up to town. Make some other excuse. Say your taking Loraine home. How would that do?’
‘Splendidly. I say, Jimmy, I’m thrilled to the core.’
‘And you might as well make your will before starting.’
‘Better and better. But I wish I knew what it was all about.’
‘You will as soon as we meet. I’ll tell you this much. We’re going to get ready the hell of a surprise for No 7!’
Bundle hung up the receiver and turned to Loraine, giving her a rapid résumé of the conversation. Loraine rushed upstairs and hurriedly packed her suitcase, and Bundle put her head round her father’s door.
‘I’m taking Loraine home, Father.’
‘Why? I had no idea she was going today.’
‘They want her back,’ said Bundle vaguely. ‘Just telephoned. Bye-bye.’
‘Here, Bundle, wait a minute. When will you be home?’
‘Don’t know. Expect me when you see me.’
With this unceremonious exit Bundle rushed upstairs, put a hat on, slipped into her fur coat and was ready to start. She had already ordered the Hispano to be brought round.
The journey to London was without adventure, except such as was habitually provided by Bundle’s driving. They left the car at a garage and proceeded direct to the Seven Dials Club.
The door was opened to them by Alfred. Bundle pushed her way past him without ceremony and Loraine followed.
‘Shut the door, Alfred,’ said Bundle. ‘Now, I’ve come here especially to do you a good turn. The police are after you.’
‘Oh, my lady!’
Alfred turned chalk white.
‘I’ve come to warn you because you did me a good turn the other night,’ went on Bundle rapidly. ‘There’s a warrant out for Mr Mosgorovsky, and the best thing you can do is to clear out of here as quick as you can. If you’re not found here, they won’t bother about you. Here’s ten pounds to help you get away somewhere.’
In three minutes’ time an incoherent and badly scared Alfred had left 14 Hunstanton Street with only one idea in his head–never to return.
‘Well, I’ve managed that all right,’ said Bundle with satisfaction.
‘Was it necessary to be so–well, drastic?’ Loraine demurred.
‘It’s safer,’ said Bundle. ‘I don’t know what Jimmy and Bill are up to, but we don’t want