Chapter IX. Tuppence Enters Domestic Service

by Agatha Christie

　　When Tommy set forth on the trail of the two men, it took allTuppence's self-command to refrain from accompanying him.However, she contained herself as best she might, consoled by thereflection that her reasoning had been justified by events. Thetwo men had undoubtedly come from the second floor flat, and thatone slender thread of the name "Rita" had set the YoungAdventurers once more upon the track of the abductors of JaneFinn.The question was what to do next? Tuppence hated letting thegrass grow under her feet. Tommy was amply employed, anddebarred from joining him in the chase, the girl felt at a looseend. She retraced her steps to the entrance hall of the mansions.It was now tenanted by a small lift-boy, who was polishing brassfittings, and whistling the latest air with a good deal of vigourand a reasonable amount of accuracy.He glanced round at Tuppence's entry. There was a certain amountof the gamin element in the girl, at all events she invariablygot on well with small boys. A sympathetic bond seemed instantlyto be formed. She reflected that an ally in the enemy's camp, soto speak, was not to be despised."Well, William," she remarked cheerfully, in the best approvedhospital-early-morning style, "getting a good shine up?"The boy grinned responsively."Albert, miss," he corrected."Albert be it," said Tuppence. She glanced mysteriously roundthe hall. The effect was purposely a broad one in case Albertshould miss it. She leaned towards the boy and dropped her voice:"I want a word with you, Albert."Albert ceased operations on the fittings and opened his mouthslightly."Look! Do you know what this is?" With a dramatic gesture sheflung back the left side of her coat and exposed a smallenamelled badge. It was extremely unlikely that Albert would haveany knowledge of it--indeed, it would have been fatal forTuppence's plans, since the badge in question was the device of alocal training corps originated by the archdeacon in the earlydays of the war. Its presence in Tuppence's coat was due to thefact that she had used it for pinning in some flowers a day ortwo before. But Tuppence had sharp eyes, and had noted the cornerof a threepenny detective novel protruding from Albert's pocket,and the immediate enlargement of his eyes told her that hertactics were good, and that the fish would rise to the bait."American Detective Force!" she hissed.Albert fell for it."Lord!" he murmured ecstatically.Tuppence nodded at him with the air of one who has established athorough understanding."Know who I'm after?" she inquired genially.Albert, still round-eyed, demanded breathlessly:"One of the flats?"Tuppence nodded and jerked a thumb up the stairs."No. 20. Calls herself Vandemeyer. Vandemeyer! Ha! ha!"Albert's hand stole to his pocket."A crook?" he queried eagerly."A crook? I should say so. Ready Rita they call her in theStates.""Ready Rita," repeated Albert deliriously. "Oh, ain't it justlike the pictures!"It was. Tuppence was a great frequenter of the kinema."Annie always said as how she was a bad lot," continued the boy."Who's Annie?" inquired Tuppence idly." 'Ouse-parlourmaid. She's leaving to-day. Many's the timeAnnie's said to me: 'Mark my words, Albert, I wouldn't wonder ifthe police was to come after her one of these days.' dust likethat. But she's a stunner to look at, ain't she?""She's some peach," allowed Tuppence carelessly. "Finds ituseful in her lay-out, you bet. Has she been wearing any of theemeralds, by the way?""Emeralds? Them's the green stones, isn't they?"Tuppence nodded."That's what we're after her for. You know old man Rysdale?"Albert shook his head."Peter B. Rysdale, the oil king?""It seems sort of familiar to me.""The sparklers belonged to him. Finest collection of emeralds inthe world. Worth a million dollars!""Lumme!" came ecstatically from Albert. "It sounds more like thepictures every minute."Tuppence smiled, gratified at the success of her efforts."We haven't exactly proved it yet. But we're after her.And"--she produced a long-drawn-out wink--"I guess she won't getaway with the goods this time."Albert uttered another ejaculation indicative of delight."Mind you, sonny, not a word of this," said Tuppence suddenly. "Iguess I oughtn't to have put you wise, but in the States we knowa real smart lad when we see one.""I'll not breathe a word," protested Albert eagerly. "Ain't thereanything I could do? A bit of shadowing, maybe, or such like?"Tuppence affected to consider, then shook her head."Not at the moment, but I'll bear you in mind, son. What's thisabout the girl you say is leaving?""Annie? Regular turn up, they 'ad. As Annie said, servants issome one nowadays, and to be treated accordingly, and, what withher passing the word round, she won't find it so easy to getanother.""Won't she?" said Tuppence thoughtfully. "I wonder----"An idea was dawning in her brain. She thought a minute or two,then tapped Albert on the shoulder."See here, son, my brain's got busy. How would it be if youmentioned that you'd got a young cousin, or a friend of yourshad, that might suit the place. You get me?""I'm there," said Albert instantly. "You leave it to me, miss,and I'll fix the whole thing up in two ticks.""Some lad!" commented Tuppence, with a nod of approval. "Youmight say that the young woman could come in right away. You letme