N Or MBerkley Books by Agatha ChristieAPPOINTMENT WITH DEATHTHE BIG FOURTHE BOOMERANG CLUECARDS ON THE TABLEDEAD MANS MIRRORDEATH IN THE AIR^V DOUBLE SIN AND OTHER STORIES ^ ELEPHANTS CAN REMEMBERTHE GOLDEN BALL AND OTHER STORIES THE HOLLOW y_ S- THE LABORS OF HERCULES ^ t^_r^^S- THE MAN IN THE BROWN SUIT ^^|sS4amp ampV^-^p - ^-^^f1^^^- THE MOVING FINGER^ MISS MARPLE THE COMPLETE SHORT STORIES^i^S ^ito1 mr BARKER PYNE DETECTIVE A THE MURDER AT HAZELMOOR 1 THE MURDER AT THE VICARAGEMURDER IN MESOPOTAMIAMURDER IN RETROSPECTMURDER IN THREE ACTS THE MURDER ON THE LINKSTHE MYSTERIOUS MR QUINlaquosaaN OR M -sfSnfPARTNERS IN CRIME iSS-iTHE PATRIOTIC MURDERSPIOROT LOSES A CLIENTTHE REGATTA MYSTERY AND OTHER STORIESH SAD CYPRESSTHE SECRET OF CHIMNEYSTHERE IS A TIDETHEY CAME TO BAGHDADTHIRTEEN AT DINNERTHREE BLIND MICE AND OTHER STORIESTHE TUESDAY CLUB MURDERSTHE UNDER DOG AND OTHER STORIESTHE WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION AND OTHER STORIES This Berkley book contains the completetext of the original hardcover editionIt has been completely reset in a typefacedesigned for easy reading and was printed^^a-i from new film w^wrN OR M t SS- 4A Berkley Book published by arrangement with -yS^--G P Putnams Sons B^ is PRINTING HISTORYDodd Mead edition published 1941Berkley edition June 1984All rights reserved^Copyright 1941 by Agatha Christie MallowanCopyright renewed 1969 by Agatha Christie MallowanBook design by Virginia M SmithThis book may not be reproduced in whole or in partby mimeograph or any other means without permissionFor information address G P Putnams Sons200 Madison Avenue New York New York 10016ISBN 0425098451A BERKLEY BOOK reg TM 757375

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N Or MBerkley Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group200 Madison Avenue New York New York 10016The name BERKLEY and the B logoare trademarks belonging to Berkley Publishing CorporationPRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 ^iXlaquolaquolt)gt)raquoX^

)poundTommy Beresford removed his overcoat in thehall of the flat He hung it up with some care takingtime over it His hat went carefully on the nextpegHe squared his shoulders affixed a resolutesmile to his face and walked into the sitting roomwhere his wife sat knitting a Balaclava helmet inkhaki woolMrs Beresford gave him a quick glance andthen busied herself by knitting at a furious rateShe said after a minute or twoAny news in the evening paperTommy saidThe Blitzkrieg is coming hurray hurrayThings look bad in FranceTuppence said raquoIts a depressing world at the momentThere was a pause and then Tommy saidWell why dont you ask No need to be sodamned tactfulI know admitted Tuppence There is somethingabout conscious tact that is very irritatingBut then it irritates you if I do ask And anyway Idont need to ask Its written all over youI wasnt conscious of looking a Dismal DesmondNodarling said Tuppence You had akind of nailed to the mast smile which was one of ^aisfhtsi Christiethe most heart-remin^g laquo|ungs I have ever seenTommy said wi|]i a gi-jlNo was it resly g^s ^H as all thatAnd more Vyi c^iae on out with it Nothing doingNothing doing (ThK dont want me in an capacity I tell ^ 1iippence its pretty thicwhen a man of fdity-sSiM is made to feel like a dolt dering grandfathg ftAtvff NavyAir Force Foeign Office one ^ misay the same thing--Iitoo old I may besq^ir-d laterTuppence saidWell its theart^ie for me They dont waipeople of my age lor ^ixntsing--no thank you Nltfor anything else Th^ey d rather have a fluffy chiwhos never seenjy^iiaiii or sterilized a dressing than they would lay-e me who worked for threyears 1915 to 19^ i^i warious capacities nurse i i the surgical warding opiating theatre driver oa trade delivery va ^nltil^ter of a General Thisthat and the other-^ll 1 assert firmly with cor

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N Or Mspicuous success ^n^l nraquow Im a poor pushing tiresome middle-igg^d wman who wontsit ahome quietly andhm^ s^she ought to do ^ Tommy said glooni ily ^ - g y- This War is HtB fc- M ^ ^ Its bad enoiigji h^vittg a war said Tuppence but not hgn^ gillowed to do anything injust puts the lid on Tommy said comol ii-^gyE WellatanyriteT^gt^lioirahhasgotajobDeborahs mot|i(r ^a-^d kS^h shes all right^ lexpect shes good at iioo But I still thiak^ Tommy that I could hoimy own with Deb(rarraquo- c ySi Tommy grinned gt^m IJISamp^ raquo( NORM 3She wouldnt think so f^ s Tuppence saidDaughters can be very trying Especially whenthey will be so kind to you wf^m^ ~y^ yw Tommy murmured H8The way young Derek makes allowances forme is sometimes rather hard to bear That poorold Dad look in his eyeIn fact said Tuppence our children althoughquite adorable ^are also quite maddenButat the mention of the twins Derek andDeborah her eyes were very tenderI suppose said Tommy thoughtfully thatits always hard for people themselves to realizethat theyre getting middle-aged and past doingthings US IN- iii~ SSWS^ l--^i)^^l t-f ATuppence gave a snort of rage tossed her glossydark head and sent her ball of khaki wool spinningfrom her lapAre we past doing things Are we Oris itonly that everyone keeps insinuating that we areSometimes I feel that we never were any use HldCiQuite likely said Toromy^ 3^Perhaps so But at any rate we did once feelimportant And now Im beginning to feel that allthat never really happened Did it happenTommy Is it true that you were once crashed onthe head and kidnapped by German agents Is ittrue that we once tracked down a dangerous criminal--andgot him Is it true that we rescued a girland got hold of important secret papers and werepractically thanked by a grateful country Us You and me Despised unwanted Mrand Mrs copy Beresford ^3^t|^|raquo3raquo^^^Now dry up darling All this does no good 4 AgaiAll the same satear Im disappointHe wrote us a verHe didnt do anout any hopeWell hes out oHes quite old Lives iTuppence said wistThey might have 1telligencePerhaps we coulhaps nowadays we vI wonder said 1same But perhaps aspoint

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N Or MShe sighed She sailtI wish we could firotten when one has s Her eyes rested photograph of the vltuniform with the

Tommys Tommy saidIts worse for a ralland do up parcelTuppence saidI can do all thatnot old enough toneither one thing norThe front door bellflat was a small servicH She opened the docman with a big fair nface standing on theHis glance a quickin a pleasant voice N OR M 5AreyouMrsBeresfordYes ^v ^^ My names Grant Im a friend of Lord EasthamptonsHe suggested I should look you andyour husband up 3^ Oh how nice do come in R^ She preceded him into the sitting roomMy husband er--Captain--Mr I |Mr Grant Hes a friend of Mr Car--of LordEasthamptonsThe old nom de guerre of the former Chief ofthe Intelligence Mr Carter always came moreeasily to her lips than their old friends propertitleFor a few minutes the three talked happily togetherGrant was an attractive person with aneasy mannerPresently Tuppence left the room She returneda few minutes later with the sherry and someglassesAfter a few minutes when a pause came MrGrant said to TommyI hear youre looking for a job BeresfordAn eager light came into Tommys eyeYes indeed You dont mean-- ^ Grant laughed and shook his headOh nothing of that kind No Im afraid thathas to be left to the young active men--or to thosewhove been at it for years The only things I cansuggest are rather stodgy Im afraid Office workFiling papers Tying them up in red tape andpigeon-holing them That sort of thing y-^ -^ Tommys face fell a^-s ^S^^ gtOh I see ^-- sSj^ Grant said encouragingly ^raquo A 6 Agatha Christie 5Oh well its better than nothing Anywaycome and see me at my office one day Ministry ofs Requirements Room 22 Well fix you up withsomething p ^ ^The telephone rang Tuppence picked up theI receiver gHulloyeswhat A squeaky voice spoke ygss3agitatedly from the other end Tuppences face

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N Or Mt changed When Oh my dearof courseIllcome over right away1 She put back the receiver ^aaampta She said to Tommylaquo That was Maureen ^I thought soI recognized her voice from Tuppence explained breathlessly |||| gtIm so sorry Mr Grant But I musTgo roundto this friend of mine Shes fallen and twisted herankle and theres no one with her but her little girlso I must go round and fix up things for her and| get hold of someone to come in and look after herDo forgive me ^1 ^g K^ I^ Of course Mrs Beresford I quite under- ^| stand BB^| Tuppence smiled at him picked up a coat whichH had been lying over the sofa slipped her arms into it and hurried out The flat door banged Tommy poured out another glass of sherry forhis guest ^s^sS^T 11 -Dont go yet he said ltAcyThank you The other accepted the glass Hesipped it for a moment in silence Then he saidIn a way you know your wifes being calledaway is a fortunate occurrence It will save timesireg Tommy stared - ^- ^v raquo I dont understand1reg^- ^-S^^ NORM 7Grant said deliberately a You see Beresford if you had come to see meat the Ministry I was empowered to put a certainproposition before youThe colour came slowly up in Tommys freckledface He said aYou dont mean^^ ^|^B^ ^Grant nodded gSamps^te^reg a-- Safe Easthampton suggested you he said Hetold us you were the man for the job gxy^|g Tommy gave a deep sigh a^ ^ ly^ Tell me he said ^ wamp^ This is strictly confidential of course ^^^ Tommy nodded ^ c s Not even your wife must know You understandVery well--if you say so But we worked togetherbeforeYes I know But this proposition is solely forT-- - --^ -- ^-^ ^W^K^--V you|g ^ ^ ^^ ^I see All right1 I ^ ^|Ostensiblyyou will be offered work--as I saidjust now--office work--in a branch of the Ministryfunctioning in Scotland--in a prohibited areawhere your wife cannot accompany you Actually^you will be somewhere very differentTommy merely waited ^^r sGrant saidYouve read in the newspapers of the FifthColumn You know roughly at any rate justwhat that term impliesTommy murmured - ^IrSSS -^ ^s^-^^^The enemy withinExactly This war Beresford started in an optimisticspirit Oh I dont mean the people whoreally knew--weve knownaHalong whatwe were 8 I Agatha Christieup against--the efficiency of the enemy his aerial

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N Or Mstrength his deadly determination and the co-ordinationof his well-planned war machine I meanthe people as a whole The good-hearted muddleheadeddemocratic fellow who believes what hewants to believe--that Germany will crack upp that shes on the verge of revolution that her||I weapons of war are made of tin and that her menamp | are so underfed that theyll fall down if they try tomarch--all that sort of stuff Wishful thinking as|gthe saying goes ||jWell the war didnt go that way It started^ badly and it went on worse The men were all|amp I right--the men on the battleships and in the planes^ and in the dugouts But there was mismanagement^and unpreparedness--the defects perhaps of our|||qualities We dont want war havent consideredit seriously werent good at preparing for itThe worst of that is over Weve corrected ourmistakes were slowly getting the right men in theright places Were beginning to run the war as itshould be run--and we can win the war--make nog i mistake about that--but only if wedont lose if first And the danger of losing it comes not y from outside--not from the might of Germanys|g||bombers not from her seizure of neutral countriesuand fresh vantage points from which to attack--from within Our danger is the danger ofTroy--the wooden horse within our walls Call itwthe Fifth Column if you like It is here among usMen and women some of them highly placedSsome of them obscure but all believing genuinelyin the Nazi aims and the Nazi creed and desiringto substitute that sternly efficient creed for themuddled easy-going liberty of our democratic--institutions ------ -- N OR M 9Grant leaned forward He said still in that samepleasant unemotional voiceAnd we dont know who they areTommy said But surely-- Has Grant said with a touch of impatienceOh we can round up thesmall fry Thats easyenough But its the others We know about themWe know that there are at least two highly placedin the Admiralty--that one must be a member ofGeneral G----s staff--that there are three ormore in the Air Force and that two at least aremembers of the Intelligence know Cabinetsecrets We know that because it must be so fromthe way things have happened The leakage--aleakage from the top--of information to theenemy shows us that l^1Tommy said helplessly his pleasant face perplexed

But what good should I be to you I dontknow any of these peopleGrant nodded If fi^-i ^ ySisi --Exactly You dont know any of them--aw they dont know you ^ He paused to let it sink in and then went onThese people these high up people knowmost of our lot Information cant be very wellrefused to them I was at my wits end I went toEasthampton Hes out of it all now--a sick man--but his brains the best Ive ever known Hethought of you Nearly twenty years since youworked for the Department Name quite unconnected

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N Or Mwith it Your face not known What do yousay--will you take it on ^ ^ ^-Tommys face was almost split in two by themagnitude of his ecstatic grinTake it on You bet Ill take it on Though I 10 Agatha Christie Wi^^cant see how I can be of any use Im just ablasted amateurMy dear Beresford amateur status is just what ^v is needed The professional is handicapped here| Youll take on in place of the best man we had orE1 are likely to haveTommy looked a question Grant nodded ^11 Yes Died in St Bridgets Hospital lastTuesJI|Sday Run down by a lorry--only lived a few hoursAccident case--but it wasnt an accident ||Syg^ Tommy said slowly I see ^l^Bylgi|^ Grant said quietly ^^^ And thats why we have reason to believe thatFarquhar was on to something--that he was getting somewhere at last By his death that wasnt anaccident SS ^^^-k^^^W^s-^ Tommy looked aquestibn Grant went on lspounda sA^^-Unfortunately we know next to nothing ofwhat he had discovered Farquhar had beenmethodically following up one line after another ^ Most of them led nowhere ^8- Grant paused and then went on BA^2 - Farquhar was unconscious until a few minutes before he died Then he tried to say something |||J What he said was this N or M Song Susie fThat said Tommy doesnt seem very illuminating --------Grant smiled ^ ^^A little more so than you might think N or Myou see is a term we have heard before It refers ^g to two of the most important and trusted Germanagents We have come across their activities inother countries and we know just a little aboutthem It is their mission to organize a Fifth Column in foreign countries and to act as liaison NORM frr 11officer between the country in question and GermanyN we know is a man M is a woman All we know about them is that these two are Hitlersmost highly trusted agents and that in a codemessage we managed to decipher towards the beginningof the war there occurred this phrase-- Suggest N or Mfor England Fullpowers--1^ I see And Farquhar-- isl8As I see it Farquhar must have got on thetrack of one or other of them Unfortunately wedont know which Song Susie sounds very cryptic--but Farquhar hadnt a high class French accentThere was a return ticket to Leahampton in hispocket which is suggestive Leahampton is on theSouth coast--a budding Bournemouth or TorquayLots of private hotels and guest housesAmongst them is one called Sans Souci-- fewK Tommy said again raquoraquoraquo Song Susie--Sans Souci--I see amp^ fc Grant said lt Do you lt-- ^ ^aAQ^ - xs The idea is Tommy said that I should gothere and--well--ferret round sy^w That is the idea ly ^ ^Tommys smile broke out again-sfe ^ A bit vague isnt it he asked I dont evenknow what Im looking for - AndI cant tell you I dont know Its up toyou

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N Or MTommy sighed He squared his shouldersI can have a shot at it But Im not a verybrainy sort of chapYou did pretty well in the old days so IveheardOh that was pure luck said Tommy hastilyWell luck is rather what we need Agatha Christie||||Tommy considered a minute or two Then hesaid --- SiySa^^1--^ fe^1 About this place Sans Souci-- |||ggM|Grant shrugged his shoulders A a ^smMay be all a mares nest I cant tell Farquharmay have been thinking of Sister Susies sewingshirts for soldiers Its all guessworkBAnd Leahampton itself Just like any other of these places There arerows of them Old ladies old Colonels unim- peachable spinsters dubious customers fishy cus-lt tpmers a foreigner or two In fact a mixedbagI^Tommy said doubtfully|llAnd N or M amongst them IteNot necessarily Somebody perhaps whos in i touch with N or M But its quite likely to be N orM themselves Its an inconspicuous sort of placea boarding-house at a seaside resort^Youve no idea whether its a man or a womanf Ive to look forGrant shook his head rflt gt ^^Tommy said Well I can but try fe s Good luck to your trying Beresford Now--todetails--I Half an hour later when Tuppence broke ini panting and eager with curiosity Tommy wasalone whistling in an armchair with a doubtful expressionon his face |||i 1amp4amp | Well demanded Tuppence throwing an in- ^gfinity of feeling into the word ampraquo^ W^1 A job--of kindsy^^^^-^^^^18^ Whatkind - i| Tommy made a suitable grimace y N OR M H 13Office work in the wilds of Scotland Hushhushand all that but doesnt sound very thrill-Both of us or only youOnly me Im afraid amp ^Blast and curse you How could our MrCarter be so meanI imagine they segregate the sexes in thesejobs Otherwise too distracting for the mindIs it coding--or code breaking Is it likely Deborahs job Do be careful Tommy peoplequeer doing that and cant sleep walk about aIliHnight groaning and repeating 978345286 or somethinglike that and finally have nervous breakdownsand go into homes |Not me sssfTuppence said gloomily 9sIexpect you will sooner or later Can I cometoo--not to work but just as a wife Slippers infront of the fire and a hot meal at the end of the|wTommy looked uncomfortable^- ^ iaraquoltfr I Sorry old thing I am sorry I hate leavingydeg--But you feel you ought to go murmured

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N Or MTuppence reminiscently ^B |After all said Tommy feebly ySS can knit yonknow www wKnit said Tuppence Knit ampwSS^ ffffSeizing her Balaclava helmet she flung it on theground BI hate khaki wool said Tuppence and Navy wool and Air Force blue I should like toknit something magenta^ It has a fine military sound said TommyAlmost a suggestion of Blitzkrieg SSJ 141 Agatha Christie S^AwlHe felt definitely very unhappy Tuppence ^ however was a Spartan and played up well admittingfreely that of course he had to take the joband that it didnt really matter about her Sheraquo added that she had heard they wanted someone to ^q scrub down the First Aid Postfloors She might ^i possibly be found fit to do thatTommy departed for Aberdeen three days laterTuppence saw him off at the station Her eyeswere bright and she blinked once or twice but she i kept resolutely cheerfulW Only as the train drew out of the station andTommy saw the forlorn little figure walking awaydown the platform did he feel a lump in his ownthroat War or no War he felt he was desertingTuppenceHe pulled himself together with an effortOrders were ordersHaving duly arrived in Scotland he took a trainthe next day to Manchester On the third day atrain deposited him at Leahampton Here he wentto the principal Hotel and on the following day B^g made a tour of various private hotels and guest ^^B houses seeing rooms and inquiring terms for along stay ^3Sans Souci was a dark red Victorian villa set onthe side of a hill with a good view over the seafrom its upper windows There was a slight smell---- of dust and cooking in the hall and the carpet wasworn but it compared quite favourably with someof the other establishments Tommy had seen Heinterviewed the proprietress Mrs Perenna in heroffice a small untidy room with a large deskcovered with loose papersMrs Perenna herself was rather untidy looking a woman of middle-age with a large mop of N OR M jg 15 K|fiercely curling black hair some vaguely appliedmakeup and a determined smile showing a lot ofvery white teethTommy murmured a mention of his elderly lt|y^ cousin Miss Meadowes who had stayed at Sans ||g|Souci two years ago Mrs Perenna remembered ^ Miss Meadowes quite well--such a dearold lady ^ _at least perhaps not really old--very active and |such a sense of humour tt ^Tommy agreed cautiously There was he knew a real Miss Meadowes--the Departmentwas carefulabout these points ^ And how was dear Miss Meadowes Sp^regBampTommy explained sadly that Miss Meadoweswas no more and Mrs Perenna clicked her teeth |sympathetically and made the proper noises andput on a correct mourning faceShe was soon talking volubly again She had

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N Or Mshe was sure just the room that would suit MrMeadowes A lovely sea view She thought-MrMeadowes was so right to want to get out ofLondon Very depressing nowadays so she understoodand of course after such a bad go of influenza--

Still talking Mrs Perenna led Tommy upstairsand showed him various bedrooms She mentioneda weekly sum Tommy displayed dismayMrs Perenna explained that prices had risen soappallingly Tommy explained that his incomehiglisunfortunately decreased and what with taxation and one thing and another-- ^Mrs Perenna groaned and said This terrible War- Tommyagreed and said that in his opinion thatfellow Hitler ought to be hanged A madmanthats what he was a madman 16 Agatha ChristieMrs Perenna agreed and said that what willrations and the difficulty the butchers had in getting the meat they wanted--and sometimes tolt much--and sweetbreads and liver practically disappeared it all made housekeeping very difficultbut as Mr Meadowes was a relation of MisMeadowes she would make it half a guinea lessTommy then beat a retreat with the promise t(think it over and Mrs Perenna pursued him to thi ^ gate talking more volubly than ever and display Us ing an archness that Tommy found most alarm ^ ing She washe admitted quite a handsomiwoman in her way He found himself wonderinj what her nationality was Surely not quite English The name was Spanish or Portuguese buthat would be her husbands nationality not hersShe might he thought be Irish though she ha(no brogue But it would account for the vitalitand the exuberanceIt was finally settled that Mr Meadowes shoukpi move in the following dayTommy timed his arrival for six oclock MrsPerenna came out into the hall to greet him threva series of instructions about his luggage to ai almost imbecile-looking maid who goggled aTommy with her mouth open and then led himinto what she called the loungeI always introduce my guests said MrsPerenna beaming determinedly at the suspiciouglares of five people This is our new arrival Mr11111 Meadowes--Mrs ORourke A terrifying mountain of a woman with beady eyes and a moustach gave him a beaming smile--l Major Bletchley Major Bletchley lyec I Tommy appraisingly and made a stiff inclinatiorof the head __ NORM 17Mr von Deinim A young man very stifffair-haired and blue-eyed got up and bowed |||Miss Minton An elderly woman with a lot of S beads knitting with khaki wool smiled and tittered

And Mrs Blenkensop More knitting--anduntidy dark head which lifted from an absorbedcontemplation of a Balaclava helmetTommy held his breath the room spun round|j||Mrs Blenkensop Tuppence By all that was

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N Or Mimpossible and unbelievable--Tuppence calmlyknitting in the lounge of Sans SouciHer eyes met his--polite uninterested strangerseyes ^a - His admiration rose ggl gisect I S1^^ How Tommy got through tquite knew He dared not 1often in the direction of Mrsner three more habitues ofa middle-aged coupleNltand a young mother Mrs (down with her baby girl frltclearly much bored by her (hampton She was placed nltintervals fixed him with a paeyes and in a slightly adltDont you think its reaEverybodys going back areiBefore Tommy could requeries his neighbor on the (lady struck in What I saanything with children YoiYoud never forgive yourselHitler has said the Blitzkriegquite soon nowand quitebelieveJ Major Bletchley cut in shaiLot of nonsense talked awont waste time fiddling rexplosive and incendiary boidone in SpainThe whole table plunged ii N OR M 19gusto Tuppences voice high pitched and slightlyfatuous piped out greg^My son Douglas says-- SDouglas indeed thought Tommy WhyDouglas I should like to knowAfter dinner a pretentious meal of severalmeagre courses all of which were equally tastelesseveryone drifted into the lounge Knittingwas resumed and Tommy was compelled to hear along and extremely boring account of MajorBletchleys experiences on the North WestFrontier gg^The fair young man with the bright blue eyeswent out executing a little bow on the thresholdof the roomMajor Bletchley broke off his narrative and administereda kind of dig in the ribs to Tommy ||That fellow whos just gone out Hes a refugeeGot out of Germany about a month beforethe war - - ^ Hes a GermanYes Not a Jew either His father got intotrouble for criticizing the Nazi regime Two of hisbrothers are in a concentration camp over thereThis fellow got out just in timeAt this moment Tommy was taken possessionIII Mrs ^y^y who told him at interminable le(||h all about her health So absorbing was thesubject to the narrator that it was close upon bedtimebefore Tommy could escape

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N Or MOn the following morning Tommy rose earlyand strolled down to the front He walked brisklyto the pier and was returning along the esplanadewhen he spied a familiar figure coming in theother direction Tommy raised his hat 0 Agatha ChristieGood morning he said pleasantly Er_Mrs Blenkensop isnt itThere was no one within earshot Tuppencereplied - - a^J r^Dr Livingstone to you afeHow on earth did you get here Tuppencemurmured Tommy Its a miracle--an absolutemiracleIts not a miracle at all--just brains Your brains I supposeYou suppose rightly You and your uppishMr Grant I hope this will teach him a lessonIt certainly ought to said Tommy Comeon Tuppence tell me how you managed it Imsimply devoured with curiosityIt was quite simple The moment Grant talkedof our Mr Carter I guessed what was up I knew itwouldnt be just some miserable office job Buthis saying so showed me that I wasnt going to beallowed in on this So I resolved to go one betterI went to fetch some sherry and when I did Inipped down to the Browns flat and rang upMaureen Told her to ring me up and what to sayShe played up loyally--nice high squeaky voice--you could hear what she was saying all over theroom I did my stuff registered annoyance compulsiondistressed friend and rushed off withevery sign of vexation Banged the hall door carefullyremaining inside it and slipped into the bedroomand eased open the communicating doorthats hidden by the tallboy And you heard everythingEverything said Tuppence complacentlyTommy said reproachfully s^|And you never let onCertainly not I wished to teach you a lesson NORM 21oil and your Mr GrantHes not exactly my Mr Grant and I shouldsay you have taught him a lessonMr Carter wouldnt have treated me so shabbily said Tuppence I dont think the Intelligenceis anything like what it was in our dayTommy said gravelyIt will attain its former brilliance now wereback in it But why BlenkensopWhy not ig^ssIt seems such an odd name to chooseIt was the first one I thought of and its handy |for underclothes ^^^a^^What do you mean Tuppence riteB you idiot B for Beresford B for BlenkensopEmbroidered on my cami-knickers PatriciaBlenkensop Prudence Beresford Why did youchoose Meadowes Its a silly nameTo begin with said Tommy I dont havelarge Bs embroidered on my pants And to continue

Page 12

N Or MI didnt choose it I was told to call myselfMeadowes Mr Meadowes is a gentleman with arespectable past--all of which Ive learned byheartVery nice said Tuppence Are you marriedor singleIm a widower said Tommy with dignityMy wife died ten years ago at Singapore Heg-Why at Singapore fe^SWeve all got to die somewhere Whatswrongwilfc SingaporeOh nothing Its probably a most suitableplace to die Im a widow ^ Where did your husband die -- Does it matter Probably in a nursing home I therjancy he died of cirrhosis of the liver A Agatha Christie sect1deg11 |8 I see A painful subject And what about your I H son Douglas HIB I _ Douglas is in the Navy ireg So I heard last night ^ ^And Ive got two other sons Raymond is in ^- the Air Force and Cyril my baby is in the Ter- g| ritorialspj And suppose someone takes the trouble to -m |g| check up on these imaginary BlenkensopsTheyre not Blenkensops Blenkensop was mysecond husband My first husbands name was |Hill There are three pages of Hills in the ]I telephone book You couVntcheckupon^l the IT Vlt f A -t 99 ^^^B^6-^^ ^^ ^Vl^- yvStsiw^G ^ i iHills if you tried - ^B^wi^^ fiiffi^y ^1 i laquo^raquog ^g ^ trouble with you Tuppence You s | will overdo things Two husbands and three sons Ill K Its too much Youll contradict yourself over the mNo I shant And I rather fancy the sons mays^s^awSataes^ - - ^KaS1||| come in useful Im not under orders remember |gg|1 Im a free-lance Im in this to enjoy myself and secti| vsamp Im going to enjoy myself ^B IBI So it seems said Tommy He added gloom-B ^_J ny if you ask me the whole things a farce | Why do you say that ifeiR a Well youve been at Sans Souci longer than I ^ have Can you honestly say you think any one ofthose people who were there last night could be a r1| dangerous enemy agent H ^ Tuppence said thoughtfully ^tiff^^^S^^It does seem a little incredible Theres the ^|young man of course N1 ^S Carl von Deinim The police check up on m refugees dont theyii| I suppose so Still it might be managed Hes N OR M 23an attractive young man you knowMeaning the girls will tell him things Butwhat girls No Generals or Admirals daughtersfloating around here Perhaps he walks out with aCompany Commander in the ATS ^MBe quiet Tommy We ought to be taking thisseriously ^I am taking it seriously Its just that I feelwere on a wild goose chase ^^ ^Tuppence said seriously ^ aIts too early to say that After all nothingsgoing to be obvious about this business Whatabout Mrs Perenna ^-v |Yes said Tommy thoughtfuUy theres Mrs Perenna I admit--she does want explain-

Page 13

N Or M^^w--^ 3^7 ^---r - ^^^^p-^1 - ^--Aysing ATuppence said in a business-like tone^ Whatabout us I mean how are we going tocooperateTommy said thoughtfully ^siamp y ^^i- 5We mustnt be seen about too much to^gether g g| ||^^No it would Se fatal to suggest we know-eachother better than we appear to do What we want jto decide is the attitude I think--yes I think--18pursuit is the best angle ^^58 --^-iifc^ Pursuit ^-sareg Exactly I pursue you You do your best toescape but being a mere chivalrous mate doesntalways succeed Ive had two husbands and Im onthe look-out for a third You act the part of the Tiunted widower Every now and then I pin youdown somewhere pen you in a cafe catch youwalking on the front Everyone sniggers andthinks it very funny| Sounds feasible agreed Tommy 4 T Agatha ChristieTuppence said Theres a kind of age-long ^ humour about the chased male That oughtcg|stand us in good stead If we are seen together all^anyone will do is to snigger and say Look at poor oldMeadowes lH gjTommy gripped her arm suddenly ill Vk amplLook he said Look ahead of you ysraquoBy the corner of one of the shelters a young man ai stood talking to a girl They were both very earn-^p ^est very wrapped up in what they were saying |p^ amp ^glljTuppence said softlyJ^Carl von Deinim Whos the girl I wonder ^ - ----h^Shes remarkably good looking whoever sheTuppence nodded Her eyes dwelt thoughtfully |on the dark passionate face and on the tight- 8Hgglfc ^-raquo ~^^^fitting pullover that revealed the lines of the girls ^^figure She was talking earnestly with emphasis^reg^Carl von Deinim was listening to her R^i^a^w^wreg^^SV^^^fflS^^^reg^gggTuppence murmuredI think this is where you leave me f^ _ Right agreed Tommy ^He turned and strolled in the opposite directionSAt the end of the promenade he encountered 8IHMajor Bletchley The latter peered at him suspi- 8ciously and then grunted^out Good morning _Jamp | Good morning iamp IfffSi ILp See youre like me an early riser remarked SBletchley nm f - Tommy said m I waa^ ^One gets in the habit of it out East Of coursethats many years ago now but I still wake early I gt_^Quite right too said Major Bletchley withapproval God these young fellows nowadays_ make me sick Hot baths--coming down to breakerlater Noynder the Ger^ NORM ^ 25-S-rf- manshave been putting it over on us No staminaSoft lot of young pups Armys not what it wasanyway Coddle em thats what they do nowadaysTuck em up at night with hot water bottlesFaugh Makes me sick a KTommy shook his head in a melancholy fashionand Major Bletchley thus encouraged went on

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N Or MDiscipline thats what we need DisciplineHow are we going to win the War without disciplineDo you know sir some of these fellowscome on parade in slacks--so Ive been toldCant expect to win a War that way Slacks MyGod a |i-^ |g| -| MBsect1 Mr Meadowes hazarded the opinion that thingswere very different from what they had beenlt^aaIts all this democracy said Major Bletchleygloomily You can overdo anything In my opiniontheyre overdoing the democracy businessMixing up the officers and the men feeding N8S together in restaurants--Paugh--the men dont |like it Meadowes The troops know The troopsalways know laquog ggOf course said Mr Meadowes I have noreal knowledge of Army matters myself-- ^ ^4The Major interrupted him shooting a quicksideways glanceIn the show in the last War^^^1^^-^^ifc-fABi^ftA^^- ^sfe^^^ampOh yesThought so Saw youd been drilled Shoul- mgders What regiment ^ ^pf^Fifth Corfeshires Tommy remembered toproduce Meadowesmilitary record ^Ah yes Salonica^ Yes -^ fc-a^iji ^Ill I was in Mespot - ^Bletchley plunged into reminiscences Tommy i6 m sAgatha Christie ^ 1^aw y^ rtfflistened politely Bletchley ended up wrathfully^ And will they make use of me now No theywill not Too old Too old be damned I couldteach one or two of these young cubs something m| about war gt 1sect SlEven if its only what not to do suggested_ ^^r i^---^ ^yja^ ^Tf^ Tommy with a smile A-x^^^^ dl ^_^ Eh whats that HA sense of humour was clearly not Major |Ig Bletchley s strong suit He peered suspiciously I3 at his companion Tommy hastened to change the lconversation ^ Know anything about that MrsBlenkensop^yg I think her nameUS Thats right Blenkensop Not a bad looking iS womanbit long in the toothtalks too much^ Nice woman but foolish No I dont know her || Shes only been at Sans Souci a couple of daysJ|| He added Whydoyouask^p^^^^yy^9 -i Tommy explained -aaSampampg Happened to meet her just now Wondered ifj she was always out as early as this m Dont know Im sure Women arent usuallygiven to walking before breakfastthank God gB Amen said Tommy He went on Im notI much good at making polite conversation before ^H breakfast Hope I wasnt rude to the woman but I

Page 15

N Or M1 wanted my exercise ^Major Bletchley displayed instant sympathy rj Im with you Meadowes Im with you| Women are all very well in their place but not fssamp^ before breakfast He chuckled a little Better becareful old man Shes a widow you knowIs she ^|3fe SK^SlThe Major dug him cheerfully in the ribs ial m ^NbRM 27 M^e know what widows are Shes buried twohusbands and if you ask me shes on the lookoutfor number three Keep a very wary eye openMeadowes A wary eye Thats my advice ^And in high good humour Major Bletchley i wheeled about at the end of the parade and set thepace for a smart walk back to breakfast at SansSouci regIn the meantime Tuppence had gently con- -tinued her walk along the esplanade passing quite ^-^y^close to the shelter and the young couple talking there As she passed she caught a few words It ^ was the girl speaking ||j|8 t| ^ ^But you must be careful Carl The very least 1||suspicion--reg- iPH^- L Tuppence was out of earshot Suggestivewords Yes but capable of any number of harmlessinterpretations Unobtrusively she turned andagain passed the two Again words floated to herSmug detestable EnglishThe eyebrows of Mrs Blenkensop rose ever soslightly ^ ^^fi^lHardly she thought a very wise conversation___ t^^3Carl von Deinim was a refugee from Nazi persecutiongiven asylum and shelter by EnglandNeither wise nor grateful to listen assentingly tosuch words rsi ^ ^ raquofeAgain Tuppence turned But this time beforeshe reached the shelter the couple had partedabruptly the girl to cross the road leaving the seafront Carl von Deinim to come along in Tuppencesdirection ^ HgHe would not perhaps have recognized ner but ^ for her own pause and hesitation Then quicklyhe brought his heels together and bowed tTuppence twittered at him ^ sy ^ __ Agatha Christie ^lt lt ^ ilS^b^ood morning Mr von Deinim isnt it Such^^^ely morning B tW Ah yes The weather is fine ^ J ^PPence ran on ftl 1 i (ltIt quite tempted me I dont often come out -- ^ before breakfast But this morning what with notsleeping very well--one often doesnt sleep well in a ^ange place I find It takes a day or two to ac- ^ custom oneself I always say ^1 ^degh yes no doubt that is soAnd really this little walk has quite given me86 an appetite for breakfast^ou go back to Sans Souci now If you permitI will walk with you He walked gravely by herside _____- ^PPence said sa M sJ ^u also are out to get an appetite ^ Gravely he shook his head m fo

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N Or M(t ^raquo -- ^^ _| ^h no My breakfast I have already had it I f~~H am on myway^o work ----------------^raquo ^^aresearchchemistSo thats what you are thought Tuppence Ibaling a quick glance at him fetelaquo Carl von Deinim went on his voice stiff ^ ^ came to this country to escape Nazi persecu- m tion l ^^| ygry little money--no friends I do nowwhat useful work I can ^ ^-^g - He stared straight ahead of himGQnscious of some undercurrent of strong feeling y |--^^ng him powerfully i| 3S |^ She murmured vaguely ^ ^ ^ sil Oh yes I see I see Very creditable I am^lllKt^ure ^ ^^ ^ ^^B _ ^ carl yo Deinim said ^ ^K ^ | ^ly two brothers are in concentration camps Kr N OR M 29^-s^My father died in one My mother died of sorrow ^ and fear |p ^ ^ _ gf^^ Tuppence thought - i^The way he says that--as though he had Ilearned it by heart - ^Again she stole a quick glance at him He wasstill staring ahead of him his face impassiveThey walked in silence for some moments Twomen passed them One of them shot a quick glanceat Carl She heard him mutter to his companion nBet you that fellow is a German y^Tuppence saw the colour rise in Carl vonDeinims cheeks B| g|li Suddenly he lost command of himself That tideof hidden emotion came to the surface He stammered

You heard--you heard--that is what they say_I_My dear boy Tuppence reverted suddenly to Illher real self Her voice was crisp and compellingDont be an idiot You cant have it both waysll He turned his head and stared at herHi What dn vnn mpfln SS8raquo M ^gl w iidi uu yuu iiicdii ^fc-- ^^ ^^^^^^w^mYoure a refugee You have to take the roughwith the smooth Youre alive thats the mainthing Alive and free For the other--realize thatits inevitable This countrys at War Youre aGerman She smiled suddenly You cant expectthe mere man in the street--literally the manin the street--to distinguish between bad Germansand good Germans if I may put it so crudelyHe still stared at her His eyes so very bluewere poignant with suppressed feeling Then suddenlyhe too smiled He said Ill IsThey said of Red Indians did they not that agood Indian was a dead Indian He laughed a1 ifSWiZ- flSW t8 Agatha ChristieGood morning Mr von Deinim isnt it Sucha lovely morning ^lt gt ^ Ah yes The weather is fine ||a Tuppence ran on stIt quite tempted me I dont often come outbefore breakfast But this morning what with not

Page 17

N Or Msleeping very well--one often doesnt sleep well ina strange place I find It takes a day or two to accustomoneself I always say a0h yes no doubt that is so iB5sAnd really this little walk has quite given mean appetite for breakfastYou go back to Sans Souci now If you permitI will walk with you He walked gravely by herii side ^i^ ^^ yTuppence said A-1 i^---H^You also are out to get an appet^ - SiyIII Gravely he shook his head |^|1111 Oh no My breakfast I have already had it Iam on my way to work IpWork -Bs ^ireg ^sa I am a research chemist ^So thats what you are thought Tuppencestealing a quick glance at him |K|Carl von Deinim went on his voice stiffI came to this country to escape Nazi persecutionI had very little money--no friends I do nowwhat useful work I canHe stared straight ahead of him Tuppence wasconscious of some undercurrent of strong feelingmoving him powerfully ^8 laquo | She murmured vaguelyOh yes I see I see Very creditable I am sure ^w g^I Carl von Deinim said ^fisect^^ My two brothers are in concentration camps v father died in one My mother died of sorrowand fear g|g| Tuppence thought ^ |||The way he says that--as though he hadfiSlearned it by heartAgain she stole a quick glance at him He wasstill staring ahead of him his face impassive |They walked in silence for some moments Two | men passed them One of them shot a quick glance iat Carl She heard him mutter to his companionBet you that fellow is a German ^ |$IS|NTuppence saw the colour rise in Carl von llH^tDeinims cheeks ^^Suddenly he lost command of himself That tide 51 of hidden emotion came to the surface He stam^^^ ^JmeredYou heard--you heard--that is what they say |My dear boy Tuppence reverted suddenly toher real self Her voice was crisp and compellingDont be an idiot You cant have it both waysHe turned his head and stared at herWhat do you mean ^^^ ^-^ - -Youre a refugee You have to take the roughwith the smooth Youre alive thats the mainthing Alive and free For the other--realize thatits inevitable This countrys at War Youre aGerman She smiled suddenly You cant expectthe mere man in the street--literally the manin the street--to distinguish between bad Germansand good Germans if I may put it so crudelyHe still stared at her His eyes so very bluewere poignant with suppressed feeling Then suddenlyhe too smiled He said^|| ^y-AThey said of Red Indians did they not that a

Page 18

N Or Mgood Indian was a dead Indian He laughed 10 Agatha Christie - Tobe a good German I must be on time at mywork Please Good morningAgain that stiff bow Tuppence stared after hisretreating figure She said to herselfMrs Blenkensop you had a lapse then Strictattention to business in future Now for breakfastatSansSouciThe hall door of Sans Souci was open InsideMrs Perenna was conducting a vigorous conversationwith someoneAnd youll tell him what I think of that last lotof margarine Get the cooked ham at Quillers--itwas twopence cheaper last time there and becareful about the cabbages-- She broke off as Tuppence entered iOh good morning Mrs Blenkensop you arean early bird You havent had breakfast yet Itsall ready in the dining room She added indicatingher companion My daughter Sheila Youhavent met her Shes been away and only camehome last nightTuppence looked with interest at the vividhandsome face No longer full of tragic energybored now and resentful My daughter SheilaSheila PerennaTuppence murmured a few pleasant words andwent into the dining room There were threepeople breakfasting--Mrs Sprot and her babygirl and big Mrs ORourke Tuppence saidGood morning and Mrs ORourke repliedwith a hearty The top of the morning to youthat quite drowned Mrs Sprots more anaemicsalutationThe old woman stared at Tuppence with a kindof devouring interest ^ NOftM 31 Tis a fine thing to be out walking beforebreakfast she observed A grand appetite itgives you ^ wgt^Mrs Sprot said to her offspring ^- feSIttNice bread and milk darling and endeavouredto insinuate a spoonful into Miss BettySprots mouthThe latter cleverly circumvented this endeavour by an adroit movement of her head and con- raquotinued to stare at Tuppence with large round eyesShe pointed a milky finger at the newcomergave her a dazzling smile and observed in gurgling |tones Ga--GaBouch aShe likes you cried Mrs Sprot beamingon Tuppence as on one marked out for favourSometimes shes so shy with strangers ltBouch said Betty Sprot Ah poothbag she added with emphasisAnd what would she be meaning by thatdemanded Mrs ORourke with interestShe doesnt speak awfully clearly yet confessedMrs Sprot Shes only just over two youknow Im afraid most of what she says is justBosh She can say Mama though cant you darling

Page 19

N Or MBetty looked thoughtfully at hermotherland remarked with an air ofGuggle bick^| ^ T^ Tis a languagebf their own they have theHide angels boomed out Mrs ORourke Bettydading say Mama nowBetty looked hard at Mrs ORourke frownedand observed with terrific emphasis Nazer-- ^There now if she isnt doing her best And alovely sweet girl she is ^ 32 Agatha ChristieMrs ORourke rose beamed in a ferociousmanner at Betty and waddled heavily out of the roomGa ga ga said Betty with enormous satisfactionand beat with a spoon on the tableTuppence said with a twinkle 5What does Na-zer really meanMrs Sprot said with a flush Im afraid yoi know its what Betty says when she doesnt like anyone or anythingI rather thought so said TuppenceBoth women laughedAfter all said Mrs Sprot Mrs 0Rourkltmeans to be kind but she is rather alarming--witt that deep voice and the beard and--and everything ff^ |g sectg|With her head on one side Betty made a cooinjnoise at TuppenceShe has taken to you Mrs Blenkensop sakMrs SprotThere was a slight jealous chill Tuppence fancied in her voice Tuppence hastened to adjusmattersThey always like a new face dont they shisaid easilyThe door opened and Major Bletchley anlt Tommy appeared Tuppence became archAh Mr Meadowes she called out Ivbeaten you you see First past the post But Ivleft you just a little breakfastShe indicated with the faintest of gestures thseat beside herTommy muttering vaguely Oh er--ratherthanksand hurriedly sat down at the other eniof the tableBetty Sprot said Putch with a fine splutte NORM

of milk at Major Bletchley whose face instantlyassumed a sheepish but delighted expressionAnd hows little Miss Go Peep this morninghe asked fatuously Go Peep He enacted theplay with a newspaper j|^ ^H$5| aBetty crowed with delight f-1 samp ^Serious misgivings shook Tuppence ShethoughtThere must be some mistake There cant be| anything going on here There simply cantTo believe in Sans Souci as a headquarters ofthe Fifth Column needed the mental equipment ofthe White Queen in Alice On the sheltered terrace outside Miss Minton wasknittingMiss Minton was thin and angular her neck wasstringy She wore pale sky-blue jumpers andchains or bead necklaces Her skirts were tweedy

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N Or Mand had a depressed droop at the back Shegreeted Tuppence with alacrityGood morning Mrs BIenkensop I do hopeyou slept well Mrs BIenkensop confessed that she never slept very well the first night or two in a strange bed MissMinton said Now wasnt that curious It was exactly the same with meMrs BIenkensop said What a coincidenceand what a very pretty stitch that was Miss Min- iton flushing with pleasure displayed it Yes it was rather uncommon and really quite simpleShe could easily show it to Mrs BIenkensop if ] Mrs BIenkensop liked Oh that was very kindof Miss Minton but Mrs BIenkensop was sostupid she wasnt really very good at knitting notat following patterns that was to say She couldonly do simple things like Balaclava helmets andeven now she was afraid she had gone wrong somewhereIt didnt look right somehow did itMiss Minton cast an expert eye over the khakimass Gently she pointed out just what had gonewrong Thankfully Tuppence handed the faulty f^ N OR M ^j 35helmet over Miss Minton exuded kindness andIpatronage Oh no it wasnt a trouble at all She|had knitted for so many yearsIm afraid Ive never done any before thisdreadful War confessed Tuppence But onefeels so terribly doesnt one that one must do^something Npi ^aAOh yes indeed And you actually have a boyin the Navy I think I heard you say last nightYes my eldest boy Such a splendid boy heisthough I suppose a mother shouldnt say soThen I have a boy in the Air Force and Cyril mybaby is out in FranceOh dear dear how terribly anxious youTmiistTuppence thought sampltOh Derek my darling Derek Out in thehell and messand here I am playing the foolacting the thing Im really feeling She said in her most righteous voice We must all be brave mustnt we Lets hopeit will all be over soon I was told the other day onvery high authority indeed that the Germans cantpossibly last out more than another two monthsMiss Minton nodded with so much vigour thatall her bead chains rattled and shookYes indeed and I believeher voice low- ered mysteriouslythat Hitler is suffering from ta (fiscalabsolutely fatalhell be raving madbyAugust g^Tuppence replied briskly All this Blitzkrieg is just the Germans lasteffort I believe the shortage is something frightfuli Germany The men in the factories are verydissatisfied The whole thing will crack upWhats this Whats all thisSifi H and Mrs Cayley caCayley putting his que

Page 21

N Or MMr himself in a chair andtiec^taees He repeated fretfhis Whats that you are say iVere saying said Mi c over by the Autumnall l^onsense said Mr g to last at least six yeaigof^Dh Mr Cayley prot t really think sodoa^^r Cayley was peering a^Wow I wonder he n ght Perhaps it woulddrraquoji back into the cornerch^tie resettlement of Mr^1 an anxious-faced wwif^ no other aim in life thaV^jeys wants manipulatCa^^g from time to timeasle^td Do you think thatAlC^ perhaps to have youyol-^r a glare this morningratlHr Cayley said irritablyf^fo no Dont fuss Elc tuffler No no my simy it matter I daresay )do^l dont want to get myBut111in this sunlightwwo^^ fetch the other Hbettt1 to matters of public inbac^e it six yearsI M listened with pleasunIcementwc^jOu dear ladies are jus wishful thinking N01cal-Hll N OR M 37may say I know Germany extremely well In thecourse of my business before I retired I used to beconstantly to and fro Berlin Hamburg MunichI know them all I can assure you that Germanycan hold out practically indefinitely With Russiabehind her--Mr Cayley plunged triumphantly on his voicerising and falling in pleasurably melancholy cadencesonly interrupted when he paused to receivethe silk muffler his wife brought him and wind itround his throat |g| laquo^Mrs Sprot brought out Betty and plumped herdown with a small woolen dog that lacked an earand a woolly dolls jacketThere Betty she said You dress up Bonzoready for his walk while Mummy gets ready to gooutMr Cayleys voice droned on reciting statisticsand figures all of a depressing character The monologue was punctuated by a cheerful twitter1ing from Betty talking busily to Bonzo in her ownlanguage Truckle-- truckly-- pah bat said BettyThen as a bird alighted near her she stretched outloving hands to it and gurgled The bird flew awayand Betty glanced round the assembled companyand remarked clearly

Page 22

N Or M Dicky and nodded her head with great satisJactfonyHH tfw ^^ E lhat child is learning to talk in the most wonderfulway said Miss Minton Say Ta ta BettyTataBetty looked at her coldly and remarkedGluck ^Then she forced Bonzos one arm into his_oolly coat and toddling over to a chair picked 38 HH Agatha Christieup the cushion and pushed Bonzo behind itChuckling gleefully she said with terrific pains g|Hide Bow wow Hide Miss Minton acting as a kind of interpretersaid with vicarious prideShe loves hide and seek Shes always hidingthings She cried out with exaggerated surpriseWhere is Bonzo Where is Bonzo Where can Bonzo have gone ^Betty flung herself down and went into ecstasiesof mirthMr Cayley finding attention diverted from hisexplanation of Germanys methods of substitution |of raw materials looked put out and coughed aggressivelyreg8^^

Mrs Sprot came out with her hat on and pickedup Betty ^ ^ ^ ggi Attention returned to Mr Cayley SHSa You were saying Mr Cayley said TuppencerBut Mr Cayley was affronted He said coldly ^ That woman is always plumping that childdown and expecting people to look after it I thinkIll have the woollen muffler after all dear Thegt MMsun is going inOh but Mr Cayley do go on with what youwere telling us It was so interesting Miss MintonbeggedMollified Mr Cayley weightily resumed his discoursedrawing the folds of the woolly mufflercloser round his stringy neckAs I was saying Germany has so perfected hersystem of--j|| Tuppence turned to Mrs Cayley and askedWhat do you think about the^war MrsCayley N OR M 39Mrs Cayley jumpedOh what do I think What--what do youmean ^ ^Do you think it will last as long as six yearsMrs Cayley said doubtfullyOh I hope not Its a very long time isnt itYes a long time What do you really thinkMrs Cayley seemed quite alarmed by the questionShe said ^jiss^ Ap |Oh I--I dont know I dont know at allAlfred says it will ^ j^But you dont think so SS raquoOh I dont know It^s ^difficult to say isntI19 teampSi^^-^-^^Tuppence felt a wave of exasperation The chirrupingMiss Minton the dictatorial Mr Cayley

Page 23

N Or Mthe nitwitted Mrs Cayley--were these peoplereally typical of her fellow countrymen Was MrsSprot any better with her slightly vacant face andboiled gooseberry eyes What could she Tuppenceever find out here Not one of thesepeople surely--Her thought was checked She was aware of ashadow Someone behind her who stood betweenher and the sun She turned her head ^aMrs Perenna standing on the terrace her eyeson the group And something in those eyes--scorn was it A kind of withering contempt TuppencethoughtI must find out more about Mrs Perenna 40 III Agatha Christie ifcBrought down some golf clubs with you didnt you Meadowes ^ H| Tommy pleaded guilty - B^Ha I can tell you my eyes dont miss muchSplendid We must have a game together Everplayed on the links hereTommy replied in the negativeTheyre not bad--not bad at all Bit on theshort side perhaps but lovely view over the seaand all that And never very crowded Look herewhat about coming along with me this morningWe might have a game ^Thanks very much Id like it Must say Im glad youve arrived remarked Bletchley as they were trudging up the hill Too I many women in that place Getson ones nervesGlad Ive got another fellow to keep me in countenanceYou cant count Cayley--the mans akind of walking chemists shop Talks of nothingbut his health and the treatments hes tried and thedrugs hes taking If he threw away all his little pillboxes and went out for a good ten mile walk every I day hed be a different man Theonly other maleI in the place is von Deinim and to tell you the truth Meadowes Im not too easy in my mind s about him I No said TommyNo You take my word for it this refugeebusiness is dangerous If I had my way Id internthe lot of them Safety first ^IJB HA bit drastic perhaps M ----Not at all Wars War And Ive got my suspicionsof Master Carl For one thing hes clearlynot a Jew Then he came over here just a month--only a month mind you--before War brokei out Thats a bit suspicious | g ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Tommy said invitinglyThen you think-- gt Spying-- thats his li^ie gameBut surely theres ncfraquono rgtf J ruling 01 amprpat inilitari ltgt^ naval importance hereabouts tary orAh old man tha^s where _thPortsmouthhed be und^r sunervi^ plymouth or ^place like this nobody boZTs FIn a sleepy coast isnt it The truth o^61 Irson the I S a great deal too easy Mth hes^ ernment is ^1 Anyone who cared could ^lCTe ^ ^s- a long face and talk abc^^ -d pull aA-centration camps Loo^^0^111^- 3fe arrogance in every line S ^ ^ 11^ 1--thats what he is--a Nazi e s a NazlWhat we really need fi SU -

Page 24

N Or MF doctor or two said Toff untry is a witch 1^ 1I1 ocior or iwo saia i onmy pleasantiu taM_|I Eh whats that mly- W^^ To smell out the sp|pc Tnrraquo x S gravely onlmy explained j^ |Ha very good that-_yerv eo^ o ^ iout-yes of course y g od- sme11 em ^ 1|1 Further conversation w hrrtiioti lt 1 they had arrived at the clu^8111 to an end ^Tommys name was pi^ (jq^ 3 ------------------------their round ---lor started onTommy was a mediocn pnlfcr^^ -- -niiu mai ilia BiailualU 01 pav walti inraquoraquo ^ o- - for his new friend The M-^onb gIJU1 WUIl dv two lin anyone to play a very happy Sate of eventsGood match Meadaes -- -you had bad luck wiLh^^Z0011 mtch 42 Agatha Christie ^B 3turned off at the last minute We must have agame fairly often Come along and Ill introduceyou to some of the fellows Nice lot on the wholesome of them inclined to be rather old women ifyou know what I mean Ah heres Haydock--youll like Haydock Retired naval wallah Hasthat house on the cliff next door to us Hes ourlocal ARP warden |||Commander Haydock was a big hearty manwith a weatherbeaten face intensely blue eyesand a habit of shouting most of his remarks ^ wraquo He greeted Tommy with friendliness ^aBB|So youre going to keep Bletchley countenanceat Sans Souci Hell be glad of another manRather swamped by female society eh Bletchieyis sb aIm not much of a ladies man said MajorBletchleyNonsense said Haydock Not your typeof lady my boy thats it Old boarding housepussies Nothing to do but gossip and knitYoure forgetting Miss Perenna said Bletch-1ley ^ IAh Sheila--shes an attractive girl all right SRegular beauty if you ask me y Im a bit worried about her said Bletchley | sWhat do you mean Have a drink MeadowesWhats yours Major nThe drinks ordered and the men settled on the8 jverandah of the clubhouse Haydock repeated hisquestion ( Major Bletchley said with some violence IThat German chap Shes seeing too much ofhim| Getting sweet on him you mean Hm thatsbad Of course hes a good looking young chap in ^ NORM 43his way But it wont do It wont do BletchleyWe cant have that sort of thing Trading with theenemy thats what it amounts to These girls--wheres their proper spirit Plenty of decentyoung English fellows about raquoBletchley said gt ltSheilas a queer girl--she gets odd sullen fitswhen she will hardly speak to anyoneSpanish blood said the Commander Herfather was half Spanish wasnt he

Page 25

N Or MDont know Its a Spanish name I shouldthink ^The Commander glanced at his watch About time for the news Wed better go inandlistentoit I ||gThe news was meagre that day little more in itthan had been already in the morning papersAfter commenting with approval on the latest exploitsof the Air Force--first-rate chaps brave aslions--the Commander went on to develop hisown pet theory--that sooner or later the Germanswould attempt a landing at Leahampton itself--his argument being that it was such an unimportantspotNot even an anti-aircraft gun in the place Disgraceful^ H allflThe argument was not developed for Tommyand the Major had to hurry back to lunch at SansSouci Haydock extended a cordial invitation toTommy to come and see his little place SmugglersRest Marvellous view--my own beach--every kind of handy gadget in the house Bringhim along BletchleyIt was settled that Tommy and Major Bletchleyshould come in for drinks on the evening of thefollowing day Aptha ChristieAfter lunch was i peaceful time at Sans SouciMr Cayley went traquo have his rest with the devotedMrs- Cayley in attendance Mrs Blenkensopwas conductedby Miss Minton to a depot topack and address pircels for the FrontMr Meadowes strolled gently out into LeacigarettesSlUppcv ai ^gtv latest number of Punch then after a few minutesof apparent irresolution he entered a bus bearingthe legend old pieh gg| g||The old pier was at the--^--^----^^-11^pi V11A^Xraquoraquoto house agents as the least desirable end It wasWest Leahampton and poorly thought of Tommy ^-L -- ^ raquo iiwasaH- ~i-flimsy and weather-worn affair with a few mon--- - l 1^----J ^tt^CnE die-UU11U p^nraquoraquo --tant intervals There was no one on it but somechildren running up and down and screaming invoices that matched quite accurately the screamingof the gulls and one solitary man sitting on theend fishing Il USi Mr Meadowes strolled upto the end and gazeddown into the watier Then he asked gentlyH Caught anythiing ^ |g The fisherman sshook his head ^Dont often g^et a bite Mr Grant reeled inhis line a bit He said without turning his headWhat about yrou Meadowesi Tommy saidNothing muchh to report as yet sir Im diggingmyself in |1| - _Good^Tellmae -^N OR M fSpj 45Tommy sat on an adjacent post so placed that yraquohe commanded the length of the pier^Then he S^l

Page 26

N Or MbeganIve gone down quite all right I think I gather |youve already got a list of the people there jg^ Grant nodded Theres nothing to report as yet SB Ive struck up a friendship with Major BletchleyWe played golf this morning He seems the ordinarytype of retired officer If anything a shadetoo typical Cay ley seems a genuine hypochondriacalinvalid That again would be an easy partto act He has by his own admission been a gooddeal in Germany during the last few yearsA point said Grant laconicallyThen theres von Deinim ||||Yes I dont need to tell you Meadowes that~von Deinims the one Im most interested inK You think hes N p^ ^ss arareg Grant shook his head 8amp1 sasfeNo I dont As I see it N couldnt afford tobe a German ||| ||sect i-I^B1^ Not a refugee from Nazi persecution eventNot even that We watch and they know wewatch all the enemy aliens in this country Moreover--thisis in confidence Beresford--very a shortly all enemy aliens between 16 and 60 will beinterned Whether our adversaries are aware ofthat fact or not they can at any rate anticipatethat such a thing might happen They would neverrisk the head of their organization being internedN therefore must be either a neutral--or else heis (apparently) an Englishman The same ofcourse applies to M No my meaning about vonDeinim is this He may be a link in the chain N or yM may not be at Sans Souci it may be Carl vonDeinim who is there and through him we may be 46 ^Agatha Christieled to our object^- That does seem to be highlypossible The mfi16 so as I cannot very well seethat any of the (Other inmates of Sans Souci arelikely to be the person we are seekingYouve had (them more or less investigated Isuppose sirGrant sighed--a sharp quick sigh of vexationNo thats jist wnat ltgts impossible for me todo I could havlte them looked up by the departmenteasily enough--but I cant risk it Beresford For you see th1reg rot is in the department itselfOne hint that 1^ go1 ^ ^ on sans souci fm any reason--an^ the organization may be put ^ wise Thats wr1reg Y011 come in the outsider |Thats why you^ got to work in the dark withouthelp from i1- Its our only chance-- and Idarent risk alar^them- Theres only one personIve been ablle to check up on ^ Whos that sirGrant smiled w Carl von De1111111 himself Thats easy enoughRoutine I can tfa^ him looked up--not from theSans Souci angic ^t from the enemy alien angle reg ^- ^^ Tommy askeci curiously ^ ^l ^^ Andtheres^t7A curious sm10 came over the others faceMaster Cartls exactly what he says he is Hisfather was indi^c1^) was arrested and died in aconcentration c^1- Carols elder brothers are incamps His mother died in great distress of mind ayear ago He epcaped to England a month beforewar broke out von Deinim has professed himself^ anxious to hel^P this country His work in a^

Page 27

N Or Mchemical research laboratory has been excellentand most helpN on the problem of immunizing ^^Ip ^- vnorm ^ 47certain gases and in general decontamination experiments^HlTommy said S^agg Then hes all right Breg Not necessarily Our German friends are notoriousfor their thoroughness If von Deinim wassent as an agent to England special care would betaken that his record should be consistent with hisown account of himself There are two possibilitiesThe whole von Deinim family may be partiesto the arrangement--not improbable underthe painstaking Nazi regime Or else this is notreally Carl von Deinim but a man playing the partof Carl von Deinim S |Tommy said slowly Isee He added inconsequently ^ He seems an awfully nice young fellow SighingGrant said They are--they nearlyalways are Its an odd life this service of ours We |respect our adversaries and they respect us Youusually like your opposite number you know- even when youre doing your best to down himThere was a silence as Tommy thought over thestrange anomaly of war Grants voice Jbroke intohis musings ||p K But there are those for whom weve neitherrespect nor liking--and those are the traitors withinour own ranks--the men who are willing to betraytheir country and accept office and promotionfrom the foreigner who has conquered itTommy said with feeling ^illreg My God Im with you sir Thats a skunkstrick gpAnd deserves a skunks end regs^jtKsTommy said incredulously Siss-- ^aampiSiAnd there really are these--these swine 48 Agatha ChristieEverywhere As I told you In our service Inthe fighting forces On Parliamentary benchesHigh up in the Ministries Weve got to combthem out--weve got to And we must do itquickly It cant be done from the bottom--thesmall fry the people who speak in the Parks whosell their wretched little news-sheets they dontknow who the big bugs are Its the big bugs wewant theyre the people who can do untold damage--andwill do it unless were in time Tommy said confidently ^p ^fWe shall be in time sir ^- y^a - |S Grant asked ^at What makes you say that 8 l|^ ^1Tommy said 11Youve just said it--weve got to beThe man with the fishing line turned and lookedfull at his subordinate for a minute or two takingin anew the quiet resolute line of the jaw He had anew liking and appreciation of what he saw Hesaid quietly -^y^1 teampa^Good man araquo I Hewent onWhat about the women in this place Anythingstrike you as suspicious thereI think theres something odd about the

Page 28

N Or Mwoman who runs itMrs Perenna VSSYes You dont--know anything about herGrant said slowlyI might see what I could do about checking herantecedents but as I told you its riskyYes better not take any chances Shes theonly one who strikes me as suspicious in any wayTheres a young mother a fussy spinster thehypochondriacs brainless wife and a rather fear I N OR M 49^ni looking old Irish-woman All seem harmless ^owh on the face of it y ^S Ithats the lot is it ||t(o Theres a Mrs Blenkensop-- arrived three^ago -m Veil - ^lt-^W ^ raquo ya ^nuny said 8^^NIamp_ |g|1| 4rs Blenkensop is my wife ^ |gg^ the surprise of the anntmncenient Grant vok( was raised He spun around sharp anger in his hze I thought I told you Beresford not to ^the a word to your wifelt)uite right sir and I didnt If youll justlister i^ISiSliccinctiy Tommy narrated what had oc- i^ cu6d He did not dare look at the other He ampSS ^^fully kept out of his voice the pridejhathesecr^iy felt -fe^-^^iJ IIH ^here was a silence when he brought the story to an end Then a queer noise escaped from the 8oth^r Grant was laughing He laughed for somemin(ites(take my hat off to the woman Shes one in athousand ^1(agree said Tommy - w^^ gasthampton will laugh when I tell him this 1TS s He earned me not to leave her out Said shed getthe getter of me if I did I wouldnt listen to him ^i^P^ you though how damned careful youve8^j lto be I thought Id taken every precautiona|raquoliraquost being overheard Id satisfied myself ^ b^Qfehand that you and your wife were alone in the f|at I actually heard the voice in the telephoneai|irf8 Your wife to come round at once and ^---- RAj--_raquo 52 Agatha ChristieTuppence replied that she thought she wasgoing to like Leahampton very much and behappy thereThat is she added in a melancholy voice ashappy as I can be anywhere with this terrible anxietyweighing on me all the timeAh now dont you be worrying yourselfMrs ORourke advised comfortably Those fineboys of yours will come back to you safe andsound Not a doubt of it One of thems in the AirForce so I think you said ^Yes Raymond a^ And is he in France now or in England Hes in Egypt at the moment but from whatjhe said in his last letter--not exactly said--but wehave a little private code if you know what Imean--certain sentences mean certain things Ithink thats quite justified dont you ^ Mrs ORourke replied promptlyIndeed and I do Tis a mothers privilegeYes you see I feel I must know just where hesectJis IP KBMrs ORourke nodded the Buddha-like headI feel for you entirely so I do If I had a boy

Page 29

N Or Mout there Id be deceiving the censor the very sameway so I would And your other boy the one inthe NavyTuppence entered obligingly upon a saga ofDouglasYou see she ended I feel so lost withoutmy three boys Theyve never been all away togetherfrom me before Theyre all so sweet to meI really do think they treat me more as a friend than a mother She laughed self-consciously Ihave to scold them sometimes and make them g(out without me N OR M 53(What a pestilential woman I sound thoughtTuppence to herself)She went on aloudAnd really I didnt know quite what to do orwhere to go The lease of my house in London wasup and it seemed so foolish to renew it and Ithought if I came somewhere quiet and yet with agood train service She broke off -yAgain the Buddha nodded SBlI agree with you entirely London is no placeat the present Ah the gloom of it Ive lived theremyself for many a year now Im by way of beingan antique dealer you know You may know myshop in Cornaby Street Chelsea Kate Kellys thename over the door Lovely stuff I had theretoooh lovely stuffmostly glassWaterfordCorkbeautiful Chandeliers and lustres andpunchbowls and all the rest of it Foreign glasstoo And small furniturenothing largejustsmall period piecesmostly walnut and oak Ohlovely stuffand I had some good customers Butthere when theres a War on all that goes westIm lucky to be out of it with as little loss as IvehadA faint memory flickered through Tuppencesmind A shop filled with glass through which itwas difficult to move a rich persuasive voice acompelling massive woman Yes surely she hadbeen into that shop aHMrs ORourke went on Im not one of those that like to be alwayscomplainingnot like some thats in this houseMr Cayley for one with his muffler and hisshawls and his moans about his business going topieces Of course its to pieces theres a Waronand his wife with never Boo to say to a goose 54 ^1 Agatha Christie -^^y ^Then theres that little Mrs Sprot always fussingabout her husbandIs he out at the front J^s^^ Tf---(^Not he Hes a tuppenny-halfpenny clerk in aninsurance office thats all and so terrified of airraids hes had his wife down here since the beginningof the War Mind you I think thats rightwhere the childs concerned--and a nice wee miteshe is--but Mrs Sprot she frets for all that herhusband conies down when he can Keeps say- gting Arthur must miss her so But if you ask me | Arthurs not missing her over-much--maybe hes got other fish to fry ^ ^

