The Golden Ball and Other Stories

by Agatha Christie

  Leave us together, Anna Michaelovna." "But, madame---"

  "Leave us alone, I say."

  She stamped her foot angrily. With considerable reluctance Anna Michaelovna left the room. The Grand Duchess

  sat down and motioned to Jane to do the same.

  "They are tiresome, these old women," remarked Pauline. "But one has to have them. Anna Michaelovna is better

  than most. No, then, Miss--ah, yes, Miss Jane Cleveland.

  I like the name. I like you too. You are sympathetic.

  I can tell at once if people are sympathetic."

  "That's very clever of you, ma'am," said Jane, speaking for the first time.

  "I am clever," said Pauline calmly. "Come now, I will explain things to you. Not that there is much to explain.

  62 Agatha Christie

  You know the history of Ostrova. Practically all of my family are dead--massacred by the Communists. I am,

  perhaps, the last of my line. I am a woman, I cannot sit

  upon the throne. You think they would let me be. But no,

  wherever I go, attempts are made to assassinate me. Absurd,

  is it not? These vodka-soaked brutes never have any sense

  of proportion."

  "I see," said Jane, feeling that something was required of her.

  "For the most part I live in retirement--where I can take precautions, but now and then I have to take part in public

  ceremonies. While I am here, for instance, I have to attend

  several semi-public functions. Also in Paris on my way

  back. I have an estate in Hungary, you know. The sport

  there is magnificent."

  "Is it really?" said Jane.

  "Superb. I adore sport. Also---I ought not to tell you this, but I shall because your face is so sympathetic--there

  are plans being made there--very quietly, you understand.

  Altogether it is very important that I should not be assassinated

  during the next two weeks."

  "But surely the police--" began Jane.

  "The police? Oh, yes, they are very good, I believe. And we too--we have our spies. It is possible that I shall be

  forewarned when the attempt is to take place. But then,

  again,. I might not."

  She' shrugged her shoulders.

  "I begin to understand," said Jane slowly. "You want me to take your place?"

  "Only on certain occasions," said the Grand Duchess eagerly. "You must be somewhere at hand, you understand?

  I may require you twice, three times, four times in the next

  fortnight. Each time it will be upon the occasion of some

  public function. Naturally in intimacy of any kind, you could

  not represent me."

  "Of course not," agreed Jane.

  "You will do very well indeed. It was clever of Feo-dot Alexandrovitch to think of an advertisement, was it

  not?"

  "Supposing," said Jane, "that I get assassinatedT" The Grand Duchess shrugged her shoulders.

  JANE IN SEARCH OF A JOB 63

  "There is the risk, of course, but according to our own secret information, they want to kidnap me, not kill me

  outright. But I will be quite honest--it is always possible

  that they might throw a bomb."

  "I see," said Jane.

  She tried to imitate the lighthearted manner of Pauline.

  She wanted very much to come to the question of money,

  but did not quite see how best to introduce the subject. But

  Pauline saved her the trouble.

  "We will pay you well, of course," she said carelessly.

  "I cannot remember now exactly how much Feodor Alexandrovitch

  suggested. We were speaking in francs or kronen."

  "Colonel Kranin," said Jane, "said something about two

  thousand pounds."

  "That was it," said Pauline, brightening. "I remember

  now. It is enough, I hope? Or would you rather have three

  thousandT"

  "Well," said Jane, "if it's all the same to you, I'd rather

  have three thousand."

  "You are businesslike, I see," said the Grand Duchess

  kindly. "I wish I was. But I have no idea of money at all.

  What I want I have to have, tha; is all."-

  It seemed to Jane a simple but admirable attitude of mind.

  "And of course, as you say, there is danger," Pauline

  continued thoughtfully. "Although you do not look to me

  as though you minded danger. I do not myself. I hope you

  do not think that it is because I am a coward that I want

  you to take my place7 You see, it is most important for

  Ostrova that I should marry and have at least two sons.

  After that, it does not matter what happens to me."

  "I see," said Jane.

  "And you accept?

  "Yes," said Jane resolutely. "I accept."

  Pauline clapped her hands vehemently several times.

  Princess Poporensky appeared immediately.

  "I have told her all, Anna," announced the Grand Duchess.

  "She will do what we want, and she is to have three

  thousand pounds. Tell Feodor to make a note of it. She is

  really very like me, is she not? I think she is better-looking,

  though."

  64

  Agatha Christie

  The princess waddled out of the room, and returned with

  Count Streptitch.

  "We have arranged everything, Feodor Alexandrovitch,"

  the Grand Duchess said.

  He bowed.

  "Can she play her part, I wonder?" he queried, eyeing Jane doubtfully.

  "I'll show you," said the girl suddenly. "You permit,

  ma'am?" she said to the Grand Duchess. The latter nodded delightedly.

  Jane stood up.

  "But this is splendid, Anna," she said. "I never imagined we should succeed so well. Come, let us see ourselves side

  by side."

