Agatha Christie: The Million Dollar Bond Robbery

Relax and enjoy this inventive story from the Queen of Mystery. When a million dollars' worth of Liberty Bonds disappears during a transatlantic crossing from London to New York, everyone is scratching their heads to understand how this seemingly impossible crime was committed. Everyone except Hercule Poirot, however, who declares the case 'childishly simple' to crack.

For more Agatha Christie mysteries narrated by me on Plus tracks, please see The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman. Also, please listen to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary Sherlock stories: The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor, The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk, and The Adventure of Silver Blaze, also narrated by me on Plus Tracks.

Transcript

Hello there, It's Mandy here. Welcome back to another Agatha Christie story. This one is called The Million Dollar Bond Robbery. In 2011, Christie was named as the second most financially successful crime writer of all time in the United Kingdom, That is after James Bond author Ian Fleming, With total earnings of around 100 million pounds. On the record-breaking longevity of Christie's The Mousetrap, Which marked its 60th anniversary in 2012, Stephen Moss in the Guardian newspaper wrote, The play and its author are the stars. So before I go ahead, Please feel free to make yourself really comfortable, Settling down into your chair or your bed, Relaxing your hands, Releasing any tension in your shoulders and softening your jaw. That's wonderful. So if you're ready, Then I shall begin. The Million Dollar Bond Robbery. What a number of bond robberies there have been lately, I observed one morning laying aside the newspaper. Poirot, Let us forsake the science of detection and take to crime instead. You are on the, How you say it, Get rich quick tack, Eh, Mon ami? Wow, Look at this last coup, The million dollars worth of liberty bonds, Which the London and Scottish Bank were sending to New York, And which disappeared in such a remarkable manner on board the Olympia. If it were not for the mal demer and the difficulty of practicing the so excellent method of lavergier for a longer time than the few hours of crossing the channel, I should delight to voyage myself on one of these big liners, Said Poirot dreamily. Yes, Indeed, I said enthusiastically. Some of them must be perfect palaces, The swimming baths, The lounges, The restaurant, The palm courts. Really, It must be hard to believe that one is on the sea. Me, I always know when I am on the sea, Said Poirot sadly, And all those bagatelle that you enumerate, They say nothing to me. But my friend, Consider for a moment the geniuses that travel, As it were, Incognito. On board these floating palaces, As you so justly call them, One would meet the elite, The haute noblesse of the criminal world. I laughed. So, That's the way your enthusiasms run. You would have liked to cross swords with the man who sneaked the liberty bonds. The landlady interrupted us. A young lady wants to see you, Mr Poirot. Here's her card. The card bore the inscription Miss Asmay Farquhar. And Poirot, After diving under the table to retrieve a stray crumb and putting it carefully in the waste paper basket, Nodded to the landlady to admit her. In another minute, One of the most charming girls I have ever seen was ushered into the room. She was perhaps about five and twenty, With big brown eyes and a perfect figure. She was well dressed and perfectly composed in manner. Sit down, I beg of you, Mademoiselle. This is my friend, Captain Hastings, Who aids me in my little problems. I'm afraid it is a big problem I have brought you today, Monsieur Poirot, Said the girl, Giving me a pleasant bow as she seated herself. I dare say you have read about it in the papers. I am referring to the theft of liberty bonds on the Olympia. Some astonishment must have shown itself in Poirot's face, For she continued quickly. You are doubtless asking yourself what I have to do with a grave institution like the London and Scottish Bank. In one sense, Nothing. In another sense, Everything. You see, Monsieur Poirot, I am engaged to Mr. Philip Ridgway. Aha! And Mr. Philip Ridgway was in charge of the bonds when they were stolen. Of course, No actual blame can attach to him. It was not his fault in any way. Nevertheless, He is half distraught over the matter, And his uncle, I know, Insists that he must carelessly have mentioned having them in his possession. It is a terrible setback in his career. Who is this uncle? Mr. Vavasor, Joint general manager of the London and Scottish Bank. Suppose, Miss Farquhar, That you recount to me the old story. Very well. As you know, The bank wished to extend their credits in America, And for this purpose decided to send over a million dollars in liberty bonds. Mr. Vavasor selected his nephew, Who had occupied a position of trust in the bank for many years, And who was conversant