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Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Thank you.
Welcome back, everyone, to 1001 Stories for the Road and the Seven Dials Mystery from Agatha Christie. Today, chapters 19 and 20. And now it's Bundle's turn. Chapter 19, Bundle's Adventures.
Chapter 2: What happens in Chapter 19 of the Seven Dials Mystery?
Bundle Brent was a resourceful girl, and she was also a girl of imagination. She had foreseen that Bill, if not Jimmy, would make objections to her participation in the possible dangers of the night. It was not Bumble's idea to waste time in argument. She had laid out her own plans and made her own arrangements. A glance from her bedroom window shortly before dinner had been highly satisfactory.
She had known that the gray walls of the abbey were plentifully adorned with ivy, but the ivy outside her window was particularly solid-looking and would present no difficulties to one of her athletic propensities. She had no fault to find with Bill's and Jimmy's arrangements as far as they went. but in her opinion they did not go far enough.
She offered no criticism because she intended to see that side of things herself. Briefly, while Jimmy and Bill were devoting themselves to the inside of the abbey, Bundle intended to devote her attentions to the outside. Her own meek acquiescence in the tame role assigned to her gave her an infinity of pleasure, though she wondered scornfully how either of the two men could be so easily deceived.
Bill, of course, had never been famous for scintillating brain power. On the other hand, he knew, or should know, his Bundle, as she considered that Jimmy Thessiger, though only slightly acquainted with her, ought to have known better than to imagine that she could be so easily and summarily disposed of. Once in the privacy of her own room, Bundle set rapidly to work.
First she discarded her evening dress and the negligible trifle which she wore beneath it, and started again, so to speak, from the foundations. Bundle had not brought her maid with her, and she herself had packed. Otherwise, the puzzled Frenchwoman might have wondered why her lady took a pair of riding breeches and no further equine equipment.
Arrayed in riding breeches, rubber-soled shoes, and a dark-colored pullover, Bundle was ready for the fray. She glanced at the time. As yet, it was only half-past twelve. Too early by far. Whatever was going to happen would not happen for some time yet. THE OCCUPANTS OF THE HOUSE MUST ALL BE GIVEN TIME TO GET OFF TO SLEEP. HALF PAST ONE WAS THE TIME FIXED BY BUNDLE FOR THE START OF OPERATIONS.
SHE SWITCHED OFF HER LIGHT AND SAT DOWN BY THE WINDOW TO WAIT. PUNCTUALLY AT THE APPOINTED MOMENT SHE ROSE, PUSHED UP THE SASH, AND SWUNG HER LEG OVER THE SILL. THE NIGHT WAS A FINE ONE, COLD AND STILL. THERE WAS STARLIGHT, BUT NO MOON. She found the descent very easy. Bundle and her two sisters had run wild in the park at chimneys as small children, and they could all climb like cats.
Bundle arrived on a flower bed, rather breathless, but quite unscathed. She paused a minute to take stock of her plans. She knew that the rooms occupied by the air minister and his secretary were in the west wing. That was the opposite side of the house from where Bundle was now standing. A terrace ran along the south and west side of the house, ending abruptly against a walled fruit garden.
Bundle stepped out of her flower bed and turned the corner of the house to where the terrace began on the south side. She crept very quietly along it, keeping close to the shadow of the house. But as she reached the second corner, she got a shock, for a man was standing there with the clear intention of barring her way. The next instant she had recognized him. "'Superintendent Battle!
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Chapter 3: How does Bundle's adventure escalate in Chapter 19?
Superintendent Battle looked up at it thoughtfully. "'Yes,' he said. "'I should say it would be.' "'And you want me to go back?' said Bundle. "'I'm rather sick about that. I wanted to go round, onto the West Terrace.' "'Perhaps you won't be the only one who'll want to do that,' said Battle. "'Nobody could miss seeing you,' said Bundle, rather spitefully.'
The superintendent seemed rather pleased than otherwise. "'I hope they won't,' he said. "'No unpleasantness. That's my motto.' "'And if you'll excuse me, Lady Eileen, I think it's time you were going back to bed.' The firmness of his tone admitted of no parley. Rather crestfallen, Bundle retraced her steps.
She was halfway up the ivy when a sudden idea occurred to her, and she nearly relaxed her grip and fell. SUPPOSING SUPERINTENDENT BATTLE SUSPECTED HER THERE HAD BEEN SOMETHING, YES, SURELY THERE HAD BEEN SOMETHING IN HIS MANNER THAT VAGUELY SUGGESTED THAT IDEA. SHE COULDN'T HELP LAUGHING AS SHE CRAWLED OVER THE SILL INTO HER BEDROOM. FANCY THE SALAD SUPERINTENDENT SUSPECTING HER.
THOUGH SHE HAD SO FAR OBEYED BATTLE'S ORDERS AS TO RETURN TO HER ROOM, BUNDLE HAD NO INTENTION OF GOING TO BED AND SLEEPING. nor did she think that battle had really intended her to do so. He was not a man to expect impossibilities, and to remain quiescent when something daring and exciting might be going on was a sheer impossibility to bundle. She glanced at her watch. It was ten minutes to two.
