Stories

The Ambassador's Boots

The monogrammed kit bag of the American ambassador, Randolph Wilmot, is switched with Senator Ralph Westerman’s.  Wilmot hires Tommy and Tuppence to find out why.  When the senator’s valet shows up at the embassy to exchange the bags they discover that the senator has never heard of this valet, or of any confusion among kit bags.  Who is the valet and why did he need the kit bag?

In this short story Tommy and Tuppence solve the case in the guise of Dr. Reggis Fortune, the creation of H C Bailey (1878-1961).  Fortune, the son of a middle-class doctor, is himself a surgeon and consultant to Scotland yard; more important, Reggie is a consummate snob, prone to effete speech mannerisms, who proclaims himself a “man of the people” while consuming enormous gourmet meals or driving around in his Rolls-Royce.  Tuppence proclaims herself Reggie Fortune, “because I feel like a lot of hot butter.”  This short story is part of Partners in Crime.

Explore

Related Stories:

  • A Fairy in the Flat : Detective

    The Beresfords’ boredom and restlessness for adventure is dissipated by Chief Carter’s call to duty at Blunt’s International Detective Agency. During their assignment they are to be wary of the number sixteen – should they stumble across it, whether in a letter or within the opening words of a stranger’s ...

  • A Pot of Tea : Detective

    Ensconced in the offices of Blunt’s International Detective Agency at 118 Haleham Street, London, the Beresfords meet their first client, Lawrence St. Vincent. His secret love, shopgirl Janet Smith has disappeared without a trace. A rather boastful Tuppence claims finding her will take but twenty-four hours, though it is by ...

  • Blindman's Buff : Detective

    While lunching in the chic Gold Room, Tommy masquerades as a blind detective. The Beresfords are approached by the elegant Duke of Blairgowrie for help in locating his missing daughter. Before going off to aid the duke, the “blind” Tommy dictates a vital menu to Tuppence. Tommy is imitating Thornley ...

  • Finessing the King : Detective

    Finessing the King and The Gentleman Dressed in Newspaper are in fact two parts of the same story, so they share this story information page. During a quiet period at Blunt’s, Tommy and Tuppence amuse themselves by scrutinising the personal columns of the papers.  One especially cryptic ad reads, “three ...

  • Partners in Crime : Detective

    Six years have passed since the Beresfords began their sleuthing partnership in The Secret Adversary. Tommy now has a desk job with the British Secret Service, and Tuppence, much to her displeasure is at home, though when the Chief of British Intelligence asks them to take over the International Detective ...