‘I don’t suppose they’re absolutely obsolete. I think you can make some arrangement to change them at a bank.’ ‘There’s another one still,’ said Albert. ‘The one from the other drawer ‘ The next was bulkier. There seemed to be more inside it and it had three large important-looking red seals. On the outside was written in the same spiky hand ‘In the event of my death, this envelope should be sent unopened to my solicitor, Mr Rockbury of Rockbury & Tomkins, or to my nephew Thomas Beresford. Not to be opened by any unauthorized person.’ There were several sheets of closely written paper. The handwriting was bad, very spiky and here and there somewhat illegible. Tommy read it aloud with some difficulty.
‘I, Ada Maria Fanshawe, am writing down here certain matters which have come to my knowledge and which have been told me by people who are residing in this nursing home called Sunny Ridge.
1 cannot vouch for any of this information being correct but there seems to be some reason to believe that suspicious – possibly criminal – activities are taking place here or have taken place here.
Elizabeth Moody, a foolish woman, but not I think untruthful, declares that she has recognized here a well-known criminal. There a,nbe a poisoner at rk among us. I myself prefer to keep an mind, but I shall remain watchful. I propose to rite here any facts that come to my knozoledge. The ohole thing may be a mare’s nest. Either my solia’tor or nty nephew Thomas
B ‘ said Albert triumphantly – ‘Told you so! It’s a cLUE? BOOK 4 Here is a Church and here is the Steeple Open the Doors and there are the People
CHAPTER 14 Exercise in Thinking
‘I suppose what we ought to do is think,’ said Tuppence.
After a glad reunion in the hospital, Tuppence had eventually been honourably discharged. The faithful pair were now comparing notes together in the sitting-room of the best suite ‘in The Lamb and Flag at Market Basing.
‘You leave thinking alone,’ said Tommy. ‘You know what that doctor told you before he let you go. No worries, no mental exertion, very little physical activity – take everything easy.’ ‘What else am I doing now?’ demanded Tuppence. ‘I’ve got my feet up, haven’t I, and my head on two cushions? And as for thinking, thinking isn’t necessarily mental exertion. I’m not doing mathematics, or studying economics, or adding up the household accounts. Thinking is just resting comfortably, and leaving one’s mind open in case something interesting or important should just come floating in. Anyway, wouldn’t you rather I did a little thinking with my feet up and my head on cushions, rather than go in for action again?’ ‘I certainly don’t want you going in for action again,’ said Tommy. ‘That’s out. You understand? Physically, Tuppence, you will remain quiescent. If possible, I shan’t let you out of my sight because I don’t trust you.’ ‘All right,’ said Tuppence. ‘Lecture ends. Now let’s think.
Think together. Pay no attention to what doctors have said to you. If you knew as much as I do about doctors ‘ ‘Never mind about the doctors,’ said Tommy, ‘you do as I tell you.’ ‘All right. I’ve no wish at present for physical activity I assure you. The point is that we’ve got to compare notes. We’ve got hold of a lot of things. It’s as bad as a village jumble sale.’ ‘What do you mean by things?’ ‘Well, facts. All sorts of facts. Far too many facts. And not only facts – Hearsay, suggestions, legends, gossip. The whole thing is like a bran tub with different kinds of parcels wrapped up and shoved down in the sawdust.’ ‘Sawdust is fight,’ said Tommy.
‘I don’t quite know whether you’re being insulting or modest,’ said Tuppence. ‘Anyway, you do agree with me, don’t you? We’ve got far too much of everything. There are wrong things and fight things, and important things and unimportan things and they’re all mixed up together. We don’t know where to start.’ ‘I do,’ said Tommy.
‘All fight,’ said Tuppence. ‘Where are you starting?’ ‘I’m starting with your being coshed on the head,’ said Tommy.