with all the details of the bank's dealings in New York, To make the trip. The Olympia sailed from Liverpool on the 23rd, And the bonds were handed over to Philip on the morning of that day by Mr. Vavasor and Mr. Shaw, The two joint general managers of the London and Scottish Bank. They were counted, Enclosed in a package, And sealed in his presence, And he then locked the package at once in his portmanteau. A portmanteau with an ordinary lock? No, Mr. Shaw insisted on a special lock being fitted to it by hubses. Philip, As I say, Placed the package at the bottom of the trunk. It was stolen a few hours before reaching New York. A rigorous search of the whole ship was made, But without result. The bonds seemed literally to have vanished into thin air. Poirot made a grimace. But they did not vanish absolutely, Since I gather they were sold in small parcels within half an hour of the docking of the Olympia. Well, Undoubtedly the next thing is for me to see Mr. Ridgway. I was about to suggest that you should lunch with me at the Cheshire Cheese. Philip will be there. He is meeting me, But does not yet know that I have been consulting you on his behalf. We agreed to this suggestion readily enough, And drove there in a taxi. Mr. Philip Ridgway was there before us, And looked somewhat surprised to see his fiancée arriving with two complete strangers. He was a nice-looking young fellow, Tall and spruce, With a touch of greying hair at the temples, Though he couldn't have been much over thirty. Miss Farquhar went up to him and laid her hand on his arm. You must forgive my acting without consulting you, Philip, She said. Let me introduce you to Monsieur Hercule Poirot, Of whom you must often have heard, And his friend Captain Hastings. Ridgway looked very astonished. Of course I have heard of you, Monsieur Poirot, He said, As he shook hands, But I had no idea that Esme was thinking of consulting you about my, Our, Trouble. I was afraid you wouldn't let me do it, Philip, Said Miss Farquhar meekly. So you took care to be on the safe side, He observed with a smile. I hope Monsieur Poirot will be able to throw some light on this extraordinary puzzle, For I confess frankly that I'm nearly out of my mind with worry and anxiety about it. Indeed his face did look drawn and haggard, And showed only too clearly the strain under which he was labouring. Well, Well, Said Poirot, Let us lunch, And over lunch we will put our heads together, And see what can be done. I want to hear Mr Ridgway's story from his own lips. Whilst we discussed the excellent steak and kidney pudding of the establishment, Philip Ridgway narrated the circumstances leading to the disappearance of the Bonds. His story agreed with that of Miss Farquhar in every particular. When he had finished, Poirot took up the thread with a question. What exactly led you to discover that the Bonds had been stolen, Mr Ridgway? He laughed rather bitterly. The thing stared me in the face, Monsieur Poirot. I couldn't have missed it. My cabin trunk was half out from under the bunk, And all scratched and cut about, Where they tried to force the lock. But I understood it had been opened with a key. That's so. They tried to force it, But couldn't, And in the end, They must have got it unlocked somehow or other. Curious, Said Poirot, His eyes beginning to flicker with the green light I knew so well. Very curious. They waste much, Much time trying to prise it open, And then, Sapristi, They find they have the key all the time, For each of Hubs's locks are unique. That's just why they couldn't have had the key. It never left me, Day or night. You are sure of that? I can swear to it, And besides, If they had had the key, Or a duplicate, Why should they waste time trying to force an obviously unforceable lock? Ah, There is exactly the question we are asking ourselves. I venture to prophesy that the solution, If we ever find it, Will hinge on that curious fact. I beg of you not to assault me if I ask you one more question. Are you perfectly certain you did not leave the trunk unlocked? Philip Ridgway merely looked at him, And Poirot gesticulated apologetically. Ah, But these things can happen, I assure you. Very well, The bonds were stolen from the trunk. What did the thief do with them? How did he manage to get ashore with them? Ah, Cried Ridgway, That's just it. How? Word was passed to the customs authorities, And every soul that left the ship was gone over with a fine tooth comb. And ze bonds, I gather, Made a bulky package. Certainly they did. They could hardly have been hidden on board. And anyway, We know they weren't, Because they were offered for sale within half an hour of the Olympia's arrival, Long before I got the cables going and the numbers sent out. One broker swears he bought some of them even before the Olympia got in. But you can't send bonds by wireless. Not by wireless, But did any tug come alongside? Only the official ones, And that was after the alarm was given, When everyone was on the lookout. I was