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.”