Postern of Fate (Tommy & Tuppence 5)

'Quite right,' said Tommy, 'and he's prepared to tear anyone limb from limb who lays a finger on her.'

'Nice dogs. Very affectionate, very loyal, very self-willed, very sharp teeth. I'd better look out for him, I suppose.'

'He's all right at the moment. He's up in the house.'

'Miss Mullins,' said Crispin thoughtfully. 'Yes. Yes, that's interesting.'

'Why is it interesting?'

'Oh, I think it's because - well, I wouldn't know her by that name, of course. Is she between fifty and sixty?'

'Yes. Very tweedy and countrified.'

'Yes. Got some county connections, too. Isaac could have told you something about her, I expect. I heard she'd come back to live here. Not so very long ago, either. Things tie up, you know.'

'I expect you know things about this place that I don't,' said Tommy.

'I shouldn't think so. Isaac could have told you a lot, though. He knew things. Old stories, as you say, but he had a memory. And they talk it over. Yes, in these clubs for old people, they talk things over. Tall stories - some of them not true, some of them based on fact. Yes, it's all very interesting. And - I suppose he knew too much.'

'It's a shame about Isaac,' said Tommy. 'I'd like to get even with whoever did him in. He was a nice old boy and he was good to us and did as much as he could to help us here. Come on, anyway, let's go on looking round.'

Chapter 15

HANNIBAL SEES ACTIVE SERVICE WITH MR CRISPIN

Albert tapped on the bedroom door and in answer to Tuppence's 'Come in' advanced his head round the side of it.

'The lady as came the other morning,' he said. 'Miss Mullins. She's here. Wants to speak to you for a minute or two. Suggestions about the garden, I understand. I said as you was in bed and I wasn't sure if you were receiving.'

'The words you use, Albert,' said Tuppence. 'All right. I am receiving.'

'I was just going to bring your morning coffee up.'

'Well, you can bring that up and another cup. That's all. There'll be enough for two, won't there?'

'Oh yes, madam.'

'Very well, then. Bring it up, put it on the table over there, and then bring Miss Mullins up.'

'What about Hannibal?' said Albert. 'Shall I take him down and shut him up in the kitchen?'

'He doesn't like being shut up in the kitchen. No. Just push him into the bathroom and shut the door of it when you've done so.'

Hannibal, resenting the insult which was being put upon him, allowed with a bad grace Albert's pushing him into the bathroom and adjustment to the door. He gave several loud fierce barks.

'Shut up!' Tuppence shouted to him. 'Shut up!'

Hannibal consented to shut up as far as barking went. He lay down with his paws in front of him and his nose pressed to the crack under the door and uttered long, non-cooperative growls.

'Oh, Mrs Beresford,' cried Miss Mullins, 'I'm afraid I am intruding, but I really thought you'd like to look at this book I have on gardening. Suggestions for planting at this time of year. Some very rare and interesting shrubs and they do quite well in this particular soil although some people say they won't... Oh dear - oh no, oh, it's very kind of you. Yes, I would like a cup of coffee. Please let me pour it out for you, it's so difficult when you're in bed. I wonder, perhaps -' Miss Mullins looked at Albert, who obligingly drew up a chair.

'That be all right for you, miss?' he demanded.

'Oh yes, very nice indeed. Dear me, is that another bell downstairs?'

'Milk, I expect,' said Albert. 'Or might be the grocer. It's his morning. Excuse me, won't you.'

He went out of the room, shutting the door behind him. Hannibal gave another growl.

'That's my dog,' said Tuppence, 'he's very annoyed at not being allowed to join the party but he makes so much noise.'

'Do you take sugar, Mrs Beresford?'

'One lump,' said Tuppence.

Miss Mullins poured out a cup of coffee. Tuppence said, 'Otherwise black.'

Miss Mullins put down the coffee beside Tuppence and went to pour out a cup for herself.

Suddenly she stumbled, clutched at an occasional table, and went down on her knees with an exclamation of dismay.

'Have you hurt yourself?' demanded Tuppence.

'No, oh no, but I've broken your vase. I caught my foot in something - so clumsy - and your beautiful vase is smashed. Dear Mrs Beresford, what will you think of me? I assure you it was an accident.'

'Of course it was,' said Tuppence kindly. 'Let me see. Well, it looks as if it could be worse. It's broken in two, which means we shall be able to glue it together. I dare say the join will hardly show.'

'I shall still feel awful about it,' declared Miss Mullins. 'I know you must perhaps be feeling ill and I oughtn't to have come today, but I did so want to tell you -'

Hannibal began to bark again.

'Oh, the poor wee doggie,' said Miss Mullins, 'shall I let him out?'

'Better not,' said Tuppence. 'He's not very reliable sometimes.'

'Oh dear, is that another bell downstairs?'

'No,' said Tuppence. 'I think that's the telephone.'

'Oh. Does it need to be answered?'

'No,' said Tuppence. 'Albert'll answer it. He can always bring up a message if necessary.'

It was, however, Tommy who answered the telephone.

'Hullo,' he said. 'Yes? Oh, I see. Who? I see - yes. Oh. An enemy, definite enemy. Yes, that's all right. We've taken the countermeasures all right. Yes. Thank you very much.'

He dropped the receiver back, and looked at Mr Crispin.

'Words of warning?' said Mr Crispin.

'Yes,' said Tommy.

He continued to look at Mr Crispin.

'Difficult to know, isn't it? I mean, who's your enemy and who's your friend.'

'Sometimes when you know it's too late. Postern of Fate, Disaster's Cavern,' said Tommy.

Mr Crispin looked at him in some surprise.

'Sorry,' said Tommy. 'For some reason or other we've got in the habit of reciting poetry in this house.'

'Flecker, isn't it? "Gates of Baghdad" or is it the "Gates of Damascus"?'

'Come up, will you?' said Tommy. 'Tuppence is only resting, she's not suffering from any peculiar disease or anything. Not even a sneezing cold in the head.'

'I've taken up coffee,' said Albert, reappearing suddenly, 'and an extra cup for Miss Mullins wot's up there now with a gardening book or something.'

'I see,' said Tommy. 'Yes. Yes, it's all going very well. Where's Hannibal?'

'Shut him in the bathroom.'

'Did you latch the door very tight, because he won't like that, you know?'

'No, sir, I've done just what you said.'

Tommy went upstairs. Mr Crispin came just behind him. Tommy gave a little tap on the bedroom door and then went in. From the bathroom door Hannibal gave one more outspoken bark of defiance, then he leapt at the door from the inside, the latch gave, he shot out into the room. He gave one quick glance at Mr Crispin, then came forward and lunged with all his might, growling furiously, at Miss Mullins.

'Oh dear,' said Tuppence, 'oh dear.'