watching out myself for their being passed over to someone that way. My God, Monsieur Poirot, This thing will drive me mad. People are beginning to say I stole them myself. But you also researched on landing, Will you not? Asked Poirot gently. Yes. The young man stared at him in a puzzled manner. You do not catch my meaning, I see, Said Poirot, Smiling enigmatically. Now I should like to make a few enquiries at ze bank. Ridgway produced a card and scribbled a few words on it. Send this in and my uncle will see you at once. Poirot thanked him, Bade farewell to Miss Farquhar, And together we started out for Threadneedle Street and the head office of the London and Scottish Bank. On production of Ridgway's card, We were led through the labyrinth of counters and desks, Skirting paying in clerks and paying out clerks, And up to a small office on the first floor where the joint general managers received us. They were two grave gentlemen who had grown grey in the service of the bank. Mr Vavasor had a short white beard. Mr Shaw was clean-shaven. I understand you are strictly a private enquiry agent, Said Mr Vavasor. Quite so, Quite so. We have, Of course, Placed ourselves in the hands of Scotland Yard. Inspector McNeill has charge of the case—a very able officer, I believe. I am sure of it, Said Poirot politely. You will permit a few questions on your nephew's behalf about this lock? Who ordered it from Hubses? I ordered it myself, Said Mr Shaw. I would not trust any clerk in the matter. As to the keys, Mr Ridgway had one, And the other two are held by my colleague and myself. And no clerk has had access to them? Mr Shaw turned enquiringly to Mr Vavasor. I think I am correct in saying that they have remained in the safe where we placed them on the 23rd, Said Mr Vavasor. My colleague was unfortunately taken ill a fortnight ago, In fact on the very day that Philip left us. He has only just recovered. Severe bronchitis is no joke to a man of my age, Said Mr Shaw ruefully, But I am afraid Mr Vavasor has suffered from the hard work entailed by my absence, Especially with this unexpected worry coming on top of everything. Poirot asked a few more questions. I judged that he was endeavouring to gauge the exact amount of intimacy between uncle and nephew. Mr Vavasor's answers were brief and punctilious. His nephew was a trusted official of the bank and had no debts or money difficulties that he knew of. He had been entrusted with similar missions in the past. Finally we were politely bowed out. I am disappointed, Said Poirot, As we emerged into the street. You hope to discover more, I asked. They are such stodgy old men. It is not their stodginess which disappoints me, Mon ami. I do not expect to find in a bank manager a keen financier with an eagle glance, As your favourite works of fiction put it. No, I am disappointed in the case. It is too easy. Easy? Yes, Do you not find it almost childishly simple? You know who stole the bonds? I do. But then we must. . . Why? Do not confuse and fluster yourself, Hastings. We are not going to do anything at present. But why? What are you waiting for? For the Olympia. She is due on her return trip from New York on Tuesday. But if you know who stole the bonds, Why wait? He may escape. To a South Sea island where there is no extradition? No, Mon ami. He would find life very uncongenial there. As to why I wait, Et bien. To the intelligence of Hercule Poirot, The case is perfectly clear. But for the benefit of others not so greatly gifted by the good God, The Inspector McNeill, For instance, It would be as well to make a few inquiries to establish the facts. One must have consideration for those less gifted than oneself. Good Lord, Poirot, Do you know I'd give a considerable sum of money to see you make a thorough ass of yourself just for once? You're so confoundedly conceited. Do not enrage yourself, Hastings. In verity, I observe that there are times when you almost detest me. Alas, I suffer the penalties of greatness. The little man puffed out his chest and sighed so comically that I was forced to laugh. Tuesday saw us speeding to Liverpool in a first-class carriage of the L&N WR. Poirot had obstinately refused to enlighten me as to his suspicions or certainties. He contented himself with expressing surprise that I too was not equally au fait with the situation. I disdained to argue and entrenched my curiosity behind a rampart of pretended indifference. Once arrived at the quay alongside which lay the big transatlantic liner, Poirot became brisk and alert. Our proceedings consisted in interviewing four successive stewards and inquiring after a friend of Poirot's who had crossed to New York on the 23rd. An elderly gentleman wearing glasses, A great invalid, Hardly moved out of his cabin. The description appeared to tally with one Mr. Ventner who had occupied the cabin C24 which was next to that of Philip Ridgeway. Although unable to see how Poirot had deduced Mr. Ventner's existence and personal appearance, I was keenly excited. Tell