TAKEN AT THE FLOOD.
by Agatha Christie.
There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune, Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat, And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures.
Prologue.
I.
In every club there is a club bore. The Coronation Club was no exception; and the fact that an Air Raid was in progress made no exception; and the fact that an Air Raid was in progress made no difference to normal procedure. Major Porter, late Indian Army, difference to normal procedure. Major Porter, late Indian Army, rustled his newspaper and cleared his throat. Every one avoided his rustled his newspaper and cleared his throat. Every one avoided his eye, but it was no use. eye, but it was no use.
"I see they"ve got the announcement of Gordon Cloade"s death in the Times," he said. "Discreetly put, of course. On Oct. 5th, result of Times," he said. "Discreetly put, of course. On Oct. 5th, result of enemy action. No address given. As a matter of fact it was just round enemy action. No address given. As a matter of fact it was just round the corner from my little place. One of those big houses on top of the corner from my little place. One of those big houses on top of Campden Hill. I can tell you it shook me up a bit. I"m a Warden, you Campden Hill. I can tell you it shook me up a bit. I"m a Warden, you know. Cloade had only just got back from the States. He"d been over know. Cloade had only just got back from the States. He"d been over on that Government Purchase business. Got married while he was on that Government Purchase business. Got married while he was over there. A young widow - young enough to be his daughter. Mrs over there. A young widow - young enough to be his daughter. Mrs Underhay. As a matter of fact I knew her first husband out in Nigeria." Underhay. As a matter of fact I knew her first husband out in Nigeria."
Major Porter paused. n.o.body displayed any interest or asked him to continue. Newspapers were held up sedulously in front of faces, but it continue. Newspapers were held up sedulously in front of faces, but it took more than that to discourage Major Porter. He always had long took more than that to discourage Major Porter. He always had long histories to relate, mostly about people whom n.o.body knew. histories to relate, mostly about people whom n.o.body knew.
"Interesting," said Major Porter, firmly, his eyes fixed absently on a pair of extremely pointed patent leather shoes - a type of footwear of pair of extremely pointed patent leather shoes - a type of footwear of which he profoundly disapproved. "As I said, I"m a Warden. Funny which he profoundly disapproved. "As I said, I"m a Warden. Funny business this blast. Never know what it"s going to do. Blew the business this blast. Never know what it"s going to do. Blew the bas.e.m.e.nt in and ripped off the roof. First floor practically wasn"t bas.e.m.e.nt in and ripped off the roof. First floor practically wasn"t touched. Six people in the house. Three servants, married couple and touched. Six people in the house. Three servants, married couple and a housemaid, Gordon Cloade, his wife and the wife"s brother. They a housemaid, Gordon Cloade, his wife and the wife"s brother. They were all down in the bas.e.m.e.nt except the wife"s brother - ex- were all down in the bas.e.m.e.nt except the wife"s brother - ex- Commando fellow - he preferred his own comfortable bedroom on the Commando fellow - he preferred his own comfortable bedroom on the first floor - and by jove, he escaped with a few bruises. The three first floor - and by jove, he escaped with a few bruises. The three servants were all killed by blast - Gordon Cloade was buried, they dug servants were all killed by blast - Gordon Cloade was buried, they dug him out but he died on the way to hospital. His wife was suffering from him out but he died on the way to hospital. His wife was suffering from blast, hadn"t got a st.i.tch of clothing on her! but she was alive. They blast, hadn"t got a st.i.tch of clothing on her! but she was alive. They think she"ll pull through. She"ll be a rich widow - Gordon Cloade must think she"ll pull through. She"ll be a rich widow - Gordon Cloade must have been worth well over a million." have been worth well over a million."
Again Major Porter paused. His eyes had travelled up from the patent leather shoes - striped trousers - black coat - egg-shaped head and leather shoes - striped trousers - black coat - egg-shaped head and colossal moustaches. colossal moustaches.