know, and if it's O.K. I'll be round to-morrow at eleveno'clock.""Where am I to let you know to?""Ritz," replied Tuppence laconically. "Name of Cowley."Albert eyed her enviously."It must be a good job, this tec business.""It sure is," drawled Tuppence, "especially when old man Rysdalebacks the bill. But don't fret, son. If this goes well, youshall come in on the ground floor."With which promise she took leave of her new ally, and walkedbriskly away from South Audley Mansions, well pleased with hermorning's work.But there was no time to be lost. She went straight back to theRitz and wrote a few brief words to Mr. Carter. Havingdispatched this, and Tommy not having yet returned--which did notsurprise her--she started off on a shopping expedition which,with an interval for tea and assorted creamy cakes, occupied heruntil well after six o'clock, and she returned to the hoteljaded, but satisfied with her purchases. Starting with a cheapclothing store, and passing through one or two second-handestablishments, she had finished the day at a well-knownhairdresser's. Now, in the seclusion of her bedroom, sheunwrapped that final purchase. Five minutes later she smiledcontentedly at her reflection in the glass. With an actress'spencil she had slightly altered the line of her eyebrows, andthat, taken in conjunction with the new luxuriant growth of fairhair above, so changed her appearance that she felt confidentthat even if she came face to face with Whittington he would notrecognize her. She would wear elevators in her shoes, and thecap and apron would be an even more valuable disguise. Fromhospital experience she knew only too well that a nurse out ofuniform is frequently unrecognized by her patients."Yes," said Tuppence aloud, nodding at the pert reflection in theglass, "you'll do." She then resumed her normal appearance.Dinner was a solitary meal. Tuppence was rather surprised atTommy's non-return. Julius, too, was absent--but that to thegirl's mind was more easily explained. His "hustling" activitieswere not confined to London, and his abrupt appearances anddisappearances were fully accepted by the Young Adventurers aspart of the day's work. It was quite on the cards that Julius P.Hersheimmer had left for Constantinople at a moment's notice ifhe fancied that a clue to his cousin's disappearance was to befound there. The energetic young man had succeeded in making thelives of several Scotland Yard men unbearable to them, and thetelephone girls at the Admiralty had learned to know and dreadthe familiar "Hullo!" He had spent three hours in Paris hustlingthe Prefecture, and had returned from there imbued with the idea,possibly inspired by a weary French official, that the true clueto the mystery was to be found in Ireland."I dare say he's dashed off there now," thought Tuppence. "Allvery well, but this is very dull for me! Here I am bursting withnews, and absolutely no one to tell it to! Tommy might havewired, or something. I wonder where he is. Anyway, he can't have'lost the trail' as they say. That reminds me----" And MissCowley broke off in her meditations, and summoned a small boy.Ten minutes later the lady was ensconced comfortably on her bed,smoking cigarettes and deep in the perusal of Garnaby Williams,the Boy Detective, which, with other threepenny works of luridfiction, she had sent out to purchase. She felt, and rightly,that before the strain of attempting further intercourse withAlbert, it would be as well to fortify herself with a good supplyof local colour.The morning brought a note from Mr. Carter:"Dear Miss Tuppence,"You have made a splendid start, and I congratulate you. I feel,though, that I should like to point out to you once more therisks you are running, especially if you pursue the course youindicate. Those people are absolutely desperate and incapable ofeither mercy or pity. I feel that you probably underestimate thedanger, and therefore warn you again that I can promise you noprotection. You have given us valuable information, and if youchoose to withdraw now no one could blame you. At any rate,think the matter over well before you decide."If, in spite of my warnings, you make up your mind to go throughwith it, you will find everything arranged. You have lived fortwo years with Miss Dufferin, The Parsonage, Llanelly, and Mrs.Vandemeyer can apply to her for a reference."May I be permitted a word or two of advice? Stick as near tothe truth as possible--it minimizes the danger of 'slips.' Isuggest that you should represent yourself to be what you are, aformer V.A.D., who has chosen domestic service as a profession.There are many such at the present time. That explains away anyincongruities of voice or manner which otherwise might awakensuspicion."Whichever way you decide, good luck to you."Your sincere friend,"Mr. Carter."Tuppence's spirits rose mercurially. Mr. Carter's warningspassed unheeded. The young lady had far too much confidence inherself to pay any heed to them.With some reluctance she abandoned the interesting part she hadsketched out for herself. Although she had no doubts of her ownpowers to sustain a role indefinitely, she had too much commonsense not to recognize the force of Mr. Carter's arguments.There was still no word or message from Tommy, but the morningpost brought a somewhat dirty postcard with the words: "It'sO.K." scrawled upon it.At ten-thirty Tuppence