# ■ 10 Meetings by the sea

It was a fine，blue June morning，and I was outside a hotel in Bradgate looking out to sea. There was a ship out there，and I could see that it was a warship of some kind. Mac Gillivray had been in the navy and knew the ship. I sent a message to Sir Walter to ask if it could help us if necessary.

After breakfast we walked along the beach under the Ruff. I kept hidden， while MacGillivray counted the six lots of steps in the cliff.

I waited for an hour while he counted，and when I saw him coming towards me with a piece of paper，I was very nervous.

He read out the numbers. 'Thirty-four，thirty-five，thirtynine，forty-two，forty-seven，and twenty-one. 'I almost got up and shouted.

We walked back to Bradgate quickly. MacGillivray had six policemen sent down from London. He then went off to look at the house at the top of the thirty-nine steps.

The information he brought back was neither good nor bad.

The house was called Trafalgar House，and belonged to an old man called Appleton. He was there at the moment. The neighbours didn't know him well. MacGillivray had then gone to the back door of the house， pretending to be a man selling sewing machines. There were three servants，and he spoke to the cook. He was sure she knew nothing. Next door a new house was being built， which might be a good place to watch from；and on the other side the house was empty. Its garden was rather wild，and would also be a good place to hide in.

I took a telescope and found a good hiding place from which to watch the house. I watched for a time，and saw an old man leave the house and walk into the back garden at the top of the cliff. He sat down to read a newspaper，but he looked out to sea several times. I thought he was probably looking at the warship I watched him for half an hour，until he went back into the house for lunch. Then I went back to the hotel formine.

I wasn't feeling very confident. That old man might be the old man I had met in the farmhouse on the moors. But there are hundreds of old men in houses by the sea，and he was probably just a nice old man on his holidays.

After lunch I sat in front of the hotel and looked out to sea；and then I felt happier，because I saw something new. A yacht came up the coast and stopped a few hundred metres off the Ruff MacGillivray and I went down to the harbour， got a boat，and spent the afternoon fishing.

We caught quite a lot of fish， and then，at about four o'clock，went to look at the yacht. It looked like a fast boat and its name was the Ariadne. I spoke to a sailor who was cleaning the side of the boat， and he was certainly English. So was the next sailor we spoke to，and we had quite a long conversation about the weather.

Then，suddenly，the men stopped talking and started work again，and a man in uniform walked up. He was a pleasant，friendly man， and asked us about the fishing in very goodEnglish. But I was sure that he was not English himself.

I felt a little more confident after seeing him， but as we went back to Bradgate，I was still not sure. My enemies had killed Scudder because they thought he was a danger to them. They had tried to kill me-for the same reason. So why hadn' t they changed their escape plans？They didn't know about Scudder's black notebook， but why stay with the same plan when there was a chance that I knew about it？It seemed a stupid risk to take.

I decided to spend an hour or two watching Trafalgar House and found a good place where I could look down on the garden. I could see two men playing tennis. One was the old man I had already seen；the other was a younger， fatter man. They played well，and were clearly enjoying themselves like two businessmen on holiday. I have never seen anything more harmless. They stopped for a drink， and I asked myself if I wasn't the most stupid man alive. These were two normal， boring Englishmen，not the clever murderers that I had met in Scotland.

Then a third man arrived on a bicycle. He walked into the garden and started talking to the tennis players. They were all laughing in a very English way. Soon they went back into the house，laughing and talking，and I stayed there feeling stupid.

These men might be acting，but why？ They didn't know I was watching and listening to them. They were just three perfectly normal，harmless Englishmen.

* * *

But there were three of them：and one was old，and one was fat，and one was thin and dark. And a yacht was waiting a kilometre away with at least one German on it. I thought about Karolides lying dead，and all Europe trembling on the edge of war， and about the men waiting in London，hoping that I would do something to stop these spies.