  And, as Pauline had done, she drew the other girl to the glass.

  "You see? A perfect match!"

  Words, manner and gesture, it was an excellent imitation of Pauline's greeting. The princess nodded her head and

  uttered a grunt of approbation.

  "It is good, that," she declared. "It would deceive most people."

  "You are very clever," said Pauline appreciatively. "I could not imitate anyone else to save my life."

  Jane believed her. It had already struck her that Pauline was a young woman who was very much herself.

  "Anna will arrange details with you," said the Grand Duchess. "Take her into my bedroom, Anna, and try some

  of my clothes on her."

  She nodded a gracious farewell, and Jane was convoyed away by the Princess Poporensky.

  "This is what Her Highness will wear to open the bazaar," explained the old lady, holding up a daring creation of white

  and black. "That is in three days' time. It may be necessary

  for you to take her place there. We do not know. We have

  not yet received information."

  At Anna's bidding, Jane slipped off her own shabby garments and tried on the frock. It fitted her perfectly. The

  other nodded approvingly.

  "It is almost perfect--just a shade long on youz because you are an inch or so shorter than Her Highness."

  JANE IN SEARCH OF A JOB 65

  "That is easily remedied," said Jane quickly. The Grand Duchess wears low-heeled shoes, I noticed. If I wear the

  same kind of shoes, but with high heels, it will adjust things

  nicely."

  Anna Michaelovna showed her the shoes that the Grand Duchess usually wore with the dress--lizard skin with a

  strap across. Jane memorized them, and arranged to get a

  pair just like them, but with different heels.


  "I would be well," said Anna Michaelovna, "for you to have a dress of distinctive colour and material quite unlike

  Her Highness's. Then in case it becomes necessary for you

  to change places at a moment's notice, the substitution is

  less likely to be noticed."

  Jane thought a minute.

  "What about flame-red marocain? And I might, perhaps, have plain glass pince-nez. That alters the appearance very

  much."

  Both suggestions were approved, and they went into further details.

  Jane left the hotel with banknotes for a hundred pounds in her purse and instructions to purchase the necessary outfit

  and engage rooms at the Blitz Hotel as Miss Montresor of

  New York.

  On the second day after this, Count Streptitch called upon her there.

  "A transformation indeed," he said as he bowed.

  Jane made him a mock bow in return. She was enjoying the new clothes and the luxury of her life very much.

  "All this is very nice," she sighed. "But I suppose thal your visit means I must get busy and earn my money."

  "That is so. We have received information. It seems possible that an attempt will be made to kidnap Her Highness

  on the way home from the bazaar. That is to take place, as

  you know, at Orion House, which is about ten miles out o!

  London. Her Highness will he' forced to attend the bazaa

  in person, as the Countess of Anchester, who is promotin£

  it, knows her personally. But the following is the plan

  have concocted."

  Jane listened attentively as he outlined it to her.

  She asked a few questions and finally declared that sh understood perfectly the part that she had to play.

  66 Agatha Christie

  The next day dawned bright and clear--a perfect day

  for one of the great events of the London Season, the bazaar at Orion House, promoted by the Countess of Anchester in

  aid of Ostrovian refugees in this country.

  Having regard to the uncertainty of the English climate, the bazaar itself took place within the spacious rooms of

  Orion House l which has been for five hundred years in the

  possession of the Earls of Anchester. Various collections

  had been loaned, and a charming idea was the gift by a

  hundred society women of one pearl each taken from their

  own necklaces, each pearl to be sold by auction on the

  second day. There were also numerous side shows and attractions

  in the grounds.

  Jane was there early in the r61e of Miss Montresor. She wore a dress of flame-coloured marocain, and a small red

  cloche hat. On her feet were high-heeled lizard-skin shoes.

  The arrival of the Grand Duchess Pauline was a great' event. She was escorted to the platform and duly presented

  with a bouquet of roses by a small child. She made a short

  but charming speech and declared the bazaar open. Count

  Streptitch and Princess Poporensky were in attendance upon

  her.

  She wore the dress that Jane had seen, white with a bold design of black, and her hat was a small cloche of black

  with a profusion of white ospreys hanging over the brim

  and a tiny lace veil coming halfway down the face. Jane

  smiled to herself.

  The Grand Duchess went round the bazaar, visiting every stall, making a few purchases, and being uniformly gracious.

  Then she prepared to depart.

  Jane was prompt to take up her cue. She requested a word with the Princess Poporensky and asked to be presented

  to the Grand Duchess.

  "Ah, yes!" said Pauline in a clear voice. "Miss Montre-sot, I remember the name. She is an American journalist,

  I believe. She has done much for our cause. I should be

  glad to give her a short interview for her paper. Is there

  anywhere where we could be undisturbed?"

