Steed stopped his car in front of the large gate.He got out,rang the bell,and got in again.A man holding a gun appeared behind the gate.
"What do you want?"He wasn't friendly at all.
"I'm here to see Mrs Kelly.I believe she's expecting me."
"What's your name?"
"I'm Steed.John Steed."
He unlocked the door and stood besides Steed's Bentley.
"Get out".He made a gesture with his gun.
"Naughty boy!Where are your manners?"He did get out of the car.He didn't want to cause any trouble.
He searched Steed from top to bottom.
Another man,holding a gun too appeared behind the bars.
"James!It's ok.Let him go."
"You are free to go."
Steed casted a contemptuous look at James, straightened his jacket and got in to his car.A road led to the main house.It was a huge estate.Mrs Kelly's gardens were very well kept.One could see a very wide vegetation range.Cypresses,roses,tulips.Some really rare varieties too.Lawn was expanding as far as he could see.Finaly he saw Burnaby Hall in all its glory.It was probably the name of the previous owner.He wasn't impressed,he had visited other mansions before.He rang the bell.The door opened and a butler appeared.
"Goodmorning".
"Goodmorning sir."
"I'd like to see Mrs Kelly.I'm John Steed."
"Of course.This way sir."He showed him in.
They entered a very large hall.There were paintings on the walls.Angels coming out of the sea,cupid and a pair of naked lovers,a set of exotic birds and a wonderful religious theme on the ceiling.A staircase led to the second floor.
"I' ll take these sir."Steed handed him his umbrella and bowler.
"Alice will take you to Mrs Kelly now."
Alice was Mrs Kelly's personal maid.They walked down what must have seemed like an endless corridor.The third door on the right was Mrs Kelly's office.
"Hello.I'm John Steed.Sir Wellington must have talked to you about me."
"How do you do?Do sit down Mr.Steed."She was about sixty years old.She had sweet brown eyes but her face was completely wrinkled.A smart and very down to earth woman,Steed thought.
"Oh yes..Archie has informed me about you.I'm very sorry about the safety measures but one has to take precautions..especially in my case."
"I understand.Now,I'm going to be straightforward with you.I have reasons to believe that your life may be in danger."
"My life is always in danger Mr.Steed.When I inherited my father's fortune I thought I was lucky ,I couldn't see the implications.Sometimes I wonder if wealth is a blessing or a curse.Anyway,I wanted to make the best out of it.Are you talking about what happened at the opera the other day?".
"Yes.A friend of mine was hurt."
"That poor girl..I remember her,she was sitting next to me.So you think,I was supposed to be the victim.Don't you?"
"In fact,yes,I do.You must have a lot of friends and a lot of enemies too.I want to get to the truth.Any kind of information would be extremely valuable."
"I see.Well,as you know I'm very fond of children.My husband and I couldn't have any of our own.Adoption was a choice but we decided against it.The more children we'd help,the better.I've fought so hard in my life Mr Steed.Not everyone was on my side.You could say I've made enemies too,but it was worth it.Now I'm in charge of several institutions regarding health,education,social rights.We're also very interested in refugees too.I can't imagine though anyone in particular wanting to kill me.I'm sorry,I don't have any suggestions for you."
"If the worst happened ,who would benefit from your death?"
She was reluctant for a moment.
"I trust that what is said will stay strictly between the two of us."
" Of course.Confidential information is my field of experties."
Unfortunately,Mrs Kelly didn't have the same sense of humour.She gave him a stern look.
"A little sum goes to my husband ,another one to my niece but most of it goes to the institutions I mentioned before."
There was a knock on the door and an old man got in.He was thin and he had a gentle face.
"Patricia darling...."
"Not now Harold,I'm in a middle of a meeting".
"But.."
"No buts.This is Mr.Steed,Harold.And this is my husband."She introduced him to John Steed.
They shook hands and Harold Kelly left.
"He acts like a child sometimes.I wish I could show him how the real world is."
Steed wondered how many other Harolds suffered in this world.He thanked Mrs Kelly and got up.On the way to his car,he kept thinking.Something was wrong,something was terribly wrong.What a deadend!He could sense evil,but could see no evil.He drove off...