Page 30

N Or MTuppence murmured ||| --Im terribly sorry for all these mothers If you g let your children go away without you you never M stop worrying And if you go with them its hardon the husbands being leftAh yes and it comes expensive running twoestablishments iSll-^^ fSS-This place seems quite reasonable said TuppenceYes Id say you get your moneys worth88Mrs Perennas a good manager Theres a queerwoman for you now Samp^ In what way asked Tuppence |H gsectMrs ORourke said with a twinkle j| Youll be thinking Im a terrible talker Its|||true Im interested in all my fellow creaturesthats why I sit in this chair as often as I can Yousee who goes in and who goes out and whos onthe verandah and what goes on in the gardenWhat were we talking of now--ah yes MrsIH Perenna and the queerness of her Theres been agrand drama in that womans life or Im muchmistaken ^ ^ NORM 55Do you really think soI do now And the mystery she makes of herself And where might you come from in Ki Ireland I asked her And would youbelieve itshe held out on me declaring she was not fromIreland at all ^R^ -- You think she is Irish -~ Ofcourse shes Irish I know my own countrywomen I could name you the county she comesfrom But there Im English she says and myhusband was a Spaniard--Mrs ORourke broke off abruptly as MrsSprot came in closely followed by TommyTuppence immediately assumed a sprightlymanner a^Good evening Mr Meadowes You look verybrisk this evening ^s^ ^Illr^ -- ^Tommy said itoa Plenty of exercise thats the secret A roundof golf this morning and a walk along the frontthis afternoon ^ -^Millicent Sprot saidI took Baby down to the beach this afternoonShe wanted to paddle but I really thought it wasrather cold I was helping her build a castle and adog ran off with my knitting and pulled out yardsof it So annoying and so difficult picking up allthe stitches again Im such a bad knitterH Youre getting along fine with that helmetMrs Blenkensop said Mrs ORourke suddenlyturning her attention to Tuppence Youve beenjust racing along I thought Miss Minton said thatyou were an inexperienced knitterTuppence flushed faintly Mrs ORourkes eyeswere sharp With a slightly vexed air Tuppence 56 Ill Agatha Christie ^s^I have really done quite a lot of knitting I toldMiss Minton so But I think she likes teaching people

Everybody laughed in agreement and a fewPage 31

N Or Mminutes later the rest of the party came in and^hegong was sounded The conversation during the meal turned on theabsorbing subject of spies Well-known hoarychestnuts were retold The nun with the musculararm the clergyman descending from his parachuteand using unclergymanlike language as he landedwith a bump the Austrian cook who secreted awireless in her bedroom chimney and all thethings that had happened or nearly happened toaunts and second cousins of those present Thatled easily to Fifth Column activities To denunciationsof the British Fascists of the Communistsof the Peace Party of conscientious objectors Itwas a very normal conversation of the kind thatmay be heard almost every day nevertheless Tuppencewatched keenly the faces and demeanour ofthe people as they talked striving to catch sometell-tale expression or word But there was nothingSheila Perenna alone took no part in the conversationbut that might be put down to herhabitual taciturnity She sat there her dark rebelliousface sullen and broodingCarl von Deinim was out tonight^so tonguescould be quite unrestrained ill ^ ||V I Sheila only spoke once towards the end of diner

Mrs Sprot had just said in her thin flutingvoiceWhere I do think the Germans made such amistake in the last war was to shoot Nurse CavellIt turned everybody against them N OR M 57It was then that Sheila flinging back her he^demanded in her fierce young voice ^lv shouldnt they shoot her She was a spy wa^11 sheOh no not a spyShe helped English people to escape--in ^nenemy country Thats the same thing W^Y shouldnt she be shotI Oh but shooting a woman--and a nurse ||^ Sheila got upfefr laquoj think the Germans were quite right she saidShe went out of the window into the garden Dessert consisting of some under-ripe bananasand some tired oranges had been on the tal^c some time Everyone rose and adjournedto the lounge for coffeeOnly Tommy unobtrusively betook himself to the garden He found Sheila Perenna leaning over ft the terrace wall staring out at the sea He caH^ and stood beside her WBy her hurried quick breathing he knew that ( something had upset her badly He offered her a|fc cigarette which she acceptedHe said ^ ^ Lovelynight 35| ^ S|In a low intense voice the girl answeredIt could beTommy looked at her doubtfully He felt suddenlythe attraction and the vitality of this girl- There was a tumultuous life in her a kind of compellingpower She was the kind of girl he thought that a man might easily lose his headover If it werent for the War you mean he said- gampI dont mean that at all I hate the War

Page 32

N Or M 8 w^ gt Agatha Christie Hi- |p-- ^^^saC - ^y^ ^ So do we alll^ftJS Not in the way I mean I hate the cant about it|jpoundpound the smugness--the horrible horrible patriotismPatriotism Tommy was startled Yes I hate patriotism do you understand Allthis country country country Betraying yourcountry--dying for your country--serving yourcountry Why should ones country mean anyamp thing at allaaJg Tommy said simply I dont know It just 1as does ampNot to me Oh it would to you--you goabroad and buy and sell in the British Empire and J come back bronzed and full of cliches talking [_about the natives and calling for Chota Pegs and yS all that sort of thing ^ -BK Tommy said gently -^ s-i^QIm not quite as bad as that I hope my dear filf Im exaggerating a little--but you know what __ s I mean You believe in the British Empire--and--and--the stupidity of dying for ones countryt ^ My country said Tommy drily doesnt |g^^ys seem particularly anxious to allow me to die for |||SSff t raquol^r ll ilp^-Yes but you want to And its so stupid ik Nothings worth dying for Its all an(ctea--talk--| froth--high-flown idiocy My country doesnt g| mean anything to me at all poundsSome day said Tommy youll be surprisedto find that it doesNo Never Ive suffered--Ive seen-- |||She broke off--then turned suddenly and impetuouslyupon himggg Do you know who my father was ^ -Bals No Tommys interest quickened His name was Patrick Maguire He--he was a NORM 55follower of Casement in the last War He was shotas a traitor All for nothing For an idea--heworked himself up with those other IrishmenWhy couldnt he just stay at home quietly andmind his own business Hes a martyr to somepeople and a traitor to others I think he was ^ just--stupidI Tommy could hear the note of pent-up rebellioncoming out into the open He said So thats the shadow youve grown up withShadows right Mother changed her name r We lived in Spain for some years She always saysHthat my father was half a Spaniard We always tell ^ lies wherever we go Weve been all over the ContinentFinally we came here and started this placegc I think this is quite the most hateful thing weve doneyet --^ - Tommy asked ^ - ^ How does yourmother feel about--thingsYou mean--about my fathers death Sheila| was silent a moment frowning puzzled She saidslowly Ive never really known she nevertalks about it Its not easy to know what motherfeels or thinksTommy nodded his head thoughtfully ^ ^^ajnSheila said abruptly lt I--I dont know why Ive been telling you thisI got worked up Where did it all start p^a A discussion on Edith Cavell Aa^ i Oh yes--patriotism I said I hated itArent you forgetting Nurse Cavells own

Page 33

N Or Mwords What wordsBefore she died Dont you know what shesaid --He repeated the words ^ t 60 Agatha Christie ^^^ -yPatriotism is not enough I must have no |k phatred in my heart amp Oh She stood there stricken for a moment ^ Then turning quickly she wheeled away intothe shadow of the garden ^ ^ |sjdf^ So you see Tuppence it would all fit inBUS Tuppence nodded thoughtfully The beacharound them was empty She herself leanedagainst a breakwater Tommy sat above her onthe breakwater itself from which post he couldsee anyone who approached along the esplanadeNot that he expected to see anyone having ascertainedwith a fair amount of accuracy wherepeople would be this morning In any case his rendezvouswith Tuppence had borne all the signs ofa casual meeting pleasurable to the lady and slightly alarming to himself yy y(i Tuppence said Baar^ regreg I Mrs Perenna regYes M not N She satisfies the requirementsWffi Tuppence nodded thoughtfully again Mit Yes Shes Irish--as spotted by Mrs0Rourke--wont admit the fact Has done aigood deal of coming and going on the continentgll Changed her name to Perenna came here andstarted this boarding house A splendid bit ofcamouflage full of innocuous bores Her husbandwas shot as a traitor--shes got every incentive forrunning a Fifth Column show in this country Yes |it fits Is the girl in it too do you thinkTommy said finally regs3i N OR M ^ 61Definitely not Shed never have told me allthis otherwise I--I feel a bit of a cad you knowTuppence nodded with complete understand-yyww wob -^ ^-v ((i^ ing |g| -- - ^ S^regSYes one does In a way its a foul job this I ^But very necessary reg0h ofcourseTommy said flushing slightlyI dont like lying any better than you do--Tuppence interrupted him|ltsect I dont mind lying in the least To be quitehonest I get a lot of artistic pleasure out of my lies amp What gets me down is thosemoments when oneforgets to lie--the times when one is just oneself--and gets results that way that you couldnt havegot any other She paused and went on Thatswhat happened to you last night--with the girlShe responded to the real you--thats why youfeel badly about it laquoa^A s I believe youre right Tuppence SUS^ aI know Because I did the same thmg myself-with the German boy |||J |iraquoiTommy said iWhat do you think about himTuppence said quickly ^t^ If you ask me I dont think hes got anythingto do with itGrant thinks he has - ^| |||t j Your Mr Grant Tuppences moodchanged She chuckled How Id like to haveseen his face when you told him about meAt any rate hes made the amends honorable You re definitely on the j ohI Tuppence nodded but she looked a trifle abstracted

Page 34

N Or Mgin ^ S^iSJS-^^ She said Aw -^ y^ Do you remembciwe were hunting dowmember what fun it was Tommy agreed hisRather ^ Tommy--why isn ^ He considered the igrave Then he saidI suppose its reallTuppence said shariYou dont think--No Im sure wetime--it wont be fun This is the second Waiquite different about t]I know--we see ttiand the horror All thto think about beforeThats it In the 1now and then--and hiand went through hewere good times tooTuppence saidI suppose Derek feBetter not thinkTommy advisedYoure rightWeve got a job ^ Lets get on with it looking for in Mrs Pey We can at least scated Theres no onthat youve got your egt Tuppence considerreg _ No there isnt T HpNORM ^ 63^arrived of course was to size them all up andassess as it were possibilities Some of them seemquite impossible -^ ^Such as -9 ^Well Miss Minton for instance the cornpleatBritish spinster and Mrs Sprot and herBetty and the vacuous Mrs CayleyYes but nitwittishness can be assumedOh quite but the fussy spinster and the absorbedyoung mothers are parts that would befatally easy to overdo--and these people are quitenatural Then where Mrs Sprot is concernedtheres the child| I suppose said Tommy that even a secretagent might have a child ||sect|Not with her on the job said TuppenceIts not the kind of thing youd bring a child ^ into Im quite sure about that Tommy I know ^ Youd keep a child out of it ^ I withdraw said Tommy Ill give you MrsSprot and Miss Minton but Im not so sure aboutMrs CayleyNo she might be a possibility Because she g really does overdo it I mean there cant be many ^ women quite as idiotic as she seemsj| I have often noticed that being a devoted wife ^ saps the intellect murmured Tommy And where have you noticed that demandedTuppenceNot from you Tuppence Your devotion hasnever reached those lengthsFor a man said Tuppence kindly youdont really make an undue fuss when you are illTommy reverted to a survey of possibilities raquo Cayley said Tommy thoughtfully There 64 Agatha Christie

Page 35

N Or Mmight be something fishy about CayleyYes there might Then theres Mrs 0Rourkes ^ WWhat do you feel about herI dont quite know Shes disturbing Rather feefofum if you know what I meanYes I think I know But I rather fancy thatsjust the predatory note Shes that kind ofwoman gtyTuppence said slowlyShe--notices thingsShe was remembering the remark about knitting

Then theres Bletchley said TommyIve hardly spoken to him Hes definitelyyour chicken ^I think hes just the ordinary pukka old school type I think so Thats just it said Tuppence answering a ^i stress rather than actual words The worst of thissort of show is that you look at quite ordinary S|everyday people and twist them to suit your mor- febid requirements sfeIve tried a few experiments on Bletchley^said TommyWhat sort of thing Ive got some experimentsin mind myselfWell--just gentle ordinary little traps--aboutdates and places--all that sort of thingCould you condescend from the general to the particularWell say were talking of duck shooting Hementions the Fayum--good sport there such andsuch a year such and such a month Some othertime I mention Egypt in quite a different connectionMummies Tutankhamen something like NORM 65that--has he seem that stuff When was he there ^Check up on the answers Or P amp 0 boats--1 mention the names of one or two say So-and-sowas a comfortable boat He mentions some trip orother later I check that Nothing important or ^anything that puts him on his guard--just a checkup on accuracyAnd so far he hasnt slipped up in any wayNot once And thats a pretty good test let me -tell you Tuppence| Yes but I suppose if he was N he would havehis story quite patOh yes--the main outlines of it But its notso easy not to trip up on unimportant details Andthen occasionally you remember too much- more that is than a bona ride person would doAn ordinary person doesnt usually remember offhandwhether they took a certain shooting trip in ^1926 or 1927 They have to think a bitand search ^their memory piBut so far you havent caught Bletchley out ^ So far hes responded in a perfectly normalmanner| Result-negative IgKiC^S ExactlyNow said Tuppence Ill tell you some ofmy ideasAnd she proceeded to do soaIllOn her way home Mrs Blenkensop stopped atthe post office She bought stamps and on her way

Page 36

N Or Mout went into one of the public call boxes Thereshe rang up a certain number asked for Mr^

Stagvan-yafe

66 Agatha ChristieFaraday and held a short conversation withhim She came out smiling and walked slowlyhomewards stopping on the way to purchasesome knitting woolIt was a pleasant afternoon with a light breezeTuppence curbed the natural energy of her ownbrisk trot to that leisurely pace that accorded withher conception of the part of Mrs BlenkensopMrs Blenkensop had nothing on earth to do withherself except knit (not too well) and write lettersto her boys She was always writing letters to herpboys--sometimes she left them about half finishedTuppence came slowly up the hill towards SansSouci Since it was not a through road (it ended atSmugglers Rest Commander Haydocks house)there was never much traffic--a few tradesmensvans in the morning Tuppence passed house afterhouse amusing herself by noting their namesSKBella Vista (inaccurately named since the merestglimpse of the sea was to be obtained and themain view was the vast Victorian bulk of Edenhoimeon the other side of the road) Karachi wasthe next house After that came Shirley TowerThen Sea View (appropriate this time) CastleClare (somewhat grandiloquent since it was asmall house) Trelawny a rival establishment toilsspsgthat degf Mrs Perenna and finally the vast maroon l|||bulk of Sans Souci ^ Si- It was just as she came near to it that Tuppencefebecame aware of a woman standing by the gate ^Bpeering inside There was something tense andviligant about the figureU Almost unconsciously Tuppence softened the sound of her own footsteps stepping cautiouslyupon her toes IIH --i^N OR M 67It was not until she was close behind her thatamps the woman heard her and turned Turned with astart S ^^-f^^N 88She was a tall woman poorly even meanlydressed but her face was unusual She was not young--probably between forty and fifty--butthere was a contrast between her face and the way ^y^ she was dressed She was fair-haired with widecheekbones and had been--indeed still was--beautiful Just for a minute Tuppence had a feelingthat the womans face was somehow familiar ipto her but the feeling faded It was not she ^ thought a face easily forgotten |i^ The woman was obviously startled and the Hiflash of alarm that flitted across her face was notlost on Tuppence (Something odd here)|raquotg| || Tuppence said B Excuse me are you looking for someone S The woman spoke in a slow foreign voice pro- y^ nouncing the words carefully

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N Or MBerkley Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group200 Madison Avenue New York New York 10016The name BERKLEY and the B logoare trademarks belonging to Berkley Publishing CorporationPRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 ^iXlaquolaquolt)gt)raquoX^

)poundTommy Beresford removed his overcoat in thehall of the flat He hung it up with some care takingtime over it His hat went carefully on the nextpegHe squared his shoulders affixed a resolutesmile to his face and walked into the sitting roomwhere his wife sat knitting a Balaclava helmet inkhaki woolMrs Beresford gave him a quick glance andthen busied herself by knitting at a furious rateShe said after a minute or twoAny news in the evening paperTommy saidThe Blitzkrieg is coming hurray hurrayThings look bad in FranceTuppence said raquoIts a depressing world at the momentThere was a pause and then Tommy saidWell why dont you ask No need to be sodamned tactfulI know admitted Tuppence There is somethingabout conscious tact that is very irritatingBut then it irritates you if I do ask And anyway Idont need to ask Its written all over youI wasnt conscious of looking a Dismal DesmondNodarling said Tuppence You had akind of nailed to the mast smile which was one of ^aisfhtsi Christiethe most heart-remin^g laquo|ungs I have ever seenTommy said wi|]i a gi-jlNo was it resly g^s ^H as all thatAnd more Vyi c^iae on out with it Nothing doingNothing doing (ThK dont want me in an capacity I tell ^ 1iippence its pretty thicwhen a man of fdity-sSiM is made to feel like a dolt dering grandfathg ftAtvff NavyAir Force Foeign Office one ^ misay the same thing--Iitoo old I may besq^ir-d laterTuppence saidWell its theart^ie for me They dont waipeople of my age lor ^ixntsing--no thank you Nltfor anything else Th^ey d rather have a fluffy chiwhos never seenjy^iiaiii or sterilized a dressing than they would lay-e me who worked for threyears 1915 to 19^ i^i warious capacities nurse i i the surgical warding opiating theatre driver oa trade delivery va ^nltil^ter of a General Thisthat and the other-^ll 1 assert firmly with cor

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N Or Mspicuous success ^n^l nraquow Im a poor pushing tiresome middle-igg^d wman who wontsit ahome quietly andhm^ s^she ought to do ^ Tommy said glooni ily ^ - g y- This War is HtB fc- M ^ ^ Its bad enoiigji h^vittg a war said Tuppence but not hgn^ gillowed to do anything injust puts the lid on Tommy said comol ii-^gyE WellatanyriteT^gt^lioirahhasgotajobDeborahs mot|i(r ^a-^d kS^h shes all right^ lexpect shes good at iioo But I still thiak^ Tommy that I could hoimy own with Deb(rarraquo- c ySi Tommy grinned gt^m IJISamp^ raquo( NORM 3She wouldnt think so f^ s Tuppence saidDaughters can be very trying Especially whenthey will be so kind to you wf^m^ ~y^ yw Tommy murmured H8The way young Derek makes allowances forme is sometimes rather hard to bear That poorold Dad look in his eyeIn fact said Tuppence our children althoughquite adorable ^are also quite maddenButat the mention of the twins Derek andDeborah her eyes were very tenderI suppose said Tommy thoughtfully thatits always hard for people themselves to realizethat theyre getting middle-aged and past doingthings US IN- iii~ SSWS^ l--^i)^^l t-f ATuppence gave a snort of rage tossed her glossydark head and sent her ball of khaki wool spinningfrom her lapAre we past doing things Are we Oris itonly that everyone keeps insinuating that we areSometimes I feel that we never were any use HldCiQuite likely said Toromy^ 3^Perhaps so But at any rate we did once feelimportant And now Im beginning to feel that allthat never really happened Did it happenTommy Is it true that you were once crashed onthe head and kidnapped by German agents Is ittrue that we once tracked down a dangerous criminal--andgot him Is it true that we rescued a girland got hold of important secret papers and werepractically thanked by a grateful country Us You and me Despised unwanted Mrand Mrs copy Beresford ^3^t|^|raquo3raquo^^^Now dry up darling All this does no good 4 AgaiAll the same satear Im disappointHe wrote us a verHe didnt do anout any hopeWell hes out oHes quite old Lives iTuppence said wistThey might have 1telligencePerhaps we coulhaps nowadays we vI wonder said 1same But perhaps aspoint

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N Or MShe sighed She sailtI wish we could firotten when one has s Her eyes rested photograph of the vltuniform with the

Tommys Tommy saidIts worse for a ralland do up parcelTuppence saidI can do all thatnot old enough toneither one thing norThe front door bellflat was a small servicH She opened the docman with a big fair nface standing on theHis glance a quickin a pleasant voice N OR M 5AreyouMrsBeresfordYes ^v ^^ My names Grant Im a friend of Lord EasthamptonsHe suggested I should look you andyour husband up 3^ Oh how nice do come in R^ She preceded him into the sitting roomMy husband er--Captain--Mr I |Mr Grant Hes a friend of Mr Car--of LordEasthamptonsThe old nom de guerre of the former Chief ofthe Intelligence Mr Carter always came moreeasily to her lips than their old friends propertitleFor a few minutes the three talked happily togetherGrant was an attractive person with aneasy mannerPresently Tuppence left the room She returneda few minutes later with the sherry and someglassesAfter a few minutes when a pause came MrGrant said to TommyI hear youre looking for a job BeresfordAn eager light came into Tommys eyeYes indeed You dont mean-- ^ Grant laughed and shook his headOh nothing of that kind No Im afraid thathas to be left to the young active men--or to thosewhove been at it for years The only things I cansuggest are rather stodgy Im afraid Office workFiling papers Tying them up in red tape andpigeon-holing them That sort of thing y-^ -^ Tommys face fell a^-s ^S^^ gtOh I see ^-- sSj^ Grant said encouragingly ^raquo A 6 Agatha Christie 5Oh well its better than nothing Anywaycome and see me at my office one day Ministry ofs Requirements Room 22 Well fix you up withsomething p ^ ^The telephone rang Tuppence picked up theI receiver gHulloyeswhat A squeaky voice spoke ygss3agitatedly from the other end Tuppences face

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N Or Mt changed When Oh my dearof courseIllcome over right away1 She put back the receiver ^aaampta She said to Tommylaquo That was Maureen ^I thought soI recognized her voice from Tuppence explained breathlessly |||| gtIm so sorry Mr Grant But I musTgo roundto this friend of mine Shes fallen and twisted herankle and theres no one with her but her little girlso I must go round and fix up things for her and| get hold of someone to come in and look after herDo forgive me ^1 ^g K^ I^ Of course Mrs Beresford I quite under- ^| stand BB^| Tuppence smiled at him picked up a coat whichH had been lying over the sofa slipped her arms into it and hurried out The flat door banged Tommy poured out another glass of sherry forhis guest ^s^sS^T 11 -Dont go yet he said ltAcyThank you The other accepted the glass Hesipped it for a moment in silence Then he saidIn a way you know your wifes being calledaway is a fortunate occurrence It will save timesireg Tommy stared - ^- ^v raquo I dont understand1reg^- ^-S^^ NORM 7Grant said deliberately a You see Beresford if you had come to see meat the Ministry I was empowered to put a certainproposition before youThe colour came slowly up in Tommys freckledface He said aYou dont mean^^ ^|^B^ ^Grant nodded gSamps^te^reg a-- Safe Easthampton suggested you he said Hetold us you were the man for the job gxy^|g Tommy gave a deep sigh a^ ^ ly^ Tell me he said ^ wamp^ This is strictly confidential of course ^^^ Tommy nodded ^ c s Not even your wife must know You understandVery well--if you say so But we worked togetherbeforeYes I know But this proposition is solely forT-- - --^ -- ^-^ ^W^K^--V you|g ^ ^ ^^ ^I see All right1 I ^ ^|Ostensiblyyou will be offered work--as I saidjust now--office work--in a branch of the Ministryfunctioning in Scotland--in a prohibited areawhere your wife cannot accompany you Actually^you will be somewhere very differentTommy merely waited ^^r sGrant saidYouve read in the newspapers of the FifthColumn You know roughly at any rate justwhat that term impliesTommy murmured - ^IrSSS -^ ^s^-^^^The enemy withinExactly This war Beresford started in an optimisticspirit Oh I dont mean the people whoreally knew--weve knownaHalong whatwe were 8 I Agatha Christieup against--the efficiency of the enemy his aerial

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N Or Mstrength his deadly determination and the co-ordinationof his well-planned war machine I meanthe people as a whole The good-hearted muddleheadeddemocratic fellow who believes what hewants to believe--that Germany will crack upp that shes on the verge of revolution that her||I weapons of war are made of tin and that her menamp | are so underfed that theyll fall down if they try tomarch--all that sort of stuff Wishful thinking as|gthe saying goes ||jWell the war didnt go that way It started^ badly and it went on worse The men were all|amp I right--the men on the battleships and in the planes^ and in the dugouts But there was mismanagement^and unpreparedness--the defects perhaps of our|||qualities We dont want war havent consideredit seriously werent good at preparing for itThe worst of that is over Weve corrected ourmistakes were slowly getting the right men in theright places Were beginning to run the war as itshould be run--and we can win the war--make nog i mistake about that--but only if wedont lose if first And the danger of losing it comes not y from outside--not from the might of Germanys|g||bombers not from her seizure of neutral countriesuand fresh vantage points from which to attack--from within Our danger is the danger ofTroy--the wooden horse within our walls Call itwthe Fifth Column if you like It is here among usMen and women some of them highly placedSsome of them obscure but all believing genuinelyin the Nazi aims and the Nazi creed and desiringto substitute that sternly efficient creed for themuddled easy-going liberty of our democratic--institutions ------ -- N OR M 9Grant leaned forward He said still in that samepleasant unemotional voiceAnd we dont know who they areTommy said But surely-- Has Grant said with a touch of impatienceOh we can round up thesmall fry Thats easyenough But its the others We know about themWe know that there are at least two highly placedin the Admiralty--that one must be a member ofGeneral G----s staff--that there are three ormore in the Air Force and that two at least aremembers of the Intelligence know Cabinetsecrets We know that because it must be so fromthe way things have happened The leakage--aleakage from the top--of information to theenemy shows us that l^1Tommy said helplessly his pleasant face perplexed

But what good should I be to you I dontknow any of these peopleGrant nodded If fi^-i ^ ySisi --Exactly You dont know any of them--aw they dont know you ^ He paused to let it sink in and then went onThese people these high up people knowmost of our lot Information cant be very wellrefused to them I was at my wits end I went toEasthampton Hes out of it all now--a sick man--but his brains the best Ive ever known Hethought of you Nearly twenty years since youworked for the Department Name quite unconnected

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N Or Mwith it Your face not known What do yousay--will you take it on ^ ^ ^-Tommys face was almost split in two by themagnitude of his ecstatic grinTake it on You bet Ill take it on Though I 10 Agatha Christie Wi^^cant see how I can be of any use Im just ablasted amateurMy dear Beresford amateur status is just what ^v is needed The professional is handicapped here| Youll take on in place of the best man we had orE1 are likely to haveTommy looked a question Grant nodded ^11 Yes Died in St Bridgets Hospital lastTuesJI|Sday Run down by a lorry--only lived a few hoursAccident case--but it wasnt an accident ||Syg^ Tommy said slowly I see ^l^Bylgi|^ Grant said quietly ^^^ And thats why we have reason to believe thatFarquhar was on to something--that he was getting somewhere at last By his death that wasnt anaccident SS ^^^-k^^^W^s-^ Tommy looked aquestibn Grant went on lspounda sA^^-Unfortunately we know next to nothing ofwhat he had discovered Farquhar had beenmethodically following up one line after another ^ Most of them led nowhere ^8- Grant paused and then went on BA^2 - Farquhar was unconscious until a few minutes before he died Then he tried to say something |||J What he said was this N or M Song Susie fThat said Tommy doesnt seem very illuminating --------Grant smiled ^ ^^A little more so than you might think N or Myou see is a term we have heard before It refers ^g to two of the most important and trusted Germanagents We have come across their activities inother countries and we know just a little aboutthem It is their mission to organize a Fifth Column in foreign countries and to act as liaison NORM frr 11officer between the country in question and GermanyN we know is a man M is a woman All we know about them is that these two are Hitlersmost highly trusted agents and that in a codemessage we managed to decipher towards the beginningof the war there occurred this phrase-- Suggest N or Mfor England Fullpowers--1^ I see And Farquhar-- isl8As I see it Farquhar must have got on thetrack of one or other of them Unfortunately wedont know which Song Susie sounds very cryptic--but Farquhar hadnt a high class French accentThere was a return ticket to Leahampton in hispocket which is suggestive Leahampton is on theSouth coast--a budding Bournemouth or TorquayLots of private hotels and guest housesAmongst them is one called Sans Souci-- fewK Tommy said again raquoraquoraquo Song Susie--Sans Souci--I see amp^ fc Grant said lt Do you lt-- ^ ^aAQ^ - xs The idea is Tommy said that I should gothere and--well--ferret round sy^w That is the idea ly ^ ^Tommys smile broke out again-sfe ^ A bit vague isnt it he asked I dont evenknow what Im looking for - AndI cant tell you I dont know Its up toyou

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N Or MTommy sighed He squared his shouldersI can have a shot at it But Im not a verybrainy sort of chapYou did pretty well in the old days so IveheardOh that was pure luck said Tommy hastilyWell luck is rather what we need Agatha Christie||||Tommy considered a minute or two Then hesaid --- SiySa^^1--^ fe^1 About this place Sans Souci-- |||ggM|Grant shrugged his shoulders A a ^smMay be all a mares nest I cant tell Farquharmay have been thinking of Sister Susies sewingshirts for soldiers Its all guessworkBAnd Leahampton itself Just like any other of these places There arerows of them Old ladies old Colonels unim- peachable spinsters dubious customers fishy cus-lt tpmers a foreigner or two In fact a mixedbagI^Tommy said doubtfully|llAnd N or M amongst them IteNot necessarily Somebody perhaps whos in i touch with N or M But its quite likely to be N orM themselves Its an inconspicuous sort of placea boarding-house at a seaside resort^Youve no idea whether its a man or a womanf Ive to look forGrant shook his head rflt gt ^^Tommy said Well I can but try fe s Good luck to your trying Beresford Now--todetails--I Half an hour later when Tuppence broke ini panting and eager with curiosity Tommy wasalone whistling in an armchair with a doubtful expressionon his face |||i 1amp4amp | Well demanded Tuppence throwing an in- ^gfinity of feeling into the word ampraquo^ W^1 A job--of kindsy^^^^-^^^^18^ Whatkind - i| Tommy made a suitable grimace y N OR M H 13Office work in the wilds of Scotland Hushhushand all that but doesnt sound very thrill-Both of us or only youOnly me Im afraid amp ^Blast and curse you How could our MrCarter be so meanI imagine they segregate the sexes in thesejobs Otherwise too distracting for the mindIs it coding--or code breaking Is it likely Deborahs job Do be careful Tommy peoplequeer doing that and cant sleep walk about aIliHnight groaning and repeating 978345286 or somethinglike that and finally have nervous breakdownsand go into homes |Not me sssfTuppence said gloomily 9sIexpect you will sooner or later Can I cometoo--not to work but just as a wife Slippers infront of the fire and a hot meal at the end of the|wTommy looked uncomfortable^- ^ iaraquoltfr I Sorry old thing I am sorry I hate leavingydeg--But you feel you ought to go murmured

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N Or MTuppence reminiscently ^B |After all said Tommy feebly ySS can knit yonknow www wKnit said Tuppence Knit ampwSS^ ffffSeizing her Balaclava helmet she flung it on theground BI hate khaki wool said Tuppence and Navy wool and Air Force blue I should like toknit something magenta^ It has a fine military sound said TommyAlmost a suggestion of Blitzkrieg SSJ 141 Agatha Christie S^AwlHe felt definitely very unhappy Tuppence ^ however was a Spartan and played up well admittingfreely that of course he had to take the joband that it didnt really matter about her Sheraquo added that she had heard they wanted someone to ^q scrub down the First Aid Postfloors She might ^i possibly be found fit to do thatTommy departed for Aberdeen three days laterTuppence saw him off at the station Her eyeswere bright and she blinked once or twice but she i kept resolutely cheerfulW Only as the train drew out of the station andTommy saw the forlorn little figure walking awaydown the platform did he feel a lump in his ownthroat War or no War he felt he was desertingTuppenceHe pulled himself together with an effortOrders were ordersHaving duly arrived in Scotland he took a trainthe next day to Manchester On the third day atrain deposited him at Leahampton Here he wentto the principal Hotel and on the following day B^g made a tour of various private hotels and guest ^^B houses seeing rooms and inquiring terms for along stay ^3Sans Souci was a dark red Victorian villa set onthe side of a hill with a good view over the seafrom its upper windows There was a slight smell---- of dust and cooking in the hall and the carpet wasworn but it compared quite favourably with someof the other establishments Tommy had seen Heinterviewed the proprietress Mrs Perenna in heroffice a small untidy room with a large deskcovered with loose papersMrs Perenna herself was rather untidy looking a woman of middle-age with a large mop of N OR M jg 15 K|fiercely curling black hair some vaguely appliedmakeup and a determined smile showing a lot ofvery white teethTommy murmured a mention of his elderly lt|y^ cousin Miss Meadowes who had stayed at Sans ||g|Souci two years ago Mrs Perenna remembered ^ Miss Meadowes quite well--such a dearold lady ^ _at least perhaps not really old--very active and |such a sense of humour tt ^Tommy agreed cautiously There was he knew a real Miss Meadowes--the Departmentwas carefulabout these points ^ And how was dear Miss Meadowes Sp^regBampTommy explained sadly that Miss Meadoweswas no more and Mrs Perenna clicked her teeth |sympathetically and made the proper noises andput on a correct mourning faceShe was soon talking volubly again She had

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N Or Mshe was sure just the room that would suit MrMeadowes A lovely sea view She thought-MrMeadowes was so right to want to get out ofLondon Very depressing nowadays so she understoodand of course after such a bad go of influenza--

Still talking Mrs Perenna led Tommy upstairsand showed him various bedrooms She mentioneda weekly sum Tommy displayed dismayMrs Perenna explained that prices had risen soappallingly Tommy explained that his incomehiglisunfortunately decreased and what with taxation and one thing and another-- ^Mrs Perenna groaned and said This terrible War- Tommyagreed and said that in his opinion thatfellow Hitler ought to be hanged A madmanthats what he was a madman 16 Agatha ChristieMrs Perenna agreed and said that what willrations and the difficulty the butchers had in getting the meat they wanted--and sometimes tolt much--and sweetbreads and liver practically disappeared it all made housekeeping very difficultbut as Mr Meadowes was a relation of MisMeadowes she would make it half a guinea lessTommy then beat a retreat with the promise t(think it over and Mrs Perenna pursued him to thi ^ gate talking more volubly than ever and display Us ing an archness that Tommy found most alarm ^ ing She washe admitted quite a handsomiwoman in her way He found himself wonderinj what her nationality was Surely not quite English The name was Spanish or Portuguese buthat would be her husbands nationality not hersShe might he thought be Irish though she ha(no brogue But it would account for the vitalitand the exuberanceIt was finally settled that Mr Meadowes shoukpi move in the following dayTommy timed his arrival for six oclock MrsPerenna came out into the hall to greet him threva series of instructions about his luggage to ai almost imbecile-looking maid who goggled aTommy with her mouth open and then led himinto what she called the loungeI always introduce my guests said MrsPerenna beaming determinedly at the suspiciouglares of five people This is our new arrival Mr11111 Meadowes--Mrs ORourke A terrifying mountain of a woman with beady eyes and a moustach gave him a beaming smile--l Major Bletchley Major Bletchley lyec I Tommy appraisingly and made a stiff inclinatiorof the head __ NORM 17Mr von Deinim A young man very stifffair-haired and blue-eyed got up and bowed |||Miss Minton An elderly woman with a lot of S beads knitting with khaki wool smiled and tittered

And Mrs Blenkensop More knitting--anduntidy dark head which lifted from an absorbedcontemplation of a Balaclava helmetTommy held his breath the room spun round|j||Mrs Blenkensop Tuppence By all that was

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N Or Mimpossible and unbelievable--Tuppence calmlyknitting in the lounge of Sans SouciHer eyes met his--polite uninterested strangerseyes ^a - His admiration rose ggl gisect I S1^^ How Tommy got through tquite knew He dared not 1often in the direction of Mrsner three more habitues ofa middle-aged coupleNltand a young mother Mrs (down with her baby girl frltclearly much bored by her (hampton She was placed nltintervals fixed him with a paeyes and in a slightly adltDont you think its reaEverybodys going back areiBefore Tommy could requeries his neighbor on the (lady struck in What I saanything with children YoiYoud never forgive yourselHitler has said the Blitzkriegquite soon nowand quitebelieveJ Major Bletchley cut in shaiLot of nonsense talked awont waste time fiddling rexplosive and incendiary boidone in SpainThe whole table plunged ii N OR M 19gusto Tuppences voice high pitched and slightlyfatuous piped out greg^My son Douglas says-- SDouglas indeed thought Tommy WhyDouglas I should like to knowAfter dinner a pretentious meal of severalmeagre courses all of which were equally tastelesseveryone drifted into the lounge Knittingwas resumed and Tommy was compelled to hear along and extremely boring account of MajorBletchleys experiences on the North WestFrontier gg^The fair young man with the bright blue eyeswent out executing a little bow on the thresholdof the roomMajor Bletchley broke off his narrative and administereda kind of dig in the ribs to Tommy ||That fellow whos just gone out Hes a refugeeGot out of Germany about a month beforethe war - - ^ Hes a GermanYes Not a Jew either His father got intotrouble for criticizing the Nazi regime Two of hisbrothers are in a concentration camp over thereThis fellow got out just in timeAt this moment Tommy was taken possessionIII Mrs ^y^y who told him at interminable le(||h all about her health So absorbing was thesubject to the narrator that it was close upon bedtimebefore Tommy could escape

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N Or MOn the following morning Tommy rose earlyand strolled down to the front He walked brisklyto the pier and was returning along the esplanadewhen he spied a familiar figure coming in theother direction Tommy raised his hat 0 Agatha ChristieGood morning he said pleasantly Er_Mrs Blenkensop isnt itThere was no one within earshot Tuppencereplied - - a^J r^Dr Livingstone to you afeHow on earth did you get here Tuppencemurmured Tommy Its a miracle--an absolutemiracleIts not a miracle at all--just brains Your brains I supposeYou suppose rightly You and your uppishMr Grant I hope this will teach him a lessonIt certainly ought to said Tommy Comeon Tuppence tell me how you managed it Imsimply devoured with curiosityIt was quite simple The moment Grant talkedof our Mr Carter I guessed what was up I knew itwouldnt be just some miserable office job Buthis saying so showed me that I wasnt going to beallowed in on this So I resolved to go one betterI went to fetch some sherry and when I did Inipped down to the Browns flat and rang upMaureen Told her to ring me up and what to sayShe played up loyally--nice high squeaky voice--you could hear what she was saying all over theroom I did my stuff registered annoyance compulsiondistressed friend and rushed off withevery sign of vexation Banged the hall door carefullyremaining inside it and slipped into the bedroomand eased open the communicating doorthats hidden by the tallboy And you heard everythingEverything said Tuppence complacentlyTommy said reproachfully s^|And you never let onCertainly not I wished to teach you a lesson NORM 21oil and your Mr GrantHes not exactly my Mr Grant and I shouldsay you have taught him a lessonMr Carter wouldnt have treated me so shabbily said Tuppence I dont think the Intelligenceis anything like what it was in our dayTommy said gravelyIt will attain its former brilliance now wereback in it But why BlenkensopWhy not ig^ssIt seems such an odd name to chooseIt was the first one I thought of and its handy |for underclothes ^^^a^^What do you mean Tuppence riteB you idiot B for Beresford B for BlenkensopEmbroidered on my cami-knickers PatriciaBlenkensop Prudence Beresford Why did youchoose Meadowes Its a silly nameTo begin with said Tommy I dont havelarge Bs embroidered on my pants And to continue

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N Or MI didnt choose it I was told to call myselfMeadowes Mr Meadowes is a gentleman with arespectable past--all of which Ive learned byheartVery nice said Tuppence Are you marriedor singleIm a widower said Tommy with dignityMy wife died ten years ago at Singapore Heg-Why at Singapore fe^SWeve all got to die somewhere Whatswrongwilfc SingaporeOh nothing Its probably a most suitableplace to die Im a widow ^ Where did your husband die -- Does it matter Probably in a nursing home I therjancy he died of cirrhosis of the liver A Agatha Christie sect1deg11 |8 I see A painful subject And what about your I H son Douglas HIB I _ Douglas is in the Navy ireg So I heard last night ^ ^And Ive got two other sons Raymond is in ^- the Air Force and Cyril my baby is in the Ter- g| ritorialspj And suppose someone takes the trouble to -m |g| check up on these imaginary BlenkensopsTheyre not Blenkensops Blenkensop was mysecond husband My first husbands name was |Hill There are three pages of Hills in the ]I telephone book You couVntcheckupon^l the IT Vlt f A -t 99 ^^^B^6-^^ ^^ ^Vl^- yvStsiw^G ^ i iHills if you tried - ^B^wi^^ fiiffi^y ^1 i laquo^raquog ^g ^ trouble with you Tuppence You s | will overdo things Two husbands and three sons Ill K Its too much Youll contradict yourself over the mNo I shant And I rather fancy the sons mays^s^awSataes^ - - ^KaS1||| come in useful Im not under orders remember |gg|1 Im a free-lance Im in this to enjoy myself and secti| vsamp Im going to enjoy myself ^B IBI So it seems said Tommy He added gloom-B ^_J ny if you ask me the whole things a farce | Why do you say that ifeiR a Well youve been at Sans Souci longer than I ^ have Can you honestly say you think any one ofthose people who were there last night could be a r1| dangerous enemy agent H ^ Tuppence said thoughtfully ^tiff^^^S^^It does seem a little incredible Theres the ^|young man of course N1 ^S Carl von Deinim The police check up on m refugees dont theyii| I suppose so Still it might be managed Hes N OR M 23an attractive young man you knowMeaning the girls will tell him things Butwhat girls No Generals or Admirals daughtersfloating around here Perhaps he walks out with aCompany Commander in the ATS ^MBe quiet Tommy We ought to be taking thisseriously ^I am taking it seriously Its just that I feelwere on a wild goose chase ^^ ^Tuppence said seriously ^ aIts too early to say that After all nothingsgoing to be obvious about this business Whatabout Mrs Perenna ^-v |Yes said Tommy thoughtfuUy theres Mrs Perenna I admit--she does want explain-

Page 13

N Or M^^w--^ 3^7 ^---r - ^^^^p-^1 - ^--Aysing ATuppence said in a business-like tone^ Whatabout us I mean how are we going tocooperateTommy said thoughtfully ^siamp y ^^i- 5We mustnt be seen about too much to^gether g g| ||^^No it would Se fatal to suggest we know-eachother better than we appear to do What we want jto decide is the attitude I think--yes I think--18pursuit is the best angle ^^58 --^-iifc^ Pursuit ^-sareg Exactly I pursue you You do your best toescape but being a mere chivalrous mate doesntalways succeed Ive had two husbands and Im onthe look-out for a third You act the part of the Tiunted widower Every now and then I pin youdown somewhere pen you in a cafe catch youwalking on the front Everyone sniggers andthinks it very funny| Sounds feasible agreed Tommy 4 T Agatha ChristieTuppence said Theres a kind of age-long ^ humour about the chased male That oughtcg|stand us in good stead If we are seen together all^anyone will do is to snigger and say Look at poor oldMeadowes lH gjTommy gripped her arm suddenly ill Vk amplLook he said Look ahead of you ysraquoBy the corner of one of the shelters a young man ai stood talking to a girl They were both very earn-^p ^est very wrapped up in what they were saying |p^ amp ^glljTuppence said softlyJ^Carl von Deinim Whos the girl I wonder ^ - ----h^Shes remarkably good looking whoever sheTuppence nodded Her eyes dwelt thoughtfully |on the dark passionate face and on the tight- 8Hgglfc ^-raquo ~^^^fitting pullover that revealed the lines of the girls ^^figure She was talking earnestly with emphasis^reg^Carl von Deinim was listening to her R^i^a^w^wreg^^SV^^^fflS^^^reg^gggTuppence murmuredI think this is where you leave me f^ _ Right agreed Tommy ^He turned and strolled in the opposite directionSAt the end of the promenade he encountered 8IHMajor Bletchley The latter peered at him suspi- 8ciously and then grunted^out Good morning _Jamp | Good morning iamp IfffSi ILp See youre like me an early riser remarked SBletchley nm f - Tommy said m I waa^ ^One gets in the habit of it out East Of coursethats many years ago now but I still wake early I gt_^Quite right too said Major Bletchley withapproval God these young fellows nowadays_ make me sick Hot baths--coming down to breakerlater Noynder the Ger^ NORM ^ 25-S-rf- manshave been putting it over on us No staminaSoft lot of young pups Armys not what it wasanyway Coddle em thats what they do nowadaysTuck em up at night with hot water bottlesFaugh Makes me sick a KTommy shook his head in a melancholy fashionand Major Bletchley thus encouraged went on

Page 14

N Or MDiscipline thats what we need DisciplineHow are we going to win the War without disciplineDo you know sir some of these fellowscome on parade in slacks--so Ive been toldCant expect to win a War that way Slacks MyGod a |i-^ |g| -| MBsect1 Mr Meadowes hazarded the opinion that thingswere very different from what they had beenlt^aaIts all this democracy said Major Bletchleygloomily You can overdo anything In my opiniontheyre overdoing the democracy businessMixing up the officers and the men feeding N8S together in restaurants--Paugh--the men dont |like it Meadowes The troops know The troopsalways know laquog ggOf course said Mr Meadowes I have noreal knowledge of Army matters myself-- ^ ^4The Major interrupted him shooting a quicksideways glanceIn the show in the last War^^^1^^-^^ifc-fABi^ftA^^- ^sfe^^^ampOh yesThought so Saw youd been drilled Shoul- mgders What regiment ^ ^pf^Fifth Corfeshires Tommy remembered toproduce Meadowesmilitary record ^Ah yes Salonica^ Yes -^ fc-a^iji ^Ill I was in Mespot - ^Bletchley plunged into reminiscences Tommy i6 m sAgatha Christie ^ 1^aw y^ rtfflistened politely Bletchley ended up wrathfully^ And will they make use of me now No theywill not Too old Too old be damned I couldteach one or two of these young cubs something m| about war gt 1sect SlEven if its only what not to do suggested_ ^^r i^---^ ^yja^ ^Tf^ Tommy with a smile A-x^^^^ dl ^_^ Eh whats that HA sense of humour was clearly not Major |Ig Bletchley s strong suit He peered suspiciously I3 at his companion Tommy hastened to change the lconversation ^ Know anything about that MrsBlenkensop^yg I think her nameUS Thats right Blenkensop Not a bad looking iS womanbit long in the toothtalks too much^ Nice woman but foolish No I dont know her || Shes only been at Sans Souci a couple of daysJ|| He added Whydoyouask^p^^^^yy^9 -i Tommy explained -aaSampampg Happened to meet her just now Wondered ifj she was always out as early as this m Dont know Im sure Women arent usuallygiven to walking before breakfastthank God gB Amen said Tommy He went on Im notI much good at making polite conversation before ^H breakfast Hope I wasnt rude to the woman but I

Page 15

N Or M1 wanted my exercise ^Major Bletchley displayed instant sympathy rj Im with you Meadowes Im with you| Women are all very well in their place but not fssamp^ before breakfast He chuckled a little Better becareful old man Shes a widow you knowIs she ^|3fe SK^SlThe Major dug him cheerfully in the ribs ial m ^NbRM 27 M^e know what widows are Shes buried twohusbands and if you ask me shes on the lookoutfor number three Keep a very wary eye openMeadowes A wary eye Thats my advice ^And in high good humour Major Bletchley i wheeled about at the end of the parade and set thepace for a smart walk back to breakfast at SansSouci regIn the meantime Tuppence had gently con- -tinued her walk along the esplanade passing quite ^-^y^close to the shelter and the young couple talking there As she passed she caught a few words It ^ was the girl speaking ||j|8 t| ^ ^But you must be careful Carl The very least 1||suspicion--reg- iPH^- L Tuppence was out of earshot Suggestivewords Yes but capable of any number of harmlessinterpretations Unobtrusively she turned andagain passed the two Again words floated to herSmug detestable EnglishThe eyebrows of Mrs Blenkensop rose ever soslightly ^ ^^fi^lHardly she thought a very wise conversation___ t^^3Carl von Deinim was a refugee from Nazi persecutiongiven asylum and shelter by EnglandNeither wise nor grateful to listen assentingly tosuch words rsi ^ ^ raquofeAgain Tuppence turned But this time beforeshe reached the shelter the couple had partedabruptly the girl to cross the road leaving the seafront Carl von Deinim to come along in Tuppencesdirection ^ HgHe would not perhaps have recognized ner but ^ for her own pause and hesitation Then quicklyhe brought his heels together and bowed tTuppence twittered at him ^ sy ^ __ Agatha Christie ^lt lt ^ ilS^b^ood morning Mr von Deinim isnt it Such^^^ely morning B tW Ah yes The weather is fine ^ J ^PPence ran on ftl 1 i (ltIt quite tempted me I dont often come out -- ^ before breakfast But this morning what with notsleeping very well--one often doesnt sleep well in a ^ange place I find It takes a day or two to ac- ^ custom oneself I always say ^1 ^degh yes no doubt that is soAnd really this little walk has quite given me86 an appetite for breakfast^ou go back to Sans Souci now If you permitI will walk with you He walked gravely by herside _____- ^PPence said sa M sJ ^u also are out to get an appetite ^ Gravely he shook his head m fo

Page 16

N Or M(t ^raquo -- ^^ _| ^h no My breakfast I have already had it I f~~H am on myway^o work ----------------^raquo ^^aresearchchemistSo thats what you are thought Tuppence Ibaling a quick glance at him fetelaquo Carl von Deinim went on his voice stiff ^ ^ came to this country to escape Nazi persecu- m tion l ^^| ygry little money--no friends I do nowwhat useful work I can ^ ^-^g - He stared straight ahead of himGQnscious of some undercurrent of strong feeling y |--^^ng him powerfully i| 3S |^ She murmured vaguely ^ ^ ^ sil Oh yes I see I see Very creditable I am^lllKt^ure ^ ^^ ^ ^^B _ ^ carl yo Deinim said ^ ^K ^ | ^ly two brothers are in concentration camps Kr N OR M 29^-s^My father died in one My mother died of sorrow ^ and fear |p ^ ^ _ gf^^ Tuppence thought - i^The way he says that--as though he had Ilearned it by heart - ^Again she stole a quick glance at him He wasstill staring ahead of him his face impassiveThey walked in silence for some moments Twomen passed them One of them shot a quick glanceat Carl She heard him mutter to his companion nBet you that fellow is a German y^Tuppence saw the colour rise in Carl vonDeinims cheeks B| g|li Suddenly he lost command of himself That tideof hidden emotion came to the surface He stammered

You heard--you heard--that is what they say_I_My dear boy Tuppence reverted suddenly to Illher real self Her voice was crisp and compellingDont be an idiot You cant have it both waysll He turned his head and stared at herHi What dn vnn mpfln SS8raquo M ^gl w iidi uu yuu iiicdii ^fc-- ^^ ^^^^^^w^mYoure a refugee You have to take the roughwith the smooth Youre alive thats the mainthing Alive and free For the other--realize thatits inevitable This countrys at War Youre aGerman She smiled suddenly You cant expectthe mere man in the street--literally the manin the street--to distinguish between bad Germansand good Germans if I may put it so crudelyHe still stared at her His eyes so very bluewere poignant with suppressed feeling Then suddenlyhe too smiled He said Ill IsThey said of Red Indians did they not that agood Indian was a dead Indian He laughed a1 ifSWiZ- flSW t8 Agatha ChristieGood morning Mr von Deinim isnt it Sucha lovely morning ^lt gt ^ Ah yes The weather is fine ||a Tuppence ran on stIt quite tempted me I dont often come outbefore breakfast But this morning what with not

Page 17

N Or Msleeping very well--one often doesnt sleep well ina strange place I find It takes a day or two to accustomoneself I always say a0h yes no doubt that is so iB5sAnd really this little walk has quite given mean appetite for breakfastYou go back to Sans Souci now If you permitI will walk with you He walked gravely by herii side ^i^ ^^ yTuppence said A-1 i^---H^You also are out to get an appet^ - SiyIII Gravely he shook his head |^|1111 Oh no My breakfast I have already had it Iam on my way to work IpWork -Bs ^ireg ^sa I am a research chemist ^So thats what you are thought Tuppencestealing a quick glance at him |K|Carl von Deinim went on his voice stiffI came to this country to escape Nazi persecutionI had very little money--no friends I do nowwhat useful work I canHe stared straight ahead of him Tuppence wasconscious of some undercurrent of strong feelingmoving him powerfully ^8 laquo | She murmured vaguelyOh yes I see I see Very creditable I am sure ^w g^I Carl von Deinim said ^fisect^^ My two brothers are in concentration camps v father died in one My mother died of sorrowand fear g|g| Tuppence thought ^ |||The way he says that--as though he hadfiSlearned it by heartAgain she stole a quick glance at him He wasstill staring ahead of him his face impassive |They walked in silence for some moments Two | men passed them One of them shot a quick glance iat Carl She heard him mutter to his companionBet you that fellow is a German ^ |$IS|NTuppence saw the colour rise in Carl von llH^tDeinims cheeks ^^Suddenly he lost command of himself That tide 51 of hidden emotion came to the surface He stam^^^ ^JmeredYou heard--you heard--that is what they say |My dear boy Tuppence reverted suddenly toher real self Her voice was crisp and compellingDont be an idiot You cant have it both waysHe turned his head and stared at herWhat do you mean ^^^ ^-^ - -Youre a refugee You have to take the roughwith the smooth Youre alive thats the mainthing Alive and free For the other--realize thatits inevitable This countrys at War Youre aGerman She smiled suddenly You cant expectthe mere man in the street--literally the manin the street--to distinguish between bad Germansand good Germans if I may put it so crudelyHe still stared at her His eyes so very bluewere poignant with suppressed feeling Then suddenlyhe too smiled He said^|| ^y-AThey said of Red Indians did they not that a

Page 18

N Or Mgood Indian was a dead Indian He laughed 10 Agatha Christie - Tobe a good German I must be on time at mywork Please Good morningAgain that stiff bow Tuppence stared after hisretreating figure She said to herselfMrs Blenkensop you had a lapse then Strictattention to business in future Now for breakfastatSansSouciThe hall door of Sans Souci was open InsideMrs Perenna was conducting a vigorous conversationwith someoneAnd youll tell him what I think of that last lotof margarine Get the cooked ham at Quillers--itwas twopence cheaper last time there and becareful about the cabbages-- She broke off as Tuppence entered iOh good morning Mrs Blenkensop you arean early bird You havent had breakfast yet Itsall ready in the dining room She added indicatingher companion My daughter Sheila Youhavent met her Shes been away and only camehome last nightTuppence looked with interest at the vividhandsome face No longer full of tragic energybored now and resentful My daughter SheilaSheila PerennaTuppence murmured a few pleasant words andwent into the dining room There were threepeople breakfasting--Mrs Sprot and her babygirl and big Mrs ORourke Tuppence saidGood morning and Mrs ORourke repliedwith a hearty The top of the morning to youthat quite drowned Mrs Sprots more anaemicsalutationThe old woman stared at Tuppence with a kindof devouring interest ^ NOftM 31 Tis a fine thing to be out walking beforebreakfast she observed A grand appetite itgives you ^ wgt^Mrs Sprot said to her offspring ^- feSIttNice bread and milk darling and endeavouredto insinuate a spoonful into Miss BettySprots mouthThe latter cleverly circumvented this endeavour by an adroit movement of her head and con- raquotinued to stare at Tuppence with large round eyesShe pointed a milky finger at the newcomergave her a dazzling smile and observed in gurgling |tones Ga--GaBouch aShe likes you cried Mrs Sprot beamingon Tuppence as on one marked out for favourSometimes shes so shy with strangers ltBouch said Betty Sprot Ah poothbag she added with emphasisAnd what would she be meaning by thatdemanded Mrs ORourke with interestShe doesnt speak awfully clearly yet confessedMrs Sprot Shes only just over two youknow Im afraid most of what she says is justBosh She can say Mama though cant you darling

Page 19

N Or MBetty looked thoughtfully at hermotherland remarked with an air ofGuggle bick^| ^ T^ Tis a languagebf their own they have theHide angels boomed out Mrs ORourke Bettydading say Mama nowBetty looked hard at Mrs ORourke frownedand observed with terrific emphasis Nazer-- ^There now if she isnt doing her best And alovely sweet girl she is ^ 32 Agatha ChristieMrs ORourke rose beamed in a ferociousmanner at Betty and waddled heavily out of the roomGa ga ga said Betty with enormous satisfactionand beat with a spoon on the tableTuppence said with a twinkle 5What does Na-zer really meanMrs Sprot said with a flush Im afraid yoi know its what Betty says when she doesnt like anyone or anythingI rather thought so said TuppenceBoth women laughedAfter all said Mrs Sprot Mrs 0Rourkltmeans to be kind but she is rather alarming--witt that deep voice and the beard and--and everything ff^ |g sectg|With her head on one side Betty made a cooinjnoise at TuppenceShe has taken to you Mrs Blenkensop sakMrs SprotThere was a slight jealous chill Tuppence fancied in her voice Tuppence hastened to adjusmattersThey always like a new face dont they shisaid easilyThe door opened and Major Bletchley anlt Tommy appeared Tuppence became archAh Mr Meadowes she called out Ivbeaten you you see First past the post But Ivleft you just a little breakfastShe indicated with the faintest of gestures thseat beside herTommy muttering vaguely Oh er--ratherthanksand hurriedly sat down at the other eniof the tableBetty Sprot said Putch with a fine splutte NORM

of milk at Major Bletchley whose face instantlyassumed a sheepish but delighted expressionAnd hows little Miss Go Peep this morninghe asked fatuously Go Peep He enacted theplay with a newspaper j|^ ^H$5| aBetty crowed with delight f-1 samp ^Serious misgivings shook Tuppence ShethoughtThere must be some mistake There cant be| anything going on here There simply cantTo believe in Sans Souci as a headquarters ofthe Fifth Column needed the mental equipment ofthe White Queen in Alice On the sheltered terrace outside Miss Minton wasknittingMiss Minton was thin and angular her neck wasstringy She wore pale sky-blue jumpers andchains or bead necklaces Her skirts were tweedy

Page 20

N Or Mand had a depressed droop at the back Shegreeted Tuppence with alacrityGood morning Mrs BIenkensop I do hopeyou slept well Mrs BIenkensop confessed that she never slept very well the first night or two in a strange bed MissMinton said Now wasnt that curious It was exactly the same with meMrs BIenkensop said What a coincidenceand what a very pretty stitch that was Miss Min- iton flushing with pleasure displayed it Yes it was rather uncommon and really quite simpleShe could easily show it to Mrs BIenkensop if ] Mrs BIenkensop liked Oh that was very kindof Miss Minton but Mrs BIenkensop was sostupid she wasnt really very good at knitting notat following patterns that was to say She couldonly do simple things like Balaclava helmets andeven now she was afraid she had gone wrong somewhereIt didnt look right somehow did itMiss Minton cast an expert eye over the khakimass Gently she pointed out just what had gonewrong Thankfully Tuppence handed the faulty f^ N OR M ^j 35helmet over Miss Minton exuded kindness andIpatronage Oh no it wasnt a trouble at all She|had knitted for so many yearsIm afraid Ive never done any before thisdreadful War confessed Tuppence But onefeels so terribly doesnt one that one must do^something Npi ^aAOh yes indeed And you actually have a boyin the Navy I think I heard you say last nightYes my eldest boy Such a splendid boy heisthough I suppose a mother shouldnt say soThen I have a boy in the Air Force and Cyril mybaby is out in FranceOh dear dear how terribly anxious youTmiistTuppence thought sampltOh Derek my darling Derek Out in thehell and messand here I am playing the foolacting the thing Im really feeling She said in her most righteous voice We must all be brave mustnt we Lets hopeit will all be over soon I was told the other day onvery high authority indeed that the Germans cantpossibly last out more than another two monthsMiss Minton nodded with so much vigour thatall her bead chains rattled and shookYes indeed and I believeher voice low- ered mysteriouslythat Hitler is suffering from ta (fiscalabsolutely fatalhell be raving madbyAugust g^Tuppence replied briskly All this Blitzkrieg is just the Germans lasteffort I believe the shortage is something frightfuli Germany The men in the factories are verydissatisfied The whole thing will crack upWhats this Whats all thisSifi H and Mrs Cayley caCayley putting his que

Page 21

N Or MMr himself in a chair andtiec^taees He repeated fretfhis Whats that you are say iVere saying said Mi c over by the Autumnall l^onsense said Mr g to last at least six yeaigof^Dh Mr Cayley prot t really think sodoa^^r Cayley was peering a^Wow I wonder he n ght Perhaps it woulddrraquoji back into the cornerch^tie resettlement of Mr^1 an anxious-faced wwif^ no other aim in life thaV^jeys wants manipulatCa^^g from time to timeasle^td Do you think thatAlC^ perhaps to have youyol-^r a glare this morningratlHr Cayley said irritablyf^fo no Dont fuss Elc tuffler No no my simy it matter I daresay )do^l dont want to get myBut111in this sunlightwwo^^ fetch the other Hbettt1 to matters of public inbac^e it six yearsI M listened with pleasunIcementwc^jOu dear ladies are jus wishful thinking N01cal-Hll N OR M 37may say I know Germany extremely well In thecourse of my business before I retired I used to beconstantly to and fro Berlin Hamburg MunichI know them all I can assure you that Germanycan hold out practically indefinitely With Russiabehind her--Mr Cayley plunged triumphantly on his voicerising and falling in pleasurably melancholy cadencesonly interrupted when he paused to receivethe silk muffler his wife brought him and wind itround his throat |g| laquo^Mrs Sprot brought out Betty and plumped herdown with a small woolen dog that lacked an earand a woolly dolls jacketThere Betty she said You dress up Bonzoready for his walk while Mummy gets ready to gooutMr Cayleys voice droned on reciting statisticsand figures all of a depressing character The monologue was punctuated by a cheerful twitter1ing from Betty talking busily to Bonzo in her ownlanguage Truckle-- truckly-- pah bat said BettyThen as a bird alighted near her she stretched outloving hands to it and gurgled The bird flew awayand Betty glanced round the assembled companyand remarked clearly

Page 22

N Or M Dicky and nodded her head with great satisJactfonyHH tfw ^^ E lhat child is learning to talk in the most wonderfulway said Miss Minton Say Ta ta BettyTataBetty looked at her coldly and remarkedGluck ^Then she forced Bonzos one arm into his_oolly coat and toddling over to a chair picked 38 HH Agatha Christieup the cushion and pushed Bonzo behind itChuckling gleefully she said with terrific pains g|Hide Bow wow Hide Miss Minton acting as a kind of interpretersaid with vicarious prideShe loves hide and seek Shes always hidingthings She cried out with exaggerated surpriseWhere is Bonzo Where is Bonzo Where can Bonzo have gone ^Betty flung herself down and went into ecstasiesof mirthMr Cayley finding attention diverted from hisexplanation of Germanys methods of substitution |of raw materials looked put out and coughed aggressivelyreg8^^

Mrs Sprot came out with her hat on and pickedup Betty ^ ^ ^ ggi Attention returned to Mr Cayley SHSa You were saying Mr Cayley said TuppencerBut Mr Cayley was affronted He said coldly ^ That woman is always plumping that childdown and expecting people to look after it I thinkIll have the woollen muffler after all dear Thegt MMsun is going inOh but Mr Cayley do go on with what youwere telling us It was so interesting Miss MintonbeggedMollified Mr Cayley weightily resumed his discoursedrawing the folds of the woolly mufflercloser round his stringy neckAs I was saying Germany has so perfected hersystem of--j|| Tuppence turned to Mrs Cayley and askedWhat do you think about the^war MrsCayley N OR M 39Mrs Cayley jumpedOh what do I think What--what do youmean ^ ^Do you think it will last as long as six yearsMrs Cayley said doubtfullyOh I hope not Its a very long time isnt itYes a long time What do you really thinkMrs Cayley seemed quite alarmed by the questionShe said ^jiss^ Ap |Oh I--I dont know I dont know at allAlfred says it will ^ j^But you dont think so SS raquoOh I dont know It^s ^difficult to say isntI19 teampSi^^-^-^^Tuppence felt a wave of exasperation The chirrupingMiss Minton the dictatorial Mr Cayley

Page 23

N Or Mthe nitwitted Mrs Cayley--were these peoplereally typical of her fellow countrymen Was MrsSprot any better with her slightly vacant face andboiled gooseberry eyes What could she Tuppenceever find out here Not one of thesepeople surely--Her thought was checked She was aware of ashadow Someone behind her who stood betweenher and the sun She turned her head ^aMrs Perenna standing on the terrace her eyeson the group And something in those eyes--scorn was it A kind of withering contempt TuppencethoughtI must find out more about Mrs Perenna 40 III Agatha Christie ifcBrought down some golf clubs with you didnt you Meadowes ^ H| Tommy pleaded guilty - B^Ha I can tell you my eyes dont miss muchSplendid We must have a game together Everplayed on the links hereTommy replied in the negativeTheyre not bad--not bad at all Bit on theshort side perhaps but lovely view over the seaand all that And never very crowded Look herewhat about coming along with me this morningWe might have a game ^Thanks very much Id like it Must say Im glad youve arrived remarked Bletchley as they were trudging up the hill Too I many women in that place Getson ones nervesGlad Ive got another fellow to keep me in countenanceYou cant count Cayley--the mans akind of walking chemists shop Talks of nothingbut his health and the treatments hes tried and thedrugs hes taking If he threw away all his little pillboxes and went out for a good ten mile walk every I day hed be a different man Theonly other maleI in the place is von Deinim and to tell you the truth Meadowes Im not too easy in my mind s about him I No said TommyNo You take my word for it this refugeebusiness is dangerous If I had my way Id internthe lot of them Safety first ^IJB HA bit drastic perhaps M ----Not at all Wars War And Ive got my suspicionsof Master Carl For one thing hes clearlynot a Jew Then he came over here just a month--only a month mind you--before War brokei out Thats a bit suspicious | g ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Tommy said invitinglyThen you think-- gt Spying-- thats his li^ie gameBut surely theres ncfraquono rgtf J ruling 01 amprpat inilitari ltgt^ naval importance hereabouts tary orAh old man tha^s where _thPortsmouthhed be und^r sunervi^ plymouth or ^place like this nobody boZTs FIn a sleepy coast isnt it The truth o^61 Irson the I S a great deal too easy Mth hes^ ernment is ^1 Anyone who cared could ^lCTe ^ ^s- a long face and talk abc^^ -d pull aA-centration camps Loo^^0^111^- 3fe arrogance in every line S ^ ^ 11^ 1--thats what he is--a Nazi e s a NazlWhat we really need fi SU -

