They came to Baghdad - Agatha Christie [92]
‘Very improbable – very improbable,’ said Dr Pauncefoot Jones. ‘The country’s really very settled nowadays. You said so yourself.’
‘If only I could remember the name of that man in some oil company. Was it Deacon? Deacon, Dakin? Something like that.’
‘Never heard of him,’ said Dr Pauncefoot Jones. ‘I think I shall change over Mustafa and his gang to the north-east corner. Then we might extend Trench J –’
‘Would you mind awfully, sir, if I went into Baghdad again tomorrow?’
Dr Pauncefoot Jones, suddenly giving his colleague his full attention, stared at him.
‘Tomorrow? But we were there yesterday.’
‘I’m worried about that girl. I really am.’
‘Dear me, Richard, I had no idea there was anything of that kind.’
‘What kind?’
‘That you’d formed an attachment. That’s the worst of having women on a Dig – especially good-looking ones. I really did think we were safe with Sybil Muirfield the year before last, a really distressingly plain girl – and see what came of it! I ought to have listened to Claude in London – these Frenchmen always hit the nail on the head. He commented on her legs at the time – most enthusiastic about them. Of course this girl, Victoria Venetia, whatever her name is –most attractive and such a nice little thing. You’ve got good taste, Richard, I will admit that. Funny thing, she’s the first girl I’ve ever known you take any interest in.’
‘There’s nothing of that kind,’ said Richard, blushing and looking even more supercilious than usual. ‘I’m just – er – worried about her. I must go back to Baghdad.’
‘Well, if you are going tomorrow,’ said Dr Pauncefoot Jones, ‘you might bring back those extra picks. That fool of a driver forgot them.’
III
Richard started into Baghdad at early dawn and went straight to the Tio Hotel. Here he learnt that Victoria had not returned.
‘And it was all arranged that she was to have special dinner with me,’ said Marcus. ‘And I kept her a very nice room. It is odd, is it not?’
‘Have you been to the Police?’
‘Ah no, my dear, it would not be nice, that. She might not like it. And I certainly would not like it.’
After a little inquiry, Richard tracked down Mr Dakin and called upon him in his office.
His memory of the man had not played him false. He looked at the stooping figure, the indecisive face and the slight tremor of the hands. This man was no good! He apologized to Mr Dakin if he was wasting his time but had he seen Miss Victoria Jones.
‘She called on me the day before yesterday.’
‘Can you give me her present address?’
‘She’s at the Tio Hotel, I believe.’
‘Her luggage is there, but she isn’t.’
Mr Dakin raised his eyebrows slightly.
‘She has been working with us on the Excavations at Tell Aswad,’ explained Richard.
‘Oh I see. Well – I’m afraid I don’t know anything that can help you. She has several friends in Baghdad, I believe – but I don’t know her well enough to say who they are.’
‘Would she be at this Olive Branch?’
‘I don’t think so. You could ask.’
Richard said: ‘Look here. I’m not leaving Baghdad until I find her.’
He frowned at Mr Dakin and strode out of the room.
Mr Dakin, as the door closed behind Richard, smiled and shook his head.
‘Oh Victoria,’ he murmured reproachfully.
Fuming into the Tio Hotel, Richard was met by a beaming Marcus.
‘She’s come back,’ cried Richard eagerly.
‘No, no, it’s Mrs Pauncefoot Jones. She arrives by plane today I have just heard. Dr Pauncefoot Jones, he told me she was coming next week.’
‘He always gets dates wrong. What about Victoria Jones?’
Marcus’s face went grave again.
‘No, I have heard nothing of her. And I do not like it, Mr Baker. It is not nice. She is so young a girl. And so pretty. And so gay and charming.’
‘Yes, yes,’ said Richard, flinching. ‘I’d better wait over and greet Mrs Pauncefoot Jones, I suppose.’
What on earth he wondered could have happened to Victoria.
IV
‘You!’ said Victoria with undisguised hostility.
Ushered up to her room in the Babylonian Palace Hotel, the first