Foreign, of course! That explained the shoes. "Really," thought Major Porter, "what"s the club coming to? Can"t get away from foreigners Porter, "what"s the club coming to? Can"t get away from foreigners even here." This separate train of thought ran alongside his narrative. even here." This separate train of thought ran alongside his narrative.
The fact that the foreigner in question appeared to be giving him full attention did not abate Major Porter"s prejudice in the slightest. attention did not abate Major Porter"s prejudice in the slightest.
"She can"t be more than about twenty-five," he went on. "And a widow for the second time. Or at any rate - that"s what she thinks..." for the second time. Or at any rate - that"s what she thinks..."
He paused, hoping for curiosity - for comment. Not getting it, he nevertheless went doggedly on: nevertheless went doggedly on: "Matter of fact I"ve got my own ideas about that. Queer business. As I told you, I knew her first husband, Underhay. Nice fellow - district told you, I knew her first husband, Underhay. Nice fellow - district commissioner in Nigeria at one time. Absolutely dead keen on his job - commissioner in Nigeria at one time. Absolutely dead keen on his job - first-cla.s.s chap. He married this girl in Capetown. She was out there first-cla.s.s chap. He married this girl in Capetown. She was out there with some touring company. Very down on her luck, and pretty and with some touring company. Very down on her luck, and pretty and helpless and all that. Listened to poor old Underhay raving about his helpless and all that. Listened to poor old Underhay raving about his district and the great wide open s.p.a.ces - and breathed out, "Wasn"t it district and the great wide open s.p.a.ces - and breathed out, "Wasn"t it wonderful?" and how she wanted "to get away from everything." Well, wonderful?" and how she wanted "to get away from everything." Well, she married him and got away from it. He was very much in love, poor she married him and got away from it. He was very much in love, poor fellow - but the thing didn"t tick over from the first. She hated the bush fellow - but the thing didn"t tick over from the first. She hated the bush and was terrified of the natives and was bored to death. Her idea of life and was terrified of the natives and was bored to death. Her idea of life was to go round to the local and meet the theatrical crowd and talk was to go round to the local and meet the theatrical crowd and talk shop. Solitude a deux in the jungle wasn"t at all her cup of tea. Mind shop. Solitude a deux in the jungle wasn"t at all her cup of tea. Mind you, I never met her myself - I heard all this from poor old Underhay. It you, I never met her myself - I heard all this from poor old Underhay. It hit him pretty hard. He did the decent thing, sent her home and agreed hit him pretty hard. He did the decent thing, sent her home and agreed to give her a divorce. It was just after that that I met him. He was all on to give her a divorce. It was just after that that I met him. He was all on edge and in the mood when a man"s got to talk. He was a funny old- edge and in the mood when a man"s got to talk. He was a funny old- fashioned kind of chap in some ways - an R.Q., and he didn"t care for fashioned kind of chap in some ways - an R.Q., and he didn"t care for divorce. He said to me, "There are other ways of giving a woman her divorce. He said to me, "There are other ways of giving a woman her freedom." "Now, look here, old boy," I said, "don"t go doing anything freedom." "Now, look here, old boy," I said, "don"t go doing anything foolish. No woman in the world is worth putting a bullet through your foolish. No woman in the world is worth putting a bullet through your head." head."
"He said that that wasn"t his idea at all. "But I"m a lonely man," he said.
"Got no relations to bother about me. If a report of my death gets back, that will make Rosaleen a widow, which is what she wants." "And what that will make Rosaleen a widow, which is what she wants." "And what about you?" I said. "Well," he said, "maybe a Mr Enoch Arden will turn up about you?" I said. "Well," he said, "maybe a Mr Enoch Arden will turn up somewhere a thousand miles or so away and start life anew." "Might be somewhere a thousand miles or so away and start life anew." "Might be awkward for her some day," I warned him. "Oh, no," he says, "I"d play awkward for her some day," I warned him. "Oh, no," he says, "I"d play the game. Robert Underhay would be dead all right." the game. Robert Underhay would be dead all right."