I decided there was only one thing to do. I had to continue and just hope for the best. I didn't want to do it. I would rather walk into a room full of wild animals than walk into that happy English house and tell those three men they were under arrest. How they would laugh at me！

Then I remembered something that an old friend in Africa once told me. He had often been in trouble with the police. He once talked about disguises with me， and he said that the way somebody looked was not the real secret. He said that what mattered was the'feel'of somebody. If you moved to completely different surroundings，and if you looked comfortable and at home there，you would be very difficult to recognize. My friend had once borrowed a black coat and tie and gone to church and stood next to the policemen who was looking for him. The policemen had only seen him shooting out the lights in a pub，and he did not recognize him in a church.

Perhaps these people were playing the same game. A stupid man tries to look different；a clever man looks the same and is different.

My friend had also told me this：'If you want to disguise yourself， you must believe that you're the person you're pretending to be. 'That would explain the game of tennis. These men weren't acting；they just changed from one life to another，and the new life was as natural as the old. It is the secret of all great criminals.

It was now about eight o'clock. I went back to seeMacGillivray and we arranged where the other policeman would hide. After that I went for a walk along the coast，looking at the peaceful people on holiday. Out at sea I could see lights on the Ariadne，and on the warship，and， further away，the lights of other ships. Everything seemed so normal and peaceful that I couldn't believe the three men were my criminals. But I turned and walked towards Trafalgar House at about half past nine.

MacGillivray's men were，I supposed，in their hiding places. The house was quiet， but I could just hear the sound of voices；the men were just finishing their dinner Feeling very stupid，I walked up to the door and rang the bell.

When a servant opened the door， I asked for Mr Appleton and was shown in. I had planned to walk straight in and surprize the men into recognizing me. But I started looking at all the pictures on the wall There were photographs of groups of English schoolboys and lots of other things that you only find in an English home. The servant walked in front of me into the dining-room and told the men who I was，and I missed the chance of surprise.

When I walked in， the old man stood up and turned round to meet me. The other two turned to look at me. The old man was perfectly polite.

Mr Hannay？'he said. 'Did you wish to see me？'

I pulled up a chair and sat down.

I think we've met before，'I said， 'and I guess you know why I'm here. '

The light in the room was not bright， but I think they all looked very surprised.

Perhaps，perhaps，'said the old man. ' I'm afraid I don' t remember faces very well. You'll have to tell me why you're here，because I really don' t know. '

Well，'I said， although I didn't really believe what I was saying，'I have come to arrest all three of you. '

Arrest！'said the old man in surprise. 'Arrest！What for？'

For the murder of Franklin Scudder in London on the 23rd of May. '

I've never heard the name before，' said the old man.

One of the others spoke. 'That was the Langham Place murder. I read about that in the newspapers. But you must be mad！Where do you come from？'

Scotland Yard，'I said.

Then there was silence for a moment until the fat one started to talk，hesitating a lot between words.

Don't worry， uncle. It's all a stupid mistake. Even the police make mistakes. I wasn't even in England on the 23rd，and Bob was in hospital. You were in London，but you can explain what you were doing. '

You're right，Percy，it's easy. The 23rd！That was the day after Agatha's wedding. Yes，I had lunch with Charlie Symons and in the evening I went to the Cardwells'. Why， they gave me that！'He pointed to a cigar box on the table.

I think you will see that you have made a mistake，'the thin dark man said to me politely. 'We are quite happy to help Scotland Yard，and we don't want the police to make stupid mistakes. That's so， isn't it， uncle？'

Certainly，Bob. 'The old man looked happier now. 'Certainly we'll help if we can. But this is madness. ' 'This will make our friends laugh，'said the fat man. 'They think we're boring and that nothing ever happens to us. Hebegan to laugh very pleasantly.

