Detectives and Young Adventurers: The Complete Short Stories

‘Dr Burton,’ said Tommy. He produced his professional card. ‘Miss Hargreaves called on me yesterday with reference to those poisoned chocolates. I came down to investigate the matter at her request – alas! too late.’

The doctor looked at him keenly.

‘You are Mr Blunt himself?’

‘Yes. This is my assistant, Miss Robinson.’

The doctor bowed to Tuppence.

‘Under the circumstances, there is no need for reticence. But for the episode of the chocolates, I might have believed these deaths to be the result of severe ptomaine poisoning – but ptomaine poisoning of an unusually virulent kind. There is gastro-intestinal inflammation and haemorrhage. As it is, I am taking the fig paste to be analysed.’

‘You suspect arsenic poisoning?’

‘No. The poison, if a poison has been employed, is something far more potent and swift in its action. It looks more like some powerful vegetable toxin.’

‘I see. I should like to ask you, Dr Burton, whether you are thoroughly convinced that Captain Radclyffe is suffering from the same form of poisoning?’

The doctor looked at him.

‘Captain Radclyffe is not suffering from any sort of poisoning now.’

‘Aha,’ said Tommy.

‘I –’

‘Captain Radclyffe died at five o’clock this morning.’

Tommy was utterly taken aback. The doctor prepared to depart.

‘And the other victim, Miss Logan?’ asked Tuppence.

‘I have every reason to hope that she will recover since she has survived so far. Being an older woman, the poison seems to have had less effect on her. I will let you know the result of the analysis, Mr Blunt. In the meantime, Miss Chilcott, will, I am sure, tell you anything you want to know.’

As he spoke, the door opened, and a girl appeared. She was tall, with a tanned face, and steady blue eyes.

Dr Burton performed the necessary introductions.

‘I am glad you have come, Mr Blunt,’ said Mary Chilcott. ‘This affair seems too terrible. Is there anything you want to know that I can tell you?’

‘Where did the fig paste come from?’

‘It is a special kind that comes from London. We often have it. No one suspected that this particular pot differed from any of the others. Personally I dislike the flavour of figs. That explains my immunity. I cannot understand how Dennis was affected, since he was out for tea. He must have picked up a sandwich when he came home, I suppose.’

Tommy felt Tuppence’s hand press his arm ever so slightly.

‘What time did he come in?’ he asked.

‘I don’t really know. I could find out.’

‘Thank you, Miss Chilcott. It doesn’t matter. You have no objection, I hope, to my questioning the servants?’

‘Please do anything you like, Mr Blunt. I am nearly distraught. Tell me – you don’t think there has been – foul play?’

Her eyes were very anxious, as she put the question.

‘I don’t know what to think. We shall soon know.’

‘Yes, I suppose Dr Burton will have the paste analysed.’

Quickly excusing herself, she went out by the window to speak to one of the gardeners.

‘You take the housemaids, Tuppence,’ said Tommy, ‘and I’ll find my way to the kitchen. I say, Miss Chilcott may feel very distraught, but she doesn’t look it.’

Tuppence nodded assent without replying.

Husband and wife met half an hour later.

‘Now to pool results,’ said Tommy. ‘The sandwiches came out for tea, and the parlourmaid ate one – that’s how she got it in the neck. Cook is positive Dennis Radclyffe hadn’t returned when tea was cleared away. Query – how did he get poisoned?’

‘He came in at a quarter to seven,’ said Tuppence. ‘Housemaid saw him from one of the windows. He had a cocktail before dinner – in the library. She was just clearing away the glass now, and luckily I got it from her before she washed it. It was after that that he complained of feeling ill.’

‘Good,’ said Tommy. ‘I’ll take that glass along to Burton, presently. Anything else?’

‘I’d like you to see Hannah, the maid. She’s – she’s queer.’

‘How do you mean – queer?’

‘She looks to me as though she were going off her head.’

‘Let me see her.’

Tuppence led the way upstairs. Hannah had a small sitting-room of her own. The maid sat upright on a high chair. On her knees was an open Bible. She did not look towards the two strangers as they entered. Instead she continued to read aloud to herself.

‘Let hot burning coals fall upon them, let them be cast into the fire and into the pit, that they never rise up again.’

‘May I speak to you a minute?’ asked Tommy.

Hannah made an impatient gesture with her hand.

‘This is no time. The time is running short, I say. I will follow upon mine enemies and overtake them, neither will I turn again till I have destroyed them. So it is written. The word of the Lord has come to me. I am the scourge of the Lord.’

‘Mad as a hatter,’ murmured Tommy.

‘She’s been going on like that all the time,’ whispered Tuppence.

Tommy picked up a book that was lying open, face downwards on the table. He glanced at the title and slipped it into his pocket.

Suddenly the old woman rose and turned towards them menacingly.