The Peril at End House by Agatha Christie Read Free Book Online Page B

walked to the point where an inconspicuous small gate, rather rusty on its hinges, bore the words in half obliterated letters, 'End House. Private.' There was no one in sight. We passed quietly through.
    In another minute we came out on the stretch of lawn in front of the house. There was no one about. Poirot strolled to the edge of the cliff and looked over. Then he walked towards the house itself. The French windows on to the verandah were open and we passed straight into the drawing-room. Poirot wasted no time there. He opened the door and went out into the hall. From there he mounted the stairs, I at his heels. He went straight to Nick's bedroom-sat down on the edge of the bed and nodded to me with a twinkle.
    'You see, my friend, how easy it is. No one has seen us come. No one will see us go. We could do any little affair we had to do in perfect safety. We could, for instance, fray through a picture wire so that it would be bound to snap before many hours had passed. And supposing that by chance anyone did happen to be in front of the house and see us coming. Then we would have a perfectly natural excuse-providing that we were known as friends of the house.'
    'You mean that we can rule out a stranger?'
    'That is what I mean, Hastings. It is no stray lunatic who is at the bottom of this. We must look nearer home than that.'
    He turned to leave the room and I followed him. We neither of us spoke. We were both, I think, troubled in mind.
    And then, at the bend of the staircase, we both stopped abruptly. A man was coming up.
    He too stopped. His face was in shadow but his attitude was one of one completely taken aback. He was the first to speak, in a loud, rather bullying voice.
    'What the hell are you doing here, I'd like to know?'
    'Ah!' said Poirot. 'Monsieur-Croft, I think?'
    'That's my name, but what-'
    'Shall we go into the drawing-room to converse? It would be better, I think.'
    The other gave way, turned abruptly and descended, we following close on his heels. In the drawing-room, with the door shut, Poirot made a little bow.
    'I will introduce myself. Hercule Poirot at your service.'
    The other's face cleared a little.
    'Oh!' he said slowly. 'You're the detective chap. I've read about you.'
    'In the St Loo Herald ?'
    'Eh? I've read about you way back in Australia. French, aren't you?'
    'Belgian. It makes no matter. This is my friend, Captain Hastings.'
    'Glad to meet you. But look, what's the big idea? What are you doing here? Anything-wrong?'
    'It depends what you call-wrong.'
    The Australian nodded. He was a fine-looking man in spite of his bald head and advancing years. His physique was magnificent. He had a heavy, rather underhung face-a crude face, I called it to myself. The piercing blue of his eyes was the most noticeable thing about him.
    'See here,' he said. 'I came round to bring little Miss Buckley a handful of tomatoes and a cucumber. That man of hers is no good-bone idle-doesn't grow a thing. Lazy hound. Mother and I-why, it makes us mad, and we feel it's only neighbourly to do what we can! We've got a lot more tomatoes than we can eat. Neighbours should be matey, don't you think? I came in, as usual, through the window and dumped the basket down. I was just going off again when I heard footsteps and men's voices overhead. That struck me as odd. We don't deal much in burglars round here-but after all it was possible. I thought I'd just make sure everything was all right. Then I met you two on the stairs coming down. It gave me a bit of a surprise. And now you tell me you're a bonza detective. What's it all about?'
    'It is very simple,' said Poirot, smiling. 'Mademoiselle had a rather alarming experience the other night. A picture fell above her bed. She may have told you of it?'
    'She did. A mighty fine escape.'
    'To make all secure I promised to bring her some special chain-it will not do to repeat the occurrence, eh? She tells me she is going out this morning, but I may come and measure what amount of