Yes， it's a good story. Really， Mr Hannay，I should be angry，but it's too funny. You really frightened me！ You looked too serious. I thought I'd killed somebody in my sleep！'

They weren't acting. There was nothing false about them. At first I wanted to apologize and leave. Then I stood up and went to the door and turned on the main light. I looked at the three faces.

I saw nothing to help me. One was old and bald， one was fat，one was dark and thin. They could be the three men I had seen in Scotland，but I could see nothing to prove it.

Well，'said the old man politely，'are you sure now that we are not murderers，or are you going to take us to the police station？'

There was nothing to do except call in the men outside and arrest them， or say I had made a mistake and leave. And I couldn't decide.

While we're waiting，let's have a game of cards，' said the fat one. 'It will give Mr Hannay time to think，and we need a fourth player. Will you play？'

I agreed，but everything suddenly seemed unreal. We went into another room，where there was a table and cards. The window was open and the moon was shining on the cliffs and the sea. We played and they talked. I'm usually quite good at cards，but that night I played extremely badly.

* * *

Then something woke me up.

The old man put his cards down for a moment and sat back in his chair with his hand on his knee. It was a movement I had seen before，in that farm on the moors， with two servants with guns behind me. Suddenly my head cleared and I looked at the three men differently.

It was ten o'clock.

The three faces seemed to change in front of my eyes. The thin dark man was the murderer. His knife had killed Scudder. The fat man had been the First Sea Lord last night.

But the old man was the worst. How had I ever thought he looked kind and friendly？ His eyes were cold and evil and frightening. I went on playing， but I hated him more and more with every card.

Look at the time，Bob，said the old man. 'Don't forget you've got a train to catch. He must be in London tonight，'he said， turning to me. His voice now sounded completely false.

I'm afraid he must wait，'I said.

Oh， no！'said the thin man. 'I thought you'd finished with that. I must go. You can have my address. '

No，'I said，'you must stay. '

I think then they realized they were in real trouble. I looked at the old man and I saw his eyes hood like a hawk.

I blew my whistle.

Immediately the lights went out. Someone held me to my chair.

Quickly，Franz，'somebody shouted in German，'the boat，the boat！'I saw two policemen on the grass behind the house.

The thin dark man jumped through the window and was across the grass before anybody could stop him. I was fighting the old man，and more police came into the room. I saw them holding the fat man. But the thin man was at the top of the steps. I waited，holding the old man，for the time it would take the thin man to get to the sea.

Suddenly，the old man escaped from me and ran to the wall of the room. From underneath the ground I heard an explosion. The cliff and the steps had been blown up.

The old man looked at me with wild， crazy eyes.

He is safe，'he cried. 'You cannot follow him. The Black Stone has won. '

This old man was more than just a paid spy. Those hooded eyes shone with a deep，burning love for his country. But as the police took him away，I had one more thing to say.

Your friend has not won. We put our men on the Ariadne an hour ago. '

* * *

Seven weeks later，as all the world knows，we went to war. I joined the army in the first week. But I did my best work， I think， before I put on uniform.

■ 10 海邊相遇

六月的清晨天空一碧如洗，我站在布拉蓋特一家旅館外面眺望著大海。海上有一艘船，看得出來是某種軍艦。麥吉里夫雷當過海軍知道是什麼軍艦。我給瓦爾特爵士送了個信，問必要時這艘軍艦能否幫助我們。

早飯後我們在拉福下面的海灘上散步。麥吉里夫雷數著峭壁上的六條臺階，而我則始終隱蔽著。

他數臺階讓我等了一個小時，看到他手裡拿著一張紙向我走來時，我感到忐忑不安。

他念數字：“三十四、三十五、三十九、四十二、四十七、二十一。”我差點跳起來狂喊。

我們馬上回布拉蓋特。麥吉里夫雷從倫敦調來了六個警察。然後他離開去看那三十九級臺階頂上的房子。

他帶回來的消息不好也不壞。那所房子叫特拉法爾加別墅，主人是個叫阿普爾頓的老人。此時他就在那裡。左鄰右舍都不太認識他。麥吉里夫雷當時已到了房子的後門，裝作縫紉機推銷員。那裡有三個僕人，他找廚師講話。他搞確實了那女廚師一無所知。鄰家正在建造新房，那是瞭望的絕好地方；房子的另一邊是一片空地。房子的庭院相當荒蕪，但是個藏身的理想之處。

