The Vintage Mysteries for the Holidays. Эдгар Аллан По

key was in the lock, and Julius swung open the door, and searched inside. He was some time over the task.

      “Well,” said Tuppence impatiently.

      There was a pause before Julius answered, then he withdrew his head and shut to the door.

      “Nothing,” he said.

      In five minutes a brisk young doctor arrived, hastily summoned. He was deferential to Sir James, whom he recognized.

      “Heart failure, or possibly an overdose of some sleeping-draught.” He sniffed. “Rather an odour of chloral in the air.”

      Tuppence remembered the glass she had upset. A new thought drove her to the washstand. She found the little bottle from which Mrs. Vandemeyer had poured a few drops.

      It had been three parts full. Now—IT WAS EMPTY.

      Chapter 14

       A Consultation

       Table of Contents

      NOTHING was more surprising and bewildering to Tuppence than the ease and simplicity with which everything was arranged, owing to Sir James’s skilful handling. The doctor accepted quite readily the theory that Mrs. Vandemeyer had accidentally taken an overdose of chloral. He doubted whether an inquest would be necessary. If so, he would let Sir James know. He understood that Mrs. Vandemeyer was on the eve of departure for abroad, and that the servants had already left? Sir James and his young friends had been paying a call upon her, when she was suddenly stricken down and they had spent the night in the flat, not liking to leave her alone. Did they know of any relatives? They did not, but Sir James referred him to Mrs. Vandemeyer’s solicitor.

      Shortly afterwards a nurse arrived to take charge, and the other left the ill-omened building.

      “And what now?” asked Julius, with a gesture of despair. “I guess we’re down and out for good.”

      Sir James stroked his chin thoughtfully.

      “No,” he said quietly. “There is still the chance that Dr. Hall may be able to tell us something.”

      “Gee! I’d forgotten him.”

      “The chance is slight, but it must not be neglected. I think I told you that he is staying at the Metropole. I should suggest that we call upon him there as soon as possible. Shall we say after a bath and breakfast?”

      It was arranged that Tuppence and Julius should return to the Ritz, and call for Sir James in the car. This programme was faithfully carried out, and a little after eleven they drew up before the Metropole. They asked for Dr. Hall, and a page-boy went in search of him. In a few minutes the little doctor came hurrying towards them.

      “Can you spare us a few minutes, Dr. Hall?” said Sir James pleasantly. “Let me introduce you to Miss Cowley. Mr. Hersheimmer, I think, you already know.”

      A quizzical gleam came into the doctor’s eye as he shook hands with Julius.

      “Ah, yes, my young friend of the tree episode! Ankle all right, eh?”

      “I guess it’s cured owing to your skilful treatment, doc.”

      “And the heart trouble? Ha ha!”

      “Still searching,” said Julius briefly.

      “To come to the point, can we have a word with you in private?” asked Sir James.

      “Certainly. I think there is a room here where we shall be quite undisturbed.”

      He led the way, and the others followed him. They sat down, and the doctor looked inquiringly at Sir James.

      “Dr. Hall, I am very anxious to find a certain young lady for the purpose of obtaining a statement from her. I have reason to believe that she has been at one time or another in your establishment at Bournemouth. I hope I am transgressing no professional etiquette in questioning you on the subject?”

      “I suppose it is a matter of testimony?”

      Sir James hesitated a moment, then he replied:

      “Yes.”

      “I shall be pleased to give you any information in my power. What is the young lady’s name? Mr. Hersheimmer asked me, I remember——” He half turned to Julius.

      “The name,” said Sir James bluntly, “is really immaterial. She would be almost certainly sent to you under an assumed one. But I should like to know if you are acquainted with a Mrs. Vandemeyer?”

      “Mrs. Vandemeyer, of 20 South Audley Mansions? I know her slightly.”

      “You are not aware of what has happened?”

      “What do you mean?”

      “You do not know that Mrs. Vandemeyer is dead?”

      “Dear, dear, I had no idea of it! When did it happen?”

      “She took an overdose of chloral last night.”

      “Purposely?”

      “Accidentally, it is believed. I should not like to say myself. Anyway, she was found dead this morning.”

      “Very sad. A singularly handsome woman. I presume she was a friend of yours, since you are acquainted with all these details.”

      “I am acquainted with the details because—well, it was I who found her dead.”

      “Indeed,” said the doctor, starting.

      “Yes,” said Sir James, and stroked his chin reflectively.

      “This is very sad news, but you will excuse me if I say that I do not see how it bears on the subject of your inquiry?”

      “It bears on it in this way, is it not a fact that Mrs. Vandemeyer committed a young relative of hers to your charge?”

      Julius leaned forward eagerly.

      “That is the case,” said the doctor quietly.

      “Under the name of——?”

      “Janet Vandemeyer. I understood her to be a niece of Mrs. Vandemeyer’s.”

      “And she came to you?”

      “As far as I can remember in June or July of 1915.”

      “Was she a mental case?”

      “She is perfectly sane, if that is what you mean. I understood from Mrs. Vandemeyer that the girl had been with her on the Lusitania when that ill-fated ship was sunk, and had suffered a severe shock in consequence.”

      “We’re on the right track, I think?” Sir James looked round.

      “As I said before, I’m a mutt!” returned Julius.

      The doctor looked at them all curiously.

      “You spoke of wanting a statement from her,” he said. “Supposing she is not able to give one?”

      “What? You have just said that she is perfectly sane.”

      “So she is. Nevertheless, if you want a statement from her concerning any events prior to May 7, 1915, she will not be able to give it to you.”

      They looked at the little man, stupefied. He nodded cheerfully.

      “It’s a pity,” he said. “A great pity, especially as I gather, Sir James, that the matter is important. But there it is, she can tell you nothing.”

      “But why, man? Darn it all, why?”

      The little man shifted his benevolent glance to the excited young American.

      “Because Janet Vandemeyer is suffering from a complete loss of memory.”

      “WHAT?”