Page 24

N Or MF doctor or two said Toff untry is a witch 1^ 1I1 ocior or iwo saia i onmy pleasantiu taM_|I Eh whats that mly- W^^ To smell out the sp|pc Tnrraquo x S gravely onlmy explained j^ |Ha very good that-_yerv eo^ o ^ iout-yes of course y g od- sme11 em ^ 1|1 Further conversation w hrrtiioti lt 1 they had arrived at the clu^8111 to an end ^Tommys name was pi^ (jq^ 3 ------------------------their round ---lor started onTommy was a mediocn pnlfcr^^ -- -niiu mai ilia BiailualU 01 pav walti inraquoraquo ^ o- - for his new friend The M-^onb gIJU1 WUIl dv two lin anyone to play a very happy Sate of eventsGood match Meadaes -- -you had bad luck wiLh^^Z0011 mtch 42 Agatha Christie ^B 3turned off at the last minute We must have agame fairly often Come along and Ill introduceyou to some of the fellows Nice lot on the wholesome of them inclined to be rather old women ifyou know what I mean Ah heres Haydock--youll like Haydock Retired naval wallah Hasthat house on the cliff next door to us Hes ourlocal ARP warden |||Commander Haydock was a big hearty manwith a weatherbeaten face intensely blue eyesand a habit of shouting most of his remarks ^ wraquo He greeted Tommy with friendliness ^aBB|So youre going to keep Bletchley countenanceat Sans Souci Hell be glad of another manRather swamped by female society eh Bletchieyis sb aIm not much of a ladies man said MajorBletchleyNonsense said Haydock Not your typeof lady my boy thats it Old boarding housepussies Nothing to do but gossip and knitYoure forgetting Miss Perenna said Bletch-1ley ^ IAh Sheila--shes an attractive girl all right SRegular beauty if you ask me y Im a bit worried about her said Bletchley | sWhat do you mean Have a drink MeadowesWhats yours Major nThe drinks ordered and the men settled on the8 jverandah of the clubhouse Haydock repeated hisquestion ( Major Bletchley said with some violence IThat German chap Shes seeing too much ofhim| Getting sweet on him you mean Hm thatsbad Of course hes a good looking young chap in ^ NORM 43his way But it wont do It wont do BletchleyWe cant have that sort of thing Trading with theenemy thats what it amounts to These girls--wheres their proper spirit Plenty of decentyoung English fellows about raquoBletchley said gt ltSheilas a queer girl--she gets odd sullen fitswhen she will hardly speak to anyoneSpanish blood said the Commander Herfather was half Spanish wasnt he

Page 25

N Or MDont know Its a Spanish name I shouldthink ^The Commander glanced at his watch About time for the news Wed better go inandlistentoit I ||gThe news was meagre that day little more in itthan had been already in the morning papersAfter commenting with approval on the latest exploitsof the Air Force--first-rate chaps brave aslions--the Commander went on to develop hisown pet theory--that sooner or later the Germanswould attempt a landing at Leahampton itself--his argument being that it was such an unimportantspotNot even an anti-aircraft gun in the place Disgraceful^ H allflThe argument was not developed for Tommyand the Major had to hurry back to lunch at SansSouci Haydock extended a cordial invitation toTommy to come and see his little place SmugglersRest Marvellous view--my own beach--every kind of handy gadget in the house Bringhim along BletchleyIt was settled that Tommy and Major Bletchleyshould come in for drinks on the evening of thefollowing day Aptha ChristieAfter lunch was i peaceful time at Sans SouciMr Cayley went traquo have his rest with the devotedMrs- Cayley in attendance Mrs Blenkensopwas conductedby Miss Minton to a depot topack and address pircels for the FrontMr Meadowes strolled gently out into LeacigarettesSlUppcv ai ^gtv latest number of Punch then after a few minutesof apparent irresolution he entered a bus bearingthe legend old pieh gg| g||The old pier was at the--^--^----^^-11^pi V11A^Xraquoraquoto house agents as the least desirable end It wasWest Leahampton and poorly thought of Tommy ^-L -- ^ raquo iiwasaH- ~i-flimsy and weather-worn affair with a few mon--- - l 1^----J ^tt^CnE die-UU11U p^nraquoraquo --tant intervals There was no one on it but somechildren running up and down and screaming invoices that matched quite accurately the screamingof the gulls and one solitary man sitting on theend fishing Il USi Mr Meadowes strolled upto the end and gazeddown into the watier Then he asked gentlyH Caught anythiing ^ |g The fisherman sshook his head ^Dont often g^et a bite Mr Grant reeled inhis line a bit He said without turning his headWhat about yrou Meadowesi Tommy saidNothing muchh to report as yet sir Im diggingmyself in |1| - _Good^Tellmae -^N OR M fSpj 45Tommy sat on an adjacent post so placed that yraquohe commanded the length of the pier^Then he S^l

Page 26

N Or MbeganIve gone down quite all right I think I gather |youve already got a list of the people there jg^ Grant nodded Theres nothing to report as yet SB Ive struck up a friendship with Major BletchleyWe played golf this morning He seems the ordinarytype of retired officer If anything a shadetoo typical Cay ley seems a genuine hypochondriacalinvalid That again would be an easy partto act He has by his own admission been a gooddeal in Germany during the last few yearsA point said Grant laconicallyThen theres von Deinim ||||Yes I dont need to tell you Meadowes that~von Deinims the one Im most interested inK You think hes N p^ ^ss arareg Grant shook his head 8amp1 sasfeNo I dont As I see it N couldnt afford tobe a German ||| ||sect i-I^B1^ Not a refugee from Nazi persecution eventNot even that We watch and they know wewatch all the enemy aliens in this country Moreover--thisis in confidence Beresford--very a shortly all enemy aliens between 16 and 60 will beinterned Whether our adversaries are aware ofthat fact or not they can at any rate anticipatethat such a thing might happen They would neverrisk the head of their organization being internedN therefore must be either a neutral--or else heis (apparently) an Englishman The same ofcourse applies to M No my meaning about vonDeinim is this He may be a link in the chain N or yM may not be at Sans Souci it may be Carl vonDeinim who is there and through him we may be 46 ^Agatha Christieled to our object^- That does seem to be highlypossible The mfi16 so as I cannot very well seethat any of the (Other inmates of Sans Souci arelikely to be the person we are seekingYouve had (them more or less investigated Isuppose sirGrant sighed--a sharp quick sigh of vexationNo thats jist wnat ltgts impossible for me todo I could havlte them looked up by the departmenteasily enough--but I cant risk it Beresford For you see th1reg rot is in the department itselfOne hint that 1^ go1 ^ ^ on sans souci fm any reason--an^ the organization may be put ^ wise Thats wr1reg Y011 come in the outsider |Thats why you^ got to work in the dark withouthelp from i1- Its our only chance-- and Idarent risk alar^them- Theres only one personIve been ablle to check up on ^ Whos that sirGrant smiled w Carl von De1111111 himself Thats easy enoughRoutine I can tfa^ him looked up--not from theSans Souci angic ^t from the enemy alien angle reg ^- ^^ Tommy askeci curiously ^ ^l ^^ Andtheres^t7A curious sm10 came over the others faceMaster Cartls exactly what he says he is Hisfather was indi^c1^) was arrested and died in aconcentration c^1- Carols elder brothers are incamps His mother died in great distress of mind ayear ago He epcaped to England a month beforewar broke out von Deinim has professed himself^ anxious to hel^P this country His work in a^

Page 27

N Or Mchemical research laboratory has been excellentand most helpN on the problem of immunizing ^^Ip ^- vnorm ^ 47certain gases and in general decontamination experiments^HlTommy said S^agg Then hes all right Breg Not necessarily Our German friends are notoriousfor their thoroughness If von Deinim wassent as an agent to England special care would betaken that his record should be consistent with hisown account of himself There are two possibilitiesThe whole von Deinim family may be partiesto the arrangement--not improbable underthe painstaking Nazi regime Or else this is notreally Carl von Deinim but a man playing the partof Carl von Deinim S |Tommy said slowly Isee He added inconsequently ^ He seems an awfully nice young fellow SighingGrant said They are--they nearlyalways are Its an odd life this service of ours We |respect our adversaries and they respect us Youusually like your opposite number you know- even when youre doing your best to down himThere was a silence as Tommy thought over thestrange anomaly of war Grants voice Jbroke intohis musings ||p K But there are those for whom weve neitherrespect nor liking--and those are the traitors withinour own ranks--the men who are willing to betraytheir country and accept office and promotionfrom the foreigner who has conquered itTommy said with feeling ^illreg My God Im with you sir Thats a skunkstrick gpAnd deserves a skunks end regs^jtKsTommy said incredulously Siss-- ^aampiSiAnd there really are these--these swine 48 Agatha ChristieEverywhere As I told you In our service Inthe fighting forces On Parliamentary benchesHigh up in the Ministries Weve got to combthem out--weve got to And we must do itquickly It cant be done from the bottom--thesmall fry the people who speak in the Parks whosell their wretched little news-sheets they dontknow who the big bugs are Its the big bugs wewant theyre the people who can do untold damage--andwill do it unless were in time Tommy said confidently ^p ^fWe shall be in time sir ^- y^a - |S Grant asked ^at What makes you say that 8 l|^ ^1Tommy said 11Youve just said it--weve got to beThe man with the fishing line turned and lookedfull at his subordinate for a minute or two takingin anew the quiet resolute line of the jaw He had anew liking and appreciation of what he saw Hesaid quietly -^y^1 teampa^Good man araquo I Hewent onWhat about the women in this place Anythingstrike you as suspicious thereI think theres something odd about the

Page 28

N Or Mwoman who runs itMrs Perenna VSSYes You dont--know anything about herGrant said slowlyI might see what I could do about checking herantecedents but as I told you its riskyYes better not take any chances Shes theonly one who strikes me as suspicious in any wayTheres a young mother a fussy spinster thehypochondriacs brainless wife and a rather fear I N OR M 49^ni looking old Irish-woman All seem harmless ^owh on the face of it y ^S Ithats the lot is it ||t(o Theres a Mrs Blenkensop-- arrived three^ago -m Veil - ^lt-^W ^ raquo ya ^nuny said 8^^NIamp_ |g|1| 4rs Blenkensop is my wife ^ |gg^ the surprise of the anntmncenient Grant vok( was raised He spun around sharp anger in his hze I thought I told you Beresford not to ^the a word to your wifelt)uite right sir and I didnt If youll justlister i^ISiSliccinctiy Tommy narrated what had oc- i^ cu6d He did not dare look at the other He ampSS ^^fully kept out of his voice the pridejhathesecr^iy felt -fe^-^^iJ IIH ^here was a silence when he brought the story to an end Then a queer noise escaped from the 8oth^r Grant was laughing He laughed for somemin(ites(take my hat off to the woman Shes one in athousand ^1(agree said Tommy - w^^ gasthampton will laugh when I tell him this 1TS s He earned me not to leave her out Said shed getthe getter of me if I did I wouldnt listen to him ^i^P^ you though how damned careful youve8^j lto be I thought Id taken every precautiona|raquoliraquost being overheard Id satisfied myself ^ b^Qfehand that you and your wife were alone in the f|at I actually heard the voice in the telephoneai|irf8 Your wife to come round at once and ^---- RAj--_raquo 52 Agatha ChristieTuppence replied that she thought she wasgoing to like Leahampton very much and behappy thereThat is she added in a melancholy voice ashappy as I can be anywhere with this terrible anxietyweighing on me all the timeAh now dont you be worrying yourselfMrs ORourke advised comfortably Those fineboys of yours will come back to you safe andsound Not a doubt of it One of thems in the AirForce so I think you said ^Yes Raymond a^ And is he in France now or in England Hes in Egypt at the moment but from whatjhe said in his last letter--not exactly said--but wehave a little private code if you know what Imean--certain sentences mean certain things Ithink thats quite justified dont you ^ Mrs ORourke replied promptlyIndeed and I do Tis a mothers privilegeYes you see I feel I must know just where hesectJis IP KBMrs ORourke nodded the Buddha-like headI feel for you entirely so I do If I had a boy

Page 29

N Or Mout there Id be deceiving the censor the very sameway so I would And your other boy the one inthe NavyTuppence entered obligingly upon a saga ofDouglasYou see she ended I feel so lost withoutmy three boys Theyve never been all away togetherfrom me before Theyre all so sweet to meI really do think they treat me more as a friend than a mother She laughed self-consciously Ihave to scold them sometimes and make them g(out without me N OR M 53(What a pestilential woman I sound thoughtTuppence to herself)She went on aloudAnd really I didnt know quite what to do orwhere to go The lease of my house in London wasup and it seemed so foolish to renew it and Ithought if I came somewhere quiet and yet with agood train service She broke off -yAgain the Buddha nodded SBlI agree with you entirely London is no placeat the present Ah the gloom of it Ive lived theremyself for many a year now Im by way of beingan antique dealer you know You may know myshop in Cornaby Street Chelsea Kate Kellys thename over the door Lovely stuff I had theretoooh lovely stuffmostly glassWaterfordCorkbeautiful Chandeliers and lustres andpunchbowls and all the rest of it Foreign glasstoo And small furniturenothing largejustsmall period piecesmostly walnut and oak Ohlovely stuffand I had some good customers Butthere when theres a War on all that goes westIm lucky to be out of it with as little loss as IvehadA faint memory flickered through Tuppencesmind A shop filled with glass through which itwas difficult to move a rich persuasive voice acompelling massive woman Yes surely she hadbeen into that shop aHMrs ORourke went on Im not one of those that like to be alwayscomplainingnot like some thats in this houseMr Cayley for one with his muffler and hisshawls and his moans about his business going topieces Of course its to pieces theres a Waronand his wife with never Boo to say to a goose 54 ^1 Agatha Christie -^^y ^Then theres that little Mrs Sprot always fussingabout her husbandIs he out at the front J^s^^ Tf---(^Not he Hes a tuppenny-halfpenny clerk in aninsurance office thats all and so terrified of airraids hes had his wife down here since the beginningof the War Mind you I think thats rightwhere the childs concerned--and a nice wee miteshe is--but Mrs Sprot she frets for all that herhusband conies down when he can Keeps say- gting Arthur must miss her so But if you ask me | Arthurs not missing her over-much--maybe hes got other fish to fry ^ ^

Page 30

N Or MTuppence murmured ||| --Im terribly sorry for all these mothers If you g let your children go away without you you never M stop worrying And if you go with them its hardon the husbands being leftAh yes and it comes expensive running twoestablishments iSll-^^ fSS-This place seems quite reasonable said TuppenceYes Id say you get your moneys worth88Mrs Perennas a good manager Theres a queerwoman for you now Samp^ In what way asked Tuppence |H gsectMrs ORourke said with a twinkle j| Youll be thinking Im a terrible talker Its|||true Im interested in all my fellow creaturesthats why I sit in this chair as often as I can Yousee who goes in and who goes out and whos onthe verandah and what goes on in the gardenWhat were we talking of now--ah yes MrsIH Perenna and the queerness of her Theres been agrand drama in that womans life or Im muchmistaken ^ ^ NORM 55Do you really think soI do now And the mystery she makes of herself And where might you come from in Ki Ireland I asked her And would youbelieve itshe held out on me declaring she was not fromIreland at all ^R^ -- You think she is Irish -~ Ofcourse shes Irish I know my own countrywomen I could name you the county she comesfrom But there Im English she says and myhusband was a Spaniard--Mrs ORourke broke off abruptly as MrsSprot came in closely followed by TommyTuppence immediately assumed a sprightlymanner a^Good evening Mr Meadowes You look verybrisk this evening ^s^ ^Illr^ -- ^Tommy said itoa Plenty of exercise thats the secret A roundof golf this morning and a walk along the frontthis afternoon ^ -^Millicent Sprot saidI took Baby down to the beach this afternoonShe wanted to paddle but I really thought it wasrather cold I was helping her build a castle and adog ran off with my knitting and pulled out yardsof it So annoying and so difficult picking up allthe stitches again Im such a bad knitterH Youre getting along fine with that helmetMrs Blenkensop said Mrs ORourke suddenlyturning her attention to Tuppence Youve beenjust racing along I thought Miss Minton said thatyou were an inexperienced knitterTuppence flushed faintly Mrs ORourkes eyeswere sharp With a slightly vexed air Tuppence 56 Ill Agatha Christie ^s^I have really done quite a lot of knitting I toldMiss Minton so But I think she likes teaching people

Everybody laughed in agreement and a fewPage 31

N Or Mminutes later the rest of the party came in and^hegong was sounded The conversation during the meal turned on theabsorbing subject of spies Well-known hoarychestnuts were retold The nun with the musculararm the clergyman descending from his parachuteand using unclergymanlike language as he landedwith a bump the Austrian cook who secreted awireless in her bedroom chimney and all thethings that had happened or nearly happened toaunts and second cousins of those present Thatled easily to Fifth Column activities To denunciationsof the British Fascists of the Communistsof the Peace Party of conscientious objectors Itwas a very normal conversation of the kind thatmay be heard almost every day nevertheless Tuppencewatched keenly the faces and demeanour ofthe people as they talked striving to catch sometell-tale expression or word But there was nothingSheila Perenna alone took no part in the conversationbut that might be put down to herhabitual taciturnity She sat there her dark rebelliousface sullen and broodingCarl von Deinim was out tonight^so tonguescould be quite unrestrained ill ^ ||V I Sheila only spoke once towards the end of diner

Mrs Sprot had just said in her thin flutingvoiceWhere I do think the Germans made such amistake in the last war was to shoot Nurse CavellIt turned everybody against them N OR M 57It was then that Sheila flinging back her he^demanded in her fierce young voice ^lv shouldnt they shoot her She was a spy wa^11 sheOh no not a spyShe helped English people to escape--in ^nenemy country Thats the same thing W^Y shouldnt she be shotI Oh but shooting a woman--and a nurse ||^ Sheila got upfefr laquoj think the Germans were quite right she saidShe went out of the window into the garden Dessert consisting of some under-ripe bananasand some tired oranges had been on the tal^c some time Everyone rose and adjournedto the lounge for coffeeOnly Tommy unobtrusively betook himself to the garden He found Sheila Perenna leaning over ft the terrace wall staring out at the sea He caH^ and stood beside her WBy her hurried quick breathing he knew that ( something had upset her badly He offered her a|fc cigarette which she acceptedHe said ^ ^ Lovelynight 35| ^ S|In a low intense voice the girl answeredIt could beTommy looked at her doubtfully He felt suddenlythe attraction and the vitality of this girl- There was a tumultuous life in her a kind of compellingpower She was the kind of girl he thought that a man might easily lose his headover If it werent for the War you mean he said- gampI dont mean that at all I hate the War

Page 32

N Or M 8 w^ gt Agatha Christie Hi- |p-- ^^^saC - ^y^ ^ So do we alll^ftJS Not in the way I mean I hate the cant about it|jpoundpound the smugness--the horrible horrible patriotismPatriotism Tommy was startled Yes I hate patriotism do you understand Allthis country country country Betraying yourcountry--dying for your country--serving yourcountry Why should ones country mean anyamp thing at allaaJg Tommy said simply I dont know It just 1as does ampNot to me Oh it would to you--you goabroad and buy and sell in the British Empire and J come back bronzed and full of cliches talking [_about the natives and calling for Chota Pegs and yS all that sort of thing ^ -BK Tommy said gently -^ s-i^QIm not quite as bad as that I hope my dear filf Im exaggerating a little--but you know what __ s I mean You believe in the British Empire--and--and--the stupidity of dying for ones countryt ^ My country said Tommy drily doesnt |g^^ys seem particularly anxious to allow me to die for |||SSff t raquol^r ll ilp^-Yes but you want to And its so stupid ik Nothings worth dying for Its all an(ctea--talk--| froth--high-flown idiocy My country doesnt g| mean anything to me at all poundsSome day said Tommy youll be surprisedto find that it doesNo Never Ive suffered--Ive seen-- |||She broke off--then turned suddenly and impetuouslyupon himggg Do you know who my father was ^ -Bals No Tommys interest quickened His name was Patrick Maguire He--he was a NORM 55follower of Casement in the last War He was shotas a traitor All for nothing For an idea--heworked himself up with those other IrishmenWhy couldnt he just stay at home quietly andmind his own business Hes a martyr to somepeople and a traitor to others I think he was ^ just--stupidI Tommy could hear the note of pent-up rebellioncoming out into the open He said So thats the shadow youve grown up withShadows right Mother changed her name r We lived in Spain for some years She always saysHthat my father was half a Spaniard We always tell ^ lies wherever we go Weve been all over the ContinentFinally we came here and started this placegc I think this is quite the most hateful thing weve doneyet --^ - Tommy asked ^ - ^ How does yourmother feel about--thingsYou mean--about my fathers death Sheila| was silent a moment frowning puzzled She saidslowly Ive never really known she nevertalks about it Its not easy to know what motherfeels or thinksTommy nodded his head thoughtfully ^ ^^ajnSheila said abruptly lt I--I dont know why Ive been telling you thisI got worked up Where did it all start p^a A discussion on Edith Cavell Aa^ i Oh yes--patriotism I said I hated itArent you forgetting Nurse Cavells own

Page 33

N Or Mwords What wordsBefore she died Dont you know what shesaid --He repeated the words ^ t 60 Agatha Christie ^^^ -yPatriotism is not enough I must have no |k phatred in my heart amp Oh She stood there stricken for a moment ^ Then turning quickly she wheeled away intothe shadow of the garden ^ ^ |sjdf^ So you see Tuppence it would all fit inBUS Tuppence nodded thoughtfully The beacharound them was empty She herself leanedagainst a breakwater Tommy sat above her onthe breakwater itself from which post he couldsee anyone who approached along the esplanadeNot that he expected to see anyone having ascertainedwith a fair amount of accuracy wherepeople would be this morning In any case his rendezvouswith Tuppence had borne all the signs ofa casual meeting pleasurable to the lady and slightly alarming to himself yy y(i Tuppence said Baar^ regreg I Mrs Perenna regYes M not N She satisfies the requirementsWffi Tuppence nodded thoughtfully again Mit Yes Shes Irish--as spotted by Mrs0Rourke--wont admit the fact Has done aigood deal of coming and going on the continentgll Changed her name to Perenna came here andstarted this boarding house A splendid bit ofcamouflage full of innocuous bores Her husbandwas shot as a traitor--shes got every incentive forrunning a Fifth Column show in this country Yes |it fits Is the girl in it too do you thinkTommy said finally regs3i N OR M ^ 61Definitely not Shed never have told me allthis otherwise I--I feel a bit of a cad you knowTuppence nodded with complete understand-yyww wob -^ ^-v ((i^ ing |g| -- - ^ S^regSYes one does In a way its a foul job this I ^But very necessary reg0h ofcourseTommy said flushing slightlyI dont like lying any better than you do--Tuppence interrupted him|ltsect I dont mind lying in the least To be quitehonest I get a lot of artistic pleasure out of my lies amp What gets me down is thosemoments when oneforgets to lie--the times when one is just oneself--and gets results that way that you couldnt havegot any other She paused and went on Thatswhat happened to you last night--with the girlShe responded to the real you--thats why youfeel badly about it laquoa^A s I believe youre right Tuppence SUS^ aI know Because I did the same thmg myself-with the German boy |||J |iraquoiTommy said iWhat do you think about himTuppence said quickly ^t^ If you ask me I dont think hes got anythingto do with itGrant thinks he has - ^| |||t j Your Mr Grant Tuppences moodchanged She chuckled How Id like to haveseen his face when you told him about meAt any rate hes made the amends honorable You re definitely on the j ohI Tuppence nodded but she looked a trifle abstracted

Page 34

N Or Mgin ^ S^iSJS-^^ She said Aw -^ y^ Do you remembciwe were hunting dowmember what fun it was Tommy agreed hisRather ^ Tommy--why isn ^ He considered the igrave Then he saidI suppose its reallTuppence said shariYou dont think--No Im sure wetime--it wont be fun This is the second Waiquite different about t]I know--we see ttiand the horror All thto think about beforeThats it In the 1now and then--and hiand went through hewere good times tooTuppence saidI suppose Derek feBetter not thinkTommy advisedYoure rightWeve got a job ^ Lets get on with it looking for in Mrs Pey We can at least scated Theres no onthat youve got your egt Tuppence considerreg _ No there isnt T HpNORM ^ 63^arrived of course was to size them all up andassess as it were possibilities Some of them seemquite impossible -^ ^Such as -9 ^Well Miss Minton for instance the cornpleatBritish spinster and Mrs Sprot and herBetty and the vacuous Mrs CayleyYes but nitwittishness can be assumedOh quite but the fussy spinster and the absorbedyoung mothers are parts that would befatally easy to overdo--and these people are quitenatural Then where Mrs Sprot is concernedtheres the child| I suppose said Tommy that even a secretagent might have a child ||sect|Not with her on the job said TuppenceIts not the kind of thing youd bring a child ^ into Im quite sure about that Tommy I know ^ Youd keep a child out of it ^ I withdraw said Tommy Ill give you MrsSprot and Miss Minton but Im not so sure aboutMrs CayleyNo she might be a possibility Because she g really does overdo it I mean there cant be many ^ women quite as idiotic as she seemsj| I have often noticed that being a devoted wife ^ saps the intellect murmured Tommy And where have you noticed that demandedTuppenceNot from you Tuppence Your devotion hasnever reached those lengthsFor a man said Tuppence kindly youdont really make an undue fuss when you are illTommy reverted to a survey of possibilities raquo Cayley said Tommy thoughtfully There 64 Agatha Christie

Page 35

N Or Mmight be something fishy about CayleyYes there might Then theres Mrs 0Rourkes ^ WWhat do you feel about herI dont quite know Shes disturbing Rather feefofum if you know what I meanYes I think I know But I rather fancy thatsjust the predatory note Shes that kind ofwoman gtyTuppence said slowlyShe--notices thingsShe was remembering the remark about knitting

Then theres Bletchley said TommyIve hardly spoken to him Hes definitelyyour chicken ^I think hes just the ordinary pukka old school type I think so Thats just it said Tuppence answering a ^i stress rather than actual words The worst of thissort of show is that you look at quite ordinary S|everyday people and twist them to suit your mor- febid requirements sfeIve tried a few experiments on Bletchley^said TommyWhat sort of thing Ive got some experimentsin mind myselfWell--just gentle ordinary little traps--aboutdates and places--all that sort of thingCould you condescend from the general to the particularWell say were talking of duck shooting Hementions the Fayum--good sport there such andsuch a year such and such a month Some othertime I mention Egypt in quite a different connectionMummies Tutankhamen something like NORM 65that--has he seem that stuff When was he there ^Check up on the answers Or P amp 0 boats--1 mention the names of one or two say So-and-sowas a comfortable boat He mentions some trip orother later I check that Nothing important or ^anything that puts him on his guard--just a checkup on accuracyAnd so far he hasnt slipped up in any wayNot once And thats a pretty good test let me -tell you Tuppence| Yes but I suppose if he was N he would havehis story quite patOh yes--the main outlines of it But its notso easy not to trip up on unimportant details Andthen occasionally you remember too much- more that is than a bona ride person would doAn ordinary person doesnt usually remember offhandwhether they took a certain shooting trip in ^1926 or 1927 They have to think a bitand search ^their memory piBut so far you havent caught Bletchley out ^ So far hes responded in a perfectly normalmanner| Result-negative IgKiC^S ExactlyNow said Tuppence Ill tell you some ofmy ideasAnd she proceeded to do soaIllOn her way home Mrs Blenkensop stopped atthe post office She bought stamps and on her way

Page 36

N Or Mout went into one of the public call boxes Thereshe rang up a certain number asked for Mr^

Stagvan-yafe

66 Agatha ChristieFaraday and held a short conversation withhim She came out smiling and walked slowlyhomewards stopping on the way to purchasesome knitting woolIt was a pleasant afternoon with a light breezeTuppence curbed the natural energy of her ownbrisk trot to that leisurely pace that accorded withher conception of the part of Mrs BlenkensopMrs Blenkensop had nothing on earth to do withherself except knit (not too well) and write lettersto her boys She was always writing letters to herpboys--sometimes she left them about half finishedTuppence came slowly up the hill towards SansSouci Since it was not a through road (it ended atSmugglers Rest Commander Haydocks house)there was never much traffic--a few tradesmensvans in the morning Tuppence passed house afterhouse amusing herself by noting their namesSKBella Vista (inaccurately named since the merestglimpse of the sea was to be obtained and themain view was the vast Victorian bulk of Edenhoimeon the other side of the road) Karachi wasthe next house After that came Shirley TowerThen Sea View (appropriate this time) CastleClare (somewhat grandiloquent since it was asmall house) Trelawny a rival establishment toilsspsgthat degf Mrs Perenna and finally the vast maroon l|||bulk of Sans Souci ^ Si- It was just as she came near to it that Tuppencefebecame aware of a woman standing by the gate ^Bpeering inside There was something tense andviligant about the figureU Almost unconsciously Tuppence softened the sound of her own footsteps stepping cautiouslyupon her toes IIH --i^N OR M 67It was not until she was close behind her thatamps the woman heard her and turned Turned with astart S ^^-f^^N 88She was a tall woman poorly even meanlydressed but her face was unusual She was not young--probably between forty and fifty--butthere was a contrast between her face and the way ^y^ she was dressed She was fair-haired with widecheekbones and had been--indeed still was--beautiful Just for a minute Tuppence had a feelingthat the womans face was somehow familiar ipto her but the feeling faded It was not she ^ thought a face easily forgotten |i^ The woman was obviously startled and the Hiflash of alarm that flitted across her face was notlost on Tuppence (Something odd here)|raquotg| || Tuppence said B Excuse me are you looking for someone S The woman spoke in a slow foreign voice pro- y^ nouncing the words carefully

Page 37

N Or Mspicuous success ^n^l nraquow Im a poor pushing tiresome middle-igg^d wman who wontsit ahome quietly andhm^ s^she ought to do ^ Tommy said glooni ily ^ - g y- This War is HtB fc- M ^ ^ Its bad enoiigji h^vittg a war said Tuppence but not hgn^ gillowed to do anything injust puts the lid on Tommy said comol ii-^gyE WellatanyriteT^gt^lioirahhasgotajobDeborahs mot|i(r ^a-^d kS^h shes all right^ lexpect shes good at iioo But I still thiak^ Tommy that I could hoimy own with Deb(rarraquo- c ySi Tommy grinned gt^m IJISamp^ raquo( NORM 3She wouldnt think so f^ s Tuppence saidDaughters can be very trying Especially whenthey will be so kind to you wf^m^ ~y^ yw Tommy murmured H8The way young Derek makes allowances forme is sometimes rather hard to bear That poorold Dad look in his eyeIn fact said Tuppence our children althoughquite adorable ^are also quite maddenButat the mention of the twins Derek andDeborah her eyes were very tenderI suppose said Tommy thoughtfully thatits always hard for people themselves to realizethat theyre getting middle-aged and past doingthings US IN- iii~ SSWS^ l--^i)^^l t-f ATuppence gave a snort of rage tossed her glossydark head and sent her ball of khaki wool spinningfrom her lapAre we past doing things Are we Oris itonly that everyone keeps insinuating that we areSometimes I feel that we never were any use HldCiQuite likely said Toromy^ 3^Perhaps so But at any rate we did once feelimportant And now Im beginning to feel that allthat never really happened Did it happenTommy Is it true that you were once crashed onthe head and kidnapped by German agents Is ittrue that we once tracked down a dangerous criminal--andgot him Is it true that we rescued a girland got hold of important secret papers and werepractically thanked by a grateful country Us You and me Despised unwanted Mrand Mrs copy Beresford ^3^t|^|raquo3raquo^^^Now dry up darling All this does no good 4 AgaiAll the same satear Im disappointHe wrote us a verHe didnt do anout any hopeWell hes out oHes quite old Lives iTuppence said wistThey might have 1telligencePerhaps we coulhaps nowadays we vI wonder said 1same But perhaps aspoint

Page 3

N Or MShe sighed She sailtI wish we could firotten when one has s Her eyes rested photograph of the vltuniform with the

Tommys Tommy saidIts worse for a ralland do up parcelTuppence saidI can do all thatnot old enough toneither one thing norThe front door bellflat was a small servicH She opened the docman with a big fair nface standing on theHis glance a quickin a pleasant voice N OR M 5AreyouMrsBeresfordYes ^v ^^ My names Grant Im a friend of Lord EasthamptonsHe suggested I should look you andyour husband up 3^ Oh how nice do come in R^ She preceded him into the sitting roomMy husband er--Captain--Mr I |Mr Grant Hes a friend of Mr Car--of LordEasthamptonsThe old nom de guerre of the former Chief ofthe Intelligence Mr Carter always came moreeasily to her lips than their old friends propertitleFor a few minutes the three talked happily togetherGrant was an attractive person with aneasy mannerPresently Tuppence left the room She returneda few minutes later with the sherry and someglassesAfter a few minutes when a pause came MrGrant said to TommyI hear youre looking for a job BeresfordAn eager light came into Tommys eyeYes indeed You dont mean-- ^ Grant laughed and shook his headOh nothing of that kind No Im afraid thathas to be left to the young active men--or to thosewhove been at it for years The only things I cansuggest are rather stodgy Im afraid Office workFiling papers Tying them up in red tape andpigeon-holing them That sort of thing y-^ -^ Tommys face fell a^-s ^S^^ gtOh I see ^-- sSj^ Grant said encouragingly ^raquo A 6 Agatha Christie 5Oh well its better than nothing Anywaycome and see me at my office one day Ministry ofs Requirements Room 22 Well fix you up withsomething p ^ ^The telephone rang Tuppence picked up theI receiver gHulloyeswhat A squeaky voice spoke ygss3agitatedly from the other end Tuppences face

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N Or Mt changed When Oh my dearof courseIllcome over right away1 She put back the receiver ^aaampta She said to Tommylaquo That was Maureen ^I thought soI recognized her voice from Tuppence explained breathlessly |||| gtIm so sorry Mr Grant But I musTgo roundto this friend of mine Shes fallen and twisted herankle and theres no one with her but her little girlso I must go round and fix up things for her and| get hold of someone to come in and look after herDo forgive me ^1 ^g K^ I^ Of course Mrs Beresford I quite under- ^| stand BB^| Tuppence smiled at him picked up a coat whichH had been lying over the sofa slipped her arms into it and hurried out The flat door banged Tommy poured out another glass of sherry forhis guest ^s^sS^T 11 -Dont go yet he said ltAcyThank you The other accepted the glass Hesipped it for a moment in silence Then he saidIn a way you know your wifes being calledaway is a fortunate occurrence It will save timesireg Tommy stared - ^- ^v raquo I dont understand1reg^- ^-S^^ NORM 7Grant said deliberately a You see Beresford if you had come to see meat the Ministry I was empowered to put a certainproposition before youThe colour came slowly up in Tommys freckledface He said aYou dont mean^^ ^|^B^ ^Grant nodded gSamps^te^reg a-- Safe Easthampton suggested you he said Hetold us you were the man for the job gxy^|g Tommy gave a deep sigh a^ ^ ly^ Tell me he said ^ wamp^ This is strictly confidential of course ^^^ Tommy nodded ^ c s Not even your wife must know You understandVery well--if you say so But we worked togetherbeforeYes I know But this proposition is solely forT-- - --^ -- ^-^ ^W^K^--V you|g ^ ^ ^^ ^I see All right1 I ^ ^|Ostensiblyyou will be offered work--as I saidjust now--office work--in a branch of the Ministryfunctioning in Scotland--in a prohibited areawhere your wife cannot accompany you Actually^you will be somewhere very differentTommy merely waited ^^r sGrant saidYouve read in the newspapers of the FifthColumn You know roughly at any rate justwhat that term impliesTommy murmured - ^IrSSS -^ ^s^-^^^The enemy withinExactly This war Beresford started in an optimisticspirit Oh I dont mean the people whoreally knew--weve knownaHalong whatwe were 8 I Agatha Christieup against--the efficiency of the enemy his aerial

Page 5

N Or Mstrength his deadly determination and the co-ordinationof his well-planned war machine I meanthe people as a whole The good-hearted muddleheadeddemocratic fellow who believes what hewants to believe--that Germany will crack upp that shes on the verge of revolution that her||I weapons of war are made of tin and that her menamp | are so underfed that theyll fall down if they try tomarch--all that sort of stuff Wishful thinking as|gthe saying goes ||jWell the war didnt go that way It started^ badly and it went on worse The men were all|amp I right--the men on the battleships and in the planes^ and in the dugouts But there was mismanagement^and unpreparedness--the defects perhaps of our|||qualities We dont want war havent consideredit seriously werent good at preparing for itThe worst of that is over Weve corrected ourmistakes were slowly getting the right men in theright places Were beginning to run the war as itshould be run--and we can win the war--make nog i mistake about that--but only if wedont lose if first And the danger of losing it comes not y from outside--not from the might of Germanys|g||bombers not from her seizure of neutral countriesuand fresh vantage points from which to attack--from within Our danger is the danger ofTroy--the wooden horse within our walls Call itwthe Fifth Column if you like It is here among usMen and women some of them highly placedSsome of them obscure but all believing genuinelyin the Nazi aims and the Nazi creed and desiringto substitute that sternly efficient creed for themuddled easy-going liberty of our democratic--institutions ------ -- N OR M 9Grant leaned forward He said still in that samepleasant unemotional voiceAnd we dont know who they areTommy said But surely-- Has Grant said with a touch of impatienceOh we can round up thesmall fry Thats easyenough But its the others We know about themWe know that there are at least two highly placedin the Admiralty--that one must be a member ofGeneral G----s staff--that there are three ormore in the Air Force and that two at least aremembers of the Intelligence know Cabinetsecrets We know that because it must be so fromthe way things have happened The leakage--aleakage from the top--of information to theenemy shows us that l^1Tommy said helplessly his pleasant face perplexed

But what good should I be to you I dontknow any of these peopleGrant nodded If fi^-i ^ ySisi --Exactly You dont know any of them--aw they dont know you ^ He paused to let it sink in and then went onThese people these high up people knowmost of our lot Information cant be very wellrefused to them I was at my wits end I went toEasthampton Hes out of it all now--a sick man--but his brains the best Ive ever known Hethought of you Nearly twenty years since youworked for the Department Name quite unconnected

Page 6

N Or Mwith it Your face not known What do yousay--will you take it on ^ ^ ^-Tommys face was almost split in two by themagnitude of his ecstatic grinTake it on You bet Ill take it on Though I 10 Agatha Christie Wi^^cant see how I can be of any use Im just ablasted amateurMy dear Beresford amateur status is just what ^v is needed The professional is handicapped here| Youll take on in place of the best man we had orE1 are likely to haveTommy looked a question Grant nodded ^11 Yes Died in St Bridgets Hospital lastTuesJI|Sday Run down by a lorry--only lived a few hoursAccident case--but it wasnt an accident ||Syg^ Tommy said slowly I see ^l^Bylgi|^ Grant said quietly ^^^ And thats why we have reason to believe thatFarquhar was on to something--that he was getting somewhere at last By his death that wasnt anaccident SS ^^^-k^^^W^s-^ Tommy looked aquestibn Grant went on lspounda sA^^-Unfortunately we know next to nothing ofwhat he had discovered Farquhar had beenmethodically following up one line after another ^ Most of them led nowhere ^8- Grant paused and then went on BA^2 - Farquhar was unconscious until a few minutes before he died Then he tried to say something |||J What he said was this N or M Song Susie fThat said Tommy doesnt seem very illuminating --------Grant smiled ^ ^^A little more so than you might think N or Myou see is a term we have heard before It refers ^g to two of the most important and trusted Germanagents We have come across their activities inother countries and we know just a little aboutthem It is their mission to organize a Fifth Column in foreign countries and to act as liaison NORM frr 11officer between the country in question and GermanyN we know is a man M is a woman All we know about them is that these two are Hitlersmost highly trusted agents and that in a codemessage we managed to decipher towards the beginningof the war there occurred this phrase-- Suggest N or Mfor England Fullpowers--1^ I see And Farquhar-- isl8As I see it Farquhar must have got on thetrack of one or other of them Unfortunately wedont know which Song Susie sounds very cryptic--but Farquhar hadnt a high class French accentThere was a return ticket to Leahampton in hispocket which is suggestive Leahampton is on theSouth coast--a budding Bournemouth or TorquayLots of private hotels and guest housesAmongst them is one called Sans Souci-- fewK Tommy said again raquoraquoraquo Song Susie--Sans Souci--I see amp^ fc Grant said lt Do you lt-- ^ ^aAQ^ - xs The idea is Tommy said that I should gothere and--well--ferret round sy^w That is the idea ly ^ ^Tommys smile broke out again-sfe ^ A bit vague isnt it he asked I dont evenknow what Im looking for - AndI cant tell you I dont know Its up toyou

Page 7

N Or MTommy sighed He squared his shouldersI can have a shot at it But Im not a verybrainy sort of chapYou did pretty well in the old days so IveheardOh that was pure luck said Tommy hastilyWell luck is rather what we need Agatha Christie||||Tommy considered a minute or two Then hesaid --- SiySa^^1--^ fe^1 About this place Sans Souci-- |||ggM|Grant shrugged his shoulders A a ^smMay be all a mares nest I cant tell Farquharmay have been thinking of Sister Susies sewingshirts for soldiers Its all guessworkBAnd Leahampton itself Just like any other of these places There arerows of them Old ladies old Colonels unim- peachable spinsters dubious customers fishy cus-lt tpmers a foreigner or two In fact a mixedbagI^Tommy said doubtfully|llAnd N or M amongst them IteNot necessarily Somebody perhaps whos in i touch with N or M But its quite likely to be N orM themselves Its an inconspicuous sort of placea boarding-house at a seaside resort^Youve no idea whether its a man or a womanf Ive to look forGrant shook his head rflt gt ^^Tommy said Well I can but try fe s Good luck to your trying Beresford Now--todetails--I Half an hour later when Tuppence broke ini panting and eager with curiosity Tommy wasalone whistling in an armchair with a doubtful expressionon his face |||i 1amp4amp | Well demanded Tuppence throwing an in- ^gfinity of feeling into the word ampraquo^ W^1 A job--of kindsy^^^^-^^^^18^ Whatkind - i| Tommy made a suitable grimace y N OR M H 13Office work in the wilds of Scotland Hushhushand all that but doesnt sound very thrill-Both of us or only youOnly me Im afraid amp ^Blast and curse you How could our MrCarter be so meanI imagine they segregate the sexes in thesejobs Otherwise too distracting for the mindIs it coding--or code breaking Is it likely Deborahs job Do be careful Tommy peoplequeer doing that and cant sleep walk about aIliHnight groaning and repeating 978345286 or somethinglike that and finally have nervous breakdownsand go into homes |Not me sssfTuppence said gloomily 9sIexpect you will sooner or later Can I cometoo--not to work but just as a wife Slippers infront of the fire and a hot meal at the end of the|wTommy looked uncomfortable^- ^ iaraquoltfr I Sorry old thing I am sorry I hate leavingydeg--But you feel you ought to go murmured

Page 8

N Or MTuppence reminiscently ^B |After all said Tommy feebly ySS can knit yonknow www wKnit said Tuppence Knit ampwSS^ ffffSeizing her Balaclava helmet she flung it on theground BI hate khaki wool said Tuppence and Navy wool and Air Force blue I should like toknit something magenta^ It has a fine military sound said TommyAlmost a suggestion of Blitzkrieg SSJ 141 Agatha Christie S^AwlHe felt definitely very unhappy Tuppence ^ however was a Spartan and played up well admittingfreely that of course he had to take the joband that it didnt really matter about her Sheraquo added that she had heard they wanted someone to ^q scrub down the First Aid Postfloors She might ^i possibly be found fit to do thatTommy departed for Aberdeen three days laterTuppence saw him off at the station Her eyeswere bright and she blinked once or twice but she i kept resolutely cheerfulW Only as the train drew out of the station andTommy saw the forlorn little figure walking awaydown the platform did he feel a lump in his ownthroat War or no War he felt he was desertingTuppenceHe pulled himself together with an effortOrders were ordersHaving duly arrived in Scotland he took a trainthe next day to Manchester On the third day atrain deposited him at Leahampton Here he wentto the principal Hotel and on the following day B^g made a tour of various private hotels and guest ^^B houses seeing rooms and inquiring terms for along stay ^3Sans Souci was a dark red Victorian villa set onthe side of a hill with a good view over the seafrom its upper windows There was a slight smell---- of dust and cooking in the hall and the carpet wasworn but it compared quite favourably with someof the other establishments Tommy had seen Heinterviewed the proprietress Mrs Perenna in heroffice a small untidy room with a large deskcovered with loose papersMrs Perenna herself was rather untidy looking a woman of middle-age with a large mop of N OR M jg 15 K|fiercely curling black hair some vaguely appliedmakeup and a determined smile showing a lot ofvery white teethTommy murmured a mention of his elderly lt|y^ cousin Miss Meadowes who had stayed at Sans ||g|Souci two years ago Mrs Perenna remembered ^ Miss Meadowes quite well--such a dearold lady ^ _at least perhaps not really old--very active and |such a sense of humour tt ^Tommy agreed cautiously There was he knew a real Miss Meadowes--the Departmentwas carefulabout these points ^ And how was dear Miss Meadowes Sp^regBampTommy explained sadly that Miss Meadoweswas no more and Mrs Perenna clicked her teeth |sympathetically and made the proper noises andput on a correct mourning faceShe was soon talking volubly again She had

Page 9

N Or Mshe was sure just the room that would suit MrMeadowes A lovely sea view She thought-MrMeadowes was so right to want to get out ofLondon Very depressing nowadays so she understoodand of course after such a bad go of influenza--

Still talking Mrs Perenna led Tommy upstairsand showed him various bedrooms She mentioneda weekly sum Tommy displayed dismayMrs Perenna explained that prices had risen soappallingly Tommy explained that his incomehiglisunfortunately decreased and what with taxation and one thing and another-- ^Mrs Perenna groaned and said This terrible War- Tommyagreed and said that in his opinion thatfellow Hitler ought to be hanged A madmanthats what he was a madman 16 Agatha ChristieMrs Perenna agreed and said that what willrations and the difficulty the butchers had in getting the meat they wanted--and sometimes tolt much--and sweetbreads and liver practically disappeared it all made housekeeping very difficultbut as Mr Meadowes was a relation of MisMeadowes she would make it half a guinea lessTommy then beat a retreat with the promise t(think it over and Mrs Perenna pursued him to thi ^ gate talking more volubly than ever and display Us ing an archness that Tommy found most alarm ^ ing She washe admitted quite a handsomiwoman in her way He found himself wonderinj what her nationality was Surely not quite English The name was Spanish or Portuguese buthat would be her husbands nationality not hersShe might he thought be Irish though she ha(no brogue But it would account for the vitalitand the exuberanceIt was finally settled that Mr Meadowes shoukpi move in the following dayTommy timed his arrival for six oclock MrsPerenna came out into the hall to greet him threva series of instructions about his luggage to ai almost imbecile-looking maid who goggled aTommy with her mouth open and then led himinto what she called the loungeI always introduce my guests said MrsPerenna beaming determinedly at the suspiciouglares of five people This is our new arrival Mr11111 Meadowes--Mrs ORourke A terrifying mountain of a woman with beady eyes and a moustach gave him a beaming smile--l Major Bletchley Major Bletchley lyec I Tommy appraisingly and made a stiff inclinatiorof the head __ NORM 17Mr von Deinim A young man very stifffair-haired and blue-eyed got up and bowed |||Miss Minton An elderly woman with a lot of S beads knitting with khaki wool smiled and tittered

And Mrs Blenkensop More knitting--anduntidy dark head which lifted from an absorbedcontemplation of a Balaclava helmetTommy held his breath the room spun round|j||Mrs Blenkensop Tuppence By all that was

Page 10

N Or Mimpossible and unbelievable--Tuppence calmlyknitting in the lounge of Sans SouciHer eyes met his--polite uninterested strangerseyes ^a - His admiration rose ggl gisect I S1^^ How Tommy got through tquite knew He dared not 1often in the direction of Mrsner three more habitues ofa middle-aged coupleNltand a young mother Mrs (down with her baby girl frltclearly much bored by her (hampton She was placed nltintervals fixed him with a paeyes and in a slightly adltDont you think its reaEverybodys going back areiBefore Tommy could requeries his neighbor on the (lady struck in What I saanything with children YoiYoud never forgive yourselHitler has said the Blitzkriegquite soon nowand quitebelieveJ Major Bletchley cut in shaiLot of nonsense talked awont waste time fiddling rexplosive and incendiary boidone in SpainThe whole table plunged ii N OR M 19gusto Tuppences voice high pitched and slightlyfatuous piped out greg^My son Douglas says-- SDouglas indeed thought Tommy WhyDouglas I should like to knowAfter dinner a pretentious meal of severalmeagre courses all of which were equally tastelesseveryone drifted into the lounge Knittingwas resumed and Tommy was compelled to hear along and extremely boring account of MajorBletchleys experiences on the North WestFrontier gg^The fair young man with the bright blue eyeswent out executing a little bow on the thresholdof the roomMajor Bletchley broke off his narrative and administereda kind of dig in the ribs to Tommy ||That fellow whos just gone out Hes a refugeeGot out of Germany about a month beforethe war - - ^ Hes a GermanYes Not a Jew either His father got intotrouble for criticizing the Nazi regime Two of hisbrothers are in a concentration camp over thereThis fellow got out just in timeAt this moment Tommy was taken possessionIII Mrs ^y^y who told him at interminable le(||h all about her health So absorbing was thesubject to the narrator that it was close upon bedtimebefore Tommy could escape

Page 11

N Or MOn the following morning Tommy rose earlyand strolled down to the front He walked brisklyto the pier and was returning along the esplanadewhen he spied a familiar figure coming in theother direction Tommy raised his hat 0 Agatha ChristieGood morning he said pleasantly Er_Mrs Blenkensop isnt itThere was no one within earshot Tuppencereplied - - a^J r^Dr Livingstone to you afeHow on earth did you get here Tuppencemurmured Tommy Its a miracle--an absolutemiracleIts not a miracle at all--just brains Your brains I supposeYou suppose rightly You and your uppishMr Grant I hope this will teach him a lessonIt certainly ought to said Tommy Comeon Tuppence tell me how you managed it Imsimply devoured with curiosityIt was quite simple The moment Grant talkedof our Mr Carter I guessed what was up I knew itwouldnt be just some miserable office job Buthis saying so showed me that I wasnt going to beallowed in on this So I resolved to go one betterI went to fetch some sherry and when I did Inipped down to the Browns flat and rang upMaureen Told her to ring me up and what to sayShe played up loyally--nice high squeaky voice--you could hear what she was saying all over theroom I did my stuff registered annoyance compulsiondistressed friend and rushed off withevery sign of vexation Banged the hall door carefullyremaining inside it and slipped into the bedroomand eased open the communicating doorthats hidden by the tallboy And you heard everythingEverything said Tuppence complacentlyTommy said reproachfully s^|And you never let onCertainly not I wished to teach you a lesson NORM 21oil and your Mr GrantHes not exactly my Mr Grant and I shouldsay you have taught him a lessonMr Carter wouldnt have treated me so shabbily said Tuppence I dont think the Intelligenceis anything like what it was in our dayTommy said gravelyIt will attain its former brilliance now wereback in it But why BlenkensopWhy not ig^ssIt seems such an odd name to chooseIt was the first one I thought of and its handy |for underclothes ^^^a^^What do you mean Tuppence riteB you idiot B for Beresford B for BlenkensopEmbroidered on my cami-knickers PatriciaBlenkensop Prudence Beresford Why did youchoose Meadowes Its a silly nameTo begin with said Tommy I dont havelarge Bs embroidered on my pants And to continue

Page 12

N Or MI didnt choose it I was told to call myselfMeadowes Mr Meadowes is a gentleman with arespectable past--all of which Ive learned byheartVery nice said Tuppence Are you marriedor singleIm a widower said Tommy with dignityMy wife died ten years ago at Singapore Heg-Why at Singapore fe^SWeve all got to die somewhere Whatswrongwilfc SingaporeOh nothing Its probably a most suitableplace to die Im a widow ^ Where did your husband die -- Does it matter Probably in a nursing home I therjancy he died of cirrhosis of the liver A Agatha Christie sect1deg11 |8 I see A painful subject And what about your I H son Douglas HIB I _ Douglas is in the Navy ireg So I heard last night ^ ^And Ive got two other sons Raymond is in ^- the Air Force and Cyril my baby is in the Ter- g| ritorialspj And suppose someone takes the trouble to -m |g| check up on these imaginary BlenkensopsTheyre not Blenkensops Blenkensop was mysecond husband My first husbands name was |Hill There are three pages of Hills in the ]I telephone book You couVntcheckupon^l the IT Vlt f A -t 99 ^^^B^6-^^ ^^ ^Vl^- yvStsiw^G ^ i iHills if you tried - ^B^wi^^ fiiffi^y ^1 i laquo^raquog ^g ^ trouble with you Tuppence You s | will overdo things Two husbands and three sons Ill K Its too much Youll contradict yourself over the mNo I shant And I rather fancy the sons mays^s^awSataes^ - - ^KaS1||| come in useful Im not under orders remember |gg|1 Im a free-lance Im in this to enjoy myself and secti| vsamp Im going to enjoy myself ^B IBI So it seems said Tommy He added gloom-B ^_J ny if you ask me the whole things a farce | Why do you say that ifeiR a Well youve been at Sans Souci longer than I ^ have Can you honestly say you think any one ofthose people who were there last night could be a r1| dangerous enemy agent H ^ Tuppence said thoughtfully ^tiff^^^S^^It does seem a little incredible Theres the ^|young man of course N1 ^S Carl von Deinim The police check up on m refugees dont theyii| I suppose so Still it might be managed Hes N OR M 23an attractive young man you knowMeaning the girls will tell him things Butwhat girls No Generals or Admirals daughtersfloating around here Perhaps he walks out with aCompany Commander in the ATS ^MBe quiet Tommy We ought to be taking thisseriously ^I am taking it seriously Its just that I feelwere on a wild goose chase ^^ ^Tuppence said seriously ^ aIts too early to say that After all nothingsgoing to be obvious about this business Whatabout Mrs Perenna ^-v |Yes said Tommy thoughtfuUy theres Mrs Perenna I admit--she does want explain-

Page 13

N Or M^^w--^ 3^7 ^---r - ^^^^p-^1 - ^--Aysing ATuppence said in a business-like tone^ Whatabout us I mean how are we going tocooperateTommy said thoughtfully ^siamp y ^^i- 5We mustnt be seen about too much to^gether g g| ||^^No it would Se fatal to suggest we know-eachother better than we appear to do What we want jto decide is the attitude I think--yes I think--18pursuit is the best angle ^^58 --^-iifc^ Pursuit ^-sareg Exactly I pursue you You do your best toescape but being a mere chivalrous mate doesntalways succeed Ive had two husbands and Im onthe look-out for a third You act the part of the Tiunted widower Every now and then I pin youdown somewhere pen you in a cafe catch youwalking on the front Everyone sniggers andthinks it very funny| Sounds feasible agreed Tommy 4 T Agatha ChristieTuppence said Theres a kind of age-long ^ humour about the chased male That oughtcg|stand us in good stead If we are seen together all^anyone will do is to snigger and say Look at poor oldMeadowes lH gjTommy gripped her arm suddenly ill Vk amplLook he said Look ahead of you ysraquoBy the corner of one of the shelters a young man ai stood talking to a girl They were both very earn-^p ^est very wrapped up in what they were saying |p^ amp ^glljTuppence said softlyJ^Carl von Deinim Whos the girl I wonder ^ - ----h^Shes remarkably good looking whoever sheTuppence nodded Her eyes dwelt thoughtfully |on the dark passionate face and on the tight- 8Hgglfc ^-raquo ~^^^fitting pullover that revealed the lines of the girls ^^figure She was talking earnestly with emphasis^reg^Carl von Deinim was listening to her R^i^a^w^wreg^^SV^^^fflS^^^reg^gggTuppence murmuredI think this is where you leave me f^ _ Right agreed Tommy ^He turned and strolled in the opposite directionSAt the end of the promenade he encountered 8IHMajor Bletchley The latter peered at him suspi- 8ciously and then grunted^out Good morning _Jamp | Good morning iamp IfffSi ILp See youre like me an early riser remarked SBletchley nm f - Tommy said m I waa^ ^One gets in the habit of it out East Of coursethats many years ago now but I still wake early I gt_^Quite right too said Major Bletchley withapproval God these young fellows nowadays_ make me sick Hot baths--coming down to breakerlater Noynder the Ger^ NORM ^ 25-S-rf- manshave been putting it over on us No staminaSoft lot of young pups Armys not what it wasanyway Coddle em thats what they do nowadaysTuck em up at night with hot water bottlesFaugh Makes me sick a KTommy shook his head in a melancholy fashionand Major Bletchley thus encouraged went on

Page 14

N Or MDiscipline thats what we need DisciplineHow are we going to win the War without disciplineDo you know sir some of these fellowscome on parade in slacks--so Ive been toldCant expect to win a War that way Slacks MyGod a |i-^ |g| -| MBsect1 Mr Meadowes hazarded the opinion that thingswere very different from what they had beenlt^aaIts all this democracy said Major Bletchleygloomily You can overdo anything In my opiniontheyre overdoing the democracy businessMixing up the officers and the men feeding N8S together in restaurants--Paugh--the men dont |like it Meadowes The troops know The troopsalways know laquog ggOf course said Mr Meadowes I have noreal knowledge of Army matters myself-- ^ ^4The Major interrupted him shooting a quicksideways glanceIn the show in the last War^^^1^^-^^ifc-fABi^ftA^^- ^sfe^^^ampOh yesThought so Saw youd been drilled Shoul- mgders What regiment ^ ^pf^Fifth Corfeshires Tommy remembered toproduce Meadowesmilitary record ^Ah yes Salonica^ Yes -^ fc-a^iji ^Ill I was in Mespot - ^Bletchley plunged into reminiscences Tommy i6 m sAgatha Christie ^ 1^aw y^ rtfflistened politely Bletchley ended up wrathfully^ And will they make use of me now No theywill not Too old Too old be damned I couldteach one or two of these young cubs something m| about war gt 1sect SlEven if its only what not to do suggested_ ^^r i^---^ ^yja^ ^Tf^ Tommy with a smile A-x^^^^ dl ^_^ Eh whats that HA sense of humour was clearly not Major |Ig Bletchley s strong suit He peered suspiciously I3 at his companion Tommy hastened to change the lconversation ^ Know anything about that MrsBlenkensop^yg I think her nameUS Thats right Blenkensop Not a bad looking iS womanbit long in the toothtalks too much^ Nice woman but foolish No I dont know her || Shes only been at Sans Souci a couple of daysJ|| He added Whydoyouask^p^^^^yy^9 -i Tommy explained -aaSampampg Happened to meet her just now Wondered ifj she was always out as early as this m Dont know Im sure Women arent usuallygiven to walking before breakfastthank God gB Amen said Tommy He went on Im notI much good at making polite conversation before ^H breakfast Hope I wasnt rude to the woman but I

Page 15

N Or M1 wanted my exercise ^Major Bletchley displayed instant sympathy rj Im with you Meadowes Im with you| Women are all very well in their place but not fssamp^ before breakfast He chuckled a little Better becareful old man Shes a widow you knowIs she ^|3fe SK^SlThe Major dug him cheerfully in the ribs ial m ^NbRM 27 M^e know what widows are Shes buried twohusbands and if you ask me shes on the lookoutfor number three Keep a very wary eye openMeadowes A wary eye Thats my advice ^And in high good humour Major Bletchley i wheeled about at the end of the parade and set thepace for a smart walk back to breakfast at SansSouci regIn the meantime Tuppence had gently con- -tinued her walk along the esplanade passing quite ^-^y^close to the shelter and the young couple talking there As she passed she caught a few words It ^ was the girl speaking ||j|8 t| ^ ^But you must be careful Carl The very least 1||suspicion--reg- iPH^- L Tuppence was out of earshot Suggestivewords Yes but capable of any number of harmlessinterpretations Unobtrusively she turned andagain passed the two Again words floated to herSmug detestable EnglishThe eyebrows of Mrs Blenkensop rose ever soslightly ^ ^^fi^lHardly she thought a very wise conversation___ t^^3Carl von Deinim was a refugee from Nazi persecutiongiven asylum and shelter by EnglandNeither wise nor grateful to listen assentingly tosuch words rsi ^ ^ raquofeAgain Tuppence turned But this time beforeshe reached the shelter the couple had partedabruptly the girl to cross the road leaving the seafront Carl von Deinim to come along in Tuppencesdirection ^ HgHe would not perhaps have recognized ner but ^ for her own pause and hesitation Then quicklyhe brought his heels together and bowed tTuppence twittered at him ^ sy ^ __ Agatha Christie ^lt lt ^ ilS^b^ood morning Mr von Deinim isnt it Such^^^ely morning B tW Ah yes The weather is fine ^ J ^PPence ran on ftl 1 i (ltIt quite tempted me I dont often come out -- ^ before breakfast But this morning what with notsleeping very well--one often doesnt sleep well in a ^ange place I find It takes a day or two to ac- ^ custom oneself I always say ^1 ^degh yes no doubt that is soAnd really this little walk has quite given me86 an appetite for breakfast^ou go back to Sans Souci now If you permitI will walk with you He walked gravely by herside _____- ^PPence said sa M sJ ^u also are out to get an appetite ^ Gravely he shook his head m fo

Page 16

N Or M(t ^raquo -- ^^ _| ^h no My breakfast I have already had it I f~~H am on myway^o work ----------------^raquo ^^aresearchchemistSo thats what you are thought Tuppence Ibaling a quick glance at him fetelaquo Carl von Deinim went on his voice stiff ^ ^ came to this country to escape Nazi persecu- m tion l ^^| ygry little money--no friends I do nowwhat useful work I can ^ ^-^g - He stared straight ahead of himGQnscious of some undercurrent of strong feeling y |--^^ng him powerfully i| 3S |^ She murmured vaguely ^ ^ ^ sil Oh yes I see I see Very creditable I am^lllKt^ure ^ ^^ ^ ^^B _ ^ carl yo Deinim said ^ ^K ^ | ^ly two brothers are in concentration camps Kr N OR M 29^-s^My father died in one My mother died of sorrow ^ and fear |p ^ ^ _ gf^^ Tuppence thought - i^The way he says that--as though he had Ilearned it by heart - ^Again she stole a quick glance at him He wasstill staring ahead of him his face impassiveThey walked in silence for some moments Twomen passed them One of them shot a quick glanceat Carl She heard him mutter to his companion nBet you that fellow is a German y^Tuppence saw the colour rise in Carl vonDeinims cheeks B| g|li Suddenly he lost command of himself That tideof hidden emotion came to the surface He stammered

You heard--you heard--that is what they say_I_My dear boy Tuppence reverted suddenly to Illher real self Her voice was crisp and compellingDont be an idiot You cant have it both waysll He turned his head and stared at herHi What dn vnn mpfln SS8raquo M ^gl w iidi uu yuu iiicdii ^fc-- ^^ ^^^^^^w^mYoure a refugee You have to take the roughwith the smooth Youre alive thats the mainthing Alive and free For the other--realize thatits inevitable This countrys at War Youre aGerman She smiled suddenly You cant expectthe mere man in the street--literally the manin the street--to distinguish between bad Germansand good Germans if I may put it so crudelyHe still stared at her His eyes so very bluewere poignant with suppressed feeling Then suddenlyhe too smiled He said Ill IsThey said of Red Indians did they not that agood Indian was a dead Indian He laughed a1 ifSWiZ- flSW t8 Agatha ChristieGood morning Mr von Deinim isnt it Sucha lovely morning ^lt gt ^ Ah yes The weather is fine ||a Tuppence ran on stIt quite tempted me I dont often come outbefore breakfast But this morning what with not

Page 17

N Or Msleeping very well--one often doesnt sleep well ina strange place I find It takes a day or two to accustomoneself I always say a0h yes no doubt that is so iB5sAnd really this little walk has quite given mean appetite for breakfastYou go back to Sans Souci now If you permitI will walk with you He walked gravely by herii side ^i^ ^^ yTuppence said A-1 i^---H^You also are out to get an appet^ - SiyIII Gravely he shook his head |^|1111 Oh no My breakfast I have already had it Iam on my way to work IpWork -Bs ^ireg ^sa I am a research chemist ^So thats what you are thought Tuppencestealing a quick glance at him |K|Carl von Deinim went on his voice stiffI came to this country to escape Nazi persecutionI had very little money--no friends I do nowwhat useful work I canHe stared straight ahead of him Tuppence wasconscious of some undercurrent of strong feelingmoving him powerfully ^8 laquo | She murmured vaguelyOh yes I see I see Very creditable I am sure ^w g^I Carl von Deinim said ^fisect^^ My two brothers are in concentration camps v father died in one My mother died of sorrowand fear g|g| Tuppence thought ^ |||The way he says that--as though he hadfiSlearned it by heartAgain she stole a quick glance at him He wasstill staring ahead of him his face impassive |They walked in silence for some moments Two | men passed them One of them shot a quick glance iat Carl She heard him mutter to his companionBet you that fellow is a German ^ |$IS|NTuppence saw the colour rise in Carl von llH^tDeinims cheeks ^^Suddenly he lost command of himself That tide 51 of hidden emotion came to the surface He stam^^^ ^JmeredYou heard--you heard--that is what they say |My dear boy Tuppence reverted suddenly toher real self Her voice was crisp and compellingDont be an idiot You cant have it both waysHe turned his head and stared at herWhat do you mean ^^^ ^-^ - -Youre a refugee You have to take the roughwith the smooth Youre alive thats the mainthing Alive and free For the other--realize thatits inevitable This countrys at War Youre aGerman She smiled suddenly You cant expectthe mere man in the street--literally the manin the street--to distinguish between bad Germansand good Germans if I may put it so crudelyHe still stared at her His eyes so very bluewere poignant with suppressed feeling Then suddenlyhe too smiled He said^|| ^y-AThey said of Red Indians did they not that a

Page 18

N Or Mgood Indian was a dead Indian He laughed 10 Agatha Christie - Tobe a good German I must be on time at mywork Please Good morningAgain that stiff bow Tuppence stared after hisretreating figure She said to herselfMrs Blenkensop you had a lapse then Strictattention to business in future Now for breakfastatSansSouciThe hall door of Sans Souci was open InsideMrs Perenna was conducting a vigorous conversationwith someoneAnd youll tell him what I think of that last lotof margarine Get the cooked ham at Quillers--itwas twopence cheaper last time there and becareful about the cabbages-- She broke off as Tuppence entered iOh good morning Mrs Blenkensop you arean early bird You havent had breakfast yet Itsall ready in the dining room She added indicatingher companion My daughter Sheila Youhavent met her Shes been away and only camehome last nightTuppence looked with interest at the vividhandsome face No longer full of tragic energybored now and resentful My daughter SheilaSheila PerennaTuppence murmured a few pleasant words andwent into the dining room There were threepeople breakfasting--Mrs Sprot and her babygirl and big Mrs ORourke Tuppence saidGood morning and Mrs ORourke repliedwith a hearty The top of the morning to youthat quite drowned Mrs Sprots more anaemicsalutationThe old woman stared at Tuppence with a kindof devouring interest ^ NOftM 31 Tis a fine thing to be out walking beforebreakfast she observed A grand appetite itgives you ^ wgt^Mrs Sprot said to her offspring ^- feSIttNice bread and milk darling and endeavouredto insinuate a spoonful into Miss BettySprots mouthThe latter cleverly circumvented this endeavour by an adroit movement of her head and con- raquotinued to stare at Tuppence with large round eyesShe pointed a milky finger at the newcomergave her a dazzling smile and observed in gurgling |tones Ga--GaBouch aShe likes you cried Mrs Sprot beamingon Tuppence as on one marked out for favourSometimes shes so shy with strangers ltBouch said Betty Sprot Ah poothbag she added with emphasisAnd what would she be meaning by thatdemanded Mrs ORourke with interestShe doesnt speak awfully clearly yet confessedMrs Sprot Shes only just over two youknow Im afraid most of what she says is justBosh She can say Mama though cant you darling

