Free The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie

Street.'
    He packed his belongings, went down and paid his bill, and ordered his luggage to be put on a taxi. Suitably rewarding those who stood in his path, most of whom had done nothing whatever materially to add to his comfort, he was on the point of being driven off, when a small boy rushed down the steps with a letter.
    'Just come for you, this very minute, sir.'
    With a sigh, Anthony produced yet another shilling. The taxi groaned heavily and jumped forward with a hideous crashing of gears, and Anthony opened the letter.
    It was rather a curious document. He had to read it four times before he could be sure of what it was all about. Put in plain English (the letter was not in plain English, but in the peculiar involved style common to missives issued by government officials) it presumed that Mr McGrath was arriving in England from South Africa today - Thursday, it referred obliquely to the memoirs of Count Stylptitch, and begged Mr McGrath to do nothing in the matter until he had had a confidential conversation with Mr George Lomax, and certain other parties whose magnificence wire vaguely hinted at. It also contained a definite invitation to go down to Chimneys as the guest of Lord Caterham, on the following day, Friday.
    A mysterious and thoroughly obscure communication. Anthony enjoyed it very much.
    'Dear old England,' he murmured affectionately. 'Two days behind the times, as usual. Rather a pity. Still, I can't go down to Chimneys under false pretences. I wonder, though, if there's an inn handy? Mr Anthony Cade might stay at the inn without anyone being the wiser.'
    He leaned out of the window, and gave new directions to the taxi driver, who acknowledged them with a nod of contempt.
    The taxi drew up before one of London's more obscure hostelries. The fare, however, was paid on a scale befitting its point of departure.
    Having booked a room in the name of Anthony Cade, Anthony passed into a dingy writing-room, took out a sheet of notepaper stamped with the legend Hotel Blitz, and wrote rapidly.
    He explained that he had arrived on the preceding Tuesday, that he had handed over the manuscript in question to Messrs Balderson and Hodgkins, and he regretfull declined the kind invitation of Lord Caterham as he was leaving England almost immediately. He signed the letter 'Yours faithfully, James McGrath.'
    'And now,' said Anthony, as he affixed the stamp to the envelope. 'To business. Exit James McGrath, and Enter Anthony Cade.'

The Secret of Chimneys

Chapter 8
    A DEAD MAN
    On that same Thursday afternoon Virginia Revel had been playing tennis at Ranelagh. All the way back to Pont Street, as she lay back in the long, luxurious limousine, a little smile played upon her lips as she rehearsed her part in the forthcoming interview. Of course it was within the bounds of possibility that the blackmailer might not reappear, but she felt pretty certain that he would. She had shown herself an easy prey. Well, perhaps this time there would be a little surprise for him!
    When the car drew up at the house, she turned to speak to the chauffeur before going up the steps.
    'How's your wife, Walton? I forgot to ask.'
    'Better I think, ma'am. The doctor said he'd look in and see her about half past six. Will you be wanting the car again?'
    Virginia reflected for a minute.
    'I shall be away for the weekend. I'm going by the 6.40 from Paddington, but I shan't need you again - a taxi will do for that. I'd rather you saw the doctor. If he thinks it would do your wife good to go away for the weekend, take her somewhere, Walton. I'll stand the expense.'
    Cutting short the man's thanks with an impatient nod of the head, Virginia ran up the steps, delved into her bag in search of her latch-key, remembered she hadn't got it with her, and hastily rang the bell.
    It was not answered at once, but as she waited there a young man came up the steps. He was shabbily dressed, and carried in his hand a sheaf of leaflets. He held one out to Virginia with