Explore "The Amateur Crime" by Anthony Berkeley on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
It is a maxim in warfare that he who scorns to use the enemy's weapons will find himself defeated; unfairly, no doubt, but defeated. In her combat with guile Cynthia had no intention of being defeated. She had therefore delivered to Dora not the whole of Laura's message but only that part which concerned the packing of the trunk. For the rest, Cynthia remarked airily, she was going up to London the next day herself and could therefore take the trunk with her.
By this simple expedient Cynthia was able to ensure not only Laura's absence while she put Mr. Priestley out of his misery, but also the further meeting for the afternoon. Cynthia knew perfectly well what she was going to do at this second interview; she was going to talk to Mr. Priestley, and then she was going to smile at him-and, if necessary, go on smiling till dusk.