Free The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie

managed?”
    “I anticipated that it would be required, sir. Mrs. Stevens has made preparations accordingly.”
    “That's a wonderful man,” said Jimmy, as he returned, heaving a sigh of relief. “Brain, you know. Sheer brain. He takes correspondence courses. I sometimes wonder if they'd do any good to me.”
    “Don't be silly,” said Loraine.
    Stevens opened the door and proceeded to bring in a most recherché meal. An omelette was followed by quails and the very lightest thing in soufflés.
    “Why are men so happy when they're single,” said Loraine tragically. “Why are they so much better looked after by other people than by us?”
    “Oh! but that's rot, you know,” said Jimmy. “I mean, they're not. How could they be? I often think -”
    He stammered and stopped. Loraine blushed again.
    Suddenly Bundle let out a whoop and both the others started violently.
    “Idiot,” said Bundle. “Imbecile. Me, I mean. I knew there was something I'd forgotten.”
    “What?”
    “You know Codders - George Lomax, I mean?”
    “I've heard of him a good deal,” said Jimmy. “From Bill and Ronny, you know.”
    “Well, Codders is giving some sort of dry party next week - and he's had a warning letter from Seven Dials.”
    “What?” cried Jimmy excitedly, leaning forward. “You can't mean it?”
    “Yes, I do. He told Father about it. Now what do you think that points to?”
    Jimmy leant back in his chair. He thought rapidly and carefully. At last he spoke. His speech was brief and to the point.
    “Something's going to happen at that party,” he said.
    “That's what I think,” said Bundle.
    “It all fits in,” said Jimmy almost dreamily.
    He turned to Loraine.
    “How old were you when the war was on?” he asked unexpectedly.
    “Nine - no, eight.”
    “And Gerry, I suppose, was about twenty. Most lads of twenty fought in the war. Gerry didn't.”
    “No,” said Loraine, after thinking a minute or two. “No, Gerry wasn't a soldier. I don't know why.”
    “I can tell you why,” said Jimmy. “Or at least I can make a very shrewd guess. He was out of England from 1915 to 1918. I've taken the trouble to find that out. And nobody seems to know exactly where he was. I think he was in Germany.”
    The colour rose in Loraine's cheeks. She looked at Jimmy with admiration.
    “How clever of you.”
    “He spoke German well, didn't he?”
    “Oh, yes, like a native.”
    “I'm sure I'm right. Listen, you two. Gerry Wade was at the Foreign Office. He appeared to be the same sort of amiable idiot - excuse the term, but you know what I mean - as Bill Eversleigh and Ronny Devereux. A purely ornamental excrescence. But in reality he was something quite different. I think Gerry Wade was the real thing. Our secret service is supposed to be the best in the world. I think Gerry Wade was pretty high up in that service. And that explains everything! I remember saying idly that last evening at Chimneys that Gerry couldn't be quite such an ass as he made himself out to be.”
    “And if you're right?” said Bundle, practical as ever.
    “Then the thing's bigger than we thought. This Seven Dials business isn't merely criminal - it's international. One thing's certain, somebody has got to be at this houseparty of Lomax's.”
    Bundle made a slight grimace.
    “I know George well - but he doesn't like me. He'd never think of asking me to a serious gathering. All the same, I might -”
    She remained a moment lost in thought.
    “Do you think I might work it through Bill?” asked Jimmy. “He's bound to be there as Codder's right hand man. He might bring me along somehow or other.”
    “I don't see why not,” said Bundle. “You'll have to prime Bill and make him say the right things. He's incapable of thinking of them for himself.”
    “What do you suggest?” asked Jimmy humbly.
    “Oh! it's quite easy. Bill describes you as a rich young man - interested in politics, anxious to stand for Parliament. George will fall at once. You