Page 19

N Or MBetty looked thoughtfully at hermotherland remarked with an air ofGuggle bick^| ^ T^ Tis a languagebf their own they have theHide angels boomed out Mrs ORourke Bettydading say Mama nowBetty looked hard at Mrs ORourke frownedand observed with terrific emphasis Nazer-- ^There now if she isnt doing her best And alovely sweet girl she is ^ 32 Agatha ChristieMrs ORourke rose beamed in a ferociousmanner at Betty and waddled heavily out of the roomGa ga ga said Betty with enormous satisfactionand beat with a spoon on the tableTuppence said with a twinkle 5What does Na-zer really meanMrs Sprot said with a flush Im afraid yoi know its what Betty says when she doesnt like anyone or anythingI rather thought so said TuppenceBoth women laughedAfter all said Mrs Sprot Mrs 0Rourkltmeans to be kind but she is rather alarming--witt that deep voice and the beard and--and everything ff^ |g sectg|With her head on one side Betty made a cooinjnoise at TuppenceShe has taken to you Mrs Blenkensop sakMrs SprotThere was a slight jealous chill Tuppence fancied in her voice Tuppence hastened to adjusmattersThey always like a new face dont they shisaid easilyThe door opened and Major Bletchley anlt Tommy appeared Tuppence became archAh Mr Meadowes she called out Ivbeaten you you see First past the post But Ivleft you just a little breakfastShe indicated with the faintest of gestures thseat beside herTommy muttering vaguely Oh er--ratherthanksand hurriedly sat down at the other eniof the tableBetty Sprot said Putch with a fine splutte NORM

of milk at Major Bletchley whose face instantlyassumed a sheepish but delighted expressionAnd hows little Miss Go Peep this morninghe asked fatuously Go Peep He enacted theplay with a newspaper j|^ ^H$5| aBetty crowed with delight f-1 samp ^Serious misgivings shook Tuppence ShethoughtThere must be some mistake There cant be| anything going on here There simply cantTo believe in Sans Souci as a headquarters ofthe Fifth Column needed the mental equipment ofthe White Queen in Alice On the sheltered terrace outside Miss Minton wasknittingMiss Minton was thin and angular her neck wasstringy She wore pale sky-blue jumpers andchains or bead necklaces Her skirts were tweedy

Page 20

N Or Mand had a depressed droop at the back Shegreeted Tuppence with alacrityGood morning Mrs BIenkensop I do hopeyou slept well Mrs BIenkensop confessed that she never slept very well the first night or two in a strange bed MissMinton said Now wasnt that curious It was exactly the same with meMrs BIenkensop said What a coincidenceand what a very pretty stitch that was Miss Min- iton flushing with pleasure displayed it Yes it was rather uncommon and really quite simpleShe could easily show it to Mrs BIenkensop if ] Mrs BIenkensop liked Oh that was very kindof Miss Minton but Mrs BIenkensop was sostupid she wasnt really very good at knitting notat following patterns that was to say She couldonly do simple things like Balaclava helmets andeven now she was afraid she had gone wrong somewhereIt didnt look right somehow did itMiss Minton cast an expert eye over the khakimass Gently she pointed out just what had gonewrong Thankfully Tuppence handed the faulty f^ N OR M ^j 35helmet over Miss Minton exuded kindness andIpatronage Oh no it wasnt a trouble at all She|had knitted for so many yearsIm afraid Ive never done any before thisdreadful War confessed Tuppence But onefeels so terribly doesnt one that one must do^something Npi ^aAOh yes indeed And you actually have a boyin the Navy I think I heard you say last nightYes my eldest boy Such a splendid boy heisthough I suppose a mother shouldnt say soThen I have a boy in the Air Force and Cyril mybaby is out in FranceOh dear dear how terribly anxious youTmiistTuppence thought sampltOh Derek my darling Derek Out in thehell and messand here I am playing the foolacting the thing Im really feeling She said in her most righteous voice We must all be brave mustnt we Lets hopeit will all be over soon I was told the other day onvery high authority indeed that the Germans cantpossibly last out more than another two monthsMiss Minton nodded with so much vigour thatall her bead chains rattled and shookYes indeed and I believeher voice low- ered mysteriouslythat Hitler is suffering from ta (fiscalabsolutely fatalhell be raving madbyAugust g^Tuppence replied briskly All this Blitzkrieg is just the Germans lasteffort I believe the shortage is something frightfuli Germany The men in the factories are verydissatisfied The whole thing will crack upWhats this Whats all thisSifi H and Mrs Cayley caCayley putting his que

Page 21

N Or MMr himself in a chair andtiec^taees He repeated fretfhis Whats that you are say iVere saying said Mi c over by the Autumnall l^onsense said Mr g to last at least six yeaigof^Dh Mr Cayley prot t really think sodoa^^r Cayley was peering a^Wow I wonder he n ght Perhaps it woulddrraquoji back into the cornerch^tie resettlement of Mr^1 an anxious-faced wwif^ no other aim in life thaV^jeys wants manipulatCa^^g from time to timeasle^td Do you think thatAlC^ perhaps to have youyol-^r a glare this morningratlHr Cayley said irritablyf^fo no Dont fuss Elc tuffler No no my simy it matter I daresay )do^l dont want to get myBut111in this sunlightwwo^^ fetch the other Hbettt1 to matters of public inbac^e it six yearsI M listened with pleasunIcementwc^jOu dear ladies are jus wishful thinking N01cal-Hll N OR M 37may say I know Germany extremely well In thecourse of my business before I retired I used to beconstantly to and fro Berlin Hamburg MunichI know them all I can assure you that Germanycan hold out practically indefinitely With Russiabehind her--Mr Cayley plunged triumphantly on his voicerising and falling in pleasurably melancholy cadencesonly interrupted when he paused to receivethe silk muffler his wife brought him and wind itround his throat |g| laquo^Mrs Sprot brought out Betty and plumped herdown with a small woolen dog that lacked an earand a woolly dolls jacketThere Betty she said You dress up Bonzoready for his walk while Mummy gets ready to gooutMr Cayleys voice droned on reciting statisticsand figures all of a depressing character The monologue was punctuated by a cheerful twitter1ing from Betty talking busily to Bonzo in her ownlanguage Truckle-- truckly-- pah bat said BettyThen as a bird alighted near her she stretched outloving hands to it and gurgled The bird flew awayand Betty glanced round the assembled companyand remarked clearly

Page 22

N Or M Dicky and nodded her head with great satisJactfonyHH tfw ^^ E lhat child is learning to talk in the most wonderfulway said Miss Minton Say Ta ta BettyTataBetty looked at her coldly and remarkedGluck ^Then she forced Bonzos one arm into his_oolly coat and toddling over to a chair picked 38 HH Agatha Christieup the cushion and pushed Bonzo behind itChuckling gleefully she said with terrific pains g|Hide Bow wow Hide Miss Minton acting as a kind of interpretersaid with vicarious prideShe loves hide and seek Shes always hidingthings She cried out with exaggerated surpriseWhere is Bonzo Where is Bonzo Where can Bonzo have gone ^Betty flung herself down and went into ecstasiesof mirthMr Cayley finding attention diverted from hisexplanation of Germanys methods of substitution |of raw materials looked put out and coughed aggressivelyreg8^^

Mrs Sprot came out with her hat on and pickedup Betty ^ ^ ^ ggi Attention returned to Mr Cayley SHSa You were saying Mr Cayley said TuppencerBut Mr Cayley was affronted He said coldly ^ That woman is always plumping that childdown and expecting people to look after it I thinkIll have the woollen muffler after all dear Thegt MMsun is going inOh but Mr Cayley do go on with what youwere telling us It was so interesting Miss MintonbeggedMollified Mr Cayley weightily resumed his discoursedrawing the folds of the woolly mufflercloser round his stringy neckAs I was saying Germany has so perfected hersystem of--j|| Tuppence turned to Mrs Cayley and askedWhat do you think about the^war MrsCayley N OR M 39Mrs Cayley jumpedOh what do I think What--what do youmean ^ ^Do you think it will last as long as six yearsMrs Cayley said doubtfullyOh I hope not Its a very long time isnt itYes a long time What do you really thinkMrs Cayley seemed quite alarmed by the questionShe said ^jiss^ Ap |Oh I--I dont know I dont know at allAlfred says it will ^ j^But you dont think so SS raquoOh I dont know It^s ^difficult to say isntI19 teampSi^^-^-^^Tuppence felt a wave of exasperation The chirrupingMiss Minton the dictatorial Mr Cayley

Page 23

N Or Mthe nitwitted Mrs Cayley--were these peoplereally typical of her fellow countrymen Was MrsSprot any better with her slightly vacant face andboiled gooseberry eyes What could she Tuppenceever find out here Not one of thesepeople surely--Her thought was checked She was aware of ashadow Someone behind her who stood betweenher and the sun She turned her head ^aMrs Perenna standing on the terrace her eyeson the group And something in those eyes--scorn was it A kind of withering contempt TuppencethoughtI must find out more about Mrs Perenna 40 III Agatha Christie ifcBrought down some golf clubs with you didnt you Meadowes ^ H| Tommy pleaded guilty - B^Ha I can tell you my eyes dont miss muchSplendid We must have a game together Everplayed on the links hereTommy replied in the negativeTheyre not bad--not bad at all Bit on theshort side perhaps but lovely view over the seaand all that And never very crowded Look herewhat about coming along with me this morningWe might have a game ^Thanks very much Id like it Must say Im glad youve arrived remarked Bletchley as they were trudging up the hill Too I many women in that place Getson ones nervesGlad Ive got another fellow to keep me in countenanceYou cant count Cayley--the mans akind of walking chemists shop Talks of nothingbut his health and the treatments hes tried and thedrugs hes taking If he threw away all his little pillboxes and went out for a good ten mile walk every I day hed be a different man Theonly other maleI in the place is von Deinim and to tell you the truth Meadowes Im not too easy in my mind s about him I No said TommyNo You take my word for it this refugeebusiness is dangerous If I had my way Id internthe lot of them Safety first ^IJB HA bit drastic perhaps M ----Not at all Wars War And Ive got my suspicionsof Master Carl For one thing hes clearlynot a Jew Then he came over here just a month--only a month mind you--before War brokei out Thats a bit suspicious | g ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Tommy said invitinglyThen you think-- gt Spying-- thats his li^ie gameBut surely theres ncfraquono rgtf J ruling 01 amprpat inilitari ltgt^ naval importance hereabouts tary orAh old man tha^s where _thPortsmouthhed be und^r sunervi^ plymouth or ^place like this nobody boZTs FIn a sleepy coast isnt it The truth o^61 Irson the I S a great deal too easy Mth hes^ ernment is ^1 Anyone who cared could ^lCTe ^ ^s- a long face and talk abc^^ -d pull aA-centration camps Loo^^0^111^- 3fe arrogance in every line S ^ ^ 11^ 1--thats what he is--a Nazi e s a NazlWhat we really need fi SU -

Page 24

N Or MF doctor or two said Toff untry is a witch 1^ 1I1 ocior or iwo saia i onmy pleasantiu taM_|I Eh whats that mly- W^^ To smell out the sp|pc Tnrraquo x S gravely onlmy explained j^ |Ha very good that-_yerv eo^ o ^ iout-yes of course y g od- sme11 em ^ 1|1 Further conversation w hrrtiioti lt 1 they had arrived at the clu^8111 to an end ^Tommys name was pi^ (jq^ 3 ------------------------their round ---lor started onTommy was a mediocn pnlfcr^^ -- -niiu mai ilia BiailualU 01 pav walti inraquoraquo ^ o- - for his new friend The M-^onb gIJU1 WUIl dv two lin anyone to play a very happy Sate of eventsGood match Meadaes -- -you had bad luck wiLh^^Z0011 mtch 42 Agatha Christie ^B 3turned off at the last minute We must have agame fairly often Come along and Ill introduceyou to some of the fellows Nice lot on the wholesome of them inclined to be rather old women ifyou know what I mean Ah heres Haydock--youll like Haydock Retired naval wallah Hasthat house on the cliff next door to us Hes ourlocal ARP warden |||Commander Haydock was a big hearty manwith a weatherbeaten face intensely blue eyesand a habit of shouting most of his remarks ^ wraquo He greeted Tommy with friendliness ^aBB|So youre going to keep Bletchley countenanceat Sans Souci Hell be glad of another manRather swamped by female society eh Bletchieyis sb aIm not much of a ladies man said MajorBletchleyNonsense said Haydock Not your typeof lady my boy thats it Old boarding housepussies Nothing to do but gossip and knitYoure forgetting Miss Perenna said Bletch-1ley ^ IAh Sheila--shes an attractive girl all right SRegular beauty if you ask me y Im a bit worried about her said Bletchley | sWhat do you mean Have a drink MeadowesWhats yours Major nThe drinks ordered and the men settled on the8 jverandah of the clubhouse Haydock repeated hisquestion ( Major Bletchley said with some violence IThat German chap Shes seeing too much ofhim| Getting sweet on him you mean Hm thatsbad Of course hes a good looking young chap in ^ NORM 43his way But it wont do It wont do BletchleyWe cant have that sort of thing Trading with theenemy thats what it amounts to These girls--wheres their proper spirit Plenty of decentyoung English fellows about raquoBletchley said gt ltSheilas a queer girl--she gets odd sullen fitswhen she will hardly speak to anyoneSpanish blood said the Commander Herfather was half Spanish wasnt he

Page 25

N Or MDont know Its a Spanish name I shouldthink ^The Commander glanced at his watch About time for the news Wed better go inandlistentoit I ||gThe news was meagre that day little more in itthan had been already in the morning papersAfter commenting with approval on the latest exploitsof the Air Force--first-rate chaps brave aslions--the Commander went on to develop hisown pet theory--that sooner or later the Germanswould attempt a landing at Leahampton itself--his argument being that it was such an unimportantspotNot even an anti-aircraft gun in the place Disgraceful^ H allflThe argument was not developed for Tommyand the Major had to hurry back to lunch at SansSouci Haydock extended a cordial invitation toTommy to come and see his little place SmugglersRest Marvellous view--my own beach--every kind of handy gadget in the house Bringhim along BletchleyIt was settled that Tommy and Major Bletchleyshould come in for drinks on the evening of thefollowing day Aptha ChristieAfter lunch was i peaceful time at Sans SouciMr Cayley went traquo have his rest with the devotedMrs- Cayley in attendance Mrs Blenkensopwas conductedby Miss Minton to a depot topack and address pircels for the FrontMr Meadowes strolled gently out into LeacigarettesSlUppcv ai ^gtv latest number of Punch then after a few minutesof apparent irresolution he entered a bus bearingthe legend old pieh gg| g||The old pier was at the--^--^----^^-11^pi V11A^Xraquoraquoto house agents as the least desirable end It wasWest Leahampton and poorly thought of Tommy ^-L -- ^ raquo iiwasaH- ~i-flimsy and weather-worn affair with a few mon--- - l 1^----J ^tt^CnE die-UU11U p^nraquoraquo --tant intervals There was no one on it but somechildren running up and down and screaming invoices that matched quite accurately the screamingof the gulls and one solitary man sitting on theend fishing Il USi Mr Meadowes strolled upto the end and gazeddown into the watier Then he asked gentlyH Caught anythiing ^ |g The fisherman sshook his head ^Dont often g^et a bite Mr Grant reeled inhis line a bit He said without turning his headWhat about yrou Meadowesi Tommy saidNothing muchh to report as yet sir Im diggingmyself in |1| - _Good^Tellmae -^N OR M fSpj 45Tommy sat on an adjacent post so placed that yraquohe commanded the length of the pier^Then he S^l

Page 26

N Or MbeganIve gone down quite all right I think I gather |youve already got a list of the people there jg^ Grant nodded Theres nothing to report as yet SB Ive struck up a friendship with Major BletchleyWe played golf this morning He seems the ordinarytype of retired officer If anything a shadetoo typical Cay ley seems a genuine hypochondriacalinvalid That again would be an easy partto act He has by his own admission been a gooddeal in Germany during the last few yearsA point said Grant laconicallyThen theres von Deinim ||||Yes I dont need to tell you Meadowes that~von Deinims the one Im most interested inK You think hes N p^ ^ss arareg Grant shook his head 8amp1 sasfeNo I dont As I see it N couldnt afford tobe a German ||| ||sect i-I^B1^ Not a refugee from Nazi persecution eventNot even that We watch and they know wewatch all the enemy aliens in this country Moreover--thisis in confidence Beresford--very a shortly all enemy aliens between 16 and 60 will beinterned Whether our adversaries are aware ofthat fact or not they can at any rate anticipatethat such a thing might happen They would neverrisk the head of their organization being internedN therefore must be either a neutral--or else heis (apparently) an Englishman The same ofcourse applies to M No my meaning about vonDeinim is this He may be a link in the chain N or yM may not be at Sans Souci it may be Carl vonDeinim who is there and through him we may be 46 ^Agatha Christieled to our object^- That does seem to be highlypossible The mfi16 so as I cannot very well seethat any of the (Other inmates of Sans Souci arelikely to be the person we are seekingYouve had (them more or less investigated Isuppose sirGrant sighed--a sharp quick sigh of vexationNo thats jist wnat ltgts impossible for me todo I could havlte them looked up by the departmenteasily enough--but I cant risk it Beresford For you see th1reg rot is in the department itselfOne hint that 1^ go1 ^ ^ on sans souci fm any reason--an^ the organization may be put ^ wise Thats wr1reg Y011 come in the outsider |Thats why you^ got to work in the dark withouthelp from i1- Its our only chance-- and Idarent risk alar^them- Theres only one personIve been ablle to check up on ^ Whos that sirGrant smiled w Carl von De1111111 himself Thats easy enoughRoutine I can tfa^ him looked up--not from theSans Souci angic ^t from the enemy alien angle reg ^- ^^ Tommy askeci curiously ^ ^l ^^ Andtheres^t7A curious sm10 came over the others faceMaster Cartls exactly what he says he is Hisfather was indi^c1^) was arrested and died in aconcentration c^1- Carols elder brothers are incamps His mother died in great distress of mind ayear ago He epcaped to England a month beforewar broke out von Deinim has professed himself^ anxious to hel^P this country His work in a^

Page 27

N Or Mchemical research laboratory has been excellentand most helpN on the problem of immunizing ^^Ip ^- vnorm ^ 47certain gases and in general decontamination experiments^HlTommy said S^agg Then hes all right Breg Not necessarily Our German friends are notoriousfor their thoroughness If von Deinim wassent as an agent to England special care would betaken that his record should be consistent with hisown account of himself There are two possibilitiesThe whole von Deinim family may be partiesto the arrangement--not improbable underthe painstaking Nazi regime Or else this is notreally Carl von Deinim but a man playing the partof Carl von Deinim S |Tommy said slowly Isee He added inconsequently ^ He seems an awfully nice young fellow SighingGrant said They are--they nearlyalways are Its an odd life this service of ours We |respect our adversaries and they respect us Youusually like your opposite number you know- even when youre doing your best to down himThere was a silence as Tommy thought over thestrange anomaly of war Grants voice Jbroke intohis musings ||p K But there are those for whom weve neitherrespect nor liking--and those are the traitors withinour own ranks--the men who are willing to betraytheir country and accept office and promotionfrom the foreigner who has conquered itTommy said with feeling ^illreg My God Im with you sir Thats a skunkstrick gpAnd deserves a skunks end regs^jtKsTommy said incredulously Siss-- ^aampiSiAnd there really are these--these swine 48 Agatha ChristieEverywhere As I told you In our service Inthe fighting forces On Parliamentary benchesHigh up in the Ministries Weve got to combthem out--weve got to And we must do itquickly It cant be done from the bottom--thesmall fry the people who speak in the Parks whosell their wretched little news-sheets they dontknow who the big bugs are Its the big bugs wewant theyre the people who can do untold damage--andwill do it unless were in time Tommy said confidently ^p ^fWe shall be in time sir ^- y^a - |S Grant asked ^at What makes you say that 8 l|^ ^1Tommy said 11Youve just said it--weve got to beThe man with the fishing line turned and lookedfull at his subordinate for a minute or two takingin anew the quiet resolute line of the jaw He had anew liking and appreciation of what he saw Hesaid quietly -^y^1 teampa^Good man araquo I Hewent onWhat about the women in this place Anythingstrike you as suspicious thereI think theres something odd about the

Page 28

N Or Mwoman who runs itMrs Perenna VSSYes You dont--know anything about herGrant said slowlyI might see what I could do about checking herantecedents but as I told you its riskyYes better not take any chances Shes theonly one who strikes me as suspicious in any wayTheres a young mother a fussy spinster thehypochondriacs brainless wife and a rather fear I N OR M 49^ni looking old Irish-woman All seem harmless ^owh on the face of it y ^S Ithats the lot is it ||t(o Theres a Mrs Blenkensop-- arrived three^ago -m Veil - ^lt-^W ^ raquo ya ^nuny said 8^^NIamp_ |g|1| 4rs Blenkensop is my wife ^ |gg^ the surprise of the anntmncenient Grant vok( was raised He spun around sharp anger in his hze I thought I told you Beresford not to ^the a word to your wifelt)uite right sir and I didnt If youll justlister i^ISiSliccinctiy Tommy narrated what had oc- i^ cu6d He did not dare look at the other He ampSS ^^fully kept out of his voice the pridejhathesecr^iy felt -fe^-^^iJ IIH ^here was a silence when he brought the story to an end Then a queer noise escaped from the 8oth^r Grant was laughing He laughed for somemin(ites(take my hat off to the woman Shes one in athousand ^1(agree said Tommy - w^^ gasthampton will laugh when I tell him this 1TS s He earned me not to leave her out Said shed getthe getter of me if I did I wouldnt listen to him ^i^P^ you though how damned careful youve8^j lto be I thought Id taken every precautiona|raquoliraquost being overheard Id satisfied myself ^ b^Qfehand that you and your wife were alone in the f|at I actually heard the voice in the telephoneai|irf8 Your wife to come round at once and ^---- RAj--_raquo 52 Agatha ChristieTuppence replied that she thought she wasgoing to like Leahampton very much and behappy thereThat is she added in a melancholy voice ashappy as I can be anywhere with this terrible anxietyweighing on me all the timeAh now dont you be worrying yourselfMrs ORourke advised comfortably Those fineboys of yours will come back to you safe andsound Not a doubt of it One of thems in the AirForce so I think you said ^Yes Raymond a^ And is he in France now or in England Hes in Egypt at the moment but from whatjhe said in his last letter--not exactly said--but wehave a little private code if you know what Imean--certain sentences mean certain things Ithink thats quite justified dont you ^ Mrs ORourke replied promptlyIndeed and I do Tis a mothers privilegeYes you see I feel I must know just where hesectJis IP KBMrs ORourke nodded the Buddha-like headI feel for you entirely so I do If I had a boy

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N Or Mout there Id be deceiving the censor the very sameway so I would And your other boy the one inthe NavyTuppence entered obligingly upon a saga ofDouglasYou see she ended I feel so lost withoutmy three boys Theyve never been all away togetherfrom me before Theyre all so sweet to meI really do think they treat me more as a friend than a mother She laughed self-consciously Ihave to scold them sometimes and make them g(out without me N OR M 53(What a pestilential woman I sound thoughtTuppence to herself)She went on aloudAnd really I didnt know quite what to do orwhere to go The lease of my house in London wasup and it seemed so foolish to renew it and Ithought if I came somewhere quiet and yet with agood train service She broke off -yAgain the Buddha nodded SBlI agree with you entirely London is no placeat the present Ah the gloom of it Ive lived theremyself for many a year now Im by way of beingan antique dealer you know You may know myshop in Cornaby Street Chelsea Kate Kellys thename over the door Lovely stuff I had theretoooh lovely stuffmostly glassWaterfordCorkbeautiful Chandeliers and lustres andpunchbowls and all the rest of it Foreign glasstoo And small furniturenothing largejustsmall period piecesmostly walnut and oak Ohlovely stuffand I had some good customers Butthere when theres a War on all that goes westIm lucky to be out of it with as little loss as IvehadA faint memory flickered through Tuppencesmind A shop filled with glass through which itwas difficult to move a rich persuasive voice acompelling massive woman Yes surely she hadbeen into that shop aHMrs ORourke went on Im not one of those that like to be alwayscomplainingnot like some thats in this houseMr Cayley for one with his muffler and hisshawls and his moans about his business going topieces Of course its to pieces theres a Waronand his wife with never Boo to say to a goose 54 ^1 Agatha Christie -^^y ^Then theres that little Mrs Sprot always fussingabout her husbandIs he out at the front J^s^^ Tf---(^Not he Hes a tuppenny-halfpenny clerk in aninsurance office thats all and so terrified of airraids hes had his wife down here since the beginningof the War Mind you I think thats rightwhere the childs concerned--and a nice wee miteshe is--but Mrs Sprot she frets for all that herhusband conies down when he can Keeps say- gting Arthur must miss her so But if you ask me | Arthurs not missing her over-much--maybe hes got other fish to fry ^ ^

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N Or MTuppence murmured ||| --Im terribly sorry for all these mothers If you g let your children go away without you you never M stop worrying And if you go with them its hardon the husbands being leftAh yes and it comes expensive running twoestablishments iSll-^^ fSS-This place seems quite reasonable said TuppenceYes Id say you get your moneys worth88Mrs Perennas a good manager Theres a queerwoman for you now Samp^ In what way asked Tuppence |H gsectMrs ORourke said with a twinkle j| Youll be thinking Im a terrible talker Its|||true Im interested in all my fellow creaturesthats why I sit in this chair as often as I can Yousee who goes in and who goes out and whos onthe verandah and what goes on in the gardenWhat were we talking of now--ah yes MrsIH Perenna and the queerness of her Theres been agrand drama in that womans life or Im muchmistaken ^ ^ NORM 55Do you really think soI do now And the mystery she makes of herself And where might you come from in Ki Ireland I asked her And would youbelieve itshe held out on me declaring she was not fromIreland at all ^R^ -- You think she is Irish -~ Ofcourse shes Irish I know my own countrywomen I could name you the county she comesfrom But there Im English she says and myhusband was a Spaniard--Mrs ORourke broke off abruptly as MrsSprot came in closely followed by TommyTuppence immediately assumed a sprightlymanner a^Good evening Mr Meadowes You look verybrisk this evening ^s^ ^Illr^ -- ^Tommy said itoa Plenty of exercise thats the secret A roundof golf this morning and a walk along the frontthis afternoon ^ -^Millicent Sprot saidI took Baby down to the beach this afternoonShe wanted to paddle but I really thought it wasrather cold I was helping her build a castle and adog ran off with my knitting and pulled out yardsof it So annoying and so difficult picking up allthe stitches again Im such a bad knitterH Youre getting along fine with that helmetMrs Blenkensop said Mrs ORourke suddenlyturning her attention to Tuppence Youve beenjust racing along I thought Miss Minton said thatyou were an inexperienced knitterTuppence flushed faintly Mrs ORourkes eyeswere sharp With a slightly vexed air Tuppence 56 Ill Agatha Christie ^s^I have really done quite a lot of knitting I toldMiss Minton so But I think she likes teaching people

Everybody laughed in agreement and a fewPage 31

N Or Mminutes later the rest of the party came in and^hegong was sounded The conversation during the meal turned on theabsorbing subject of spies Well-known hoarychestnuts were retold The nun with the musculararm the clergyman descending from his parachuteand using unclergymanlike language as he landedwith a bump the Austrian cook who secreted awireless in her bedroom chimney and all thethings that had happened or nearly happened toaunts and second cousins of those present Thatled easily to Fifth Column activities To denunciationsof the British Fascists of the Communistsof the Peace Party of conscientious objectors Itwas a very normal conversation of the kind thatmay be heard almost every day nevertheless Tuppencewatched keenly the faces and demeanour ofthe people as they talked striving to catch sometell-tale expression or word But there was nothingSheila Perenna alone took no part in the conversationbut that might be put down to herhabitual taciturnity She sat there her dark rebelliousface sullen and broodingCarl von Deinim was out tonight^so tonguescould be quite unrestrained ill ^ ||V I Sheila only spoke once towards the end of diner

Mrs Sprot had just said in her thin flutingvoiceWhere I do think the Germans made such amistake in the last war was to shoot Nurse CavellIt turned everybody against them N OR M 57It was then that Sheila flinging back her he^demanded in her fierce young voice ^lv shouldnt they shoot her She was a spy wa^11 sheOh no not a spyShe helped English people to escape--in ^nenemy country Thats the same thing W^Y shouldnt she be shotI Oh but shooting a woman--and a nurse ||^ Sheila got upfefr laquoj think the Germans were quite right she saidShe went out of the window into the garden Dessert consisting of some under-ripe bananasand some tired oranges had been on the tal^c some time Everyone rose and adjournedto the lounge for coffeeOnly Tommy unobtrusively betook himself to the garden He found Sheila Perenna leaning over ft the terrace wall staring out at the sea He caH^ and stood beside her WBy her hurried quick breathing he knew that ( something had upset her badly He offered her a|fc cigarette which she acceptedHe said ^ ^ Lovelynight 35| ^ S|In a low intense voice the girl answeredIt could beTommy looked at her doubtfully He felt suddenlythe attraction and the vitality of this girl- There was a tumultuous life in her a kind of compellingpower She was the kind of girl he thought that a man might easily lose his headover If it werent for the War you mean he said- gampI dont mean that at all I hate the War

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N Or M 8 w^ gt Agatha Christie Hi- |p-- ^^^saC - ^y^ ^ So do we alll^ftJS Not in the way I mean I hate the cant about it|jpoundpound the smugness--the horrible horrible patriotismPatriotism Tommy was startled Yes I hate patriotism do you understand Allthis country country country Betraying yourcountry--dying for your country--serving yourcountry Why should ones country mean anyamp thing at allaaJg Tommy said simply I dont know It just 1as does ampNot to me Oh it would to you--you goabroad and buy and sell in the British Empire and J come back bronzed and full of cliches talking [_about the natives and calling for Chota Pegs and yS all that sort of thing ^ -BK Tommy said gently -^ s-i^QIm not quite as bad as that I hope my dear filf Im exaggerating a little--but you know what __ s I mean You believe in the British Empire--and--and--the stupidity of dying for ones countryt ^ My country said Tommy drily doesnt |g^^ys seem particularly anxious to allow me to die for |||SSff t raquol^r ll ilp^-Yes but you want to And its so stupid ik Nothings worth dying for Its all an(ctea--talk--| froth--high-flown idiocy My country doesnt g| mean anything to me at all poundsSome day said Tommy youll be surprisedto find that it doesNo Never Ive suffered--Ive seen-- |||She broke off--then turned suddenly and impetuouslyupon himggg Do you know who my father was ^ -Bals No Tommys interest quickened His name was Patrick Maguire He--he was a NORM 55follower of Casement in the last War He was shotas a traitor All for nothing For an idea--heworked himself up with those other IrishmenWhy couldnt he just stay at home quietly andmind his own business Hes a martyr to somepeople and a traitor to others I think he was ^ just--stupidI Tommy could hear the note of pent-up rebellioncoming out into the open He said So thats the shadow youve grown up withShadows right Mother changed her name r We lived in Spain for some years She always saysHthat my father was half a Spaniard We always tell ^ lies wherever we go Weve been all over the ContinentFinally we came here and started this placegc I think this is quite the most hateful thing weve doneyet --^ - Tommy asked ^ - ^ How does yourmother feel about--thingsYou mean--about my fathers death Sheila| was silent a moment frowning puzzled She saidslowly Ive never really known she nevertalks about it Its not easy to know what motherfeels or thinksTommy nodded his head thoughtfully ^ ^^ajnSheila said abruptly lt I--I dont know why Ive been telling you thisI got worked up Where did it all start p^a A discussion on Edith Cavell Aa^ i Oh yes--patriotism I said I hated itArent you forgetting Nurse Cavells own

Page 33

N Or Mwords What wordsBefore she died Dont you know what shesaid --He repeated the words ^ t 60 Agatha Christie ^^^ -yPatriotism is not enough I must have no |k phatred in my heart amp Oh She stood there stricken for a moment ^ Then turning quickly she wheeled away intothe shadow of the garden ^ ^ |sjdf^ So you see Tuppence it would all fit inBUS Tuppence nodded thoughtfully The beacharound them was empty She herself leanedagainst a breakwater Tommy sat above her onthe breakwater itself from which post he couldsee anyone who approached along the esplanadeNot that he expected to see anyone having ascertainedwith a fair amount of accuracy wherepeople would be this morning In any case his rendezvouswith Tuppence had borne all the signs ofa casual meeting pleasurable to the lady and slightly alarming to himself yy y(i Tuppence said Baar^ regreg I Mrs Perenna regYes M not N She satisfies the requirementsWffi Tuppence nodded thoughtfully again Mit Yes Shes Irish--as spotted by Mrs0Rourke--wont admit the fact Has done aigood deal of coming and going on the continentgll Changed her name to Perenna came here andstarted this boarding house A splendid bit ofcamouflage full of innocuous bores Her husbandwas shot as a traitor--shes got every incentive forrunning a Fifth Column show in this country Yes |it fits Is the girl in it too do you thinkTommy said finally regs3i N OR M ^ 61Definitely not Shed never have told me allthis otherwise I--I feel a bit of a cad you knowTuppence nodded with complete understand-yyww wob -^ ^-v ((i^ ing |g| -- - ^ S^regSYes one does In a way its a foul job this I ^But very necessary reg0h ofcourseTommy said flushing slightlyI dont like lying any better than you do--Tuppence interrupted him|ltsect I dont mind lying in the least To be quitehonest I get a lot of artistic pleasure out of my lies amp What gets me down is thosemoments when oneforgets to lie--the times when one is just oneself--and gets results that way that you couldnt havegot any other She paused and went on Thatswhat happened to you last night--with the girlShe responded to the real you--thats why youfeel badly about it laquoa^A s I believe youre right Tuppence SUS^ aI know Because I did the same thmg myself-with the German boy |||J |iraquoiTommy said iWhat do you think about himTuppence said quickly ^t^ If you ask me I dont think hes got anythingto do with itGrant thinks he has - ^| |||t j Your Mr Grant Tuppences moodchanged She chuckled How Id like to haveseen his face when you told him about meAt any rate hes made the amends honorable You re definitely on the j ohI Tuppence nodded but she looked a trifle abstracted

Page 34

N Or Mgin ^ S^iSJS-^^ She said Aw -^ y^ Do you remembciwe were hunting dowmember what fun it was Tommy agreed hisRather ^ Tommy--why isn ^ He considered the igrave Then he saidI suppose its reallTuppence said shariYou dont think--No Im sure wetime--it wont be fun This is the second Waiquite different about t]I know--we see ttiand the horror All thto think about beforeThats it In the 1now and then--and hiand went through hewere good times tooTuppence saidI suppose Derek feBetter not thinkTommy advisedYoure rightWeve got a job ^ Lets get on with it looking for in Mrs Pey We can at least scated Theres no onthat youve got your egt Tuppence considerreg _ No there isnt T HpNORM ^ 63^arrived of course was to size them all up andassess as it were possibilities Some of them seemquite impossible -^ ^Such as -9 ^Well Miss Minton for instance the cornpleatBritish spinster and Mrs Sprot and herBetty and the vacuous Mrs CayleyYes but nitwittishness can be assumedOh quite but the fussy spinster and the absorbedyoung mothers are parts that would befatally easy to overdo--and these people are quitenatural Then where Mrs Sprot is concernedtheres the child| I suppose said Tommy that even a secretagent might have a child ||sect|Not with her on the job said TuppenceIts not the kind of thing youd bring a child ^ into Im quite sure about that Tommy I know ^ Youd keep a child out of it ^ I withdraw said Tommy Ill give you MrsSprot and Miss Minton but Im not so sure aboutMrs CayleyNo she might be a possibility Because she g really does overdo it I mean there cant be many ^ women quite as idiotic as she seemsj| I have often noticed that being a devoted wife ^ saps the intellect murmured Tommy And where have you noticed that demandedTuppenceNot from you Tuppence Your devotion hasnever reached those lengthsFor a man said Tuppence kindly youdont really make an undue fuss when you are illTommy reverted to a survey of possibilities raquo Cayley said Tommy thoughtfully There 64 Agatha Christie

Page 35

N Or Mmight be something fishy about CayleyYes there might Then theres Mrs 0Rourkes ^ WWhat do you feel about herI dont quite know Shes disturbing Rather feefofum if you know what I meanYes I think I know But I rather fancy thatsjust the predatory note Shes that kind ofwoman gtyTuppence said slowlyShe--notices thingsShe was remembering the remark about knitting

Then theres Bletchley said TommyIve hardly spoken to him Hes definitelyyour chicken ^I think hes just the ordinary pukka old school type I think so Thats just it said Tuppence answering a ^i stress rather than actual words The worst of thissort of show is that you look at quite ordinary S|everyday people and twist them to suit your mor- febid requirements sfeIve tried a few experiments on Bletchley^said TommyWhat sort of thing Ive got some experimentsin mind myselfWell--just gentle ordinary little traps--aboutdates and places--all that sort of thingCould you condescend from the general to the particularWell say were talking of duck shooting Hementions the Fayum--good sport there such andsuch a year such and such a month Some othertime I mention Egypt in quite a different connectionMummies Tutankhamen something like NORM 65that--has he seem that stuff When was he there ^Check up on the answers Or P amp 0 boats--1 mention the names of one or two say So-and-sowas a comfortable boat He mentions some trip orother later I check that Nothing important or ^anything that puts him on his guard--just a checkup on accuracyAnd so far he hasnt slipped up in any wayNot once And thats a pretty good test let me -tell you Tuppence| Yes but I suppose if he was N he would havehis story quite patOh yes--the main outlines of it But its notso easy not to trip up on unimportant details Andthen occasionally you remember too much- more that is than a bona ride person would doAn ordinary person doesnt usually remember offhandwhether they took a certain shooting trip in ^1926 or 1927 They have to think a bitand search ^their memory piBut so far you havent caught Bletchley out ^ So far hes responded in a perfectly normalmanner| Result-negative IgKiC^S ExactlyNow said Tuppence Ill tell you some ofmy ideasAnd she proceeded to do soaIllOn her way home Mrs Blenkensop stopped atthe post office She bought stamps and on her way

Page 36

N Or Mout went into one of the public call boxes Thereshe rang up a certain number asked for Mr^

Stagvan-yafe

66 Agatha ChristieFaraday and held a short conversation withhim She came out smiling and walked slowlyhomewards stopping on the way to purchasesome knitting woolIt was a pleasant afternoon with a light breezeTuppence curbed the natural energy of her ownbrisk trot to that leisurely pace that accorded withher conception of the part of Mrs BlenkensopMrs Blenkensop had nothing on earth to do withherself except knit (not too well) and write lettersto her boys She was always writing letters to herpboys--sometimes she left them about half finishedTuppence came slowly up the hill towards SansSouci Since it was not a through road (it ended atSmugglers Rest Commander Haydocks house)there was never much traffic--a few tradesmensvans in the morning Tuppence passed house afterhouse amusing herself by noting their namesSKBella Vista (inaccurately named since the merestglimpse of the sea was to be obtained and themain view was the vast Victorian bulk of Edenhoimeon the other side of the road) Karachi wasthe next house After that came Shirley TowerThen Sea View (appropriate this time) CastleClare (somewhat grandiloquent since it was asmall house) Trelawny a rival establishment toilsspsgthat degf Mrs Perenna and finally the vast maroon l|||bulk of Sans Souci ^ Si- It was just as she came near to it that Tuppencefebecame aware of a woman standing by the gate ^Bpeering inside There was something tense andviligant about the figureU Almost unconsciously Tuppence softened the sound of her own footsteps stepping cautiouslyupon her toes IIH --i^N OR M 67It was not until she was close behind her thatamps the woman heard her and turned Turned with astart S ^^-f^^N 88She was a tall woman poorly even meanlydressed but her face was unusual She was not young--probably between forty and fifty--butthere was a contrast between her face and the way ^y^ she was dressed She was fair-haired with widecheekbones and had been--indeed still was--beautiful Just for a minute Tuppence had a feelingthat the womans face was somehow familiar ipto her but the feeling faded It was not she ^ thought a face easily forgotten |i^ The woman was obviously startled and the Hiflash of alarm that flitted across her face was notlost on Tuppence (Something odd here)|raquotg| || Tuppence said B Excuse me are you looking for someone S The woman spoke in a slow foreign voice pro- y^ nouncing the words carefully

Page 37

N Or MShe sighed She sailtI wish we could firotten when one has s Her eyes rested photograph of the vltuniform with the

Tommys Tommy saidIts worse for a ralland do up parcelTuppence saidI can do all thatnot old enough toneither one thing norThe front door bellflat was a small servicH She opened the docman with a big fair nface standing on theHis glance a quickin a pleasant voice N OR M 5AreyouMrsBeresfordYes ^v ^^ My names Grant Im a friend of Lord EasthamptonsHe suggested I should look you andyour husband up 3^ Oh how nice do come in R^ She preceded him into the sitting roomMy husband er--Captain--Mr I |Mr Grant Hes a friend of Mr Car--of LordEasthamptonsThe old nom de guerre of the former Chief ofthe Intelligence Mr Carter always came moreeasily to her lips than their old friends propertitleFor a few minutes the three talked happily togetherGrant was an attractive person with aneasy mannerPresently Tuppence left the room She returneda few minutes later with the sherry and someglassesAfter a few minutes when a pause came MrGrant said to TommyI hear youre looking for a job BeresfordAn eager light came into Tommys eyeYes indeed You dont mean-- ^ Grant laughed and shook his headOh nothing of that kind No Im afraid thathas to be left to the young active men--or to thosewhove been at it for years The only things I cansuggest are rather stodgy Im afraid Office workFiling papers Tying them up in red tape andpigeon-holing them That sort of thing y-^ -^ Tommys face fell a^-s ^S^^ gtOh I see ^-- sSj^ Grant said encouragingly ^raquo A 6 Agatha Christie 5Oh well its better than nothing Anywaycome and see me at my office one day Ministry ofs Requirements Room 22 Well fix you up withsomething p ^ ^The telephone rang Tuppence picked up theI receiver gHulloyeswhat A squeaky voice spoke ygss3agitatedly from the other end Tuppences face

Page 4

N Or Mt changed When Oh my dearof courseIllcome over right away1 She put back the receiver ^aaampta She said to Tommylaquo That was Maureen ^I thought soI recognized her voice from Tuppence explained breathlessly |||| gtIm so sorry Mr Grant But I musTgo roundto this friend of mine Shes fallen and twisted herankle and theres no one with her but her little girlso I must go round and fix up things for her and| get hold of someone to come in and look after herDo forgive me ^1 ^g K^ I^ Of course Mrs Beresford I quite under- ^| stand BB^| Tuppence smiled at him picked up a coat whichH had been lying over the sofa slipped her arms into it and hurried out The flat door banged Tommy poured out another glass of sherry forhis guest ^s^sS^T 11 -Dont go yet he said ltAcyThank you The other accepted the glass Hesipped it for a moment in silence Then he saidIn a way you know your wifes being calledaway is a fortunate occurrence It will save timesireg Tommy stared - ^- ^v raquo I dont understand1reg^- ^-S^^ NORM 7Grant said deliberately a You see Beresford if you had come to see meat the Ministry I was empowered to put a certainproposition before youThe colour came slowly up in Tommys freckledface He said aYou dont mean^^ ^|^B^ ^Grant nodded gSamps^te^reg a-- Safe Easthampton suggested you he said Hetold us you were the man for the job gxy^|g Tommy gave a deep sigh a^ ^ ly^ Tell me he said ^ wamp^ This is strictly confidential of course ^^^ Tommy nodded ^ c s Not even your wife must know You understandVery well--if you say so But we worked togetherbeforeYes I know But this proposition is solely forT-- - --^ -- ^-^ ^W^K^--V you|g ^ ^ ^^ ^I see All right1 I ^ ^|Ostensiblyyou will be offered work--as I saidjust now--office work--in a branch of the Ministryfunctioning in Scotland--in a prohibited areawhere your wife cannot accompany you Actually^you will be somewhere very differentTommy merely waited ^^r sGrant saidYouve read in the newspapers of the FifthColumn You know roughly at any rate justwhat that term impliesTommy murmured - ^IrSSS -^ ^s^-^^^The enemy withinExactly This war Beresford started in an optimisticspirit Oh I dont mean the people whoreally knew--weve knownaHalong whatwe were 8 I Agatha Christieup against--the efficiency of the enemy his aerial

Page 5

N Or Mstrength his deadly determination and the co-ordinationof his well-planned war machine I meanthe people as a whole The good-hearted muddleheadeddemocratic fellow who believes what hewants to believe--that Germany will crack upp that shes on the verge of revolution that her||I weapons of war are made of tin and that her menamp | are so underfed that theyll fall down if they try tomarch--all that sort of stuff Wishful thinking as|gthe saying goes ||jWell the war didnt go that way It started^ badly and it went on worse The men were all|amp I right--the men on the battleships and in the planes^ and in the dugouts But there was mismanagement^and unpreparedness--the defects perhaps of our|||qualities We dont want war havent consideredit seriously werent good at preparing for itThe worst of that is over Weve corrected ourmistakes were slowly getting the right men in theright places Were beginning to run the war as itshould be run--and we can win the war--make nog i mistake about that--but only if wedont lose if first And the danger of losing it comes not y from outside--not from the might of Germanys|g||bombers not from her seizure of neutral countriesuand fresh vantage points from which to attack--from within Our danger is the danger ofTroy--the wooden horse within our walls Call itwthe Fifth Column if you like It is here among usMen and women some of them highly placedSsome of them obscure but all believing genuinelyin the Nazi aims and the Nazi creed and desiringto substitute that sternly efficient creed for themuddled easy-going liberty of our democratic--institutions ------ -- N OR M 9Grant leaned forward He said still in that samepleasant unemotional voiceAnd we dont know who they areTommy said But surely-- Has Grant said with a touch of impatienceOh we can round up thesmall fry Thats easyenough But its the others We know about themWe know that there are at least two highly placedin the Admiralty--that one must be a member ofGeneral G----s staff--that there are three ormore in the Air Force and that two at least aremembers of the Intelligence know Cabinetsecrets We know that because it must be so fromthe way things have happened The leakage--aleakage from the top--of information to theenemy shows us that l^1Tommy said helplessly his pleasant face perplexed

But what good should I be to you I dontknow any of these peopleGrant nodded If fi^-i ^ ySisi --Exactly You dont know any of them--aw they dont know you ^ He paused to let it sink in and then went onThese people these high up people knowmost of our lot Information cant be very wellrefused to them I was at my wits end I went toEasthampton Hes out of it all now--a sick man--but his brains the best Ive ever known Hethought of you Nearly twenty years since youworked for the Department Name quite unconnected

Page 6

N Or Mwith it Your face not known What do yousay--will you take it on ^ ^ ^-Tommys face was almost split in two by themagnitude of his ecstatic grinTake it on You bet Ill take it on Though I 10 Agatha Christie Wi^^cant see how I can be of any use Im just ablasted amateurMy dear Beresford amateur status is just what ^v is needed The professional is handicapped here| Youll take on in place of the best man we had orE1 are likely to haveTommy looked a question Grant nodded ^11 Yes Died in St Bridgets Hospital lastTuesJI|Sday Run down by a lorry--only lived a few hoursAccident case--but it wasnt an accident ||Syg^ Tommy said slowly I see ^l^Bylgi|^ Grant said quietly ^^^ And thats why we have reason to believe thatFarquhar was on to something--that he was getting somewhere at last By his death that wasnt anaccident SS ^^^-k^^^W^s-^ Tommy looked aquestibn Grant went on lspounda sA^^-Unfortunately we know next to nothing ofwhat he had discovered Farquhar had beenmethodically following up one line after another ^ Most of them led nowhere ^8- Grant paused and then went on BA^2 - Farquhar was unconscious until a few minutes before he died Then he tried to say something |||J What he said was this N or M Song Susie fThat said Tommy doesnt seem very illuminating --------Grant smiled ^ ^^A little more so than you might think N or Myou see is a term we have heard before It refers ^g to two of the most important and trusted Germanagents We have come across their activities inother countries and we know just a little aboutthem It is their mission to organize a Fifth Column in foreign countries and to act as liaison NORM frr 11officer between the country in question and GermanyN we know is a man M is a woman All we know about them is that these two are Hitlersmost highly trusted agents and that in a codemessage we managed to decipher towards the beginningof the war there occurred this phrase-- Suggest N or Mfor England Fullpowers--1^ I see And Farquhar-- isl8As I see it Farquhar must have got on thetrack of one or other of them Unfortunately wedont know which Song Susie sounds very cryptic--but Farquhar hadnt a high class French accentThere was a return ticket to Leahampton in hispocket which is suggestive Leahampton is on theSouth coast--a budding Bournemouth or TorquayLots of private hotels and guest housesAmongst them is one called Sans Souci-- fewK Tommy said again raquoraquoraquo Song Susie--Sans Souci--I see amp^ fc Grant said lt Do you lt-- ^ ^aAQ^ - xs The idea is Tommy said that I should gothere and--well--ferret round sy^w That is the idea ly ^ ^Tommys smile broke out again-sfe ^ A bit vague isnt it he asked I dont evenknow what Im looking for - AndI cant tell you I dont know Its up toyou

Page 7

N Or MTommy sighed He squared his shouldersI can have a shot at it But Im not a verybrainy sort of chapYou did pretty well in the old days so IveheardOh that was pure luck said Tommy hastilyWell luck is rather what we need Agatha Christie||||Tommy considered a minute or two Then hesaid --- SiySa^^1--^ fe^1 About this place Sans Souci-- |||ggM|Grant shrugged his shoulders A a ^smMay be all a mares nest I cant tell Farquharmay have been thinking of Sister Susies sewingshirts for soldiers Its all guessworkBAnd Leahampton itself Just like any other of these places There arerows of them Old ladies old Colonels unim- peachable spinsters dubious customers fishy cus-lt tpmers a foreigner or two In fact a mixedbagI^Tommy said doubtfully|llAnd N or M amongst them IteNot necessarily Somebody perhaps whos in i touch with N or M But its quite likely to be N orM themselves Its an inconspicuous sort of placea boarding-house at a seaside resort^Youve no idea whether its a man or a womanf Ive to look forGrant shook his head rflt gt ^^Tommy said Well I can but try fe s Good luck to your trying Beresford Now--todetails--I Half an hour later when Tuppence broke ini panting and eager with curiosity Tommy wasalone whistling in an armchair with a doubtful expressionon his face |||i 1amp4amp | Well demanded Tuppence throwing an in- ^gfinity of feeling into the word ampraquo^ W^1 A job--of kindsy^^^^-^^^^18^ Whatkind - i| Tommy made a suitable grimace y N OR M H 13Office work in the wilds of Scotland Hushhushand all that but doesnt sound very thrill-Both of us or only youOnly me Im afraid amp ^Blast and curse you How could our MrCarter be so meanI imagine they segregate the sexes in thesejobs Otherwise too distracting for the mindIs it coding--or code breaking Is it likely Deborahs job Do be careful Tommy peoplequeer doing that and cant sleep walk about aIliHnight groaning and repeating 978345286 or somethinglike that and finally have nervous breakdownsand go into homes |Not me sssfTuppence said gloomily 9sIexpect you will sooner or later Can I cometoo--not to work but just as a wife Slippers infront of the fire and a hot meal at the end of the|wTommy looked uncomfortable^- ^ iaraquoltfr I Sorry old thing I am sorry I hate leavingydeg--But you feel you ought to go murmured

Page 8

N Or MTuppence reminiscently ^B |After all said Tommy feebly ySS can knit yonknow www wKnit said Tuppence Knit ampwSS^ ffffSeizing her Balaclava helmet she flung it on theground BI hate khaki wool said Tuppence and Navy wool and Air Force blue I should like toknit something magenta^ It has a fine military sound said TommyAlmost a suggestion of Blitzkrieg SSJ 141 Agatha Christie S^AwlHe felt definitely very unhappy Tuppence ^ however was a Spartan and played up well admittingfreely that of course he had to take the joband that it didnt really matter about her Sheraquo added that she had heard they wanted someone to ^q scrub down the First Aid Postfloors She might ^i possibly be found fit to do thatTommy departed for Aberdeen three days laterTuppence saw him off at the station Her eyeswere bright and she blinked once or twice but she i kept resolutely cheerfulW Only as the train drew out of the station andTommy saw the forlorn little figure walking awaydown the platform did he feel a lump in his ownthroat War or no War he felt he was desertingTuppenceHe pulled himself together with an effortOrders were ordersHaving duly arrived in Scotland he took a trainthe next day to Manchester On the third day atrain deposited him at Leahampton Here he wentto the principal Hotel and on the following day B^g made a tour of various private hotels and guest ^^B houses seeing rooms and inquiring terms for along stay ^3Sans Souci was a dark red Victorian villa set onthe side of a hill with a good view over the seafrom its upper windows There was a slight smell---- of dust and cooking in the hall and the carpet wasworn but it compared quite favourably with someof the other establishments Tommy had seen Heinterviewed the proprietress Mrs Perenna in heroffice a small untidy room with a large deskcovered with loose papersMrs Perenna herself was rather untidy looking a woman of middle-age with a large mop of N OR M jg 15 K|fiercely curling black hair some vaguely appliedmakeup and a determined smile showing a lot ofvery white teethTommy murmured a mention of his elderly lt|y^ cousin Miss Meadowes who had stayed at Sans ||g|Souci two years ago Mrs Perenna remembered ^ Miss Meadowes quite well--such a dearold lady ^ _at least perhaps not really old--very active and |such a sense of humour tt ^Tommy agreed cautiously There was he knew a real Miss Meadowes--the Departmentwas carefulabout these points ^ And how was dear Miss Meadowes Sp^regBampTommy explained sadly that Miss Meadoweswas no more and Mrs Perenna clicked her teeth |sympathetically and made the proper noises andput on a correct mourning faceShe was soon talking volubly again She had

Page 9

N Or Mshe was sure just the room that would suit MrMeadowes A lovely sea view She thought-MrMeadowes was so right to want to get out ofLondon Very depressing nowadays so she understoodand of course after such a bad go of influenza--

Still talking Mrs Perenna led Tommy upstairsand showed him various bedrooms She mentioneda weekly sum Tommy displayed dismayMrs Perenna explained that prices had risen soappallingly Tommy explained that his incomehiglisunfortunately decreased and what with taxation and one thing and another-- ^Mrs Perenna groaned and said This terrible War- Tommyagreed and said that in his opinion thatfellow Hitler ought to be hanged A madmanthats what he was a madman 16 Agatha ChristieMrs Perenna agreed and said that what willrations and the difficulty the butchers had in getting the meat they wanted--and sometimes tolt much--and sweetbreads and liver practically disappeared it all made housekeeping very difficultbut as Mr Meadowes was a relation of MisMeadowes she would make it half a guinea lessTommy then beat a retreat with the promise t(think it over and Mrs Perenna pursued him to thi ^ gate talking more volubly than ever and display Us ing an archness that Tommy found most alarm ^ ing She washe admitted quite a handsomiwoman in her way He found himself wonderinj what her nationality was Surely not quite English The name was Spanish or Portuguese buthat would be her husbands nationality not hersShe might he thought be Irish though she ha(no brogue But it would account for the vitalitand the exuberanceIt was finally settled that Mr Meadowes shoukpi move in the following dayTommy timed his arrival for six oclock MrsPerenna came out into the hall to greet him threva series of instructions about his luggage to ai almost imbecile-looking maid who goggled aTommy with her mouth open and then led himinto what she called the loungeI always introduce my guests said MrsPerenna beaming determinedly at the suspiciouglares of five people This is our new arrival Mr11111 Meadowes--Mrs ORourke A terrifying mountain of a woman with beady eyes and a moustach gave him a beaming smile--l Major Bletchley Major Bletchley lyec I Tommy appraisingly and made a stiff inclinatiorof the head __ NORM 17Mr von Deinim A young man very stifffair-haired and blue-eyed got up and bowed |||Miss Minton An elderly woman with a lot of S beads knitting with khaki wool smiled and tittered

And Mrs Blenkensop More knitting--anduntidy dark head which lifted from an absorbedcontemplation of a Balaclava helmetTommy held his breath the room spun round|j||Mrs Blenkensop Tuppence By all that was

Page 10

N Or Mimpossible and unbelievable--Tuppence calmlyknitting in the lounge of Sans SouciHer eyes met his--polite uninterested strangerseyes ^a - His admiration rose ggl gisect I S1^^ How Tommy got through tquite knew He dared not 1often in the direction of Mrsner three more habitues ofa middle-aged coupleNltand a young mother Mrs (down with her baby girl frltclearly much bored by her (hampton She was placed nltintervals fixed him with a paeyes and in a slightly adltDont you think its reaEverybodys going back areiBefore Tommy could requeries his neighbor on the (lady struck in What I saanything with children YoiYoud never forgive yourselHitler has said the Blitzkriegquite soon nowand quitebelieveJ Major Bletchley cut in shaiLot of nonsense talked awont waste time fiddling rexplosive and incendiary boidone in SpainThe whole table plunged ii N OR M 19gusto Tuppences voice high pitched and slightlyfatuous piped out greg^My son Douglas says-- SDouglas indeed thought Tommy WhyDouglas I should like to knowAfter dinner a pretentious meal of severalmeagre courses all of which were equally tastelesseveryone drifted into the lounge Knittingwas resumed and Tommy was compelled to hear along and extremely boring account of MajorBletchleys experiences on the North WestFrontier gg^The fair young man with the bright blue eyeswent out executing a little bow on the thresholdof the roomMajor Bletchley broke off his narrative and administereda kind of dig in the ribs to Tommy ||That fellow whos just gone out Hes a refugeeGot out of Germany about a month beforethe war - - ^ Hes a GermanYes Not a Jew either His father got intotrouble for criticizing the Nazi regime Two of hisbrothers are in a concentration camp over thereThis fellow got out just in timeAt this moment Tommy was taken possessionIII Mrs ^y^y who told him at interminable le(||h all about her health So absorbing was thesubject to the narrator that it was close upon bedtimebefore Tommy could escape

Page 11

N Or MOn the following morning Tommy rose earlyand strolled down to the front He walked brisklyto the pier and was returning along the esplanadewhen he spied a familiar figure coming in theother direction Tommy raised his hat 0 Agatha ChristieGood morning he said pleasantly Er_Mrs Blenkensop isnt itThere was no one within earshot Tuppencereplied - - a^J r^Dr Livingstone to you afeHow on earth did you get here Tuppencemurmured Tommy Its a miracle--an absolutemiracleIts not a miracle at all--just brains Your brains I supposeYou suppose rightly You and your uppishMr Grant I hope this will teach him a lessonIt certainly ought to said Tommy Comeon Tuppence tell me how you managed it Imsimply devoured with curiosityIt was quite simple The moment Grant talkedof our Mr Carter I guessed what was up I knew itwouldnt be just some miserable office job Buthis saying so showed me that I wasnt going to beallowed in on this So I resolved to go one betterI went to fetch some sherry and when I did Inipped down to the Browns flat and rang upMaureen Told her to ring me up and what to sayShe played up loyally--nice high squeaky voice--you could hear what she was saying all over theroom I did my stuff registered annoyance compulsiondistressed friend and rushed off withevery sign of vexation Banged the hall door carefullyremaining inside it and slipped into the bedroomand eased open the communicating doorthats hidden by the tallboy And you heard everythingEverything said Tuppence complacentlyTommy said reproachfully s^|And you never let onCertainly not I wished to teach you a lesson NORM 21oil and your Mr GrantHes not exactly my Mr Grant and I shouldsay you have taught him a lessonMr Carter wouldnt have treated me so shabbily said Tuppence I dont think the Intelligenceis anything like what it was in our dayTommy said gravelyIt will attain its former brilliance now wereback in it But why BlenkensopWhy not ig^ssIt seems such an odd name to chooseIt was the first one I thought of and its handy |for underclothes ^^^a^^What do you mean Tuppence riteB you idiot B for Beresford B for BlenkensopEmbroidered on my cami-knickers PatriciaBlenkensop Prudence Beresford Why did youchoose Meadowes Its a silly nameTo begin with said Tommy I dont havelarge Bs embroidered on my pants And to continue

Page 12

N Or MI didnt choose it I was told to call myselfMeadowes Mr Meadowes is a gentleman with arespectable past--all of which Ive learned byheartVery nice said Tuppence Are you marriedor singleIm a widower said Tommy with dignityMy wife died ten years ago at Singapore Heg-Why at Singapore fe^SWeve all got to die somewhere Whatswrongwilfc SingaporeOh nothing Its probably a most suitableplace to die Im a widow ^ Where did your husband die -- Does it matter Probably in a nursing home I therjancy he died of cirrhosis of the liver A Agatha Christie sect1deg11 |8 I see A painful subject And what about your I H son Douglas HIB I _ Douglas is in the Navy ireg So I heard last night ^ ^And Ive got two other sons Raymond is in ^- the Air Force and Cyril my baby is in the Ter- g| ritorialspj And suppose someone takes the trouble to -m |g| check up on these imaginary BlenkensopsTheyre not Blenkensops Blenkensop was mysecond husband My first husbands name was |Hill There are three pages of Hills in the ]I telephone book You couVntcheckupon^l the IT Vlt f A -t 99 ^^^B^6-^^ ^^ ^Vl^- yvStsiw^G ^ i iHills if you tried - ^B^wi^^ fiiffi^y ^1 i laquo^raquog ^g ^ trouble with you Tuppence You s | will overdo things Two husbands and three sons Ill K Its too much Youll contradict yourself over the mNo I shant And I rather fancy the sons mays^s^awSataes^ - - ^KaS1||| come in useful Im not under orders remember |gg|1 Im a free-lance Im in this to enjoy myself and secti| vsamp Im going to enjoy myself ^B IBI So it seems said Tommy He added gloom-B ^_J ny if you ask me the whole things a farce | Why do you say that ifeiR a Well youve been at Sans Souci longer than I ^ have Can you honestly say you think any one ofthose people who were there last night could be a r1| dangerous enemy agent H ^ Tuppence said thoughtfully ^tiff^^^S^^It does seem a little incredible Theres the ^|young man of course N1 ^S Carl von Deinim The police check up on m refugees dont theyii| I suppose so Still it might be managed Hes N OR M 23an attractive young man you knowMeaning the girls will tell him things Butwhat girls No Generals or Admirals daughtersfloating around here Perhaps he walks out with aCompany Commander in the ATS ^MBe quiet Tommy We ought to be taking thisseriously ^I am taking it seriously Its just that I feelwere on a wild goose chase ^^ ^Tuppence said seriously ^ aIts too early to say that After all nothingsgoing to be obvious about this business Whatabout Mrs Perenna ^-v |Yes said Tommy thoughtfuUy theres Mrs Perenna I admit--she does want explain-

Page 13

N Or M^^w--^ 3^7 ^---r - ^^^^p-^1 - ^--Aysing ATuppence said in a business-like tone^ Whatabout us I mean how are we going tocooperateTommy said thoughtfully ^siamp y ^^i- 5We mustnt be seen about too much to^gether g g| ||^^No it would Se fatal to suggest we know-eachother better than we appear to do What we want jto decide is the attitude I think--yes I think--18pursuit is the best angle ^^58 --^-iifc^ Pursuit ^-sareg Exactly I pursue you You do your best toescape but being a mere chivalrous mate doesntalways succeed Ive had two husbands and Im onthe look-out for a third You act the part of the Tiunted widower Every now and then I pin youdown somewhere pen you in a cafe catch youwalking on the front Everyone sniggers andthinks it very funny| Sounds feasible agreed Tommy 4 T Agatha ChristieTuppence said Theres a kind of age-long ^ humour about the chased male That oughtcg|stand us in good stead If we are seen together all^anyone will do is to snigger and say Look at poor oldMeadowes lH gjTommy gripped her arm suddenly ill Vk amplLook he said Look ahead of you ysraquoBy the corner of one of the shelters a young man ai stood talking to a girl They were both very earn-^p ^est very wrapped up in what they were saying |p^ amp ^glljTuppence said softlyJ^Carl von Deinim Whos the girl I wonder ^ - ----h^Shes remarkably good looking whoever sheTuppence nodded Her eyes dwelt thoughtfully |on the dark passionate face and on the tight- 8Hgglfc ^-raquo ~^^^fitting pullover that revealed the lines of the girls ^^figure She was talking earnestly with emphasis^reg^Carl von Deinim was listening to her R^i^a^w^wreg^^SV^^^fflS^^^reg^gggTuppence murmuredI think this is where you leave me f^ _ Right agreed Tommy ^He turned and strolled in the opposite directionSAt the end of the promenade he encountered 8IHMajor Bletchley The latter peered at him suspi- 8ciously and then grunted^out Good morning _Jamp | Good morning iamp IfffSi ILp See youre like me an early riser remarked SBletchley nm f - Tommy said m I waa^ ^One gets in the habit of it out East Of coursethats many years ago now but I still wake early I gt_^Quite right too said Major Bletchley withapproval God these young fellows nowadays_ make me sick Hot baths--coming down to breakerlater Noynder the Ger^ NORM ^ 25-S-rf- manshave been putting it over on us No staminaSoft lot of young pups Armys not what it wasanyway Coddle em thats what they do nowadaysTuck em up at night with hot water bottlesFaugh Makes me sick a KTommy shook his head in a melancholy fashionand Major Bletchley thus encouraged went on