Emma was looking at the hospital garden.Her window was wide open.Her palm was under her chin,her elbow on her knee.Two yellow butterflies entered the room.They were dancing around each other.She looked at her clock.Eleven o'clock.Dr Nelson would come at twelve o'clock.That's what he usually did anyway...One hour left.Hmmm....Smith was standing outside her door.Now, there was a tree really near her window frame.If she could just...How hasn't she thought about it before?She threw her slippers away and put a pair of shoes on.She caught one of the branches and with a quick jump she was in the air,hunging from the tree.Oh!God,it hurt so much.Her arm muscles were pulling her abdomen muscles,the wound was still fresh.She hugged the tree trunk and almost crawled her way down.The tree had many branches,which was most helpful.She surveyed her surroundings.Nobody must have seen her escaping.Her room had a view to the back side of the hospital.A few people were walking about,amongst the thick vegetation,enjoying the morning sunshine.She chose one of the lanes.No Smith,no Dr Nelson.Ahh...finaly she could stroll in peace.

A man outside the garden was watching her.He has seen her coming down through his binoculars.Holding a remote controller in his hands,he was trying to understand where she was going.There was many trees and bushes that blocked his view.He would do exactly as told.Well,he'd better get on with it...
Emma heard a buzz.She looked up.A small airplane was coming towards her with tremendous speed.She quickly stepsided,just on time,and hid behind a bush.She wouldn't be intimidated by a toy!The airplane ducked,two little doors opened and a roll of paper fell out.Then the airplane regained altitude and disappeared.Carefully,she steped forward and took the piece of paper into her hands.Inside,it said:
AND THEN THERE WERE NONE.
It was typed.She looked around her.Someone must be controlling this thing ,she thought,someone nearby maybe...or maybe not.In any case she wasn't armed and was still in no position to fight.Obviously,she has taken enough risks already.What was this?What did it mean?It reminded her of something.What?None of? Steed...She hurried inside,searching for a telephone booth.She met nurse Owens at the main entrance.
"Miss Peel..What are you doing up?You were supposed to rest!"
"I need to make a phone call."It sounded like the most natural thing in the world.And it was.
"There is a private line in your room."
"The operator is always busy.I want a direct line.Where can I find a booth?".Why do you want me to use my private line?.Being suspiscious felt odd.When did she start to distrust everyone?
"There's one near Dr.Toran's office."She explained to her how to get there.
"Thank you."
She found the booth easily.
"Hello?"
"Steed,it's me."
"Is something wrong?"Fear has crept in to his voice.
"No, but I must see you.The sooner,the better."
"Did you miss me Mrs Peel?"
" I see one of us is in a good mood."
"What happened?"
"Let's just say that I had an....encounter!"
"Of the third kind?"He chuckled.
"Oh no.It had a more earhtly quality.Man is responsible,I'm sure of it.Did you make any progress?"
"I'll tell you when I get there."
"I understand.I have a feeling that even the walls are watching me in here.It's strange...really.
"I'm on my way."
"I' not afraid Steed,but I'm afraid that someone is laughing at our expense."
"I feel the same way too.Anyway,I'm coming."
"Ok.Bye."
"Bye."
"Steed?"
"Yes..I'm still here."
"......Never mind.Bye bye."She hung up.Please,don't get yourself killed.I won't be there for you and I won't forgive myself...I can't stand it.I need to get out of here.
Steed was still holding the receiver.I'll be careful Mrs Peel.Don't worry...

