Epitaph For A Spy 1938

Author:Eric Ambler
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-09-29T19:53:34+00:00

12

I did not eat much lunch. For one thing, my head had begun to ache again; for another, I received with my soup a message fromKoche.The manager would be grateful if Monsieur Vadassy could spare the time to call in at the office after luncheon. Yes, Monsieur Vadassy could and would spare the time. But the prospect disturbed me. SupposingKochehad decided that some “poor little underpaid chambermaid” was the culprit. What was I supposed to do? The idiotic Beghin had made no allowances for that contingency. The wretched girl would naturally deny the charge. What could I say? Was I to stand by and see some perfectly innocent person browbeaten by a zealousKocheand accused of a theft that had not taken place? It was an abominable state of affairs.

But I need not, as it happened, have worried about that. The chambermaid was perfectly safe.

MonsieurDuclospounced on me as I left the terrace.

“Have you decided to call in the police, Monsieur?”

“Not yet. I am going to seeKöche.”

He stroked his beard gloomily. “I have been thinking, Monsieur. Every hour we delay is in the thief’s favor.”

“Quite so.But . . .”

“Speaking as a businessman, I counsel immediate action. You must be firm withKoche,Monsieur.” He thrust his beard forward ferociously.

“I shall be very firm, Monsieur, I …”

But before I could get away theVogelscame up, shook hands with me and expressed their sorrow at my loss. MonsieurDucloswas not in the least put out by this evidence of his treachery.

“We have agreed, MonsieurVogeland I,” he stated, “that theCommissaireof Police should be called in.”

“Five thousand francs,” noddedHerr Vogelweightily, “is a serious loss. A matter for the police, without a doubt. MonsieurRouxis of the same opinion. There is the safety of the other guests’ property to be considered. Mademoiselle Martin, a young lady of nervous disposition, is already frightened for her jewels. MonsieurRouxcalmed her, but he informed me that unless the thief is discovered he will be forced to leave.Koche willbe well advised to treat the matter more seriously. Five thousand francs!” —he requoted Monsieur Duclos’s version of my loss—“It is a serious thing.”

“Yes, indeed!” saidFrau Vogel.

“You see!” put in MonsieurDuclostriumphantly, “the police must be called in.”

“With regard,” pursuedHerr Vogel ina whisper, “to the question of your suspicions,Herr Vadassy,we feel that at the moment the police should not be told of them.”

“My suspicions?”I glanced at MonsieurDuclos.He had the grace to avoid my eye and fumble a little ostentatiously with his pince-​nez.

Herr Vogelsmiled indulgently. “I understand perfectly. It would be better to say nothing that might be construed as referring to”—he looked round swiftly and lowered his voice— “a certain person of English nationality, eh?” He winked. “These affairs must be handled with discretion, eh?”

“Yes, yes!” echoedFrau Vogelcheerfully.

I mumbled something about having no suspicious at all and made my escape. MonsieurDucloswas proving a rather compromising publicity agent.

Köche waswaiting for me in the office.

“Ah, yes, Monsieur Vadassy, please come in.” He shut the door behind me. “A chair? Good. Now to business.”

I played my part. “I hope, Monsieur, that you have satisfactory news for me.

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