我拿著一架望遠鏡，找了個隱蔽的好地方，從那裡監視那所房子。望了一會兒，看到一個老頭離開房子走進峭壁頂上的後庭院。他坐下來讀報，但時不時向大海張望。我想他在看那艘軍艦。我觀察了他半個小時，直到他回房去吃午飯。後來我也回旅館吃午飯了。

我感到心裡沒底。這個老頭有可能是我在荒原的農舍裡見過的那個。可是海邊住著數百個老人，他也有可能不過是正在度假的一位慈祥老者而已。

午飯後我坐在旅館前看著大海；後來我看到了一樣以前沒見過的東西，我感到來了精神。一艘快艇向岸邊駛來，停在離拉福數百米的地方。我和麥吉里夫雷趕到港口，搞了一隻船，整個下午都在那兒釣魚。

我們釣到不少魚，後來，大約四點鐘，我們過去看那艘快艇。看起來像是一艘摩托艇，船名叫阿里亞德妮。水手正在洗船，我過去和他攀談，他肯定是英國人。我們又如此這般地和另一個水手談起來，就天氣說了一大堆。

後來這兩個人突然閉口，又開始幹起活來，一個穿制服的人走了過來。他討人喜歡，態度友好，向我們打聽釣魚的事，說一口漂亮的英語。但我肯定他本人不是英國人。

看到他以後我心裡有點信心了，但回到布拉蓋特後仍然感到沒把握。敵人殺斯卡德爾因為他們認為他對他們構成了威脅。出於同樣的理由他們也要殺我。那麼為什麼他們不改變逃跑計劃呢？他們不瞭解斯卡德爾黑筆記本里的內容，但是我可能知道，既然有這種可能，為什麼還堅持原計劃呢？冒這種險顯得太愚蠢了。

我決定花一兩個小時監視特拉法爾加別墅，找到一處地方，從那可以俯視庭院。我看到兩個人正在打網球。一個是那個老頭，我已經見過；另一個比較年輕，胖一點。他們玩得很好，顯得非常開心，儼然是兩個度假的商人。他們看起來再於人無害不過了。他們停手喝點水，我暗自問道自己是不是活著的天字第一號笨蛋。這不過是兩個平平常常的、沒勁的英國人，哪裡是我在蘇格蘭遇到的精明的殺人凶手。

後來第三個人騎著自行車過來了。他走進庭院和玩網球的兩個說起話來。他們大笑著，樣子非常像英國人。一回兒，他們又說又笑地回房去了，我呆在那兒，覺得傻乎乎的。這些人可能在做戲，但為什麼？他們並不知道我在監視、偷聽他們。他們只不過是幾個平凡不過、於人無傷的英國人罷了。

這裡一共三個人：一個上年紀的，一個胖點的，另一個瘦而黑的。遊艇就等在一公里之外，上面至少有一個德國人。我想到卡羅裡德斯橫屍在地，全歐洲在戰爭邊緣上戰慄，想到倫敦的人們還等著，希望我有所作為以制止這些間諜活動。

我認為能做的只有一件。我必須堅持下去並懷著很大的希望。我不想那麼做。我寧可走進滿是野獸的屋子也不願去那座喜氣洋洋的英國人的房子，對那三個人說他們被捕了。他們會怎麼笑話我！