  A small anteroom was immediately placed at the Grand Duchess's disposal, and Count Streptitch was despatched

  JANE IN SEARCH OF A JOB

  to bring in Miss Montresor. As soon as he had done s and withdrawn again, the Princess Poporensky remaini

  in attendance, a rapid exchange of garments took place.

  Three minutes later, the door opened and the Gra Duchess emerged, her bouquet of roses held up to her fac

  Bowing graciously, and uttering a few words of farew to Lady Anchester in French, she passed out and enter

  her car, which was waiting. Princess Poporensky took 1

  place beside her, and the car drove off.

  "Well," said Jane, "that's done. I wonder how Mi Montresor's getting on."

  "No one will notice her. She can slip out quietly." "That's true," said Jane. "I did it nicely, didn't I?"

  "You acted your part with great discretion."

  "Why isn't the Count with us?"

  "He was forced to remain. Someone must watch ov the safety of Her Highness."

  "I hope nobody's going to throw bombs," said Jane a prehensively. "Hi! We're turning off the main road. Wh)

  that?"

  Gathering speed, the car was shooting down a side roa Jane jumped up and put her head out of the windo

  remonstrating with the driver. He only laughed and i

  creased his speed. Jane sank back into her seat again.

  "Your spies were right," she said with a laugh. "We' for it, all right. I suppose the longer I keep it up, the saf

  it is for the Grand Duchess. At all events we must give h

  time to return to London safely."

  At the prospect of danger, Jane's spirits rose. She h not relished the prospect of a bomb, but this type of a

  venture appealed to her sporting instincts.

  Suddenly, with a grinding of brakes, the car pulled t in its own length. A man jumped on the step. In his hat

  was a revolver.

  "Put your hands up," he snarled.

  The Princess Poporensky's hands rose swiftly, but Ja merely looked at him disdainfully and kept her hands,

  her lap.

  "Ask him the meaning of this outrage," she said in Fren, to her companion.

  68 Agatha Christie

  But before the latter had time to say a word, the man broke in. He poured out a torrent of words in some foreign

  language.

  Not understanding a single thing, Jane merely shrugged her shoulders and said nothing. The chauffeur had got down

  from his seat and joined the other man.

  "Will the illustrious lady be pleased to descend?" he asked with a grin.

  Raising the flowers to her face again, Jane stepped out

  of the car. The Princess Poporensky followed her.

  "Will the illustrious lady come this way?"

  Jane took no notice of the man's mock insolent manner, but of her own accord she walked towards a low-built rambling

  house which stood about a hundred yards away from

  where the car had stopped. The road had been a cul-de-sac

  ending in the gateway and drive which led to this apparently

  untenanted building.

  The man, still brandishing his pistol, came close behind the two women. As they passed up the steps, he brushed

  past them and flung open a door on the left. It was an empty

  room, into which a table and two chairs had evidently been

  brought.

  Jane passed in and sat down. Anna Michaelovna followed

  her. The man banged the door and turned the key.

  Jane walked to the window and looked out.

  "I could jump out, of course," she remarked. "But I shouldn't get far. No, we'll just' have to stay here for the

  present and make the best of iCI wonder if they'll bring

  us anything to eat?"

  About half
an hour later her question was answered.

  A big bowl of steaming soup was brought in and placed on the table in front of her. Also two pieces of dry bread.

  "No luxury for aristocrats evidently," remarked Jane cheerily as the door was shut and locked again. "Will you

  start, or shall I?"

  The Princess Poporensky waved the mere idea of food aside with horror.

  "How could I eat? Who knows what danger my mistress might not be in?"

  "She's all right," said Jane. "It's myself I'm worrying about. You know these people won't be at all pleased when

  JANE IN SEARCH OF A JOB

  69

  they find they have got hold of the wrong person. In fact, they may be very unpleasant. I shall keep up the haughty

  Grand Duchess stunt as long as I can, and do a bunk if the

  opportunity offers."

  The Princess Poporensky offered no reply.

  Jane, who was hungry, drank up all the soup. It had a curious taste, but was hot and savoury.

  Afterwards she felt rather sleepy. The Princess Poporen-sky seemed to be weeping quietly. Jane arranged herself on

  her uncomfortable chair in the least uncomfortable way, and

  allowed her head to droop.

  She slept.

  Jane awoke with a start. She had an idea that she had been a very long time asleep. Her head felt heavy and

  uncomfortable.

  And then suddenly she saw something that jerked her faculties wide awake again.

  She was wearing the flame-coloured marocain frock. She sat up and looked around her. Yes, she was still in

  the room in the empty house. Everything was exactly as it

  had been when she went to sleep, except for two facts. The

  first fact was that the Princess Poporensky was no longer

  sitting on the other chair. The second was her own inexplicable

  change of costume.

  "I can't have dreamt it," said Jane. "Because if I'd dreamt it, I shouldn't be here."

  She looked across at the window and registered a second significant fact. When she had gone to sleep, the sun had

  been pouring through the window. Now the house threw a

  sharp shadow on the sunlit drive.