me, I cried, Was this gentleman one of the first to land when you got to New York? The steward shook his head. No indeed sir, He was one of the last off the boat. I retired crestfallen and observed Poirot grinning at me. He thanked the steward, A note changed hands and we took our departure. It's all very well, I remarked heatedly, But that last answer must have damped your precious theory, Grin as you please. As usual you see nothing, Hastings, That last answer is on the contrary the coping stone of my theory. I flung up my hands in despair. I give up. When we were in the train speeding towards London, Poirot wrote busily for a few minutes, Sealing up the result in an envelope. This is for the good inspector McNeill. We will leave it at Scotland Yard in passing and then to the Rendezvous restaurant where I have asked Miss Esmée Farquhar to do us the honour of dining with us. What about Ridgway? What about him? Asked Poirot with a twinkle. Why, You surely don't think? You can't. This habit of incoherence is growing upon you, Hastings. As a matter of fact, I did think if Ridgway had been the thief, Which was perfectly possible, The case would have been charming, A piece of neat methodical work, But not so charming for Miss Farquhar. Possibly you are right, Therefore all is for the best. Let us review the case. I can see you are dying to do so. The sealed package is removed from the chunk and vanishes, As Miss Farquhar puts it, Into thin air. We will dismiss the thin air theory, Which is not practicable at the present stage of science, And consider what is likely to have become of it. Everyone asserts the incredibility of its being smuggled ashore. Yes, But we know, You may know, Hastings, I do not. I take the view that, Since it seemed incredible, It was incredible. Two possibilities remain. It was hidden on board, Also rather difficult, Or it was thrown overboard. With a cork on it, Do you mean? Without a cork. I stared. But if the bonds were thrown overboard, They couldn't have been sold in New York. I admire your logical mind, Hastings. The bonds were sold in New York, Therefore they were not thrown overboard. You see where that leads us? Where we were when we started. If the package was thrown overboard as bonds were sold in New York, The package could not have contained the bonds. Is there any evidence that the package did contain the bonds? Remember, Mr Ridgway never opened it from the time it was placed in his hands in London. Yes, But then, Poirot waved an impatient hand, Permit me to continue. The last moment that the bonds are seen as bonds is in the office of the London and Scottish Bank on the morning of the 23rd. They reappear in New York half an hour after the Olympia gets in, And according to one man, Whom nobody listens to, Actually before she gets in. Supposing then that they have never been on the Olympia at all. Is there any other way they could get to New York? Yes, The Gigantic leaves Southampton on the same day as the Olympia, And she holds the record for the Atlantic. Mailed by the Gigantic, The bonds would be in New York the day before the Olympia arrived. All is clear. The case begins to explain itself. The sealed packet is only a dummy. The moment of its substitution must be in the office in the bank. It would be an easy matter for any of the three men present to have prepared a duplicate package which could be substituted for the genuine one. Très bien, The bonds are mailed to a confederate in New York, With instructions to sell as soon as the Olympia is in, But someone must travel on the Olympia to engineer the supposed moment of the robbery. But why? Because if Ridgway merely opens the packet and finds a dummy, Suspicion flies at once to London. No, The man on board in the cabin next door does his work, Pretends to force the lock in an obvious manner so as to draw immediate attention to the theft, Really unlocks the trunk with a duplicate key, Throws the package overboard and waits until the last to leave the boat. Naturally, He wears glasses to conceal his eyes and is an invalid since he does not want to run the risk of meeting Ridgway. He steps ashore in New York and returns by the first boat available. But who, Which was he? The man who had a duplicate key, The man who ordered the lock, The man who has not been severely ill with bronchitis at his home in the country. Enfin, That stodgy old man, Mr Shaw. There are criminals in high places sometimes, My friend. Ah, Here we are. Mademoiselle, I have succeeded. You permit? And beaming, Poirot kissed the astonished girl lightly on either cheek.

Reviews

How wonderful to be exposed to such a brilliant writer of her time by another brilliant writer (reader) of our time. Many thanks for all you’ve given to us. I am grateful.💫🙏🕊️

It took me my usual 3 times to get to the end of the story. It seemed to end abruptly, still not sure who “done it’, but understood the method. I can’t help but “see” David Suchet as the great detective. Thanks Mandy, for another fun story.