After a moment or two of irresolution, she cautiously opened her door. Not a sound. Everything was still and peaceful. She stole cautiously along the passage. Once she halted, thinking she heard a board creak somewhere, but then convinced that she was mistaken, she went on again.
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Chapter 4: What new evidence is revealed in Chapter 20?
She was now in the main corridor, making her way to the west wing. She reached the angle of intersection and peered cautiously round. Then she stared in blank surprise. The watcher's post was empty. Jimmy Thessiger was not there. Bundle stared in complete amazement. What had happened? Why had Jimmy left his post? What did it mean? And at that moment, she heard the clock strike two.
She was still standing there, debating what to do next, when suddenly her heart gave a leap and then seemed to stand still. The door handle of Terrence O'Rourke's room was slowly turning. Bundle watched, fascinated, but the door did not open. Instead, the knob returned slowly to its original position. What did that mean? Suddenly Bundle came to a resolution.
Jimmy, for some unknown reason, had deserted his post. She must get hold of Bill. Quickly and noiselessly, Bundle fled along the way she had come. She burst unceremoniously into Bill's room. Bill, wake up! Oh, do wake up! It was an urgent whisper she sent forth, but there came no response to it. breathed Bundle. Impatiently she switched on the lights, and then stood dumbfounded.
The room was empty, and the bed had not even been slept in. Where, then, was Bill? Suddenly she caught her breath. This was not Bill's room. the dainty negligee thrown over a chair, the feminine knick-knacks on the dressing-table, the black velvet evening dress thrown carelessly over a chair.
Chapter 5: How does Bundle's perspective change in Chapter 20?
Of course, in her haste she had mistaken the doors. This was the Countess Radsky's room. But where, oh, where was the Countess? And just as Bundle was asking herself this question, the silence of the night was suddenly broken, and in no uncertain manner. The clamour came from below— In an instant Bundle had sped out of the Countess's room and downstairs. The sounds came from the library.
A violent crashing of chairs being overturned. Bundle rattled vainly at the library door. It was locked, but she could clearly hear the struggle that was going on within. The panting and scuffling, curses in manly tones, the occasional crash as some light piece of furniture came into the line of battle.
And then, sinister and distinct, breaking the peace of the night for good and all, two shots in rapid succession. We'll return with Chapter 20 right after these sponsor messages. And now, Chapter 20, Lorraine's Adventures. Lorraine Wade sat up in bed and switched on the light. It was exactly ten minutes to one. She had gone to bed early, at half-past nine.
She possessed the useful art of being able to wake herself up at the required time, so she had been able to enjoy some hours of refreshing sleep. Two dogs slept in the room with her, and one of these now raised his head and looked at her inquiringly. "'Quiet, Lurcher,' said Lorraine, and the big animal put his head down again obediently, watching her from between his shaggy eyelashes.
It is true that Bundle had once doubted the meekness of Lorraine Wade, but that brief moment of suspicion had passed. Lorraine had seemed so entirely reasonable, so willing to be kept out of everything. And yet, if you studied the girl's face, you saw that there was strength of purpose in the small, resolute jaw and the lips that closed together so firmly.'
Lorraine rose and dressed herself in a tweed coat and skirt. Into one pocket of the coat she dropped a flashlight. Then she opened the drawer of her dressing table and took out a small ivory-handled pistol, almost a toy in appearance. She had bought it the day before at Harrods, and she was very pleased with it.
She gave a final glance round the room to see if she had forgotten anything, and at that moment the big dog rose and came over to her, looking up at her with pleading eyes and wagging his tail. Lorraine shook her head. No, Lurcher, can't go.
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Chapter 6: What role does Superintendent Battle play in the story?
Mrs. can't take you. Got to stay here and be a good boy. She dropped a kiss on the dog's head, made him lie down on his rug again, and then slipped noiselessly out of the room, closing the door behind her. She let herself out of the house by a side door and made her way round to the garage, where her little two-seater car was in readiness.
There was a gentle slope, and she let the car run silently down it, not starting the engine until she was some way from the house. Then she glanced at the watch on her arm and pressed her foot down on the accelerator. She left the car at a spot she had previously marked down. There was a gap there in the fencing that she could easily get through.
A few minutes later, slightly muddy, Lorraine stood inside the grounds of Wyvern Abbey. As noiselessly as possible, she made her way towards the venerable ivy-covered building. In the distance, a stable clock chimed two. Lorraine's heart beat faster if she drew near the terrace. There was no one about, no sign of life anywhere. Everything seemed peaceful and undisturbed.
She reached the terrace and stood there, looking about her. Suddenly, without the least warning, something from above fell with a flop almost at her feet. Lorraine stooped to pick it up. It was a brown paper packet, loosely wrapped. Holding it, Lorraine looked up. There was an open window just above her head, and even as she looked, a leg swung over it and a man began to climb down the ivy.