"Well, I didn"t think any more of it, but six months later I heard that Underhay had died of fever up in the bush somewhere. His natives Underhay had died of fever up in the bush somewhere. His natives were a trustworthy lot and they came back with a good circ.u.mstantial were a trustworthy lot and they came back with a good circ.u.mstantial tale and a few last words scrawled in Underhay"s writing saying they"d tale and a few last words scrawled in Underhay"s writing saying they"d done all they could for him, and he was afraid he was pegging out, and done all they could for him, and he was afraid he was pegging out, and praising up his headman. That man was devoted to him and so were all praising up his headman. That man was devoted to him and so were all the others. Whatever he told them to swear to, they would swear to. So the others. Whatever he told them to swear to, they would swear to. So there it is... Maybe Underhay"s buried up country in the midst of there it is... Maybe Underhay"s buried up country in the midst of equatorial Africa but maybe he isn"t - and if he isn"t Mrs Gordon Cloade equatorial Africa but maybe he isn"t - and if he isn"t Mrs Gordon Cloade may get a shock one day. And serve her right, I say. I never met her, may get a shock one day. And serve her right, I say. I never met her, but I know the sound of a little gold digger! She broke up poor old but I know the sound of a little gold digger! She broke up poor old Underhay all right. It"s an interesting story." Underhay all right. It"s an interesting story."
Major Porter looked round rather wistfully for confirmation of this a.s.sertion. He met two bored and fishy stares, the half-averted gaze of a.s.sertion. He met two bored and fishy stares, the half-averted gaze of young Mr Mellon and the polite attention of M. Hercule Poirot. young Mr Mellon and the polite attention of M. Hercule Poirot.
Then the newspaper rustled and a greyhaired man with a singularly impa.s.sive face rose quietly from his arm-chair by the fire and went out. impa.s.sive face rose quietly from his arm-chair by the fire and went out.
Major Porter"s jaw dropped, and young Mr Mellon gave a faint whistle.
"Now you"ve done it!" he remarked. "Know who that was?"
"G.o.d bless my soul," said Major Porter in some agitation. "Of course. I don"t know him intimately but we are acquainted... Jeremy Cloade, don"t know him intimately but we are acquainted... Jeremy Cloade, isn"t it, Gordon Cloade"s brother? Upon my word, how extremely isn"t it, Gordon Cloade"s brother? Upon my word, how extremely unfortunate! If I"d had any idea -" unfortunate! If I"d had any idea -"
"He"s a solicitor," said young Mr Mellon. "Bet he sues you for slander or defamation of character or something." or defamation of character or something."
For young Mr Mellon enjoyed creating alarm and despondency in such places as it was not forbidden by the Defence of the Realm Act. places as it was not forbidden by the Defence of the Realm Act.
Major Porter continued to repeat in an agitated manner: "Most unfortunate. Most unfortunate!"
"It will be all over Warmsley Heath by this evening," said Mr Mellon.
"That"s where all the Cloades hang out. They"ll sit up late discussing what action to take." what action to take."
But at that moment the All Clear sounded, and young Mr Mellon stopped being malicious, and tenderly piloted his friend Hercule Poirot stopped being malicious, and tenderly piloted his friend Hercule Poirot out into the street. out into the street.
"Terrible atmosphere, these clubs," he said. "The most crashing collection of old bores. Porter"s easily the worst, though. His collection of old bores. Porter"s easily the worst, though. His description of the Indian rope trick takes three quarters of an hour, description of the Indian rope trick takes three quarters of an hour, and he knows everybody whose mother ever pa.s.sed through Poona!" and he knows everybody whose mother ever pa.s.sed through Poona!"
This was in the Autumn of 1944. It was in late Spring, 1946, that Hercule Poirot received a visit. Hercule Poirot received a visit.
II.