surveyed with pride a slightly batteredtin trunk containing her new possessions. It was artisticallycorded. It was with a slight blush that she rang the bell andordered it to be placed in a taxi. She drove to Paddington, andleft the box in the cloak room. She then repaired with a handbagto the fastnesses of the ladies' waiting-room. Ten minutes latera metamorphosed Tuppence walked demurely out of the station andentered a bus.It was a few minutes past eleven when Tuppence again entered thehall of South Audley Mansions. Albert was on the look-out,attending to his duties in a somewhat desultory fashion. He didnot immediately recognize Tuppence. When he did, his admirationwas unbounded."Blest if I'd have known you! That rig-out's top-hole.""Glad you like it, Albert," replied Tuppence modestly. "By theway, am I your cousin, or am I not?""Your voice too," cried the delighted boy. "It's as English asanything! No, I said as a friend of mine knew a young gal. Anniewasn't best pleased. She's stopped on till to-day--to oblige, shesaid, but really it's so as to put you against the place.""Nice girl," said Tuppence.Albert suspected no irony."She's style about her, and keeps her silver a treat--but, myword, ain't she got a temper. Are you going up now, miss? Stepinside the lift. No. 20 did you say?" And he winked.Tuppence quelled him with a stern glance, and stepped inside.As she rang the bell of No. 20 she was conscious of Albert's eyesslowly descending beneath the level of the floor.A smart young woman opened the door."I've come about the place," said Tuppence."It's a rotten place," said the young woman without hesitation."Regular old cat--always interfering. Accused me of tamperingwith her letters. Me! The flap was half undone anyway. There'snever anything in the waste-paper basket--she burns everything.She's a wrong 'un, that's what she is. Swell clothes, but noclass. Cook knows something about her--but she won'ttell--scared to death of her. And suspicious! She's on to you ina minute if you as much as speak to a fellow. I can tell you----"But what more Annie could tell, Tuppence was never destined tolearn, for at that moment a clear voice with a peculiarly steelyring to it called:"Annie!"The smart young woman jumped as if she had been shot."Yes, ma'am.""Who are you talking to?""It's a young woman about the situation, ma'am.""Show her in then. At once.""Yes, ma'am."Tuppence was ushered into a room on the right of the longpassage. A woman was standing by the fireplace. She was nolonger in her first youth, and the beauty she undeniablypossessed was hardened and coarsened. In her youth she must havebeen dazzling. Her pale gold hair, owing a slight assistance toart, was coiled low on her neck, her eyes, of a piercing electricblue, seemed to possess a faculty of boring into the very soul ofthe person she was looking at. Her exquisite figure was enhancedby a wonderful gown of indigo charmeuse. And yet, despite herswaying grace, and the almost ethereal beauty of her face, youfelt instinctively the presence of something hard and menacing, akind of metallic strength that found expression in the tones ofher voice and in that gimletlike quality of her eyes.For the first time Tuppence felt afraid. She had not fearedWhittington, but this woman was different. As if fascinated, shewatched the long cruel line of the red curving mouth, and againshe felt that sensation of panic pass over her. Her usualself-confidence deserted her. Vaguely she felt that deceivingthis woman would be very different to deceiving Whittington. Mr.Carter's warning recurred to her mind. Here, indeed, she mightexpect no mercy.Fighting down that instinct of panic which urged her to turn tailand run without further delay, Tuppence returned the lady's gazefirmly and respectfully.As though that first scrutiny had been satisfactory, Mrs.Vandemeyer motioned to a chair."You can sit down. How did you hear I wanted ahouse-parlourmaid?""Through a friend who knows the lift boy here. He thought theplace might suit me."Again that basilisk glance seemed to pierce her through."You speak like an educated girl?"Glibly enough, Tuppence ran through her imaginary career on thelines suggested by Mr. Carter. It seemed to her, as she did so,that the tension of Mrs. Vandemeyer's attitude relaxed."I see," she remarked at length. "Is there anyone I can write tofor a reference?""I lived last with a Miss Dufferin, The Parsonage, Llanelly. Iwas with her two years.""And then you thought you would get more money by coming toLondon, I suppose? Well, it doesn't matter to me. I will giveyou L50--L60--whatever you want. You can come in at once?""Yes, ma'am. To-day, if you like. My box is at Paddington.""Go and fetch it in a taxi, then. It's an easy place. I am outa good deal. By the way, what's your name?""Prudence Cooper, ma'am.""Very well, Prudence. Go away and fetch your box. I shall beout to lunch. The cook will show you where everything is.""Thank you, ma'am."Tuppence withdrew. The smart Annie was not in evidence. In thehall below a magnificent hall porter had relegated Albert to thebackground. Tuppence did not even glance at him as she passedmeekly out.The adventure had begun, but she felt less elated than she haddone earlier in the morning. It crossed her mind that if theunknown Jane Finn had fallen into the hands of Mrs. Vandemeyer,it was likely to have gone hard with her.