Page 14

N Or MDiscipline thats what we need DisciplineHow are we going to win the War without disciplineDo you know sir some of these fellowscome on parade in slacks--so Ive been toldCant expect to win a War that way Slacks MyGod a |i-^ |g| -| MBsect1 Mr Meadowes hazarded the opinion that thingswere very different from what they had beenlt^aaIts all this democracy said Major Bletchleygloomily You can overdo anything In my opiniontheyre overdoing the democracy businessMixing up the officers and the men feeding N8S together in restaurants--Paugh--the men dont |like it Meadowes The troops know The troopsalways know laquog ggOf course said Mr Meadowes I have noreal knowledge of Army matters myself-- ^ ^4The Major interrupted him shooting a quicksideways glanceIn the show in the last War^^^1^^-^^ifc-fABi^ftA^^- ^sfe^^^ampOh yesThought so Saw youd been drilled Shoul- mgders What regiment ^ ^pf^Fifth Corfeshires Tommy remembered toproduce Meadowesmilitary record ^Ah yes Salonica^ Yes -^ fc-a^iji ^Ill I was in Mespot - ^Bletchley plunged into reminiscences Tommy i6 m sAgatha Christie ^ 1^aw y^ rtfflistened politely Bletchley ended up wrathfully^ And will they make use of me now No theywill not Too old Too old be damned I couldteach one or two of these young cubs something m| about war gt 1sect SlEven if its only what not to do suggested_ ^^r i^---^ ^yja^ ^Tf^ Tommy with a smile A-x^^^^ dl ^_^ Eh whats that HA sense of humour was clearly not Major |Ig Bletchley s strong suit He peered suspiciously I3 at his companion Tommy hastened to change the lconversation ^ Know anything about that MrsBlenkensop^yg I think her nameUS Thats right Blenkensop Not a bad looking iS womanbit long in the toothtalks too much^ Nice woman but foolish No I dont know her || Shes only been at Sans Souci a couple of daysJ|| He added Whydoyouask^p^^^^yy^9 -i Tommy explained -aaSampampg Happened to meet her just now Wondered ifj she was always out as early as this m Dont know Im sure Women arent usuallygiven to walking before breakfastthank God gB Amen said Tommy He went on Im notI much good at making polite conversation before ^H breakfast Hope I wasnt rude to the woman but I

Page 15

N Or M1 wanted my exercise ^Major Bletchley displayed instant sympathy rj Im with you Meadowes Im with you| Women are all very well in their place but not fssamp^ before breakfast He chuckled a little Better becareful old man Shes a widow you knowIs she ^|3fe SK^SlThe Major dug him cheerfully in the ribs ial m ^NbRM 27 M^e know what widows are Shes buried twohusbands and if you ask me shes on the lookoutfor number three Keep a very wary eye openMeadowes A wary eye Thats my advice ^And in high good humour Major Bletchley i wheeled about at the end of the parade and set thepace for a smart walk back to breakfast at SansSouci regIn the meantime Tuppence had gently con- -tinued her walk along the esplanade passing quite ^-^y^close to the shelter and the young couple talking there As she passed she caught a few words It ^ was the girl speaking ||j|8 t| ^ ^But you must be careful Carl The very least 1||suspicion--reg- iPH^- L Tuppence was out of earshot Suggestivewords Yes but capable of any number of harmlessinterpretations Unobtrusively she turned andagain passed the two Again words floated to herSmug detestable EnglishThe eyebrows of Mrs Blenkensop rose ever soslightly ^ ^^fi^lHardly she thought a very wise conversation___ t^^3Carl von Deinim was a refugee from Nazi persecutiongiven asylum and shelter by EnglandNeither wise nor grateful to listen assentingly tosuch words rsi ^ ^ raquofeAgain Tuppence turned But this time beforeshe reached the shelter the couple had partedabruptly the girl to cross the road leaving the seafront Carl von Deinim to come along in Tuppencesdirection ^ HgHe would not perhaps have recognized ner but ^ for her own pause and hesitation Then quicklyhe brought his heels together and bowed tTuppence twittered at him ^ sy ^ __ Agatha Christie ^lt lt ^ ilS^b^ood morning Mr von Deinim isnt it Such^^^ely morning B tW Ah yes The weather is fine ^ J ^PPence ran on ftl 1 i (ltIt quite tempted me I dont often come out -- ^ before breakfast But this morning what with notsleeping very well--one often doesnt sleep well in a ^ange place I find It takes a day or two to ac- ^ custom oneself I always say ^1 ^degh yes no doubt that is soAnd really this little walk has quite given me86 an appetite for breakfast^ou go back to Sans Souci now If you permitI will walk with you He walked gravely by herside _____- ^PPence said sa M sJ ^u also are out to get an appetite ^ Gravely he shook his head m fo

Page 16

N Or M(t ^raquo -- ^^ _| ^h no My breakfast I have already had it I f~~H am on myway^o work ----------------^raquo ^^aresearchchemistSo thats what you are thought Tuppence Ibaling a quick glance at him fetelaquo Carl von Deinim went on his voice stiff ^ ^ came to this country to escape Nazi persecu- m tion l ^^| ygry little money--no friends I do nowwhat useful work I can ^ ^-^g - He stared straight ahead of himGQnscious of some undercurrent of strong feeling y |--^^ng him powerfully i| 3S |^ She murmured vaguely ^ ^ ^ sil Oh yes I see I see Very creditable I am^lllKt^ure ^ ^^ ^ ^^B _ ^ carl yo Deinim said ^ ^K ^ | ^ly two brothers are in concentration camps Kr N OR M 29^-s^My father died in one My mother died of sorrow ^ and fear |p ^ ^ _ gf^^ Tuppence thought - i^The way he says that--as though he had Ilearned it by heart - ^Again she stole a quick glance at him He wasstill staring ahead of him his face impassiveThey walked in silence for some moments Twomen passed them One of them shot a quick glanceat Carl She heard him mutter to his companion nBet you that fellow is a German y^Tuppence saw the colour rise in Carl vonDeinims cheeks B| g|li Suddenly he lost command of himself That tideof hidden emotion came to the surface He stammered

You heard--you heard--that is what they say_I_My dear boy Tuppence reverted suddenly to Illher real self Her voice was crisp and compellingDont be an idiot You cant have it both waysll He turned his head and stared at herHi What dn vnn mpfln SS8raquo M ^gl w iidi uu yuu iiicdii ^fc-- ^^ ^^^^^^w^mYoure a refugee You have to take the roughwith the smooth Youre alive thats the mainthing Alive and free For the other--realize thatits inevitable This countrys at War Youre aGerman She smiled suddenly You cant expectthe mere man in the street--literally the manin the street--to distinguish between bad Germansand good Germans if I may put it so crudelyHe still stared at her His eyes so very bluewere poignant with suppressed feeling Then suddenlyhe too smiled He said Ill IsThey said of Red Indians did they not that agood Indian was a dead Indian He laughed a1 ifSWiZ- flSW t8 Agatha ChristieGood morning Mr von Deinim isnt it Sucha lovely morning ^lt gt ^ Ah yes The weather is fine ||a Tuppence ran on stIt quite tempted me I dont often come outbefore breakfast But this morning what with not

Page 17

N Or Msleeping very well--one often doesnt sleep well ina strange place I find It takes a day or two to accustomoneself I always say a0h yes no doubt that is so iB5sAnd really this little walk has quite given mean appetite for breakfastYou go back to Sans Souci now If you permitI will walk with you He walked gravely by herii side ^i^ ^^ yTuppence said A-1 i^---H^You also are out to get an appet^ - SiyIII Gravely he shook his head |^|1111 Oh no My breakfast I have already had it Iam on my way to work IpWork -Bs ^ireg ^sa I am a research chemist ^So thats what you are thought Tuppencestealing a quick glance at him |K|Carl von Deinim went on his voice stiffI came to this country to escape Nazi persecutionI had very little money--no friends I do nowwhat useful work I canHe stared straight ahead of him Tuppence wasconscious of some undercurrent of strong feelingmoving him powerfully ^8 laquo | She murmured vaguelyOh yes I see I see Very creditable I am sure ^w g^I Carl von Deinim said ^fisect^^ My two brothers are in concentration camps v father died in one My mother died of sorrowand fear g|g| Tuppence thought ^ |||The way he says that--as though he hadfiSlearned it by heartAgain she stole a quick glance at him He wasstill staring ahead of him his face impassive |They walked in silence for some moments Two | men passed them One of them shot a quick glance iat Carl She heard him mutter to his companionBet you that fellow is a German ^ |$IS|NTuppence saw the colour rise in Carl von llH^tDeinims cheeks ^^Suddenly he lost command of himself That tide 51 of hidden emotion came to the surface He stam^^^ ^JmeredYou heard--you heard--that is what they say |My dear boy Tuppence reverted suddenly toher real self Her voice was crisp and compellingDont be an idiot You cant have it both waysHe turned his head and stared at herWhat do you mean ^^^ ^-^ - -Youre a refugee You have to take the roughwith the smooth Youre alive thats the mainthing Alive and free For the other--realize thatits inevitable This countrys at War Youre aGerman She smiled suddenly You cant expectthe mere man in the street--literally the manin the street--to distinguish between bad Germansand good Germans if I may put it so crudelyHe still stared at her His eyes so very bluewere poignant with suppressed feeling Then suddenlyhe too smiled He said^|| ^y-AThey said of Red Indians did they not that a

Page 18

N Or Mgood Indian was a dead Indian He laughed 10 Agatha Christie - Tobe a good German I must be on time at mywork Please Good morningAgain that stiff bow Tuppence stared after hisretreating figure She said to herselfMrs Blenkensop you had a lapse then Strictattention to business in future Now for breakfastatSansSouciThe hall door of Sans Souci was open InsideMrs Perenna was conducting a vigorous conversationwith someoneAnd youll tell him what I think of that last lotof margarine Get the cooked ham at Quillers--itwas twopence cheaper last time there and becareful about the cabbages-- She broke off as Tuppence entered iOh good morning Mrs Blenkensop you arean early bird You havent had breakfast yet Itsall ready in the dining room She added indicatingher companion My daughter Sheila Youhavent met her Shes been away and only camehome last nightTuppence looked with interest at the vividhandsome face No longer full of tragic energybored now and resentful My daughter SheilaSheila PerennaTuppence murmured a few pleasant words andwent into the dining room There were threepeople breakfasting--Mrs Sprot and her babygirl and big Mrs ORourke Tuppence saidGood morning and Mrs ORourke repliedwith a hearty The top of the morning to youthat quite drowned Mrs Sprots more anaemicsalutationThe old woman stared at Tuppence with a kindof devouring interest ^ NOftM 31 Tis a fine thing to be out walking beforebreakfast she observed A grand appetite itgives you ^ wgt^Mrs Sprot said to her offspring ^- feSIttNice bread and milk darling and endeavouredto insinuate a spoonful into Miss BettySprots mouthThe latter cleverly circumvented this endeavour by an adroit movement of her head and con- raquotinued to stare at Tuppence with large round eyesShe pointed a milky finger at the newcomergave her a dazzling smile and observed in gurgling |tones Ga--GaBouch aShe likes you cried Mrs Sprot beamingon Tuppence as on one marked out for favourSometimes shes so shy with strangers ltBouch said Betty Sprot Ah poothbag she added with emphasisAnd what would she be meaning by thatdemanded Mrs ORourke with interestShe doesnt speak awfully clearly yet confessedMrs Sprot Shes only just over two youknow Im afraid most of what she says is justBosh She can say Mama though cant you darling

Page 19

N Or MBetty looked thoughtfully at hermotherland remarked with an air ofGuggle bick^| ^ T^ Tis a languagebf their own they have theHide angels boomed out Mrs ORourke Bettydading say Mama nowBetty looked hard at Mrs ORourke frownedand observed with terrific emphasis Nazer-- ^There now if she isnt doing her best And alovely sweet girl she is ^ 32 Agatha ChristieMrs ORourke rose beamed in a ferociousmanner at Betty and waddled heavily out of the roomGa ga ga said Betty with enormous satisfactionand beat with a spoon on the tableTuppence said with a twinkle 5What does Na-zer really meanMrs Sprot said with a flush Im afraid yoi know its what Betty says when she doesnt like anyone or anythingI rather thought so said TuppenceBoth women laughedAfter all said Mrs Sprot Mrs 0Rourkltmeans to be kind but she is rather alarming--witt that deep voice and the beard and--and everything ff^ |g sectg|With her head on one side Betty made a cooinjnoise at TuppenceShe has taken to you Mrs Blenkensop sakMrs SprotThere was a slight jealous chill Tuppence fancied in her voice Tuppence hastened to adjusmattersThey always like a new face dont they shisaid easilyThe door opened and Major Bletchley anlt Tommy appeared Tuppence became archAh Mr Meadowes she called out Ivbeaten you you see First past the post But Ivleft you just a little breakfastShe indicated with the faintest of gestures thseat beside herTommy muttering vaguely Oh er--ratherthanksand hurriedly sat down at the other eniof the tableBetty Sprot said Putch with a fine splutte NORM

of milk at Major Bletchley whose face instantlyassumed a sheepish but delighted expressionAnd hows little Miss Go Peep this morninghe asked fatuously Go Peep He enacted theplay with a newspaper j|^ ^H$5| aBetty crowed with delight f-1 samp ^Serious misgivings shook Tuppence ShethoughtThere must be some mistake There cant be| anything going on here There simply cantTo believe in Sans Souci as a headquarters ofthe Fifth Column needed the mental equipment ofthe White Queen in Alice On the sheltered terrace outside Miss Minton wasknittingMiss Minton was thin and angular her neck wasstringy She wore pale sky-blue jumpers andchains or bead necklaces Her skirts were tweedy

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N Or Mand had a depressed droop at the back Shegreeted Tuppence with alacrityGood morning Mrs BIenkensop I do hopeyou slept well Mrs BIenkensop confessed that she never slept very well the first night or two in a strange bed MissMinton said Now wasnt that curious It was exactly the same with meMrs BIenkensop said What a coincidenceand what a very pretty stitch that was Miss Min- iton flushing with pleasure displayed it Yes it was rather uncommon and really quite simpleShe could easily show it to Mrs BIenkensop if ] Mrs BIenkensop liked Oh that was very kindof Miss Minton but Mrs BIenkensop was sostupid she wasnt really very good at knitting notat following patterns that was to say She couldonly do simple things like Balaclava helmets andeven now she was afraid she had gone wrong somewhereIt didnt look right somehow did itMiss Minton cast an expert eye over the khakimass Gently she pointed out just what had gonewrong Thankfully Tuppence handed the faulty f^ N OR M ^j 35helmet over Miss Minton exuded kindness andIpatronage Oh no it wasnt a trouble at all She|had knitted for so many yearsIm afraid Ive never done any before thisdreadful War confessed Tuppence But onefeels so terribly doesnt one that one must do^something Npi ^aAOh yes indeed And you actually have a boyin the Navy I think I heard you say last nightYes my eldest boy Such a splendid boy heisthough I suppose a mother shouldnt say soThen I have a boy in the Air Force and Cyril mybaby is out in FranceOh dear dear how terribly anxious youTmiistTuppence thought sampltOh Derek my darling Derek Out in thehell and messand here I am playing the foolacting the thing Im really feeling She said in her most righteous voice We must all be brave mustnt we Lets hopeit will all be over soon I was told the other day onvery high authority indeed that the Germans cantpossibly last out more than another two monthsMiss Minton nodded with so much vigour thatall her bead chains rattled and shookYes indeed and I believeher voice low- ered mysteriouslythat Hitler is suffering from ta (fiscalabsolutely fatalhell be raving madbyAugust g^Tuppence replied briskly All this Blitzkrieg is just the Germans lasteffort I believe the shortage is something frightfuli Germany The men in the factories are verydissatisfied The whole thing will crack upWhats this Whats all thisSifi H and Mrs Cayley caCayley putting his que

Page 21

N Or MMr himself in a chair andtiec^taees He repeated fretfhis Whats that you are say iVere saying said Mi c over by the Autumnall l^onsense said Mr g to last at least six yeaigof^Dh Mr Cayley prot t really think sodoa^^r Cayley was peering a^Wow I wonder he n ght Perhaps it woulddrraquoji back into the cornerch^tie resettlement of Mr^1 an anxious-faced wwif^ no other aim in life thaV^jeys wants manipulatCa^^g from time to timeasle^td Do you think thatAlC^ perhaps to have youyol-^r a glare this morningratlHr Cayley said irritablyf^fo no Dont fuss Elc tuffler No no my simy it matter I daresay )do^l dont want to get myBut111in this sunlightwwo^^ fetch the other Hbettt1 to matters of public inbac^e it six yearsI M listened with pleasunIcementwc^jOu dear ladies are jus wishful thinking N01cal-Hll N OR M 37may say I know Germany extremely well In thecourse of my business before I retired I used to beconstantly to and fro Berlin Hamburg MunichI know them all I can assure you that Germanycan hold out practically indefinitely With Russiabehind her--Mr Cayley plunged triumphantly on his voicerising and falling in pleasurably melancholy cadencesonly interrupted when he paused to receivethe silk muffler his wife brought him and wind itround his throat |g| laquo^Mrs Sprot brought out Betty and plumped herdown with a small woolen dog that lacked an earand a woolly dolls jacketThere Betty she said You dress up Bonzoready for his walk while Mummy gets ready to gooutMr Cayleys voice droned on reciting statisticsand figures all of a depressing character The monologue was punctuated by a cheerful twitter1ing from Betty talking busily to Bonzo in her ownlanguage Truckle-- truckly-- pah bat said BettyThen as a bird alighted near her she stretched outloving hands to it and gurgled The bird flew awayand Betty glanced round the assembled companyand remarked clearly

Page 22

N Or M Dicky and nodded her head with great satisJactfonyHH tfw ^^ E lhat child is learning to talk in the most wonderfulway said Miss Minton Say Ta ta BettyTataBetty looked at her coldly and remarkedGluck ^Then she forced Bonzos one arm into his_oolly coat and toddling over to a chair picked 38 HH Agatha Christieup the cushion and pushed Bonzo behind itChuckling gleefully she said with terrific pains g|Hide Bow wow Hide Miss Minton acting as a kind of interpretersaid with vicarious prideShe loves hide and seek Shes always hidingthings She cried out with exaggerated surpriseWhere is Bonzo Where is Bonzo Where can Bonzo have gone ^Betty flung herself down and went into ecstasiesof mirthMr Cayley finding attention diverted from hisexplanation of Germanys methods of substitution |of raw materials looked put out and coughed aggressivelyreg8^^

Mrs Sprot came out with her hat on and pickedup Betty ^ ^ ^ ggi Attention returned to Mr Cayley SHSa You were saying Mr Cayley said TuppencerBut Mr Cayley was affronted He said coldly ^ That woman is always plumping that childdown and expecting people to look after it I thinkIll have the woollen muffler after all dear Thegt MMsun is going inOh but Mr Cayley do go on with what youwere telling us It was so interesting Miss MintonbeggedMollified Mr Cayley weightily resumed his discoursedrawing the folds of the woolly mufflercloser round his stringy neckAs I was saying Germany has so perfected hersystem of--j|| Tuppence turned to Mrs Cayley and askedWhat do you think about the^war MrsCayley N OR M 39Mrs Cayley jumpedOh what do I think What--what do youmean ^ ^Do you think it will last as long as six yearsMrs Cayley said doubtfullyOh I hope not Its a very long time isnt itYes a long time What do you really thinkMrs Cayley seemed quite alarmed by the questionShe said ^jiss^ Ap |Oh I--I dont know I dont know at allAlfred says it will ^ j^But you dont think so SS raquoOh I dont know It^s ^difficult to say isntI19 teampSi^^-^-^^Tuppence felt a wave of exasperation The chirrupingMiss Minton the dictatorial Mr Cayley

Page 23

N Or Mthe nitwitted Mrs Cayley--were these peoplereally typical of her fellow countrymen Was MrsSprot any better with her slightly vacant face andboiled gooseberry eyes What could she Tuppenceever find out here Not one of thesepeople surely--Her thought was checked She was aware of ashadow Someone behind her who stood betweenher and the sun She turned her head ^aMrs Perenna standing on the terrace her eyeson the group And something in those eyes--scorn was it A kind of withering contempt TuppencethoughtI must find out more about Mrs Perenna 40 III Agatha Christie ifcBrought down some golf clubs with you didnt you Meadowes ^ H| Tommy pleaded guilty - B^Ha I can tell you my eyes dont miss muchSplendid We must have a game together Everplayed on the links hereTommy replied in the negativeTheyre not bad--not bad at all Bit on theshort side perhaps but lovely view over the seaand all that And never very crowded Look herewhat about coming along with me this morningWe might have a game ^Thanks very much Id like it Must say Im glad youve arrived remarked Bletchley as they were trudging up the hill Too I many women in that place Getson ones nervesGlad Ive got another fellow to keep me in countenanceYou cant count Cayley--the mans akind of walking chemists shop Talks of nothingbut his health and the treatments hes tried and thedrugs hes taking If he threw away all his little pillboxes and went out for a good ten mile walk every I day hed be a different man Theonly other maleI in the place is von Deinim and to tell you the truth Meadowes Im not too easy in my mind s about him I No said TommyNo You take my word for it this refugeebusiness is dangerous If I had my way Id internthe lot of them Safety first ^IJB HA bit drastic perhaps M ----Not at all Wars War And Ive got my suspicionsof Master Carl For one thing hes clearlynot a Jew Then he came over here just a month--only a month mind you--before War brokei out Thats a bit suspicious | g ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Tommy said invitinglyThen you think-- gt Spying-- thats his li^ie gameBut surely theres ncfraquono rgtf J ruling 01 amprpat inilitari ltgt^ naval importance hereabouts tary orAh old man tha^s where _thPortsmouthhed be und^r sunervi^ plymouth or ^place like this nobody boZTs FIn a sleepy coast isnt it The truth o^61 Irson the I S a great deal too easy Mth hes^ ernment is ^1 Anyone who cared could ^lCTe ^ ^s- a long face and talk abc^^ -d pull aA-centration camps Loo^^0^111^- 3fe arrogance in every line S ^ ^ 11^ 1--thats what he is--a Nazi e s a NazlWhat we really need fi SU -

Page 24

N Or MF doctor or two said Toff untry is a witch 1^ 1I1 ocior or iwo saia i onmy pleasantiu taM_|I Eh whats that mly- W^^ To smell out the sp|pc Tnrraquo x S gravely onlmy explained j^ |Ha very good that-_yerv eo^ o ^ iout-yes of course y g od- sme11 em ^ 1|1 Further conversation w hrrtiioti lt 1 they had arrived at the clu^8111 to an end ^Tommys name was pi^ (jq^ 3 ------------------------their round ---lor started onTommy was a mediocn pnlfcr^^ -- -niiu mai ilia BiailualU 01 pav walti inraquoraquo ^ o- - for his new friend The M-^onb gIJU1 WUIl dv two lin anyone to play a very happy Sate of eventsGood match Meadaes -- -you had bad luck wiLh^^Z0011 mtch 42 Agatha Christie ^B 3turned off at the last minute We must have agame fairly often Come along and Ill introduceyou to some of the fellows Nice lot on the wholesome of them inclined to be rather old women ifyou know what I mean Ah heres Haydock--youll like Haydock Retired naval wallah Hasthat house on the cliff next door to us Hes ourlocal ARP warden |||Commander Haydock was a big hearty manwith a weatherbeaten face intensely blue eyesand a habit of shouting most of his remarks ^ wraquo He greeted Tommy with friendliness ^aBB|So youre going to keep Bletchley countenanceat Sans Souci Hell be glad of another manRather swamped by female society eh Bletchieyis sb aIm not much of a ladies man said MajorBletchleyNonsense said Haydock Not your typeof lady my boy thats it Old boarding housepussies Nothing to do but gossip and knitYoure forgetting Miss Perenna said Bletch-1ley ^ IAh Sheila--shes an attractive girl all right SRegular beauty if you ask me y Im a bit worried about her said Bletchley | sWhat do you mean Have a drink MeadowesWhats yours Major nThe drinks ordered and the men settled on the8 jverandah of the clubhouse Haydock repeated hisquestion ( Major Bletchley said with some violence IThat German chap Shes seeing too much ofhim| Getting sweet on him you mean Hm thatsbad Of course hes a good looking young chap in ^ NORM 43his way But it wont do It wont do BletchleyWe cant have that sort of thing Trading with theenemy thats what it amounts to These girls--wheres their proper spirit Plenty of decentyoung English fellows about raquoBletchley said gt ltSheilas a queer girl--she gets odd sullen fitswhen she will hardly speak to anyoneSpanish blood said the Commander Herfather was half Spanish wasnt he

Page 25

N Or MDont know Its a Spanish name I shouldthink ^The Commander glanced at his watch About time for the news Wed better go inandlistentoit I ||gThe news was meagre that day little more in itthan had been already in the morning papersAfter commenting with approval on the latest exploitsof the Air Force--first-rate chaps brave aslions--the Commander went on to develop hisown pet theory--that sooner or later the Germanswould attempt a landing at Leahampton itself--his argument being that it was such an unimportantspotNot even an anti-aircraft gun in the place Disgraceful^ H allflThe argument was not developed for Tommyand the Major had to hurry back to lunch at SansSouci Haydock extended a cordial invitation toTommy to come and see his little place SmugglersRest Marvellous view--my own beach--every kind of handy gadget in the house Bringhim along BletchleyIt was settled that Tommy and Major Bletchleyshould come in for drinks on the evening of thefollowing day Aptha ChristieAfter lunch was i peaceful time at Sans SouciMr Cayley went traquo have his rest with the devotedMrs- Cayley in attendance Mrs Blenkensopwas conductedby Miss Minton to a depot topack and address pircels for the FrontMr Meadowes strolled gently out into LeacigarettesSlUppcv ai ^gtv latest number of Punch then after a few minutesof apparent irresolution he entered a bus bearingthe legend old pieh gg| g||The old pier was at the--^--^----^^-11^pi V11A^Xraquoraquoto house agents as the least desirable end It wasWest Leahampton and poorly thought of Tommy ^-L -- ^ raquo iiwasaH- ~i-flimsy and weather-worn affair with a few mon--- - l 1^----J ^tt^CnE die-UU11U p^nraquoraquo --tant intervals There was no one on it but somechildren running up and down and screaming invoices that matched quite accurately the screamingof the gulls and one solitary man sitting on theend fishing Il USi Mr Meadowes strolled upto the end and gazeddown into the watier Then he asked gentlyH Caught anythiing ^ |g The fisherman sshook his head ^Dont often g^et a bite Mr Grant reeled inhis line a bit He said without turning his headWhat about yrou Meadowesi Tommy saidNothing muchh to report as yet sir Im diggingmyself in |1| - _Good^Tellmae -^N OR M fSpj 45Tommy sat on an adjacent post so placed that yraquohe commanded the length of the pier^Then he S^l

Page 26

N Or MbeganIve gone down quite all right I think I gather |youve already got a list of the people there jg^ Grant nodded Theres nothing to report as yet SB Ive struck up a friendship with Major BletchleyWe played golf this morning He seems the ordinarytype of retired officer If anything a shadetoo typical Cay ley seems a genuine hypochondriacalinvalid That again would be an easy partto act He has by his own admission been a gooddeal in Germany during the last few yearsA point said Grant laconicallyThen theres von Deinim ||||Yes I dont need to tell you Meadowes that~von Deinims the one Im most interested inK You think hes N p^ ^ss arareg Grant shook his head 8amp1 sasfeNo I dont As I see it N couldnt afford tobe a German ||| ||sect i-I^B1^ Not a refugee from Nazi persecution eventNot even that We watch and they know wewatch all the enemy aliens in this country Moreover--thisis in confidence Beresford--very a shortly all enemy aliens between 16 and 60 will beinterned Whether our adversaries are aware ofthat fact or not they can at any rate anticipatethat such a thing might happen They would neverrisk the head of their organization being internedN therefore must be either a neutral--or else heis (apparently) an Englishman The same ofcourse applies to M No my meaning about vonDeinim is this He may be a link in the chain N or yM may not be at Sans Souci it may be Carl vonDeinim who is there and through him we may be 46 ^Agatha Christieled to our object^- That does seem to be highlypossible The mfi16 so as I cannot very well seethat any of the (Other inmates of Sans Souci arelikely to be the person we are seekingYouve had (them more or less investigated Isuppose sirGrant sighed--a sharp quick sigh of vexationNo thats jist wnat ltgts impossible for me todo I could havlte them looked up by the departmenteasily enough--but I cant risk it Beresford For you see th1reg rot is in the department itselfOne hint that 1^ go1 ^ ^ on sans souci fm any reason--an^ the organization may be put ^ wise Thats wr1reg Y011 come in the outsider |Thats why you^ got to work in the dark withouthelp from i1- Its our only chance-- and Idarent risk alar^them- Theres only one personIve been ablle to check up on ^ Whos that sirGrant smiled w Carl von De1111111 himself Thats easy enoughRoutine I can tfa^ him looked up--not from theSans Souci angic ^t from the enemy alien angle reg ^- ^^ Tommy askeci curiously ^ ^l ^^ Andtheres^t7A curious sm10 came over the others faceMaster Cartls exactly what he says he is Hisfather was indi^c1^) was arrested and died in aconcentration c^1- Carols elder brothers are incamps His mother died in great distress of mind ayear ago He epcaped to England a month beforewar broke out von Deinim has professed himself^ anxious to hel^P this country His work in a^

Page 27

N Or Mchemical research laboratory has been excellentand most helpN on the problem of immunizing ^^Ip ^- vnorm ^ 47certain gases and in general decontamination experiments^HlTommy said S^agg Then hes all right Breg Not necessarily Our German friends are notoriousfor their thoroughness If von Deinim wassent as an agent to England special care would betaken that his record should be consistent with hisown account of himself There are two possibilitiesThe whole von Deinim family may be partiesto the arrangement--not improbable underthe painstaking Nazi regime Or else this is notreally Carl von Deinim but a man playing the partof Carl von Deinim S |Tommy said slowly Isee He added inconsequently ^ He seems an awfully nice young fellow SighingGrant said They are--they nearlyalways are Its an odd life this service of ours We |respect our adversaries and they respect us Youusually like your opposite number you know- even when youre doing your best to down himThere was a silence as Tommy thought over thestrange anomaly of war Grants voice Jbroke intohis musings ||p K But there are those for whom weve neitherrespect nor liking--and those are the traitors withinour own ranks--the men who are willing to betraytheir country and accept office and promotionfrom the foreigner who has conquered itTommy said with feeling ^illreg My God Im with you sir Thats a skunkstrick gpAnd deserves a skunks end regs^jtKsTommy said incredulously Siss-- ^aampiSiAnd there really are these--these swine 48 Agatha ChristieEverywhere As I told you In our service Inthe fighting forces On Parliamentary benchesHigh up in the Ministries Weve got to combthem out--weve got to And we must do itquickly It cant be done from the bottom--thesmall fry the people who speak in the Parks whosell their wretched little news-sheets they dontknow who the big bugs are Its the big bugs wewant theyre the people who can do untold damage--andwill do it unless were in time Tommy said confidently ^p ^fWe shall be in time sir ^- y^a - |S Grant asked ^at What makes you say that 8 l|^ ^1Tommy said 11Youve just said it--weve got to beThe man with the fishing line turned and lookedfull at his subordinate for a minute or two takingin anew the quiet resolute line of the jaw He had anew liking and appreciation of what he saw Hesaid quietly -^y^1 teampa^Good man araquo I Hewent onWhat about the women in this place Anythingstrike you as suspicious thereI think theres something odd about the

Page 28

N Or Mwoman who runs itMrs Perenna VSSYes You dont--know anything about herGrant said slowlyI might see what I could do about checking herantecedents but as I told you its riskyYes better not take any chances Shes theonly one who strikes me as suspicious in any wayTheres a young mother a fussy spinster thehypochondriacs brainless wife and a rather fear I N OR M 49^ni looking old Irish-woman All seem harmless ^owh on the face of it y ^S Ithats the lot is it ||t(o Theres a Mrs Blenkensop-- arrived three^ago -m Veil - ^lt-^W ^ raquo ya ^nuny said 8^^NIamp_ |g|1| 4rs Blenkensop is my wife ^ |gg^ the surprise of the anntmncenient Grant vok( was raised He spun around sharp anger in his hze I thought I told you Beresford not to ^the a word to your wifelt)uite right sir and I didnt If youll justlister i^ISiSliccinctiy Tommy narrated what had oc- i^ cu6d He did not dare look at the other He ampSS ^^fully kept out of his voice the pridejhathesecr^iy felt -fe^-^^iJ IIH ^here was a silence when he brought the story to an end Then a queer noise escaped from the 8oth^r Grant was laughing He laughed for somemin(ites(take my hat off to the woman Shes one in athousand ^1(agree said Tommy - w^^ gasthampton will laugh when I tell him this 1TS s He earned me not to leave her out Said shed getthe getter of me if I did I wouldnt listen to him ^i^P^ you though how damned careful youve8^j lto be I thought Id taken every precautiona|raquoliraquost being overheard Id satisfied myself ^ b^Qfehand that you and your wife were alone in the f|at I actually heard the voice in the telephoneai|irf8 Your wife to come round at once and ^---- RAj--_raquo 52 Agatha ChristieTuppence replied that she thought she wasgoing to like Leahampton very much and behappy thereThat is she added in a melancholy voice ashappy as I can be anywhere with this terrible anxietyweighing on me all the timeAh now dont you be worrying yourselfMrs ORourke advised comfortably Those fineboys of yours will come back to you safe andsound Not a doubt of it One of thems in the AirForce so I think you said ^Yes Raymond a^ And is he in France now or in England Hes in Egypt at the moment but from whatjhe said in his last letter--not exactly said--but wehave a little private code if you know what Imean--certain sentences mean certain things Ithink thats quite justified dont you ^ Mrs ORourke replied promptlyIndeed and I do Tis a mothers privilegeYes you see I feel I must know just where hesectJis IP KBMrs ORourke nodded the Buddha-like headI feel for you entirely so I do If I had a boy

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N Or Mout there Id be deceiving the censor the very sameway so I would And your other boy the one inthe NavyTuppence entered obligingly upon a saga ofDouglasYou see she ended I feel so lost withoutmy three boys Theyve never been all away togetherfrom me before Theyre all so sweet to meI really do think they treat me more as a friend than a mother She laughed self-consciously Ihave to scold them sometimes and make them g(out without me N OR M 53(What a pestilential woman I sound thoughtTuppence to herself)She went on aloudAnd really I didnt know quite what to do orwhere to go The lease of my house in London wasup and it seemed so foolish to renew it and Ithought if I came somewhere quiet and yet with agood train service She broke off -yAgain the Buddha nodded SBlI agree with you entirely London is no placeat the present Ah the gloom of it Ive lived theremyself for many a year now Im by way of beingan antique dealer you know You may know myshop in Cornaby Street Chelsea Kate Kellys thename over the door Lovely stuff I had theretoooh lovely stuffmostly glassWaterfordCorkbeautiful Chandeliers and lustres andpunchbowls and all the rest of it Foreign glasstoo And small furniturenothing largejustsmall period piecesmostly walnut and oak Ohlovely stuffand I had some good customers Butthere when theres a War on all that goes westIm lucky to be out of it with as little loss as IvehadA faint memory flickered through Tuppencesmind A shop filled with glass through which itwas difficult to move a rich persuasive voice acompelling massive woman Yes surely she hadbeen into that shop aHMrs ORourke went on Im not one of those that like to be alwayscomplainingnot like some thats in this houseMr Cayley for one with his muffler and hisshawls and his moans about his business going topieces Of course its to pieces theres a Waronand his wife with never Boo to say to a goose 54 ^1 Agatha Christie -^^y ^Then theres that little Mrs Sprot always fussingabout her husbandIs he out at the front J^s^^ Tf---(^Not he Hes a tuppenny-halfpenny clerk in aninsurance office thats all and so terrified of airraids hes had his wife down here since the beginningof the War Mind you I think thats rightwhere the childs concerned--and a nice wee miteshe is--but Mrs Sprot she frets for all that herhusband conies down when he can Keeps say- gting Arthur must miss her so But if you ask me | Arthurs not missing her over-much--maybe hes got other fish to fry ^ ^

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N Or MTuppence murmured ||| --Im terribly sorry for all these mothers If you g let your children go away without you you never M stop worrying And if you go with them its hardon the husbands being leftAh yes and it comes expensive running twoestablishments iSll-^^ fSS-This place seems quite reasonable said TuppenceYes Id say you get your moneys worth88Mrs Perennas a good manager Theres a queerwoman for you now Samp^ In what way asked Tuppence |H gsectMrs ORourke said with a twinkle j| Youll be thinking Im a terrible talker Its|||true Im interested in all my fellow creaturesthats why I sit in this chair as often as I can Yousee who goes in and who goes out and whos onthe verandah and what goes on in the gardenWhat were we talking of now--ah yes MrsIH Perenna and the queerness of her Theres been agrand drama in that womans life or Im muchmistaken ^ ^ NORM 55Do you really think soI do now And the mystery she makes of herself And where might you come from in Ki Ireland I asked her And would youbelieve itshe held out on me declaring she was not fromIreland at all ^R^ -- You think she is Irish -~ Ofcourse shes Irish I know my own countrywomen I could name you the county she comesfrom But there Im English she says and myhusband was a Spaniard--Mrs ORourke broke off abruptly as MrsSprot came in closely followed by TommyTuppence immediately assumed a sprightlymanner a^Good evening Mr Meadowes You look verybrisk this evening ^s^ ^Illr^ -- ^Tommy said itoa Plenty of exercise thats the secret A roundof golf this morning and a walk along the frontthis afternoon ^ -^Millicent Sprot saidI took Baby down to the beach this afternoonShe wanted to paddle but I really thought it wasrather cold I was helping her build a castle and adog ran off with my knitting and pulled out yardsof it So annoying and so difficult picking up allthe stitches again Im such a bad knitterH Youre getting along fine with that helmetMrs Blenkensop said Mrs ORourke suddenlyturning her attention to Tuppence Youve beenjust racing along I thought Miss Minton said thatyou were an inexperienced knitterTuppence flushed faintly Mrs ORourkes eyeswere sharp With a slightly vexed air Tuppence 56 Ill Agatha Christie ^s^I have really done quite a lot of knitting I toldMiss Minton so But I think she likes teaching people

Everybody laughed in agreement and a fewPage 31

N Or Mminutes later the rest of the party came in and^hegong was sounded The conversation during the meal turned on theabsorbing subject of spies Well-known hoarychestnuts were retold The nun with the musculararm the clergyman descending from his parachuteand using unclergymanlike language as he landedwith a bump the Austrian cook who secreted awireless in her bedroom chimney and all thethings that had happened or nearly happened toaunts and second cousins of those present Thatled easily to Fifth Column activities To denunciationsof the British Fascists of the Communistsof the Peace Party of conscientious objectors Itwas a very normal conversation of the kind thatmay be heard almost every day nevertheless Tuppencewatched keenly the faces and demeanour ofthe people as they talked striving to catch sometell-tale expression or word But there was nothingSheila Perenna alone took no part in the conversationbut that might be put down to herhabitual taciturnity She sat there her dark rebelliousface sullen and broodingCarl von Deinim was out tonight^so tonguescould be quite unrestrained ill ^ ||V I Sheila only spoke once towards the end of diner

Mrs Sprot had just said in her thin flutingvoiceWhere I do think the Germans made such amistake in the last war was to shoot Nurse CavellIt turned everybody against them N OR M 57It was then that Sheila flinging back her he^demanded in her fierce young voice ^lv shouldnt they shoot her She was a spy wa^11 sheOh no not a spyShe helped English people to escape--in ^nenemy country Thats the same thing W^Y shouldnt she be shotI Oh but shooting a woman--and a nurse ||^ Sheila got upfefr laquoj think the Germans were quite right she saidShe went out of the window into the garden Dessert consisting of some under-ripe bananasand some tired oranges had been on the tal^c some time Everyone rose and adjournedto the lounge for coffeeOnly Tommy unobtrusively betook himself to the garden He found Sheila Perenna leaning over ft the terrace wall staring out at the sea He caH^ and stood beside her WBy her hurried quick breathing he knew that ( something had upset her badly He offered her a|fc cigarette which she acceptedHe said ^ ^ Lovelynight 35| ^ S|In a low intense voice the girl answeredIt could beTommy looked at her doubtfully He felt suddenlythe attraction and the vitality of this girl- There was a tumultuous life in her a kind of compellingpower She was the kind of girl he thought that a man might easily lose his headover If it werent for the War you mean he said- gampI dont mean that at all I hate the War

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N Or M 8 w^ gt Agatha Christie Hi- |p-- ^^^saC - ^y^ ^ So do we alll^ftJS Not in the way I mean I hate the cant about it|jpoundpound the smugness--the horrible horrible patriotismPatriotism Tommy was startled Yes I hate patriotism do you understand Allthis country country country Betraying yourcountry--dying for your country--serving yourcountry Why should ones country mean anyamp thing at allaaJg Tommy said simply I dont know It just 1as does ampNot to me Oh it would to you--you goabroad and buy and sell in the British Empire and J come back bronzed and full of cliches talking [_about the natives and calling for Chota Pegs and yS all that sort of thing ^ -BK Tommy said gently -^ s-i^QIm not quite as bad as that I hope my dear filf Im exaggerating a little--but you know what __ s I mean You believe in the British Empire--and--and--the stupidity of dying for ones countryt ^ My country said Tommy drily doesnt |g^^ys seem particularly anxious to allow me to die for |||SSff t raquol^r ll ilp^-Yes but you want to And its so stupid ik Nothings worth dying for Its all an(ctea--talk--| froth--high-flown idiocy My country doesnt g| mean anything to me at all poundsSome day said Tommy youll be surprisedto find that it doesNo Never Ive suffered--Ive seen-- |||She broke off--then turned suddenly and impetuouslyupon himggg Do you know who my father was ^ -Bals No Tommys interest quickened His name was Patrick Maguire He--he was a NORM 55follower of Casement in the last War He was shotas a traitor All for nothing For an idea--heworked himself up with those other IrishmenWhy couldnt he just stay at home quietly andmind his own business Hes a martyr to somepeople and a traitor to others I think he was ^ just--stupidI Tommy could hear the note of pent-up rebellioncoming out into the open He said So thats the shadow youve grown up withShadows right Mother changed her name r We lived in Spain for some years She always saysHthat my father was half a Spaniard We always tell ^ lies wherever we go Weve been all over the ContinentFinally we came here and started this placegc I think this is quite the most hateful thing weve doneyet --^ - Tommy asked ^ - ^ How does yourmother feel about--thingsYou mean--about my fathers death Sheila| was silent a moment frowning puzzled She saidslowly Ive never really known she nevertalks about it Its not easy to know what motherfeels or thinksTommy nodded his head thoughtfully ^ ^^ajnSheila said abruptly lt I--I dont know why Ive been telling you thisI got worked up Where did it all start p^a A discussion on Edith Cavell Aa^ i Oh yes--patriotism I said I hated itArent you forgetting Nurse Cavells own

Page 33

N Or Mwords What wordsBefore she died Dont you know what shesaid --He repeated the words ^ t 60 Agatha Christie ^^^ -yPatriotism is not enough I must have no |k phatred in my heart amp Oh She stood there stricken for a moment ^ Then turning quickly she wheeled away intothe shadow of the garden ^ ^ |sjdf^ So you see Tuppence it would all fit inBUS Tuppence nodded thoughtfully The beacharound them was empty She herself leanedagainst a breakwater Tommy sat above her onthe breakwater itself from which post he couldsee anyone who approached along the esplanadeNot that he expected to see anyone having ascertainedwith a fair amount of accuracy wherepeople would be this morning In any case his rendezvouswith Tuppence had borne all the signs ofa casual meeting pleasurable to the lady and slightly alarming to himself yy y(i Tuppence said Baar^ regreg I Mrs Perenna regYes M not N She satisfies the requirementsWffi Tuppence nodded thoughtfully again Mit Yes Shes Irish--as spotted by Mrs0Rourke--wont admit the fact Has done aigood deal of coming and going on the continentgll Changed her name to Perenna came here andstarted this boarding house A splendid bit ofcamouflage full of innocuous bores Her husbandwas shot as a traitor--shes got every incentive forrunning a Fifth Column show in this country Yes |it fits Is the girl in it too do you thinkTommy said finally regs3i N OR M ^ 61Definitely not Shed never have told me allthis otherwise I--I feel a bit of a cad you knowTuppence nodded with complete understand-yyww wob -^ ^-v ((i^ ing |g| -- - ^ S^regSYes one does In a way its a foul job this I ^But very necessary reg0h ofcourseTommy said flushing slightlyI dont like lying any better than you do--Tuppence interrupted him|ltsect I dont mind lying in the least To be quitehonest I get a lot of artistic pleasure out of my lies amp What gets me down is thosemoments when oneforgets to lie--the times when one is just oneself--and gets results that way that you couldnt havegot any other She paused and went on Thatswhat happened to you last night--with the girlShe responded to the real you--thats why youfeel badly about it laquoa^A s I believe youre right Tuppence SUS^ aI know Because I did the same thmg myself-with the German boy |||J |iraquoiTommy said iWhat do you think about himTuppence said quickly ^t^ If you ask me I dont think hes got anythingto do with itGrant thinks he has - ^| |||t j Your Mr Grant Tuppences moodchanged She chuckled How Id like to haveseen his face when you told him about meAt any rate hes made the amends honorable You re definitely on the j ohI Tuppence nodded but she looked a trifle abstracted

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N Or Mgin ^ S^iSJS-^^ She said Aw -^ y^ Do you remembciwe were hunting dowmember what fun it was Tommy agreed hisRather ^ Tommy--why isn ^ He considered the igrave Then he saidI suppose its reallTuppence said shariYou dont think--No Im sure wetime--it wont be fun This is the second Waiquite different about t]I know--we see ttiand the horror All thto think about beforeThats it In the 1now and then--and hiand went through hewere good times tooTuppence saidI suppose Derek feBetter not thinkTommy advisedYoure rightWeve got a job ^ Lets get on with it looking for in Mrs Pey We can at least scated Theres no onthat youve got your egt Tuppence considerreg _ No there isnt T HpNORM ^ 63^arrived of course was to size them all up andassess as it were possibilities Some of them seemquite impossible -^ ^Such as -9 ^Well Miss Minton for instance the cornpleatBritish spinster and Mrs Sprot and herBetty and the vacuous Mrs CayleyYes but nitwittishness can be assumedOh quite but the fussy spinster and the absorbedyoung mothers are parts that would befatally easy to overdo--and these people are quitenatural Then where Mrs Sprot is concernedtheres the child| I suppose said Tommy that even a secretagent might have a child ||sect|Not with her on the job said TuppenceIts not the kind of thing youd bring a child ^ into Im quite sure about that Tommy I know ^ Youd keep a child out of it ^ I withdraw said Tommy Ill give you MrsSprot and Miss Minton but Im not so sure aboutMrs CayleyNo she might be a possibility Because she g really does overdo it I mean there cant be many ^ women quite as idiotic as she seemsj| I have often noticed that being a devoted wife ^ saps the intellect murmured Tommy And where have you noticed that demandedTuppenceNot from you Tuppence Your devotion hasnever reached those lengthsFor a man said Tuppence kindly youdont really make an undue fuss when you are illTommy reverted to a survey of possibilities raquo Cayley said Tommy thoughtfully There 64 Agatha Christie

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N Or Mmight be something fishy about CayleyYes there might Then theres Mrs 0Rourkes ^ WWhat do you feel about herI dont quite know Shes disturbing Rather feefofum if you know what I meanYes I think I know But I rather fancy thatsjust the predatory note Shes that kind ofwoman gtyTuppence said slowlyShe--notices thingsShe was remembering the remark about knitting

Then theres Bletchley said TommyIve hardly spoken to him Hes definitelyyour chicken ^I think hes just the ordinary pukka old school type I think so Thats just it said Tuppence answering a ^i stress rather than actual words The worst of thissort of show is that you look at quite ordinary S|everyday people and twist them to suit your mor- febid requirements sfeIve tried a few experiments on Bletchley^said TommyWhat sort of thing Ive got some experimentsin mind myselfWell--just gentle ordinary little traps--aboutdates and places--all that sort of thingCould you condescend from the general to the particularWell say were talking of duck shooting Hementions the Fayum--good sport there such andsuch a year such and such a month Some othertime I mention Egypt in quite a different connectionMummies Tutankhamen something like NORM 65that--has he seem that stuff When was he there ^Check up on the answers Or P amp 0 boats--1 mention the names of one or two say So-and-sowas a comfortable boat He mentions some trip orother later I check that Nothing important or ^anything that puts him on his guard--just a checkup on accuracyAnd so far he hasnt slipped up in any wayNot once And thats a pretty good test let me -tell you Tuppence| Yes but I suppose if he was N he would havehis story quite patOh yes--the main outlines of it But its notso easy not to trip up on unimportant details Andthen occasionally you remember too much- more that is than a bona ride person would doAn ordinary person doesnt usually remember offhandwhether they took a certain shooting trip in ^1926 or 1927 They have to think a bitand search ^their memory piBut so far you havent caught Bletchley out ^ So far hes responded in a perfectly normalmanner| Result-negative IgKiC^S ExactlyNow said Tuppence Ill tell you some ofmy ideasAnd she proceeded to do soaIllOn her way home Mrs Blenkensop stopped atthe post office She bought stamps and on her way

Page 36

N Or Mout went into one of the public call boxes Thereshe rang up a certain number asked for Mr^

Stagvan-yafe

66 Agatha ChristieFaraday and held a short conversation withhim She came out smiling and walked slowlyhomewards stopping on the way to purchasesome knitting woolIt was a pleasant afternoon with a light breezeTuppence curbed the natural energy of her ownbrisk trot to that leisurely pace that accorded withher conception of the part of Mrs BlenkensopMrs Blenkensop had nothing on earth to do withherself except knit (not too well) and write lettersto her boys She was always writing letters to herpboys--sometimes she left them about half finishedTuppence came slowly up the hill towards SansSouci Since it was not a through road (it ended atSmugglers Rest Commander Haydocks house)there was never much traffic--a few tradesmensvans in the morning Tuppence passed house afterhouse amusing herself by noting their namesSKBella Vista (inaccurately named since the merestglimpse of the sea was to be obtained and themain view was the vast Victorian bulk of Edenhoimeon the other side of the road) Karachi wasthe next house After that came Shirley TowerThen Sea View (appropriate this time) CastleClare (somewhat grandiloquent since it was asmall house) Trelawny a rival establishment toilsspsgthat degf Mrs Perenna and finally the vast maroon l|||bulk of Sans Souci ^ Si- It was just as she came near to it that Tuppencefebecame aware of a woman standing by the gate ^Bpeering inside There was something tense andviligant about the figureU Almost unconsciously Tuppence softened the sound of her own footsteps stepping cautiouslyupon her toes IIH --i^N OR M 67It was not until she was close behind her thatamps the woman heard her and turned Turned with astart S ^^-f^^N 88She was a tall woman poorly even meanlydressed but her face was unusual She was not young--probably between forty and fifty--butthere was a contrast between her face and the way ^y^ she was dressed She was fair-haired with widecheekbones and had been--indeed still was--beautiful Just for a minute Tuppence had a feelingthat the womans face was somehow familiar ipto her but the feeling faded It was not she ^ thought a face easily forgotten |i^ The woman was obviously startled and the Hiflash of alarm that flitted across her face was notlost on Tuppence (Something odd here)|raquotg| || Tuppence said B Excuse me are you looking for someone S The woman spoke in a slow foreign voice pro- y^ nouncing the words carefully

Page 37

N Or Mt changed When Oh my dearof courseIllcome over right away1 She put back the receiver ^aaampta She said to Tommylaquo That was Maureen ^I thought soI recognized her voice from Tuppence explained breathlessly |||| gtIm so sorry Mr Grant But I musTgo roundto this friend of mine Shes fallen and twisted herankle and theres no one with her but her little girlso I must go round and fix up things for her and| get hold of someone to come in and look after herDo forgive me ^1 ^g K^ I^ Of course Mrs Beresford I quite under- ^| stand BB^| Tuppence smiled at him picked up a coat whichH had been lying over the sofa slipped her arms into it and hurried out The flat door banged Tommy poured out another glass of sherry forhis guest ^s^sS^T 11 -Dont go yet he said ltAcyThank you The other accepted the glass Hesipped it for a moment in silence Then he saidIn a way you know your wifes being calledaway is a fortunate occurrence It will save timesireg Tommy stared - ^- ^v raquo I dont understand1reg^- ^-S^^ NORM 7Grant said deliberately a You see Beresford if you had come to see meat the Ministry I was empowered to put a certainproposition before youThe colour came slowly up in Tommys freckledface He said aYou dont mean^^ ^|^B^ ^Grant nodded gSamps^te^reg a-- Safe Easthampton suggested you he said Hetold us you were the man for the job gxy^|g Tommy gave a deep sigh a^ ^ ly^ Tell me he said ^ wamp^ This is strictly confidential of course ^^^ Tommy nodded ^ c s Not even your wife must know You understandVery well--if you say so But we worked togetherbeforeYes I know But this proposition is solely forT-- - --^ -- ^-^ ^W^K^--V you|g ^ ^ ^^ ^I see All right1 I ^ ^|Ostensiblyyou will be offered work--as I saidjust now--office work--in a branch of the Ministryfunctioning in Scotland--in a prohibited areawhere your wife cannot accompany you Actually^you will be somewhere very differentTommy merely waited ^^r sGrant saidYouve read in the newspapers of the FifthColumn You know roughly at any rate justwhat that term impliesTommy murmured - ^IrSSS -^ ^s^-^^^The enemy withinExactly This war Beresford started in an optimisticspirit Oh I dont mean the people whoreally knew--weve knownaHalong whatwe were 8 I Agatha Christieup against--the efficiency of the enemy his aerial

Page 5

N Or Mstrength his deadly determination and the co-ordinationof his well-planned war machine I meanthe people as a whole The good-hearted muddleheadeddemocratic fellow who believes what hewants to believe--that Germany will crack upp that shes on the verge of revolution that her||I weapons of war are made of tin and that her menamp | are so underfed that theyll fall down if they try tomarch--all that sort of stuff Wishful thinking as|gthe saying goes ||jWell the war didnt go that way It started^ badly and it went on worse The men were all|amp I right--the men on the battleships and in the planes^ and in the dugouts But there was mismanagement^and unpreparedness--the defects perhaps of our|||qualities We dont want war havent consideredit seriously werent good at preparing for itThe worst of that is over Weve corrected ourmistakes were slowly getting the right men in theright places Were beginning to run the war as itshould be run--and we can win the war--make nog i mistake about that--but only if wedont lose if first And the danger of losing it comes not y from outside--not from the might of Germanys|g||bombers not from her seizure of neutral countriesuand fresh vantage points from which to attack--from within Our danger is the danger ofTroy--the wooden horse within our walls Call itwthe Fifth Column if you like It is here among usMen and women some of them highly placedSsome of them obscure but all believing genuinelyin the Nazi aims and the Nazi creed and desiringto substitute that sternly efficient creed for themuddled easy-going liberty of our democratic--institutions ------ -- N OR M 9Grant leaned forward He said still in that samepleasant unemotional voiceAnd we dont know who they areTommy said But surely-- Has Grant said with a touch of impatienceOh we can round up thesmall fry Thats easyenough But its the others We know about themWe know that there are at least two highly placedin the Admiralty--that one must be a member ofGeneral G----s staff--that there are three ormore in the Air Force and that two at least aremembers of the Intelligence know Cabinetsecrets We know that because it must be so fromthe way things have happened The leakage--aleakage from the top--of information to theenemy shows us that l^1Tommy said helplessly his pleasant face perplexed

But what good should I be to you I dontknow any of these peopleGrant nodded If fi^-i ^ ySisi --Exactly You dont know any of them--aw they dont know you ^ He paused to let it sink in and then went onThese people these high up people knowmost of our lot Information cant be very wellrefused to them I was at my wits end I went toEasthampton Hes out of it all now--a sick man--but his brains the best Ive ever known Hethought of you Nearly twenty years since youworked for the Department Name quite unconnected

Page 6

N Or Mwith it Your face not known What do yousay--will you take it on ^ ^ ^-Tommys face was almost split in two by themagnitude of his ecstatic grinTake it on You bet Ill take it on Though I 10 Agatha Christie Wi^^cant see how I can be of any use Im just ablasted amateurMy dear Beresford amateur status is just what ^v is needed The professional is handicapped here| Youll take on in place of the best man we had orE1 are likely to haveTommy looked a question Grant nodded ^11 Yes Died in St Bridgets Hospital lastTuesJI|Sday Run down by a lorry--only lived a few hoursAccident case--but it wasnt an accident ||Syg^ Tommy said slowly I see ^l^Bylgi|^ Grant said quietly ^^^ And thats why we have reason to believe thatFarquhar was on to something--that he was getting somewhere at last By his death that wasnt anaccident SS ^^^-k^^^W^s-^ Tommy looked aquestibn Grant went on lspounda sA^^-Unfortunately we know next to nothing ofwhat he had discovered Farquhar had beenmethodically following up one line after another ^ Most of them led nowhere ^8- Grant paused and then went on BA^2 - Farquhar was unconscious until a few minutes before he died Then he tried to say something |||J What he said was this N or M Song Susie fThat said Tommy doesnt seem very illuminating --------Grant smiled ^ ^^A little more so than you might think N or Myou see is a term we have heard before It refers ^g to two of the most important and trusted Germanagents We have come across their activities inother countries and we know just a little aboutthem It is their mission to organize a Fifth Column in foreign countries and to act as liaison NORM frr 11officer between the country in question and GermanyN we know is a man M is a woman All we know about them is that these two are Hitlersmost highly trusted agents and that in a codemessage we managed to decipher towards the beginningof the war there occurred this phrase-- Suggest N or Mfor England Fullpowers--1^ I see And Farquhar-- isl8As I see it Farquhar must have got on thetrack of one or other of them Unfortunately wedont know which Song Susie sounds very cryptic--but Farquhar hadnt a high class French accentThere was a return ticket to Leahampton in hispocket which is suggestive Leahampton is on theSouth coast--a budding Bournemouth or TorquayLots of private hotels and guest housesAmongst them is one called Sans Souci-- fewK Tommy said again raquoraquoraquo Song Susie--Sans Souci--I see amp^ fc Grant said lt Do you lt-- ^ ^aAQ^ - xs The idea is Tommy said that I should gothere and--well--ferret round sy^w That is the idea ly ^ ^Tommys smile broke out again-sfe ^ A bit vague isnt it he asked I dont evenknow what Im looking for - AndI cant tell you I dont know Its up toyou

Page 7

N Or MTommy sighed He squared his shouldersI can have a shot at it But Im not a verybrainy sort of chapYou did pretty well in the old days so IveheardOh that was pure luck said Tommy hastilyWell luck is rather what we need Agatha Christie||||Tommy considered a minute or two Then hesaid --- SiySa^^1--^ fe^1 About this place Sans Souci-- |||ggM|Grant shrugged his shoulders A a ^smMay be all a mares nest I cant tell Farquharmay have been thinking of Sister Susies sewingshirts for soldiers Its all guessworkBAnd Leahampton itself Just like any other of these places There arerows of them Old ladies old Colonels unim- peachable spinsters dubious customers fishy cus-lt tpmers a foreigner or two In fact a mixedbagI^Tommy said doubtfully|llAnd N or M amongst them IteNot necessarily Somebody perhaps whos in i touch with N or M But its quite likely to be N orM themselves Its an inconspicuous sort of placea boarding-house at a seaside resort^Youve no idea whether its a man or a womanf Ive to look forGrant shook his head rflt gt ^^Tommy said Well I can but try fe s Good luck to your trying Beresford Now--todetails--I Half an hour later when Tuppence broke ini panting and eager with curiosity Tommy wasalone whistling in an armchair with a doubtful expressionon his face |||i 1amp4amp | Well demanded Tuppence throwing an in- ^gfinity of feeling into the word ampraquo^ W^1 A job--of kindsy^^^^-^^^^18^ Whatkind - i| Tommy made a suitable grimace y N OR M H 13Office work in the wilds of Scotland Hushhushand all that but doesnt sound very thrill-Both of us or only youOnly me Im afraid amp ^Blast and curse you How could our MrCarter be so meanI imagine they segregate the sexes in thesejobs Otherwise too distracting for the mindIs it coding--or code breaking Is it likely Deborahs job Do be careful Tommy peoplequeer doing that and cant sleep walk about aIliHnight groaning and repeating 978345286 or somethinglike that and finally have nervous breakdownsand go into homes |Not me sssfTuppence said gloomily 9sIexpect you will sooner or later Can I cometoo--not to work but just as a wife Slippers infront of the fire and a hot meal at the end of the|wTommy looked uncomfortable^- ^ iaraquoltfr I Sorry old thing I am sorry I hate leavingydeg--But you feel you ought to go murmured

Page 8

N Or MTuppence reminiscently ^B |After all said Tommy feebly ySS can knit yonknow www wKnit said Tuppence Knit ampwSS^ ffffSeizing her Balaclava helmet she flung it on theground BI hate khaki wool said Tuppence and Navy wool and Air Force blue I should like toknit something magenta^ It has a fine military sound said TommyAlmost a suggestion of Blitzkrieg SSJ 141 Agatha Christie S^AwlHe felt definitely very unhappy Tuppence ^ however was a Spartan and played up well admittingfreely that of course he had to take the joband that it didnt really matter about her Sheraquo added that she had heard they wanted someone to ^q scrub down the First Aid Postfloors She might ^i possibly be found fit to do thatTommy departed for Aberdeen three days laterTuppence saw him off at the station Her eyeswere bright and she blinked once or twice but she i kept resolutely cheerfulW Only as the train drew out of the station andTommy saw the forlorn little figure walking awaydown the platform did he feel a lump in his ownthroat War or no War he felt he was desertingTuppenceHe pulled himself together with an effortOrders were ordersHaving duly arrived in Scotland he took a trainthe next day to Manchester On the third day atrain deposited him at Leahampton Here he wentto the principal Hotel and on the following day B^g made a tour of various private hotels and guest ^^B houses seeing rooms and inquiring terms for along stay ^3Sans Souci was a dark red Victorian villa set onthe side of a hill with a good view over the seafrom its upper windows There was a slight smell---- of dust and cooking in the hall and the carpet wasworn but it compared quite favourably with someof the other establishments Tommy had seen Heinterviewed the proprietress Mrs Perenna in heroffice a small untidy room with a large deskcovered with loose papersMrs Perenna herself was rather untidy looking a woman of middle-age with a large mop of N OR M jg 15 K|fiercely curling black hair some vaguely appliedmakeup and a determined smile showing a lot ofvery white teethTommy murmured a mention of his elderly lt|y^ cousin Miss Meadowes who had stayed at Sans ||g|Souci two years ago Mrs Perenna remembered ^ Miss Meadowes quite well--such a dearold lady ^ _at least perhaps not really old--very active and |such a sense of humour tt ^Tommy agreed cautiously There was he knew a real Miss Meadowes--the Departmentwas carefulabout these points ^ And how was dear Miss Meadowes Sp^regBampTommy explained sadly that Miss Meadoweswas no more and Mrs Perenna clicked her teeth |sympathetically and made the proper noises andput on a correct mourning faceShe was soon talking volubly again She had

Page 9

N Or Mshe was sure just the room that would suit MrMeadowes A lovely sea view She thought-MrMeadowes was so right to want to get out ofLondon Very depressing nowadays so she understoodand of course after such a bad go of influenza--

Still talking Mrs Perenna led Tommy upstairsand showed him various bedrooms She mentioneda weekly sum Tommy displayed dismayMrs Perenna explained that prices had risen soappallingly Tommy explained that his incomehiglisunfortunately decreased and what with taxation and one thing and another-- ^Mrs Perenna groaned and said This terrible War- Tommyagreed and said that in his opinion thatfellow Hitler ought to be hanged A madmanthats what he was a madman 16 Agatha ChristieMrs Perenna agreed and said that what willrations and the difficulty the butchers had in getting the meat they wanted--and sometimes tolt much--and sweetbreads and liver practically disappeared it all made housekeeping very difficultbut as Mr Meadowes was a relation of MisMeadowes she would make it half a guinea lessTommy then beat a retreat with the promise t(think it over and Mrs Perenna pursued him to thi ^ gate talking more volubly than ever and display Us ing an archness that Tommy found most alarm ^ ing She washe admitted quite a handsomiwoman in her way He found himself wonderinj what her nationality was Surely not quite English The name was Spanish or Portuguese buthat would be her husbands nationality not hersShe might he thought be Irish though she ha(no brogue But it would account for the vitalitand the exuberanceIt was finally settled that Mr Meadowes shoukpi move in the following dayTommy timed his arrival for six oclock MrsPerenna came out into the hall to greet him threva series of instructions about his luggage to ai almost imbecile-looking maid who goggled aTommy with her mouth open and then led himinto what she called the loungeI always introduce my guests said MrsPerenna beaming determinedly at the suspiciouglares of five people This is our new arrival Mr11111 Meadowes--Mrs ORourke A terrifying mountain of a woman with beady eyes and a moustach gave him a beaming smile--l Major Bletchley Major Bletchley lyec I Tommy appraisingly and made a stiff inclinatiorof the head __ NORM 17Mr von Deinim A young man very stifffair-haired and blue-eyed got up and bowed |||Miss Minton An elderly woman with a lot of S beads knitting with khaki wool smiled and tittered

And Mrs Blenkensop More knitting--anduntidy dark head which lifted from an absorbedcontemplation of a Balaclava helmetTommy held his breath the room spun round|j||Mrs Blenkensop Tuppence By all that was

Page 10

N Or Mimpossible and unbelievable--Tuppence calmlyknitting in the lounge of Sans SouciHer eyes met his--polite uninterested strangerseyes ^a - His admiration rose ggl gisect I S1^^ How Tommy got through tquite knew He dared not 1often in the direction of Mrsner three more habitues ofa middle-aged coupleNltand a young mother Mrs (down with her baby girl frltclearly much bored by her (hampton She was placed nltintervals fixed him with a paeyes and in a slightly adltDont you think its reaEverybodys going back areiBefore Tommy could requeries his neighbor on the (lady struck in What I saanything with children YoiYoud never forgive yourselHitler has said the Blitzkriegquite soon nowand quitebelieveJ Major Bletchley cut in shaiLot of nonsense talked awont waste time fiddling rexplosive and incendiary boidone in SpainThe whole table plunged ii N OR M 19gusto Tuppences voice high pitched and slightlyfatuous piped out greg^My son Douglas says-- SDouglas indeed thought Tommy WhyDouglas I should like to knowAfter dinner a pretentious meal of severalmeagre courses all of which were equally tastelesseveryone drifted into the lounge Knittingwas resumed and Tommy was compelled to hear along and extremely boring account of MajorBletchleys experiences on the North WestFrontier gg^The fair young man with the bright blue eyeswent out executing a little bow on the thresholdof the roomMajor Bletchley broke off his narrative and administereda kind of dig in the ribs to Tommy ||That fellow whos just gone out Hes a refugeeGot out of Germany about a month beforethe war - - ^ Hes a GermanYes Not a Jew either His father got intotrouble for criticizing the Nazi regime Two of hisbrothers are in a concentration camp over thereThis fellow got out just in timeAt this moment Tommy was taken possessionIII Mrs ^y^y who told him at interminable le(||h all about her health So absorbing was thesubject to the narrator that it was close upon bedtimebefore Tommy could escape

