The Secret Adversary

unspoken, for the man's appearance and manner did not bear out her first and most

you I mean n

the particular motive which she had at first attributed to him. She looked him up and down. He was a big man, c

t is it?"

an sm

of your conversation with t

what o

t I think I may be

forced itself in

llowed

that l

you think you coul

om his pocket and hand

"Mr. Edward Whittington." Below the name were the words "Esthonia Glassw

rning at eleven o'clock, I will lay th

ock?" said Tupp

even o

made up

l. I'll b

ou. Good

mained for some minutes gazing after him. Then she gave a curio

about you, Mr. Whittington, that I don't like at all. But, on the other hand, I'm not the least bit afraid of y

ide from the direct route and entered a post office. There she pondered for some moments, a telegraph form in her hand. The t

which she had retained and wrote rapidly: "Don't put in advertisement. Will explain to-morrow." She addressed it to Tommy at hi

she murmured. "Anywa

out briskly for home, stopping at a bake

ia Glassware Co., and what earthly need could it have for her services? A pleasurable thrill of excitement made Tupp

h she did, she dreamed that Mr. Whittington had set her to washing up a pile of

To arrive before the time would look over-eager. So Tuppence decided to walk to the end of the street and back again. She did so. On the stroke of el

outside the ground glass door with the lege

rom within, she turned the handle and walk

high stool at a desk near the wind

nt with Mr. Whitting

partition door with "Private" on it, knocked, then

t her previous judgment confirmed. There was something wrong about Mr. Whittingt

d up and

all right? That's goo

this morning. She sat there meekly with downcast eyes whilst Mr. Whittington sorted

work? Well, I have work to offer you. What should you say now to ￡100 down, and all expenses paid?"

eyed hi

e of the work?

minal. A pleasant

ere

ington sm

ar

ourse, if father heard that he would have a fit! But somehow

the clock back a few years-a very few, I am sure-and re-enter one of

interru

nsion

olombier's in the

been more select. She had had several American

to Madame Colombi

s. Possibly

? There are no o

u would hold no communication with your friends. I should have to request ab

es

with a slight A

merican girl. I dare say I picked it up

an. Details about your past life in England might be more difficul

ton! You seem to be takin

on looked

you that Madame Colombier's is a most high-class and

almost too liberal, Mr. Whittington. I cannot see any w

ch less. What I am willing to pay for is a young lady with sufficient intelligence and presence of mind t

tle. She felt that Wh

here has been no mention of Mr.

Beres

nce with dignity. "You s

fraid we shan't req

both or neither. Sorry-but that's how

ing can't be managed. Sit down again

as she remembered the archdeacon. She seized hur

d then paused open-mouthed at the

rage, and the veins stood out on the forehead. And behind it all there l

our little g

not the faintest comprehension of his meaning, but she was naturally qui

ngton

what I wanted you for, but kept up the comedy. Is that it, eh?" He was cooling down. Th

ng she could sustain this illusion, but she realized t

perfect truth. "Rita

bored into he

you know?"

at Whittington's uneasiness was augmented instead of allayed. To ha

, "you knew enough to come in

own name," Tuppe

hen there would be two gi

chance," continued Tuppence, intoxica

ht his fist down upon

ch do you know? And h

he night before. Her present part was of the adventuress rather than the adventurous order, but she did not de

angry. You heard me say yesterday that I proposed to live by my wits. It seems to me that I have now proved

it doesn't," sn

ging me," said Tuppen

ing, and come to the point. You can't play the innocent with

to admire her own ingenui

to contradict you,

the usual que

ith complete success, but to mention a palpably impossible sum

ething down, and a fuller di

gave her an

kmail

smiled

say payment of se

ngton

pence still sweetly, "I'

h a sort of unwilling admiration. "You took me in all right. Thought yo

Tuppence, "is fu

, "some one's been talking. You say i

t knock into the room, and lai

sage just come

up and read it. A frow

o, Brown.

g the door behind him. Whi

me time. I'm busy now. He

d them across the table to Tuppence, then s

a businesslike manner, secured

n," she said politely. "At le

again, a reversion that aroused in Tuppence a faint mis

elation possessed her. A neighbouring clock

rprise!" murmured Tupp

eyes opened to their fullest extent as he hurried forward to assist Tuppence to al

d bean? I've got nothing sma