Elusive Mrs. Pollifax Read Online Free PDF

official arrived to resolve the quarrel. He directed the group out of line and herded them to a far corner of the hall.
    She interrupted Nevena firmly. “I’m going back through Customs,” she announced. “I see that some friends of mine are having trouble over there, they may need help.”
    Nevena’s frown was not encouraging. “Help?” she said gruffly.
    Mrs. Pollifax pointed. “In the corner, see?”
    Nevena’s gaze followed her hand and then swerved back to give Mrs. Pollifax a quick, hard scrutiny. “Those peoples are known to you?”
    “Yes.”
    Nevena shook her head. Her eyes rested again on Mrs. Pollifax, curious and a little startled. “The man speaking with them is not a Customs man. We go now.”
    “But I really think—”
    “We go,” Nevena said sharply, and tugged at Mrs. Pollifax’s elbow, propelling her toward the door.
    “I don’t understand,” said Mrs. Pollifax, resisting.
    Nevena stopped just outside the building. “If they are in trouble you cannot help them.”
    “Why should they be in trouble?”
    “That is a man from security questioning them. You wish to be in trouble, too?”
    “Security?” echoed Mrs. Pollifax.
    “The car is here,” Nevena said sternly, pointing and opening the door. “Come–inside.”
    Mrs. Pollifax hesitated and then remembered that trouble was a luxury she couldn’t afford and that security was a synonym for the secret police. With a sigh she climbed into the car. “What kind of trouble?” she persisted as Nevena joined her.
    Nevena shrugged. “Maybe the visas are in disorder?”
    Mrs. Pollifax relaxed. If that was the case then the group would be flown back to Yugoslavia and their squabblesover visiting Bulgaria would be ended. Nevertheless she had been reminded that it was not healthy to be singled out by the police here. She really
must
be cautious.
    “Now,” said Nevena as she started the car, “I speak to you of Sofia, which is some five thousand years old and is capital of Bulgaria. It is fourth Bulgarian capital after Pliska, Preslav and Tarnovo. The Thracians called it Serdika, the Slavs called it Sredets, the Byzantines, Triaditsa. Although destroyed and burned by Goths, Magyars, Huns, Patsinaks and Crusaders, Sofia is today a beautiful modern city. With its original historical and cultural monuments and numerous mineral springs our capital is a great attraction for tourists.…”
    Oh dear, thought Mrs. Pollifax, suppressing a yawn, and in revolt she began her own assessment of Sofia, whose low silhouette lay stretched out ahead of her in the clear sparkling air. It was a sprawling city that encircled the foothill of a long high mountain range. The air was bracing and everything looked clean and fresh. Along the road grew clumps of Queen Anne’s lace, oddly endearing to her after the brief chill that had visited her. She decided that she really must halt that droning, mechanical voice at her side. It was time to assert.
    “There’s a gentleman I would like to call on tomorrow,” she told Nevena. “If you’ll advise me how to find him.”
    Nevena’s face tightened. “You
know
someone in my country?”
    Mrs. Pollifax shook her head. Speaking each word slowly and clearly she explained, “I don’t
know
this man. He’s not even Bulgarian. His name was suggested to me by a friend, in case I wanted to learn more about your country. His name is Carleton Bemish.”
    “Oh–Mistair Beemish!” laughed Nevena, and her face sprang to life, gamine and suddenly pretty. “The funny one! Everyone knows Bemish.” She said firmly, “He would be the good man for you if he is not busy. Maybehe have time. For myself I have not enough time, but you could join a group I begin tomorrow. At 1 P.M. sharp they tour Sofia in Balkantourist bus. Very
nice
bus.”
    “I’m renting a car while I’m here,” pointed out Mrs. Pollifax.
    “Oh–” Nevena slapped a hand to her forehead. “You are accurate! Eleven tomorrow.” She slowed the car. “Mr.