Page 11

N Or MOn the following morning Tommy rose earlyand strolled down to the front He walked brisklyto the pier and was returning along the esplanadewhen he spied a familiar figure coming in theother direction Tommy raised his hat 0 Agatha ChristieGood morning he said pleasantly Er_Mrs Blenkensop isnt itThere was no one within earshot Tuppencereplied - - a^J r^Dr Livingstone to you afeHow on earth did you get here Tuppencemurmured Tommy Its a miracle--an absolutemiracleIts not a miracle at all--just brains Your brains I supposeYou suppose rightly You and your uppishMr Grant I hope this will teach him a lessonIt certainly ought to said Tommy Comeon Tuppence tell me how you managed it Imsimply devoured with curiosityIt was quite simple The moment Grant talkedof our Mr Carter I guessed what was up I knew itwouldnt be just some miserable office job Buthis saying so showed me that I wasnt going to beallowed in on this So I resolved to go one betterI went to fetch some sherry and when I did Inipped down to the Browns flat and rang upMaureen Told her to ring me up and what to sayShe played up loyally--nice high squeaky voice--you could hear what she was saying all over theroom I did my stuff registered annoyance compulsiondistressed friend and rushed off withevery sign of vexation Banged the hall door carefullyremaining inside it and slipped into the bedroomand eased open the communicating doorthats hidden by the tallboy And you heard everythingEverything said Tuppence complacentlyTommy said reproachfully s^|And you never let onCertainly not I wished to teach you a lesson NORM 21oil and your Mr GrantHes not exactly my Mr Grant and I shouldsay you have taught him a lessonMr Carter wouldnt have treated me so shabbily said Tuppence I dont think the Intelligenceis anything like what it was in our dayTommy said gravelyIt will attain its former brilliance now wereback in it But why BlenkensopWhy not ig^ssIt seems such an odd name to chooseIt was the first one I thought of and its handy |for underclothes ^^^a^^What do you mean Tuppence riteB you idiot B for Beresford B for BlenkensopEmbroidered on my cami-knickers PatriciaBlenkensop Prudence Beresford Why did youchoose Meadowes Its a silly nameTo begin with said Tommy I dont havelarge Bs embroidered on my pants And to continue

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N Or MI didnt choose it I was told to call myselfMeadowes Mr Meadowes is a gentleman with arespectable past--all of which Ive learned byheartVery nice said Tuppence Are you marriedor singleIm a widower said Tommy with dignityMy wife died ten years ago at Singapore Heg-Why at Singapore fe^SWeve all got to die somewhere Whatswrongwilfc SingaporeOh nothing Its probably a most suitableplace to die Im a widow ^ Where did your husband die -- Does it matter Probably in a nursing home I therjancy he died of cirrhosis of the liver A Agatha Christie sect1deg11 |8 I see A painful subject And what about your I H son Douglas HIB I _ Douglas is in the Navy ireg So I heard last night ^ ^And Ive got two other sons Raymond is in ^- the Air Force and Cyril my baby is in the Ter- g| ritorialspj And suppose someone takes the trouble to -m |g| check up on these imaginary BlenkensopsTheyre not Blenkensops Blenkensop was mysecond husband My first husbands name was |Hill There are three pages of Hills in the ]I telephone book You couVntcheckupon^l the IT Vlt f A -t 99 ^^^B^6-^^ ^^ ^Vl^- yvStsiw^G ^ i iHills if you tried - ^B^wi^^ fiiffi^y ^1 i laquo^raquog ^g ^ trouble with you Tuppence You s | will overdo things Two husbands and three sons Ill K Its too much Youll contradict yourself over the mNo I shant And I rather fancy the sons mays^s^awSataes^ - - ^KaS1||| come in useful Im not under orders remember |gg|1 Im a free-lance Im in this to enjoy myself and secti| vsamp Im going to enjoy myself ^B IBI So it seems said Tommy He added gloom-B ^_J ny if you ask me the whole things a farce | Why do you say that ifeiR a Well youve been at Sans Souci longer than I ^ have Can you honestly say you think any one ofthose people who were there last night could be a r1| dangerous enemy agent H ^ Tuppence said thoughtfully ^tiff^^^S^^It does seem a little incredible Theres the ^|young man of course N1 ^S Carl von Deinim The police check up on m refugees dont theyii| I suppose so Still it might be managed Hes N OR M 23an attractive young man you knowMeaning the girls will tell him things Butwhat girls No Generals or Admirals daughtersfloating around here Perhaps he walks out with aCompany Commander in the ATS ^MBe quiet Tommy We ought to be taking thisseriously ^I am taking it seriously Its just that I feelwere on a wild goose chase ^^ ^Tuppence said seriously ^ aIts too early to say that After all nothingsgoing to be obvious about this business Whatabout Mrs Perenna ^-v |Yes said Tommy thoughtfuUy theres Mrs Perenna I admit--she does want explain-

Page 13

N Or M^^w--^ 3^7 ^---r - ^^^^p-^1 - ^--Aysing ATuppence said in a business-like tone^ Whatabout us I mean how are we going tocooperateTommy said thoughtfully ^siamp y ^^i- 5We mustnt be seen about too much to^gether g g| ||^^No it would Se fatal to suggest we know-eachother better than we appear to do What we want jto decide is the attitude I think--yes I think--18pursuit is the best angle ^^58 --^-iifc^ Pursuit ^-sareg Exactly I pursue you You do your best toescape but being a mere chivalrous mate doesntalways succeed Ive had two husbands and Im onthe look-out for a third You act the part of the Tiunted widower Every now and then I pin youdown somewhere pen you in a cafe catch youwalking on the front Everyone sniggers andthinks it very funny| Sounds feasible agreed Tommy 4 T Agatha ChristieTuppence said Theres a kind of age-long ^ humour about the chased male That oughtcg|stand us in good stead If we are seen together all^anyone will do is to snigger and say Look at poor oldMeadowes lH gjTommy gripped her arm suddenly ill Vk amplLook he said Look ahead of you ysraquoBy the corner of one of the shelters a young man ai stood talking to a girl They were both very earn-^p ^est very wrapped up in what they were saying |p^ amp ^glljTuppence said softlyJ^Carl von Deinim Whos the girl I wonder ^ - ----h^Shes remarkably good looking whoever sheTuppence nodded Her eyes dwelt thoughtfully |on the dark passionate face and on the tight- 8Hgglfc ^-raquo ~^^^fitting pullover that revealed the lines of the girls ^^figure She was talking earnestly with emphasis^reg^Carl von Deinim was listening to her R^i^a^w^wreg^^SV^^^fflS^^^reg^gggTuppence murmuredI think this is where you leave me f^ _ Right agreed Tommy ^He turned and strolled in the opposite directionSAt the end of the promenade he encountered 8IHMajor Bletchley The latter peered at him suspi- 8ciously and then grunted^out Good morning _Jamp | Good morning iamp IfffSi ILp See youre like me an early riser remarked SBletchley nm f - Tommy said m I waa^ ^One gets in the habit of it out East Of coursethats many years ago now but I still wake early I gt_^Quite right too said Major Bletchley withapproval God these young fellows nowadays_ make me sick Hot baths--coming down to breakerlater Noynder the Ger^ NORM ^ 25-S-rf- manshave been putting it over on us No staminaSoft lot of young pups Armys not what it wasanyway Coddle em thats what they do nowadaysTuck em up at night with hot water bottlesFaugh Makes me sick a KTommy shook his head in a melancholy fashionand Major Bletchley thus encouraged went on

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N Or MDiscipline thats what we need DisciplineHow are we going to win the War without disciplineDo you know sir some of these fellowscome on parade in slacks--so Ive been toldCant expect to win a War that way Slacks MyGod a |i-^ |g| -| MBsect1 Mr Meadowes hazarded the opinion that thingswere very different from what they had beenlt^aaIts all this democracy said Major Bletchleygloomily You can overdo anything In my opiniontheyre overdoing the democracy businessMixing up the officers and the men feeding N8S together in restaurants--Paugh--the men dont |like it Meadowes The troops know The troopsalways know laquog ggOf course said Mr Meadowes I have noreal knowledge of Army matters myself-- ^ ^4The Major interrupted him shooting a quicksideways glanceIn the show in the last War^^^1^^-^^ifc-fABi^ftA^^- ^sfe^^^ampOh yesThought so Saw youd been drilled Shoul- mgders What regiment ^ ^pf^Fifth Corfeshires Tommy remembered toproduce Meadowesmilitary record ^Ah yes Salonica^ Yes -^ fc-a^iji ^Ill I was in Mespot - ^Bletchley plunged into reminiscences Tommy i6 m sAgatha Christie ^ 1^aw y^ rtfflistened politely Bletchley ended up wrathfully^ And will they make use of me now No theywill not Too old Too old be damned I couldteach one or two of these young cubs something m| about war gt 1sect SlEven if its only what not to do suggested_ ^^r i^---^ ^yja^ ^Tf^ Tommy with a smile A-x^^^^ dl ^_^ Eh whats that HA sense of humour was clearly not Major |Ig Bletchley s strong suit He peered suspiciously I3 at his companion Tommy hastened to change the lconversation ^ Know anything about that MrsBlenkensop^yg I think her nameUS Thats right Blenkensop Not a bad looking iS womanbit long in the toothtalks too much^ Nice woman but foolish No I dont know her || Shes only been at Sans Souci a couple of daysJ|| He added Whydoyouask^p^^^^yy^9 -i Tommy explained -aaSampampg Happened to meet her just now Wondered ifj she was always out as early as this m Dont know Im sure Women arent usuallygiven to walking before breakfastthank God gB Amen said Tommy He went on Im notI much good at making polite conversation before ^H breakfast Hope I wasnt rude to the woman but I

Page 15

N Or M1 wanted my exercise ^Major Bletchley displayed instant sympathy rj Im with you Meadowes Im with you| Women are all very well in their place but not fssamp^ before breakfast He chuckled a little Better becareful old man Shes a widow you knowIs she ^|3fe SK^SlThe Major dug him cheerfully in the ribs ial m ^NbRM 27 M^e know what widows are Shes buried twohusbands and if you ask me shes on the lookoutfor number three Keep a very wary eye openMeadowes A wary eye Thats my advice ^And in high good humour Major Bletchley i wheeled about at the end of the parade and set thepace for a smart walk back to breakfast at SansSouci regIn the meantime Tuppence had gently con- -tinued her walk along the esplanade passing quite ^-^y^close to the shelter and the young couple talking there As she passed she caught a few words It ^ was the girl speaking ||j|8 t| ^ ^But you must be careful Carl The very least 1||suspicion--reg- iPH^- L Tuppence was out of earshot Suggestivewords Yes but capable of any number of harmlessinterpretations Unobtrusively she turned andagain passed the two Again words floated to herSmug detestable EnglishThe eyebrows of Mrs Blenkensop rose ever soslightly ^ ^^fi^lHardly she thought a very wise conversation___ t^^3Carl von Deinim was a refugee from Nazi persecutiongiven asylum and shelter by EnglandNeither wise nor grateful to listen assentingly tosuch words rsi ^ ^ raquofeAgain Tuppence turned But this time beforeshe reached the shelter the couple had partedabruptly the girl to cross the road leaving the seafront Carl von Deinim to come along in Tuppencesdirection ^ HgHe would not perhaps have recognized ner but ^ for her own pause and hesitation Then quicklyhe brought his heels together and bowed tTuppence twittered at him ^ sy ^ __ Agatha Christie ^lt lt ^ ilS^b^ood morning Mr von Deinim isnt it Such^^^ely morning B tW Ah yes The weather is fine ^ J ^PPence ran on ftl 1 i (ltIt quite tempted me I dont often come out -- ^ before breakfast But this morning what with notsleeping very well--one often doesnt sleep well in a ^ange place I find It takes a day or two to ac- ^ custom oneself I always say ^1 ^degh yes no doubt that is soAnd really this little walk has quite given me86 an appetite for breakfast^ou go back to Sans Souci now If you permitI will walk with you He walked gravely by herside _____- ^PPence said sa M sJ ^u also are out to get an appetite ^ Gravely he shook his head m fo

Page 16

N Or M(t ^raquo -- ^^ _| ^h no My breakfast I have already had it I f~~H am on myway^o work ----------------^raquo ^^aresearchchemistSo thats what you are thought Tuppence Ibaling a quick glance at him fetelaquo Carl von Deinim went on his voice stiff ^ ^ came to this country to escape Nazi persecu- m tion l ^^| ygry little money--no friends I do nowwhat useful work I can ^ ^-^g - He stared straight ahead of himGQnscious of some undercurrent of strong feeling y |--^^ng him powerfully i| 3S |^ She murmured vaguely ^ ^ ^ sil Oh yes I see I see Very creditable I am^lllKt^ure ^ ^^ ^ ^^B _ ^ carl yo Deinim said ^ ^K ^ | ^ly two brothers are in concentration camps Kr N OR M 29^-s^My father died in one My mother died of sorrow ^ and fear |p ^ ^ _ gf^^ Tuppence thought - i^The way he says that--as though he had Ilearned it by heart - ^Again she stole a quick glance at him He wasstill staring ahead of him his face impassiveThey walked in silence for some moments Twomen passed them One of them shot a quick glanceat Carl She heard him mutter to his companion nBet you that fellow is a German y^Tuppence saw the colour rise in Carl vonDeinims cheeks B| g|li Suddenly he lost command of himself That tideof hidden emotion came to the surface He stammered

You heard--you heard--that is what they say_I_My dear boy Tuppence reverted suddenly to Illher real self Her voice was crisp and compellingDont be an idiot You cant have it both waysll He turned his head and stared at herHi What dn vnn mpfln SS8raquo M ^gl w iidi uu yuu iiicdii ^fc-- ^^ ^^^^^^w^mYoure a refugee You have to take the roughwith the smooth Youre alive thats the mainthing Alive and free For the other--realize thatits inevitable This countrys at War Youre aGerman She smiled suddenly You cant expectthe mere man in the street--literally the manin the street--to distinguish between bad Germansand good Germans if I may put it so crudelyHe still stared at her His eyes so very bluewere poignant with suppressed feeling Then suddenlyhe too smiled He said Ill IsThey said of Red Indians did they not that agood Indian was a dead Indian He laughed a1 ifSWiZ- flSW t8 Agatha ChristieGood morning Mr von Deinim isnt it Sucha lovely morning ^lt gt ^ Ah yes The weather is fine ||a Tuppence ran on stIt quite tempted me I dont often come outbefore breakfast But this morning what with not

Page 17

N Or Msleeping very well--one often doesnt sleep well ina strange place I find It takes a day or two to accustomoneself I always say a0h yes no doubt that is so iB5sAnd really this little walk has quite given mean appetite for breakfastYou go back to Sans Souci now If you permitI will walk with you He walked gravely by herii side ^i^ ^^ yTuppence said A-1 i^---H^You also are out to get an appet^ - SiyIII Gravely he shook his head |^|1111 Oh no My breakfast I have already had it Iam on my way to work IpWork -Bs ^ireg ^sa I am a research chemist ^So thats what you are thought Tuppencestealing a quick glance at him |K|Carl von Deinim went on his voice stiffI came to this country to escape Nazi persecutionI had very little money--no friends I do nowwhat useful work I canHe stared straight ahead of him Tuppence wasconscious of some undercurrent of strong feelingmoving him powerfully ^8 laquo | She murmured vaguelyOh yes I see I see Very creditable I am sure ^w g^I Carl von Deinim said ^fisect^^ My two brothers are in concentration camps v father died in one My mother died of sorrowand fear g|g| Tuppence thought ^ |||The way he says that--as though he hadfiSlearned it by heartAgain she stole a quick glance at him He wasstill staring ahead of him his face impassive |They walked in silence for some moments Two | men passed them One of them shot a quick glance iat Carl She heard him mutter to his companionBet you that fellow is a German ^ |$IS|NTuppence saw the colour rise in Carl von llH^tDeinims cheeks ^^Suddenly he lost command of himself That tide 51 of hidden emotion came to the surface He stam^^^ ^JmeredYou heard--you heard--that is what they say |My dear boy Tuppence reverted suddenly toher real self Her voice was crisp and compellingDont be an idiot You cant have it both waysHe turned his head and stared at herWhat do you mean ^^^ ^-^ - -Youre a refugee You have to take the roughwith the smooth Youre alive thats the mainthing Alive and free For the other--realize thatits inevitable This countrys at War Youre aGerman She smiled suddenly You cant expectthe mere man in the street--literally the manin the street--to distinguish between bad Germansand good Germans if I may put it so crudelyHe still stared at her His eyes so very bluewere poignant with suppressed feeling Then suddenlyhe too smiled He said^|| ^y-AThey said of Red Indians did they not that a

Page 18

N Or Mgood Indian was a dead Indian He laughed 10 Agatha Christie - Tobe a good German I must be on time at mywork Please Good morningAgain that stiff bow Tuppence stared after hisretreating figure She said to herselfMrs Blenkensop you had a lapse then Strictattention to business in future Now for breakfastatSansSouciThe hall door of Sans Souci was open InsideMrs Perenna was conducting a vigorous conversationwith someoneAnd youll tell him what I think of that last lotof margarine Get the cooked ham at Quillers--itwas twopence cheaper last time there and becareful about the cabbages-- She broke off as Tuppence entered iOh good morning Mrs Blenkensop you arean early bird You havent had breakfast yet Itsall ready in the dining room She added indicatingher companion My daughter Sheila Youhavent met her Shes been away and only camehome last nightTuppence looked with interest at the vividhandsome face No longer full of tragic energybored now and resentful My daughter SheilaSheila PerennaTuppence murmured a few pleasant words andwent into the dining room There were threepeople breakfasting--Mrs Sprot and her babygirl and big Mrs ORourke Tuppence saidGood morning and Mrs ORourke repliedwith a hearty The top of the morning to youthat quite drowned Mrs Sprots more anaemicsalutationThe old woman stared at Tuppence with a kindof devouring interest ^ NOftM 31 Tis a fine thing to be out walking beforebreakfast she observed A grand appetite itgives you ^ wgt^Mrs Sprot said to her offspring ^- feSIttNice bread and milk darling and endeavouredto insinuate a spoonful into Miss BettySprots mouthThe latter cleverly circumvented this endeavour by an adroit movement of her head and con- raquotinued to stare at Tuppence with large round eyesShe pointed a milky finger at the newcomergave her a dazzling smile and observed in gurgling |tones Ga--GaBouch aShe likes you cried Mrs Sprot beamingon Tuppence as on one marked out for favourSometimes shes so shy with strangers ltBouch said Betty Sprot Ah poothbag she added with emphasisAnd what would she be meaning by thatdemanded Mrs ORourke with interestShe doesnt speak awfully clearly yet confessedMrs Sprot Shes only just over two youknow Im afraid most of what she says is justBosh She can say Mama though cant you darling

Page 19

N Or MBetty looked thoughtfully at hermotherland remarked with an air ofGuggle bick^| ^ T^ Tis a languagebf their own they have theHide angels boomed out Mrs ORourke Bettydading say Mama nowBetty looked hard at Mrs ORourke frownedand observed with terrific emphasis Nazer-- ^There now if she isnt doing her best And alovely sweet girl she is ^ 32 Agatha ChristieMrs ORourke rose beamed in a ferociousmanner at Betty and waddled heavily out of the roomGa ga ga said Betty with enormous satisfactionand beat with a spoon on the tableTuppence said with a twinkle 5What does Na-zer really meanMrs Sprot said with a flush Im afraid yoi know its what Betty says when she doesnt like anyone or anythingI rather thought so said TuppenceBoth women laughedAfter all said Mrs Sprot Mrs 0Rourkltmeans to be kind but she is rather alarming--witt that deep voice and the beard and--and everything ff^ |g sectg|With her head on one side Betty made a cooinjnoise at TuppenceShe has taken to you Mrs Blenkensop sakMrs SprotThere was a slight jealous chill Tuppence fancied in her voice Tuppence hastened to adjusmattersThey always like a new face dont they shisaid easilyThe door opened and Major Bletchley anlt Tommy appeared Tuppence became archAh Mr Meadowes she called out Ivbeaten you you see First past the post But Ivleft you just a little breakfastShe indicated with the faintest of gestures thseat beside herTommy muttering vaguely Oh er--ratherthanksand hurriedly sat down at the other eniof the tableBetty Sprot said Putch with a fine splutte NORM

of milk at Major Bletchley whose face instantlyassumed a sheepish but delighted expressionAnd hows little Miss Go Peep this morninghe asked fatuously Go Peep He enacted theplay with a newspaper j|^ ^H$5| aBetty crowed with delight f-1 samp ^Serious misgivings shook Tuppence ShethoughtThere must be some mistake There cant be| anything going on here There simply cantTo believe in Sans Souci as a headquarters ofthe Fifth Column needed the mental equipment ofthe White Queen in Alice On the sheltered terrace outside Miss Minton wasknittingMiss Minton was thin and angular her neck wasstringy She wore pale sky-blue jumpers andchains or bead necklaces Her skirts were tweedy

Page 20

N Or Mand had a depressed droop at the back Shegreeted Tuppence with alacrityGood morning Mrs BIenkensop I do hopeyou slept well Mrs BIenkensop confessed that she never slept very well the first night or two in a strange bed MissMinton said Now wasnt that curious It was exactly the same with meMrs BIenkensop said What a coincidenceand what a very pretty stitch that was Miss Min- iton flushing with pleasure displayed it Yes it was rather uncommon and really quite simpleShe could easily show it to Mrs BIenkensop if ] Mrs BIenkensop liked Oh that was very kindof Miss Minton but Mrs BIenkensop was sostupid she wasnt really very good at knitting notat following patterns that was to say She couldonly do simple things like Balaclava helmets andeven now she was afraid she had gone wrong somewhereIt didnt look right somehow did itMiss Minton cast an expert eye over the khakimass Gently she pointed out just what had gonewrong Thankfully Tuppence handed the faulty f^ N OR M ^j 35helmet over Miss Minton exuded kindness andIpatronage Oh no it wasnt a trouble at all She|had knitted for so many yearsIm afraid Ive never done any before thisdreadful War confessed Tuppence But onefeels so terribly doesnt one that one must do^something Npi ^aAOh yes indeed And you actually have a boyin the Navy I think I heard you say last nightYes my eldest boy Such a splendid boy heisthough I suppose a mother shouldnt say soThen I have a boy in the Air Force and Cyril mybaby is out in FranceOh dear dear how terribly anxious youTmiistTuppence thought sampltOh Derek my darling Derek Out in thehell and messand here I am playing the foolacting the thing Im really feeling She said in her most righteous voice We must all be brave mustnt we Lets hopeit will all be over soon I was told the other day onvery high authority indeed that the Germans cantpossibly last out more than another two monthsMiss Minton nodded with so much vigour thatall her bead chains rattled and shookYes indeed and I believeher voice low- ered mysteriouslythat Hitler is suffering from ta (fiscalabsolutely fatalhell be raving madbyAugust g^Tuppence replied briskly All this Blitzkrieg is just the Germans lasteffort I believe the shortage is something frightfuli Germany The men in the factories are verydissatisfied The whole thing will crack upWhats this Whats all thisSifi H and Mrs Cayley caCayley putting his que

Page 21

N Or MMr himself in a chair andtiec^taees He repeated fretfhis Whats that you are say iVere saying said Mi c over by the Autumnall l^onsense said Mr g to last at least six yeaigof^Dh Mr Cayley prot t really think sodoa^^r Cayley was peering a^Wow I wonder he n ght Perhaps it woulddrraquoji back into the cornerch^tie resettlement of Mr^1 an anxious-faced wwif^ no other aim in life thaV^jeys wants manipulatCa^^g from time to timeasle^td Do you think thatAlC^ perhaps to have youyol-^r a glare this morningratlHr Cayley said irritablyf^fo no Dont fuss Elc tuffler No no my simy it matter I daresay )do^l dont want to get myBut111in this sunlightwwo^^ fetch the other Hbettt1 to matters of public inbac^e it six yearsI M listened with pleasunIcementwc^jOu dear ladies are jus wishful thinking N01cal-Hll N OR M 37may say I know Germany extremely well In thecourse of my business before I retired I used to beconstantly to and fro Berlin Hamburg MunichI know them all I can assure you that Germanycan hold out practically indefinitely With Russiabehind her--Mr Cayley plunged triumphantly on his voicerising and falling in pleasurably melancholy cadencesonly interrupted when he paused to receivethe silk muffler his wife brought him and wind itround his throat |g| laquo^Mrs Sprot brought out Betty and plumped herdown with a small woolen dog that lacked an earand a woolly dolls jacketThere Betty she said You dress up Bonzoready for his walk while Mummy gets ready to gooutMr Cayleys voice droned on reciting statisticsand figures all of a depressing character The monologue was punctuated by a cheerful twitter1ing from Betty talking busily to Bonzo in her ownlanguage Truckle-- truckly-- pah bat said BettyThen as a bird alighted near her she stretched outloving hands to it and gurgled The bird flew awayand Betty glanced round the assembled companyand remarked clearly

Page 22

N Or M Dicky and nodded her head with great satisJactfonyHH tfw ^^ E lhat child is learning to talk in the most wonderfulway said Miss Minton Say Ta ta BettyTataBetty looked at her coldly and remarkedGluck ^Then she forced Bonzos one arm into his_oolly coat and toddling over to a chair picked 38 HH Agatha Christieup the cushion and pushed Bonzo behind itChuckling gleefully she said with terrific pains g|Hide Bow wow Hide Miss Minton acting as a kind of interpretersaid with vicarious prideShe loves hide and seek Shes always hidingthings She cried out with exaggerated surpriseWhere is Bonzo Where is Bonzo Where can Bonzo have gone ^Betty flung herself down and went into ecstasiesof mirthMr Cayley finding attention diverted from hisexplanation of Germanys methods of substitution |of raw materials looked put out and coughed aggressivelyreg8^^

Mrs Sprot came out with her hat on and pickedup Betty ^ ^ ^ ggi Attention returned to Mr Cayley SHSa You were saying Mr Cayley said TuppencerBut Mr Cayley was affronted He said coldly ^ That woman is always plumping that childdown and expecting people to look after it I thinkIll have the woollen muffler after all dear Thegt MMsun is going inOh but Mr Cayley do go on with what youwere telling us It was so interesting Miss MintonbeggedMollified Mr Cayley weightily resumed his discoursedrawing the folds of the woolly mufflercloser round his stringy neckAs I was saying Germany has so perfected hersystem of--j|| Tuppence turned to Mrs Cayley and askedWhat do you think about the^war MrsCayley N OR M 39Mrs Cayley jumpedOh what do I think What--what do youmean ^ ^Do you think it will last as long as six yearsMrs Cayley said doubtfullyOh I hope not Its a very long time isnt itYes a long time What do you really thinkMrs Cayley seemed quite alarmed by the questionShe said ^jiss^ Ap |Oh I--I dont know I dont know at allAlfred says it will ^ j^But you dont think so SS raquoOh I dont know It^s ^difficult to say isntI19 teampSi^^-^-^^Tuppence felt a wave of exasperation The chirrupingMiss Minton the dictatorial Mr Cayley

Page 23

N Or Mthe nitwitted Mrs Cayley--were these peoplereally typical of her fellow countrymen Was MrsSprot any better with her slightly vacant face andboiled gooseberry eyes What could she Tuppenceever find out here Not one of thesepeople surely--Her thought was checked She was aware of ashadow Someone behind her who stood betweenher and the sun She turned her head ^aMrs Perenna standing on the terrace her eyeson the group And something in those eyes--scorn was it A kind of withering contempt TuppencethoughtI must find out more about Mrs Perenna 40 III Agatha Christie ifcBrought down some golf clubs with you didnt you Meadowes ^ H| Tommy pleaded guilty - B^Ha I can tell you my eyes dont miss muchSplendid We must have a game together Everplayed on the links hereTommy replied in the negativeTheyre not bad--not bad at all Bit on theshort side perhaps but lovely view over the seaand all that And never very crowded Look herewhat about coming along with me this morningWe might have a game ^Thanks very much Id like it Must say Im glad youve arrived remarked Bletchley as they were trudging up the hill Too I many women in that place Getson ones nervesGlad Ive got another fellow to keep me in countenanceYou cant count Cayley--the mans akind of walking chemists shop Talks of nothingbut his health and the treatments hes tried and thedrugs hes taking If he threw away all his little pillboxes and went out for a good ten mile walk every I day hed be a different man Theonly other maleI in the place is von Deinim and to tell you the truth Meadowes Im not too easy in my mind s about him I No said TommyNo You take my word for it this refugeebusiness is dangerous If I had my way Id internthe lot of them Safety first ^IJB HA bit drastic perhaps M ----Not at all Wars War And Ive got my suspicionsof Master Carl For one thing hes clearlynot a Jew Then he came over here just a month--only a month mind you--before War brokei out Thats a bit suspicious | g ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Tommy said invitinglyThen you think-- gt Spying-- thats his li^ie gameBut surely theres ncfraquono rgtf J ruling 01 amprpat inilitari ltgt^ naval importance hereabouts tary orAh old man tha^s where _thPortsmouthhed be und^r sunervi^ plymouth or ^place like this nobody boZTs FIn a sleepy coast isnt it The truth o^61 Irson the I S a great deal too easy Mth hes^ ernment is ^1 Anyone who cared could ^lCTe ^ ^s- a long face and talk abc^^ -d pull aA-centration camps Loo^^0^111^- 3fe arrogance in every line S ^ ^ 11^ 1--thats what he is--a Nazi e s a NazlWhat we really need fi SU -

Page 24

N Or MF doctor or two said Toff untry is a witch 1^ 1I1 ocior or iwo saia i onmy pleasantiu taM_|I Eh whats that mly- W^^ To smell out the sp|pc Tnrraquo x S gravely onlmy explained j^ |Ha very good that-_yerv eo^ o ^ iout-yes of course y g od- sme11 em ^ 1|1 Further conversation w hrrtiioti lt 1 they had arrived at the clu^8111 to an end ^Tommys name was pi^ (jq^ 3 ------------------------their round ---lor started onTommy was a mediocn pnlfcr^^ -- -niiu mai ilia BiailualU 01 pav walti inraquoraquo ^ o- - for his new friend The M-^onb gIJU1 WUIl dv two lin anyone to play a very happy Sate of eventsGood match Meadaes -- -you had bad luck wiLh^^Z0011 mtch 42 Agatha Christie ^B 3turned off at the last minute We must have agame fairly often Come along and Ill introduceyou to some of the fellows Nice lot on the wholesome of them inclined to be rather old women ifyou know what I mean Ah heres Haydock--youll like Haydock Retired naval wallah Hasthat house on the cliff next door to us Hes ourlocal ARP warden |||Commander Haydock was a big hearty manwith a weatherbeaten face intensely blue eyesand a habit of shouting most of his remarks ^ wraquo He greeted Tommy with friendliness ^aBB|So youre going to keep Bletchley countenanceat Sans Souci Hell be glad of another manRather swamped by female society eh Bletchieyis sb aIm not much of a ladies man said MajorBletchleyNonsense said Haydock Not your typeof lady my boy thats it Old boarding housepussies Nothing to do but gossip and knitYoure forgetting Miss Perenna said Bletch-1ley ^ IAh Sheila--shes an attractive girl all right SRegular beauty if you ask me y Im a bit worried about her said Bletchley | sWhat do you mean Have a drink MeadowesWhats yours Major nThe drinks ordered and the men settled on the8 jverandah of the clubhouse Haydock repeated hisquestion ( Major Bletchley said with some violence IThat German chap Shes seeing too much ofhim| Getting sweet on him you mean Hm thatsbad Of course hes a good looking young chap in ^ NORM 43his way But it wont do It wont do BletchleyWe cant have that sort of thing Trading with theenemy thats what it amounts to These girls--wheres their proper spirit Plenty of decentyoung English fellows about raquoBletchley said gt ltSheilas a queer girl--she gets odd sullen fitswhen she will hardly speak to anyoneSpanish blood said the Commander Herfather was half Spanish wasnt he

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N Or MDont know Its a Spanish name I shouldthink ^The Commander glanced at his watch About time for the news Wed better go inandlistentoit I ||gThe news was meagre that day little more in itthan had been already in the morning papersAfter commenting with approval on the latest exploitsof the Air Force--first-rate chaps brave aslions--the Commander went on to develop hisown pet theory--that sooner or later the Germanswould attempt a landing at Leahampton itself--his argument being that it was such an unimportantspotNot even an anti-aircraft gun in the place Disgraceful^ H allflThe argument was not developed for Tommyand the Major had to hurry back to lunch at SansSouci Haydock extended a cordial invitation toTommy to come and see his little place SmugglersRest Marvellous view--my own beach--every kind of handy gadget in the house Bringhim along BletchleyIt was settled that Tommy and Major Bletchleyshould come in for drinks on the evening of thefollowing day Aptha ChristieAfter lunch was i peaceful time at Sans SouciMr Cayley went traquo have his rest with the devotedMrs- Cayley in attendance Mrs Blenkensopwas conductedby Miss Minton to a depot topack and address pircels for the FrontMr Meadowes strolled gently out into LeacigarettesSlUppcv ai ^gtv latest number of Punch then after a few minutesof apparent irresolution he entered a bus bearingthe legend old pieh gg| g||The old pier was at the--^--^----^^-11^pi V11A^Xraquoraquoto house agents as the least desirable end It wasWest Leahampton and poorly thought of Tommy ^-L -- ^ raquo iiwasaH- ~i-flimsy and weather-worn affair with a few mon--- - l 1^----J ^tt^CnE die-UU11U p^nraquoraquo --tant intervals There was no one on it but somechildren running up and down and screaming invoices that matched quite accurately the screamingof the gulls and one solitary man sitting on theend fishing Il USi Mr Meadowes strolled upto the end and gazeddown into the watier Then he asked gentlyH Caught anythiing ^ |g The fisherman sshook his head ^Dont often g^et a bite Mr Grant reeled inhis line a bit He said without turning his headWhat about yrou Meadowesi Tommy saidNothing muchh to report as yet sir Im diggingmyself in |1| - _Good^Tellmae -^N OR M fSpj 45Tommy sat on an adjacent post so placed that yraquohe commanded the length of the pier^Then he S^l

Page 26

N Or MbeganIve gone down quite all right I think I gather |youve already got a list of the people there jg^ Grant nodded Theres nothing to report as yet SB Ive struck up a friendship with Major BletchleyWe played golf this morning He seems the ordinarytype of retired officer If anything a shadetoo typical Cay ley seems a genuine hypochondriacalinvalid That again would be an easy partto act He has by his own admission been a gooddeal in Germany during the last few yearsA point said Grant laconicallyThen theres von Deinim ||||Yes I dont need to tell you Meadowes that~von Deinims the one Im most interested inK You think hes N p^ ^ss arareg Grant shook his head 8amp1 sasfeNo I dont As I see it N couldnt afford tobe a German ||| ||sect i-I^B1^ Not a refugee from Nazi persecution eventNot even that We watch and they know wewatch all the enemy aliens in this country Moreover--thisis in confidence Beresford--very a shortly all enemy aliens between 16 and 60 will beinterned Whether our adversaries are aware ofthat fact or not they can at any rate anticipatethat such a thing might happen They would neverrisk the head of their organization being internedN therefore must be either a neutral--or else heis (apparently) an Englishman The same ofcourse applies to M No my meaning about vonDeinim is this He may be a link in the chain N or yM may not be at Sans Souci it may be Carl vonDeinim who is there and through him we may be 46 ^Agatha Christieled to our object^- That does seem to be highlypossible The mfi16 so as I cannot very well seethat any of the (Other inmates of Sans Souci arelikely to be the person we are seekingYouve had (them more or less investigated Isuppose sirGrant sighed--a sharp quick sigh of vexationNo thats jist wnat ltgts impossible for me todo I could havlte them looked up by the departmenteasily enough--but I cant risk it Beresford For you see th1reg rot is in the department itselfOne hint that 1^ go1 ^ ^ on sans souci fm any reason--an^ the organization may be put ^ wise Thats wr1reg Y011 come in the outsider |Thats why you^ got to work in the dark withouthelp from i1- Its our only chance-- and Idarent risk alar^them- Theres only one personIve been ablle to check up on ^ Whos that sirGrant smiled w Carl von De1111111 himself Thats easy enoughRoutine I can tfa^ him looked up--not from theSans Souci angic ^t from the enemy alien angle reg ^- ^^ Tommy askeci curiously ^ ^l ^^ Andtheres^t7A curious sm10 came over the others faceMaster Cartls exactly what he says he is Hisfather was indi^c1^) was arrested and died in aconcentration c^1- Carols elder brothers are incamps His mother died in great distress of mind ayear ago He epcaped to England a month beforewar broke out von Deinim has professed himself^ anxious to hel^P this country His work in a^

Page 27

N Or Mchemical research laboratory has been excellentand most helpN on the problem of immunizing ^^Ip ^- vnorm ^ 47certain gases and in general decontamination experiments^HlTommy said S^agg Then hes all right Breg Not necessarily Our German friends are notoriousfor their thoroughness If von Deinim wassent as an agent to England special care would betaken that his record should be consistent with hisown account of himself There are two possibilitiesThe whole von Deinim family may be partiesto the arrangement--not improbable underthe painstaking Nazi regime Or else this is notreally Carl von Deinim but a man playing the partof Carl von Deinim S |Tommy said slowly Isee He added inconsequently ^ He seems an awfully nice young fellow SighingGrant said They are--they nearlyalways are Its an odd life this service of ours We |respect our adversaries and they respect us Youusually like your opposite number you know- even when youre doing your best to down himThere was a silence as Tommy thought over thestrange anomaly of war Grants voice Jbroke intohis musings ||p K But there are those for whom weve neitherrespect nor liking--and those are the traitors withinour own ranks--the men who are willing to betraytheir country and accept office and promotionfrom the foreigner who has conquered itTommy said with feeling ^illreg My God Im with you sir Thats a skunkstrick gpAnd deserves a skunks end regs^jtKsTommy said incredulously Siss-- ^aampiSiAnd there really are these--these swine 48 Agatha ChristieEverywhere As I told you In our service Inthe fighting forces On Parliamentary benchesHigh up in the Ministries Weve got to combthem out--weve got to And we must do itquickly It cant be done from the bottom--thesmall fry the people who speak in the Parks whosell their wretched little news-sheets they dontknow who the big bugs are Its the big bugs wewant theyre the people who can do untold damage--andwill do it unless were in time Tommy said confidently ^p ^fWe shall be in time sir ^- y^a - |S Grant asked ^at What makes you say that 8 l|^ ^1Tommy said 11Youve just said it--weve got to beThe man with the fishing line turned and lookedfull at his subordinate for a minute or two takingin anew the quiet resolute line of the jaw He had anew liking and appreciation of what he saw Hesaid quietly -^y^1 teampa^Good man araquo I Hewent onWhat about the women in this place Anythingstrike you as suspicious thereI think theres something odd about the

Page 28

N Or Mwoman who runs itMrs Perenna VSSYes You dont--know anything about herGrant said slowlyI might see what I could do about checking herantecedents but as I told you its riskyYes better not take any chances Shes theonly one who strikes me as suspicious in any wayTheres a young mother a fussy spinster thehypochondriacs brainless wife and a rather fear I N OR M 49^ni looking old Irish-woman All seem harmless ^owh on the face of it y ^S Ithats the lot is it ||t(o Theres a Mrs Blenkensop-- arrived three^ago -m Veil - ^lt-^W ^ raquo ya ^nuny said 8^^NIamp_ |g|1| 4rs Blenkensop is my wife ^ |gg^ the surprise of the anntmncenient Grant vok( was raised He spun around sharp anger in his hze I thought I told you Beresford not to ^the a word to your wifelt)uite right sir and I didnt If youll justlister i^ISiSliccinctiy Tommy narrated what had oc- i^ cu6d He did not dare look at the other He ampSS ^^fully kept out of his voice the pridejhathesecr^iy felt -fe^-^^iJ IIH ^here was a silence when he brought the story to an end Then a queer noise escaped from the 8oth^r Grant was laughing He laughed for somemin(ites(take my hat off to the woman Shes one in athousand ^1(agree said Tommy - w^^ gasthampton will laugh when I tell him this 1TS s He earned me not to leave her out Said shed getthe getter of me if I did I wouldnt listen to him ^i^P^ you though how damned careful youve8^j lto be I thought Id taken every precautiona|raquoliraquost being overheard Id satisfied myself ^ b^Qfehand that you and your wife were alone in the f|at I actually heard the voice in the telephoneai|irf8 Your wife to come round at once and ^---- RAj--_raquo 52 Agatha ChristieTuppence replied that she thought she wasgoing to like Leahampton very much and behappy thereThat is she added in a melancholy voice ashappy as I can be anywhere with this terrible anxietyweighing on me all the timeAh now dont you be worrying yourselfMrs ORourke advised comfortably Those fineboys of yours will come back to you safe andsound Not a doubt of it One of thems in the AirForce so I think you said ^Yes Raymond a^ And is he in France now or in England Hes in Egypt at the moment but from whatjhe said in his last letter--not exactly said--but wehave a little private code if you know what Imean--certain sentences mean certain things Ithink thats quite justified dont you ^ Mrs ORourke replied promptlyIndeed and I do Tis a mothers privilegeYes you see I feel I must know just where hesectJis IP KBMrs ORourke nodded the Buddha-like headI feel for you entirely so I do If I had a boy

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N Or Mout there Id be deceiving the censor the very sameway so I would And your other boy the one inthe NavyTuppence entered obligingly upon a saga ofDouglasYou see she ended I feel so lost withoutmy three boys Theyve never been all away togetherfrom me before Theyre all so sweet to meI really do think they treat me more as a friend than a mother She laughed self-consciously Ihave to scold them sometimes and make them g(out without me N OR M 53(What a pestilential woman I sound thoughtTuppence to herself)She went on aloudAnd really I didnt know quite what to do orwhere to go The lease of my house in London wasup and it seemed so foolish to renew it and Ithought if I came somewhere quiet and yet with agood train service She broke off -yAgain the Buddha nodded SBlI agree with you entirely London is no placeat the present Ah the gloom of it Ive lived theremyself for many a year now Im by way of beingan antique dealer you know You may know myshop in Cornaby Street Chelsea Kate Kellys thename over the door Lovely stuff I had theretoooh lovely stuffmostly glassWaterfordCorkbeautiful Chandeliers and lustres andpunchbowls and all the rest of it Foreign glasstoo And small furniturenothing largejustsmall period piecesmostly walnut and oak Ohlovely stuffand I had some good customers Butthere when theres a War on all that goes westIm lucky to be out of it with as little loss as IvehadA faint memory flickered through Tuppencesmind A shop filled with glass through which itwas difficult to move a rich persuasive voice acompelling massive woman Yes surely she hadbeen into that shop aHMrs ORourke went on Im not one of those that like to be alwayscomplainingnot like some thats in this houseMr Cayley for one with his muffler and hisshawls and his moans about his business going topieces Of course its to pieces theres a Waronand his wife with never Boo to say to a goose 54 ^1 Agatha Christie -^^y ^Then theres that little Mrs Sprot always fussingabout her husbandIs he out at the front J^s^^ Tf---(^Not he Hes a tuppenny-halfpenny clerk in aninsurance office thats all and so terrified of airraids hes had his wife down here since the beginningof the War Mind you I think thats rightwhere the childs concerned--and a nice wee miteshe is--but Mrs Sprot she frets for all that herhusband conies down when he can Keeps say- gting Arthur must miss her so But if you ask me | Arthurs not missing her over-much--maybe hes got other fish to fry ^ ^

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N Or MTuppence murmured ||| --Im terribly sorry for all these mothers If you g let your children go away without you you never M stop worrying And if you go with them its hardon the husbands being leftAh yes and it comes expensive running twoestablishments iSll-^^ fSS-This place seems quite reasonable said TuppenceYes Id say you get your moneys worth88Mrs Perennas a good manager Theres a queerwoman for you now Samp^ In what way asked Tuppence |H gsectMrs ORourke said with a twinkle j| Youll be thinking Im a terrible talker Its|||true Im interested in all my fellow creaturesthats why I sit in this chair as often as I can Yousee who goes in and who goes out and whos onthe verandah and what goes on in the gardenWhat were we talking of now--ah yes MrsIH Perenna and the queerness of her Theres been agrand drama in that womans life or Im muchmistaken ^ ^ NORM 55Do you really think soI do now And the mystery she makes of herself And where might you come from in Ki Ireland I asked her And would youbelieve itshe held out on me declaring she was not fromIreland at all ^R^ -- You think she is Irish -~ Ofcourse shes Irish I know my own countrywomen I could name you the county she comesfrom But there Im English she says and myhusband was a Spaniard--Mrs ORourke broke off abruptly as MrsSprot came in closely followed by TommyTuppence immediately assumed a sprightlymanner a^Good evening Mr Meadowes You look verybrisk this evening ^s^ ^Illr^ -- ^Tommy said itoa Plenty of exercise thats the secret A roundof golf this morning and a walk along the frontthis afternoon ^ -^Millicent Sprot saidI took Baby down to the beach this afternoonShe wanted to paddle but I really thought it wasrather cold I was helping her build a castle and adog ran off with my knitting and pulled out yardsof it So annoying and so difficult picking up allthe stitches again Im such a bad knitterH Youre getting along fine with that helmetMrs Blenkensop said Mrs ORourke suddenlyturning her attention to Tuppence Youve beenjust racing along I thought Miss Minton said thatyou were an inexperienced knitterTuppence flushed faintly Mrs ORourkes eyeswere sharp With a slightly vexed air Tuppence 56 Ill Agatha Christie ^s^I have really done quite a lot of knitting I toldMiss Minton so But I think she likes teaching people

Everybody laughed in agreement and a fewPage 31

N Or Mminutes later the rest of the party came in and^hegong was sounded The conversation during the meal turned on theabsorbing subject of spies Well-known hoarychestnuts were retold The nun with the musculararm the clergyman descending from his parachuteand using unclergymanlike language as he landedwith a bump the Austrian cook who secreted awireless in her bedroom chimney and all thethings that had happened or nearly happened toaunts and second cousins of those present Thatled easily to Fifth Column activities To denunciationsof the British Fascists of the Communistsof the Peace Party of conscientious objectors Itwas a very normal conversation of the kind thatmay be heard almost every day nevertheless Tuppencewatched keenly the faces and demeanour ofthe people as they talked striving to catch sometell-tale expression or word But there was nothingSheila Perenna alone took no part in the conversationbut that might be put down to herhabitual taciturnity She sat there her dark rebelliousface sullen and broodingCarl von Deinim was out tonight^so tonguescould be quite unrestrained ill ^ ||V I Sheila only spoke once towards the end of diner

Mrs Sprot had just said in her thin flutingvoiceWhere I do think the Germans made such amistake in the last war was to shoot Nurse CavellIt turned everybody against them N OR M 57It was then that Sheila flinging back her he^demanded in her fierce young voice ^lv shouldnt they shoot her She was a spy wa^11 sheOh no not a spyShe helped English people to escape--in ^nenemy country Thats the same thing W^Y shouldnt she be shotI Oh but shooting a woman--and a nurse ||^ Sheila got upfefr laquoj think the Germans were quite right she saidShe went out of the window into the garden Dessert consisting of some under-ripe bananasand some tired oranges had been on the tal^c some time Everyone rose and adjournedto the lounge for coffeeOnly Tommy unobtrusively betook himself to the garden He found Sheila Perenna leaning over ft the terrace wall staring out at the sea He caH^ and stood beside her WBy her hurried quick breathing he knew that ( something had upset her badly He offered her a|fc cigarette which she acceptedHe said ^ ^ Lovelynight 35| ^ S|In a low intense voice the girl answeredIt could beTommy looked at her doubtfully He felt suddenlythe attraction and the vitality of this girl- There was a tumultuous life in her a kind of compellingpower She was the kind of girl he thought that a man might easily lose his headover If it werent for the War you mean he said- gampI dont mean that at all I hate the War

Page 32

N Or M 8 w^ gt Agatha Christie Hi- |p-- ^^^saC - ^y^ ^ So do we alll^ftJS Not in the way I mean I hate the cant about it|jpoundpound the smugness--the horrible horrible patriotismPatriotism Tommy was startled Yes I hate patriotism do you understand Allthis country country country Betraying yourcountry--dying for your country--serving yourcountry Why should ones country mean anyamp thing at allaaJg Tommy said simply I dont know It just 1as does ampNot to me Oh it would to you--you goabroad and buy and sell in the British Empire and J come back bronzed and full of cliches talking [_about the natives and calling for Chota Pegs and yS all that sort of thing ^ -BK Tommy said gently -^ s-i^QIm not quite as bad as that I hope my dear filf Im exaggerating a little--but you know what __ s I mean You believe in the British Empire--and--and--the stupidity of dying for ones countryt ^ My country said Tommy drily doesnt |g^^ys seem particularly anxious to allow me to die for |||SSff t raquol^r ll ilp^-Yes but you want to And its so stupid ik Nothings worth dying for Its all an(ctea--talk--| froth--high-flown idiocy My country doesnt g| mean anything to me at all poundsSome day said Tommy youll be surprisedto find that it doesNo Never Ive suffered--Ive seen-- |||She broke off--then turned suddenly and impetuouslyupon himggg Do you know who my father was ^ -Bals No Tommys interest quickened His name was Patrick Maguire He--he was a NORM 55follower of Casement in the last War He was shotas a traitor All for nothing For an idea--heworked himself up with those other IrishmenWhy couldnt he just stay at home quietly andmind his own business Hes a martyr to somepeople and a traitor to others I think he was ^ just--stupidI Tommy could hear the note of pent-up rebellioncoming out into the open He said So thats the shadow youve grown up withShadows right Mother changed her name r We lived in Spain for some years She always saysHthat my father was half a Spaniard We always tell ^ lies wherever we go Weve been all over the ContinentFinally we came here and started this placegc I think this is quite the most hateful thing weve doneyet --^ - Tommy asked ^ - ^ How does yourmother feel about--thingsYou mean--about my fathers death Sheila| was silent a moment frowning puzzled She saidslowly Ive never really known she nevertalks about it Its not easy to know what motherfeels or thinksTommy nodded his head thoughtfully ^ ^^ajnSheila said abruptly lt I--I dont know why Ive been telling you thisI got worked up Where did it all start p^a A discussion on Edith Cavell Aa^ i Oh yes--patriotism I said I hated itArent you forgetting Nurse Cavells own

Page 33

N Or Mwords What wordsBefore she died Dont you know what shesaid --He repeated the words ^ t 60 Agatha Christie ^^^ -yPatriotism is not enough I must have no |k phatred in my heart amp Oh She stood there stricken for a moment ^ Then turning quickly she wheeled away intothe shadow of the garden ^ ^ |sjdf^ So you see Tuppence it would all fit inBUS Tuppence nodded thoughtfully The beacharound them was empty She herself leanedagainst a breakwater Tommy sat above her onthe breakwater itself from which post he couldsee anyone who approached along the esplanadeNot that he expected to see anyone having ascertainedwith a fair amount of accuracy wherepeople would be this morning In any case his rendezvouswith Tuppence had borne all the signs ofa casual meeting pleasurable to the lady and slightly alarming to himself yy y(i Tuppence said Baar^ regreg I Mrs Perenna regYes M not N She satisfies the requirementsWffi Tuppence nodded thoughtfully again Mit Yes Shes Irish--as spotted by Mrs0Rourke--wont admit the fact Has done aigood deal of coming and going on the continentgll Changed her name to Perenna came here andstarted this boarding house A splendid bit ofcamouflage full of innocuous bores Her husbandwas shot as a traitor--shes got every incentive forrunning a Fifth Column show in this country Yes |it fits Is the girl in it too do you thinkTommy said finally regs3i N OR M ^ 61Definitely not Shed never have told me allthis otherwise I--I feel a bit of a cad you knowTuppence nodded with complete understand-yyww wob -^ ^-v ((i^ ing |g| -- - ^ S^regSYes one does In a way its a foul job this I ^But very necessary reg0h ofcourseTommy said flushing slightlyI dont like lying any better than you do--Tuppence interrupted him|ltsect I dont mind lying in the least To be quitehonest I get a lot of artistic pleasure out of my lies amp What gets me down is thosemoments when oneforgets to lie--the times when one is just oneself--and gets results that way that you couldnt havegot any other She paused and went on Thatswhat happened to you last night--with the girlShe responded to the real you--thats why youfeel badly about it laquoa^A s I believe youre right Tuppence SUS^ aI know Because I did the same thmg myself-with the German boy |||J |iraquoiTommy said iWhat do you think about himTuppence said quickly ^t^ If you ask me I dont think hes got anythingto do with itGrant thinks he has - ^| |||t j Your Mr Grant Tuppences moodchanged She chuckled How Id like to haveseen his face when you told him about meAt any rate hes made the amends honorable You re definitely on the j ohI Tuppence nodded but she looked a trifle abstracted

Page 34

N Or Mgin ^ S^iSJS-^^ She said Aw -^ y^ Do you remembciwe were hunting dowmember what fun it was Tommy agreed hisRather ^ Tommy--why isn ^ He considered the igrave Then he saidI suppose its reallTuppence said shariYou dont think--No Im sure wetime--it wont be fun This is the second Waiquite different about t]I know--we see ttiand the horror All thto think about beforeThats it In the 1now and then--and hiand went through hewere good times tooTuppence saidI suppose Derek feBetter not thinkTommy advisedYoure rightWeve got a job ^ Lets get on with it looking for in Mrs Pey We can at least scated Theres no onthat youve got your egt Tuppence considerreg _ No there isnt T HpNORM ^ 63^arrived of course was to size them all up andassess as it were possibilities Some of them seemquite impossible -^ ^Such as -9 ^Well Miss Minton for instance the cornpleatBritish spinster and Mrs Sprot and herBetty and the vacuous Mrs CayleyYes but nitwittishness can be assumedOh quite but the fussy spinster and the absorbedyoung mothers are parts that would befatally easy to overdo--and these people are quitenatural Then where Mrs Sprot is concernedtheres the child| I suppose said Tommy that even a secretagent might have a child ||sect|Not with her on the job said TuppenceIts not the kind of thing youd bring a child ^ into Im quite sure about that Tommy I know ^ Youd keep a child out of it ^ I withdraw said Tommy Ill give you MrsSprot and Miss Minton but Im not so sure aboutMrs CayleyNo she might be a possibility Because she g really does overdo it I mean there cant be many ^ women quite as idiotic as she seemsj| I have often noticed that being a devoted wife ^ saps the intellect murmured Tommy And where have you noticed that demandedTuppenceNot from you Tuppence Your devotion hasnever reached those lengthsFor a man said Tuppence kindly youdont really make an undue fuss when you are illTommy reverted to a survey of possibilities raquo Cayley said Tommy thoughtfully There 64 Agatha Christie

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N Or Mmight be something fishy about CayleyYes there might Then theres Mrs 0Rourkes ^ WWhat do you feel about herI dont quite know Shes disturbing Rather feefofum if you know what I meanYes I think I know But I rather fancy thatsjust the predatory note Shes that kind ofwoman gtyTuppence said slowlyShe--notices thingsShe was remembering the remark about knitting

Then theres Bletchley said TommyIve hardly spoken to him Hes definitelyyour chicken ^I think hes just the ordinary pukka old school type I think so Thats just it said Tuppence answering a ^i stress rather than actual words The worst of thissort of show is that you look at quite ordinary S|everyday people and twist them to suit your mor- febid requirements sfeIve tried a few experiments on Bletchley^said TommyWhat sort of thing Ive got some experimentsin mind myselfWell--just gentle ordinary little traps--aboutdates and places--all that sort of thingCould you condescend from the general to the particularWell say were talking of duck shooting Hementions the Fayum--good sport there such andsuch a year such and such a month Some othertime I mention Egypt in quite a different connectionMummies Tutankhamen something like NORM 65that--has he seem that stuff When was he there ^Check up on the answers Or P amp 0 boats--1 mention the names of one or two say So-and-sowas a comfortable boat He mentions some trip orother later I check that Nothing important or ^anything that puts him on his guard--just a checkup on accuracyAnd so far he hasnt slipped up in any wayNot once And thats a pretty good test let me -tell you Tuppence| Yes but I suppose if he was N he would havehis story quite patOh yes--the main outlines of it But its notso easy not to trip up on unimportant details Andthen occasionally you remember too much- more that is than a bona ride person would doAn ordinary person doesnt usually remember offhandwhether they took a certain shooting trip in ^1926 or 1927 They have to think a bitand search ^their memory piBut so far you havent caught Bletchley out ^ So far hes responded in a perfectly normalmanner| Result-negative IgKiC^S ExactlyNow said Tuppence Ill tell you some ofmy ideasAnd she proceeded to do soaIllOn her way home Mrs Blenkensop stopped atthe post office She bought stamps and on her way

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N Or Mout went into one of the public call boxes Thereshe rang up a certain number asked for Mr^

Stagvan-yafe

66 Agatha ChristieFaraday and held a short conversation withhim She came out smiling and walked slowlyhomewards stopping on the way to purchasesome knitting woolIt was a pleasant afternoon with a light breezeTuppence curbed the natural energy of her ownbrisk trot to that leisurely pace that accorded withher conception of the part of Mrs BlenkensopMrs Blenkensop had nothing on earth to do withherself except knit (not too well) and write lettersto her boys She was always writing letters to herpboys--sometimes she left them about half finishedTuppence came slowly up the hill towards SansSouci Since it was not a through road (it ended atSmugglers Rest Commander Haydocks house)there was never much traffic--a few tradesmensvans in the morning Tuppence passed house afterhouse amusing herself by noting their namesSKBella Vista (inaccurately named since the merestglimpse of the sea was to be obtained and themain view was the vast Victorian bulk of Edenhoimeon the other side of the road) Karachi wasthe next house After that came Shirley TowerThen Sea View (appropriate this time) CastleClare (somewhat grandiloquent since it was asmall house) Trelawny a rival establishment toilsspsgthat degf Mrs Perenna and finally the vast maroon l|||bulk of Sans Souci ^ Si- It was just as she came near to it that Tuppencefebecame aware of a woman standing by the gate ^Bpeering inside There was something tense andviligant about the figureU Almost unconsciously Tuppence softened the sound of her own footsteps stepping cautiouslyupon her toes IIH --i^N OR M 67It was not until she was close behind her thatamps the woman heard her and turned Turned with astart S ^^-f^^N 88She was a tall woman poorly even meanlydressed but her face was unusual She was not young--probably between forty and fifty--butthere was a contrast between her face and the way ^y^ she was dressed She was fair-haired with widecheekbones and had been--indeed still was--beautiful Just for a minute Tuppence had a feelingthat the womans face was somehow familiar ipto her but the feeling faded It was not she ^ thought a face easily forgotten |i^ The woman was obviously startled and the Hiflash of alarm that flitted across her face was notlost on Tuppence (Something odd here)|raquotg| || Tuppence said B Excuse me are you looking for someone S The woman spoke in a slow foreign voice pro- y^ nouncing the words carefully

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N Or Mstrength his deadly determination and the co-ordinationof his well-planned war machine I meanthe people as a whole The good-hearted muddleheadeddemocratic fellow who believes what hewants to believe--that Germany will crack upp that shes on the verge of revolution that her||I weapons of war are made of tin and that her menamp | are so underfed that theyll fall down if they try tomarch--all that sort of stuff Wishful thinking as|gthe saying goes ||jWell the war didnt go that way It started^ badly and it went on worse The men were all|amp I right--the men on the battleships and in the planes^ and in the dugouts But there was mismanagement^and unpreparedness--the defects perhaps of our|||qualities We dont want war havent consideredit seriously werent good at preparing for itThe worst of that is over Weve corrected ourmistakes were slowly getting the right men in theright places Were beginning to run the war as itshould be run--and we can win the war--make nog i mistake about that--but only if wedont lose if first And the danger of losing it comes not y from outside--not from the might of Germanys|g||bombers not from her seizure of neutral countriesuand fresh vantage points from which to attack--from within Our danger is the danger ofTroy--the wooden horse within our walls Call itwthe Fifth Column if you like It is here among usMen and women some of them highly placedSsome of them obscure but all believing genuinelyin the Nazi aims and the Nazi creed and desiringto substitute that sternly efficient creed for themuddled easy-going liberty of our democratic--institutions ------ -- N OR M 9Grant leaned forward He said still in that samepleasant unemotional voiceAnd we dont know who they areTommy said But surely-- Has Grant said with a touch of impatienceOh we can round up thesmall fry Thats easyenough But its the others We know about themWe know that there are at least two highly placedin the Admiralty--that one must be a member ofGeneral G----s staff--that there are three ormore in the Air Force and that two at least aremembers of the Intelligence know Cabinetsecrets We know that because it must be so fromthe way things have happened The leakage--aleakage from the top--of information to theenemy shows us that l^1Tommy said helplessly his pleasant face perplexed

But what good should I be to you I dontknow any of these peopleGrant nodded If fi^-i ^ ySisi --Exactly You dont know any of them--aw they dont know you ^ He paused to let it sink in and then went onThese people these high up people knowmost of our lot Information cant be very wellrefused to them I was at my wits end I went toEasthampton Hes out of it all now--a sick man--but his brains the best Ive ever known Hethought of you Nearly twenty years since youworked for the Department Name quite unconnected

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N Or Mwith it Your face not known What do yousay--will you take it on ^ ^ ^-Tommys face was almost split in two by themagnitude of his ecstatic grinTake it on You bet Ill take it on Though I 10 Agatha Christie Wi^^cant see how I can be of any use Im just ablasted amateurMy dear Beresford amateur status is just what ^v is needed The professional is handicapped here| Youll take on in place of the best man we had orE1 are likely to haveTommy looked a question Grant nodded ^11 Yes Died in St Bridgets Hospital lastTuesJI|Sday Run down by a lorry--only lived a few hoursAccident case--but it wasnt an accident ||Syg^ Tommy said slowly I see ^l^Bylgi|^ Grant said quietly ^^^ And thats why we have reason to believe thatFarquhar was on to something--that he was getting somewhere at last By his death that wasnt anaccident SS ^^^-k^^^W^s-^ Tommy looked aquestibn Grant went on lspounda sA^^-Unfortunately we know next to nothing ofwhat he had discovered Farquhar had beenmethodically following up one line after another ^ Most of them led nowhere ^8- Grant paused and then went on BA^2 - Farquhar was unconscious until a few minutes before he died Then he tried to say something |||J What he said was this N or M Song Susie fThat said Tommy doesnt seem very illuminating --------Grant smiled ^ ^^A little more so than you might think N or Myou see is a term we have heard before It refers ^g to two of the most important and trusted Germanagents We have come across their activities inother countries and we know just a little aboutthem It is their mission to organize a Fifth Column in foreign countries and to act as liaison NORM frr 11officer between the country in question and GermanyN we know is a man M is a woman All we know about them is that these two are Hitlersmost highly trusted agents and that in a codemessage we managed to decipher towards the beginningof the war there occurred this phrase-- Suggest N or Mfor England Fullpowers--1^ I see And Farquhar-- isl8As I see it Farquhar must have got on thetrack of one or other of them Unfortunately wedont know which Song Susie sounds very cryptic--but Farquhar hadnt a high class French accentThere was a return ticket to Leahampton in hispocket which is suggestive Leahampton is on theSouth coast--a budding Bournemouth or TorquayLots of private hotels and guest housesAmongst them is one called Sans Souci-- fewK Tommy said again raquoraquoraquo Song Susie--Sans Souci--I see amp^ fc Grant said lt Do you lt-- ^ ^aAQ^ - xs The idea is Tommy said that I should gothere and--well--ferret round sy^w That is the idea ly ^ ^Tommys smile broke out again-sfe ^ A bit vague isnt it he asked I dont evenknow what Im looking for - AndI cant tell you I dont know Its up toyou

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N Or MTommy sighed He squared his shouldersI can have a shot at it But Im not a verybrainy sort of chapYou did pretty well in the old days so IveheardOh that was pure luck said Tommy hastilyWell luck is rather what we need Agatha Christie||||Tommy considered a minute or two Then hesaid --- SiySa^^1--^ fe^1 About this place Sans Souci-- |||ggM|Grant shrugged his shoulders A a ^smMay be all a mares nest I cant tell Farquharmay have been thinking of Sister Susies sewingshirts for soldiers Its all guessworkBAnd Leahampton itself Just like any other of these places There arerows of them Old ladies old Colonels unim- peachable spinsters dubious customers fishy cus-lt tpmers a foreigner or two In fact a mixedbagI^Tommy said doubtfully|llAnd N or M amongst them IteNot necessarily Somebody perhaps whos in i touch with N or M But its quite likely to be N orM themselves Its an inconspicuous sort of placea boarding-house at a seaside resort^Youve no idea whether its a man or a womanf Ive to look forGrant shook his head rflt gt ^^Tommy said Well I can but try fe s Good luck to your trying Beresford Now--todetails--I Half an hour later when Tuppence broke ini panting and eager with curiosity Tommy wasalone whistling in an armchair with a doubtful expressionon his face |||i 1amp4amp | Well demanded Tuppence throwing an in- ^gfinity of feeling into the word ampraquo^ W^1 A job--of kindsy^^^^-^^^^18^ Whatkind - i| Tommy made a suitable grimace y N OR M H 13Office work in the wilds of Scotland Hushhushand all that but doesnt sound very thrill-Both of us or only youOnly me Im afraid amp ^Blast and curse you How could our MrCarter be so meanI imagine they segregate the sexes in thesejobs Otherwise too distracting for the mindIs it coding--or code breaking Is it likely Deborahs job Do be careful Tommy peoplequeer doing that and cant sleep walk about aIliHnight groaning and repeating 978345286 or somethinglike that and finally have nervous breakdownsand go into homes |Not me sssfTuppence said gloomily 9sIexpect you will sooner or later Can I cometoo--not to work but just as a wife Slippers infront of the fire and a hot meal at the end of the|wTommy looked uncomfortable^- ^ iaraquoltfr I Sorry old thing I am sorry I hate leavingydeg--But you feel you ought to go murmured

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N Or MTuppence reminiscently ^B |After all said Tommy feebly ySS can knit yonknow www wKnit said Tuppence Knit ampwSS^ ffffSeizing her Balaclava helmet she flung it on theground BI hate khaki wool said Tuppence and Navy wool and Air Force blue I should like toknit something magenta^ It has a fine military sound said TommyAlmost a suggestion of Blitzkrieg SSJ 141 Agatha Christie S^AwlHe felt definitely very unhappy Tuppence ^ however was a Spartan and played up well admittingfreely that of course he had to take the joband that it didnt really matter about her Sheraquo added that she had heard they wanted someone to ^q scrub down the First Aid Postfloors She might ^i possibly be found fit to do thatTommy departed for Aberdeen three days laterTuppence saw him off at the station Her eyeswere bright and she blinked once or twice but she i kept resolutely cheerfulW Only as the train drew out of the station andTommy saw the forlorn little figure walking awaydown the platform did he feel a lump in his ownthroat War or no War he felt he was desertingTuppenceHe pulled himself together with an effortOrders were ordersHaving duly arrived in Scotland he took a trainthe next day to Manchester On the third day atrain deposited him at Leahampton Here he wentto the principal Hotel and on the following day B^g made a tour of various private hotels and guest ^^B houses seeing rooms and inquiring terms for along stay ^3Sans Souci was a dark red Victorian villa set onthe side of a hill with a good view over the seafrom its upper windows There was a slight smell---- of dust and cooking in the hall and the carpet wasworn but it compared quite favourably with someof the other establishments Tommy had seen Heinterviewed the proprietress Mrs Perenna in heroffice a small untidy room with a large deskcovered with loose papersMrs Perenna herself was rather untidy looking a woman of middle-age with a large mop of N OR M jg 15 K|fiercely curling black hair some vaguely appliedmakeup and a determined smile showing a lot ofvery white teethTommy murmured a mention of his elderly lt|y^ cousin Miss Meadowes who had stayed at Sans ||g|Souci two years ago Mrs Perenna remembered ^ Miss Meadowes quite well--such a dearold lady ^ _at least perhaps not really old--very active and |such a sense of humour tt ^Tommy agreed cautiously There was he knew a real Miss Meadowes--the Departmentwas carefulabout these points ^ And how was dear Miss Meadowes Sp^regBampTommy explained sadly that Miss Meadoweswas no more and Mrs Perenna clicked her teeth |sympathetically and made the proper noises andput on a correct mourning faceShe was soon talking volubly again She had

