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splashed into Mrs. Vandemeyer's face, and during her momentary gasp,
Tuppence's right hand shot out and grasped the revolver where it lay on the edge
of the washstand. The next moment she had sprung back a pace, and the
revolver pointed straight at Mrs. Vandemeyer's heart, with no unsteadiness in the
hand that held it.
In the moment of victory, Tuppence betrayed a somewhat unsportsmanlike
triumph.
"Now who's on top and who's underneath?" she crowed.
The other's face was convulsed with rage. For a minute Tuppence thought she
was going to spring upon her, which would have placed the girl in an unpleasant
dilemma, since she meant to draw the line at actually letting off the revolver.
However, with an effort Mrs. Vandemeyer controlled herself, and at last a slow
evil smile crept over her face.
"Not a fool, then, after all! You did that well, girl. But you shall pay for it--oh, yes,
you shall pay for it! I have a long memory!"
"
"
I'm surprised you should have been gulfed so easily," said Tuppence scornfully.
Did you really think I was the kind of girl to roll about on the floor and whine for
mercy?"
"You may do--some day!" said the other significantly.
The cold malignity of her manner sent an unpleasant chill down Tuppence's
spine, but she was not going to give in to it.
"
Supposing we sit down," she said pleasantly. "Our present attitude is a little
melodramatic. No--not on the bed. Draw a chair up to the table, that's right. Now
I'll sit opposite you with the revolver in front of me--just in case of accidents.
Splendid. Now, let's talk."
"
What about?" said Mrs. Vandemeyer sullenly.
Tuppence eyed her thoughtfully for a minute. She was remembering several
things. Boris's words, "I believe you would sell--us!" and her answer, "The price
would have to be enormous," given lightly, it was true, yet might not there be a
substratum of truth in it? Long ago, had not Whittington asked: "Who's been
blabbing? Rita?" Would Rita Vandemeyer prove to be the weak spot in the armour
of Mr. Brown?
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