Hercule Poirot was sitting at his neat writing-desk on a pleasant May morning when his manservant George approached him and murmured morning when his manservant George approached him and murmured deferentially: "There is a lady, sir, asking to see you."
"What kind of a lady?" Poirot asked cautiously.
He always enjoyed the meticulous accuracy of George"s descriptions.
"She would be aged between forty and fifty, I should say, sir. Untidy and somewhat artistic in appearance. Good walking-shoes, brogues. A and somewhat artistic in appearance. Good walking-shoes, brogues. A tweed coat and skirt - but a lace blouse. Some questionable Egyptian tweed coat and skirt - but a lace blouse. Some questionable Egyptian beads and a blue chiffon scarf." beads and a blue chiffon scarf."
Poirot shuddered slightly.
"I do not think," he said, "that I wish to see her."
"Shall I tell her, sir, that you are indisposed?"
Poirot looked at him thoughtfully.
"You have already, I gather, told her that I am engaged on important business and cannot be disturbed?" business and cannot be disturbed?"
George coughed again.
"She said, sir, that she had come up from the country specially, and did not mind how long she waited." did not mind how long she waited."
Poirot sighed.
"One should never struggle against the inevitable," he said. "If a middle-aged lady wearing sham Egyptian beads has made up her mind middle-aged lady wearing sham Egyptian beads has made up her mind to see the famous Hercule Poirot, and has come up from the country to to see the famous Hercule Poirot, and has come up from the country to do so, nothing will deflect her. She will sit there in the hall till she gets do so, nothing will deflect her. She will sit there in the hall till she gets her way. Show her in, George." her way. Show her in, George."
George retreated, returning presently to announce formally: "Mrs Cloade."
The figure in the worn tweeds and the floating scarf came in with a beaming face. She advanced to Poirot with an outstretched hand, all beaming face. She advanced to Poirot with an outstretched hand, all her bead necklaces swinging and clinking. her bead necklaces swinging and clinking.
"M. Poirot," she said, "I have come to you under spirit guidance."
Poirot blinked slightly.
"Indeed, Madame. Perhaps you will take a seat and tell me -"
He got no further.
"Both ways, M. Poirot. With the automatic writing and with the ouija board. It was the night before last. Madame Elvary (a wonderful board. It was the night before last. Madame Elvary (a wonderful woman she is) and I were using the board. We got the same initials woman she is) and I were using the board. We got the same initials repeatedly. H.P. H.P. H.P. Of course I did not get the true significance repeatedly. H.P. H.P. H.P. Of course I did not get the true significance at once. It takes, you know, a little time. One cannot, on this earthly at once. It takes, you know, a little time. One cannot, on this earthly plane, see clearly. I racked my brains thinking of someone with those plane, see clearly. I racked my brains thinking of someone with those initials. I knew it must connect up with the last seance - really a most initials. I knew it must connect up with the last seance - really a most poignant one, but it was some time before I got it. And then I bought a poignant one, but it was some time before I got it. And then I bought a copy of Picture Post (Spirit guidance again, you see, because usually I copy of Picture Post (Spirit guidance again, you see, because usually I buy the New Statesman) and there you were - a picture of you, and buy the New Statesman) and there you were - a picture of you, and described, and an account of what you had done. It is wonderful, don"t described, and an account of what you had done. It is wonderful, don"t you think, M. Poirot, how everything has a purpose? Clearly, you are you think, M. Poirot, how everything has a purpose? Clearly, you are the person appointed by the Guides to elucidate this matter." the person appointed by the Guides to elucidate this matter."
Poirot surveyed her thoughtfully.
Strangely enough the thing that really caught his attention was that she had remarkably shrewd light-blue eyes. They gave point, as it she had remarkably shrewd light-blue eyes. They gave point, as it were, to her rambling method of approach. were, to her rambling method of approach.
"And what, Mrs - Cloade - is that right?" He frowned. "I seem to have heard the name some time ago -" heard the name some time ago -"
She nodded vehemently.