Page 9

N Or Mshe was sure just the room that would suit MrMeadowes A lovely sea view She thought-MrMeadowes was so right to want to get out ofLondon Very depressing nowadays so she understoodand of course after such a bad go of influenza--

Still talking Mrs Perenna led Tommy upstairsand showed him various bedrooms She mentioneda weekly sum Tommy displayed dismayMrs Perenna explained that prices had risen soappallingly Tommy explained that his incomehiglisunfortunately decreased and what with taxation and one thing and another-- ^Mrs Perenna groaned and said This terrible War- Tommyagreed and said that in his opinion thatfellow Hitler ought to be hanged A madmanthats what he was a madman 16 Agatha ChristieMrs Perenna agreed and said that what willrations and the difficulty the butchers had in getting the meat they wanted--and sometimes tolt much--and sweetbreads and liver practically disappeared it all made housekeeping very difficultbut as Mr Meadowes was a relation of MisMeadowes she would make it half a guinea lessTommy then beat a retreat with the promise t(think it over and Mrs Perenna pursued him to thi ^ gate talking more volubly than ever and display Us ing an archness that Tommy found most alarm ^ ing She washe admitted quite a handsomiwoman in her way He found himself wonderinj what her nationality was Surely not quite English The name was Spanish or Portuguese buthat would be her husbands nationality not hersShe might he thought be Irish though she ha(no brogue But it would account for the vitalitand the exuberanceIt was finally settled that Mr Meadowes shoukpi move in the following dayTommy timed his arrival for six oclock MrsPerenna came out into the hall to greet him threva series of instructions about his luggage to ai almost imbecile-looking maid who goggled aTommy with her mouth open and then led himinto what she called the loungeI always introduce my guests said MrsPerenna beaming determinedly at the suspiciouglares of five people This is our new arrival Mr11111 Meadowes--Mrs ORourke A terrifying mountain of a woman with beady eyes and a moustach gave him a beaming smile--l Major Bletchley Major Bletchley lyec I Tommy appraisingly and made a stiff inclinatiorof the head __ NORM 17Mr von Deinim A young man very stifffair-haired and blue-eyed got up and bowed |||Miss Minton An elderly woman with a lot of S beads knitting with khaki wool smiled and tittered

And Mrs Blenkensop More knitting--anduntidy dark head which lifted from an absorbedcontemplation of a Balaclava helmetTommy held his breath the room spun round|j||Mrs Blenkensop Tuppence By all that was

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N Or Mimpossible and unbelievable--Tuppence calmlyknitting in the lounge of Sans SouciHer eyes met his--polite uninterested strangerseyes ^a - His admiration rose ggl gisect I S1^^ How Tommy got through tquite knew He dared not 1often in the direction of Mrsner three more habitues ofa middle-aged coupleNltand a young mother Mrs (down with her baby girl frltclearly much bored by her (hampton She was placed nltintervals fixed him with a paeyes and in a slightly adltDont you think its reaEverybodys going back areiBefore Tommy could requeries his neighbor on the (lady struck in What I saanything with children YoiYoud never forgive yourselHitler has said the Blitzkriegquite soon nowand quitebelieveJ Major Bletchley cut in shaiLot of nonsense talked awont waste time fiddling rexplosive and incendiary boidone in SpainThe whole table plunged ii N OR M 19gusto Tuppences voice high pitched and slightlyfatuous piped out greg^My son Douglas says-- SDouglas indeed thought Tommy WhyDouglas I should like to knowAfter dinner a pretentious meal of severalmeagre courses all of which were equally tastelesseveryone drifted into the lounge Knittingwas resumed and Tommy was compelled to hear along and extremely boring account of MajorBletchleys experiences on the North WestFrontier gg^The fair young man with the bright blue eyeswent out executing a little bow on the thresholdof the roomMajor Bletchley broke off his narrative and administereda kind of dig in the ribs to Tommy ||That fellow whos just gone out Hes a refugeeGot out of Germany about a month beforethe war - - ^ Hes a GermanYes Not a Jew either His father got intotrouble for criticizing the Nazi regime Two of hisbrothers are in a concentration camp over thereThis fellow got out just in timeAt this moment Tommy was taken possessionIII Mrs ^y^y who told him at interminable le(||h all about her health So absorbing was thesubject to the narrator that it was close upon bedtimebefore Tommy could escape

Page 11

N Or MOn the following morning Tommy rose earlyand strolled down to the front He walked brisklyto the pier and was returning along the esplanadewhen he spied a familiar figure coming in theother direction Tommy raised his hat 0 Agatha ChristieGood morning he said pleasantly Er_Mrs Blenkensop isnt itThere was no one within earshot Tuppencereplied - - a^J r^Dr Livingstone to you afeHow on earth did you get here Tuppencemurmured Tommy Its a miracle--an absolutemiracleIts not a miracle at all--just brains Your brains I supposeYou suppose rightly You and your uppishMr Grant I hope this will teach him a lessonIt certainly ought to said Tommy Comeon Tuppence tell me how you managed it Imsimply devoured with curiosityIt was quite simple The moment Grant talkedof our Mr Carter I guessed what was up I knew itwouldnt be just some miserable office job Buthis saying so showed me that I wasnt going to beallowed in on this So I resolved to go one betterI went to fetch some sherry and when I did Inipped down to the Browns flat and rang upMaureen Told her to ring me up and what to sayShe played up loyally--nice high squeaky voice--you could hear what she was saying all over theroom I did my stuff registered annoyance compulsiondistressed friend and rushed off withevery sign of vexation Banged the hall door carefullyremaining inside it and slipped into the bedroomand eased open the communicating doorthats hidden by the tallboy And you heard everythingEverything said Tuppence complacentlyTommy said reproachfully s^|And you never let onCertainly not I wished to teach you a lesson NORM 21oil and your Mr GrantHes not exactly my Mr Grant and I shouldsay you have taught him a lessonMr Carter wouldnt have treated me so shabbily said Tuppence I dont think the Intelligenceis anything like what it was in our dayTommy said gravelyIt will attain its former brilliance now wereback in it But why BlenkensopWhy not ig^ssIt seems such an odd name to chooseIt was the first one I thought of and its handy |for underclothes ^^^a^^What do you mean Tuppence riteB you idiot B for Beresford B for BlenkensopEmbroidered on my cami-knickers PatriciaBlenkensop Prudence Beresford Why did youchoose Meadowes Its a silly nameTo begin with said Tommy I dont havelarge Bs embroidered on my pants And to continue

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N Or MI didnt choose it I was told to call myselfMeadowes Mr Meadowes is a gentleman with arespectable past--all of which Ive learned byheartVery nice said Tuppence Are you marriedor singleIm a widower said Tommy with dignityMy wife died ten years ago at Singapore Heg-Why at Singapore fe^SWeve all got to die somewhere Whatswrongwilfc SingaporeOh nothing Its probably a most suitableplace to die Im a widow ^ Where did your husband die -- Does it matter Probably in a nursing home I therjancy he died of cirrhosis of the liver A Agatha Christie sect1deg11 |8 I see A painful subject And what about your I H son Douglas HIB I _ Douglas is in the Navy ireg So I heard last night ^ ^And Ive got two other sons Raymond is in ^- the Air Force and Cyril my baby is in the Ter- g| ritorialspj And suppose someone takes the trouble to -m |g| check up on these imaginary BlenkensopsTheyre not Blenkensops Blenkensop was mysecond husband My first husbands name was |Hill There are three pages of Hills in the ]I telephone book You couVntcheckupon^l the IT Vlt f A -t 99 ^^^B^6-^^ ^^ ^Vl^- yvStsiw^G ^ i iHills if you tried - ^B^wi^^ fiiffi^y ^1 i laquo^raquog ^g ^ trouble with you Tuppence You s | will overdo things Two husbands and three sons Ill K Its too much Youll contradict yourself over the mNo I shant And I rather fancy the sons mays^s^awSataes^ - - ^KaS1||| come in useful Im not under orders remember |gg|1 Im a free-lance Im in this to enjoy myself and secti| vsamp Im going to enjoy myself ^B IBI So it seems said Tommy He added gloom-B ^_J ny if you ask me the whole things a farce | Why do you say that ifeiR a Well youve been at Sans Souci longer than I ^ have Can you honestly say you think any one ofthose people who were there last night could be a r1| dangerous enemy agent H ^ Tuppence said thoughtfully ^tiff^^^S^^It does seem a little incredible Theres the ^|young man of course N1 ^S Carl von Deinim The police check up on m refugees dont theyii| I suppose so Still it might be managed Hes N OR M 23an attractive young man you knowMeaning the girls will tell him things Butwhat girls No Generals or Admirals daughtersfloating around here Perhaps he walks out with aCompany Commander in the ATS ^MBe quiet Tommy We ought to be taking thisseriously ^I am taking it seriously Its just that I feelwere on a wild goose chase ^^ ^Tuppence said seriously ^ aIts too early to say that After all nothingsgoing to be obvious about this business Whatabout Mrs Perenna ^-v |Yes said Tommy thoughtfuUy theres Mrs Perenna I admit--she does want explain-

Page 13

N Or M^^w--^ 3^7 ^---r - ^^^^p-^1 - ^--Aysing ATuppence said in a business-like tone^ Whatabout us I mean how are we going tocooperateTommy said thoughtfully ^siamp y ^^i- 5We mustnt be seen about too much to^gether g g| ||^^No it would Se fatal to suggest we know-eachother better than we appear to do What we want jto decide is the attitude I think--yes I think--18pursuit is the best angle ^^58 --^-iifc^ Pursuit ^-sareg Exactly I pursue you You do your best toescape but being a mere chivalrous mate doesntalways succeed Ive had two husbands and Im onthe look-out for a third You act the part of the Tiunted widower Every now and then I pin youdown somewhere pen you in a cafe catch youwalking on the front Everyone sniggers andthinks it very funny| Sounds feasible agreed Tommy 4 T Agatha ChristieTuppence said Theres a kind of age-long ^ humour about the chased male That oughtcg|stand us in good stead If we are seen together all^anyone will do is to snigger and say Look at poor oldMeadowes lH gjTommy gripped her arm suddenly ill Vk amplLook he said Look ahead of you ysraquoBy the corner of one of the shelters a young man ai stood talking to a girl They were both very earn-^p ^est very wrapped up in what they were saying |p^ amp ^glljTuppence said softlyJ^Carl von Deinim Whos the girl I wonder ^ - ----h^Shes remarkably good looking whoever sheTuppence nodded Her eyes dwelt thoughtfully |on the dark passionate face and on the tight- 8Hgglfc ^-raquo ~^^^fitting pullover that revealed the lines of the girls ^^figure She was talking earnestly with emphasis^reg^Carl von Deinim was listening to her R^i^a^w^wreg^^SV^^^fflS^^^reg^gggTuppence murmuredI think this is where you leave me f^ _ Right agreed Tommy ^He turned and strolled in the opposite directionSAt the end of the promenade he encountered 8IHMajor Bletchley The latter peered at him suspi- 8ciously and then grunted^out Good morning _Jamp | Good morning iamp IfffSi ILp See youre like me an early riser remarked SBletchley nm f - Tommy said m I waa^ ^One gets in the habit of it out East Of coursethats many years ago now but I still wake early I gt_^Quite right too said Major Bletchley withapproval God these young fellows nowadays_ make me sick Hot baths--coming down to breakerlater Noynder the Ger^ NORM ^ 25-S-rf- manshave been putting it over on us No staminaSoft lot of young pups Armys not what it wasanyway Coddle em thats what they do nowadaysTuck em up at night with hot water bottlesFaugh Makes me sick a KTommy shook his head in a melancholy fashionand Major Bletchley thus encouraged went on

Page 14

N Or MDiscipline thats what we need DisciplineHow are we going to win the War without disciplineDo you know sir some of these fellowscome on parade in slacks--so Ive been toldCant expect to win a War that way Slacks MyGod a |i-^ |g| -| MBsect1 Mr Meadowes hazarded the opinion that thingswere very different from what they had beenlt^aaIts all this democracy said Major Bletchleygloomily You can overdo anything In my opiniontheyre overdoing the democracy businessMixing up the officers and the men feeding N8S together in restaurants--Paugh--the men dont |like it Meadowes The troops know The troopsalways know laquog ggOf course said Mr Meadowes I have noreal knowledge of Army matters myself-- ^ ^4The Major interrupted him shooting a quicksideways glanceIn the show in the last War^^^1^^-^^ifc-fABi^ftA^^- ^sfe^^^ampOh yesThought so Saw youd been drilled Shoul- mgders What regiment ^ ^pf^Fifth Corfeshires Tommy remembered toproduce Meadowesmilitary record ^Ah yes Salonica^ Yes -^ fc-a^iji ^Ill I was in Mespot - ^Bletchley plunged into reminiscences Tommy i6 m sAgatha Christie ^ 1^aw y^ rtfflistened politely Bletchley ended up wrathfully^ And will they make use of me now No theywill not Too old Too old be damned I couldteach one or two of these young cubs something m| about war gt 1sect SlEven if its only what not to do suggested_ ^^r i^---^ ^yja^ ^Tf^ Tommy with a smile A-x^^^^ dl ^_^ Eh whats that HA sense of humour was clearly not Major |Ig Bletchley s strong suit He peered suspiciously I3 at his companion Tommy hastened to change the lconversation ^ Know anything about that MrsBlenkensop^yg I think her nameUS Thats right Blenkensop Not a bad looking iS womanbit long in the toothtalks too much^ Nice woman but foolish No I dont know her || Shes only been at Sans Souci a couple of daysJ|| He added Whydoyouask^p^^^^yy^9 -i Tommy explained -aaSampampg Happened to meet her just now Wondered ifj she was always out as early as this m Dont know Im sure Women arent usuallygiven to walking before breakfastthank God gB Amen said Tommy He went on Im notI much good at making polite conversation before ^H breakfast Hope I wasnt rude to the woman but I

Page 15

N Or M1 wanted my exercise ^Major Bletchley displayed instant sympathy rj Im with you Meadowes Im with you| Women are all very well in their place but not fssamp^ before breakfast He chuckled a little Better becareful old man Shes a widow you knowIs she ^|3fe SK^SlThe Major dug him cheerfully in the ribs ial m ^NbRM 27 M^e know what widows are Shes buried twohusbands and if you ask me shes on the lookoutfor number three Keep a very wary eye openMeadowes A wary eye Thats my advice ^And in high good humour Major Bletchley i wheeled about at the end of the parade and set thepace for a smart walk back to breakfast at SansSouci regIn the meantime Tuppence had gently con- -tinued her walk along the esplanade passing quite ^-^y^close to the shelter and the young couple talking there As she passed she caught a few words It ^ was the girl speaking ||j|8 t| ^ ^But you must be careful Carl The very least 1||suspicion--reg- iPH^- L Tuppence was out of earshot Suggestivewords Yes but capable of any number of harmlessinterpretations Unobtrusively she turned andagain passed the two Again words floated to herSmug detestable EnglishThe eyebrows of Mrs Blenkensop rose ever soslightly ^ ^^fi^lHardly she thought a very wise conversation___ t^^3Carl von Deinim was a refugee from Nazi persecutiongiven asylum and shelter by EnglandNeither wise nor grateful to listen assentingly tosuch words rsi ^ ^ raquofeAgain Tuppence turned But this time beforeshe reached the shelter the couple had partedabruptly the girl to cross the road leaving the seafront Carl von Deinim to come along in Tuppencesdirection ^ HgHe would not perhaps have recognized ner but ^ for her own pause and hesitation Then quicklyhe brought his heels together and bowed tTuppence twittered at him ^ sy ^ __ Agatha Christie ^lt lt ^ ilS^b^ood morning Mr von Deinim isnt it Such^^^ely morning B tW Ah yes The weather is fine ^ J ^PPence ran on ftl 1 i (ltIt quite tempted me I dont often come out -- ^ before breakfast But this morning what with notsleeping very well--one often doesnt sleep well in a ^ange place I find It takes a day or two to ac- ^ custom oneself I always say ^1 ^degh yes no doubt that is soAnd really this little walk has quite given me86 an appetite for breakfast^ou go back to Sans Souci now If you permitI will walk with you He walked gravely by herside _____- ^PPence said sa M sJ ^u also are out to get an appetite ^ Gravely he shook his head m fo

Page 16

N Or M(t ^raquo -- ^^ _| ^h no My breakfast I have already had it I f~~H am on myway^o work ----------------^raquo ^^aresearchchemistSo thats what you are thought Tuppence Ibaling a quick glance at him fetelaquo Carl von Deinim went on his voice stiff ^ ^ came to this country to escape Nazi persecu- m tion l ^^| ygry little money--no friends I do nowwhat useful work I can ^ ^-^g - He stared straight ahead of himGQnscious of some undercurrent of strong feeling y |--^^ng him powerfully i| 3S |^ She murmured vaguely ^ ^ ^ sil Oh yes I see I see Very creditable I am^lllKt^ure ^ ^^ ^ ^^B _ ^ carl yo Deinim said ^ ^K ^ | ^ly two brothers are in concentration camps Kr N OR M 29^-s^My father died in one My mother died of sorrow ^ and fear |p ^ ^ _ gf^^ Tuppence thought - i^The way he says that--as though he had Ilearned it by heart - ^Again she stole a quick glance at him He wasstill staring ahead of him his face impassiveThey walked in silence for some moments Twomen passed them One of them shot a quick glanceat Carl She heard him mutter to his companion nBet you that fellow is a German y^Tuppence saw the colour rise in Carl vonDeinims cheeks B| g|li Suddenly he lost command of himself That tideof hidden emotion came to the surface He stammered

You heard--you heard--that is what they say_I_My dear boy Tuppence reverted suddenly to Illher real self Her voice was crisp and compellingDont be an idiot You cant have it both waysll He turned his head and stared at herHi What dn vnn mpfln SS8raquo M ^gl w iidi uu yuu iiicdii ^fc-- ^^ ^^^^^^w^mYoure a refugee You have to take the roughwith the smooth Youre alive thats the mainthing Alive and free For the other--realize thatits inevitable This countrys at War Youre aGerman She smiled suddenly You cant expectthe mere man in the street--literally the manin the street--to distinguish between bad Germansand good Germans if I may put it so crudelyHe still stared at her His eyes so very bluewere poignant with suppressed feeling Then suddenlyhe too smiled He said Ill IsThey said of Red Indians did they not that agood Indian was a dead Indian He laughed a1 ifSWiZ- flSW t8 Agatha ChristieGood morning Mr von Deinim isnt it Sucha lovely morning ^lt gt ^ Ah yes The weather is fine ||a Tuppence ran on stIt quite tempted me I dont often come outbefore breakfast But this morning what with not

Page 17

N Or Msleeping very well--one often doesnt sleep well ina strange place I find It takes a day or two to accustomoneself I always say a0h yes no doubt that is so iB5sAnd really this little walk has quite given mean appetite for breakfastYou go back to Sans Souci now If you permitI will walk with you He walked gravely by herii side ^i^ ^^ yTuppence said A-1 i^---H^You also are out to get an appet^ - SiyIII Gravely he shook his head |^|1111 Oh no My breakfast I have already had it Iam on my way to work IpWork -Bs ^ireg ^sa I am a research chemist ^So thats what you are thought Tuppencestealing a quick glance at him |K|Carl von Deinim went on his voice stiffI came to this country to escape Nazi persecutionI had very little money--no friends I do nowwhat useful work I canHe stared straight ahead of him Tuppence wasconscious of some undercurrent of strong feelingmoving him powerfully ^8 laquo | She murmured vaguelyOh yes I see I see Very creditable I am sure ^w g^I Carl von Deinim said ^fisect^^ My two brothers are in concentration camps v father died in one My mother died of sorrowand fear g|g| Tuppence thought ^ |||The way he says that--as though he hadfiSlearned it by heartAgain she stole a quick glance at him He wasstill staring ahead of him his face impassive |They walked in silence for some moments Two | men passed them One of them shot a quick glance iat Carl She heard him mutter to his companionBet you that fellow is a German ^ |$IS|NTuppence saw the colour rise in Carl von llH^tDeinims cheeks ^^Suddenly he lost command of himself That tide 51 of hidden emotion came to the surface He stam^^^ ^JmeredYou heard--you heard--that is what they say |My dear boy Tuppence reverted suddenly toher real self Her voice was crisp and compellingDont be an idiot You cant have it both waysHe turned his head and stared at herWhat do you mean ^^^ ^-^ - -Youre a refugee You have to take the roughwith the smooth Youre alive thats the mainthing Alive and free For the other--realize thatits inevitable This countrys at War Youre aGerman She smiled suddenly You cant expectthe mere man in the street--literally the manin the street--to distinguish between bad Germansand good Germans if I may put it so crudelyHe still stared at her His eyes so very bluewere poignant with suppressed feeling Then suddenlyhe too smiled He said^|| ^y-AThey said of Red Indians did they not that a

Page 18

N Or Mgood Indian was a dead Indian He laughed 10 Agatha Christie - Tobe a good German I must be on time at mywork Please Good morningAgain that stiff bow Tuppence stared after hisretreating figure She said to herselfMrs Blenkensop you had a lapse then Strictattention to business in future Now for breakfastatSansSouciThe hall door of Sans Souci was open InsideMrs Perenna was conducting a vigorous conversationwith someoneAnd youll tell him what I think of that last lotof margarine Get the cooked ham at Quillers--itwas twopence cheaper last time there and becareful about the cabbages-- She broke off as Tuppence entered iOh good morning Mrs Blenkensop you arean early bird You havent had breakfast yet Itsall ready in the dining room She added indicatingher companion My daughter Sheila Youhavent met her Shes been away and only camehome last nightTuppence looked with interest at the vividhandsome face No longer full of tragic energybored now and resentful My daughter SheilaSheila PerennaTuppence murmured a few pleasant words andwent into the dining room There were threepeople breakfasting--Mrs Sprot and her babygirl and big Mrs ORourke Tuppence saidGood morning and Mrs ORourke repliedwith a hearty The top of the morning to youthat quite drowned Mrs Sprots more anaemicsalutationThe old woman stared at Tuppence with a kindof devouring interest ^ NOftM 31 Tis a fine thing to be out walking beforebreakfast she observed A grand appetite itgives you ^ wgt^Mrs Sprot said to her offspring ^- feSIttNice bread and milk darling and endeavouredto insinuate a spoonful into Miss BettySprots mouthThe latter cleverly circumvented this endeavour by an adroit movement of her head and con- raquotinued to stare at Tuppence with large round eyesShe pointed a milky finger at the newcomergave her a dazzling smile and observed in gurgling |tones Ga--GaBouch aShe likes you cried Mrs Sprot beamingon Tuppence as on one marked out for favourSometimes shes so shy with strangers ltBouch said Betty Sprot Ah poothbag she added with emphasisAnd what would she be meaning by thatdemanded Mrs ORourke with interestShe doesnt speak awfully clearly yet confessedMrs Sprot Shes only just over two youknow Im afraid most of what she says is justBosh She can say Mama though cant you darling

Page 19

N Or MBetty looked thoughtfully at hermotherland remarked with an air ofGuggle bick^| ^ T^ Tis a languagebf their own they have theHide angels boomed out Mrs ORourke Bettydading say Mama nowBetty looked hard at Mrs ORourke frownedand observed with terrific emphasis Nazer-- ^There now if she isnt doing her best And alovely sweet girl she is ^ 32 Agatha ChristieMrs ORourke rose beamed in a ferociousmanner at Betty and waddled heavily out of the roomGa ga ga said Betty with enormous satisfactionand beat with a spoon on the tableTuppence said with a twinkle 5What does Na-zer really meanMrs Sprot said with a flush Im afraid yoi know its what Betty says when she doesnt like anyone or anythingI rather thought so said TuppenceBoth women laughedAfter all said Mrs Sprot Mrs 0Rourkltmeans to be kind but she is rather alarming--witt that deep voice and the beard and--and everything ff^ |g sectg|With her head on one side Betty made a cooinjnoise at TuppenceShe has taken to you Mrs Blenkensop sakMrs SprotThere was a slight jealous chill Tuppence fancied in her voice Tuppence hastened to adjusmattersThey always like a new face dont they shisaid easilyThe door opened and Major Bletchley anlt Tommy appeared Tuppence became archAh Mr Meadowes she called out Ivbeaten you you see First past the post But Ivleft you just a little breakfastShe indicated with the faintest of gestures thseat beside herTommy muttering vaguely Oh er--ratherthanksand hurriedly sat down at the other eniof the tableBetty Sprot said Putch with a fine splutte NORM

of milk at Major Bletchley whose face instantlyassumed a sheepish but delighted expressionAnd hows little Miss Go Peep this morninghe asked fatuously Go Peep He enacted theplay with a newspaper j|^ ^H$5| aBetty crowed with delight f-1 samp ^Serious misgivings shook Tuppence ShethoughtThere must be some mistake There cant be| anything going on here There simply cantTo believe in Sans Souci as a headquarters ofthe Fifth Column needed the mental equipment ofthe White Queen in Alice On the sheltered terrace outside Miss Minton wasknittingMiss Minton was thin and angular her neck wasstringy She wore pale sky-blue jumpers andchains or bead necklaces Her skirts were tweedy

Page 20

N Or Mand had a depressed droop at the back Shegreeted Tuppence with alacrityGood morning Mrs BIenkensop I do hopeyou slept well Mrs BIenkensop confessed that she never slept very well the first night or two in a strange bed MissMinton said Now wasnt that curious It was exactly the same with meMrs BIenkensop said What a coincidenceand what a very pretty stitch that was Miss Min- iton flushing with pleasure displayed it Yes it was rather uncommon and really quite simpleShe could easily show it to Mrs BIenkensop if ] Mrs BIenkensop liked Oh that was very kindof Miss Minton but Mrs BIenkensop was sostupid she wasnt really very good at knitting notat following patterns that was to say She couldonly do simple things like Balaclava helmets andeven now she was afraid she had gone wrong somewhereIt didnt look right somehow did itMiss Minton cast an expert eye over the khakimass Gently she pointed out just what had gonewrong Thankfully Tuppence handed the faulty f^ N OR M ^j 35helmet over Miss Minton exuded kindness andIpatronage Oh no it wasnt a trouble at all She|had knitted for so many yearsIm afraid Ive never done any before thisdreadful War confessed Tuppence But onefeels so terribly doesnt one that one must do^something Npi ^aAOh yes indeed And you actually have a boyin the Navy I think I heard you say last nightYes my eldest boy Such a splendid boy heisthough I suppose a mother shouldnt say soThen I have a boy in the Air Force and Cyril mybaby is out in FranceOh dear dear how terribly anxious youTmiistTuppence thought sampltOh Derek my darling Derek Out in thehell and messand here I am playing the foolacting the thing Im really feeling She said in her most righteous voice We must all be brave mustnt we Lets hopeit will all be over soon I was told the other day onvery high authority indeed that the Germans cantpossibly last out more than another two monthsMiss Minton nodded with so much vigour thatall her bead chains rattled and shookYes indeed and I believeher voice low- ered mysteriouslythat Hitler is suffering from ta (fiscalabsolutely fatalhell be raving madbyAugust g^Tuppence replied briskly All this Blitzkrieg is just the Germans lasteffort I believe the shortage is something frightfuli Germany The men in the factories are verydissatisfied The whole thing will crack upWhats this Whats all thisSifi H and Mrs Cayley caCayley putting his que

Page 21

N Or MMr himself in a chair andtiec^taees He repeated fretfhis Whats that you are say iVere saying said Mi c over by the Autumnall l^onsense said Mr g to last at least six yeaigof^Dh Mr Cayley prot t really think sodoa^^r Cayley was peering a^Wow I wonder he n ght Perhaps it woulddrraquoji back into the cornerch^tie resettlement of Mr^1 an anxious-faced wwif^ no other aim in life thaV^jeys wants manipulatCa^^g from time to timeasle^td Do you think thatAlC^ perhaps to have youyol-^r a glare this morningratlHr Cayley said irritablyf^fo no Dont fuss Elc tuffler No no my simy it matter I daresay )do^l dont want to get myBut111in this sunlightwwo^^ fetch the other Hbettt1 to matters of public inbac^e it six yearsI M listened with pleasunIcementwc^jOu dear ladies are jus wishful thinking N01cal-Hll N OR M 37may say I know Germany extremely well In thecourse of my business before I retired I used to beconstantly to and fro Berlin Hamburg MunichI know them all I can assure you that Germanycan hold out practically indefinitely With Russiabehind her--Mr Cayley plunged triumphantly on his voicerising and falling in pleasurably melancholy cadencesonly interrupted when he paused to receivethe silk muffler his wife brought him and wind itround his throat |g| laquo^Mrs Sprot brought out Betty and plumped herdown with a small woolen dog that lacked an earand a woolly dolls jacketThere Betty she said You dress up Bonzoready for his walk while Mummy gets ready to gooutMr Cayleys voice droned on reciting statisticsand figures all of a depressing character The monologue was punctuated by a cheerful twitter1ing from Betty talking busily to Bonzo in her ownlanguage Truckle-- truckly-- pah bat said BettyThen as a bird alighted near her she stretched outloving hands to it and gurgled The bird flew awayand Betty glanced round the assembled companyand remarked clearly

Page 22

N Or M Dicky and nodded her head with great satisJactfonyHH tfw ^^ E lhat child is learning to talk in the most wonderfulway said Miss Minton Say Ta ta BettyTataBetty looked at her coldly and remarkedGluck ^Then she forced Bonzos one arm into his_oolly coat and toddling over to a chair picked 38 HH Agatha Christieup the cushion and pushed Bonzo behind itChuckling gleefully she said with terrific pains g|Hide Bow wow Hide Miss Minton acting as a kind of interpretersaid with vicarious prideShe loves hide and seek Shes always hidingthings She cried out with exaggerated surpriseWhere is Bonzo Where is Bonzo Where can Bonzo have gone ^Betty flung herself down and went into ecstasiesof mirthMr Cayley finding attention diverted from hisexplanation of Germanys methods of substitution |of raw materials looked put out and coughed aggressivelyreg8^^

Mrs Sprot came out with her hat on and pickedup Betty ^ ^ ^ ggi Attention returned to Mr Cayley SHSa You were saying Mr Cayley said TuppencerBut Mr Cayley was affronted He said coldly ^ That woman is always plumping that childdown and expecting people to look after it I thinkIll have the woollen muffler after all dear Thegt MMsun is going inOh but Mr Cayley do go on with what youwere telling us It was so interesting Miss MintonbeggedMollified Mr Cayley weightily resumed his discoursedrawing the folds of the woolly mufflercloser round his stringy neckAs I was saying Germany has so perfected hersystem of--j|| Tuppence turned to Mrs Cayley and askedWhat do you think about the^war MrsCayley N OR M 39Mrs Cayley jumpedOh what do I think What--what do youmean ^ ^Do you think it will last as long as six yearsMrs Cayley said doubtfullyOh I hope not Its a very long time isnt itYes a long time What do you really thinkMrs Cayley seemed quite alarmed by the questionShe said ^jiss^ Ap |Oh I--I dont know I dont know at allAlfred says it will ^ j^But you dont think so SS raquoOh I dont know It^s ^difficult to say isntI19 teampSi^^-^-^^Tuppence felt a wave of exasperation The chirrupingMiss Minton the dictatorial Mr Cayley

Page 23

N Or Mthe nitwitted Mrs Cayley--were these peoplereally typical of her fellow countrymen Was MrsSprot any better with her slightly vacant face andboiled gooseberry eyes What could she Tuppenceever find out here Not one of thesepeople surely--Her thought was checked She was aware of ashadow Someone behind her who stood betweenher and the sun She turned her head ^aMrs Perenna standing on the terrace her eyeson the group And something in those eyes--scorn was it A kind of withering contempt TuppencethoughtI must find out more about Mrs Perenna 40 III Agatha Christie ifcBrought down some golf clubs with you didnt you Meadowes ^ H| Tommy pleaded guilty - B^Ha I can tell you my eyes dont miss muchSplendid We must have a game together Everplayed on the links hereTommy replied in the negativeTheyre not bad--not bad at all Bit on theshort side perhaps but lovely view over the seaand all that And never very crowded Look herewhat about coming along with me this morningWe might have a game ^Thanks very much Id like it Must say Im glad youve arrived remarked Bletchley as they were trudging up the hill Too I many women in that place Getson ones nervesGlad Ive got another fellow to keep me in countenanceYou cant count Cayley--the mans akind of walking chemists shop Talks of nothingbut his health and the treatments hes tried and thedrugs hes taking If he threw away all his little pillboxes and went out for a good ten mile walk every I day hed be a different man Theonly other maleI in the place is von Deinim and to tell you the truth Meadowes Im not too easy in my mind s about him I No said TommyNo You take my word for it this refugeebusiness is dangerous If I had my way Id internthe lot of them Safety first ^IJB HA bit drastic perhaps M ----Not at all Wars War And Ive got my suspicionsof Master Carl For one thing hes clearlynot a Jew Then he came over here just a month--only a month mind you--before War brokei out Thats a bit suspicious | g ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Tommy said invitinglyThen you think-- gt Spying-- thats his li^ie gameBut surely theres ncfraquono rgtf J ruling 01 amprpat inilitari ltgt^ naval importance hereabouts tary orAh old man tha^s where _thPortsmouthhed be und^r sunervi^ plymouth or ^place like this nobody boZTs FIn a sleepy coast isnt it The truth o^61 Irson the I S a great deal too easy Mth hes^ ernment is ^1 Anyone who cared could ^lCTe ^ ^s- a long face and talk abc^^ -d pull aA-centration camps Loo^^0^111^- 3fe arrogance in every line S ^ ^ 11^ 1--thats what he is--a Nazi e s a NazlWhat we really need fi SU -

Page 24

N Or MF doctor or two said Toff untry is a witch 1^ 1I1 ocior or iwo saia i onmy pleasantiu taM_|I Eh whats that mly- W^^ To smell out the sp|pc Tnrraquo x S gravely onlmy explained j^ |Ha very good that-_yerv eo^ o ^ iout-yes of course y g od- sme11 em ^ 1|1 Further conversation w hrrtiioti lt 1 they had arrived at the clu^8111 to an end ^Tommys name was pi^ (jq^ 3 ------------------------their round ---lor started onTommy was a mediocn pnlfcr^^ -- -niiu mai ilia BiailualU 01 pav walti inraquoraquo ^ o- - for his new friend The M-^onb gIJU1 WUIl dv two lin anyone to play a very happy Sate of eventsGood match Meadaes -- -you had bad luck wiLh^^Z0011 mtch 42 Agatha Christie ^B 3turned off at the last minute We must have agame fairly often Come along and Ill introduceyou to some of the fellows Nice lot on the wholesome of them inclined to be rather old women ifyou know what I mean Ah heres Haydock--youll like Haydock Retired naval wallah Hasthat house on the cliff next door to us Hes ourlocal ARP warden |||Commander Haydock was a big hearty manwith a weatherbeaten face intensely blue eyesand a habit of shouting most of his remarks ^ wraquo He greeted Tommy with friendliness ^aBB|So youre going to keep Bletchley countenanceat Sans Souci Hell be glad of another manRather swamped by female society eh Bletchieyis sb aIm not much of a ladies man said MajorBletchleyNonsense said Haydock Not your typeof lady my boy thats it Old boarding housepussies Nothing to do but gossip and knitYoure forgetting Miss Perenna said Bletch-1ley ^ IAh Sheila--shes an attractive girl all right SRegular beauty if you ask me y Im a bit worried about her said Bletchley | sWhat do you mean Have a drink MeadowesWhats yours Major nThe drinks ordered and the men settled on the8 jverandah of the clubhouse Haydock repeated hisquestion ( Major Bletchley said with some violence IThat German chap Shes seeing too much ofhim| Getting sweet on him you mean Hm thatsbad Of course hes a good looking young chap in ^ NORM 43his way But it wont do It wont do BletchleyWe cant have that sort of thing Trading with theenemy thats what it amounts to These girls--wheres their proper spirit Plenty of decentyoung English fellows about raquoBletchley said gt ltSheilas a queer girl--she gets odd sullen fitswhen she will hardly speak to anyoneSpanish blood said the Commander Herfather was half Spanish wasnt he

Page 25

N Or MDont know Its a Spanish name I shouldthink ^The Commander glanced at his watch About time for the news Wed better go inandlistentoit I ||gThe news was meagre that day little more in itthan had been already in the morning papersAfter commenting with approval on the latest exploitsof the Air Force--first-rate chaps brave aslions--the Commander went on to develop hisown pet theory--that sooner or later the Germanswould attempt a landing at Leahampton itself--his argument being that it was such an unimportantspotNot even an anti-aircraft gun in the place Disgraceful^ H allflThe argument was not developed for Tommyand the Major had to hurry back to lunch at SansSouci Haydock extended a cordial invitation toTommy to come and see his little place SmugglersRest Marvellous view--my own beach--every kind of handy gadget in the house Bringhim along BletchleyIt was settled that Tommy and Major Bletchleyshould come in for drinks on the evening of thefollowing day Aptha ChristieAfter lunch was i peaceful time at Sans SouciMr Cayley went traquo have his rest with the devotedMrs- Cayley in attendance Mrs Blenkensopwas conductedby Miss Minton to a depot topack and address pircels for the FrontMr Meadowes strolled gently out into LeacigarettesSlUppcv ai ^gtv latest number of Punch then after a few minutesof apparent irresolution he entered a bus bearingthe legend old pieh gg| g||The old pier was at the--^--^----^^-11^pi V11A^Xraquoraquoto house agents as the least desirable end It wasWest Leahampton and poorly thought of Tommy ^-L -- ^ raquo iiwasaH- ~i-flimsy and weather-worn affair with a few mon--- - l 1^----J ^tt^CnE die-UU11U p^nraquoraquo --tant intervals There was no one on it but somechildren running up and down and screaming invoices that matched quite accurately the screamingof the gulls and one solitary man sitting on theend fishing Il USi Mr Meadowes strolled upto the end and gazeddown into the watier Then he asked gentlyH Caught anythiing ^ |g The fisherman sshook his head ^Dont often g^et a bite Mr Grant reeled inhis line a bit He said without turning his headWhat about yrou Meadowesi Tommy saidNothing muchh to report as yet sir Im diggingmyself in |1| - _Good^Tellmae -^N OR M fSpj 45Tommy sat on an adjacent post so placed that yraquohe commanded the length of the pier^Then he S^l

Page 26

N Or MbeganIve gone down quite all right I think I gather |youve already got a list of the people there jg^ Grant nodded Theres nothing to report as yet SB Ive struck up a friendship with Major BletchleyWe played golf this morning He seems the ordinarytype of retired officer If anything a shadetoo typical Cay ley seems a genuine hypochondriacalinvalid That again would be an easy partto act He has by his own admission been a gooddeal in Germany during the last few yearsA point said Grant laconicallyThen theres von Deinim ||||Yes I dont need to tell you Meadowes that~von Deinims the one Im most interested inK You think hes N p^ ^ss arareg Grant shook his head 8amp1 sasfeNo I dont As I see it N couldnt afford tobe a German ||| ||sect i-I^B1^ Not a refugee from Nazi persecution eventNot even that We watch and they know wewatch all the enemy aliens in this country Moreover--thisis in confidence Beresford--very a shortly all enemy aliens between 16 and 60 will beinterned Whether our adversaries are aware ofthat fact or not they can at any rate anticipatethat such a thing might happen They would neverrisk the head of their organization being internedN therefore must be either a neutral--or else heis (apparently) an Englishman The same ofcourse applies to M No my meaning about vonDeinim is this He may be a link in the chain N or yM may not be at Sans Souci it may be Carl vonDeinim who is there and through him we may be 46 ^Agatha Christieled to our object^- That does seem to be highlypossible The mfi16 so as I cannot very well seethat any of the (Other inmates of Sans Souci arelikely to be the person we are seekingYouve had (them more or less investigated Isuppose sirGrant sighed--a sharp quick sigh of vexationNo thats jist wnat ltgts impossible for me todo I could havlte them looked up by the departmenteasily enough--but I cant risk it Beresford For you see th1reg rot is in the department itselfOne hint that 1^ go1 ^ ^ on sans souci fm any reason--an^ the organization may be put ^ wise Thats wr1reg Y011 come in the outsider |Thats why you^ got to work in the dark withouthelp from i1- Its our only chance-- and Idarent risk alar^them- Theres only one personIve been ablle to check up on ^ Whos that sirGrant smiled w Carl von De1111111 himself Thats easy enoughRoutine I can tfa^ him looked up--not from theSans Souci angic ^t from the enemy alien angle reg ^- ^^ Tommy askeci curiously ^ ^l ^^ Andtheres^t7A curious sm10 came over the others faceMaster Cartls exactly what he says he is Hisfather was indi^c1^) was arrested and died in aconcentration c^1- Carols elder brothers are incamps His mother died in great distress of mind ayear ago He epcaped to England a month beforewar broke out von Deinim has professed himself^ anxious to hel^P this country His work in a^

Page 27

N Or Mchemical research laboratory has been excellentand most helpN on the problem of immunizing ^^Ip ^- vnorm ^ 47certain gases and in general decontamination experiments^HlTommy said S^agg Then hes all right Breg Not necessarily Our German friends are notoriousfor their thoroughness If von Deinim wassent as an agent to England special care would betaken that his record should be consistent with hisown account of himself There are two possibilitiesThe whole von Deinim family may be partiesto the arrangement--not improbable underthe painstaking Nazi regime Or else this is notreally Carl von Deinim but a man playing the partof Carl von Deinim S |Tommy said slowly Isee He added inconsequently ^ He seems an awfully nice young fellow SighingGrant said They are--they nearlyalways are Its an odd life this service of ours We |respect our adversaries and they respect us Youusually like your opposite number you know- even when youre doing your best to down himThere was a silence as Tommy thought over thestrange anomaly of war Grants voice Jbroke intohis musings ||p K But there are those for whom weve neitherrespect nor liking--and those are the traitors withinour own ranks--the men who are willing to betraytheir country and accept office and promotionfrom the foreigner who has conquered itTommy said with feeling ^illreg My God Im with you sir Thats a skunkstrick gpAnd deserves a skunks end regs^jtKsTommy said incredulously Siss-- ^aampiSiAnd there really are these--these swine 48 Agatha ChristieEverywhere As I told you In our service Inthe fighting forces On Parliamentary benchesHigh up in the Ministries Weve got to combthem out--weve got to And we must do itquickly It cant be done from the bottom--thesmall fry the people who speak in the Parks whosell their wretched little news-sheets they dontknow who the big bugs are Its the big bugs wewant theyre the people who can do untold damage--andwill do it unless were in time Tommy said confidently ^p ^fWe shall be in time sir ^- y^a - |S Grant asked ^at What makes you say that 8 l|^ ^1Tommy said 11Youve just said it--weve got to beThe man with the fishing line turned and lookedfull at his subordinate for a minute or two takingin anew the quiet resolute line of the jaw He had anew liking and appreciation of what he saw Hesaid quietly -^y^1 teampa^Good man araquo I Hewent onWhat about the women in this place Anythingstrike you as suspicious thereI think theres something odd about the

Page 28

N Or Mwoman who runs itMrs Perenna VSSYes You dont--know anything about herGrant said slowlyI might see what I could do about checking herantecedents but as I told you its riskyYes better not take any chances Shes theonly one who strikes me as suspicious in any wayTheres a young mother a fussy spinster thehypochondriacs brainless wife and a rather fear I N OR M 49^ni looking old Irish-woman All seem harmless ^owh on the face of it y ^S Ithats the lot is it ||t(o Theres a Mrs Blenkensop-- arrived three^ago -m Veil - ^lt-^W ^ raquo ya ^nuny said 8^^NIamp_ |g|1| 4rs Blenkensop is my wife ^ |gg^ the surprise of the anntmncenient Grant vok( was raised He spun around sharp anger in his hze I thought I told you Beresford not to ^the a word to your wifelt)uite right sir and I didnt If youll justlister i^ISiSliccinctiy Tommy narrated what had oc- i^ cu6d He did not dare look at the other He ampSS ^^fully kept out of his voice the pridejhathesecr^iy felt -fe^-^^iJ IIH ^here was a silence when he brought the story to an end Then a queer noise escaped from the 8oth^r Grant was laughing He laughed for somemin(ites(take my hat off to the woman Shes one in athousand ^1(agree said Tommy - w^^ gasthampton will laugh when I tell him this 1TS s He earned me not to leave her out Said shed getthe getter of me if I did I wouldnt listen to him ^i^P^ you though how damned careful youve8^j lto be I thought Id taken every precautiona|raquoliraquost being overheard Id satisfied myself ^ b^Qfehand that you and your wife were alone in the f|at I actually heard the voice in the telephoneai|irf8 Your wife to come round at once and ^---- RAj--_raquo 52 Agatha ChristieTuppence replied that she thought she wasgoing to like Leahampton very much and behappy thereThat is she added in a melancholy voice ashappy as I can be anywhere with this terrible anxietyweighing on me all the timeAh now dont you be worrying yourselfMrs ORourke advised comfortably Those fineboys of yours will come back to you safe andsound Not a doubt of it One of thems in the AirForce so I think you said ^Yes Raymond a^ And is he in France now or in England Hes in Egypt at the moment but from whatjhe said in his last letter--not exactly said--but wehave a little private code if you know what Imean--certain sentences mean certain things Ithink thats quite justified dont you ^ Mrs ORourke replied promptlyIndeed and I do Tis a mothers privilegeYes you see I feel I must know just where hesectJis IP KBMrs ORourke nodded the Buddha-like headI feel for you entirely so I do If I had a boy

Page 29

N Or Mout there Id be deceiving the censor the very sameway so I would And your other boy the one inthe NavyTuppence entered obligingly upon a saga ofDouglasYou see she ended I feel so lost withoutmy three boys Theyve never been all away togetherfrom me before Theyre all so sweet to meI really do think they treat me more as a friend than a mother She laughed self-consciously Ihave to scold them sometimes and make them g(out without me N OR M 53(What a pestilential woman I sound thoughtTuppence to herself)She went on aloudAnd really I didnt know quite what to do orwhere to go The lease of my house in London wasup and it seemed so foolish to renew it and Ithought if I came somewhere quiet and yet with agood train service She broke off -yAgain the Buddha nodded SBlI agree with you entirely London is no placeat the present Ah the gloom of it Ive lived theremyself for many a year now Im by way of beingan antique dealer you know You may know myshop in Cornaby Street Chelsea Kate Kellys thename over the door Lovely stuff I had theretoooh lovely stuffmostly glassWaterfordCorkbeautiful Chandeliers and lustres andpunchbowls and all the rest of it Foreign glasstoo And small furniturenothing largejustsmall period piecesmostly walnut and oak Ohlovely stuffand I had some good customers Butthere when theres a War on all that goes westIm lucky to be out of it with as little loss as IvehadA faint memory flickered through Tuppencesmind A shop filled with glass through which itwas difficult to move a rich persuasive voice acompelling massive woman Yes surely she hadbeen into that shop aHMrs ORourke went on Im not one of those that like to be alwayscomplainingnot like some thats in this houseMr Cayley for one with his muffler and hisshawls and his moans about his business going topieces Of course its to pieces theres a Waronand his wife with never Boo to say to a goose 54 ^1 Agatha Christie -^^y ^Then theres that little Mrs Sprot always fussingabout her husbandIs he out at the front J^s^^ Tf---(^Not he Hes a tuppenny-halfpenny clerk in aninsurance office thats all and so terrified of airraids hes had his wife down here since the beginningof the War Mind you I think thats rightwhere the childs concerned--and a nice wee miteshe is--but Mrs Sprot she frets for all that herhusband conies down when he can Keeps say- gting Arthur must miss her so But if you ask me | Arthurs not missing her over-much--maybe hes got other fish to fry ^ ^

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N Or MTuppence murmured ||| --Im terribly sorry for all these mothers If you g let your children go away without you you never M stop worrying And if you go with them its hardon the husbands being leftAh yes and it comes expensive running twoestablishments iSll-^^ fSS-This place seems quite reasonable said TuppenceYes Id say you get your moneys worth88Mrs Perennas a good manager Theres a queerwoman for you now Samp^ In what way asked Tuppence |H gsectMrs ORourke said with a twinkle j| Youll be thinking Im a terrible talker Its|||true Im interested in all my fellow creaturesthats why I sit in this chair as often as I can Yousee who goes in and who goes out and whos onthe verandah and what goes on in the gardenWhat were we talking of now--ah yes MrsIH Perenna and the queerness of her Theres been agrand drama in that womans life or Im muchmistaken ^ ^ NORM 55Do you really think soI do now And the mystery she makes of herself And where might you come from in Ki Ireland I asked her And would youbelieve itshe held out on me declaring she was not fromIreland at all ^R^ -- You think she is Irish -~ Ofcourse shes Irish I know my own countrywomen I could name you the county she comesfrom But there Im English she says and myhusband was a Spaniard--Mrs ORourke broke off abruptly as MrsSprot came in closely followed by TommyTuppence immediately assumed a sprightlymanner a^Good evening Mr Meadowes You look verybrisk this evening ^s^ ^Illr^ -- ^Tommy said itoa Plenty of exercise thats the secret A roundof golf this morning and a walk along the frontthis afternoon ^ -^Millicent Sprot saidI took Baby down to the beach this afternoonShe wanted to paddle but I really thought it wasrather cold I was helping her build a castle and adog ran off with my knitting and pulled out yardsof it So annoying and so difficult picking up allthe stitches again Im such a bad knitterH Youre getting along fine with that helmetMrs Blenkensop said Mrs ORourke suddenlyturning her attention to Tuppence Youve beenjust racing along I thought Miss Minton said thatyou were an inexperienced knitterTuppence flushed faintly Mrs ORourkes eyeswere sharp With a slightly vexed air Tuppence 56 Ill Agatha Christie ^s^I have really done quite a lot of knitting I toldMiss Minton so But I think she likes teaching people

Everybody laughed in agreement and a fewPage 31

N Or Mminutes later the rest of the party came in and^hegong was sounded The conversation during the meal turned on theabsorbing subject of spies Well-known hoarychestnuts were retold The nun with the musculararm the clergyman descending from his parachuteand using unclergymanlike language as he landedwith a bump the Austrian cook who secreted awireless in her bedroom chimney and all thethings that had happened or nearly happened toaunts and second cousins of those present Thatled easily to Fifth Column activities To denunciationsof the British Fascists of the Communistsof the Peace Party of conscientious objectors Itwas a very normal conversation of the kind thatmay be heard almost every day nevertheless Tuppencewatched keenly the faces and demeanour ofthe people as they talked striving to catch sometell-tale expression or word But there was nothingSheila Perenna alone took no part in the conversationbut that might be put down to herhabitual taciturnity She sat there her dark rebelliousface sullen and broodingCarl von Deinim was out tonight^so tonguescould be quite unrestrained ill ^ ||V I Sheila only spoke once towards the end of diner

Mrs Sprot had just said in her thin flutingvoiceWhere I do think the Germans made such amistake in the last war was to shoot Nurse CavellIt turned everybody against them N OR M 57It was then that Sheila flinging back her he^demanded in her fierce young voice ^lv shouldnt they shoot her She was a spy wa^11 sheOh no not a spyShe helped English people to escape--in ^nenemy country Thats the same thing W^Y shouldnt she be shotI Oh but shooting a woman--and a nurse ||^ Sheila got upfefr laquoj think the Germans were quite right she saidShe went out of the window into the garden Dessert consisting of some under-ripe bananasand some tired oranges had been on the tal^c some time Everyone rose and adjournedto the lounge for coffeeOnly Tommy unobtrusively betook himself to the garden He found Sheila Perenna leaning over ft the terrace wall staring out at the sea He caH^ and stood beside her WBy her hurried quick breathing he knew that ( something had upset her badly He offered her a|fc cigarette which she acceptedHe said ^ ^ Lovelynight 35| ^ S|In a low intense voice the girl answeredIt could beTommy looked at her doubtfully He felt suddenlythe attraction and the vitality of this girl- There was a tumultuous life in her a kind of compellingpower She was the kind of girl he thought that a man might easily lose his headover If it werent for the War you mean he said- gampI dont mean that at all I hate the War

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N Or M 8 w^ gt Agatha Christie Hi- |p-- ^^^saC - ^y^ ^ So do we alll^ftJS Not in the way I mean I hate the cant about it|jpoundpound the smugness--the horrible horrible patriotismPatriotism Tommy was startled Yes I hate patriotism do you understand Allthis country country country Betraying yourcountry--dying for your country--serving yourcountry Why should ones country mean anyamp thing at allaaJg Tommy said simply I dont know It just 1as does ampNot to me Oh it would to you--you goabroad and buy and sell in the British Empire and J come back bronzed and full of cliches talking [_about the natives and calling for Chota Pegs and yS all that sort of thing ^ -BK Tommy said gently -^ s-i^QIm not quite as bad as that I hope my dear filf Im exaggerating a little--but you know what __ s I mean You believe in the British Empire--and--and--the stupidity of dying for ones countryt ^ My country said Tommy drily doesnt |g^^ys seem particularly anxious to allow me to die for |||SSff t raquol^r ll ilp^-Yes but you want to And its so stupid ik Nothings worth dying for Its all an(ctea--talk--| froth--high-flown idiocy My country doesnt g| mean anything to me at all poundsSome day said Tommy youll be surprisedto find that it doesNo Never Ive suffered--Ive seen-- |||She broke off--then turned suddenly and impetuouslyupon himggg Do you know who my father was ^ -Bals No Tommys interest quickened His name was Patrick Maguire He--he was a NORM 55follower of Casement in the last War He was shotas a traitor All for nothing For an idea--heworked himself up with those other IrishmenWhy couldnt he just stay at home quietly andmind his own business Hes a martyr to somepeople and a traitor to others I think he was ^ just--stupidI Tommy could hear the note of pent-up rebellioncoming out into the open He said So thats the shadow youve grown up withShadows right Mother changed her name r We lived in Spain for some years She always saysHthat my father was half a Spaniard We always tell ^ lies wherever we go Weve been all over the ContinentFinally we came here and started this placegc I think this is quite the most hateful thing weve doneyet --^ - Tommy asked ^ - ^ How does yourmother feel about--thingsYou mean--about my fathers death Sheila| was silent a moment frowning puzzled She saidslowly Ive never really known she nevertalks about it Its not easy to know what motherfeels or thinksTommy nodded his head thoughtfully ^ ^^ajnSheila said abruptly lt I--I dont know why Ive been telling you thisI got worked up Where did it all start p^a A discussion on Edith Cavell Aa^ i Oh yes--patriotism I said I hated itArent you forgetting Nurse Cavells own

Page 33

N Or Mwords What wordsBefore she died Dont you know what shesaid --He repeated the words ^ t 60 Agatha Christie ^^^ -yPatriotism is not enough I must have no |k phatred in my heart amp Oh She stood there stricken for a moment ^ Then turning quickly she wheeled away intothe shadow of the garden ^ ^ |sjdf^ So you see Tuppence it would all fit inBUS Tuppence nodded thoughtfully The beacharound them was empty She herself leanedagainst a breakwater Tommy sat above her onthe breakwater itself from which post he couldsee anyone who approached along the esplanadeNot that he expected to see anyone having ascertainedwith a fair amount of accuracy wherepeople would be this morning In any case his rendezvouswith Tuppence had borne all the signs ofa casual meeting pleasurable to the lady and slightly alarming to himself yy y(i Tuppence said Baar^ regreg I Mrs Perenna regYes M not N She satisfies the requirementsWffi Tuppence nodded thoughtfully again Mit Yes Shes Irish--as spotted by Mrs0Rourke--wont admit the fact Has done aigood deal of coming and going on the continentgll Changed her name to Perenna came here andstarted this boarding house A splendid bit ofcamouflage full of innocuous bores Her husbandwas shot as a traitor--shes got every incentive forrunning a Fifth Column show in this country Yes |it fits Is the girl in it too do you thinkTommy said finally regs3i N OR M ^ 61Definitely not Shed never have told me allthis otherwise I--I feel a bit of a cad you knowTuppence nodded with complete understand-yyww wob -^ ^-v ((i^ ing |g| -- - ^ S^regSYes one does In a way its a foul job this I ^But very necessary reg0h ofcourseTommy said flushing slightlyI dont like lying any better than you do--Tuppence interrupted him|ltsect I dont mind lying in the least To be quitehonest I get a lot of artistic pleasure out of my lies amp What gets me down is thosemoments when oneforgets to lie--the times when one is just oneself--and gets results that way that you couldnt havegot any other She paused and went on Thatswhat happened to you last night--with the girlShe responded to the real you--thats why youfeel badly about it laquoa^A s I believe youre right Tuppence SUS^ aI know Because I did the same thmg myself-with the German boy |||J |iraquoiTommy said iWhat do you think about himTuppence said quickly ^t^ If you ask me I dont think hes got anythingto do with itGrant thinks he has - ^| |||t j Your Mr Grant Tuppences moodchanged She chuckled How Id like to haveseen his face when you told him about meAt any rate hes made the amends honorable You re definitely on the j ohI Tuppence nodded but she looked a trifle abstracted

Page 34

N Or Mgin ^ S^iSJS-^^ She said Aw -^ y^ Do you remembciwe were hunting dowmember what fun it was Tommy agreed hisRather ^ Tommy--why isn ^ He considered the igrave Then he saidI suppose its reallTuppence said shariYou dont think--No Im sure wetime--it wont be fun This is the second Waiquite different about t]I know--we see ttiand the horror All thto think about beforeThats it In the 1now and then--and hiand went through hewere good times tooTuppence saidI suppose Derek feBetter not thinkTommy advisedYoure rightWeve got a job ^ Lets get on with it looking for in Mrs Pey We can at least scated Theres no onthat youve got your egt Tuppence considerreg _ No there isnt T HpNORM ^ 63^arrived of course was to size them all up andassess as it were possibilities Some of them seemquite impossible -^ ^Such as -9 ^Well Miss Minton for instance the cornpleatBritish spinster and Mrs Sprot and herBetty and the vacuous Mrs CayleyYes but nitwittishness can be assumedOh quite but the fussy spinster and the absorbedyoung mothers are parts that would befatally easy to overdo--and these people are quitenatural Then where Mrs Sprot is concernedtheres the child| I suppose said Tommy that even a secretagent might have a child ||sect|Not with her on the job said TuppenceIts not the kind of thing youd bring a child ^ into Im quite sure about that Tommy I know ^ Youd keep a child out of it ^ I withdraw said Tommy Ill give you MrsSprot and Miss Minton but Im not so sure aboutMrs CayleyNo she might be a possibility Because she g really does overdo it I mean there cant be many ^ women quite as idiotic as she seemsj| I have often noticed that being a devoted wife ^ saps the intellect murmured Tommy And where have you noticed that demandedTuppenceNot from you Tuppence Your devotion hasnever reached those lengthsFor a man said Tuppence kindly youdont really make an undue fuss when you are illTommy reverted to a survey of possibilities raquo Cayley said Tommy thoughtfully There 64 Agatha Christie

Page 35

N Or Mmight be something fishy about CayleyYes there might Then theres Mrs 0Rourkes ^ WWhat do you feel about herI dont quite know Shes disturbing Rather feefofum if you know what I meanYes I think I know But I rather fancy thatsjust the predatory note Shes that kind ofwoman gtyTuppence said slowlyShe--notices thingsShe was remembering the remark about knitting

Then theres Bletchley said TommyIve hardly spoken to him Hes definitelyyour chicken ^I think hes just the ordinary pukka old school type I think so Thats just it said Tuppence answering a ^i stress rather than actual words The worst of thissort of show is that you look at quite ordinary S|everyday people and twist them to suit your mor- febid requirements sfeIve tried a few experiments on Bletchley^said TommyWhat sort of thing Ive got some experimentsin mind myselfWell--just gentle ordinary little traps--aboutdates and places--all that sort of thingCould you condescend from the general to the particularWell say were talking of duck shooting Hementions the Fayum--good sport there such andsuch a year such and such a month Some othertime I mention Egypt in quite a different connectionMummies Tutankhamen something like NORM 65that--has he seem that stuff When was he there ^Check up on the answers Or P amp 0 boats--1 mention the names of one or two say So-and-sowas a comfortable boat He mentions some trip orother later I check that Nothing important or ^anything that puts him on his guard--just a checkup on accuracyAnd so far he hasnt slipped up in any wayNot once And thats a pretty good test let me -tell you Tuppence| Yes but I suppose if he was N he would havehis story quite patOh yes--the main outlines of it But its notso easy not to trip up on unimportant details Andthen occasionally you remember too much- more that is than a bona ride person would doAn ordinary person doesnt usually remember offhandwhether they took a certain shooting trip in ^1926 or 1927 They have to think a bitand search ^their memory piBut so far you havent caught Bletchley out ^ So far hes responded in a perfectly normalmanner| Result-negative IgKiC^S ExactlyNow said Tuppence Ill tell you some ofmy ideasAnd she proceeded to do soaIllOn her way home Mrs Blenkensop stopped atthe post office She bought stamps and on her way

Page 36

N Or Mout went into one of the public call boxes Thereshe rang up a certain number asked for Mr^

Stagvan-yafe

66 Agatha ChristieFaraday and held a short conversation withhim She came out smiling and walked slowlyhomewards stopping on the way to purchasesome knitting woolIt was a pleasant afternoon with a light breezeTuppence curbed the natural energy of her ownbrisk trot to that leisurely pace that accorded withher conception of the part of Mrs BlenkensopMrs Blenkensop had nothing on earth to do withherself except knit (not too well) and write lettersto her boys She was always writing letters to herpboys--sometimes she left them about half finishedTuppence came slowly up the hill towards SansSouci Since it was not a through road (it ended atSmugglers Rest Commander Haydocks house)there was never much traffic--a few tradesmensvans in the morning Tuppence passed house afterhouse amusing herself by noting their namesSKBella Vista (inaccurately named since the merestglimpse of the sea was to be obtained and themain view was the vast Victorian bulk of Edenhoimeon the other side of the road) Karachi wasthe next house After that came Shirley TowerThen Sea View (appropriate this time) CastleClare (somewhat grandiloquent since it was asmall house) Trelawny a rival establishment toilsspsgthat degf Mrs Perenna and finally the vast maroon l|||bulk of Sans Souci ^ Si- It was just as she came near to it that Tuppencefebecame aware of a woman standing by the gate ^Bpeering inside There was something tense andviligant about the figureU Almost unconsciously Tuppence softened the sound of her own footsteps stepping cautiouslyupon her toes IIH --i^N OR M 67It was not until she was close behind her thatamps the woman heard her and turned Turned with astart S ^^-f^^N 88She was a tall woman poorly even meanlydressed but her face was unusual She was not young--probably between forty and fifty--butthere was a contrast between her face and the way ^y^ she was dressed She was fair-haired with widecheekbones and had been--indeed still was--beautiful Just for a minute Tuppence had a feelingthat the womans face was somehow familiar ipto her but the feeling faded It was not she ^ thought a face easily forgotten |i^ The woman was obviously startled and the Hiflash of alarm that flitted across her face was notlost on Tuppence (Something odd here)|raquotg| || Tuppence said B Excuse me are you looking for someone S The woman spoke in a slow foreign voice pro- y^ nouncing the words carefully

Page 37

N Or Mwith it Your face not known What do yousay--will you take it on ^ ^ ^-Tommys face was almost split in two by themagnitude of his ecstatic grinTake it on You bet Ill take it on Though I 10 Agatha Christie Wi^^cant see how I can be of any use Im just ablasted amateurMy dear Beresford amateur status is just what ^v is needed The professional is handicapped here| Youll take on in place of the best man we had orE1 are likely to haveTommy looked a question Grant nodded ^11 Yes Died in St Bridgets Hospital lastTuesJI|Sday Run down by a lorry--only lived a few hoursAccident case--but it wasnt an accident ||Syg^ Tommy said slowly I see ^l^Bylgi|^ Grant said quietly ^^^ And thats why we have reason to believe thatFarquhar was on to something--that he was getting somewhere at last By his death that wasnt anaccident SS ^^^-k^^^W^s-^ Tommy looked aquestibn Grant went on lspounda sA^^-Unfortunately we know next to nothing ofwhat he had discovered Farquhar had beenmethodically following up one line after another ^ Most of them led nowhere ^8- Grant paused and then went on BA^2 - Farquhar was unconscious until a few minutes before he died Then he tried to say something |||J What he said was this N or M Song Susie fThat said Tommy doesnt seem very illuminating --------Grant smiled ^ ^^A little more so than you might think N or Myou see is a term we have heard before It refers ^g to two of the most important and trusted Germanagents We have come across their activities inother countries and we know just a little aboutthem It is their mission to organize a Fifth Column in foreign countries and to act as liaison NORM frr 11officer between the country in question and GermanyN we know is a man M is a woman All we know about them is that these two are Hitlersmost highly trusted agents and that in a codemessage we managed to decipher towards the beginningof the war there occurred this phrase-- Suggest N or Mfor England Fullpowers--1^ I see And Farquhar-- isl8As I see it Farquhar must have got on thetrack of one or other of them Unfortunately wedont know which Song Susie sounds very cryptic--but Farquhar hadnt a high class French accentThere was a return ticket to Leahampton in hispocket which is suggestive Leahampton is on theSouth coast--a budding Bournemouth or TorquayLots of private hotels and guest housesAmongst them is one called Sans Souci-- fewK Tommy said again raquoraquoraquo Song Susie--Sans Souci--I see amp^ fc Grant said lt Do you lt-- ^ ^aAQ^ - xs The idea is Tommy said that I should gothere and--well--ferret round sy^w That is the idea ly ^ ^Tommys smile broke out again-sfe ^ A bit vague isnt it he asked I dont evenknow what Im looking for - AndI cant tell you I dont know Its up toyou