Nurse Owens helped an elderly man sit on the green bench.
"I 'll only be away for ten minutes.Will you be all right Mr.Foset?"
"I'll be all right..Some fresh air is all I need.Go and do what you have to do.."
She quickly found the only telephone booth in the hospital garden.
"Hello?"
"This is number four."
"Hello, number four.Is there something you need to tell me?"
"She must have called him."
"You think they may know?That they may suspect something?"
"I don't know.She didn't use her private line."
"I could have his phone bugged,but he's smart,he'll know.We'll interfere only if necessary.
"They won't stop."
"Everything is on schedule.Too late to stop it."
"I can get rid of her quite easily.She's still weak."She put slowly her hand in her skirt pocket and clenched her fingers around the syringe that was there.A smile was glowing on her face.
"I said no.How dare you disobey my orders?Do you know what 's going to happen to number two?DO YOU KNOW?".
"I'm sorry...".
"United we stand,divided we fall.Repeat after me number!"
"United we stand,divided we fall".
"Thank you number four.That will be all.I'm looking forward to hearing from you."
"Goodbye."
She was trembling, but she managed to gain control and returned to the bench.

The man put down the receiver.He was tall and a china mask was covering his face.With his wig on he looked as if he had belonged to a japanese troupe.
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in".
A strong man dressed in black came in."Number two is here to see you."
"Send him in."
Another man in black appeared.He was looking at the floor.
"You failed."
"It was an accident,that's what it was.Forgive me...please forgive me."
"The woman you hit is a Ministry agent!One of the best..."
"I know.It won't happen again.I promise...I'll do anything..just don't..I'll try again."
"You're such a coward!You disgust me...This was your only chance,this was my only chance to....He stopped.
"You were raised.You were taught.Now you failed and you will pay for it."
"No!"The man tried to escape but the door was locked.
He took a gun out of his desk drawer and shot him in cold blood.

Steed found Mrs Peel in her room.She was sitting on her bed,her legs crossed.At least a hundred puzzle pieces were spread on the blanket.An image had almost appeared out of the pieces.A beautiful country image.Scotland maybe?
"Where did you find it?"
"I stole it from the kid in the room across mine."She was smiling.
"You wouldn't.Would you Mrs Peel?"
"Oh yes, I would.I have to keep my mind busy or else I'll drop dead.The truth is that I borrowed it".
Steed closed the door behind him and sat on the other edge of the bed.He told her all about Byers and Mrs Kelly.
"So,we're making three steps forward and one step back."
"I 'd say we're exactly where we were in the first place.Why did you want to see me?"
She showed him the piece of paper that had fell off the airplane and explained what it was.
"I don't like it.Is it a threat or a warning?None of wich?None of whom?"
"My thoughts exactly.Although,I could almost swear it reminds me of something,Steed.Where have I last seen this phrase?"She contemplated carefully.It wouldn't do.It gave her a headache.
Steed tried to help her with the puzzle but put the right piece in the wrong place.
"Steed ,you're spoiling my puzzle!"
"I haven't done this since I was ten!"
"I'm sorry...I'm..".She started pacing the floor."This is it.I'm going home."She took her suitcase out of the closet and started packing.
"What are you doing?Dr Nelson said that you shouldn't leave until next week."
"Dr Nelson has a right to say what he wants to say.I can't just sit here and wait."
"You don't trust me,is that it?"There was a bitterness in what he had just said.
"Where did you get that idea from?I trust you with my life.It's just..."Her voice was tender.
"Just?"
"Just that I' d like to fight,to prevent something worse from happening."I also don't want to feel separated from you.This part was always left unspoken.
"Bad things are always going to happen and you know it."If only you could really talk to me....
"Well, we are successful at dealing with bad things."She put an errant strand of hair behind her ear and smiled.
"Indeed we are. Ok,then,I could always use an extra female.Besides,I wouldn't dream of saying no to a real lady. "Steed smiled back.
She laughed,got into the bathroom and changed.She looked charming in her short,bright blue dress.Steed offered her his arm and she accepted it.He was also carrying her suitcase.They went searching for Dr Nelson.