The Secret Adversary | Page 9

Tuppence laid down her spoon. "You're right, Tommy, it is a bit
of a poser."
"After all, you know, you can't bluff him forever. You're sure to slip up
sooner or later. And, anyway, I'm not at all sure that it isn't
actionable--blackmail, you know."
"Nonsense. Blackmail is saying you'll tell unless you are given money.
Now, there's nothing I could tell, because I don't really know anything."
"Hm," said Tommy doubtfully. "Well, anyway, what ARE we going to
do? Whittington was in a hurry to get rid of you this morning, but next
time he'll want to know something more before he parts with his money.
He'll want to know how much YOU know, and where you got your
information from, and a lot of other things that you can't cope with.
What are you going to do about it?"
Tuppence frowned severely.
"We must think. Order some Turkish coffee, Tommy. Stimulating to
the brain. Oh, dear, what a lot I have eaten!"
"You have made rather a hog of yourself! So have I for that matter, but
I flatter myself that my choice of dishes was more judicious than yours.
Two coffees." (This was to the waiter.) "One Turkish, one French."
Tuppence sipped her coffee with a deeply reflective air, and snubbed
Tommy when he spoke to her.
"Be quiet. I'm thinking."
"Shades of Pelmanism!" said Tommy, and relapsed into silence.
"There!" said Tuppence at last. "I've got a plan. Obviously what we've
got to do is to find out more about it all."
Tommy applauded.
"Don't jeer. We can only find out through Whittington. We must

discover where he lives, what he does--sleuth him, in fact! Now I can't
do it, because he knows me, but he only saw you for a minute or two in
Lyons'. He's not likely to recognize you. After all, one young man is
much like another."
"I repudiate that remark utterly. I'm sure my pleasing features and
distinguished appearance would single me out from any crowd."
"My plan is this," Tuppence went on calmly, "I'll go alone to-morrow.
I'll put him off again like I did to-day. It doesn't matter if I don't get any
more money at once. Fifty pounds ought to last us a few days."
"Or even longer!"
"You'll hang about outside. When I come out I shan't speak to you in
case he's watching. But I'll take up my stand somewhere near, and
when he comes out of the building I'll drop a handkerchief or
something, and off you go!"
"Off I go where?"
"Follow him, of course, silly! What do you think of the idea?"
"Sort of thing one reads about in books. I somehow feel that in real life
one will feel a bit of an ass standing in the street for hours with nothing
to do. People will wonder what I'm up to."
"Not in the city. Every one's in such a hurry. Probably no one will even
notice you at all."
"That's the second time you've made that sort of remark. Never mind, I
forgive you. Anyway, it will be rather a lark. What are you doing this
afternoon?"
"Well," said Tuppence meditatively. "I HAD thought of hats! Or
perhaps silk stockings! Or perhaps----"
"Hold hard," admonished Tommy. "There's a limit to fifty pounds! But
let's do dinner and a show to-night at all events."

"Rather."
The day passed pleasantly. The evening even more so. Two of the
five-pound notes were now irretrievably dead.
They met by arrangement the following morning and proceeded
citywards. Tommy remained on the opposite side of the road while
Tuppence plunged into the building.
Tommy strolled slowly down to the end of the street, then back again.
Just as he came abreast of the building, Tuppence darted across the
road.
"Tommy!"
"Yes. What's up?"
"The place is shut. I can't make anyone hear."
"That's odd."
"Isn't it? Come up with me, and let's try again."
Tommy followed her. As they passed the third floor landing a young
clerk came out of an office. He hesitated a moment, then addressed
himself to Tuppence.
"Were you wanting the Esthonia Glassware?"
"Yes, please."
"It's closed down. Since yesterday afternoon. Company being wound
up, they say. Not that I've ever heard of it myself. But anyway the
office is to let."
"Th--thank you," faltered Tuppence. "I suppose you don't know Mr.
Whittington's address?"
"Afraid I don't. They left rather suddenly."

"Thank you very much," said Tommy. "Come on, Tuppence."
They descended to the street again where they gazed at one another
blankly.
"That's torn it," said Tommy at length.
"And I never suspected it," wailed Tuppence.
"Cheer up, old thing, it can't be helped."
"Can't it, though!" Tuppence's little chin shot out defiantly. "Do you
think this is the end? If so, you're wrong. It's