Page 7

N Or MTommy sighed He squared his shouldersI can have a shot at it But Im not a verybrainy sort of chapYou did pretty well in the old days so IveheardOh that was pure luck said Tommy hastilyWell luck is rather what we need Agatha Christie||||Tommy considered a minute or two Then hesaid --- SiySa^^1--^ fe^1 About this place Sans Souci-- |||ggM|Grant shrugged his shoulders A a ^smMay be all a mares nest I cant tell Farquharmay have been thinking of Sister Susies sewingshirts for soldiers Its all guessworkBAnd Leahampton itself Just like any other of these places There arerows of them Old ladies old Colonels unim- peachable spinsters dubious customers fishy cus-lt tpmers a foreigner or two In fact a mixedbagI^Tommy said doubtfully|llAnd N or M amongst them IteNot necessarily Somebody perhaps whos in i touch with N or M But its quite likely to be N orM themselves Its an inconspicuous sort of placea boarding-house at a seaside resort^Youve no idea whether its a man or a womanf Ive to look forGrant shook his head rflt gt ^^Tommy said Well I can but try fe s Good luck to your trying Beresford Now--todetails--I Half an hour later when Tuppence broke ini panting and eager with curiosity Tommy wasalone whistling in an armchair with a doubtful expressionon his face |||i 1amp4amp | Well demanded Tuppence throwing an in- ^gfinity of feeling into the word ampraquo^ W^1 A job--of kindsy^^^^-^^^^18^ Whatkind - i| Tommy made a suitable grimace y N OR M H 13Office work in the wilds of Scotland Hushhushand all that but doesnt sound very thrill-Both of us or only youOnly me Im afraid amp ^Blast and curse you How could our MrCarter be so meanI imagine they segregate the sexes in thesejobs Otherwise too distracting for the mindIs it coding--or code breaking Is it likely Deborahs job Do be careful Tommy peoplequeer doing that and cant sleep walk about aIliHnight groaning and repeating 978345286 or somethinglike that and finally have nervous breakdownsand go into homes |Not me sssfTuppence said gloomily 9sIexpect you will sooner or later Can I cometoo--not to work but just as a wife Slippers infront of the fire and a hot meal at the end of the|wTommy looked uncomfortable^- ^ iaraquoltfr I Sorry old thing I am sorry I hate leavingydeg--But you feel you ought to go murmured

Page 8

N Or MTuppence reminiscently ^B |After all said Tommy feebly ySS can knit yonknow www wKnit said Tuppence Knit ampwSS^ ffffSeizing her Balaclava helmet she flung it on theground BI hate khaki wool said Tuppence and Navy wool and Air Force blue I should like toknit something magenta^ It has a fine military sound said TommyAlmost a suggestion of Blitzkrieg SSJ 141 Agatha Christie S^AwlHe felt definitely very unhappy Tuppence ^ however was a Spartan and played up well admittingfreely that of course he had to take the joband that it didnt really matter about her Sheraquo added that she had heard they wanted someone to ^q scrub down the First Aid Postfloors She might ^i possibly be found fit to do thatTommy departed for Aberdeen three days laterTuppence saw him off at the station Her eyeswere bright and she blinked once or twice but she i kept resolutely cheerfulW Only as the train drew out of the station andTommy saw the forlorn little figure walking awaydown the platform did he feel a lump in his ownthroat War or no War he felt he was desertingTuppenceHe pulled himself together with an effortOrders were ordersHaving duly arrived in Scotland he took a trainthe next day to Manchester On the third day atrain deposited him at Leahampton Here he wentto the principal Hotel and on the following day B^g made a tour of various private hotels and guest ^^B houses seeing rooms and inquiring terms for along stay ^3Sans Souci was a dark red Victorian villa set onthe side of a hill with a good view over the seafrom its upper windows There was a slight smell---- of dust and cooking in the hall and the carpet wasworn but it compared quite favourably with someof the other establishments Tommy had seen Heinterviewed the proprietress Mrs Perenna in heroffice a small untidy room with a large deskcovered with loose papersMrs Perenna herself was rather untidy looking a woman of middle-age with a large mop of N OR M jg 15 K|fiercely curling black hair some vaguely appliedmakeup and a determined smile showing a lot ofvery white teethTommy murmured a mention of his elderly lt|y^ cousin Miss Meadowes who had stayed at Sans ||g|Souci two years ago Mrs Perenna remembered ^ Miss Meadowes quite well--such a dearold lady ^ _at least perhaps not really old--very active and |such a sense of humour tt ^Tommy agreed cautiously There was he knew a real Miss Meadowes--the Departmentwas carefulabout these points ^ And how was dear Miss Meadowes Sp^regBampTommy explained sadly that Miss Meadoweswas no more and Mrs Perenna clicked her teeth |sympathetically and made the proper noises andput on a correct mourning faceShe was soon talking volubly again She had

Page 9

N Or Mshe was sure just the room that would suit MrMeadowes A lovely sea view She thought-MrMeadowes was so right to want to get out ofLondon Very depressing nowadays so she understoodand of course after such a bad go of influenza--

Still talking Mrs Perenna led Tommy upstairsand showed him various bedrooms She mentioneda weekly sum Tommy displayed dismayMrs Perenna explained that prices had risen soappallingly Tommy explained that his incomehiglisunfortunately decreased and what with taxation and one thing and another-- ^Mrs Perenna groaned and said This terrible War- Tommyagreed and said that in his opinion thatfellow Hitler ought to be hanged A madmanthats what he was a madman 16 Agatha ChristieMrs Perenna agreed and said that what willrations and the difficulty the butchers had in getting the meat they wanted--and sometimes tolt much--and sweetbreads and liver practically disappeared it all made housekeeping very difficultbut as Mr Meadowes was a relation of MisMeadowes she would make it half a guinea lessTommy then beat a retreat with the promise t(think it over and Mrs Perenna pursued him to thi ^ gate talking more volubly than ever and display Us ing an archness that Tommy found most alarm ^ ing She washe admitted quite a handsomiwoman in her way He found himself wonderinj what her nationality was Surely not quite English The name was Spanish or Portuguese buthat would be her husbands nationality not hersShe might he thought be Irish though she ha(no brogue But it would account for the vitalitand the exuberanceIt was finally settled that Mr Meadowes shoukpi move in the following dayTommy timed his arrival for six oclock MrsPerenna came out into the hall to greet him threva series of instructions about his luggage to ai almost imbecile-looking maid who goggled aTommy with her mouth open and then led himinto what she called the loungeI always introduce my guests said MrsPerenna beaming determinedly at the suspiciouglares of five people This is our new arrival Mr11111 Meadowes--Mrs ORourke A terrifying mountain of a woman with beady eyes and a moustach gave him a beaming smile--l Major Bletchley Major Bletchley lyec I Tommy appraisingly and made a stiff inclinatiorof the head __ NORM 17Mr von Deinim A young man very stifffair-haired and blue-eyed got up and bowed |||Miss Minton An elderly woman with a lot of S beads knitting with khaki wool smiled and tittered

And Mrs Blenkensop More knitting--anduntidy dark head which lifted from an absorbedcontemplation of a Balaclava helmetTommy held his breath the room spun round|j||Mrs Blenkensop Tuppence By all that was

Page 10

N Or Mimpossible and unbelievable--Tuppence calmlyknitting in the lounge of Sans SouciHer eyes met his--polite uninterested strangerseyes ^a - His admiration rose ggl gisect I S1^^ How Tommy got through tquite knew He dared not 1often in the direction of Mrsner three more habitues ofa middle-aged coupleNltand a young mother Mrs (down with her baby girl frltclearly much bored by her (hampton She was placed nltintervals fixed him with a paeyes and in a slightly adltDont you think its reaEverybodys going back areiBefore Tommy could requeries his neighbor on the (lady struck in What I saanything with children YoiYoud never forgive yourselHitler has said the Blitzkriegquite soon nowand quitebelieveJ Major Bletchley cut in shaiLot of nonsense talked awont waste time fiddling rexplosive and incendiary boidone in SpainThe whole table plunged ii N OR M 19gusto Tuppences voice high pitched and slightlyfatuous piped out greg^My son Douglas says-- SDouglas indeed thought Tommy WhyDouglas I should like to knowAfter dinner a pretentious meal of severalmeagre courses all of which were equally tastelesseveryone drifted into the lounge Knittingwas resumed and Tommy was compelled to hear along and extremely boring account of MajorBletchleys experiences on the North WestFrontier gg^The fair young man with the bright blue eyeswent out executing a little bow on the thresholdof the roomMajor Bletchley broke off his narrative and administereda kind of dig in the ribs to Tommy ||That fellow whos just gone out Hes a refugeeGot out of Germany about a month beforethe war - - ^ Hes a GermanYes Not a Jew either His father got intotrouble for criticizing the Nazi regime Two of hisbrothers are in a concentration camp over thereThis fellow got out just in timeAt this moment Tommy was taken possessionIII Mrs ^y^y who told him at interminable le(||h all about her health So absorbing was thesubject to the narrator that it was close upon bedtimebefore Tommy could escape

Page 11

N Or MOn the following morning Tommy rose earlyand strolled down to the front He walked brisklyto the pier and was returning along the esplanadewhen he spied a familiar figure coming in theother direction Tommy raised his hat 0 Agatha ChristieGood morning he said pleasantly Er_Mrs Blenkensop isnt itThere was no one within earshot Tuppencereplied - - a^J r^Dr Livingstone to you afeHow on earth did you get here Tuppencemurmured Tommy Its a miracle--an absolutemiracleIts not a miracle at all--just brains Your brains I supposeYou suppose rightly You and your uppishMr Grant I hope this will teach him a lessonIt certainly ought to said Tommy Comeon Tuppence tell me how you managed it Imsimply devoured with curiosityIt was quite simple The moment Grant talkedof our Mr Carter I guessed what was up I knew itwouldnt be just some miserable office job Buthis saying so showed me that I wasnt going to beallowed in on this So I resolved to go one betterI went to fetch some sherry and when I did Inipped down to the Browns flat and rang upMaureen Told her to ring me up and what to sayShe played up loyally--nice high squeaky voice--you could hear what she was saying all over theroom I did my stuff registered annoyance compulsiondistressed friend and rushed off withevery sign of vexation Banged the hall door carefullyremaining inside it and slipped into the bedroomand eased open the communicating doorthats hidden by the tallboy And you heard everythingEverything said Tuppence complacentlyTommy said reproachfully s^|And you never let onCertainly not I wished to teach you a lesson NORM 21oil and your Mr GrantHes not exactly my Mr Grant and I shouldsay you have taught him a lessonMr Carter wouldnt have treated me so shabbily said Tuppence I dont think the Intelligenceis anything like what it was in our dayTommy said gravelyIt will attain its former brilliance now wereback in it But why BlenkensopWhy not ig^ssIt seems such an odd name to chooseIt was the first one I thought of and its handy |for underclothes ^^^a^^What do you mean Tuppence riteB you idiot B for Beresford B for BlenkensopEmbroidered on my cami-knickers PatriciaBlenkensop Prudence Beresford Why did youchoose Meadowes Its a silly nameTo begin with said Tommy I dont havelarge Bs embroidered on my pants And to continue

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N Or MI didnt choose it I was told to call myselfMeadowes Mr Meadowes is a gentleman with arespectable past--all of which Ive learned byheartVery nice said Tuppence Are you marriedor singleIm a widower said Tommy with dignityMy wife died ten years ago at Singapore Heg-Why at Singapore fe^SWeve all got to die somewhere Whatswrongwilfc SingaporeOh nothing Its probably a most suitableplace to die Im a widow ^ Where did your husband die -- Does it matter Probably in a nursing home I therjancy he died of cirrhosis of the liver A Agatha Christie sect1deg11 |8 I see A painful subject And what about your I H son Douglas HIB I _ Douglas is in the Navy ireg So I heard last night ^ ^And Ive got two other sons Raymond is in ^- the Air Force and Cyril my baby is in the Ter- g| ritorialspj And suppose someone takes the trouble to -m |g| check up on these imaginary BlenkensopsTheyre not Blenkensops Blenkensop was mysecond husband My first husbands name was |Hill There are three pages of Hills in the ]I telephone book You couVntcheckupon^l the IT Vlt f A -t 99 ^^^B^6-^^ ^^ ^Vl^- yvStsiw^G ^ i iHills if you tried - ^B^wi^^ fiiffi^y ^1 i laquo^raquog ^g ^ trouble with you Tuppence You s | will overdo things Two husbands and three sons Ill K Its too much Youll contradict yourself over the mNo I shant And I rather fancy the sons mays^s^awSataes^ - - ^KaS1||| come in useful Im not under orders remember |gg|1 Im a free-lance Im in this to enjoy myself and secti| vsamp Im going to enjoy myself ^B IBI So it seems said Tommy He added gloom-B ^_J ny if you ask me the whole things a farce | Why do you say that ifeiR a Well youve been at Sans Souci longer than I ^ have Can you honestly say you think any one ofthose people who were there last night could be a r1| dangerous enemy agent H ^ Tuppence said thoughtfully ^tiff^^^S^^It does seem a little incredible Theres the ^|young man of course N1 ^S Carl von Deinim The police check up on m refugees dont theyii| I suppose so Still it might be managed Hes N OR M 23an attractive young man you knowMeaning the girls will tell him things Butwhat girls No Generals or Admirals daughtersfloating around here Perhaps he walks out with aCompany Commander in the ATS ^MBe quiet Tommy We ought to be taking thisseriously ^I am taking it seriously Its just that I feelwere on a wild goose chase ^^ ^Tuppence said seriously ^ aIts too early to say that After all nothingsgoing to be obvious about this business Whatabout Mrs Perenna ^-v |Yes said Tommy thoughtfuUy theres Mrs Perenna I admit--she does want explain-

Page 13

N Or M^^w--^ 3^7 ^---r - ^^^^p-^1 - ^--Aysing ATuppence said in a business-like tone^ Whatabout us I mean how are we going tocooperateTommy said thoughtfully ^siamp y ^^i- 5We mustnt be seen about too much to^gether g g| ||^^No it would Se fatal to suggest we know-eachother better than we appear to do What we want jto decide is the attitude I think--yes I think--18pursuit is the best angle ^^58 --^-iifc^ Pursuit ^-sareg Exactly I pursue you You do your best toescape but being a mere chivalrous mate doesntalways succeed Ive had two husbands and Im onthe look-out for a third You act the part of the Tiunted widower Every now and then I pin youdown somewhere pen you in a cafe catch youwalking on the front Everyone sniggers andthinks it very funny| Sounds feasible agreed Tommy 4 T Agatha ChristieTuppence said Theres a kind of age-long ^ humour about the chased male That oughtcg|stand us in good stead If we are seen together all^anyone will do is to snigger and say Look at poor oldMeadowes lH gjTommy gripped her arm suddenly ill Vk amplLook he said Look ahead of you ysraquoBy the corner of one of the shelters a young man ai stood talking to a girl They were both very earn-^p ^est very wrapped up in what they were saying |p^ amp ^glljTuppence said softlyJ^Carl von Deinim Whos the girl I wonder ^ - ----h^Shes remarkably good looking whoever sheTuppence nodded Her eyes dwelt thoughtfully |on the dark passionate face and on the tight- 8Hgglfc ^-raquo ~^^^fitting pullover that revealed the lines of the girls ^^figure She was talking earnestly with emphasis^reg^Carl von Deinim was listening to her R^i^a^w^wreg^^SV^^^fflS^^^reg^gggTuppence murmuredI think this is where you leave me f^ _ Right agreed Tommy ^He turned and strolled in the opposite directionSAt the end of the promenade he encountered 8IHMajor Bletchley The latter peered at him suspi- 8ciously and then grunted^out Good morning _Jamp | Good morning iamp IfffSi ILp See youre like me an early riser remarked SBletchley nm f - Tommy said m I waa^ ^One gets in the habit of it out East Of coursethats many years ago now but I still wake early I gt_^Quite right too said Major Bletchley withapproval God these young fellows nowadays_ make me sick Hot baths--coming down to breakerlater Noynder the Ger^ NORM ^ 25-S-rf- manshave been putting it over on us No staminaSoft lot of young pups Armys not what it wasanyway Coddle em thats what they do nowadaysTuck em up at night with hot water bottlesFaugh Makes me sick a KTommy shook his head in a melancholy fashionand Major Bletchley thus encouraged went on

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N Or MDiscipline thats what we need DisciplineHow are we going to win the War without disciplineDo you know sir some of these fellowscome on parade in slacks--so Ive been toldCant expect to win a War that way Slacks MyGod a |i-^ |g| -| MBsect1 Mr Meadowes hazarded the opinion that thingswere very different from what they had beenlt^aaIts all this democracy said Major Bletchleygloomily You can overdo anything In my opiniontheyre overdoing the democracy businessMixing up the officers and the men feeding N8S together in restaurants--Paugh--the men dont |like it Meadowes The troops know The troopsalways know laquog ggOf course said Mr Meadowes I have noreal knowledge of Army matters myself-- ^ ^4The Major interrupted him shooting a quicksideways glanceIn the show in the last War^^^1^^-^^ifc-fABi^ftA^^- ^sfe^^^ampOh yesThought so Saw youd been drilled Shoul- mgders What regiment ^ ^pf^Fifth Corfeshires Tommy remembered toproduce Meadowesmilitary record ^Ah yes Salonica^ Yes -^ fc-a^iji ^Ill I was in Mespot - ^Bletchley plunged into reminiscences Tommy i6 m sAgatha Christie ^ 1^aw y^ rtfflistened politely Bletchley ended up wrathfully^ And will they make use of me now No theywill not Too old Too old be damned I couldteach one or two of these young cubs something m| about war gt 1sect SlEven if its only what not to do suggested_ ^^r i^---^ ^yja^ ^Tf^ Tommy with a smile A-x^^^^ dl ^_^ Eh whats that HA sense of humour was clearly not Major |Ig Bletchley s strong suit He peered suspiciously I3 at his companion Tommy hastened to change the lconversation ^ Know anything about that MrsBlenkensop^yg I think her nameUS Thats right Blenkensop Not a bad looking iS womanbit long in the toothtalks too much^ Nice woman but foolish No I dont know her || Shes only been at Sans Souci a couple of daysJ|| He added Whydoyouask^p^^^^yy^9 -i Tommy explained -aaSampampg Happened to meet her just now Wondered ifj she was always out as early as this m Dont know Im sure Women arent usuallygiven to walking before breakfastthank God gB Amen said Tommy He went on Im notI much good at making polite conversation before ^H breakfast Hope I wasnt rude to the woman but I

Page 15

N Or M1 wanted my exercise ^Major Bletchley displayed instant sympathy rj Im with you Meadowes Im with you| Women are all very well in their place but not fssamp^ before breakfast He chuckled a little Better becareful old man Shes a widow you knowIs she ^|3fe SK^SlThe Major dug him cheerfully in the ribs ial m ^NbRM 27 M^e know what widows are Shes buried twohusbands and if you ask me shes on the lookoutfor number three Keep a very wary eye openMeadowes A wary eye Thats my advice ^And in high good humour Major Bletchley i wheeled about at the end of the parade and set thepace for a smart walk back to breakfast at SansSouci regIn the meantime Tuppence had gently con- -tinued her walk along the esplanade passing quite ^-^y^close to the shelter and the young couple talking there As she passed she caught a few words It ^ was the girl speaking ||j|8 t| ^ ^But you must be careful Carl The very least 1||suspicion--reg- iPH^- L Tuppence was out of earshot Suggestivewords Yes but capable of any number of harmlessinterpretations Unobtrusively she turned andagain passed the two Again words floated to herSmug detestable EnglishThe eyebrows of Mrs Blenkensop rose ever soslightly ^ ^^fi^lHardly she thought a very wise conversation___ t^^3Carl von Deinim was a refugee from Nazi persecutiongiven asylum and shelter by EnglandNeither wise nor grateful to listen assentingly tosuch words rsi ^ ^ raquofeAgain Tuppence turned But this time beforeshe reached the shelter the couple had partedabruptly the girl to cross the road leaving the seafront Carl von Deinim to come along in Tuppencesdirection ^ HgHe would not perhaps have recognized ner but ^ for her own pause and hesitation Then quicklyhe brought his heels together and bowed tTuppence twittered at him ^ sy ^ __ Agatha Christie ^lt lt ^ ilS^b^ood morning Mr von Deinim isnt it Such^^^ely morning B tW Ah yes The weather is fine ^ J ^PPence ran on ftl 1 i (ltIt quite tempted me I dont often come out -- ^ before breakfast But this morning what with notsleeping very well--one often doesnt sleep well in a ^ange place I find It takes a day or two to ac- ^ custom oneself I always say ^1 ^degh yes no doubt that is soAnd really this little walk has quite given me86 an appetite for breakfast^ou go back to Sans Souci now If you permitI will walk with you He walked gravely by herside _____- ^PPence said sa M sJ ^u also are out to get an appetite ^ Gravely he shook his head m fo

Page 16

N Or M(t ^raquo -- ^^ _| ^h no My breakfast I have already had it I f~~H am on myway^o work ----------------^raquo ^^aresearchchemistSo thats what you are thought Tuppence Ibaling a quick glance at him fetelaquo Carl von Deinim went on his voice stiff ^ ^ came to this country to escape Nazi persecu- m tion l ^^| ygry little money--no friends I do nowwhat useful work I can ^ ^-^g - He stared straight ahead of himGQnscious of some undercurrent of strong feeling y |--^^ng him powerfully i| 3S |^ She murmured vaguely ^ ^ ^ sil Oh yes I see I see Very creditable I am^lllKt^ure ^ ^^ ^ ^^B _ ^ carl yo Deinim said ^ ^K ^ | ^ly two brothers are in concentration camps Kr N OR M 29^-s^My father died in one My mother died of sorrow ^ and fear |p ^ ^ _ gf^^ Tuppence thought - i^The way he says that--as though he had Ilearned it by heart - ^Again she stole a quick glance at him He wasstill staring ahead of him his face impassiveThey walked in silence for some moments Twomen passed them One of them shot a quick glanceat Carl She heard him mutter to his companion nBet you that fellow is a German y^Tuppence saw the colour rise in Carl vonDeinims cheeks B| g|li Suddenly he lost command of himself That tideof hidden emotion came to the surface He stammered

You heard--you heard--that is what they say_I_My dear boy Tuppence reverted suddenly to Illher real self Her voice was crisp and compellingDont be an idiot You cant have it both waysll He turned his head and stared at herHi What dn vnn mpfln SS8raquo M ^gl w iidi uu yuu iiicdii ^fc-- ^^ ^^^^^^w^mYoure a refugee You have to take the roughwith the smooth Youre alive thats the mainthing Alive and free For the other--realize thatits inevitable This countrys at War Youre aGerman She smiled suddenly You cant expectthe mere man in the street--literally the manin the street--to distinguish between bad Germansand good Germans if I may put it so crudelyHe still stared at her His eyes so very bluewere poignant with suppressed feeling Then suddenlyhe too smiled He said Ill IsThey said of Red Indians did they not that agood Indian was a dead Indian He laughed a1 ifSWiZ- flSW t8 Agatha ChristieGood morning Mr von Deinim isnt it Sucha lovely morning ^lt gt ^ Ah yes The weather is fine ||a Tuppence ran on stIt quite tempted me I dont often come outbefore breakfast But this morning what with not

Page 17

N Or Msleeping very well--one often doesnt sleep well ina strange place I find It takes a day or two to accustomoneself I always say a0h yes no doubt that is so iB5sAnd really this little walk has quite given mean appetite for breakfastYou go back to Sans Souci now If you permitI will walk with you He walked gravely by herii side ^i^ ^^ yTuppence said A-1 i^---H^You also are out to get an appet^ - SiyIII Gravely he shook his head |^|1111 Oh no My breakfast I have already had it Iam on my way to work IpWork -Bs ^ireg ^sa I am a research chemist ^So thats what you are thought Tuppencestealing a quick glance at him |K|Carl von Deinim went on his voice stiffI came to this country to escape Nazi persecutionI had very little money--no friends I do nowwhat useful work I canHe stared straight ahead of him Tuppence wasconscious of some undercurrent of strong feelingmoving him powerfully ^8 laquo | She murmured vaguelyOh yes I see I see Very creditable I am sure ^w g^I Carl von Deinim said ^fisect^^ My two brothers are in concentration camps v father died in one My mother died of sorrowand fear g|g| Tuppence thought ^ |||The way he says that--as though he hadfiSlearned it by heartAgain she stole a quick glance at him He wasstill staring ahead of him his face impassive |They walked in silence for some moments Two | men passed them One of them shot a quick glance iat Carl She heard him mutter to his companionBet you that fellow is a German ^ |$IS|NTuppence saw the colour rise in Carl von llH^tDeinims cheeks ^^Suddenly he lost command of himself That tide 51 of hidden emotion came to the surface He stam^^^ ^JmeredYou heard--you heard--that is what they say |My dear boy Tuppence reverted suddenly toher real self Her voice was crisp and compellingDont be an idiot You cant have it both waysHe turned his head and stared at herWhat do you mean ^^^ ^-^ - -Youre a refugee You have to take the roughwith the smooth Youre alive thats the mainthing Alive and free For the other--realize thatits inevitable This countrys at War Youre aGerman She smiled suddenly You cant expectthe mere man in the street--literally the manin the street--to distinguish between bad Germansand good Germans if I may put it so crudelyHe still stared at her His eyes so very bluewere poignant with suppressed feeling Then suddenlyhe too smiled He said^|| ^y-AThey said of Red Indians did they not that a

Page 18

N Or Mgood Indian was a dead Indian He laughed 10 Agatha Christie - Tobe a good German I must be on time at mywork Please Good morningAgain that stiff bow Tuppence stared after hisretreating figure She said to herselfMrs Blenkensop you had a lapse then Strictattention to business in future Now for breakfastatSansSouciThe hall door of Sans Souci was open InsideMrs Perenna was conducting a vigorous conversationwith someoneAnd youll tell him what I think of that last lotof margarine Get the cooked ham at Quillers--itwas twopence cheaper last time there and becareful about the cabbages-- She broke off as Tuppence entered iOh good morning Mrs Blenkensop you arean early bird You havent had breakfast yet Itsall ready in the dining room She added indicatingher companion My daughter Sheila Youhavent met her Shes been away and only camehome last nightTuppence looked with interest at the vividhandsome face No longer full of tragic energybored now and resentful My daughter SheilaSheila PerennaTuppence murmured a few pleasant words andwent into the dining room There were threepeople breakfasting--Mrs Sprot and her babygirl and big Mrs ORourke Tuppence saidGood morning and Mrs ORourke repliedwith a hearty The top of the morning to youthat quite drowned Mrs Sprots more anaemicsalutationThe old woman stared at Tuppence with a kindof devouring interest ^ NOftM 31 Tis a fine thing to be out walking beforebreakfast she observed A grand appetite itgives you ^ wgt^Mrs Sprot said to her offspring ^- feSIttNice bread and milk darling and endeavouredto insinuate a spoonful into Miss BettySprots mouthThe latter cleverly circumvented this endeavour by an adroit movement of her head and con- raquotinued to stare at Tuppence with large round eyesShe pointed a milky finger at the newcomergave her a dazzling smile and observed in gurgling |tones Ga--GaBouch aShe likes you cried Mrs Sprot beamingon Tuppence as on one marked out for favourSometimes shes so shy with strangers ltBouch said Betty Sprot Ah poothbag she added with emphasisAnd what would she be meaning by thatdemanded Mrs ORourke with interestShe doesnt speak awfully clearly yet confessedMrs Sprot Shes only just over two youknow Im afraid most of what she says is justBosh She can say Mama though cant you darling

Page 19

N Or MBetty looked thoughtfully at hermotherland remarked with an air ofGuggle bick^| ^ T^ Tis a languagebf their own they have theHide angels boomed out Mrs ORourke Bettydading say Mama nowBetty looked hard at Mrs ORourke frownedand observed with terrific emphasis Nazer-- ^There now if she isnt doing her best And alovely sweet girl she is ^ 32 Agatha ChristieMrs ORourke rose beamed in a ferociousmanner at Betty and waddled heavily out of the roomGa ga ga said Betty with enormous satisfactionand beat with a spoon on the tableTuppence said with a twinkle 5What does Na-zer really meanMrs Sprot said with a flush Im afraid yoi know its what Betty says when she doesnt like anyone or anythingI rather thought so said TuppenceBoth women laughedAfter all said Mrs Sprot Mrs 0Rourkltmeans to be kind but she is rather alarming--witt that deep voice and the beard and--and everything ff^ |g sectg|With her head on one side Betty made a cooinjnoise at TuppenceShe has taken to you Mrs Blenkensop sakMrs SprotThere was a slight jealous chill Tuppence fancied in her voice Tuppence hastened to adjusmattersThey always like a new face dont they shisaid easilyThe door opened and Major Bletchley anlt Tommy appeared Tuppence became archAh Mr Meadowes she called out Ivbeaten you you see First past the post But Ivleft you just a little breakfastShe indicated with the faintest of gestures thseat beside herTommy muttering vaguely Oh er--ratherthanksand hurriedly sat down at the other eniof the tableBetty Sprot said Putch with a fine splutte NORM

of milk at Major Bletchley whose face instantlyassumed a sheepish but delighted expressionAnd hows little Miss Go Peep this morninghe asked fatuously Go Peep He enacted theplay with a newspaper j|^ ^H$5| aBetty crowed with delight f-1 samp ^Serious misgivings shook Tuppence ShethoughtThere must be some mistake There cant be| anything going on here There simply cantTo believe in Sans Souci as a headquarters ofthe Fifth Column needed the mental equipment ofthe White Queen in Alice On the sheltered terrace outside Miss Minton wasknittingMiss Minton was thin and angular her neck wasstringy She wore pale sky-blue jumpers andchains or bead necklaces Her skirts were tweedy

Page 20

N Or Mand had a depressed droop at the back Shegreeted Tuppence with alacrityGood morning Mrs BIenkensop I do hopeyou slept well Mrs BIenkensop confessed that she never slept very well the first night or two in a strange bed MissMinton said Now wasnt that curious It was exactly the same with meMrs BIenkensop said What a coincidenceand what a very pretty stitch that was Miss Min- iton flushing with pleasure displayed it Yes it was rather uncommon and really quite simpleShe could easily show it to Mrs BIenkensop if ] Mrs BIenkensop liked Oh that was very kindof Miss Minton but Mrs BIenkensop was sostupid she wasnt really very good at knitting notat following patterns that was to say She couldonly do simple things like Balaclava helmets andeven now she was afraid she had gone wrong somewhereIt didnt look right somehow did itMiss Minton cast an expert eye over the khakimass Gently she pointed out just what had gonewrong Thankfully Tuppence handed the faulty f^ N OR M ^j 35helmet over Miss Minton exuded kindness andIpatronage Oh no it wasnt a trouble at all She|had knitted for so many yearsIm afraid Ive never done any before thisdreadful War confessed Tuppence But onefeels so terribly doesnt one that one must do^something Npi ^aAOh yes indeed And you actually have a boyin the Navy I think I heard you say last nightYes my eldest boy Such a splendid boy heisthough I suppose a mother shouldnt say soThen I have a boy in the Air Force and Cyril mybaby is out in FranceOh dear dear how terribly anxious youTmiistTuppence thought sampltOh Derek my darling Derek Out in thehell and messand here I am playing the foolacting the thing Im really feeling She said in her most righteous voice We must all be brave mustnt we Lets hopeit will all be over soon I was told the other day onvery high authority indeed that the Germans cantpossibly last out more than another two monthsMiss Minton nodded with so much vigour thatall her bead chains rattled and shookYes indeed and I believeher voice low- ered mysteriouslythat Hitler is suffering from ta (fiscalabsolutely fatalhell be raving madbyAugust g^Tuppence replied briskly All this Blitzkrieg is just the Germans lasteffort I believe the shortage is something frightfuli Germany The men in the factories are verydissatisfied The whole thing will crack upWhats this Whats all thisSifi H and Mrs Cayley caCayley putting his que

Page 21

N Or MMr himself in a chair andtiec^taees He repeated fretfhis Whats that you are say iVere saying said Mi c over by the Autumnall l^onsense said Mr g to last at least six yeaigof^Dh Mr Cayley prot t really think sodoa^^r Cayley was peering a^Wow I wonder he n ght Perhaps it woulddrraquoji back into the cornerch^tie resettlement of Mr^1 an anxious-faced wwif^ no other aim in life thaV^jeys wants manipulatCa^^g from time to timeasle^td Do you think thatAlC^ perhaps to have youyol-^r a glare this morningratlHr Cayley said irritablyf^fo no Dont fuss Elc tuffler No no my simy it matter I daresay )do^l dont want to get myBut111in this sunlightwwo^^ fetch the other Hbettt1 to matters of public inbac^e it six yearsI M listened with pleasunIcementwc^jOu dear ladies are jus wishful thinking N01cal-Hll N OR M 37may say I know Germany extremely well In thecourse of my business before I retired I used to beconstantly to and fro Berlin Hamburg MunichI know them all I can assure you that Germanycan hold out practically indefinitely With Russiabehind her--Mr Cayley plunged triumphantly on his voicerising and falling in pleasurably melancholy cadencesonly interrupted when he paused to receivethe silk muffler his wife brought him and wind itround his throat |g| laquo^Mrs Sprot brought out Betty and plumped herdown with a small woolen dog that lacked an earand a woolly dolls jacketThere Betty she said You dress up Bonzoready for his walk while Mummy gets ready to gooutMr Cayleys voice droned on reciting statisticsand figures all of a depressing character The monologue was punctuated by a cheerful twitter1ing from Betty talking busily to Bonzo in her ownlanguage Truckle-- truckly-- pah bat said BettyThen as a bird alighted near her she stretched outloving hands to it and gurgled The bird flew awayand Betty glanced round the assembled companyand remarked clearly

Page 22

N Or M Dicky and nodded her head with great satisJactfonyHH tfw ^^ E lhat child is learning to talk in the most wonderfulway said Miss Minton Say Ta ta BettyTataBetty looked at her coldly and remarkedGluck ^Then she forced Bonzos one arm into his_oolly coat and toddling over to a chair picked 38 HH Agatha Christieup the cushion and pushed Bonzo behind itChuckling gleefully she said with terrific pains g|Hide Bow wow Hide Miss Minton acting as a kind of interpretersaid with vicarious prideShe loves hide and seek Shes always hidingthings She cried out with exaggerated surpriseWhere is Bonzo Where is Bonzo Where can Bonzo have gone ^Betty flung herself down and went into ecstasiesof mirthMr Cayley finding attention diverted from hisexplanation of Germanys methods of substitution |of raw materials looked put out and coughed aggressivelyreg8^^

Mrs Sprot came out with her hat on and pickedup Betty ^ ^ ^ ggi Attention returned to Mr Cayley SHSa You were saying Mr Cayley said TuppencerBut Mr Cayley was affronted He said coldly ^ That woman is always plumping that childdown and expecting people to look after it I thinkIll have the woollen muffler after all dear Thegt MMsun is going inOh but Mr Cayley do go on with what youwere telling us It was so interesting Miss MintonbeggedMollified Mr Cayley weightily resumed his discoursedrawing the folds of the woolly mufflercloser round his stringy neckAs I was saying Germany has so perfected hersystem of--j|| Tuppence turned to Mrs Cayley and askedWhat do you think about the^war MrsCayley N OR M 39Mrs Cayley jumpedOh what do I think What--what do youmean ^ ^Do you think it will last as long as six yearsMrs Cayley said doubtfullyOh I hope not Its a very long time isnt itYes a long time What do you really thinkMrs Cayley seemed quite alarmed by the questionShe said ^jiss^ Ap |Oh I--I dont know I dont know at allAlfred says it will ^ j^But you dont think so SS raquoOh I dont know It^s ^difficult to say isntI19 teampSi^^-^-^^Tuppence felt a wave of exasperation The chirrupingMiss Minton the dictatorial Mr Cayley

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N Or Mthe nitwitted Mrs Cayley--were these peoplereally typical of her fellow countrymen Was MrsSprot any better with her slightly vacant face andboiled gooseberry eyes What could she Tuppenceever find out here Not one of thesepeople surely--Her thought was checked She was aware of ashadow Someone behind her who stood betweenher and the sun She turned her head ^aMrs Perenna standing on the terrace her eyeson the group And something in those eyes--scorn was it A kind of withering contempt TuppencethoughtI must find out more about Mrs Perenna 40 III Agatha Christie ifcBrought down some golf clubs with you didnt you Meadowes ^ H| Tommy pleaded guilty - B^Ha I can tell you my eyes dont miss muchSplendid We must have a game together Everplayed on the links hereTommy replied in the negativeTheyre not bad--not bad at all Bit on theshort side perhaps but lovely view over the seaand all that And never very crowded Look herewhat about coming along with me this morningWe might have a game ^Thanks very much Id like it Must say Im glad youve arrived remarked Bletchley as they were trudging up the hill Too I many women in that place Getson ones nervesGlad Ive got another fellow to keep me in countenanceYou cant count Cayley--the mans akind of walking chemists shop Talks of nothingbut his health and the treatments hes tried and thedrugs hes taking If he threw away all his little pillboxes and went out for a good ten mile walk every I day hed be a different man Theonly other maleI in the place is von Deinim and to tell you the truth Meadowes Im not too easy in my mind s about him I No said TommyNo You take my word for it this refugeebusiness is dangerous If I had my way Id internthe lot of them Safety first ^IJB HA bit drastic perhaps M ----Not at all Wars War And Ive got my suspicionsof Master Carl For one thing hes clearlynot a Jew Then he came over here just a month--only a month mind you--before War brokei out Thats a bit suspicious | g ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Tommy said invitinglyThen you think-- gt Spying-- thats his li^ie gameBut surely theres ncfraquono rgtf J ruling 01 amprpat inilitari ltgt^ naval importance hereabouts tary orAh old man tha^s where _thPortsmouthhed be und^r sunervi^ plymouth or ^place like this nobody boZTs FIn a sleepy coast isnt it The truth o^61 Irson the I S a great deal too easy Mth hes^ ernment is ^1 Anyone who cared could ^lCTe ^ ^s- a long face and talk abc^^ -d pull aA-centration camps Loo^^0^111^- 3fe arrogance in every line S ^ ^ 11^ 1--thats what he is--a Nazi e s a NazlWhat we really need fi SU -

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N Or MF doctor or two said Toff untry is a witch 1^ 1I1 ocior or iwo saia i onmy pleasantiu taM_|I Eh whats that mly- W^^ To smell out the sp|pc Tnrraquo x S gravely onlmy explained j^ |Ha very good that-_yerv eo^ o ^ iout-yes of course y g od- sme11 em ^ 1|1 Further conversation w hrrtiioti lt 1 they had arrived at the clu^8111 to an end ^Tommys name was pi^ (jq^ 3 ------------------------their round ---lor started onTommy was a mediocn pnlfcr^^ -- -niiu mai ilia BiailualU 01 pav walti inraquoraquo ^ o- - for his new friend The M-^onb gIJU1 WUIl dv two lin anyone to play a very happy Sate of eventsGood match Meadaes -- -you had bad luck wiLh^^Z0011 mtch 42 Agatha Christie ^B 3turned off at the last minute We must have agame fairly often Come along and Ill introduceyou to some of the fellows Nice lot on the wholesome of them inclined to be rather old women ifyou know what I mean Ah heres Haydock--youll like Haydock Retired naval wallah Hasthat house on the cliff next door to us Hes ourlocal ARP warden |||Commander Haydock was a big hearty manwith a weatherbeaten face intensely blue eyesand a habit of shouting most of his remarks ^ wraquo He greeted Tommy with friendliness ^aBB|So youre going to keep Bletchley countenanceat Sans Souci Hell be glad of another manRather swamped by female society eh Bletchieyis sb aIm not much of a ladies man said MajorBletchleyNonsense said Haydock Not your typeof lady my boy thats it Old boarding housepussies Nothing to do but gossip and knitYoure forgetting Miss Perenna said Bletch-1ley ^ IAh Sheila--shes an attractive girl all right SRegular beauty if you ask me y Im a bit worried about her said Bletchley | sWhat do you mean Have a drink MeadowesWhats yours Major nThe drinks ordered and the men settled on the8 jverandah of the clubhouse Haydock repeated hisquestion ( Major Bletchley said with some violence IThat German chap Shes seeing too much ofhim| Getting sweet on him you mean Hm thatsbad Of course hes a good looking young chap in ^ NORM 43his way But it wont do It wont do BletchleyWe cant have that sort of thing Trading with theenemy thats what it amounts to These girls--wheres their proper spirit Plenty of decentyoung English fellows about raquoBletchley said gt ltSheilas a queer girl--she gets odd sullen fitswhen she will hardly speak to anyoneSpanish blood said the Commander Herfather was half Spanish wasnt he

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N Or MDont know Its a Spanish name I shouldthink ^The Commander glanced at his watch About time for the news Wed better go inandlistentoit I ||gThe news was meagre that day little more in itthan had been already in the morning papersAfter commenting with approval on the latest exploitsof the Air Force--first-rate chaps brave aslions--the Commander went on to develop hisown pet theory--that sooner or later the Germanswould attempt a landing at Leahampton itself--his argument being that it was such an unimportantspotNot even an anti-aircraft gun in the place Disgraceful^ H allflThe argument was not developed for Tommyand the Major had to hurry back to lunch at SansSouci Haydock extended a cordial invitation toTommy to come and see his little place SmugglersRest Marvellous view--my own beach--every kind of handy gadget in the house Bringhim along BletchleyIt was settled that Tommy and Major Bletchleyshould come in for drinks on the evening of thefollowing day Aptha ChristieAfter lunch was i peaceful time at Sans SouciMr Cayley went traquo have his rest with the devotedMrs- Cayley in attendance Mrs Blenkensopwas conductedby Miss Minton to a depot topack and address pircels for the FrontMr Meadowes strolled gently out into LeacigarettesSlUppcv ai ^gtv latest number of Punch then after a few minutesof apparent irresolution he entered a bus bearingthe legend old pieh gg| g||The old pier was at the--^--^----^^-11^pi V11A^Xraquoraquoto house agents as the least desirable end It wasWest Leahampton and poorly thought of Tommy ^-L -- ^ raquo iiwasaH- ~i-flimsy and weather-worn affair with a few mon--- - l 1^----J ^tt^CnE die-UU11U p^nraquoraquo --tant intervals There was no one on it but somechildren running up and down and screaming invoices that matched quite accurately the screamingof the gulls and one solitary man sitting on theend fishing Il USi Mr Meadowes strolled upto the end and gazeddown into the watier Then he asked gentlyH Caught anythiing ^ |g The fisherman sshook his head ^Dont often g^et a bite Mr Grant reeled inhis line a bit He said without turning his headWhat about yrou Meadowesi Tommy saidNothing muchh to report as yet sir Im diggingmyself in |1| - _Good^Tellmae -^N OR M fSpj 45Tommy sat on an adjacent post so placed that yraquohe commanded the length of the pier^Then he S^l

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N Or MbeganIve gone down quite all right I think I gather |youve already got a list of the people there jg^ Grant nodded Theres nothing to report as yet SB Ive struck up a friendship with Major BletchleyWe played golf this morning He seems the ordinarytype of retired officer If anything a shadetoo typical Cay ley seems a genuine hypochondriacalinvalid That again would be an easy partto act He has by his own admission been a gooddeal in Germany during the last few yearsA point said Grant laconicallyThen theres von Deinim ||||Yes I dont need to tell you Meadowes that~von Deinims the one Im most interested inK You think hes N p^ ^ss arareg Grant shook his head 8amp1 sasfeNo I dont As I see it N couldnt afford tobe a German ||| ||sect i-I^B1^ Not a refugee from Nazi persecution eventNot even that We watch and they know wewatch all the enemy aliens in this country Moreover--thisis in confidence Beresford--very a shortly all enemy aliens between 16 and 60 will beinterned Whether our adversaries are aware ofthat fact or not they can at any rate anticipatethat such a thing might happen They would neverrisk the head of their organization being internedN therefore must be either a neutral--or else heis (apparently) an Englishman The same ofcourse applies to M No my meaning about vonDeinim is this He may be a link in the chain N or yM may not be at Sans Souci it may be Carl vonDeinim who is there and through him we may be 46 ^Agatha Christieled to our object^- That does seem to be highlypossible The mfi16 so as I cannot very well seethat any of the (Other inmates of Sans Souci arelikely to be the person we are seekingYouve had (them more or less investigated Isuppose sirGrant sighed--a sharp quick sigh of vexationNo thats jist wnat ltgts impossible for me todo I could havlte them looked up by the departmenteasily enough--but I cant risk it Beresford For you see th1reg rot is in the department itselfOne hint that 1^ go1 ^ ^ on sans souci fm any reason--an^ the organization may be put ^ wise Thats wr1reg Y011 come in the outsider |Thats why you^ got to work in the dark withouthelp from i1- Its our only chance-- and Idarent risk alar^them- Theres only one personIve been ablle to check up on ^ Whos that sirGrant smiled w Carl von De1111111 himself Thats easy enoughRoutine I can tfa^ him looked up--not from theSans Souci angic ^t from the enemy alien angle reg ^- ^^ Tommy askeci curiously ^ ^l ^^ Andtheres^t7A curious sm10 came over the others faceMaster Cartls exactly what he says he is Hisfather was indi^c1^) was arrested and died in aconcentration c^1- Carols elder brothers are incamps His mother died in great distress of mind ayear ago He epcaped to England a month beforewar broke out von Deinim has professed himself^ anxious to hel^P this country His work in a^

Page 27

N Or Mchemical research laboratory has been excellentand most helpN on the problem of immunizing ^^Ip ^- vnorm ^ 47certain gases and in general decontamination experiments^HlTommy said S^agg Then hes all right Breg Not necessarily Our German friends are notoriousfor their thoroughness If von Deinim wassent as an agent to England special care would betaken that his record should be consistent with hisown account of himself There are two possibilitiesThe whole von Deinim family may be partiesto the arrangement--not improbable underthe painstaking Nazi regime Or else this is notreally Carl von Deinim but a man playing the partof Carl von Deinim S |Tommy said slowly Isee He added inconsequently ^ He seems an awfully nice young fellow SighingGrant said They are--they nearlyalways are Its an odd life this service of ours We |respect our adversaries and they respect us Youusually like your opposite number you know- even when youre doing your best to down himThere was a silence as Tommy thought over thestrange anomaly of war Grants voice Jbroke intohis musings ||p K But there are those for whom weve neitherrespect nor liking--and those are the traitors withinour own ranks--the men who are willing to betraytheir country and accept office and promotionfrom the foreigner who has conquered itTommy said with feeling ^illreg My God Im with you sir Thats a skunkstrick gpAnd deserves a skunks end regs^jtKsTommy said incredulously Siss-- ^aampiSiAnd there really are these--these swine 48 Agatha ChristieEverywhere As I told you In our service Inthe fighting forces On Parliamentary benchesHigh up in the Ministries Weve got to combthem out--weve got to And we must do itquickly It cant be done from the bottom--thesmall fry the people who speak in the Parks whosell their wretched little news-sheets they dontknow who the big bugs are Its the big bugs wewant theyre the people who can do untold damage--andwill do it unless were in time Tommy said confidently ^p ^fWe shall be in time sir ^- y^a - |S Grant asked ^at What makes you say that 8 l|^ ^1Tommy said 11Youve just said it--weve got to beThe man with the fishing line turned and lookedfull at his subordinate for a minute or two takingin anew the quiet resolute line of the jaw He had anew liking and appreciation of what he saw Hesaid quietly -^y^1 teampa^Good man araquo I Hewent onWhat about the women in this place Anythingstrike you as suspicious thereI think theres something odd about the

Page 28

N Or Mwoman who runs itMrs Perenna VSSYes You dont--know anything about herGrant said slowlyI might see what I could do about checking herantecedents but as I told you its riskyYes better not take any chances Shes theonly one who strikes me as suspicious in any wayTheres a young mother a fussy spinster thehypochondriacs brainless wife and a rather fear I N OR M 49^ni looking old Irish-woman All seem harmless ^owh on the face of it y ^S Ithats the lot is it ||t(o Theres a Mrs Blenkensop-- arrived three^ago -m Veil - ^lt-^W ^ raquo ya ^nuny said 8^^NIamp_ |g|1| 4rs Blenkensop is my wife ^ |gg^ the surprise of the anntmncenient Grant vok( was raised He spun around sharp anger in his hze I thought I told you Beresford not to ^the a word to your wifelt)uite right sir and I didnt If youll justlister i^ISiSliccinctiy Tommy narrated what had oc- i^ cu6d He did not dare look at the other He ampSS ^^fully kept out of his voice the pridejhathesecr^iy felt -fe^-^^iJ IIH ^here was a silence when he brought the story to an end Then a queer noise escaped from the 8oth^r Grant was laughing He laughed for somemin(ites(take my hat off to the woman Shes one in athousand ^1(agree said Tommy - w^^ gasthampton will laugh when I tell him this 1TS s He earned me not to leave her out Said shed getthe getter of me if I did I wouldnt listen to him ^i^P^ you though how damned careful youve8^j lto be I thought Id taken every precautiona|raquoliraquost being overheard Id satisfied myself ^ b^Qfehand that you and your wife were alone in the f|at I actually heard the voice in the telephoneai|irf8 Your wife to come round at once and ^---- RAj--_raquo 52 Agatha ChristieTuppence replied that she thought she wasgoing to like Leahampton very much and behappy thereThat is she added in a melancholy voice ashappy as I can be anywhere with this terrible anxietyweighing on me all the timeAh now dont you be worrying yourselfMrs ORourke advised comfortably Those fineboys of yours will come back to you safe andsound Not a doubt of it One of thems in the AirForce so I think you said ^Yes Raymond a^ And is he in France now or in England Hes in Egypt at the moment but from whatjhe said in his last letter--not exactly said--but wehave a little private code if you know what Imean--certain sentences mean certain things Ithink thats quite justified dont you ^ Mrs ORourke replied promptlyIndeed and I do Tis a mothers privilegeYes you see I feel I must know just where hesectJis IP KBMrs ORourke nodded the Buddha-like headI feel for you entirely so I do If I had a boy

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N Or Mout there Id be deceiving the censor the very sameway so I would And your other boy the one inthe NavyTuppence entered obligingly upon a saga ofDouglasYou see she ended I feel so lost withoutmy three boys Theyve never been all away togetherfrom me before Theyre all so sweet to meI really do think they treat me more as a friend than a mother She laughed self-consciously Ihave to scold them sometimes and make them g(out without me N OR M 53(What a pestilential woman I sound thoughtTuppence to herself)She went on aloudAnd really I didnt know quite what to do orwhere to go The lease of my house in London wasup and it seemed so foolish to renew it and Ithought if I came somewhere quiet and yet with agood train service She broke off -yAgain the Buddha nodded SBlI agree with you entirely London is no placeat the present Ah the gloom of it Ive lived theremyself for many a year now Im by way of beingan antique dealer you know You may know myshop in Cornaby Street Chelsea Kate Kellys thename over the door Lovely stuff I had theretoooh lovely stuffmostly glassWaterfordCorkbeautiful Chandeliers and lustres andpunchbowls and all the rest of it Foreign glasstoo And small furniturenothing largejustsmall period piecesmostly walnut and oak Ohlovely stuffand I had some good customers Butthere when theres a War on all that goes westIm lucky to be out of it with as little loss as IvehadA faint memory flickered through Tuppencesmind A shop filled with glass through which itwas difficult to move a rich persuasive voice acompelling massive woman Yes surely she hadbeen into that shop aHMrs ORourke went on Im not one of those that like to be alwayscomplainingnot like some thats in this houseMr Cayley for one with his muffler and hisshawls and his moans about his business going topieces Of course its to pieces theres a Waronand his wife with never Boo to say to a goose 54 ^1 Agatha Christie -^^y ^Then theres that little Mrs Sprot always fussingabout her husbandIs he out at the front J^s^^ Tf---(^Not he Hes a tuppenny-halfpenny clerk in aninsurance office thats all and so terrified of airraids hes had his wife down here since the beginningof the War Mind you I think thats rightwhere the childs concerned--and a nice wee miteshe is--but Mrs Sprot she frets for all that herhusband conies down when he can Keeps say- gting Arthur must miss her so But if you ask me | Arthurs not missing her over-much--maybe hes got other fish to fry ^ ^

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N Or MTuppence murmured ||| --Im terribly sorry for all these mothers If you g let your children go away without you you never M stop worrying And if you go with them its hardon the husbands being leftAh yes and it comes expensive running twoestablishments iSll-^^ fSS-This place seems quite reasonable said TuppenceYes Id say you get your moneys worth88Mrs Perennas a good manager Theres a queerwoman for you now Samp^ In what way asked Tuppence |H gsectMrs ORourke said with a twinkle j| Youll be thinking Im a terrible talker Its|||true Im interested in all my fellow creaturesthats why I sit in this chair as often as I can Yousee who goes in and who goes out and whos onthe verandah and what goes on in the gardenWhat were we talking of now--ah yes MrsIH Perenna and the queerness of her Theres been agrand drama in that womans life or Im muchmistaken ^ ^ NORM 55Do you really think soI do now And the mystery she makes of herself And where might you come from in Ki Ireland I asked her And would youbelieve itshe held out on me declaring she was not fromIreland at all ^R^ -- You think she is Irish -~ Ofcourse shes Irish I know my own countrywomen I could name you the county she comesfrom But there Im English she says and myhusband was a Spaniard--Mrs ORourke broke off abruptly as MrsSprot came in closely followed by TommyTuppence immediately assumed a sprightlymanner a^Good evening Mr Meadowes You look verybrisk this evening ^s^ ^Illr^ -- ^Tommy said itoa Plenty of exercise thats the secret A roundof golf this morning and a walk along the frontthis afternoon ^ -^Millicent Sprot saidI took Baby down to the beach this afternoonShe wanted to paddle but I really thought it wasrather cold I was helping her build a castle and adog ran off with my knitting and pulled out yardsof it So annoying and so difficult picking up allthe stitches again Im such a bad knitterH Youre getting along fine with that helmetMrs Blenkensop said Mrs ORourke suddenlyturning her attention to Tuppence Youve beenjust racing along I thought Miss Minton said thatyou were an inexperienced knitterTuppence flushed faintly Mrs ORourkes eyeswere sharp With a slightly vexed air Tuppence 56 Ill Agatha Christie ^s^I have really done quite a lot of knitting I toldMiss Minton so But I think she likes teaching people

Everybody laughed in agreement and a fewPage 31

N Or Mminutes later the rest of the party came in and^hegong was sounded The conversation during the meal turned on theabsorbing subject of spies Well-known hoarychestnuts were retold The nun with the musculararm the clergyman descending from his parachuteand using unclergymanlike language as he landedwith a bump the Austrian cook who secreted awireless in her bedroom chimney and all thethings that had happened or nearly happened toaunts and second cousins of those present Thatled easily to Fifth Column activities To denunciationsof the British Fascists of the Communistsof the Peace Party of conscientious objectors Itwas a very normal conversation of the kind thatmay be heard almost every day nevertheless Tuppencewatched keenly the faces and demeanour ofthe people as they talked striving to catch sometell-tale expression or word But there was nothingSheila Perenna alone took no part in the conversationbut that might be put down to herhabitual taciturnity She sat there her dark rebelliousface sullen and broodingCarl von Deinim was out tonight^so tonguescould be quite unrestrained ill ^ ||V I Sheila only spoke once towards the end of diner

Mrs Sprot had just said in her thin flutingvoiceWhere I do think the Germans made such amistake in the last war was to shoot Nurse CavellIt turned everybody against them N OR M 57It was then that Sheila flinging back her he^demanded in her fierce young voice ^lv shouldnt they shoot her She was a spy wa^11 sheOh no not a spyShe helped English people to escape--in ^nenemy country Thats the same thing W^Y shouldnt she be shotI Oh but shooting a woman--and a nurse ||^ Sheila got upfefr laquoj think the Germans were quite right she saidShe went out of the window into the garden Dessert consisting of some under-ripe bananasand some tired oranges had been on the tal^c some time Everyone rose and adjournedto the lounge for coffeeOnly Tommy unobtrusively betook himself to the garden He found Sheila Perenna leaning over ft the terrace wall staring out at the sea He caH^ and stood beside her WBy her hurried quick breathing he knew that ( something had upset her badly He offered her a|fc cigarette which she acceptedHe said ^ ^ Lovelynight 35| ^ S|In a low intense voice the girl answeredIt could beTommy looked at her doubtfully He felt suddenlythe attraction and the vitality of this girl- There was a tumultuous life in her a kind of compellingpower She was the kind of girl he thought that a man might easily lose his headover If it werent for the War you mean he said- gampI dont mean that at all I hate the War

Page 32

N Or M 8 w^ gt Agatha Christie Hi- |p-- ^^^saC - ^y^ ^ So do we alll^ftJS Not in the way I mean I hate the cant about it|jpoundpound the smugness--the horrible horrible patriotismPatriotism Tommy was startled Yes I hate patriotism do you understand Allthis country country country Betraying yourcountry--dying for your country--serving yourcountry Why should ones country mean anyamp thing at allaaJg Tommy said simply I dont know It just 1as does ampNot to me Oh it would to you--you goabroad and buy and sell in the British Empire and J come back bronzed and full of cliches talking [_about the natives and calling for Chota Pegs and yS all that sort of thing ^ -BK Tommy said gently -^ s-i^QIm not quite as bad as that I hope my dear filf Im exaggerating a little--but you know what __ s I mean You believe in the British Empire--and--and--the stupidity of dying for ones countryt ^ My country said Tommy drily doesnt |g^^ys seem particularly anxious to allow me to die for |||SSff t raquol^r ll ilp^-Yes but you want to And its so stupid ik Nothings worth dying for Its all an(ctea--talk--| froth--high-flown idiocy My country doesnt g| mean anything to me at all poundsSome day said Tommy youll be surprisedto find that it doesNo Never Ive suffered--Ive seen-- |||She broke off--then turned suddenly and impetuouslyupon himggg Do you know who my father was ^ -Bals No Tommys interest quickened His name was Patrick Maguire He--he was a NORM 55follower of Casement in the last War He was shotas a traitor All for nothing For an idea--heworked himself up with those other IrishmenWhy couldnt he just stay at home quietly andmind his own business Hes a martyr to somepeople and a traitor to others I think he was ^ just--stupidI Tommy could hear the note of pent-up rebellioncoming out into the open He said So thats the shadow youve grown up withShadows right Mother changed her name r We lived in Spain for some years She always saysHthat my father was half a Spaniard We always tell ^ lies wherever we go Weve been all over the ContinentFinally we came here and started this placegc I think this is quite the most hateful thing weve doneyet --^ - Tommy asked ^ - ^ How does yourmother feel about--thingsYou mean--about my fathers death Sheila| was silent a moment frowning puzzled She saidslowly Ive never really known she nevertalks about it Its not easy to know what motherfeels or thinksTommy nodded his head thoughtfully ^ ^^ajnSheila said abruptly lt I--I dont know why Ive been telling you thisI got worked up Where did it all start p^a A discussion on Edith Cavell Aa^ i Oh yes--patriotism I said I hated itArent you forgetting Nurse Cavells own

Page 33

N Or Mwords What wordsBefore she died Dont you know what shesaid --He repeated the words ^ t 60 Agatha Christie ^^^ -yPatriotism is not enough I must have no |k phatred in my heart amp Oh She stood there stricken for a moment ^ Then turning quickly she wheeled away intothe shadow of the garden ^ ^ |sjdf^ So you see Tuppence it would all fit inBUS Tuppence nodded thoughtfully The beacharound them was empty She herself leanedagainst a breakwater Tommy sat above her onthe breakwater itself from which post he couldsee anyone who approached along the esplanadeNot that he expected to see anyone having ascertainedwith a fair amount of accuracy wherepeople would be this morning In any case his rendezvouswith Tuppence had borne all the signs ofa casual meeting pleasurable to the lady and slightly alarming to himself yy y(i Tuppence said Baar^ regreg I Mrs Perenna regYes M not N She satisfies the requirementsWffi Tuppence nodded thoughtfully again Mit Yes Shes Irish--as spotted by Mrs0Rourke--wont admit the fact Has done aigood deal of coming and going on the continentgll Changed her name to Perenna came here andstarted this boarding house A splendid bit ofcamouflage full of innocuous bores Her husbandwas shot as a traitor--shes got every incentive forrunning a Fifth Column show in this country Yes |it fits Is the girl in it too do you thinkTommy said finally regs3i N OR M ^ 61Definitely not Shed never have told me allthis otherwise I--I feel a bit of a cad you knowTuppence nodded with complete understand-yyww wob -^ ^-v ((i^ ing |g| -- - ^ S^regSYes one does In a way its a foul job this I ^But very necessary reg0h ofcourseTommy said flushing slightlyI dont like lying any better than you do--Tuppence interrupted him|ltsect I dont mind lying in the least To be quitehonest I get a lot of artistic pleasure out of my lies amp What gets me down is thosemoments when oneforgets to lie--the times when one is just oneself--and gets results that way that you couldnt havegot any other She paused and went on Thatswhat happened to you last night--with the girlShe responded to the real you--thats why youfeel badly about it laquoa^A s I believe youre right Tuppence SUS^ aI know Because I did the same thmg myself-with the German boy |||J |iraquoiTommy said iWhat do you think about himTuppence said quickly ^t^ If you ask me I dont think hes got anythingto do with itGrant thinks he has - ^| |||t j Your Mr Grant Tuppences moodchanged She chuckled How Id like to haveseen his face when you told him about meAt any rate hes made the amends honorable You re definitely on the j ohI Tuppence nodded but she looked a trifle abstracted

Page 34

N Or Mgin ^ S^iSJS-^^ She said Aw -^ y^ Do you remembciwe were hunting dowmember what fun it was Tommy agreed hisRather ^ Tommy--why isn ^ He considered the igrave Then he saidI suppose its reallTuppence said shariYou dont think--No Im sure wetime--it wont be fun This is the second Waiquite different about t]I know--we see ttiand the horror All thto think about beforeThats it In the 1now and then--and hiand went through hewere good times tooTuppence saidI suppose Derek feBetter not thinkTommy advisedYoure rightWeve got a job ^ Lets get on with it looking for in Mrs Pey We can at least scated Theres no onthat youve got your egt Tuppence considerreg _ No there isnt T HpNORM ^ 63^arrived of course was to size them all up andassess as it were possibilities Some of them seemquite impossible -^ ^Such as -9 ^Well Miss Minton for instance the cornpleatBritish spinster and Mrs Sprot and herBetty and the vacuous Mrs CayleyYes but nitwittishness can be assumedOh quite but the fussy spinster and the absorbedyoung mothers are parts that would befatally easy to overdo--and these people are quitenatural Then where Mrs Sprot is concernedtheres the child| I suppose said Tommy that even a secretagent might have a child ||sect|Not with her on the job said TuppenceIts not the kind of thing youd bring a child ^ into Im quite sure about that Tommy I know ^ Youd keep a child out of it ^ I withdraw said Tommy Ill give you MrsSprot and Miss Minton but Im not so sure aboutMrs CayleyNo she might be a possibility Because she g really does overdo it I mean there cant be many ^ women quite as idiotic as she seemsj| I have often noticed that being a devoted wife ^ saps the intellect murmured Tommy And where have you noticed that demandedTuppenceNot from you Tuppence Your devotion hasnever reached those lengthsFor a man said Tuppence kindly youdont really make an undue fuss when you are illTommy reverted to a survey of possibilities raquo Cayley said Tommy thoughtfully There 64 Agatha Christie

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N Or Mmight be something fishy about CayleyYes there might Then theres Mrs 0Rourkes ^ WWhat do you feel about herI dont quite know Shes disturbing Rather feefofum if you know what I meanYes I think I know But I rather fancy thatsjust the predatory note Shes that kind ofwoman gtyTuppence said slowlyShe--notices thingsShe was remembering the remark about knitting

Then theres Bletchley said TommyIve hardly spoken to him Hes definitelyyour chicken ^I think hes just the ordinary pukka old school type I think so Thats just it said Tuppence answering a ^i stress rather than actual words The worst of thissort of show is that you look at quite ordinary S|everyday people and twist them to suit your mor- febid requirements sfeIve tried a few experiments on Bletchley^said TommyWhat sort of thing Ive got some experimentsin mind myselfWell--just gentle ordinary little traps--aboutdates and places--all that sort of thingCould you condescend from the general to the particularWell say were talking of duck shooting Hementions the Fayum--good sport there such andsuch a year such and such a month Some othertime I mention Egypt in quite a different connectionMummies Tutankhamen something like NORM 65that--has he seem that stuff When was he there ^Check up on the answers Or P amp 0 boats--1 mention the names of one or two say So-and-sowas a comfortable boat He mentions some trip orother later I check that Nothing important or ^anything that puts him on his guard--just a checkup on accuracyAnd so far he hasnt slipped up in any wayNot once And thats a pretty good test let me -tell you Tuppence| Yes but I suppose if he was N he would havehis story quite patOh yes--the main outlines of it But its notso easy not to trip up on unimportant details Andthen occasionally you remember too much- more that is than a bona ride person would doAn ordinary person doesnt usually remember offhandwhether they took a certain shooting trip in ^1926 or 1927 They have to think a bitand search ^their memory piBut so far you havent caught Bletchley out ^ So far hes responded in a perfectly normalmanner| Result-negative IgKiC^S ExactlyNow said Tuppence Ill tell you some ofmy ideasAnd she proceeded to do soaIllOn her way home Mrs Blenkensop stopped atthe post office She bought stamps and on her way

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N Or Mout went into one of the public call boxes Thereshe rang up a certain number asked for Mr^

Stagvan-yafe

66 Agatha ChristieFaraday and held a short conversation withhim She came out smiling and walked slowlyhomewards stopping on the way to purchasesome knitting woolIt was a pleasant afternoon with a light breezeTuppence curbed the natural energy of her ownbrisk trot to that leisurely pace that accorded withher conception of the part of Mrs BlenkensopMrs Blenkensop had nothing on earth to do withherself except knit (not too well) and write lettersto her boys She was always writing letters to herpboys--sometimes she left them about half finishedTuppence came slowly up the hill towards SansSouci Since it was not a through road (it ended atSmugglers Rest Commander Haydocks house)there was never much traffic--a few tradesmensvans in the morning Tuppence passed house afterhouse amusing herself by noting their namesSKBella Vista (inaccurately named since the merestglimpse of the sea was to be obtained and themain view was the vast Victorian bulk of Edenhoimeon the other side of the road) Karachi wasthe next house After that came Shirley TowerThen Sea View (appropriate this time) CastleClare (somewhat grandiloquent since it was asmall house) Trelawny a rival establishment toilsspsgthat degf Mrs Perenna and finally the vast maroon l|||bulk of Sans Souci ^ Si- It was just as she came near to it that Tuppencefebecame aware of a woman standing by the gate ^Bpeering inside There was something tense andviligant about the figureU Almost unconsciously Tuppence softened the sound of her own footsteps stepping cautiouslyupon her toes IIH --i^N OR M 67It was not until she was close behind her thatamps the woman heard her and turned Turned with astart S ^^-f^^N 88She was a tall woman poorly even meanlydressed but her face was unusual She was not young--probably between forty and fifty--butthere was a contrast between her face and the way ^y^ she was dressed She was fair-haired with widecheekbones and had been--indeed still was--beautiful Just for a minute Tuppence had a feelingthat the womans face was somehow familiar ipto her but the feeling faded It was not she ^ thought a face easily forgotten |i^ The woman was obviously startled and the Hiflash of alarm that flitted across her face was notlost on Tuppence (Something odd here)|raquotg| || Tuppence said B Excuse me are you looking for someone S The woman spoke in a slow foreign voice pro- y^ nouncing the words carefully

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