Lorraine waited for no more. She took to her heels and ran, still clasping the brown paper packet. Behind her, the noise of a struggle suddenly broke out. A hoarse voice. "'Let me go!' another that she knew well. "'Not if I know it. Ah, you would, would you?'
Still Lorraine ran, blindly, as though panic-stricken, right round the corner of the terrace and slap into the arms of a large, solidly built man. "'Below there,' said Superintendent Battle kindly.
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Chapter 7: What surprises does Lorraine Wade encounter in Chapter 20?
Lorraine was struggling to speak. "'Oh, quick, quick. They're killing each other. Oh, do be quick.' There was a sharp crack of a revolver shot, and then another, and Superintendent Battle started to run. Lorraine followed. Back around the corner of the terrace and along to the library window. The window was open. Battle stooped and switched on a flashlight.
Lorraine was close beside him, peering over his shoulder. She gave a little sobbing gasp. On the threshold of the window lay Jimmy Thessiger in what looked like a pool of blood. His right arm lay dangling in a curious position. Lorraine gave a sharp cry. "'He's dead!' she wailed. "'Oh, Jimmy! Jimmy!' "'Now, now,' said Superintendent Battle soothingly. "'Don't you take on so.
The young gentleman isn't dead. I'll be bound. See if you can find the lights and turn them on.' Lorraine obeyed. She stumbled across the room, found the switch by the door, and pressed it down. The room was flooded with light. Superintendent Battle uttered a sigh of relief. It's all right. He's only shot in the right arm.
Chapter 8: How does the tension build towards the climax in these chapters?
He's fainted through loss of blood. Come and give me a hand with him. There was a pounding on the library door. Voices were heard, asking, expostulating, demanding. Lorraine looked doubtfully at it. Shall I? No hurry, said Paddle. We'll let them in presently. You come and give me a hand. Lorraine came immediately.
The superintendent had produced a large, clean pocket handkerchief and was neatly bandaging the wounded man's arm. Lorraine helped him. "'He'll be all right,' said the superintendent. "'Don't you worry. As many lives as cats, these young fellows. It wasn't the loss of blood knocked him out, either. He must have caught his head a crack on the floor as he fell.'
Outside, the knocking on the door had become tremendous. The voice of George Lomax, furiously upraised, came loud and distinct. "'Who's in there? Open the door at once!' Superintendent Battles sighed. "'I suppose we'll have to,' he said, a pity. His eyes darted round, taking in the scene, and automatically by Jimmy's side.
The superintendent picked it up gingerly, holding it very delicately, and examined it. He grunted and laid it on the table. Then he stepped across and unlocked the door. Several people almost fell into the room. Nearly everybody said something at the same minute. George Lomax, spluttering with obdurate words which refused to come with sufficient fluency, exclaimed, The meaning of this?
Ah, it's you, Superintendent. What happened? I say, what has happened? Bill Eversley said, "'My God! Oh, Jimmy!' and stared at the limp figure on the ground. Lady Coote, clad in her resplendent purple dressing-gown, cried out, "'The poor boy!' and swept past Superintendent Battle to bend over the prostrate Jimmy in a motherly fashion. Bundle said, "'Lorraine!' Herr Eberhard said, "'Gottemimo!'
and other words of that nature. Sir Stanley Digby said, "'My God! What is all this?' A housemaid said, "'Look at the blood,' and screamed with pleasurable excitement. A footman said, "'Lore!' The butler said, with a good deal more bravery in his manner than had been noticeable a few minutes earlier, "'Now then, this won't do,' and waved away under servants.
The efficient Mr. Rupert Bateman said to George, "'Shall we get rid of some of these people, sir?' Then they all took fresh breath. "'Incredible!' said George Lomax. "'Battle, what has happened here?' Battle gave him a look, and George's discreet habits assumed their usual sway. "'Now then,' he said, moving to the door, "'everyone go back to bed, please.
There's been a—' "'A little accident,' said Superintendent Battle, easily. "'An accident. I shall be much obliged if everyone will still go back to bed.' EVERYONE WAS CLEARLY RELUCTANT TO DO SO. "'LADY COOT, PLEASE.' "'THE POOR BOY,' SAID LADY COOT, IN A MOTHERLY FASHION. SHE ROSE FROM A KNEELING POSITION WITH GREAT RELUCTANCE, AND AS SHE DID SO, JIMMY STIRRED AND SAT UP.
"'HELLO,' HE SAID THICKLY. "'WHAT'S THE MATTER?' HE LOOKED ROUND HIM VACANTLY FOR A MINUTE OR TWO, AND THEN INTELLIGENCE RETURNED TO HIS EYE. "'Have you got him?' he demanded eagerly. "'Got who?' "'The man. Climbed down the ivy. I was by the window there. Grabbed him, and we had no end of a set-to.' "'One of those nasty, murderous cat-burglars,' said Lady Coot. "'Poor boy!'
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