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Shall we begin: 'Young officer, twice wounded in the war--'"

Certainly not."

Oh, very well, my dear boy. But I can assure you that that sort of thing might

touch the heart of an elderly spinster, and she might adopt you, and then there

would be no need for you to be a young adventurer at all."

"I don't want to be adopted."

"I forgot you had a prejudice against it. I was only ragging you! The papers are full

up to the brim with that type of thing. Now listen--how's this? 'Two young

adventurers for hire. Willing to do anything, go anywhere. Pay must be good.' (We

might as well make that clear from the start.) Then we might add: 'No reasonable

offer refused'--like flats and furniture."

"I should think any offer we get in answer to that would be a pretty UNreasonable

one!"

Tommy! You're a genius! That's ever so much more chic. 'No unreasonable offer

refused--if pay is good.' How's that?"

"I shouldn't mention pay again. It looks rather eager."

It couldn't look as eager as I feel! But perhaps you are right. Now I'll read it

straight through. 'Two young adventurers for hire. Willing to do anything, go

anywhere. Pay must be good. No unreasonable offer refused.' How would that

strike you if you read it?"

It would strike me as either being a hoax, or else written by a lunatic."

It's not half so insane as a thing I read this morning beginning 'Petunia' and

signed 'Best Boy.'" She tore out the leaf and handed it to Tommy. "There you are.

Times, I think. Reply to Box so-and-so. I expect it will be about five shillings.

Here's half a crown for my share."

Tommy was holding the paper thoughtfully. His faced burned a deeper red.

"Shall we really try it?" he said at last. "Shall we, Tuppence? Just for the fun of

the thing?"

Tommy, you're a sport! I knew you would be! Let's drink to success." She poured

The Secret Adversary