"My poor brother-in-law - Gordon. Immensely rich and often mentioned in the press. He was killed in the Blitz over a year ago - a great blow to in the press. He was killed in the Blitz over a year ago - a great blow to all of us. My husband is his younger brother. He is a doctor. Dr Lionel all of us. My husband is his younger brother. He is a doctor. Dr Lionel Cloade... Of course," she added, lowering her voice, "he has no idea Cloade... Of course," she added, lowering her voice, "he has no idea that I am consulting you. He would not approve. Doctors, I find, have a that I am consulting you. He would not approve. Doctors, I find, have a very materialistic outlook. The spiritual seems to be strangely hidden very materialistic outlook. The spiritual seems to be strangely hidden from them. They pin their faith on Science - but what I say is... what is from them. They pin their faith on Science - but what I say is... what is Science - what can it do?" Science - what can it do?"
There seemed, to Hercule Poirot, to be no answer to the question other than a meticulous and painstaking description embracing other than a meticulous and painstaking description embracing Pasteur, Lister, Humphrey Davy"s safety lamp - the convenience of Pasteur, Lister, Humphrey Davy"s safety lamp - the convenience of electricity in the home and several hundred other kindred items. But electricity in the home and several hundred other kindred items. But that, naturally, was not the answer Mrs Lionel Cloade wanted. In actual that, naturally, was not the answer Mrs Lionel Cloade wanted. In actual fact her question, like so many questions, was not really a question at fact her question, like so many questions, was not really a question at all. It was a mere rhetorical gesture. all. It was a mere rhetorical gesture.
Hercule Poirot contented himself with inquiring in a practical manner: "In what way do you believe I can help you, Mrs Cloade?"
"Do you believe in the reality of the spirit world, M. Poirot?"
"I am a good Catholic," said Poirot cautiously.
Mrs Cloade waved aside the Catholic faith with a smile of pity.
"Blind! The Church is blind - prejudiced, foolish - not welcoming the reality and beauty of the world that lies behind this one." reality and beauty of the world that lies behind this one."
"At twelve o"clock," said Hercule Poirot, "I have an important appointment." appointment."
It was a well-timed remark. Mrs Cloade leaned forward.
"I must come to the point at once. Would it be possible for you, M. Poirot, to find a missing person?" Poirot, to find a missing person?"
Poirot"s eyebrow"s rose.
"It might be possible - yes," he replied cautiously. "But the police, my dear Mrs Cloade, could do so a great deal more easily than I could. dear Mrs Cloade, could do so a great deal more easily than I could. They have all the necessary machinery." They have all the necessary machinery."
Mrs Cloade waved away the police as she had waved away the Catholic Church. Catholic Church.
"No, M. Poirot - it is to you I have been guided - by those beyond the veil. Now listen. My brother Gordon married some weeks before his veil. Now listen. My brother Gordon married some weeks before his death, a young widow - a Mrs Underhay. Her first husband (poor child, death, a young widow - a Mrs Underhay. Her first husband (poor child, such a grief to her) was reported dead in Africa. A mysterious country such a grief to her) was reported dead in Africa. A mysterious country -Africa."
"A mysterious continent," Poirot corrected her. "Possibly. What part -"
She swept on.
"Central Africa. The home of voodoo, of the zhombie -"
"The zhombie is in the West Indies."
Mrs Cloade swept on : "-of black magic - of strange and secret practices - a country where a man could disappear and never be heard of again." man could disappear and never be heard of again."
"Possibly, possibly," said Poirot. "But the same is true of Piccadilly Circus." Circus."
Mrs Cloade waved away Piccadilly Circus.
