Today | News | Books | Recipes Adventure | Science Fiction | Ghost stories | Poetry | Children | History The Secret of ChimneysThe Project Gutenberg eBook of The Secret of Chimneys This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title: The Secret of Chimneys Author: Agatha Christie Release date: May 3, 2021 [eBook #65238] Most recently updated: October 18, 2024 Language: English Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65238 Credits: Mark C. Orton, Shaun Mudd and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SECRET OF CHIMNEYS *** AGATHA CHRISTIE The Secret of Chimneys THE SECRET OF CHIMNEYS Copyright © 1925 by Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. TO PUNKIE Contents 1 ANTHONY CADE SIGNS ON _1_ 2 A LADY IN DISTRESS _11_ 3 ANXIETY IN HIGH PLACES _20_ 4 INTRODUCING A VERY CHARMING LADY _27_ 5 FIRST NIGHT IN LONDON _33_ 6 THE GENTLE ART OF BLACKMAIL _46_ 7 MR. MCGRATH REFUSES AN INVITATION _57_ 8 A DEAD MAN _66_ 9 ANTHONY DISPOSES OF A BODY _74_ 10 CHIMNEYS _83_ 11 SUPERINTENDENT BATTLE ARRIVES _94_ 12 ANTHONY TELLS HIS STORY _100_ 13 THE AMERICAN VISITOR _110_ 14 MAINLY POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL _116_ 15 THE FRENCH STRANGER _125_ 16 TEA IN THE SCHOOLROOM _138_ 17 A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE _150_ 18 SECOND MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE _159_ 19 SECRET HISTORY _170_ 20 BATTLE AND ANTHONY CONFER _181_ 21 MR. ISAACSTEIN'S SUIT-CASE _188_ 22 THE RED SIGNAL _199_ 23 ENCOUNTER IN THE ROSE GARDEN _212_ 24 THE HOUSE AT DOVER _222_ 25 TUESDAY NIGHT AT CHIMNEYS _230_ 26 THE 13TH OF OCTOBER _238_ 27 THE 13TH OF OCTOBER (_contd._) _244_ 28 KING VICTOR _254_ 29 FURTHER EXPLANATIONS _259_ 30 ANTHONY SIGNS ON FOR A NEW JOB _264_ 31 SUNDRY DETAILS _271_ 1 Anthony Cade Signs on "Gentleman Joe!" "Why, if it isn't old Jimmy McGrath." Castle's Select Tour, represented by seven depressed-looking females and three perspiring males, looked on with considerable interest. Evidently their Mr. Cade had met an old friend. They all admired Mr. Cade so much, his tall lean figure, his sun-tanned face, the light-hearted manner with which he settled disputes and cajoled them all into good temper. This friend of his now-surely rather a peculiar-looking man. About the same height as Mr. Cade, but thickset and not nearly so good-looking. The sort of man one read about in books, who probably kept a saloon. Interesting, though. After all, that was what one came abroad for-to see all these peculiar things one read about in books. Up to now, they had been rather bored with Bulawayo. The sun was unbearably hot, the hotel was uncomfortable, there seemed to be nowhere particular to go until the moment should arrive to motor to the Matoppos. Very fortunately, Mr. Cade had suggested picture postcards. There was an excellent supply of picture postcards. Anthony Cade and his friend had stepped a little apart. "What the hell are you doing with this pack of females?" demanded McGrath. "Starting a harem." "Not with this little lot," grinned Anthony. "Have you taken a good look at them?" "I have that. Thought maybe you were losing your eyesight." "My eyesight's as good as ever it was. No, this is a Castle's Select Tour. I'm Castle-the local Castle, I mean." "What the hell made you take on a job like that?" "A regrettable necessity for cash. I can assure you it doesn't suit my temperament." Jimmy grinned. "Never a hog for regular work, were you?" Anthony ignored this aspersion. "However, something will turn up soon, I expect," he remarked hopefully. "It usually does." Jimmy chuckled. "If there's any trouble brewing, Anthony Cade is sure to be in it sooner or later, I know that," he said. "You've an absolute instinct for rows-_and_ the nine lives of a cat. When can we have a yarn together?" Anthony sighed. "I've got to take these cackling hens to see Rhodes's grave." "That's the stuff," said Jimmy approvingly. "They'll come back bumped black and blue with the ruts in the road, and clamouring for bed to rest the bruises on. Then you and I will have a spot or two and exchange the news." "Right. So long, Jimmy." Anthony rejoined his flock of sheep. Miss Taylor, the youngest and most skittish of the party, instantly attacked him. "Oh, Mr. Cade, was that an old friend of yours?" "It was, Miss Taylor. One of the friends of my blameless youth." Miss Taylor giggled. "I thought he was such an interesting-looking man." "I'll tell him you said so." "Oh, Mr. Cade, how can you be so naughty! The very idea! What was that name he called you?" "Gentleman Joe?" "Yes. Is your name Joe?" "I thought you knew it was Anthony, Miss Taylor." "Oh, go on with you!" cried Miss Taylor coquettishly. Anthony had by now well mastered his duties. In addition to making the necessary arrangements of travel, they included soothing down irritable old gentlemen when their dignity was ruffled, seeing that elderly matrons had ample opportunities to buy picture postcards, and flirting with everything under a catholic forty years of age. The last task was rendered easier for him by the extreme readiness of the ladies in question to read a tender meaning into his most innocent remarks. Miss Taylor returned to the attack. "Why does he call you Joe, then?" "Oh, just because it isn't my name." "And why Gentleman Joe?" "The same kind of reason." "Oh, Mr. Cade," protested Miss Taylor, much distressed, "I'm sure you shouldn't say that. Papa was only saying last night what gentlemanly manners you had." "Very kind of your father, I'm sure, Miss Taylor." "And we are all agreed that you are quite the gentleman." "I'm overwhelmed." "No, really, I mean it." "Kind hearts are more than coronets," said Anthony vaguely, without a notion of what he meant by the remark, and wishing fervently it was lunch time. "That's such a beautiful poem, I always think. Do you know much poetry, Mr. Cade?" "I might recite 'The boy stood on the burning deck' at a pinch. 'The boy stood on the burning deck, whence all but he had fled.' That's all I know, but I can do that bit with action if you like. 'The boy stood on the burning deck'-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-(the flames, you see) 'Whence all but he had fled'-for that bit I run to and fro like a dog." Miss Taylor screamed with laughter. "Oh, do look at Mr. Cade! Isn't he funny?" "Time for morning tea," said Anthony briskly. "Come this way. There is an excellent café in the next street." "I presume," said Mrs. Caldicott, in her deep voice, "that the expense is included in the Tour?" "Morning tea, Mrs. Caldicott," said Anthony, assuming his professional manner, "is an extra." "Disgraceful." "Life is ful |