我想起在非洲時一個老朋友給我講過一件事。過去他常和警察鬧矛盾。有一次他和我談起偽裝的事來，他說一個人表面如何並不是真正的祕密。他還說重要的是那個人給人的感覺。如果你到一個完全陌生的環境，而你看起來泰然自若像在家一樣，那人們就很難認出你。我那個朋友曾經借了一件黑大衣和一條領帶，穿戴起來，上了教堂，就站在正要抓他的警察旁邊。這位警察過去只見過他在小酒店如何拿槍打燈泡，而在教堂卻認不出他來。

也許這些人玩的正是這一套把戲。愚蠢的人總想顯得與眾不同；聰明人看上去無異於常人，卻實際與眾不同。

我朋友還告訴我：“如果你想掩飾自己，就得確信你就是你所裝扮的角色。”他們打網球就說明了這點。這些人並不是在做戲，不過是從一種生活轉變為另一種生活，而新生活過得和舊生活一樣自然。這就是所有大罪犯的訣竅。

現在是八點左右。我回去找麥吉里夫雷，安排其他警察在何處隱蔽。完事之後我沿海邊散步，看著人們安安定定地度假。我可以看到海上阿里亞德妮的燈光，還可以看到那艘軍艦的以及更遠處其它船隻的燈光。一切看著那麼正常和平靜，我簡直不能相信那三個人是罪犯。九點半左右，我轉身回特拉法格別墅。

我估計麥吉里夫雷的人已經進入隱蔽位置。別墅一派寧靜，只能聽見人們說話的聲音；他們剛剛吃完飯。我覺得自己笨頭笨腦的，走到門口，按響了門鈴。

僕人開了門，我求見阿普爾頓先生，於是被請進去。我原打算徑直闖進去使這些人出乎意料從而露出本來就認得我的真相。但進了屋我就開始看著牆上那些照片。那是些小學生的照片以及許多其它只有在英國人家裡才能見到的陳設。那個僕人走在我前面進了餐廳，向餐廳裡的人介紹我，這樣一來，就失去了嚇他們一跳的機會。

我一進來老頭就站起來轉過身迎接我。另外兩個則扭過頭看我。老人家彬彬有禮。

“哈內先生嗎？”他說。“您要找我嗎？”

我拉過一把椅子坐下來。

“我想我們以前見過，”我說。“而且我猜您也知道我為什麼到這兒來。”

屋裡的燈光雖然不亮，但我想還看得出所有的人都很吃驚。

“也許，也許，”老頭說。“恐怕我記人的本領不怎麼樣。我確實不知道您為什麼到這兒來，您只好告訴我了。”

“行，”我說，對我說的自己也不大有把握，“我到這兒來逮捕你們三個。”

“逮捕！”老頭驚訝地說。“逮捕！為什麼？”

“因為五月二十三號倫敦的富蘭克林·斯卡德爾謀殺案。”

“我以前從未聽說過這個名字。”老頭說。

另外一個開口了。“就是蘭厄姆謀殺案。我在報紙上讀到過。您肯定是瘋了。您是哪來的？”

“蘇格蘭場，”我說。

然後是短暫的寂默，接著那個胖子開始說話，話語間吞吞吐吐。

“叔叔，別擔心。這完全是個愚蠢的錯誤。警察也會鬧錯的。二十三號我不在英格蘭，鮑勃在住院。您在倫敦，可是您能解釋清楚您那時正幹什麼。”

“珀西，你說的不錯，這很容易。二十三號！那是阿加莎舉行婚禮的第二天。對，我和查理·西蒙斯一起吃的午飯，晚上去卡德韋爾家了。真是的，這就是他們給的！”他指著桌子上的雪茄盒子。

“我想您會明白是您搞錯了。”那個黑而瘦的人客客氣氣地說。“我們很高興幫蘇格蘭場的忙，而且也不想讓警察犯愚蠢的錯誤。叔叔，是不是？”

“當然是，鮑勃。”老頭看上去來精神了。

“當然了，能幫上忙我們會幫的。可是現在這種做法是太過份了。”

