Agatha Christie Read Free

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.
    â€˜You are Mr Blunt himself?’
    â€˜Yes. This is my assistant, Miss Robinson.’
    The doctor bowed to Tuppence.
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜You suspect arsenic poisoning?’
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜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.
    â€˜Captain Radclyffe is not suffering from any sort of poisoning now.’
    â€˜Aha,’ said Tommy. ‘I –’
    â€˜Captain Radclyffe died at five o’clock this morning.’
    Tommy was utterly taken aback. The doctor prepared to depart.
    â€˜And the other victim, Miss Logan?’ asked Tuppence.
    â€˜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.
    â€˜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?’
    â€˜Where did the fig paste come from?’
    â€˜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.
    â€˜What time did he come in?’ he asked.
    â€˜I don’t really know. I could find out.’
    â€˜Thank you, Miss Chilcott. It doesn’t matter. You have no objection, I hope, to my questioning the servants?’
    â€˜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.
    â€˜I don’t know what to think. We shall soon know.’
    â€˜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.
    â€˜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.
    â€˜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?’
    â€˜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