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.”