“這會博得朋友們一笑的。他們總覺得我們乏味，生活沒有一點風波。”說著他開心地笑了。

“對，這是個不錯的故事。哈內先生，說實話，我本該生氣，但這事太可笑了。您確實嚇了我一跳！看上去那麼一本正經。我還以為睡覺的時候把什麼人給殺了呢！”

他們沒有做戲。也沒有漏洞。我第一個想法是道歉，然後走人。後來我站起來走到門口把大燈打開。看著這三個人的面孔。

看不出什麼有用的線索。一個又老又禿，一個胖，一個瘦而黑。可能是我在蘇格蘭見到的那三個，但是找不出證據來。

“我說，”老頭彬彬有禮地說。“現在您是否相信我們不是殺人犯，或者還要把我們帶到警察局去？”

我現在要麼把外邊的人叫進來把他們逮捕，要麼承認說我錯了，然後離開，除此無法可想。但我一時下不了決心。

“我們一邊等著一邊玩牌吧。”那個胖子說。“給哈內先生點時間想想，我們三缺一。您玩嗎？”

我答應玩，而這一切轉眼之間似乎變得似是而非了。我們到另一間屋，屋裡有張桌子，有牌。窗戶開著，月光閃爍在峭壁和海面上。我們玩著牌，他們說著話。平時我牌玩得相當不錯，可那天晚上打得糟透了。

後來有件事使我警醒過來。

老頭把牌放下，呆了一會兒，仰身靠著椅背，把手放在膝蓋上。這個動作我以前見過，在荒原的農舍裡，被兩個僕人在背後拿槍逼著。突然間我的頭腦清醒起來，再看這三位就大不相同了。

十點整。

這三張面孔在眼前似乎變了樣。那個瘦而黑的就是殺人凶手。他用刀殺了斯卡德爾。那個胖子是昨天晚上裝第一海軍大臣的人。

而最壞的是那個老頭。剛才我怎麼會認為他看著挺和氣、友好呢？他那雙眼睛陰森、邪惡、恐怖。我繼續打著牌，但是每打一張牌對他的憎恨就增加一分。

“看著點時間，鮑勃，”老頭說。“別忘了你得趕火車。今天晚上他必須到倫敦。”他說著轉過臉來對著我。他的聲音這會兒聽起來全然是裝腔作勢。

“恐怕他得留下來。”我說。

“啊，那不行！”那個瘦子說。“我以為這事已經完了。我必須得走。我可以給您留下地址。”

“不行，”我說。“您必須留下。”

我覺得此時他們已覺察到真的遇到麻煩了。看著那個老頭，他的眼睛像貓頭鷹似地眯起來。

我吹起了口哨。

所有的燈突然熄滅。有人把我按在椅子上。

“快點，弗朗茨，”是誰用德語喊，“船！船！”我看到房子後面的草地上有兩個警察。

那個黑而瘦的人乘著沒人來得及擋他，從窗戶跳出去，跑過草地。我正在與老頭搏鬥時，警察紛紛衝進屋來。看見他們擒住了那個胖子。但瘦子已經跑到臺階沿上。我手裡抓著老頭，等著瘦子跑到海邊。

突然老頭從我手裡脫身而出，向牆壁衝去。一聲爆炸從地下響起。峭壁和臺階統統飛了上天。

老頭看著我，眼光裡閃著野蠻和瘋狂。

“他沒事，”他大喊。“你抓不住他。黑石贏定了。”

這個老頭不是僅僅為錢而作間諜的。那雙眯縫的眼睛閃爍著對他的國家深沉而熱烈的愛。警察要帶他走的時候，我又說了一句話。

“您的朋友沒贏。一小時前我們已經把人佈置在阿里亞德妮上了。”

正如眾所周知，七週以後，我們參戰了。開戰第一個星期我就參了軍。然而我覺得在沒穿軍裝之前我就已經取得自己的最佳戰績了。