"Twice lately, M. Poirot, a communication has come through from a spirit who gives his name as Robert. The message was the same each spirit who gives his name as Robert. The message was the same each time. Not dead... We were puzzled, we knew no Robert. Asking for time. Not dead... We were puzzled, we knew no Robert. Asking for further guidance we got this. "R.U. R.U. R.U." - then "Tell R. Tell R." "Tell further guidance we got this. "R.U. R.U. R.U." - then "Tell R. Tell R." "Tell Robert?" we asked. "No, from Robert. R.U." "What does the U. stand Robert?" we asked. "No, from Robert. R.U." "What does the U. stand for?" Then, M. Poirot, the most significant answer came. "Little Boy for?" Then, M. Poirot, the most significant answer came. "Little Boy Blue. Little Boy Blue. Ha ha ha" You see?" Blue. Little Boy Blue. Ha ha ha" You see?"
"No," said Poirot, "I do not."
She looked at him pityingly.
"The nursery rhyme Little Boy Blue. "Under the Hayc.o.c.k fast asleep" - Under hay - you see?" Under hay - you see?"
Poirot nodded. He forbore to ask why, if the name Robert could be spelt out, the name Underhay could not have been treated the same spelt out, the name Underhay could not have been treated the same way, and why it had been necessary to resort to a kind of cheap Secret way, and why it had been necessary to resort to a kind of cheap Secret Service spy jargon. Service spy jargon.
"And my sister-in-law"s name is Rosaleen," finished Mrs Cloade triumphantly. triumphantly.
"You see? Confusing all these Rs. But the meaning is quite plain. "Tell Rosaleen that Robert Underhay is not dead."" Rosaleen that Robert Underhay is not dead.""
"Aha, and did you tell her?"
Mrs Cloade looked slightly taken aback.
"Er - well - no. You see, I mean - well, people are so sceptical. Rosaleen, I am sure, would be so. And then, poor child, it might upset Rosaleen, I am sure, would be so. And then, poor child, it might upset her - wondering, you know, where he was - and what he was doing." her - wondering, you know, where he was - and what he was doing."
"Besides projecting his voice through the ether? Quite so. A curious method, surely, of announcing his safety?" method, surely, of announcing his safety?"
"Ah, M. Poirot, you are not an initiate. And how do we know what the circ.u.mstances are? Poor Captain Underhay (or is it Major Underhay) circ.u.mstances are? Poor Captain Underhay (or is it Major Underhay) may be a prisoner somewhere in the dark interior of Africa. But if he may be a prisoner somewhere in the dark interior of Africa. But if he could be found, M. Poirot. If he could be restored to his dear young could be found, M. Poirot. If he could be restored to his dear young Rosaleen. Think of her happiness! Oh, M. Poirot, I have been sent to Rosaleen. Think of her happiness! Oh, M. Poirot, I have been sent to you - surely, surely you will not refuse the behest of the spiritual you - surely, surely you will not refuse the behest of the spiritual world." world."
Poirot looked at her reflectively.
"My fees," he said softly, "are very expensive. I may say enormously expensive! And the task you suggest would not be easy." expensive! And the task you suggest would not be easy."
"Oh dear - but surely - it is most unfortunate. I and my husband are very badly off - very badly off indeed. Actually my own plight is worse very badly off - very badly off indeed. Actually my own plight is worse than my dear husband knows. I bought some shares - under spirit than my dear husband knows. I bought some shares - under spirit guidance - and so far they have proved very disappointing - in fact, guidance - and so far they have proved very disappointing - in fact, quite alarming. They have gone right down and are now, I gather, quite alarming. They have gone right down and are now, I gather, practically unsaleable." practically unsaleable."
She looked at him with dismayed blue eyes.
"I have not dared to tell my husband. I simply tell you in order to explain how I am situated. But surely, dear M. Poirot, to reunite a explain how I am situated. But surely, dear M. Poirot, to reunite a young husband and wife - it is such a n.o.ble mission -" young husband and wife - it is such a n.o.ble mission -"
"n.o.bility, chere Madame, will not pay steamer and railway and air travel fares. Nor will it cover the cost of long telegrams and cables, travel fares. Nor will it cover the cost of long telegrams and cables, and the interrogations of witnesses." and the interrogations of witnesses."